In this episode of the Great Base Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith and co-host Dave Anderson sit down with Texas A&M head coach and former world No. 11, Steve Denton. Denton opens with the incredible story of the Shanghai Masters, how former Aggies Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot, first cousins, battled their way from qualifying and alternates into a dream final on one of tennis’ biggest stages. He explains their roots at Texas A&M, why developing an all-court, forward-moving game takes longer, and how subtle changes in style and mindset can unlock a pro career.

Episode 277's conversation ranges through Denton’s own tour days, doubles with Kevin Curren, the evolution of college tennis, the importance of doubles as a pathway to making a lineup, and why “lifers” like Austin Krajicek and Jackson Withrow keep finding success. Along the way, you’ll hear rich Texas and Trinity tennis history, locker-room stories involving McEnroe and Connors, and Denton’s perspective on what parents and players should really value in the college and pro journey.