Share

cover art for Roland Garros - Draw drama as Nadal faces Zverev

The Tennis Podcast

Roland Garros - Draw drama as Nadal faces Zverev

Ep. 1231

The Roland Garros draw threw up 128 first round singles matches, but there’s only one which everyone is talking about: 14-time champion Rafael Nadal drawn to face Alexander Zverev. 

On the pod, hear the reaction from inside the room when Zverev’s name was drawn next to Nadal’s, as well as Catherine, David and Matt’s own feelings about the prospect of that match. 

Elsewhere, there’s chat about the draws facing all the other leading contenders, the state of French tennis, and Dominic Thiem’s defeat in qualifying. 


OUR LINKS:

Join The Barge!

Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. 

Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafa

Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Check out our Shop

Read our New York Times profile

Tennis Podcast Terminology

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 1251. Stars in Wimbledon waiting game; Sinner, Pegula, Paul post statement wins

    01:08:34
    It was an eventful week in tennis headlined by Andy Murray having to retire from his second round match at Queen’s and then have surgery on his back. It leaves his Wimbledon participation in doubt. Catherine, David and Matt share their feelings and look ahead to what might happen over the next few days. Elsewhere, there’s chat about Tommy Paul’s title at Queen’s, Lorenzo Musetti’s run to the final, and Jack Draper’s big win over Carlos Alcaraz. Matt is full of praise for Jannik Sinner winning his first grass court title in Halle and there’s a rant about the shadow situation there. On the women’s side, who is the favourite for Wimbledon? Jessica Pegula saved five match points to defeat Anna Kalinskaya in Berlin, Coco Gauff impressed, and it was a good week for Iga Swiatek with her feet up as Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousova all retired with injury or illness. ON LOCATION: This edition of The Tennis Podcast is sponsored by On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider.On Location has fantastic ticket, hospitality and travel packages available for all the of the world’s biggest tennis tournaments, including the Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, the US Open, the Australian Open and the Laver Cup.Go to Tours4Tennis.com to check out the options and don’t forget, we have a 5% discount off those Laver Cup packages for Friends of The Tennis Podcast.So if you’re a friend, drop us a line at friends@tennispodcast.net to get the discount code, or Become a Friend to qualify for that discount.Terms and conditions apply.HANNAH’S COLUMN: An excerpt from Hannah’s latest column, about Andy Murray, is available now for everyone to read - https://bit.ly/ThankYouAndyOUR LINKS: Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile
  • 1250. Grass! Draper, Boulter double for Britain; Wayne Ferreira interview

    01:10:12
    The grass court season is well underway and it was a big week of British success with Jack Draper winning his first career title in Stuttgart and Katie Boulter defending her title in Nottingham. Catherine, David and Matt cover it all and David speaks to Draper's coach, Wayne Ferreira, to find out more about their partnership, and what to expect of Draper in the future. Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu's decision to turn down an Olympics wildcard is debated, Matteo Berrettini's run to the Stuttgart final is covered, and we review s'Hertogenbosch titles for Alex de Minaur and Liudmila Samsonova. Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends, now - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafaSign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile
  • 1249. Bianca Andreescu

    51:15
    Catherine and Matt sit down with Bianca Andreescu to talk about her career so far and the journey ahead. Andreescu opens up about the fearlessness she felt in 2019 when she won her US Open title, the injury and mental health struggles which followed, the new perspective on life that she's gained, and why her goals and ambitions remain high. Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends, now - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafaSign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile
  • 1248. RG Day 15 - Alcaraz escapes to history

    01:03:40
    Carlos Alcaraz is the Roland Garros champion, coming back from two sets to one down to defeat Alexander Zverev in the final. Catherine, David and Matt discuss all the key moments in the match, how Alcaraz combined tactics, physical prowess and mental strength to win, and what this means for his career. Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends, now - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafaSign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile
  • 1247. RG Day 14 - History made and Iga eager for more; Alcaraz vs. Zverev preview

    01:03:54
    Iga Swiatek has won Roland Garros for a fourth time, beating Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-1 in the final. Catherine, David and Matt discuss the match, Swiatek’s peerlessness on clay, her place in the sport’s history, and what the future might hold for her. There’s also a round up of all the other results and a preview of the men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev. OUR LINKS:Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafaSign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile
  • 1246. RG Day 13 - Alcaraz outlasts Sinner; Zverev case discontinued; Swiatek vs. Paolini preview

    01:02:39
    Carlos Alcaraz will face Alexander Zverev in Sunday's men's final at Roland Garros. Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in five sets on Friday in a match affected by cramp, while Zverev beat Casper Ruud in a match affected by Ruud's ill health. Catherine, David and Matt discuss both matches, analyse in depth what we learned from Alcaraz vs Sinner, and report the news that Zverev's domestic abuse case in Germany has been discontinued. There's also a preview of the women's final between Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini. OUR LINKS:Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafaSign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile
  • 1245. RG Day 12 - Talking all the tennis with Mary Carillo

    01:05:50
    As is tradition on women's semi-finals day at Roland Garros, we welcome Mary Carillo onto the pod! We discuss a couple of one-sided semi-finals, the Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff match-up, and whether Jasmine Paolini stands any chance at all in Saturday's final. There's also a big preview of the men's semi-finals which are headlined by the latest instalment of Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner. OUR LINKS:Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafaSign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile
  • 1244. RG Day 11 - Paolini, Andreeva rock Roland Garros; Zverev advances

    01:08:50
    The anticipated semi-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina became Jasmine Paolini vs Mirra Andreeva after a day of huge upsets at Roland Garros. Catherine, David and Matt react to the matches, discuss how they made them feel, and look ahead to tomorrow's semi-finals. On the men's side, there's chat about Alexander Zverev's victory over Alex de Minaur. OUR LINKS:Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafaSign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile
  • 1243. RG Day 10 - Injury dashes Djokovic hopes; Swiatek vs. Gauff, Alcaraz vs. Sinner are ON

    01:10:35
    It was a seismic day at Roland Garros as Novak Djokovic withdrew from the tournament due to his knee injury. Catherine, David and Matt react to the news and what it might mean for Djokovic's future. The most immediate impact is that Jannik Sinner will become the new world number one on Monday and he found out just after his quarter-final win over Grigor Dimitrov. There's chat about that, the stunning Coco Gauff vs Ons Jabeur match to start the day, another dominant display from Iga Swiatek over Marketa Vondrousova, and Carlos Alcaraz's routine win against Stefanos Tsitsipas. We also look ahead to the semi-finals and reflect on the night session scheduling which has only got worse. OUR LINKS:Join The Barge!Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube. Hannah’s latest column about Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnRafaSign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profile