Open Ed Archives - AM8 International

Posted on 2 May 20246 August 2024 by Dr B

This Week’s Episode with a Twist: Unlocking Tennis Player Autonomy as the Story[line] in Madrid

As the world’s leading scientist and elite performance coach across the tennis landscape, my life’s work has been an unwavering pursuit to unlock the secrets behind developing and sustaining a top 10 tennis ranking among other achievements i.e. Grand Slam success. Through over two decades of research, data analysis, and working with athletes across the globe, I have identified technical rulers as one of the critical lynchpins separating the elite echelon from the rest of the field.

This fundamental principle was brought into sharp focus during the latest episode of Beyond Top 10 Tennis, where I analysed the performances and subsequent implications from the prestigious Madrid Open. By dissecting the results through the lens of my groundbreaking theories and frameworks, a compelling narrative emerged – one that underscored the pivotal role technical autonomy plays in propelling players to the apex of the sport.

At its core, technical autonomy represents the harmonious synthesis of physical technique and psychological mastery, where execution becomes innate, freed from the constraints of conscious thought. It is the hallmark of true elite performance, a state where tactics and decision-making flow with an unconscious, symbiotic fluidity. However, as my extensive data reveals, attaining this rarified plane is a feat achieved by a mere 8% of the world’s top 100 players in a given season.

The stakes are perilously high, for the other 92% find themselves ensnared in a perpetual tug-of-war against the relentless forces of regression. A sobering 50% of the vaunted top 10, paradoxically, are rendered susceptible to being displaced from their lofty perches, their grip on technical autonomy slipping like grains of sand through clenched fists. It is this brutal reality that adds a visceral urgency to the insights each episode and Book imparts.

Madrid serves as a microcosm of this eternal struggle, a tapestry woven from the threads of triumph and tribulation, of ascents and descents. The ageless Rafael Nadal, a fading titan summoning fleeting flashes of his erstwhile claycourt genius, fell for the final time on his home courts and yet his performance was far from being a mere footnote. A poignant reminder that even legends must continually reforge their technical acuity, lest they be consumed by the churning tides of generational upheaval.

It is here that my work, built upon a foundation of over a decade of research and international collaborations, offers a revelatory roadmap. Through a harmonious synthesis of data-driven insights, biomechanical analysis, and psychological frameworks, I have identified the optimal pathway to developing a top 10 ranking – a progressive, incremental approach that prioritises the establishment of an unshakable technical foundation.

This philosophy is enshrined in the very core tenets that underpin my teachings, most notably in “The 7 Keys to Optimise Your Life” and the groundbreaking “Optimal Performance Theory” shared in “The Science of Elite Performance”. These works, complemented by a vast repository of over 90 collective articles and blog pieces, offer a comprehensive blueprint for players, coaches, and parents alike to navigate the perilous waters of elite tennis development. Of course, 11 Books I have penned are must-haves to work in conjunction with these pieces.

At the heart of this approach lies a fundamental truth – the pursuit of technical autonomy is not a fleeting fancy, but a lifelong odyssey that demands an unwavering commitment to the process. It is a Sisyphean task of ingrained muscle memory, a mantra echoed in the ‘10,000 hits’ paradigm that has become a cornerstone of the entwined philosophy.

For it is only when the technical minutiae become second nature, hardwired into the neurological fabric of a player’s being, that the mental shackles are unlocked, freeing the consciousness to operate at its highest stratosphere. This is the elusive realm where point construction transcends conscious thought, where tactics flow like an unconscious stream, and where the chasm between the baselines and the cerebral battleground dissipates.

Yet, as the data reveals, this transition is far from seamless. Players embarking on the journey of integrating new technical elements into their games must brace for a temporary dip in results and rankings. It is a necessary sacrifice, a give-and-take that allows the autonomy of muscle-memory to amend and give way to the new — to be rewired, creating the fertile soil from which technical autonomy can blossom.

This phenomenon was brought into sharp relief during this week’s episode, as I analysed the performances of players actively partaking in and/or those in much need of this precarious transition. The perfect example is front and centre by the WTA No. 1 Swiatek, showcasing a level of technical autonomy that rendered her unapproachable, her matches unfolding with a clinical, almost ethereal efficiency.

In contrast, players like Rune, though undeniably talented, displayed glimpses of technical dissonance – fleeting moments where execution and intent grew discordant, indicative of the ongoing necessary ‘break’ in their respective state-of-autonomy. It is a phase all players must navigate, a crucible that separates the transient from the transcendent. But whether or not this is the cause for a rankings regression — with intent, or otherwise, will unfold over the coming weeks and season.

This dichotomy between conscious effort and unconscious mastery is further explored in my latest groundbreaking release, “How to Develop a Top 10 Tennis Ranking.” This seminal work, a culmination of over a decade of research and on-court collaborations, delves into the 8th Key – the elusive element that amplifies and elevates a player’s game towards that rarified top 10 stratosphere.

Within its pages, I unpacked the intricate web of technical parameters, biomechanical markers, and psychological frameworks that must be seamlessly integrated to forge an unbreakable state of technical autonomy. It is a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, a paradigm shift that offers an unprecedented level of insight and guidance for those seeking to break the ultimate barrier.

As the sun-baked terra cotta of Madrid is in its final days, a clarion call echoes through the hallowed corridors of academies and training facilities across the globe as the 2024 French Open approaches. It is a summons to the endless grind, to the relentless pursuit of technical mastery that has defined the legacies of the immortals which by months end will begin the next quest for the next Champion.

For in this arena, where the margins between greatness and obscurity are measured in millimetres and milliseconds, it is those who heed this call, who embrace the process with a monastic level of devotion, that will etch their names amongst the pantheon of tennis legends. And it is my life’s work, an unwavering commitment, to remain steadfast as the guiding light that illuminates their path towards that elusive summit.

Through a potent combination of data-driven analysis, biomechanical assessments, and psychological frameworks, AM8 International shares a revelatory roadmap – a blueprint that has been forged on real-world on-court implementations. It is a holistic, multidimensional approach that leaves no stone unturned, addressing every facet of a player’s game, from the technical to the mental, the physical to the strategic.

And at the core of this philosophy lies a fundamental truth – a truth that echoes through the hallowed clay courts of the French Open and will continue to reverberate through every Grand Slam around the globe. The pursuit of technical autonomy is not a fleeting fancy, but an eternal odyssey, a lifelong commitment to mastering one’s craft with a level of dedication that transcends mere ambition — perhaps even mortals.

For those with the courage and conviction to embrace this truth, to internalise it to the very core of their being, the rewards are as timeless as the game itself – the eternal embrace of tennis immortality. So as the dust settles before the roars ignite the crowds come the 2024 French Open and 2024 Paris Olympics, here is a call to all – a summons for players, coaches, and parents alike to join AM8 International in their own unrelenting quest. We’ll be with you each and every step of the way.

This week’s piece was built on the latest episode in conjunction with Claude.ai — prompted to provided a summary in my voice that I have heavily amended and edited whilst keeping with the spice. If you enjoyed this piece, I will leverage Claude.ai more often to provide a more concise summary of our episode transcript — which Claude.ai was provided with along with some key prompts from myself to build this piece. Please keep in mind that this is done with the intent to provide a more concise summary of an episode transcript that is ten-fold this duration (at a minimum). Noteworthy that as the author of this work, I used my own work, my own instructions, along with my own guidelines, to provide a summary of my own work — research, analysis and otherwise, to provide you with this week’s piece: amended and edited by yours truly.

To learn more about our data, predictive analytics and how to optimise your own performance, head on over to AM8 International. To learn more about AM8 International check out our selection of Books and/or options to join Dr B’s Pack to gain exclusive access to the best in the world. Not quite ready? Head on over to Beyond Top 10 Tennis for free access to 100+ episodes directly from Dr Berge of what it really takes to win multiple Grand Slams to securing that Top 10 tennis ranking with new episodes each week. More? Catch up on our Tips over on TikTok, Twitter, Threads or Instagram for quick snippets to apply in your game, today.

Posted on 26 April 20248 August 2024 by Dr B

For the Love of the Game: A [true] Tennis Player’s Reality

The onslaught of the game to the highs and lows and everything in between is the reality of what a tennis player signs up for with the sheer driver of love pulling and pushing them all the way. It’s a hard truth but equally a beautiful reality when performance merges with this passion and equates with Grand Slam success. It’s the pinnacle of play and a heart filled with desire — bursting at the seams to lift that elusive trophy. Whether it be once, twice or twenty times more, the truth is forever etched in a player’s core driver — their love of the game.

To read the full article please consider supporting my work through my new Book (pending release late 2024) that incorporates a variety of my writing — Dr Berge

This week’s change of pace was prompted by Nadal’s potential finale in Madrid, Thiem’s constant battle with his ailing wrist, Badosa with her rankings slide along with Raducanu who’s been sidelined on/off for the past two seasons along with dozens of other players who struggle with their love of the game, managing injuries to knowing what it really [truly] takes to secure that Top 10 tennis ranking.

Posted on 19 April 20246 August 2024 by Dr B

The Week that was across the Tennis World, BJK Cup, Davis Cup, Saudi Arabia, Nadal and More

This week on Beyond Top 10 Tennis featured the Billie Jean King Cup through to Monte Carlo and Nadal’s return to Barcelona with a significant emphasis on some key ranking progressions and regressions. If you haven’t tuned in already, I’d encourage you to do so to get a better grasp of where we’re going and how this is being shaped to afford further context to a Top 10 tennis player, their ranking and ultimate standing when it comes to claiming that maiden Grand Slam or notching up that extra two, three, four or more.

First and foremost, the BJK Cup is a far cry from the original Fed Cup and its ‘brother‘ — the Davis Cup. The ties are smaller and done so in a shorter period and the crowds are a little lacklustre in comparison to what use to be. That said, I’ll be the first one to say that irrespective of these changes it has helped players on both the WTA and ATP tours with their scheduling. Quite frankly, they’re over-cooked come end of year when these events would take place and/or would miss out on valuable points if they opted to play. Simply put, players shouldn’t need to make a choice — the calendar should open up for them to play.

Interestingly, this is exactly what the WTA did this week with only a handful of smaller tournaments that were in action and/or underway. The same isn’t necessarily the case for the ATP but it comes pretty close. Arguably and for some reason unknown to be frank, the ATP still offers more tournaments in contrast to the WTA for players to not simply participate in and/or play, but offer the very fact of affording a ‘livelihood’ from their sport. And that’s the catch. Equal prize money should be on both sides of the playing field.

Money, money, and a little bit more. From the WTA succumbing to the dollars and saying yes to the season finale to be held in Saudi Arabia is an absolute pitfall of the game. Honestly, it’s incredibly sad. Super disheartening and all the rest. Why did the WTA need to go so ‘low‘ as to say yes to a country that does not have a universal level of equality throughout their country? Granted it is a women’s sport and the best of these women for the 2024 season will be now going there to play the season ending Championships but it is now somehow a terribly ironic situation granted that women who call this country home are not afforded the same levels of respect and freedom.

Two primary pillars the WTA has fought incredibly hard for and with the BJK Cup qualifiers playing out the past week, it’s a timely reminder that the WTA really needs a shake-up at the top to put these women and their rights front and centre in contrast to making poor ‘monetary’ decisions.

The ATP is booming in comparison. Yes, more tournaments throughout the year for prize money to be up for grabs. Sure, they’ve also gone for the money-grab especially in reference to the Davis Cup and the shamble that has followed, but women’s rights is something the WTA has actually fought for in contrast to the ATP not necessarily making these inroads simply because men were never at a disadvantage. That said, the ATP has gone as far as starting to offer minimum prize pursues for players ranked outside the Top 100 to ensure they can make a living whilst the WTA has yet to take any (public) action in this respect.

Tennis is an expensive sport. The reality is a lot of players cannot afford to continue their quest towards the Top 10 simply because of the cost. This is why AM8 International was built with a firm precedence of accessibility and affordability. This means no matter where you’re based in the world, you can access our resources. The same applies for affordability. By designing these resources to guide you alongside a subscription option, players can save upwards of $300,000 over the course of a 10 Year playing cycle. And in reality, if you decide not to subscribe and stick firm to our resources and take advantage of the Elite Performance Package each quarter, you’re saving ten-fold that amount whilst accessing quite literally the best in the world.

What is equally upsetting in this regard is that first and foremost, I’m a huge fan of Nadal — I mean, who isn’t? Though his recent association with Saudi Arabia isn’t doing the WTA any favours. Sure, there have been other names associating with the country but both Nadal and Federer have lifted tennis to another level. I can see where they’re coming from by all accounts, but with a woman’s safety needing to be the #1 priority this still remains upsetting on a wider scale and deserves the full attention of both governing bodies to restructure their approach on inclusion and where events are held.

This week has also been quite a significant one in respect to player rankings with emphasis on our predictive analytics and the anticipation of results. What does that mean? Well, for some time now I’ve been sharing a few primary insights from our data with key player indicators. In January it was Fritz who was noted as regressing outside the Top 10 and possibly a brief stint back inside the Top 10 prior to regressing once again. Check. Next was de Minaur who would break into the Top 10 — double check! Whilst de Minaur is just outside the Top 10 at this stage, this is really a matter of time and a game of points on the line. Insofar as performance is concerned, de Minaur remains ripe for the Top 10. Then there was Tsitsipas, however, with those additional points from Monte Carlo he has surged back inside the Top 10 when in reality it should really look like a #10 and/or #9 ranking at best. Rudd’s ranking progression is slightly different as he has been making traction this year and he was predicted to be more comfortably inside the 8% by now — double check-check. Next comes Rune who has been predicted this season to regress outside the Top 10 and this has finally come to fruition. Of no fault of his own, granted he did actually have a reasonable performance at Monte Carlo, rather it really is his level and results up until now that have finally caught up to his ranking and as such aligns with his current level of play.

By all means, if Rune pieces together his performance from Monte Carlo and continue to build on this momentum, then he will be back inside the Top 10 come the French Open.

And what about the WTA tour? Given that is was a relatively quiet week on tour with the BJK Cup underway, there were some surprise performances. Svitolina went down and so did Garcia. Radacanu and Osaka picked up some solid wins. Pegula had some tight matches and Swiatek breezed through. Overall, Swiatek was the primary player in action this week whose performances aligned with her ranking whereas a number of other players did not necessary align with their ranking whilst those ranked outside the Top 100 (i.e. Radacanu and Osaka) delivered. Arguably, Osaka has been playing in line with a Top 50 ranking and at times, a Top 20 ranking with some fluctuations. Therefore those results are of no surprise. The bigger surprise was Radacanu taking the win over Garcia — a noteworthy performance. Yet there were some key players missing from action this week but that is also due to team selection, availability and current ranking. Without getting into the politics of it all, it’s fair to say some teams had more robust and well-rounded players inside the Top 20 that were in action whilst some teams were quite simply underdone.

Last but not least, Nadal deserves more of the limelight. Despite not going further at Barcelona he had an almighty task against de Minaur. Sure, even a season or two ago Nadal would have been the favourite and on clay I’d say he’s favourite any day of the week but unfortunately for Nadal, his body won’t allow him to play the level of tennis we know he’s capable of playing and de Minaur took the advantage.

However, don’t be fooled, not every player would have been able to achieve this result with the sheer aura of Nadal forcing many to their knees before the first ball.

My primary hope for Nadal, of course albeit bias, is for him to lift his Roland Garros trophy one final time and if it’s not to be, for his run at the French to be solid, deep and if someone is to take Rafa down for it to be in 5 brutal sets that leave his opponent knackered but also, if they’re good enough to overcome him on clay, then for them to be good enough to go all the way and lift the trophy as the ultimate reward.

Posted on 8 March 20246 August 2024 by Dr B

Open Ed: Simona Halep and a Callous Team

Let’s make no mistake here, what Simona Halep’s coaching team has done is destroy her career over the best part of the past 18 months — perhaps momentarily but those 6+ Grand Slams are gone when Help was at one of her peaks and a genuine contender to claim additional Championships wins. I mean, it’s not like Halep is in prime condition to win Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics but if she maintained her trajectory from prior to the well known anti-doping judgements, she may have very well have been positioned to claim a podium position for Romania. And yet, the irony here is that her team has suffered nil consequences.

Now that is overdue. Halep’s Head Coach at the time — who I’ve chosen not to name for the simple sake of limiting addition attention he has sought over this time, was widely recognised as the Coach responsible for Serena Williams’ almighty success. Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. Rather, I’ll argue he was in the right place at the right time and was able to build a superior relationship with Serena whose fundamentals had been built long prior to this establishment. For example, remember those earlier Grand Slam triumphs when her father and/or mother was at the helm? Or what about when they stepped away and Serena’s then hitting partner took the reins? Notably, Sacha went on to take Osaka to her maiden two Grand Slam titles. As for the Coach in question? I’m quite sure he had zero Grand Slams to his name at the time when he took the coaching reins and Serena had already stacked up quite a few. In other words, Serena knew what she was doing.

But this isn’t to discount his contribution as her Head Coach. By all accounts, this Coach helped steer Serena towards her additional Grand Slam triumphs. But, has he been able to replicate this? No. Capitalising on the notoriety, business deals have come flourishing. Interestingly, for Serena’s former hitting-partner-come Coach, Sacha, this wasn’t the case. But, I’m gauging both have a similar number of Grand Slams to their name whereas the latter opted to shout this at the rooftops and take full credit for Serena’s ascension to become the G.O.A.T. And now is responsible for derailing the career of one of her biggest rivals with zero consequences.

If you run a few numbers, this ascension isn’t true and yet the derailment rings alarm bells.

So where does Halep come into play? Well, this was the ‘best’ opportunity that had come knocking at this said Coaches door and after a trial run, Halep opted to give him a real shot. Or, so the story goes. Already with multiple Grand Slams to her name, the question was really whether or not this Coach could really add to the tally. Brutally, this was cut short. Halep was accused of intentionally doping and has been sidelined ever since. The Coach in question has used this time to ramp up his business interests and endeavour to solidify his place as the ‘best coach in the world’. I call bulls*it. Well, if we’re talking the real deal, I definitely can’t say I’ve been all too happy with this ‘Coach’ trying to take my mantle that I’ve rightfully earned with the accolades to my name.

No, I haven’t been featured in a Netflix series. Unfortunately, business in a man’s world speaks volumes. But this isn’t about me. This is really for clarity for those who are unfamiliar with ‘the best of’ and to hopefully prevent you from being naive and succumbing to the same trap many have followed in believing Serena’s success was due to this one person. Nope, not true.

Darren Cahil was Halep’s former Coach and boy did they have success. Guess who else he has coached? Agassi and Hewitt are on his honour roll. And now? None other than Sinner with all Grand Slams to each of their names and not before his arrival for the latter two. This Coach? Nope, no other Grand Slam wins to his name. Although, he has tried to pluck them out of the Top 10 to make them his — just like Halep when she was comfortably positioned inside the best in the world. His latest culprit? Rune. But that has been on again, off again, and Rune has achieved a Top 10 ranking without him.

Me? Well, there’s an argument that says if you don’t “do” then that can’t be the case. Sure, I can see how you can argue that perspective. The counter? Whilst I have worked with players for 20 Years, a significant part of the last 12 Years has been 99.9% science focused. You see, some continue to do what they do — Coach, whilst others try to change the world. The latter is me. But really, it’s the tennis world. By using data and new analytics I’ve uncovered — as a data scientist to global researcher in this space, how to actually develop the best players in the world. As such, rather than keep this all to myself and “do” I opted to share — to make this available worldwide for each and every player, parent to coach that aspires to achieve a Top 10 tennis ranking and to go on to achieve Grand Slam success.

Sure, give me a player and I’ll get them on track to Win Grand Slams. After all, that’s what I’ve spent the past 20 Years uncovering. But at the same time, countless others miss that shot. That’s why I built The Long Game, The Pathway, the 7 Keys and the subsequent publications — for each and every one of you to follow and access. Yes, that’s including each and every Top 10 tennis player.

And where does this leave Halep? Well, her Coach has zero consequences. None. And this is wrong. If the saying that there is no “I” in Team rings true, then they should have been dealt the same penalties in contrast to flourishing their business interests and taking on new talent through to signing additional contracts. Whilst the player has suffered and remains at a loss due to their negligence, their negligence has zero consequences for thier career. Now if that’s not f*cked up I don’t know what is.

The irony? So many players have shed dirt on Halep and distanced themselves from her since the initial accusation. Shame on them. You know who stood by her? The ethical ones — including her former Coach. What Halep has gone through is incredibly unfair and awfully wrong. So I must ask, why has the Coach not suffered the same feat if not worse given that they were responsible for the said recommendation for Halep to introduce a new supplement into her training plan?

Even worse? So many players have been left ill-informed by this Coach that you bet it makes me upset. Why? Because my work has centred around two primary pillars. One, how to quite literally become the best player in the world — Top 10 tennis ranking and multiple Grand Slams achieved. And I am proud to say that I have done both, uncovered both and left an incredibly legacy for the tennis world — but I’m not finished. Two, all of these achievements are done so whilst protecting the player and to ensure these technical parameters mitigate injuries in contrast to leading towards injuring the player. There’s a big difference.

But no, as much as the idea of travelling 40+ weeks per year on the WTA and/or ATP tour could be entertaining, I also value being able to help those who genuinely want to become the best in the world. And the best part? I can help more than one or two Top 10 players in the process. And for even more Top 100 players to progress closer towards the Top 10.

Just promise me this, if you dare. Don’t believe everything you read — I mean sure, even this. Although if you do your due diligence you’ll find the truth right before your eyes. But just because someone is on Netflix doesn’t mean they did the right thing. The same applies for success — just because they were Serena’s Head Coach, doesn’t mean they were responsible for her success. Like, come on. It’s Serena. You’ve got to be kidding me if you really think Serena didn’t know what she was doing. He was there for the ride and the publicity which has served him well, and a few choice words when in need. But those Grand Slams stem from her parents and her ability to be cemented as the G.O.A.T.

As for Halep, she deserves direct entry back into the Top 10 — so, let’s see it WTA. She deserves her ranking points restored. And yes, she deserves to be reimbursed for any losses caused. That said, I hope Halep opts for a different approach — maybe she’ll even pick up “How to Develop a Top 10 Tennis Ranking” or read through “What is Your Game Missing” before the much heavier “Science of Elite Performance” and keep me on speed dial. Either way, that’s what I’m here for. Maybe I’ll venture out for those Grand Slams to Olympic glory, but you won’t find me on tour — my dogs simply would not be okay with that and I’m pretty comfortable being able to share those additional updates on Beyond Top 10 Tennis, too.

Which means for now, speed dial is limited to a select few, but those Books are designed for all. And to be clear, no Coach should recommend a supplement whatsoever unless they’re a certified MD and it has gone through clearance with anti-doping. Which means, no — I have never nor will I encourage a player to ingest a supplement of any kind unless it has been cleared and validated. On that note, let’s remember that this Coach is a Coach — not with any formal postgraduate qualifications in this area to their name. And yet, here I am as a Woman with all of those qualifications — plus more, so I’ll just patiently wait for Netflix to give me a call unless they’re waiting for the controversy to mishaps because they won’t find them here. Maybe that’s why only a few continue to Win multiple Grand Slams and the rest continue to be left behind?

Kidding. I know why, I’ve already published and written about this with the data to pinpoint these differences which means knowledge is power and those who have been prepared to learn the 7 Keys and The Power of the 8th Key are the ones to truly watch.

Category: Open Ed