Ground Pass

In this episode, Anastasia and Nick celebrate the New Year and discuss the upcoming Australian Open, reflecting on the United Cup and its significance in the tennis calendar. We then jump into our Australian Open preview with the help of tennis content creator Jess Adjua. Just is a resident of Sydney, Australia and has been attending the Australian Open in Melbourne for years. She gives us her tips and tricks and what to look forward to at the tournament.Chapters00:00 New Year, New Tennis Season01:56 Intro03:45 United Cup Review10:06 Australian Open Preview14:40 The other tournaments that happened this week31:37 Australian Open 2025 preview34:00 Introduction of Jess Adjua and our "Okay Stop" segment41:31 Best time to go to a Grand Slam43:52 Ticket Options at the Australian Open57:11 Planning Your Grand Slam Experience01:11:36 Emerging Players to Watch01:18:17 Players of the Fortnite01:27:08 OutroMentioned on the Podcast:Kaylan Bigun is the Junior American Tennis Player whose twin is Meecah Bigun who also plays tennis. Kaylan is the current French Open Junior champion.Jess Adjua Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessadjua/profilecard/?igsh=dTV4Zmp5Mm1hdHhhATP Challenger TV: https://www.atptour.com/en/atp-challenger-tour/challenger-tvVisit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder

So you watched the movie, but what do you know about the Real Challengers? The movie Challengers took over the spring of 2024 and brought in some new fans interested in the sport of Tennis. But what are the REAL CHALLENGERS? Ground Pass went to the last challenger of the year in Champaign, IL to find out. We spoke to players like Rajeev Ram, Ethan Quinn and Evan King about their experiences on the Challenger TourWatch the short doc on our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassRelevant Links:GroundPass’ Interview with one of the Assistant Directors on the movie - https://youtu.be/nYCV3kJahsA?si=CTu4ZKCEDK5Y4PmpChallenger TV, were you can watch matches for free - https://www.atptour.com/en/atp-challenger-tour/challenger-tvCleveland Open website (first challenger of the year in the States) - https://www.topnotchtennisevents.comVisit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder

NOTE: This episode was recorded on Nov 30th. Since then Jack Draper, Diane Parry and Qinwen Zheng have withdrawn from the tournament.Welcome to the new tennis season! We are excited to chat with you about the upcoming United Cup and its exciting format that brings together men’s and women’s tennis. We delve into the team event, the players’ interactions, and the thrill of mixed doubles. We’ll also talk about the players in the field - Iga Swiatek, Hubi Hurkacz, Maria Sakkari, Katie Boulter & Alex De Minaur and some memorable moments from past tournaments. Plus, we discuss the impact of coaching changes and rise of the super coach. And to start of the new year we touch on the importance of environmental responsibility in tennis. So, grab a racket and get ready for some fun!Chapters00:00 Welcome to the New Season - Intro02:01 United Cup 2025 - First tournament of the season04:45 Where Can you watch the United Cup - Tennis Channel06:26 Love for Tennis team events17:12 A "Super Coach" diversion20:39 Who else we are excited to see21:45 Exciting matches to look forward too 28:46 Doubles Dynamics and Player Returns39:08 Sustainability in Tennis: A New Year’s Reflection43:21 OutroMentioned on the Podcast:Ep 7 of GroundPass - https://pod.fo/e/20f7cdUnited Cup ticket sales - https://www.unitedcup.com/en/tickets/2025-ticketsUnited Cup schedule - https://www.unitedcup.com/en/tournament/scheduleVisit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder

It’s time to find out who’s next. Arthur Fils, Jakub Mensik, Learner Tien, Joao Fonseca, Alex Michelsen, Shang Juncheng, Luca Van Assche and Nishesh Basavareddy will all be vying for the chance to win the title of Next Gen this week in Jeddah. This is one of Anastasia’s favorite tournaments and she talks about what is great about it and why its such an important tournament. But what about the WTA? Well that’s where Nick puts together the potential top 8 women who would take part if there was a WTA version of this tournament. Tune in to see who they are.Mentioned on the Podcast:Ep 5 of GroundPass - https://pod.fo/e/205d40Next Gen Basecamp 2023 - https://youtu.be/reULcHoy5S0?si=BHv4fiQv4lPP0FMzVisit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder

A couple of exhibitions filled the void of competitive tennis in the US over the off season last week. Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Madison Keys & Sloane Stephens entertained sold out crowds in Madison Square Garden, New York, NY and Charlotte, NC.What are tennis exhibitions and our thoughts on the genre; Anastasia breaks it down.Mentioned on the Podcast:YouTube Link to this Podcast Episode: https://youtu.be/GIpJ2i_wpo4 Served Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servedpodcast?igsh=eHk1Z3pyNnZlY2dwChristian’s Court Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianscourt?igsh=bG4ydGdqa3plcW1kThe cutest video ever: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDSV-w5xAYm/?img_index=3&igsh=ejZheHltcGlpNHgxForm for Ground Pass Year in Review: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/blog/ground-pass-year-in-reviewVisit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder

It’s time to pick our favorite moments from the 2024 season. Join Nick and Anastasia as they go through their favorite moments and what they are looking forward to in 2025. When you are done, share yours with us. Link below to a form you can fill.Mentioned on the Podcast:Nick’s Wimbledon Ticket Guide: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/blog/znfq0dmuw8v0f1b7gqqos44a5uuikg Nick picking Rebecca Sramkova: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7aZMkAgeX2/?igsh=MTV2cnJvOW52d2gybg==Form for Ground Pass Year in Review: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/blog/ground-pass-year-in-reviewVisit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder

It was revealed on Thursday, November 28th that Iga Swiatek failed a doping test in August and was subsequently cleared of all wrong down. The reaction was fast and swift. We took our time here at Ground Pass to respond but here is ours. We can all be better fans.Mentioned on the Podcast:ITIA Documents: https://www.itia.tennis/news/sanctions/polish-tennis-player-iga-swiatek-accepts-one-month-suspension-under-tennis-anti-doping-programme/Taylor Fritz’s post: https://x.com/taylor_fritz97/status/1862212220291358860?s=46&t=34KFRaMxpc-93mq_1EOI7AGill Gross’ Video: https://youtu.be/pMO5akJqaJQ?si=f1cJMBMdeS0AH-gnVisit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder

In this episode of Ground Pass things get a little loopy, haha. We are definitely settling into the off season vibes.We try to keep the conversation on the rails though as we wrap up the tennis at Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup where Italy did the double lead by Jasmine Paolini and Jannik Sinner.We also give a quick preview of what we have coming to you this off season. There might be no tennis but there will still be Ground Pass.Mentioned on the Podcast:WTA Weekly: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wta-weekly-paolini-inspired-italy-storm-to-billie-jean/id1652349752?i=1000677880550Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder

In this episode of Ground Pass, hosts Anastasia and Nick discuss a busy week in tennis, including the Billie Jean King Cup finals, Team USA & GB’s performance, and the ATP Finals. We also get a guest voice memo from Kvittycat53 on Bluesky.social, who attended the Billie Jean King Cup tournament in Malaga and gives us some great insights to the tournament.Anastasia also shares insights from her experiences at a Challenger event and look ahead to upcoming tournaments, emphasizing the importance of supporting lower-tier events and discovering new talent.Mentioned on the Podcast:WTA Unlocked: https://www.wtatennis.com/unlockedATP Challenger TV: https://www.atptour.com/en/atp-challenger-tour/challenger-tvVisit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.comEmail us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.comFollow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_passBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_passYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcastPodcast Theme by Breakmaster Cylinder