The Farm and Forge Podcast

The Racquet Evaluation Process | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #4

At RPNY Tennis @ Farm & Forge, we’re always focused on helping players unlock their best. In Episode #4, we sit down with legendary racquet technician Roman Prokes to break down his Racquet Evaluation Process—what it is, how it works, and why it can completely change a player’s game. From beginners to pros (including players like Sloane Stephens), Roman explains how finding the right racquet isn’t just about feel—it’s about performance, efficiency, and what your opponent experiences on the other side of the court. Think of it like finding your wand in Harry Potter… when it’s right, you know. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a college program, or just someone who loves the game, this conversation will change how you think about your equipment. #ForgeIn 00:00 Intro 00:13 What is the Racquet Evaluation Process? 02:10 How the Process Works 04:30 Why the Opponent Matters 06:45 Finding the “Right” Racquet 10:35 Who It’s For + Session Types 13:30 Role of Coaches & Hitting Partners 15:00 Dialing In: Strings, Tension, Specs 18:00 Precision & Matching Racquets 19:00 Pro Player Case Studies 22:40 Why Equipment Matters More Than You Think 25:55 Treating Every Player Like a Pro 27:30 Closing + What’s Next

Extended Racquet Frames: Pros & Cons | A Conversation with Roman Prokes — Ep. #3

In Episode 3 of the RPNY Podcast, we take a closer look at extended-length tennis racquets — why some players go beyond the standard 27 inches, who actually benefits, and where the tradeoffs begin. Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis, explores how racquet length evolved, why 27 inches became the modern norm, and what longer frames really change on court — from added reach and serve leverage to increased demands on footwork and timing. This episode challenges common assumptions about racquet length and offers a more thoughtful framework for players, coaches, and parents thinking about extended frames and long-term development. Subscribe for more conversations on equipment, performance, and smarter tennis decisions. 0:00 Intro 0:27 Extended Racquets Overview 3:23 Who Should Use a Longer Racquet? 6:48 Serve Benefits 8:15 Middle Ground 9:30 Advantages of Longer Racquets 11:39 27 vs 27.5 Inches 13:01 Pro Player Examples 14:03 Outro

Junior Racquets & Injury Prevention | A Conversation with Roman Prokes

In Episode 2 of The RPNY Podcast, we take a deep dive into junior racquets, equipment progression, and injury prevention—and why small details matter far more than most people realize.Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis explains why juniors shouldn’t “grow into” full-size racquets—and how smart, gradual equipment changes can reduce injury risk and support long-term development. This episode connects the dots between racquet sizing, grip size, weight placement, string choice, and volume of play—showing how smart equipment decisions can remove unnecessary variables and reduce stress on growing bodies. Whether you’re a parent navigating junior tennis, a coach guiding player development, or an athlete looking to stay healthy long-term, this episode offers practical, expert insight you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders inside the Farm & Forge ecosystem! #ForgeIn 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Why Junior Racquets Matter 02:08 Junior Racquet Sizes Explained 04:20 Why Small Changes Matter for Pros (and Kids) 06:38 How to Progress Racquet Size Safely 08:02 Grip Size Mistakes with Junior Players 10:11 Equipment Changes & Injury Risk 14:39 Grip Size as Kids Grow 18:10 How Equipment Affects the Opponent 20:21 Strings for Junior Players 25:37 When Poly Becomes an Option 29:18 Racquet Weight vs Maneuverability 31:27 Where to Add Weight for Power or Control 33:31 Final Thoughts

Welcoming Roman Prokes and RPNY Tennis to Farm & Forge!

In this episode, we sit down with Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY, to talk about his move from New York to Tennessee and what it’s been like becoming part of the Farm & Forge ecosystem.Roman shares his first impressions of Tennessee, the people, and the culture—and what ultimately led him to bring RPNY to Farm & Forge. We dive into the evolution of the facility, the vision for what’s being built, and how this unique environment fosters both elite performance and a true family atmosphere. This episode marks the first time we’ve showcased RPNY as part of Farm & Forge on the channel—and it’s just the beginning. Follow for future episodes and conversations at the intersection of performance, craft, and culture! #ForgeIn 00:00 Intro 00:11 Roman's move to Tennessee 01:25 First Impressions of Tennessee 03:00 The People & Community at Farm & Forge 04:29 Why Farm & Forge Was the Right Fit 06:05 The Vision for the Facility 07:24 From The Barn to the New Building 08:40 Inside the RPNY Shop at Farm & Forge 11:27 A True Family Environment

Ep. #3 - How We Do School

In this episode of the Farm & Forge Podcast, we pull back the curtain on how we do school — and why it looks nothing like the traditional model. Joined by our lovely teachers, we walk through what a real day looks like for students at Farm & Forge, how online academics and in-person support work together, and why personalization is at the center of everything we do. This conversation is for parents rethinking education, educators curious about alternative models, and families searching for an environment where students don’t just do school — they own it. #ForgeIn 00:00 Introduction 00:30 “How We Do School” 01:06 Why This Model Is So Different 05:15 Hands-On Learning in an Online Model 08:27 Passion-Based Education Explained 09:56 Building STEM, Coding, and Future Skills 10:51 What a Typical Day Looks Like 13:45 Balancing Academics and Athletics 15:19 Travel, Absences, and Real-Life Flexibility 18:22 Student Ownership and Self-Motivation 21:09 Preparing Students for College Independence 22:15 Playing Sports at Local Public Schools 23:19 College Admissions, Merit, and Opportunity 24:30 Why Teachers Took the Risk 25:37 Challenges of Teaching in This Model 27:00 Test Prep 29:03 Meaningful Assessment (No Busywork) 33:34 Using AI as a Tool—Not a Crutch 35:30 What Kind of Student Thrives Here 38:58 Online School Partnerships Explained 40:39 Stories That Define the Culture 44:12 Keeping Kids Excited About School 45:25 Community, Leadership, and Belonging 49:23 Closing Thoughts