Share

cover art for How TW was first to find out Venus said no to wild card + Djokovic on Sinner "favouritism"

Tennis Weekly

How TW was first to find out Venus said no to wild card + Djokovic on Sinner "favouritism"

Season 1, Ep. 487

Tennis Weekly had an EXCLUSIVE scoop this week as we broke the story that tennis legend Venus Williams was NOT accepting the highly publicised wild card to Indian Wells after Chris and producer Alina attended an in person event with Venus in Denmark! Not only did the news story and Tennis Weekly catch the attention of tennis media WORLDWIDE but it also caught the attention of BNP Paribas Open Tournament Director Tommy Haas who after viewing our Instagram Story put out a statement to say he had been "informed" Venus wasn't accepting the wildcard. Interesting...


In other news It was also another blockbuster week on the ATP and WTA Tours come to an end with Joel, Kim and Chris on hand to dissect it all at Tennis Weekly HQ. Mirra Andreeva came of age in Dubai with a string of sterling performances to crack the Top 10 for the first time. Andrey Rublev also rediscovered his mojo in Doha with his first 500 title since 2022 whilst Jack Draper also made the final on return from injury. Sebastien Baez defended his title in a raucous Rio where there were epic doubles scenes as Matos and Melo became the first Brazilian champions of the event infront of a packed home crowd (who said doubles was dead??).


Off court, the fallout continues for both Jannik Sinner and Elena Rybakina. Novak Djokovic had his say on the Italian's doping ban and said 'favouritism' was at play whilst WADA said it was 'a million miles away from doping'. And the gang talk about the issue of safeguarding as Emma Raducanu was put into an uncomfortable situation in Dubai where she had to ask for a stalker to be removed during her match against Karolina Muchova. Elsewhere, Mysterious Player makes a long awaited return as Kim and Chris work together to reveal the tennis player past or present.


SOCIALS


Follow us on TwitterInstagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.


MERCH


Purchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!


REVIEWS


***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 521. Wimbledon Day 3 - Raducanu magic sets up Sabalenka test, Alcaraz ends Tarvet dream

    35:45||Season 1, Ep. 521
    Rain may have dampened the grounds at the All England Club early on Wednesday, but it did little to quell the drama as Wimbledon 2025’s Day 3 served up upsets, star performances, and homegrown triumphs. Centre Court was abuzz as Emma Raducanu delivered a commanding performance against 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova. With aggressive baseline play and composure under pressure, Raducanu sealed a 6-3, 6-3 victory to book her spot in Round 3—reaffirming her form and igniting hopes of a bit of a run on home turf. Next up, the World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.Joining her in advancing was fellow Brit Cameron Norrie, who battled past 12th seed Frances Tiafoe in four sets, showcasing grit and shot-making under pressure. Meanwhile, young wildcard Oliver Tarvet, though defeated by defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, earned admiration with a spirited showing in front of a supportive home crowd. The day also brought surprises, with fourth seed Jasmine Paolini crashing out at the hands of Kamilla Rakhimova which means that four of the top five women's seeds are out inside three days (!). Another Brit hopeful, Katie Boulter was also edged out in disappointing fashion by Solana Sierra, an Argentinian lucky loser.BABOLATBabolat are an official partner of Wimbledon and their Wimbledon collaboration collection is available to purchase now from babolat.com SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***
  • 520. Wimbledon Day 2 - Gauff grass woes, Djokovic defies seed exodus and Kvitova's last goodbye

    44:47||Season 1, Ep. 520
    It’s been another long, hot day at Wimbledon with the fans on Centre Court and No. 1 Court. Join Joel and Kim as they discuss Sinner opening with some serious serving stats whilst Draper made light work of Baez who still hasn’t won a tour level grass match since Eastbourne 2023. They also get to the bottom of the beef that broke Round 1 between Fritz and Perricard and just why their match was stopped last night and whether that was the right decision. However the seed exodus continued with last year’s semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti and Halle champ Alexander Bublik suffering surprise defeats along with Alexander Zverev whose poor showings at Wimbledon continues.On the women’s side, French Open champion Coco Gauff suffered another early exit at the hands of dangerous Dayan Yastremska. Defending champion Barbora Krejickova overcame a slow start against up and coming Alexandra Eala in three sets but two-time former champion Petra Kvitova made her final Wimbledon bow in defeat to Emma Navarro. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Americans as recent Bad Homburg champion (and avid Call of Duty gamer) Jessica Pegula was dismissed along with Queen’s semi finalist Qinwen Zheng. They also unveil the gang’s Collect a Set predictions for the tournament and look ahead to Day 3 with Carlos Alcaraz returning against Britain’s newest surprise package Oliver Tarvet.BABOLATBabolat are an official partner of Wimbledon and their Wimbledon collaboration collection is available to purchase now from babolat.com SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***
  • 519. Wimbledon Day 1 - Alcaraz survives surprise scare as Raducanu thrives with box office Brits

    34:55||Season 1, Ep. 519
    Feeling hot, hot, hot! Wimbledon Day 1 is in the books, so why not join Joel and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ to catch up on all the action from an enthralling opening day’s play. Carlos Alcaraz had everyone sweating — and not just because of the weather — as he battled through a scratchy five-set win over Italian veteran Fabio Fognini, who hadn’t won on the ATP Tour since October. The Brits also had a ball on Day 1, with a record seven players already through to Round 2. This included the top three British women — Raducanu, Boulter, and Kartal — with Boulter and Kartal both upsetting higher-seeded opponents in Badosa and former Grand Slam champion Ostapenko. The fairytale run of Oliver Tarvet continued too, as he set up a blockbuster Round 2 clash with Alcaraz — though he won’t be able to keep any of his prize money.There were sad scenes as former finalist Ons Jabeur retired, announcing she would ‘disconnect’ from tennis for now. Two-time semifinalist and recent Halle finalist Daniil Medvedev also bowed out unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Sabalenka and Gauff put their recent animosity behind them… with a TikTok dance. Join us as we look ahead to Day 2, with Sinner, Draper, and Djokovic all headlining the action!BABOLATBabolat are an official partner of Wimbledon and their Wimbledon collaboration collection is available to purchase now from babolat.com SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***
  • 518. Wimbledon Draw Reaction - Alcaraz in 'easy' half, Draper despair and Gauff's rough route

    50:46||Season 1, Ep. 518
    Wimbledon! The Championships are upon once again with a lot to live up to after THAT dramatic finale at Roland Garros. Join the gang at Tennis Weekly HQ as they react to the men's and women's draws, dish out some dodgy predictions and unveil Collect a Set player picks. On the men's side, the question on everyone's lips might be will we get another edition of the Carlos Alcaraz - Jannik Sinner rivalry? Joel's not so sure and whilst Carlitos has been handed a pretty routine draw on paper, Jannik Sinner got some trick battles including a potential all Italian quarterfinal with Lorenzo Musetti, last year's semifinalist. Great British hope Jack Draper also got dealt a nightmarish draw with both his French Open conqueror Alexander Bublik and Queen's conqueror Jakub Mensik in his section along with Novak Djokovic who has been in the last SIX Wimbledon finals.On the women's side, can Aryna Sabalenka finally get over the finish line and win a Grand Slam title this season? In her way is a potential R3 showdown with Britain's Emma Raducanu or former champion Market Vondrousova who got the better of her recently in Berlin. French Open champion Coco Gauff also may have hoped for a kinder draw with a tricky opening against Nottingham finalist Yastremska with Rybakina and Swiatek lurking close by. The team also discuss prize money as Britain's Oliver Tarvet will NOT be allowed to claim his prize money of at least £66,000 due to still being in college in America. Join us as we get underway with daily episodes to come throughout The Championships starting on Monday!BABOLATBabolat are an official partner of Wimbledon and their Wimbledon collaboration collection is available to purchase now from babolat.com SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***
  • 517. Welcome to Tennis Weekly!

    00:41||Season 1, Ep. 517
    Tennis Weekly Podcast - the podcast by tennis fans, for tennis fans!Join Joel, Kim and Chris throughout the tennis season for weekly tour catch-ups, daily catch-ups live from Wimbledon plus quizzes, predictions and interviews.Hit play and let the tennis talk begin!
  • 516. Alcaraz reclaims Queen's, Sinner sings Opera + 'Raducaraz' leads US Open Mixed relaunch

    58:44||Season 1, Ep. 516
    With Wimbledon one week away, the grass court season is in full flow so join Joel, Kim and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ as they look back on yet another enthralling week of tennis on the tour. Carlos Alcaraz continued his red hot streak to reclaim the Queen’s title whilst former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova announced she was back with victory in Berlin, including a dominant performance over the World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Not to be outdone, Alexander Bublik continued his mid season purple patch with a Roland Garros reversal win over Jannik Sinner (who had the time to release some opera music with Andrea Bocelli) en route to the Halle title over Daniil Medvedev whose long wait for an ATP Tour title goes on. Elsewhere, Petra Kvitova announced her retirement from the sport, Nick Kyrgios was dropped from the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage and the US Open announced their star studded Mixed doubles event. Headlined by the tantalising partnership of Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, the gang debate just what impact a singles based doubles event will have on the format or whether it’s just one big gimmick. They also look ahead to the final lead up events in Eastbourne, Mallorca and Bad Homburg as Wimbledon qualifying gets underway.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***
  • 515. Grass! Maria rules Queen's, Fritz finds form as Alcaraz, Sinner return + Raducanu money talk

    53:58||Season 1, Ep. 515
    The grass court season has officially begun—and there’s no time to catch your breath after that epic Alcaraz vs. Sinner Roland Garros final! Join Joel, Kim, and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ as they dive into a jam-packed first week of action on the lawns. From Tatjana Maria’s fairytale run as a qualifier to win the first WTA event at Queen’s in over 50 years, to Elise Mertens saving 11 match points in the Netherlands, there’s no shortage of drama. Is Maria one of the last true grass court specialists? And what makes her so tricky for power players like Keys and Rybakina?The trio also breaks down Taylor Fritz’s continued dominance over Zverev in Stuttgart, Emma Raducanu’s headline-grabbing claim that she’s “not playing for money,” and the LTA’s push for prize money parity at Queen’s by 2029. Plus, there’s a fresh round of Par for the Courts, and a heated Mailbag debate over Qinwen Zheng’s suspicious shoe malfunctions or whether it's just a bit of bad PR for the Nike trainer department. Joel isn't buying it, are you?SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***
  • 514. French Open Final - Alcaraz comeback stuns Sinner in Greatest Match of All Time candidate

    49:32||Season 1, Ep. 514
    And breathe. One of the GOAT Grand Slam finals of recent times brings the curtains down on another year of Roland Garros. It may even be just one of the best tennis match EVER. It really was that good and all the more reason to join Joel, Kim and Chris who look back on the sheer EPICNESS that was Carlos Alcaraz’s back from the brink victory over Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Roland Garros final, winning 4–6, 6–7(4), 6–4, 7–6(3), 7–6(10–2). In a gruelling five-hour, 29-minute battle—the longest French Open final in history—Alcaraz overturned a two-set deficit and saved multiple championship points in the fourth set before triumphing in a super tiebreak. The win marked Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam title and second consecutive Roland Garros crown, maintaining his perfect 5–0 record in major finals. The match further fueled the growing rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner, symbolizing an emerging new era in men's tennis following the reign of the Big 3.The gang look back on the key factors playing a part in the final, what this means for Wimbledon plus the rest of the year, and compare Sinner’s reaction in defeat to that of Aryna Sabalenka from Saturday’s ladies singles final. They also round up the top moments from the men’s 2025 tournament with some more Tennis Weekly awards, reflect on some of the British success at doubles, wheelchair and junior events, and reveal the latest winner of the Collect A Set challenge, before taking a sneak preview of the grass court action unfolding at the Queen’s Club this week which sees a ladies event return to London for the first time after a very long hiatus.PROPERTY HUB INVESTIf you’re serious about property, head to https://propertyhub.net/start to take your first step.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***
  • 513. French Open Women's Final - Coco Gauff cracks Paris as Sabalenka fades again

    37:53||Season 1, Ep. 513
    Goodness gracious Gauff! The American has won her first ever Roland Garros title and second overall Grand Slam singles crown with a Parisian rollercoaster of a victory against the World Number 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Join Joel and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ as they reflect on the final in Paris and begin to unpack where the battle was won and lost. The duo talk about those *70* unforced errors that came off the Belarusian’s racket and what makes the Gauff match up such a tricky test for her. They question whether Sabalenka needs a better Plan B and whether the pressure of finals is having an impact with now 2 Grand Slam finals defeats in a row leaving her overall record 3-3.As for Coco Gauff, it was cool, calm and composed tennis matched by the American’s athleticism that got Joel and Chris really talking about how good she has become in these moments… at just 21 years of age. They look ahead to Wimbledon and debate what each can hope to achieve on the grass courts of SW19 with Gauff’s record best a trio of R4 appearances in 2019, 2021 and 2024. They also dish out some Tennis Weekly awards as they reflect on the women’s event as a whole including Best Match, Biggest Surprise plus who left a bit of room for improvement.PROPERTY HUB INVESTIf you’re serious about property, head to https://propertyhub.net/start to take your first step.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!***