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Welcome to the Atlanta Tennis Podcast.

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and goes from there.

We talk with coaches, club managers,

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and anyone else we find interesting.

We wanna have a conversation as long as it starts with tennis.

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- Hey, hey, this is Shaun with the Atlanta Tennis Podcast,

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So get yourself an Atlanta tennis monster's shirt.

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In this episode, GoTennis co-founder

and Atlanta Tennis Podcast contributor,

Coach G. Ivana Boyce,

gets to talk to Carson Tanglig,

who not only won her match

for the University of North Carolina

to clinch the team NCAA National Championship,

she and her partner won the doubles NCAA National Tournament

as a doubles team.

And there they received a wild card

into the US Open main draw starting August 28th.

Have a listen and let us know what you think.

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- So, Carson, welcome to the Atlanta Tennis Podcast.

Thank you so much for joining us.

I appreciate you very much,

meeting us at the Atlanta Open media day.

The other day, that was awesome.

We get to see you there.

So everybody is getting to know you for your accomplishments.

Ladies and gentlemen, can you tell us a bit

of the volume of that as we start,

and then we go back into the, how you got there?

- Yeah, so I coming in,

or this last year I was a sophomore at University of North Carolina.

I played typically line three singles for them

and kind of everywhere around the doubles lineup,

usually around two.

And this year we won the National Championship as a team.

I had the pleasure of clinching.

And then for the individual tournament,

my partner Fiona Crawley and I won the doubles tournament.

So we have a wild card to go play in New York

in the US Open at the end of August,

which has been the craziest whirlwind ever

and still can't believe it, but that's where I'm at now.

So that is wonderful.

And we will get to that.

But first, like I said, please indulge us.

Tell us where, when, and how?

Your tennis journey began.

- Yeah, so it's Grant Stafford.

He is my coach now.

It has been since I started when I was little.

And I would probably not have started tennis unless he,

'cause he moved in.

So when I was four, my parents,

we've been in this house since I was a baby.

And when I was four,

he moved across the street, so we're neighbors.

And another, my parents really played tennis.

And the question is, what do you think is the room?

That was another question.

'Cause I was always interested.

And you come here from,

the depends where tennis players are not so.

Thank you.

- Yeah, no, another of them really played tennis

just recreationally growing up.

They're, we were big basketball family.

And so basketball was probably always in the cards for me.

But Grant moved in across the street

and asked told my parents,

you know, if you're a kid,

you're a server board,

if you ever wanna get someone in a jatobomb, you know?

Come to our academy and I can give them lessons

and they can start.

And if they like it, they can keep going.

And so my older brother and sister started that

and they started drills.

And then I would always go to those and watch my sister

and my brother.

And then I started when I was old enough.

And then it just kind of took off from there,

both another of my siblings took it,

I ended up taking it as seriously as I ended up.

But I started doing after school drills,

and then I was loving it.

I did it probably three, four, maybe sometimes five days a week.

And then it just kind of took off from there

until homeschooling and all that, yeah.

That is awesome.

So your siblings are older, or younger?

They're older.

My sister is about five years older than me

and my brother is almost three years older than me.

Yeah, the younger one, the group,

and the one that got, you will see that a lot.

Yeah.

We got the kids with, you know, with siblings.

Either the first one or the last one.

That just sort of, certain particular things.

That's awesome.

So you started homeschooling as well at the H.O. 10.

For credit.

Fifth grade, yeah.

I'm not exactly sure how I was, but yeah,

fifth grade is when I started.

Now it was your idea or was a combination of your parents,

then you know why do we focus more on tennis?

How was that experience?

It was kind of a combination.

I think I wanted to, because I saw other people

my age in our academy doing it and grant as a coach was like,

I think you would really excel if you did this,

if you really want to be good.

And my mom, my parents and other of them

pushed super hard for anything sports wise.

That was when it's come from us.

So it was just kind of a discussion.

And so they wanted me to try it before I went to middle school

to at least kind of have a little bridge

and kind of get to get to a routine myself.

And my mom was always like, I don't want to be the one teaching you.

So you got to be kind of self-sufficient.

Because I mean both my parents work.

So they wanted me to do it during, or start in fifth grade

and then I ended up doing it all throughout the rest of school

just for travel purposes.

And I really started to get into it

and get a lot more serious about my tennis.

And both my parents were super supportive.

So we were traveling places all over the US

and training four hours, five hours a day.

So you think that you were ever had the opportunity

to actually focus on tennis?

Is that without the home school?

I do.

I think I would have, but I do think it definitely helped me

in a sense.

I'm a person that probably needed that extra time on the court.

I know a lot of people, even a lot of people,

my team now didn't have to homeschool

and are playing at the same level as I am.

So I think it's kind of different for everyone.

But I think I was definitely one of those people

where those extra hours on the court really helped me

in taking the time off and having the ability to do my school.

Get that done and then go on the tennis court

and just I don't think I necessarily needed the school aspect.

And my parents always said like,

as long as you're getting your academics done,

you can play as much tennis as you want.

So I think I have to have a podcast interview

with your parents as well.

(laughs)

Awesome idea and great encouragement for other parents as well.

Go for it and embrace the home school experience

and give the children opportunity to explore

their lives and their passions

'cause we need that even more of that.

That is wonderful.

So you were part of the,

not the government of Trinity said,

but part of the bulk kids at the lifetime?

Yes, so you would need that.

Yeah, I only did a few times.

I think I just did it two years back to back, maybe just one,

but it was for the Australian Open Wildcard Challenge

these years, super, super long time ago.

And I was training at lifetime at the time.

So I think Ms. Patricia asked if Grant or our program

had any extra kids that wanted to participate.

And I mean, I was there all day, every day.

So of course, I was gonna join in.

So I got to see like so many big names,

like at the time young American women players

like Grace Minne, Shelby Rogers.

And just being able to see them up close was super, super cool

and definitely had me.

But that kind of pro tennis on the map for me

was a really big, cool inspiration and motivation for me.

So it was just cool to see that like super up close.

Sure, that has to be an experience of that.

As I was a violininer.

And I will say, I've a violinist, I've a violinist.

My early years seen people in the stage

and been able to see them afterwards.

It was, oh my goodness, they were just, I wanna be that.

So for you, when finally you decide,

you know what, I can make a familiar out of these.

It's not just a passion that you've always

went to something that your practicing very hard

towards, but when is when finally taking it?

- I think, I was gonna have had that on my mind

and to some coaches that put it in my mind,

like you have a lot of potential.

And I think, nearing the end of middle school around there,

I had hopes of my junior career

and always trying to look to go pro.

Maybe there was like a set ranking that like,

if I was pro and I was at this ranking,

then maybe I would decide not to go to school.

But I think college was always on the radar.

And obviously I'm sure my parents wanted me to go.

But I think probably around the end of middle school,

going into high school, trying to figure out

if I did wanna go back to high school

and maybe do a half day instead of being fully online

and kind of figuring that out.

'Cause I also played, sorry, I also played basketball in high school

so we were trying to balance that and figure that out.

So in how I wanted to go about it.

And so there are a lot of conversations

but I think around there I kinda knew

that I could do something with it.

And we just kinda put in my head down

and working super hard around that time,

playing a ton of tournaments.

- That is a love of commitment for a young person.

Yes, I praise you for it because as a parent,

we want our kids to get to develop their passion

and cohort and it's hard to know

where to go to guide them to that.

So for you and your parents come together

and find out that what you want to do and support your children.

And then you realize, you know what?

I can get pro and you know,

how about this?

How about that and see all the ways we can do it?

That's fantastic.

Where so from there, how you decide to go to UNC?

How do you journey with?

- Yeah, so it was definitely a new process and a stressful one

and luckily I had a couple people to look up to

that were already in college

or had been through the process at some point in their life.

So they just gave me some pointers

and making sure I wasn't focusing too much,

putting too much pressure on myself

just kind of feeling it out and going at my own pace.

But ultimately, there were a ton of conversations.

I was just kind of keeping my options open.

I talked to a lot of coaches and I didn't expect to end up

at UNC and I honestly wasn't,

I didn't know how much of a legacy UNC already had

and so I was just kind of going on what my gut felt

and not less on what people were saying about certain programs

or being, or just how I've felt about certain programs.

So I just kept it, definitely keeping my options open

and then the coaches at UNC really just like my game

and like all the potential that they saw in it.

And it eventually came down to UGA or UNC,

which was tough because UGA is like the home school.

Everyone in Atlanta knows UGA.

It's always UGA tennis

and both my siblings at the time were there.

So it was definitely a tough decision,

but it was probably one of the more stressful moments,

probably stretch of like nine months in my life,

but it was definitely, I'm very blessed to have had like

the looks and just the amount of attention from coaches

that I've had because I think,

although it's stressful, like you,

I know it's not like that for everyone

and it was just a super cool opportunity to talk about my game

and talk about where I wanna go with my tennis

and just kind of pick a place where I feel like I would develop

and feel at home at the end.

So of course it's hard, it's hard at that age

just to realize the right, these are that.

And what about if I take these and this doesn't work

or this is very, so, yeah, exactly.

So well, that is that's awesome,

but you conquer them and you're doing very well.

It shows well, like I'm taking you there.

That's fantastic.

So talking about your journey as a tennis player,

what would you say to keep surround, you know,

in that field, tennis?

What would be just suggestion, you advise,

you're worth a wisdom to them.

They would like to pursue tennis as a career

or even to go to college and play for college.

- Yeah, I think definitely the biggest things

that I learned and I realized and had to keep learning

is that everyone has their own path.

You know, I was always, not always,

but I did compare myself to certain people at certain ages

and I was like, oh, like, why can't I be winning this title

or why am I not this ranking?

And I think just the biggest thing

and it sounds really cliche is just to like,

have fun and stay in the moment

and just think that everyone has their own path.

Everyone peaks at different times

and to just really just focus on your training,

trust your training, trust the people around you,

that are putting in work with you on the court.

I just think that's super important

because you can kind of lose sight of things

looking at outwards, looking at other people.

So I just think making sure you're enjoying it

versus in formulas and I just, yeah,

I think that's probably the biggest piece of advice I have

because I do see like people,

even little girls at my academy

just like not focusing on like, on the right things

and I think just having fun with it

and staying in the present moment,

knowing everyone has their own path

is probably one of the biggest things that I could stress

anyone.

- That's right, especially nowadays

with so much social media,

so much pressure from, in the, in all the spaces,

is like we get it from everywhere,

family social settings and that that is very important.

Now how do you deal about now being right there?

The one that little kids look up to, like for example,

Patricia Jensen was saying,

when she told us about you,

oh, she was so excited and this is kind of unbelievable

and that is a no, I'm so excited because now my boy kids,

the golden trimmer's gonna be looking up to her

and there can see that they can do it,

that all the efforts that they're putting now,

they're gonna be able to get somewhere,

is exciting for us as a person,

when we got old.

See you guys getting to do some

maybe wonderful thing and to see the youth also looking up to you.

So how's that feeling?

That how Carson feels about that?

- It's definitely different, you know,

'cause I used to look up to some people

whether from Atlanta or not and I,

oh, I mean, I looked it up to Sonya,

the girls that were at my academy that were going to college

when I was in baby middle school

and I just think it's really kind of a cool thing

to see that I'm maybe on the other side of that now

and I'm honored that I get to share hopefully some of the wisdom

and hopefully they take something from what I say

and hopefully what I'm saying means something to them.

- Or should they at least be near watchy?

So you can start your journey right now into mentorship,

just by riding down your talks, your journey

because I'm so glad that's gonna help tremendous me

to young players and that you're,

I can see you very much here for your age.

So I pray to you.

Thank you.

One day we'll see that 'cause you guys are the future, right, Bobby?

- Absolutely.

- Yes, what about you, jump in, how many questions?

- Well, I wanna give her a hard time initially

just because she made that comment about

how many years and years ago the Australian open wild card,

lifetimes only been open for less than 10 years.

So I love youngsters when they start thinking about the past,

years and years ago.

All I remember is that year it was a flood.

We did the tournament, right?

It was, oh my God, it rained the whole time.

- Yeah, it was all indoors.

- All indoors 'cause it rained.

So that was the one, that might have been the last year.

So that might have been the one that said,

"Okay, we've done this long enough."

So my big question is 'cause I still teach this with my kids

is the grant staffer return of serve.

Do you still do the step split and hit?

- Yes, it's exactly that.

And no one will ever do it as well as Grant will.

And he will never fail to make your serve feel bad

if he's returning against you.

But yeah, it's always step split, it's never changed.

- He taught me that years and years ago, I still use it.

And you know, I told it was speaking to Sean prior to it.

I said, "Grant, I think at the time

had the second highest return of serve efficiency in tennis

behind only a guy named Agacy."

- Yeah.

- So he was pretty good at it.

It's great.

People don't realize that we have that here in Atlanta.

Yeah, we have that here in Atlanta.

And Grant was always super humble,

always willing to share.

And like I said, to this day,

I still use the steps, split and hit.

Got this from Grant Stafford.

It works, go for it.

So good for you there.

And also having survived Patricia Jensen.

God bless you.

- Thank you, thank you.

Yeah, Grant's definitely been a huge part of my tennis.

Obviously, I think he's a little hidden gem in Atlanta

'cause he doesn't ever want to do any like the big press stuff.

He doesn't want to be like noticed,

but he's definitely a hidden gem.

And I think, you know, when people know him,

they really know him and they have some funny stories to tell

and some good stuff to say about him.

- Then my last question,

and I won't go into all the UNC alumni.

But have you met the opportunity to meet any

the tennis USC alumni dignitaries,

especially one that lives here in Atlanta, right?

- Yes, I met Caroline Price and Whitney Kay.

I actually met Caroline last year

we were eating dinner before one of the night sessions

at Veline Open.

So it's been cool.

There's definitely a cool network of bigger than you think,

network of, you know, Carolina, Lama, Atlanta.

So it's been cool and they're awesome.

All of Veline, I are so awesome.

So we had that former guy, that big lefty,

who was also number one in the world in doubles,

who's the UNC alumni.

He met Don Johnson yet?

- I have not.

- Oh, well, Don lives here.

He was number one.

Again, you're too young, but it wasn't that long ago.

That Don was number one in the world in doubles.

And he's UNC grad.

He played with a buddy of mine, Andre Janisack

was there at the same time.

So, quite luminaries in the UNC history of family.

Of course, then there's that Jordan guy,

but we won't get into that.

He didn't graduate, so he didn't count.

- Yeah, it doesn't matter.

(laughing)

- Well, great success.

And just knock him out to US Open.

Congratulations on the NCAAs.

- Thank you so much.

- I'm done, Jill.

You can go now.

I'm gonna stay here and just listen again.

(laughing)

- You're so sick.

I know it's hard for you to do both,

but you need to have another question, don't hesitate.

- No, I'm done.

I'm done.

I won my bright shirt just so I'd be noticed.

- Look at you.

You're always noticed.

You're always noticed.

But I was gonna ask about, yes, so,

we did all depends.

Now, how you program?

That is from my, and it's not in the script, by the way.

And how is, how are you training?

I'm a fitness instructor, I'm a ledger,

you're a instructor, and I'm big of the off court workout.

And this is a question that I came out of my mind right now.

So how you manage on court workout

with your off court workouts?

- Yeah, so right now, actually, I just,

I think as you know, I'm recovering

from a little procedure I had.

So I'm trying to get back into that.

So, but I'm actually, I love doing Pilates.

So I'm doing that twice a week, probably.

- You're gonna do that.

(laughs)

- Yeah, I love Pilates.

My mom got me into it.

So, and it definitely helps.

I mean, working like the small muscles

and I think it creates like good balance in my body.

So I'm doing that.

And then I will be running,

'cause I need to get back into my into shape.

So a lot of like,

sprints more like pyramid runs and tempo runs,

things like that and do those couple times a week.

And then getting back into lifting,

just following the lifts that are trainer at UNC,

sent home with us for the summer

and doing those probably three times a week around there.

And then I'm usually training a couple hours a day,

sometimes twice for a little bit in the afternoon,

but for the most part in the morning to beat the heat

and just working on some specifics

and hitting with our group.

So, so I'm going to see you care how many hours a day

to do 20.

- I'd say around two to three nowadays.

It definitely was higher when I was a little kid,

with so much energy and could go on the core for hours

and hours, but I'd say two, three, sometimes four,

it just kind of depends on the day

and when I'm feeling and how I'm feeling.

So, you're very wise,

because you always, you know,

when the youth comes up,

it's your energy, they just go in and do it

and then your old sore muscles

and you cannot move well

and when you create that balance,

that harmony between the off-cold and the on-cold

and the rest that you guys need,

because it's developing.

You still need to, and please stay away from you,

you'll be alright.

Keep up your plighted

and you need any helping room with those regards.

I am what you're saying.

(laughs)

- Thank you so much.

- Thank you so much.

- My, Cheery for her, that's awesome

that she got to be like

and you were welcoming that into your training

because there's a lot of athletes

that they don't, they go to play as a yoga

actually when they are injured.

So, they're with injuries or they're recovering

is when they, but if you do that before then,

you are, you're gonna prevent those injuries.

- Yeah.

- That's fantastic.

- I like how that.

- Awesome, I'm so, so happy to keep that.

Now, where are you going from now?

So, how long are you gonna be here back at home

until you go to the years of in how about those?

- I should be home for the most part,

maybe I may be playing one tournament

with Fiona up in Evansville, Indiana, just as a warmup,

but I should be home most of the summer besides that week.

And then I'm going to Chapel Hill,

I haven't figured out the dates yet,

but probably early August,

one of the first or second weeks

and then I'll be there two to three weeks

until we head up to New York

'cause I think Fiona and our coaches

and everyone will head up together.

So, I think that's the plan as of now,

but it's pretty tentative.

- Yes, well, it's gonna come fast.

It's gonna come fast, it's so exciting.

(laughs)

And try to do, you know, do you meditate?

- I do not, I should, but I don't.

- Well, you're way of meditation is.

Who be, it is the most.

Many, well, just bringing peace into your world.

So, make sure you take time for that

because so much going on,

a vicious schedule and everything,

it can be very stressful.

And you're gonna stay for every single part of that journey

that you're gonna, you know, embrace very soon.

So, that is fantastic.

And we so looking forward to hear from you again

after you come back back home and before you start college.

And all that, please, make us as your home,

as your, another place that you can share with the world,

whether you're doing it and how you're doing it,

and really appreciate all the wisdom

that you can bring,

and good example that you can bring to the world.

We work with kids with my husband and love as well.

And we treasure, we treasure that,

to be able to tell our kids,

attend his/her children kids, you know what?

You have to follow her and she's doing a great thing

that she's been in, she's worked hard,

she's served when she was five years old, four years old.

And all that is very, very, very,

for you say, very motivational.

And we love to do that.

- Well, thank you.

Thank you so much for having me and it's been fun,

you know, talking about the little things

that not a lot of people talk about and just the journey,

'cause I feel like that's the most important part.

So.

- It is, thank you for saying it.

It's the most important part,

because when we get up here, okay, it's here,

but that is just part of the long journey

that we have been working just before, you know,

long time before that big thing happens in our life.

So please, make us your home, come back,

let us know what, all the other accomplishments

are coming up and looking forward.

We will be following you, all right?

- Thank you, thank you so much.

- My pleasure, may the cards be with you.

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- Well, there you have it.

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See you next time.

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