PRO PLAYER - CARSON BRANSTINE

And then I won two fifties in a row. So for the first week I got like a special exempt and then I was in I won two in a row and then I won doubles as well. So I won I was bang bang undefeated and monastere Welcome back everyone to the tennis culture podcast today our guest She went to Texas. I am not only went to Texas. I am took him to NCW title She's an all-american. She has a minor in philosophy if I'm not wrong a major in society ethics and law 2025 she pounded through the qualifying Wimbledon to make her way all the way through take on Sablanca She is our guest today 180 in the world currently. Can you please give a round of applause Mitch to Kastin Branson Good. Yeah, that's perfect. That's me. How's that for an intro? What do we miss? I actually double-minored I did a sports management minor as well. He has a hard time reading That one's not as important. That was not as important. Yeah, multi-dimensional. Wow. It's really impressive Custom welcome to Canberra. Thank you. How are you? I'm fantastic. I'm happy to be here You know, I'm a California girl. So it actually feels kind of similar nice nice vibe out there Yeah, it's a little bit hotter obviously. I feel it, you know, the sun's strong, but no, I'm super happy I'm comfortable and right at home. Well, we appreciate you jumping in. We know you're gonna match this afternoon Yeah, I always get a little thingy like a worry that we break up routine rhythm anything Are you superstitious? Do you have routines going on? No, super cruising? No, I don't even know what I'm doing every day I don't I just get by It's a good thing. Actually, I think this is gonna relax me if anything. That's great. Well, that's our hope too. Yeah, definitely Canberra International you've got a match on this afternoon, but I want to kind of go back a little bit and just You got such a cool interesting story and I want to talk about your education first and I did some research USC for a year then Virginia then A&M. I mean, you obviously know the college realm pretty well Talked us about your journey in that space first. Yeah, it was crazy. I mean as a kid growing up in Southern California going to USC Is kind of like an automatic want, you know, and my older sister went there my uncle went there My dad had actually worked for USC at one point So I never even had like a recruiting process. That was always just kind of it I was like, oh if I go to college, I'll go to USC and the coach that I grew up around Left and they brought another lady and it just wasn't a fit like the I love the school like even the coaches in the program Like there's no bad blood or anything. It just wasn't a fit and I didn't feel like My tennis was gonna get better there I mean, I think the results last few years kind of speak for itself like a school like USC They don't have to recruit it's USC, you know, and their team really hasn't done that well and I think that's kind of just You know, it just proves my point that hey, you know, I want to be a professional tennis player and My my tennis isn't going to develop here, so I went to the portal and then it was covid And mind you I'd never played a match for USC at knee surgery. So I was technically a red shirt Yeah, we saw that there too. Yeah, so then I went in the portal covid couldn't visit there. I had a few friends that were at Virginia and I actually was able to visit because of my really close friends family like flew me out there I like, you know, I'm a college kid. I know money. Go anywhere on my own terms So they were nice enough to fly me out and I mean, I loved it. It's same with UVA kind of sells itself It's a beautiful school beautiful amazing education like it just seemed like okay, like I can't go wrong here And it seems like based on on what they're telling me the tennis program is gonna be great and like I don't know I kind of get along with everyone so it was fine. So I went there Start off beautifully and then I got injured again And I got really injured like severe injury and it was kind of the type of thing you know, it happens a lot in college that they kind of downplay how hurt you really are and I was told things like oh like how much you really care about this team and then the doctor yeah My coach would come with me to the doctor's appointments and he's like this girl needs surgery like her hip is gone right now Like it's either gonna be like next week or was soon as the season's done. I don't know how she's gonna get through Well, injector they put two core zone shots in like too close together So I actually have like permanent cartilage damage in my hip Because they basically like forced it and guilted me into doing that Damn cousin and I try like my pain tolerance is high. I don't complain It's like that's why I'm there like obviously tennis is my dream And there was like one day I was jump roping with my hip like super bad. Usually that was fine I wasn't moving side to side and then my hip just like locks and then I buckled my knee and tore my minis kiss So that I needed surgery in my hip and knee in the same day Yeah, it was a mess. So that happened and then as soon as I wasn't able to play suddenly I was kind of just Left in the dust and I'm like look. I'm a team player the only time the team bonds is because of me Like I'm the one like doing what I can with being literally crippled right now like what am I supposed to do? You know we can do it like what am I gonna do here? Like I'm trying my best like I'm getting good grades Like what do you want from a 19 20-year-old girl, you know? So I was like okay, whatever. I just just not a fit clearly So I was like okay, where are they a lot of Christians because I'm pretty religious I was like were there a lot of Jesus people where do they love sports where's their money and where I feel like I'm gonna be truly supported not just the tent like just as human beings makes so much sense now Like I know like I'm nice and then a anem was just like a perfect fit for me And honestly, I like my story. I like the way that it went. I've gone to help like a lot of young girls with the whole recruiting process and everything as well People ask me constantly like oh where should I go like what does this mean a lot? I'm like okay. I got you like it's all good and clearly even the tennis worked out because the team was incredible We won you know an SEC title every year I was there I was an all-american a couple times was two and doubles eight and singles and then Let's go came back for the last one and got an NCAA title. So what more can you ask? Yeah, what about The details are worth it Yeah, Texas A&M College station if I'm not yeah, I feel like that's a world of its own going into it. It's not like any other college From what I've heard going back you guys being in that realm obviously understand it you being there understand the most What did you find the biggest difference in either the culture or the the community or the people who lived there? What's the biggest difference there than any other place you've ever been? Well, that's it. It is the community of it in the people That's really what makes it what it is because I think a lot of the schools have kind of lost their charm with alumni and and donors and stuff like a lot of schools kind of like weird now It's not as passionate about that stuff when I feel like back in the day That's what made American University so great with the sports and NCAA's everyone was like following the school involved and You know like USC's a good example of that I don't think it has that edge that used to in that way and that's why like the football teams not what it used to be and stuff and A&M they still have that like everyone's so involved even if I'm wearing I don't have my my Aggie ring on today But if I'm wearing like my Aggie ring or anything Texas A&M It doesn't matter where I am. I swear to you. I found Aggies like all over the world and they will come up and talk to you like Yeah, wherever I've seen Aggies. I was in Paris Saw them there. It's like normal people like a professor who just retired like whatever and I was in Egypt one time on my airplane Yeah, I'm like this is not so this is the coolest thing ever of all the camels in the world Yeah, exactly right so that was like super cool and that part it's special because it makes you feel like you're actually You're like you're doing something and I feel like you know with that degree no matter what I do in my life I mean, it's also a very good school people don't realize it's actually very respected. It's like one of the best engineering programs and business schools Yeah, country nowadays, so I know no matter what happens with my tennis or anything I'm like I'm never gonna be unemployed as long as I have my taxi and I'm degree like I'm okay Yeah, then even my teammates and stuff like we all still talk like all the time there are some of my best friends in the world and I Wouldn't trade it for anything else. I'm like really passionate about it like like any Aggie usually is I'm like really into it. I'm very proud. That's so cool. Yeah, it's our family mentality Can we talk about the education side of things just for a moment because when I was we were doing research about your bio And obviously I still miss things I miss the double mind but What what like what kind of superpower do you have that you can be a such a high-end Tennis player and then still have the the brain capacity and the want and the will to be just Like a first for knowledge like I'm looking at some of the things that you've made it and mind it like where does that come from? You can you just not sit still do you just need to be doing things all the time or you just like Trying to take as many boxes as you can ADHD is a superpower But no, I've always been really really curious about things. I'm that person. I'm like a Wikipedia brand I have like fun facts. He would like never believe because I if I learned about something and I'm like Sort of interested. I have to know everything. I've always kind of been like that and I've always been a deep thinker I'm an over thinker Blessing in a curse, but Yeah, I just thought to myself. I'm like, you know what I always naturally like did pretty well It's like I did very well in school my whole life like graduated high school of 4.0 and like that did all that like whatever And I thought you know if I didn't if I'm in college, why would I do something just because it's easy If I'm not really in like, you know a lot of people do like communication sports management majors No, there's nothing wrong with them But I just knew that I wouldn't expand my mind in a way that I felt like I Deserved honestly. I feel like I'd be failing myself if I if I didn't learn something coming out of school and I also Alongside of my tennis like as a like a job path I wanted to always get my JD and go to law school eventually in my life whether that was actually practicing law or using it for something else Yeah, I just like learning and I really like reading about like very weird in depth Philosophical concepts. I'm like have like a weird nerd out about that. So you're a trivia team Oh, yeah No, like when I was like 10 years old. I liked watching Jeopardy put it that way and like I was Weird, yeah, yeah, you see you seem like the type of person who Thrives off a challenge. It seems like when a challenge is put in front of you and and It seems like not only with the study you've done But you've had some as you've mentioned some pretty tough injuries in the past That would completely stop people in their tracks send and packing and they wouldn't want anything to do with the sport anymore That in itself is another challenge Am I true in saying that that you see a challenge? You're almost like smile at it great your teeth and go Oh, I can't wait to conquer you because that's kind of how it seems you continue to get through all these hurdles that have been put in front of you Yeah, I don't know. It's like it's like a weird Approach, I feel like I'm kind of a weirdo with this stuff because there were times like I was gonna quit like that's why my last year A&M I wasn't on the team until very late because I thought it was gonna be done I was like I can't commit to my team if I don't even know if I want to hit a tennis ball every day still that wouldn't be fair to them let alone my coaches or anyone so Yeah, I think I I got really good at Taking things one day at a time especially when you you do with a lot of injuries It's like it wasn't like the injuries itself that got to me it was more just like the questions like Oh Carson is this gonna be the last surgery? I'm like 22 years old for surgeries in it's like I don't know I hope so you know that stuff takes a hit at you after a while and then having no money and I think a lot of people Get the impression as someone who grew up in southern California that I live like maybe this privileged nice life And I didn't my parents were very middle-class there was a time that they really lost everything and like you know I was collecting and recycling water bottles from my mom to a Ford gas to go to practice like I've had a you know See every part of life. So I think from a young age I really had to mature. I've been pretty much financially independent since I was 17 years old. I would you know work jobs I was teaching tennis lessons. I I'm a sign model so I've done shoots and stuff I've literally skipped tournaments to do that when I was like low on money I'd like go to a casting like whatever I really had to do the grind and then even you know As late as February last year I was driving I think you may have heard this by drove Uber eats until February last year Yeah, and then I made the WTA final and the 125 and can't go and that was like my first breakthrough and that was the only tournament I went to Where I was like charging my credit card and I was like truly in the negative I like I don't want to do that I was like no I was like I love tennis, but like I'm not going to be in debt for me It's like absolutely not. Maybe I could be like, you know I have a net worth of $20 in my account. That's fine, but like I'm not gonna Gonna be that person and I took the risk for that one and I guess maybe the pressure helped that way burn the boats Yeah, but I don't know what when I see a challenge I Part of it's a little bit like maybe negative by really like proving people wrong Because I think a lot of people thought in my position and after all those injuries I wasn't gonna have the same spark I day like in juniors and stuff and so that's like kind of fun It's almost like you you look back and smile you don't have to say anything you just kind of go and do your thing So that part I do enjoy but I'm at the end of the day like I Almost just don't think about it that much like I just go with the flow and do what I'm supposed to do every day and then hope for the best like I don't know Yeah, it must be just be naturally built in then because you continue to to topple over these hurdles. Yeah, pretty well Yeah, well something I was loving to I was reading and trying to research about this is that you never wanted your parents to pay for any of it No, and so you know, I think I think that that in itself Speaks heaps of your character and and just how you want to travel it and you know I think that's a much stronger foundation than just all just, you know I'll pay for it this time or they'll take care of me. Yeah, it really translates into a positive way and in your tennis You know through the injury so it's really really really cool. I think it's inspired. I mean my parents are in their 60s They both have to work full-time still so the last thing I want is to right right to do that to them if anything I hope maybe I can retire them, you know like that would be the dream Yeah, well such a good message because I mean a lot of players who do have it handed. Oh just don't don't travel the same way Don't appreciate the same way. So it's really cool. I mean good for them. I wish But no for sure I wouldn't want any other way and I hope that you know whether I make it top 100 top 50 or this is the best I'll ever be I hope that I can I can use myself to help people. You already are definitely Thank you. That's great. Yeah, hell of an example to set to and on that note on the tour. Let's talk a little bit about let's talk about last year Do you see as with your background? Do you see Wimbledon as the cream of the crop? That's one of the first things Want to ask because everyone's got their own little hierarchy of what the you know the golden you know ticket is in tennis Right is Wimbledon up there for you or is it because I mean I want to say yes Yeah, just because like the the aura around Wimbledon and even someone who doesn't know tennis at all everybody knows Wimbledon Even more than the US open more than Roland Garros more than all of them. I feel like Just the history and everything. It's like oh wow you played Wimbledon like that's so cool Then I got to play on court one. I got to play against the world number one and there's players that play Wimbledon 10 times Never get to do that. Yeah, so that was insane like I was so happy I was like freaking out like I was gonna throw up and once on the draw. I was like I'm gonna throw up right now Um, but I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm like that is so cool There's another challenge, you know you probably saw it lick your lips and go how good is this chance? Yeah, and then after the match like I I played you know a decent match I really didn't play that well But after seeing the stats was like jeez I was like pretty even with her on like Everything besides I'm four stairs and I was like okay if I Didn't even have a coach until like a week ago. I've traveled by myself this whole time I don't even know what I'm doing. I'm doing like group workout classes for fitness That's like a pretty good chance like things are looking pretty good like, you know She's got like a team of like 15 people there and she's got it all obviously. She's earned it. She's amazing um, but it feels good when you When you're able to perform like that against the world number one. Yeah, what's the game plan and you won't know that until you've done it It's girls two three four in the world like one and one sometimes. I'm like, okay, like I'm just gonna go there and try my best like Here we go, but um, yeah, it's definitely a confidence booster and set the tone. I'm like, okay, like It's easy to believe in yourself, but when you're actually there in that moment. It's like oh wow It you come to the realization. I'm like, oh man. I really can't do this. That's kind of a nice feeling So yeah, were you able to take some time to enjoy the experience itself? Or were you were you two sort of swamped down on what was in front of you? Sebelanka round one. I was at a enjoyable few days for you at the whole English all English times club. Oh totally I mean, of course like I was trying to be locked in as I could but Wimbledon really does a great job of They actually take you on a tour when it's your first draw. Yeah, they took you on a tour of the grounds And then I got like an extra thing because I was playing on court one So they had this lady like walk me around and tell me all this history and I like really got to see everything and I was like Okay, this is like Open everyone. I would never do that in my own terms or you know Stuff that they told me but now that got to do it was like holy crap like that's like once in a lifetime experience It's like the sixth thing so yeah, I mean, I think I I did a pretty good job at making the most of it But also you know in that moment being in my position like the amount of like media requests and stuff I was like, oh man, I'm like so popular right now It's like that interesting. They like really like caught on my story there. I think I was like the most interesting thing this year there So um that was fun. I mean, I like that feels good to get a lot of media attention. It feels like of course You're doing something, you know, well, yeah, you had you had a you know a prolific junior career Yeah, playing playing and so I'm sure everybody was like yeah, like Carson's got it You know, it's so good that she's pushed through and continued through this so yeah make sense totally make sense We're weary of time and we've already been so generous last couple of things I just want to talk to you about and coming back to the mindset thing I'm just a person. He's the selfish one because I'm so intrigued about it too And without happening on too much about it, but the injuries again, they can they can really make or break people And I just want to know when you When you were going through some of the more serious injuries there You've come through the other side of it and I just sort of want to know your mindset or Your outlet your your your people that you had with you like Did you have a process on on how you're going to get through it? Was it just forward thinking that you have just a good team around you? Or did you just rely on yourself like if you don't mind like give us a bit of an insight to what it was like and How close were you to go? No, this this injury stuff It's it might break me and then you know what then made the flip and go no, no, I'm bigger than that. I'm better than that Yeah, I mean it was definitely a little bit of all those things, right? I mean, I my family obviously was very supportive and um texts say them specifically That's like one of the big reasons why I'm like so out Outwardly passionate about a and M like my coaches and teammates. They're like really were incredible with me because It did break me honestly like I was like a totally broken person. I was depressed. I was sad I like other things personal going on in my life that Broke me down and like literally every way possible like if you would have talked to me like two years ago I was probably the saddest person you'd ever meet in your life like I had You know, no motivation for for anything. Um, I didn't even want to leave my room I wasn't being social at all. I was you know lost a bunch of weight Like I just looked like dull like I was just like a totally broken person and then Um, I don't know exactly what it was but it was almost it was a little bit of like a light switch type thing I can't remember like if it was an exact moment or like maybe like a couple weeks where it really happened But I was actually teaching lessons to a lot of young girls and um Kind of seeing them look up to me and seeing them improve because I was teaching lessons a lot Like I was like all my only physical activity because I was starting to hit again But because they were like young I get like rally I was like gosh, I really do love hitting the ball still like this is pretty fun, you know Um, I was like what if I kind of like had that what if moment and so I was like all right screw it all my classes But one or online and the one that's in person my professor loves me and I'm an a like I can like miss a few and like He probably won't take off from like patient or grade or whatever So literally with like zero training. I had like maybe five or six days of real practice. I like Randomly found this coach in Germany that like so yeah, you can kind of my academy for a few days before you go to monosteer Tunisia um You know where that is right now So I took the trip to monosteer by myself just on the whim. I literally Didn't even sign up for the first tournament. I signed in as an alternate because I like misread the um the schedule and so with an exam I couldn't stay the two weeks. I actually sign up for so I got in of the last person to get in qualities And then I won two 15s in a row. So for the first week I got like a special exempt and then I was in I won two in a row and then I won doubles as well So I won I was bang bang undefeated in monosteer. I was like Do you have six days training missions? I was like hitting like a little bit But like mind you like there was nothing behind that like just pure like oh, this is great like no pressure or anything How could that though, you know like you can you can look at that and go wow I just went into it with the pure love of it Look at the result. Yeah, and then I came out of there was like well, I guess like it would be pretty bad if I stopped Like kind of like pathetic So I was like maybe I shouldn't play another tournament or something like I don't know um And that's really kind of how it started and I kind of just went with it It's like I had no one helping me like no coach. I was doing all my own sc I still do my own schedule I still do like literally 99% of things. I'm a little bit of a control freak too And like don't like to feel locked down to things. I like I need to be like a free spirit. Oh, I like it Yeah, yeah, go with the flow. I don't know. Maybe it's the California and maybe that's the Carson way Yeah, I'm like yeah, there's no right way to do it like if I'm out here and if I like believe in my talent I think the way that I play I like have you know some pretty big weapons So I don't need to be out there 10 hours a day practicing. I just need to be smart like just like my injuries have to be smart Um, so going into my training in the way that I approach tennis now and and being recovered from all that I think that It taught me to do things like work smarter not harder. It's like the biggest thing and I think through all that That's actually what I learned and I kind of find like humor and joy out of it like sometimes I come off and win a match I like laugh. I'm like oh my god. I had no business putting that I just And that honestly like that's what like gets me going like that gets me It's like a dopamine hand drug. I don't know. I can dig into it now Um, but I'm definitely a little bit rougher on the edges So I think that that always helps me. I think that's what got me through. I was like All right, Jesus. You like work something here like come on Um, yeah, I don't know if that's a good answer. I was like, no, that's flattering for a long time, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, No, that's flabbering for a long time. Yeah, it's like, you tell of something and they figure it out and they like smile. I'm like, oh my gosh, like, yeah, this is so cool. I've the power to do that. What am I doing out here feeling sorry for myself? Come on, Carson. Like, you're better than that. Like, let's do something to Carson. Like, I don't think you, you'd have an idea. You'll never truly, truly know just how big of an impact that you make on some of those people. Like some of those people might, that you might have just had a small interaction with might still be gone. Like, once a week gone, like, oh, I remember when Carson played that little game with me and I was like, oh, I just want to be just like that and they're following you around. So I mean, it's cool that you recognize it, but I'm going out on a whim here and saying that I reckon there's a lot more people saying a lot more positive things than you probably realize, which is kind of cool to think about as well. Thank you. Um, last thing I'd just love to get from you and it's, I'm interested to know your answer because of how your very interesting brain has worked and go this, in this interview is future for you. What is, what is a year away look like for you? Are you thinking that far ahead and what is, what is like 10, 15, what is like your career look like? Because it's very obvious. You could almost do anything you want. So do you think about your future goals much and what's down the line or are you just taking it one day at a time? Oh, I do all the time. I mean, um, I don't sleep at night because of these things. I don't sleep very much. I'm not a big sleeper. But, um, yeah, I think about this stuff all the time because it's great to have options, but sometimes it's kind of scary because you don't want to have regrets. You know what I mean? That's my biggest thing. That's obviously like another thing that brings me back to tennis. It's like, how many years can I do this for, you know, all the other stuff. It's not going anywhere. Like tennis, how, how many years do people play and make money at it, of course. And yeah, I mean, I think within the next year, of course, like breaking top 100 and, you know, being in that level consistently is definitely like in terms of tennis, like number one, if we're talking like results, base and stuff and staying healthy, like all the normal stuff, like nothing like super special, but I don't know, um, I'm definitely not going to be the type of player to play till I'm like 40. Absolutely not. So. No way. I'm playing Zavanna Rave. I later, like, I have so much respect for her. She, the reason why I wanted to become a tennis player is because of Indian Wells. I went there as a kid and it was in 2009 she won it and I was like the first time I went away. It was the year she won it and that's literally when I decided I wanted to play tennis, really. Yeah. Is that weird? Is that something you're going to tell her? Maybe. I don't know. Maybe we could buy, like, star in the locker room. I was like, Oh, like, Hey, like, what's up? Like, I didn't know she was playing and then I see the draw, I'm like, Oh my gosh, I'm playing her. That's crazy. Let's have a cool little thing. Yeah. Um, but yeah, next year, just like normal goals, there's nothing like out of this world. I think, um, if I like, overset expectations, I end up going nuts. Like, I'll get angry and impatient and stuff. So I tried to be like, lay back, I'm like, All right, if you're good, you'll make it. If you're playing well, things will take care of itself, that's fine, but, um, yeah, with all the thinking, everything, obviously, you know, when you get to travel and play tournaments like Wimbledon, you get to see the nicer, the nicer things in life. So I obviously want to be successful financially. It's an ideal thing. I like shiny things, too. Sue me. Um, so yeah, of course, like, I want to be successful and, um, whatever that ends up being, like, of course, like, tennis, I want to play, maybe tell them, like, 30, 32, but ultimately, like, I just want to have my own family one day and like do that. Like that's the biggest thing for me. I think, um, being able to have that success and whatever that ends up being and being able to share that with, like, human beings that I create with, you know, like, future husband one day, whatever, like, I think that's the most important thing in life. So yeah, um, I think whenever my tennis career is over, I'll, I'll do that and hopefully have a, a big, beautiful house and a shiny car to drive in the school. The real trophy. The real grand slam. It's on silly, but I'm like, gosh, all the other stuff. I'm like, that's all fake to me, you know? Yeah. Well, it takes you into a, I feel like a much more pressureless environment out there. Yeah. To enjoy yourself more. Totally. So long as you get to that end, you've won. Yeah. I'm like just, I'm like, I just saw myself all the time, my car said, just keep being a good person, try your hardest and then everything will come. Yeah. That's kind of like the biggest takeaway. Yeah. I've got no doubt that I think you're going to kick every single one of those goals and be able to reach all those heights. So we wish you nothing but the best. Thanks, guys. Yeah. Thank you so much for jumping in and talking to us today. Good luck against, I mean, we could call her an idol. I mean, you wanted to start playing because you watch her at Indian Wells against Zona Raida this afternoon. Good luck this afternoon. Good luck this year. Good luck with the rest of your career, the rest of your life. And yeah, I think, I think there'd be a better world if there was more people with your mentality around it. We appreciate that a lot, all right, not the last time I'll be on here, I'll talk to you guys later. And we got that on the top of the. Perfect. Awesome. Thanks so much for listening us.