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The Tennis Podcast
2024! Catherine in Perth, Osaka & Nadal Return, Snake Scare
Ep. 1191
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The 2024 tennis season is here and Catherine is in Perth to tell David and Matt all about the United Cup so far. There’s chat about the vibe and feel of the tournament, the format changes this year, some technique tweaks for Iga Swiatek, great wins for Katie Boulter and Zheng Qinwen, and why mixed doubles is so much fun.
Elsewhere, Naomi Osaka made her comeback in Brisbane and got us all excited by the way she was playing, Rafael Nadal is preparing for his return which will be against Dominic Thiem who has already survived a mid match interruption by a venomous snake, and Amanda Anisimova is back too.
ON LOCATION
We are delighted to announce in our first show of 2024, that On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider, will once again be sponsoring The Tennis Podcast this year!
And for the first time ever, On Location will be the Official Hospitality Provider of The Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
That means that you can gain unparalleled access to the Olympic Games when they take place in Paris from Friday 26th July to Sunday 11th August 2024.
On Location offers you the chance to be a part of history with tailor-made offerings that include guaranteed tickets, and a wide range of options to make your time at Paris 2024 truly epic.
There are phenomenal packages available for all sports, from swimming to gymnastics, fencing to boxing but also private boxes at none other than Roland Garros to watch your favourite tennis players go for gold.
A special section is now featured at the top of the Tennis Podcast Sponsor page on the On Location website that will direct you to their official Olympic Games Travel and Hospitality Packages.
Just go to Tours4Tennis.com/Podcast https://tours4tennis.com/podcast
Packages can be purchased online, or a dedicated On Location team member can contact you directly to create your perfect package.
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1487. Miami - Why Arthur Fils is the next guy
01:14:35||Ep. 1487After a dramatic few days in Miami, there’s lots to discuss for Catherine and David, who are holding the fort while Matt gets stopped by fans at Gatwick airport. Part one - (00:00 - 18:25) Shortly after discussing Iga Swiatek’s crisis of form and confidence on the last pod, news broke that Wim Fissette had been axed from the Swiatek team. Is it the right move? And who will the for the former World Number One now turn to for answers?Part two - (18:25 - 47:25) WTA - A dream semi final line up is set in Miami with yet another instalment of the rivalry of the moment between Aryna Sabalebka and Elena Rybakina, plus an intriguing clash between the resurgent Coco Gauff and a peaking Karolina Muchova. Who will win the title from here? Plus some reporting on the ground in Miami from the Athletic’s Matt Futterman. Part three - ATP (47:25) Arthur Fils’ comeback hits new heights after a scintillating victory over Tommy Paul to reach the Miami semi finals. David revels in every moment of it, but also warns that Jiri Lehecka is a tricky hurdle standing between Fils and the final. In the other half of the draw, Jannik Sinner is not just hunting down a Sunshine Double, but hunting down Carlos Alcaraz and his much coveted #1 spot.Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.1486. Miami - What happened to Swiatek & Alcaraz?
01:32:21||Ep. 1486It was a rainy first few days of Miami but things have picked up since then and a couple of big shocks - defeats for Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz - have left Catherine, David and Matt with plenty to discuss. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 43:51) We start with Swiatek’s defeat to Magda Linette as she opened up about the tennis “nightmare” she’s experiencing on court. What’s going wrong for her? And where does this leave her heading into the clay? Elsewhere there’s chat about Talia Gibson’s brilliant run, a return to form for Zheng Qinwen, a breakthrough win for Hailey Baptiste against Elina Svitolina, and a Last 16 line up filled with compelling matches. Part two - ATP (43:52 - 1:13:57) We cover Seb Korda’s wild win over Alcaraz which saw him choke in the second set but then regain his composure to win in three. Can Korda back up this win and take advantage of a wide-open top half of the draw? Arthur Fils might have something to say about that after he destroyed Stefanos Tsitsipas. There’s also chat about some of the young players impressing in Miami and some unexpected aggro between Corentin Moutet and Danielle Collins. Part three - News (1:38:58 - 1:32:21) Wimbledon’s expansion plans clear a big hurdle and video review technology is coming. Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.1485. Indian Wells - Sabalenka, Sinner win…just
01:23:52||Ep. 1485Catherine, David and Matt are joined by The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare for a live show looking back on a dramatic finals weekend at Indian Wells. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 34:39). We react to Aryana Sabalenka’s incredible match point-saving victory over Elena Rybakina, discuss where the match was won and lost, and consider what it means for their rivalry. Plus, a Backhand List update and analysis of where Iga Swiatek is at after her defeat to Elina Svitolina. Part two - ATP (34:40 - 1:08:10). We cover Jannik Sinner’s incredible serving as he completed the set of big titles on hard courts and and a remarkable return to form for Daniil Medvedev who handed Carlos Alcaraz his first defeat of the season in the semi-finals. There’s also chat about the positives vibes we’re feeling about the current state of the ATP and yet more hindrance drama. Part three - Miami Preview (1:08:11 - 1:23:52). Draw breakdown and who needs a good tournament? Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.1484. Indian Wells - Sincaraz, Sabatek finals incoming?
01:23:50||Ep. 1484It’s only been a few days since the last pod but so much has happened at Indian Wells for Catherine, David and Matt to get stuck into. Part one - ATP (00:00 - 40:17) It’s been a thrilling week on the ATP side with the return of Jack Draper and Arthur Fils helping to reinvigorate the tour. We discuss Draper’s epic win over Novak Djokovic and the technical tweaks which have helped Fils on his return. But will it still be a Carlos Alcaraz - Jannik Sinner final? There’s chat about Alcaraz’s absurd level against Casper Ruud and Sinner’s steel in seeing off a fine performance from Joao Fonseca. Part two - WTA (40:18 - 1:11:48) The matches may not have quite lived up to expectations so far, but there’s still been plenty of intrigue. We cover Iga Swiatek’s perfect tactics against Karolina Muchova, Aryna Sabalenka displaying how she’s evolved her game by beating Naomi Osaka handily, the impressive form of Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina and Victoria Mboko, and the worrying pattern of Mirra Andreeva losing her composure in matches. Part three - News (1:11:49 - 1:23:50). We react to reporting in The Athletic about how the ATP and Saudi Arabia plans to reshape the men’s tennis calendar by going on a shopping spree and buying back tournament licenses. Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.1483. Indian Wells - The story so far
01:16:53||Ep. 1483Catherine, David and Matt catch up on the biggest talking points so far at Indian Wells. Part one (00:00 - 12:00). We start by picking up where we left off last week with an update on how tennis players escaped the United Arab Emirates as the conflict in the Middle East escalated.Part two (12:01 - 38:35). Men’s draw. Joao Fonseca is having a big week and now faces Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz remains the man to beat, Luciano Darderi accidentally called a hindrance on himself and lost the match, Arthur Fils and Jack Draper are continuing to impress on return, and what to make of Novak Djokovic?Part three (38:36 - 1:16:53) Women’s draw. A rare injury scare for Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova’s demolition of Emma Raducanu, excitement ahead of Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka’s first meeting since 2018, and Iga Swiatek’s recurring second set drop off. There’s also chat about the Eisenhower Cup exhibition and some predictions for the rest of the tournament.Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.1482. As world events unfold, what happens to tennis?
01:31:53||Ep. 1482Catherine, David and Matt catch up on all the latest results and news in a week which saw the illusion of tennis existing outside of world events collapse again. Part one - ATP (00:00 - 48:17). We cover the dystopian scene of the doubles final in Dubai taking place despite American and Israeli strikes on Tehran and Iran’s retaliatory attacks across the region. Plus, an update on the players and staff still stuck in Dubai with airspaces closed. On the court, there’s chat about Daniil Medvedev finally winning a tournament for the second time, even if this one came via walkover, the return of Jack Draper, Flavio Cobolli’s triumph in Acapulco, and Luciano Darderi picking up his fifth clay court title in Santiago. Part two - WTA (48:18 - 1:01:57). We discuss Peyton Stearns winning the title in her college town of Austin and a career-best moment for Cristina Bucsa in Merida. Part three - News (1:01:58 - 1:31:53). The worst kept secret is finally out - Craig Tiley is moving from Tennis Australia to the USTA. We discuss the challenges ahead of him and where Tennis Australia might go next. There’s also chat about Emma Raducanu's clothing and coaching news as well as a look ahead to Indian Wells, which gets underway with its draw ceremony today.Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.1481. Alcaraz wins 12 in a row and Fils-Ivanisevic: The Inside Story
01:35:57||Ep. 1481Part one - WTA Dubai (00:00 - 44:40). Jessica Pegula has capped a remarkable recent run with a big title. Is she playing the best tennis of her career? And what makes her so well set up to be a consistent force? We also cover an extraordinary semi-final won by Elina Svitolina against Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova finding some form, and the announcement of the new WTA Tour Architecture Council as the withdrawals and retirements in Dubai piled up. Can they make meaningful and beneficial changes to the schedule? Part two - ATP Results (44:41 - 1:21:13). Carlos Alcaraz put in an astonishing performance to win his second title of the season, while Jannik Sinner was upset by Jakub Mensik in the quarter-finals. Is Alcaraz moving ahead of Sinner, or is it too soon to say? Elsewhere, David gives us the exciting lowdown on the new Goran Ivanisevic-Arthur Fils partnership, and there are titles for Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Rio and Sebastian Korda in Delray Beach to discuss. Part three (1:21:14 - 1:35:57) - A look ahead to this week as Jack Draper and Bianca Andreescu return to the tour while Acapulco is set to begin despite violent clashes in Mexico. Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.1480. Muchova’s moment - the first of many?
01:18:15||Ep. 1480Catherine, David and Matt discuss an exhilarating week of action across events in Doha, Rotterdam, Dallas and Buenos Aires. Part one - WTA Doha (00:00 - 34:36). The joy of seeing Karolina Muchova win another title at last, Victoria Mboko showing she belongs in the Top 10 after incredible wins over Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina, varying degrees of concern for Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova. Part two - ATP Results (34:37 - 1:00:00). Alex de Minaur and Ben Shelton make hay in the absence of Alcaraz and Sinner, Daniil Medvedev complains about the balls in Rotterdam defeat, more Dutch drama as Jesper de Jong and Tallon Griekspoor fall out, and a sweet win for Francisco Cerundolo at home in Argentina. Part three (1:00:01 - 1:18:14) - News and a look ahead to this week as another 1000 event takes place without its top players.Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.1479. What's happened since the Australian Open?
01:22:49||Ep. 1479Catherine, David and Matt are home from Melbourne and here to look back on another busy week of tennis as the tours moved onto the Middle East and indoors in Europe. Part one (00:00 - 34:52) - Women’s results. We discuss the rise of another young Czech as Sara Bejlek won her first career title in Abu Dhabi, a title in her home country for Sorana Cirstea, an eventful week for Emma Raducanu as she reached her first final since the US Open in 2021, and a much-needed title for Katie Boulter in Ostrava!!!. Part two (34:53 - 56:49) - Men’s results. We cover Felix Auger-Aliassime picking up yet another title indoors and all the results from the Davis Cup Qualifiers, headlined by incredible wins for South Korea, India and Ecuador. Part three (56:50 - 1:22:49) - Some tennis politics, a look ahead to this week on tour, and a tribute to Mark Hodgkinson, the former tennis correspondent of the Telegraph who sadly died last week at the age of 46. Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.