World #27 and German Fed Cup Team Member Meike Babel

I rediscovered Meike Babel vis a vis her social media networks, and immediately knew I wanted to interview because I liked her coaching style. I remembered her when she came on the pro tennis scene and she has had an incredible life in tennis. She grew up with tennis pro parents near Frankfurt, Germany, allegedly stole a tennis racquet as an infant, and played her junior tennis primarily in Germany. She played money tournaments and club matches on her way to pro tennis. We had a tremendous chat about her time as a pro player, and how she battled depression on tour. She shared her thoughts on Naomi Osaka's situation and gave her perspectives about Coco Gauff and countrywoman Angie Kerber. Meike Babel explained how she stopped playing after battling injuries, and ended up coaching college tennis, first at Tulane University and then for 18 years at Vanderbilt University. We talked in length about her time in college tennis, and why she loves college tennis. Now a teaching pro in Denver, Colorado she can be found at meikebabel.com and her youtube channel is a must. The Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast is powered by Sergio Tacchini. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.