Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast

Nick is back from a birthday recharge in Wales and we're getting into Rome. Sinner is playing in all-black Gucci and closing in on the Career Masters at 24. Arthur Fils, Ben Shelton, Fonseca, and FAA are all out or struggling three weeks before Roland Garros. Sabalenka looks beatable for the first time in a while, Iga might be back, and the WTA field has gotten very wide open very fast. Plus housekeeping on the last day of spring merch pre-orders, our McCarran Park screening dates for Roland Garros and Wimbledon, an Off Season check-in, and our Players of the Fortnight.Links: Merch: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop Mattia’s Meet the Player interview: https://youtu.be/5fEWXVYtYRI?si=6Lrh1hgBAdAC541x Hailey Baptiste Tee: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop/p/off-season-tour-tee-hailey-baptiste-limited-editionChapters:00:00 Welcome and Housekeeping05:32 Two Week Masters are OUT10:03 The State of the ATP Tour17:58 Novak Djokovic's Return and Future Prospects21:11 Janik Sinner's Dominance and Historical Context25:53 The WTA Landscape: Surprises and Uncertainties31:30 Retirement Announcements and Their Impact on Performance34:06 Paolini out of the top 1039:31 TNT is back for Roland Garros Coverage in the US & UK44:50 Catching up with the Off Season49:16 What’s coming up next on tour52:20 Highlighting Players of the Fortnight57:11 Outro💬 Don’t forget to give us a leave is a 5 ⭐️ rating and drop us a comment Want to Support Ground Pass - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/supportOur New Merch is LIVE!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop Where You can Find us Online:Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com Website - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspodDisclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about 

A mini pod to wrap Madrid and look ahead to Rome. We get into Hailey Baptiste's career-best run, Marta Kostyuk's unbeaten clay season (and the backflip we didn't know we needed), Mirra Andreeva's two finals, Townsend and Siniakova's doubles takeover, and the men's final that we, frankly, did not watch. Plus: why Alexander Blockx deserves more credit, the case for actually watching Next Gen, Ethan Quinn going full clay dog in Aix, and our spring merch is live (with a very limited Hailey Baptiste tee that drops out of the store May 11). Order of Play hits Substack right after.Links: Merch: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop ATP Next Gen doc: https://youtu.be/Vwdq01RMD9I?si=HdzjlbrKhVlxeFDE Off Season Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offseasontv?igsh=MWJhaHZ4ano4NWlpeQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrRome Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@internazionalibnlLast Week’s Order of Play: https://groundpass.substack.com/p/order-of-play-alcaraz-out-roland-garrosChapters:00:00 Intro00:38 Merch Update04:48 Breakthrough Performances: Hailey Baptiste and Others11:48 Men's Final and Emerging Talents24:24 Other Bits and Bobs25:10 Rome Preview29:41 Outro💬 Don’t forget to give us a leave is a 5 ⭐️ rating and drop us a comment Want to Support Ground Pass - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/supportOur New Merch is LIVE!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop Where You can Find us Online:Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com Website - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspodDisclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about 

Carlos Alcaraz is out of Rome and Roland Garros, and the men's draw in Madrid has cracked wide open. Anastasia and Nick break down what the wrist injury means for Paris, why Rafa Jodar and Daniel Merida are the names to know, and how Hailey Baptiste is quietly playing herself into a Roland Garros seed. Plus a new Sabalenka vs Osaka rematch, Naomi's Pucci scarf visor moment, the launch of Order of Play on Substack, a Jonas Wood tennis court art show in LA, and the question every player faces in a two-week 1000: what do you do when you lose early?Player of the Fortnight picks (with a big assist from the comments): Veronica Podrez, Rafa Jodar, and Daniel Merida.Links:- NEW Merch: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop - Where Naomi Osaka's scarf came from - https://www.instagram.com/highdivenyc?igsh=MTVlYmJ6aDhvZDVuMA== Chapters:00:00 Intro02:28 Reading your comments07:58 Carlos Alcaraz out for the rest of the Clay Season15:50 Impromptu Quiz20:07 Week 1 of Madrid Recap22:52 ATP Recap28:02 WTA Recap33:00 Naomi Osaka's walk out kit35:10 New Substack Newsletter post39:52 What do players do when they lose early at 2 week Masters45:46 Coming Up This Week in Tennis50:40 Players of the Fortnight58:08 Outro💬 Don’t forget to give us a leave is a 5 ⭐️ rating and drop us a comment Want to Support Ground Pass - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/supportOur New Merch is LIVE!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop Where You can Find us Online:Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com Website - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspodDisclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about 

Nick is on his own for the mini pod this week while I'm off the grid, and there is a lot to get through. Rybakina picks up her second Porsche in Stuttgart after surviving a Leylah Fernandez match that nearly became the women's match of the year. Karolina Muchova finally gets Coco Gauff. Mirra Andreeva keeps rolling on indoor clay. Marta Kostyuk wins Rouen in an all-Ukrainian final alongside 19-year-old Veronika Podrez. Arthur Fils takes Barcelona as Alcaraz pulls out, and Ben Shelton wins on European clay in Munich. Plus what's happening with Marketa Vondrusova and a Madrid preview missing two of its biggest names.Chapters:00:00 Intro01:01 Stuttgart: A Premier WTA Event04:31 Zeynep Somnez and Leylah Fernandez shine09:26 Karolina Muchova's big win16:59 Ruan WTA 250: New Faces and Rising Stars19:27 Quick re-cap of Rouen23:02 Injury Challenges for Alcaraz25:03 The Impact of Player Withdrawals26:17 No Novak Djokovic yet27:38 Arthur Fils wins in Barcelona29:04 Name to remember - Rafa Jodar30:16 On to Munich - Fonseca takes steps forward32:47 Ethan Quinn & Ben Shelton's Breakthrough on Clay36:23 Off Court News39:15 Madrid Open Preview41:17 Outro💬 Don’t forget to give us a leave is a 5 ⭐️ rating and drop us a comment Want to Support Ground Pass - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/supportOur New Merch is LIVE!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop Where You can Find us Online:Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com Website - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspodDisclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about 

This week on Ground Pass, Anastasia and Nick settle in for the start of the European clay season and break down a busy week across Monte Carlo and Linz. They get into another chapter of the Sinner vs Alcaraz rivalry, the magic of Valentin Vacherot’s run at his home Masters, and why Monte Carlo keeps ending up on every tennis fan’s travel wish list.They also talk about Lilli Tagger’s breakout week in Linz, Mirra Andreeva’s title run, Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, Holger Rune’s return timeline, Coco Gauff and the conversation around how athletes are discussed online, plus the latest from Ground Pass including the new spring merch drop and what to watch this coming week.Links:Send us a voice memo: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/voice-memo Christian’s Court Video: https://youtu.be/bwGyprsE8-4?si=siQvc7zIihQckyalHard Court Substack article: https://substack.com/@hardcourt/note/c-241769609?r=47h9qh&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-actionYevheniia Petrova, designer of the Ground Pass shirts: https://www.instagram.com/yev.hen.iia?igsh=Z2xrb2VjZXBzdGZlNew Merch: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shopChapters:00:00 Home Sweet Home: A Week of Rest02:47 A Voice Memo from Monte Carlo10:06 The fairytale continues for Valentin Vacherot13:58 Sincaraz Finals are back26:51 American Players on Clay: A Struggle30:40 Another hometown run in Linz - But first Ostapenko33:57 Lilli Tagger has arrived36:49 An inspired Austrian Anastasia Potapova38:14 Mirra Andreeva's Resilience in Finals41:44 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers Overview44:58 Holger Rune's Comeback Announcement47:14 Coco Gauff's Social Media Controversy52:45 Monte Carlo Merch Controversy59:23 Our New Merch is live01:01:36 Coming up "This Week in Tennis"01:14:22 Players of the Fortnight01:19:51 OutroWe have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop  💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspodDisclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about 

After a month apart, we’re finally back together to catch up on everything that happened across the Miami Open. We talk through the tournament’s unique ground pass experience, why Miami feels so different from Indian Wells, and the players and storylines that defined the back half of the Sunshine Double.We also answer a listener question about why men sometimes play best-of-three and sometimes best-of-five, break down what Miami is really like for fans on the grounds, and get into the biggest tennis themes of the week. That includes Aryna Sabalenka’s continued dominance, Jannik Sinner looking untouchable again, questions around Iga Swiatek after Miami, Arthur Fils making his case as part of the next big men’s tier, and a wave of rising teens making noise on both tours.Plus, we preview Charleston, Houston, and the start of clay season, check in on the Off Season players, and give our Players of the Fortnight.Links:Substack about comebacks - https://open.substack.com/pub/groundpass/p/absence-makes-you-play-better-tennis?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer Off Season Ep 5 - https://youtu.be/Ceo9n7HvTQ4?si=v3gHLlW-GJjW-Kcx Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop Ground Pass Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/GroundPassPodcastChapters:00:00 Reconnecting After a Break01:49 Understanding Tennis Match Formats07:53 The Miami Open Experience11:43 Diversity and Atmosphere at the Miami Open21:51 Charleston vs. Miami: A Ground Pass Comparison29:39 The Tennis at the Miami Open38:48 Carlos Alcaraz's Recent Struggles40:30 Iga Swiatek's Press Conference Insights47:42 The Rise of Young Tennis Stars49:11 Is Arthur Fils the 3rd guy?51:53 Tennis News - Madrid Open Practice Courts55:27 The Need for Female Tournament Directors01:01:21 Coming Up This Week in Tennis01:07:00 Player of the Fortnight Highlights01:14:27 OutroWe have Merch!!! And its on SALE!Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop  💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspodDisclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about 

Anastasia checks in from the Miami Open after a whirlwind stretch through Indian Wells and the start of the Sunshine Double. In this mini-pod, she recaps what Indian Wells felt like on the ground, from ticketing issues and practice court culture to the players and storylines that defined the tournament. She also looks ahead to Miami, where the vibes, food, fans, and draw all promise a very different week. Plus: the rise of the next wave of American men, Medvedev’s resurgence, Sabalenka and Rybakina’s rivalry, Taylor Townsend’s impressive run, and updates on the Off Season athletes competing in Miami.Links:Substack about comebacks - https://open.substack.com/pub/groundpass/p/absence-makes-you-play-better-tennis?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer Off Season Ep 5 - https://youtu.be/Ceo9n7HvTQ4?si=v3gHLlW-GJjW-Kcx Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop Ground Pass Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/GroundPassPodcastChapters:00:00 Welcome to Groundpass: Miami Open Edition03:13 Recapping Indian Wells: Highlights and Insights06:00 The Atmosphere of Indian Wells: A Unique Experience12:09 Transitioning Generations: American Men's Tennis14:59 Rivalries and Rising Stars: Women's Tennis Highlights20:05 Exploring the Miami Open: A Different Vibe26:07 Food and Culture at the Miami Open29:49 Upcoming Matches and Player Insights34:04 Closing Thoughts and Future ExpectationsWe have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop  💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspodDisclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about 

“Live” from Indian Wells its Ground Pass!Join Anastasia and guest co-host Ian Mondul on the pod recorded from Tennis Paradise in the desert.Things we discuss:What the Tournament has been like so far and the changes this yearThe Lululemon take overThe Tennis so far: The Americans, Alex Eala and Joao Fonseca ManiaSoundbites from the press room from Coco Gauff, Learner Tien, Lilli Tagger, Felix Auger Aliassime and Arthur FilsLinks:Substack from Indian Wells - https://open.substack.com/pub/groundpass/p/the-5th-slam-indian-wells-the-world?r=47h9qh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Off Season Ep 4 - https://youtu.be/8UTohuZL-oY?si=8ue6NlazOwcIEf23Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop Ground Pass Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/GroundPassPodcastChapters:00:00 Intro02:30 How Indian Wells has changed18:18 The Tennis so Far47:30 Off Season: In Season50:30 OutroWe have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop  💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social:Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspodDisclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about