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We discuss the rise of So Cal youngsters Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen.

We discuss the whipsmart play of Iga Swiatek.

We discuss the comedic genius of Danielle Collins.

We discuss the blossoming of Gael Monfils and the GEMS LIFE miracle.

We discuss Rybakina, Draper, Davidovich Fokina, Gauff, Djokovic, Alcaraz and more!

Thanks for listening!

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It has a season that has not met the 24-time major champion's lofty standards, but Flink believes that we have not seen the best of the Serbian legend in 2024. He gives his thoughts on Djokovic's performance at Wimbledon, and his 2024 in general, and points ahead to this year's US Open.

Flink also talks about the remarkable rise of Carlos Alcaraz, and singles out a key contributor to the Spaniard's stunning summer.

And where does it all leave World No.1 Jannik Sinner? Flink, who has just returned from his 55th Wimbledon, has thoughts on that as well.

We also look at the women's side, which was wide open this year, and featured a feel good final between Barbora Krejcikova and Jasmine Paolini in the final. Nothing against the matchup, but Flink would prefer to see the top players in the women's game performing better at Wimbledon? Why were they not in the mix on finals weekend this year, and will Iga Swiatek ever find her footing on the grass.

Finally we conclude with the performance of the American men and women at Wimbledon as we look at head to the summer and the US Open.

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Topics discussed:

1. Krejcikova – How did she pull this off? 
2. Carlitos – what impressed us the most about him during Wimbledon?
3. Iga on grass – is there hope? 
4. What’s next for Novak? Has hiw window for 25 passed him by? 
5. Was it a failure for Sinner, losing to Medvedev? He’s No 1 in the rankings but it feels like he’s a distant No.2 now 
6. Most pleasant surprise for you guys? 
7. Grass is a dangerous surface? But is it more dangerous than it used to be? If so what can be done about it? 
8. American breakdown – who impressed? Who disappointed? 

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Key topics discussed:

What to expect from Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray's last dance

Iga Swiatek's tricky draw and lack of grass matches

Coco Gauff's chances

We reveal our picks for the singles titles

Our fave first-round matchups

Unseeded and dangerous players

Who will make a better commentator: Nick Kyrgios or John Isner?

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WE talk about this and more in today's podcast, as we venture beyond Dubai to discuss upcoming events at Indian Wells in Miami.

Items discussed:

Who's hot? Who's not?

When will Andy Murray retire?

Rafa and Nole back at Indian Wells, will it be the last time they both come together?

Jakub Mensik... how good is this kid?

Osaka and Wozniacki comebacks, what is the upside?

And so much more!

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We commence with a brief convo of late night finishes in Melbourne. Can anything be done to limit the damage of players staying on court until after 3 AM at the majors?

Then we proceed into a breakdown of a player who was impacted by such madness - Daniil Medvedev. What can the Russian do to get over the hump at the majors, and how can he get through a Slam with more fuel in his tank. Medvedev famously spent 24:17 on court, a new record for time on court at a major, and dropped a two sets to love lead in the final as the fatigue set in.

Of course we move to Jannik Sinner next. What makes him special and what does his title run mean for the shape of the ATP season? Does he have a shot at No.1? What, specifically, made his performance a cut above the rest of the field, and is it repeatable?

On to the women, we talk about the wild chaos in the top half of the women's draw? Is it a sign of cracks in the armor of the top players, or yet another indication of the supreme depth of the WTA Tour?

Then, to Aryna Sabalenka and her breathtaking, unblemished run to the title. What can we say about her that hasn't already been said? A few things, it turns out.

Finally we look at China's Zheng Qinwen and what made her run to the final special. Yes, she didn't take out a Top 50 player en route to the final, and that is rare, but that doesn't mean she isn't deserving.

And finally, a list of things that made the fortnight special. Things that may have been lost in the blur of a final weekend that captivated us and gave us tunnel vision. Remember Arthur Cazaux? Rohan Bopanna? Hsieh Su-Wei? We do...

Thanks for listening!

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Topics discussed:

1. Nole's push for a 25th major and an 11th at Melbourne Park.
2. The four corners of the men's draw, and why Alcaraz could face a difficult path to the final weekend.
3. Sinner's progress against Djokovic in 2023.
4. The return of Naomi Osaka and what we might see from the four-time Slam champion at this year's AO.
5. Coco Gauff and her chances of backing up her US Open breakthrough.
6. The solid state of the WTA's Top 4.
7. The next American man to win a major? Who? What? When? Where?

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Richard Pagliaro and Erik Gudris stop by to help us relive the glory of the tennis season that was, covering the big sweeping storylines as well as some of the subtle trends that emerged.

We start with a deep discussion of our key moments, followed by a deep dive into Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, our 2023 players of the year, before veering into a closer look at the brewing Sinner v Alcaraz rivalry and what we can expect from it - and from those rising talents - in 2024.

We also talk about the players who can present a challenge to Iga Swiatek in 2024 and the state of the WTA Tour with regard to leadership, and finance.

There's also a section on our favorite Grand Slam finals of 2024, as well as some chatter about the next American man to win a major!

Thanks for listening and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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Erik was around the grounds all week for Tennis Now, taking in the action and participating in press conference featuring top players.

We get his insights on the resurgence of Coco Gauff, who won her biggest career title, as well as Dan Evans, who became the oldest champion at DC since Jimmy Connors in 1988.

Other topics discussed:

The future of the Citi Open and the evolution of the tournament over the years.

The disparity in prize money at the event between men and women.

Coco's forehand, and her new coaching setup with Pere Riba at the helm and Brad Gilbert consulting.

The excitement - and pressure - surrounding Frances Tiafoe at his hometown event.

The game of talented Tallon Griekspoor.

The plight of the American men, who had the top two seeds in DC but came away disappointed. How is the summer shaping up for the American man?

Andy Murray's frustration, excitement, jubilation and heartbreak - what does it all mean?

The comebacks of Caroline Wozniacki, Jennifer Brady and Milos Raonic.

The return of Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek in Canada.

And much much more (including the best snacks at the Citi Open)

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Here are the topics we canvas:

1. Can we really read anything into the grass court warm up results as indicators before Wimbledon? Maybe it’s recency bias but I have my eyes on Keys / Kasatkina. I’d say yes. Huge experience for Alcaraz/ Swiatek/ I think you can pick out positives, and maybe not sweat the negatives. 
2. The draw’s out, did it change anything about the way you view this Wimbledon playing out? To me it worked in Swiatek’s favor a bit because the bottom half is stacked. 
3. Is Djokovic the best men’s grass-court player in history if he wins this title? Federer 192-29 on grass with 19 titles. Djokovic 109-18 with eight titles. 

           DJOKOVIC 3-1 VS FEDERER AT GRASS AND 3-0 VS FEDERER IN WIMBLEDON FINALS

1. Has Swiatek played herself into favorite status with her performance at Bad Homburg? 
2. How is this year’s draw different, with Russian and Belarusian players in the mix again? How will Wimbledon’s decision to allow them to play impact the fortnight? 
3. What is your most outrageous pick for a run to the semis or beyond?
4. How much has Alcaraz improved on grass – and as a player in general – since last Wimbledon? Won his final 10 sets at Queens. Using the slice. Returning aggression. 
5. Is Medvedev a tad overlooked as a grass-court talent? 35-19 with a title on grass. 8-4 at Wimbledon, missed last year but made second week for the first time in 2021 (Hurkacz)
6. Can we expect anything from Berrettini or Kyrgios? 
7. What do we make of Venus Williams and what does it mean for Wimbledon to have her in the draw? 
8. What do we think of Wozniacki’s comeback? 30 titles No.1 for 71 weeks Slam champion going to be 33. physicality???!!!
9. Your favorite first-rounder, men’s and women’s?
10. You’re favorite potential round of 16 matchup and why? (just one)  Jabeur v Kvitova or Muchova v Sabalenka
11. You’re winners and why? (men’s and women’s) 
12. Does Gauff have a better shot at Swiatek on grass than any other surface? Has lost all 14 sets against her… (AND ONLY ONCE WON MORE THAN FOUR GAMES IN A SET V IGA)

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Some show notes:

Discussion of Carlitos in Madrid and his clay game | 19-1 on clay this season, 58-12 overall | Is it his best surface, even though he says he prefers clay?

Question for Richard:

IS ALCARAZ YOUR RG FAVORITE AT THE MOMENT, KEEPING IN MIND IT COULD CHANGE IF NOVAK PLAYS WELL IN ROME? 

Rafa on the brink/ Nole let’s wait and see -- what does the status of Nadal and Djokovic mean for the rest of the tour and how do we feel about the chances of our 22-time Grand Slam champions, given that they are way behind in their preparation?

Sabalenka gets it done in Madrid | 5 finals already this year, previous career best was four | 29-4 on the season | We ask Richard: what’s the difference in your opinion? 

IS IGA STILL THE PLAYER TO BEAT ON THE SLOWER CLAY? 

Reminder: Keep an eye on Sinner...

Sinner - 40-18 (.833 lifetime) on clay 5-1 this year… quarterfinal at rome last year / week two at RG three years in a row! 

WTA others: Krejcikova / Kasatkina / Ons Jabeur (if healthy) / Garcia/ Sakkari / Gauff / Kudermetova / Ostapenko 

HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR ATP PLAYERS WITH RAFA QUESTIONS, RUUD QUESTIONS, NOLE INJURY CLOUD, MEDVEDEV NOT AS DANGEROUS ON THIS SURFACE - 

GAUFF’S STRUGGLES? How can she shore up her game in time for Roland-Garros, where she is defending runner-up points?

A discussion on #CakeGate? Really, you think silencing the doubles finalists is a viable solution, Madrid? Wow....

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Is it even possible?

What would it take?

What do we think of Sabalenka's attitude?

Next, we move to Rotterdam where Daniil Medvedev has made a strong statement of intent by claiming the title. Jannik Sinner, the runner-up who falls to 0-5 lifetime vs Medvedev, was also strong.

What did we see from Medvedev that we have not seen of late?

Next, it's over to Buenos Aires, where Carlos Alcaraz made a swift return to the podium by winning his 7th career title. How good did he look and what makes this teenager one of the most compelling watches in the sport right now?

Meanwhile, another player, Austria's Dominic Thiem, continues to struggle - what gives?

We also discuss Novak Djokovic's 377th week at No.1 and Taylor Fritz' push for the top five.

Thanks for listening!!!!

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A former NCAA All-American at Illinois, Kovacevic has transitioned seamlessly to the ATP Tour over the last 18 months. He was 370 in the rankings this time last year but now sits at 125 -- a stone's throw from the top 100 -- after claiming his maiden challenger title in Cleveland on Sunday.

Host Chris Oddo talks to the 24-year-old about the difficulties of transitioning into the pro game and the highs and lows of his first formative months on tour.

We run through Kovacevic's journey to South Korea last year, where he made his ATP debut in Seoul and powered into the semifinals with wins over Miomir Kecmanovic, Jason Tseng and Mackenzie McDonald.

It's not so much about hitting a high level, Kovacevic tells the podcast, it's about hitting a high level consistently.

Kovacevics talks about his difficult trip to Australia this year and then reflects on what it was like watching his good friends JJ Wolf and Ben Shelton battle for a spot in the quarterfinals in Melbourne. Naturally, there were some mixed emotions but ultimately the rise of the American men is giving Kovacevic reason to believe he can soon be there too.

We also get an inside view on the emotional pitfalls of spending life on the road full-time, and get a coaching update.

Thanks to Aleks for joining and thanks to y'all for listening!!!!

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We pay special attention to Novak Djokovic, and his incredible triumph in Melbourne, where he won his 22nd major and 10th AO title, discussing everything from his post-victory emotions to his hamstring to his bulletproof game and aura.

Of course we've got time for Stefanos Tsitsipas after a breakthrough run to the final in Melbourne - what did the Greek do right? What did he do wrong?

Moving on to Aryna Sabalenka, the first-time Slam winner who took out Aryna Sabalanka in an absolutely epic final, we talk about the Belarussian's passion and dedication, how she rebuilt her serve - and her mindset - to conquer this massive challenge.

And what does the AO tell us about the aura of Iga going forward? We made time for a brief discussion of it, naturally.

Then onto Stefano Vukov and Elena Rybakina and the controversy that surrounded them in Melbourne. What can we take away? How can we all grow from this?

Thanks for listening!

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You can find Alex's brilliant work at Crackedracquets.com, he hosts several podcasts, covering NCAA tennis and the pro game as well, and also works as a commentator for the Tennis Channel.

Cracked Racquets

Gruskin on Twitter:

Topics discussed:

Tommy Paul -- why is he the last American standing and what is his long-term upside? How is the Paul of 2023 different from previous versions of himself, which elements of his arsenal have been sharpened and why is he able to muster such success against the Top-5? What are his chances against Novak Djokovic and what could the rest of the season look like for him?

Ben Shelton -- how has this kid come from out of nowhere to be such a force? What are his assets, why are they so effective and what are some of the elements of his game that could improve to make him even better? Shelton has emerged as a fan favorite - what is it about him that makes fans gravitate to him?

JJ Wolf - He was edged by Shelton in the round of 16, but he's clearly another American on the rise. What are his weapons and how has he changed since his college tennis days? He's kinda cool, and Alex says if it's true, it's mainly due to his sister...

Sebi Korda -- will the smooth striker one day be best in class for the Americans?

Fritz and Tiafoe - They didn't join the party for long in Australia, but for now they are the leaders.

Next, a breakdown of the women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, followed by a discussion of Friday night's men's semifinals, which Tsitsipas fans are gonna love...

Thanks for joining Alex! Make sure you follow Mr. Gruskin on Twitter and check out all his work -- trust us, you will learn a lot about tennis from this passionate tennis freak!

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Topics Discussed:

Rafa's future? Is there more glory to come?

If not Novak, then who? A discussion of potential winners of the men's singles crown in Melbourne, and the form and fitness of the nine-time champ.

Iga's aura, is it still intact?

Netflix curse? Is it real? Is it fun? Is it annoying? Can it be all three?

Andy Murray, let us count the ways we love you.

Sam Stosur, let us count the ways we love you.

American men, y'all are so good!

Sebastian Korda and the art of closing matches. An improving work in progress.

So much more! Thanks for listening and supporting!

Emotional moments of week one (our faves)

ENJOY WEEK TWO!!!!

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Join us for in-depth discussions on the following:

1. Serena Williams - how did she look at Eastbourne and what can we really expect from her at SW19?
2. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - who got the better draw?
3. Matteo Berrettini - is he the No.2 favorite based on his performance at Stuttgart and Queen's?
4. Bianca Andreescu - what makes her a threat on the grass?
5. Is Petra Kvitova finding her mojo?
6. If not Iga Swiatek, then which woman could raise the Venus Rosewater Dish?
7. Key first-round matchups, now that we have the draw.

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As a top junior, Michael Mmoh knows a thing or two about heavy expectations. He was the No.2-ranked junior in 2015, pushing for junior Slam titles and thought of as one of the most promising American players.

He remains one of the more promising Americans, but one with unfinished business in 2022. Mmoh, the son of Toni Mmoh, who is a former World No.105 that played for Nigeria during his career, believes he is on the rise after several seasons of fits and starts due to injuries.

He recently won the USTA’s French Open wild card playoff and will take his place in the main draw at Roland-Garros for the second time next week. Having topped out in the ATP rankings at 96 in 2018, Mmoh currently ranks 179 – but, at the age of 24, he feels he has the capacity to go much higher.

We asked him if players like Aslan Karatsev, who came from relative obscurity to become the lowest-ranked player to reach the Australian Open semifinals on his Grand Slam debut, inspire him to believe that he can rise up the ranks on tour.

“[Players like that] show me that no matter how long you might be playing challengers or whatever that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a challenger player,” he said. “It just hasn’t clicked yet in terms of you making that breakthrough, and I feel like if I’m able to consistently be healthy and just give myself opportunities week in and week out, I feel like my game belongs on the ATP Tour, so I think if I’m able to just keep working hard, keep staying healthy, I’ll be surprised if I’m not there.”

Despite struggling with injuries over the last few seasons, Mmoh has made big strides. He won his first Grand Slam main draw match at the Australian Open in 2020 and has since reached the second round at two other majors. The potential to do damage on the biggest stages is there – now it’s just about getting everything in sync, mentally and physically.

“I would always miss four months here, three months there, so now I feel like my body is finally at a place where I am able to play week in and week out and I’m liking how my game is forming because of that,” Mmoh says. “I’m able to get consistent reps of playing matches and I really think this year is going to be a good year for me because of that.”

Mmoh spends a lot of time training in Bradenton, Florida, where he is a regular hitting partner of Sebastian Korda, Denis Shapovalov and other top pros. He says the experience can only help him.

“It’s a very competitive atmosphere, I’m able to hit with Sebi a lot, Shapo when he’s here. Obviously my goal is to be playing with these guys week in and week out, and it’s a good place to train because it feels like you are on the tour with them when you are training with them.”

Read the full article at Tennisnow.com!

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Follow Mert on Twitter: @MertovsTDesk

Ertunga has a long and storied history in the sport, but he has recently taken a big step by becoming the coach of two Turkish women - Ipek Oz and Ayla Aksu - after operating as a coaching consultant and member of the tennis media in recent years.

Listen on and hear why Mertunga is diving head first into this new challenge, what inspired him to make the move and find out how he has hooked up with two promising talents.

Listeners will great insight into what life is like on the ITF circuit, far away from the spotlight of the tour’s biggest venues, where Oz and Aksu battle for precious ranking points in the hopes that they can follow in the path of Turkish tennis trailblazer Cagla Buyukakcay, the only Turkish woman who has ever cracked the WTA’s top 100. 

It just so happens that Buyukakcay is a close friend and confidant of Ertunga. She was coached by the recently departed Can Uner, and we get to hear Ertunga speak on the admirable qualities of both as he describes his path back to the grind of the WTA Tour in depth.

Thanks to Mert for his time, and the inspiring path he has chosen! And thanks for listening!

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But we don't begin until Nadal chatter until we break down Ash Barty's magical run to the title on Saturday. Barty set the tone for a very special weekend at the Australian Open when she defeated Danielle Collins to become the first Aussie to capture a singles title at Melbourne since 1978.

We discuss the extraordinary talents of Barty, and take a close look at her serve and her tactics, which made her virtually unstoppable as she rolled to the title without dropping a set.

Once Barty was given her due we did a deep dive into the Nadal Medvedev final, which featured the Spaniard's third comeback from two sets down at a Slam and just fourth overall - but coming back from two sets down was a feat he had never accomplished in a Slam final.

So how did Nadal do it?

And what could Medvedev have down to stop him?

And, finally, where does Nadal's triumph put him with regard to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer? Obviously it was a massive win for his legacy, but how big?

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Join us for a 20 minute discussion of the hottest topic in tennis at the moment, followed by 20 minutes of discussion centered around the first week of the 2022 season, which featured titles by Rafael Nadal, Ash Barty and Simona Halep, as well as a breakout performance at the ATP Cup for Team Canada.

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Just back from Prague where the US team reached the semifinals at the 2021 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Dr. Colvin shares her wealth of experience in tennis, from being a part of the US Fed Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team to working at the US Open in her current role as the Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. Alexis Colvin is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Associate Dean of Alumni Affairs at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. 

A leading expert in her field Dr. Colvin is the first female and first Asian-American to hold the position of Chief Medical Officer of the US Open as well as the team physician for the US Billie Jean King Cup Team.

A leading expert in her field, Dr. Colvin’s specialties include:

· Orthopedic surgery 

· Sports medicine 

· Pain management and rehabilitation 

· Knee, shoulder and hip injuries and treatment and more.

Thanks for listening!!!!

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We discuss...

Other hot topics tackled:

The return of Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez at Indian Wells. What went right and what went wrong? We wonder, and look at the short-term future of these two rising talents.

Stay around for:

A discussion on the most pleasant surprises of the first six day of main draw play at Indian Wells, and our two top candidates for the title in both the men's and women's draw.

Also hear:

Praise for Casper Ruud's breakthrough season and a tip of the cap to the feisty, fiery Cameron Norrie.

Thanks for listening!!!!

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We break down both draws and look at the key storylines on the eve of the Olympic tennis event.

A deep discussion of Naomi Osaka and the pressures she faces as she takes her place as the No.2 seed.

A look into Novak Djokovic's quest for the Golden Slam, a step-by-step look at his draw, and some thoughts on where he may be mentally, physically and spiritually in Tokyo.

The Olympics as a springboard - which players stand to gain from a good performance in Tokyo?

The difficulties - will the lack of fans and the bubble dampen our enthusiasm? We think not.

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Of course, we start with an in-depth discussion of Roger Federer's loss to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals and wonder what his future might hold.

We also look at some of the players who put up breathtaking performances at Wimbleodon despite not reaching the semis, such as Ons Jabeur, Sebastian Korda, Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime and more.

Near the end we discuss the amazing run of Novak Djokovic and give our thoughts on whether or not we think the World No.1 can make it through and capture the Calendar Slam. What about the Golden Slam??? (we talk about that, too).

Come for the Federer talk, stay for the discussion of four mouthwatering semifinals, featuring incredible matchups...

Djokovic v Shapovalov

Berrettini v Hurkacz

Barty v Kerber

Sabalenka v Pliskova

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You heard that right! The third round is set on both the men's and women's side? What did we learn? Who is in the best shape? Who have we lost along the way?

How will the Naomi Osaka controversy reshape the way tennis players interact with the press at tournaments? What could have been done to make the situation turn out better this week in Paris?

This, that AND SO MUCH MORE!

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We also discuss...

The rise of Novak Djokovic and what his performance means for his Roland-Garros hopes.

Who has a better shot of going deep in Paris, Stefanos Tsitsipas or Dominic Thiem?

If Nadal and Djokovic did not exist, who would be the men's favorite at Roland-Garros?

What's up with Serena, and why going to Parma was the perfect decision.

Why Coco Gauff is going to be a good one on the clay.

Will Osaka and Medvedev ever find form on the clay, and which one will win more matches in Paris?

And so much more... THANKS FOR LISTENING!

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The conversation about Thiem starts at 15:08!

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Thanks for listening!

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How did Roger perform, and how did the Swiss pull up physically?

What does it mean that he has pulled out of Dubai and where will we see him next?

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We then continue, because why not?, to break down last week's finals which include:

Clara Tauson's magnificent performance in Lyon

Andrey Rublev's run in Rotterdam

Petra Kvitova's commanding victory over Garbine Muguruza in Doha

and Diego Schwartzman's title run at Buenos Aires.

Thanks, and enjoy!

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We talk about:

Tauson's father, an ex ice hockey star in Denmark and her longtime coach.

Tauson's new coach, Olivier Jeunehomme, and the work they have been doing.

Tauson's love of tennis and how she is a walking tennis Wikipedia

Tauson's wickedly aggressive game and how it looks good on any surface.

Thanks for listening!

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We look at Djokovic's tremendous success in Australia, and in general, and wonder if the Serb might be the one to top Margaret Court's Grand Slam record when it is all said and done.

We discuss the fantastic performance of Naomi Osaka in Grand Slam finals. What does her success say about her long-term future in the sport?

We wonder what went wrong for Daniil Medvedev in the final? What specifically did Djokovic do so well and what could Medvedev do to improve on his performance?

And plenty more! Thanks to Erik and Richard for joining and thanks to all for listening!

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The American, who qualified for Australia by reeling off three wins in Dubai, talks about her evolving approach to tennis and how she has overcome the expectations and pressures that come with being the world's top junior and a Roland Garros Girls Singles champion (2017).

We chat with Osuigwe about the unsung hero of her family, her mom!

We learn what it's like to be in quarantine and how she keeps busy, both on the court and in her room, in Melbourne (6:45)

We talk about what it's like to be in such an athletic family (9:45)

We discuss Osuigwe's love of the clay and why she plays so well on that surface (11:00)

We discuss one of Whitney's favorite players and biggest inspirations, Victoria Azarenka (14:30)

And, perhaps most important, we talk about how Osuigwe is learning how to deal with the difficult mental challenges that a young player faces on the WTA Tour (8:15 - 9:45) (13:15).

Thanks to Whitney for joining and thanks to y'all for listening!

Follow Whitney:

WTA

YouTube

Instagram

Twitter

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What happened? Well the crap hit the fan in Melbourne as not one, not two but THREE planes produced Covid-19 positive tests, meaning that 72 players and about 200 people in total have gone into HARD quarantine.

We discuss the fallout.

Did Tennis Australia properly prepare the players for a worst case scenario?

How are these players going to survive this and come out of quarantine at the end of January? Will they be handicapped in a big way against the rest of the field?

What is the situation like in Adelaide, where Novak Djokovic and other elite players are doing a much "softer" version of quarantine? How is that even fair and is this perceived and real inequity about to take center stage now that the quarantine news in Melbourne is all sorted out?

With a lot of time on their hands players have been pushing the creative envelope on social media -- who are some of our favorite posters? We name names.

We do our best to bring you all up to speed with what players are saying, thinking and feeling, and of course, how the Australian people are reacting to the madness -- and why they are tired of hearing the players whine!

Enjoy and thanks for listening!

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WTA Player of the Year

ATP/ WTA Most improved

ATP/ WTA Newcomer of the year

Most Inspiring Players

Most disappointing season

Join us as we run down the greatest hits from one of the strangest tennis seasons on record...

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Richard and Chris Oddo break down a brilliant final week of the 2020 season, starting of course with champion Daniil Medvedev, who became the first player to topple the ATP's top 3-ranked players in Nitto ATP Finals history. How freaking good is this guy and is he headed for even better things in 2021?

Next we discuss about Dominic Thiem and make the case for the Austrian becoming the ATP's 27th No.1.

Of course there is a discussion on Novak Djokovic and what a strange trip his 2020 season was. By his lofty standards it sure could have been better but still you can't knock year-end No.1 and a major title.

More on Rafael Nadal, a long discussion on Stefanos Tsitsipas and a chat about Andrey Rublev and Diego Schwartzman's debut in London follow.

Thanks Richard for your time, and thanks everybody for listening!

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Mert is a former Davis Cup player and Captain for Turkey, and also a former NCAA coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has a keen eye for the intricacies of the sport and offers many insights on players who made strides in 2020.

Players discussed:

Jennifer Brady

Ons Jabeur

Fiona Ferro

Iga Swiatek

Elena Rybakina

Nadia Podoroska

Denis Shapovalov

Andrey Rublev

Ugo Humbert

Jannik Sinner

Follow Mert's blog at http://www.mertovstennisdesk.com/ and follow him on Twitter here:

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Conversations:

1. What to make of the Big 3's performance in 2020 and what can we expect from the trio in 2021, with Federer returning. Robbie thinks fans should get ready for three or four more years of dominance from Novak Djokovic...
2. Is Daniil Medvedev going to win a Slam one of these days? And what is it that makes Medvedev near invincible when he's going good?
3. Staying on the Russian cadre, how impressive has the performance of Andrey Rublev been in 2020 and how important will it be for him to put up a good performance in London next week? Does he have a shot to win some matches? Robbie weighs in...
4. Ugo Humbert gets the nod from Koenig when it comes to most improved player of 2020. What is it about the Frenchman that makes him seem like a lock to make the Top 10 and what sets him apart from the other young Frenchman on the ATP Tour?
5. What are the unique characteristics of the for the four highest-ranked teenagers -- Jannik Sinner (44), Lorenzo Musetti (126), Carlos Alcaraz (139) and Brandon Nakashima (206) -- and what can we expect from this group of talented youngsters in the years to come?
6. Will Dominic Thiem's US Open title be the key that unlocks the Austrian's full potential as a Grand Slam juggernaut?

Thanks for listening and hope you enjoyed! Special thanks to Robbie Koenig for his time and insights! Don't forget to rate/review and subscribe to the podcast and, most important, ENJOY THE TENNIS!

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Such as:

Rafa, Novak and Thiem - how they are playing and what lies ahead.

The surface, how it really didn't play out like we thought it might, but how it will still be a big factor going forward.

18-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez, we both love her game!

What happened to Shapo?

How awesome were the efforts of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev to come back from two sets down in the first round and how far can they go?

How the Simona Halep v Amanda Anisimova matchup is shaping up and who is gonna win?

How many players outside of the top 100 made the third round?

Jannik Sinner's awesomeness.

One-handed backhands, such as Thiem, Stanimal, Grigor, Cecchinato and Tsitsipas.

We go on and on. There's a lot to talk about -- ENJOY!

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By the book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607526/the-divine-miss-marble-by-robert-weintraub/

Far from a 6-4 5-7 6-3 tennis book, Weintraub's novel tells the tale of a fascinating woman, who at the height of her powers was not only one of the greatest tennis players in history, she was also a mysterious figure who dabbled among the Hollywood elite and spent time away from the sport earning a living as a singer.

Of course we learn of Marble's playing days, from her formative years on Golden Gate Park to her days at the US Open and Wimbledon where, under the tutelage of Eleanor Tenant, she became the game's most celebrated female player in the late 1930's.

But the story is about much more than Marble as a tennis figure. Weintraub's main mission is to attempt to unravel the mystery of Marble, who wrote in her posthumous autobiography "Courting Danger" that she had been involved in a spy mission during World War II.

Marble says she was recruited as a spy for the United States and that she ended up obtaining valuable information by renewing her affair with a former lover, Hans Steinmetz; this is where Weintraub the sleuth comes in and the reader follows Marble's tale, which also involves a pregnancy and a miscarriage, with the unborn baby's father being shot down in the way.

Weintraub does his best to confirm the veracity of Marble's claims, while also weaving what is most definitely true about this alluring American legend into an entertaining tale that, in the end, lets the reader decide on what may or may not have really happened.

Thanks to Robert for the enlightening chat!

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You can buy the book on Amazon here

You can learn more about Hall of Famer Steve Flink here

On this episode we pick up part two of our interview with Flink and cover Sampras' career from 1994 until retirement and beyond.

Steve tells us why he chose to tell the story of Sampras, a legendary talent that he has developed an exceptional rapport with.

We learn about how and why Sampras was able to dominate Wimbledon like no other player during his heyday and run through some of his most memorable matches.

We delve deeper into the difficulties that Sampras faced over the course of his career, from losing his coach Tim Gullickson to cancer, to the immense mental and physical pressure he put himself under.

We entertain a discussion of what it would be like to see Sampras face the members of tennis' Big Three -- Federer, Djokovic and Nadal -- and discuss what the many legends Flink interviewed, including Sampras himself, had to say about it.

Would Sampras handle Federer on grass?

Who would present more problems for Pete's serve -- Agassi or Djokovic?

Would Rafa do to Sampras what he has done to Federer?

Steve has done numerous interview with Sampras for the book, and done a great job of unlocking elements of the typically reclusive Sampras' personality. We chat about the origins of their rapport and Steve gives his expert opinion on Sampras the man and Sampras the player.

It's always a great pleasure to hear Steve talk about tennis, but to hear him talk about a subject that is so near and dear to him has been truly enlightening.

Enjoy the podcast, and when you're done make your way to the bookstore to learn more about one of the greatest tennis players to ever lift a racquet.

Thanks to Steve for writing a great book and for taking the time to speak with us about it!

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You can buy the book on Amazon here

You can learn more about Hall of Famer Steve Flink here

On this episode we discuss the formative years of Pete Sampras and his initial foray into greatness.

Steve tells us why he chose to tell the story of Sampras, a legendary talent that he has developed an exceptional rapport with.

We learn about Sampras' early years under the tutelage of his dad and the unconventional Pete Fischer, and find out why Sampras changed from a two-handed backhand to a one-handed backhand so late in his development.

We discuss some of Sampras' early rivals, and how they initially had the upper hand with the late-blooming American, such as Andre Agassi and Michael Chang.

We look at Sampras' momentous 1990 US Open, where he won his maiden major title and became the youngest men's singles winner in the tournament's history. We focus on his extremely difficult path to the title, which saw him face Thomas Muster, Ivan Lendl (who had played eight consecutive finals in New York), John McEnroe (a four-time champion) and Andre Agassi in his final four matches.

Steve answers my questions about the elements that made Sampras such a unique player, like his ability to deliver big match tennis in finals and his incredibly humble nature, which allowed him to continue his improvement even when he was already a proven champion.

We touch on Sampras' greatest influence in his early career, coach Tim Gullickson, and how the relationship originated, and we look at how difficult it was for Sampras to back up his US Open title in 1990 - something that he was unable to do for nearly three years.

We stop our conversation after Sampras has won three straight majors, in early 1994, and plan to pick it up with part 2 of this podcast later next week.

Thanks to Steve for writing a great book and for taking the time to speak with us about it!

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The World No.75 always had a love for music (He loves the classic French lyricists like Jacques Brel and Charles Azvenour), but he didn't bring his own flavor to the world with force until the coronavirus pandemic shut down tennis and gave him the time to fully put his heart and soul into it.

The result is two new singles, which can be found by checking his all music Instagram page:

Corentin Moutet on Genius.com

We caught up with Moutet while he was staying in the South of France and training for the Ultimate Tennis Showdown.

Moutet gave us his views on what French music and literature mean to him, and how he came to write his first single about his brother. As it turns out Moutet was finally was in Paris, with nothing but time, but quarantine still kept the pair apart. He says he wrote the song in about two hours.

Moutet also gives his views on racial equality, a topic that he dedicated his second single to. The Frenchman is one of the white voices that has stepped up to support the movement. He tells us he simply can't understand why people get treated differently in this world just on the basis of skin color. It's ridiculous, he says.

We also talk about tennis, including Moutet's mental game and his feelings about the Ultimate Tennis Showdown. Does he like doing four interviews per match with commentators? His answer might surprise you.

Enjoy the interview and keep an eye out for this player. He's got a way with words and a way with the racquet...

Corentin Moutet: Tennis Instagram:

Corentin Moutet: ATP Page:

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Chris Oddo culls together interviews with Ecuadorian legend Gomez himself, as well as his son Juan Andres, his nephew Nicolas Lapentti, his compatriot and teammate Raul Viver, his ATP peer Brad Gilbert and tennis Hall of Fame historian and journalist Steve Flink.

We take a closer look at what made Gomez such a lethal force on clay.

We wonder just how difficult it was for a player of 30 to reach the pinnacle of the sport 30 years ago.

We hear about Gomez's roots, from a young kid in Guayaquil, Ecuador who couldn't get enough tennis and who had a poster of Bjorn Borg on his wall, to a teenager practicing under the supervision of the legendary Harry Hopman, to a top pro and, eventually, a Grand Slam champion.

Of course we look at Gomez's momentous victory over the rising American Andre Agassi in the final, and look at how all the pundits were tabbing the American for the win.

Finally we look at Gomez the family man. How his wife helped him reach his full potential, and how they shared the moment with their first of five children in Paris, experiencing an unforgettable moment inside of Court Philippe Chatrier for all the world to see, and for Ecuador to fully embrace.

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At the end of his college days, Hill was relaxing and working on finishing up his degree, thinking that his tennis career may well and truly be over. Then he got a phone call from Maria Sharapova's agent Max Eisenbud, and everything changed.

In this edition of the Lucky Letcord Podcast, Chris Oddo chats with Hill about that important phone call and how it reeled him back into the sport, where he would turn a short-time gig as a hitting partner into first coaching gig with American Danielle Collins.

Hill talks about getting a phone call from Collins late in 2017 when he had already taken an advertising job back in the UK. Collins needed a coach to go to Auckland. Hill, meanwhile, had worked up a plan to work in advertising for a year to pay for law school...

How could he resist Collins' offer?

He did not.

The pair went on a six-month tear that saw Collins truly arrive on tour, firmly inside the Top 50.

After a split Hill picked up with Maria Sakkari, as an assistant coach alongside Swedish legend Thomas Johansson. We talk to Hill about how much he learned from Johansson and how it informs him as a coach today.

Of course we speak to Hill about Top 20 player Maria Sakkari, asking him what makes the Greek player special and how high he thinks she can go.

Hill also gives his input on the importance of scouting and analytics, the rumors of a WTA/ATP merger and more.

Thanks to coach Hill for his time and thanks to all for listening.

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The current World No.114 recently became the youngest player from his country to claim an ATP title as well as the youngest player to win a Golden Swing title in South American since Rafael Nadal in 2005.

We talk to the 2018 US Open Boys Singles champion about his transition from juniors to challengers to pros, and ask him what are the key ingredients to making it seem so seamless.

We also talk about Thiago's relationship with his father, who has been guiding him since he picked up his first racquet. Thiago says that he puts a lot of trust in what his father says, and he's glad that he chose tennis rather than some of the more popular sports in Brazil, such as football or volleyball.

The 20-year-old, who is has recovered from Coronavirus and is now practicing in Brazil, runs down the key elements of his game that he plans to improve and talks about the importance of having self-belief and a fearless quality.

We also discuss how he developed that blistering forehand, talk a bit about two of his biggest idols, and more!

Follow Thiago on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thiagoswild/?hl=en

Follow Thiago at ATPWorldTour.com: https://www.atptour.com/en/players/thiago-seyboth-wild/sx91/overview

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It is the new reality facing the sport in 2020 as the Coronavirus Pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the health and economies of nations across the globe.

Today on the Lucky Letcord Podcast, Bret McCormick joins to talk about his article on the subject, and some of the findings he has made about the feasibility of playing the tour without its fans in attendance.

What we learned:

It's not as simple as it sounds.

There are new costs associated with keeping the on-site officials and players safe and they will impact bottom lines.

Perhaps even more important is the fact that tennis' sponsorship deals are built around on-site presence, and this will also make things more difficult for tennis moving forward into a world of events without fans.

McCormick thinks that deep-pocketed events will have a much easier time of moving forward without spectators and at least recouping some potential losses with television revenues and the sponsorships associated with those events.

These are the factors that tour organizers must assess to the very best of their ability before taking off on this brave new course. They must also consider what type of bad press would come from a setback and the risk of losing market share in a sporting world in which other sports move forward without spectators.

Thanks to Bret McCormick for sharing his insights. Follow him on Twitter at @Bretjust1T

Follow Sports Business Journal: https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal.aspx

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Chris Oddo speaks with the senior to find out how the tennis community can help...

Here's how we can:

Go here https://www.change.org/p/seu-athletics-bring-back-the-six-sports-impacted-by-the-st-edward-s-university-athletics-budget-cuts and put your name on the petition. If you're so inclined, pledge what you can and help these kids get something spectatular achieved.

This movement is about more than just one program. Listen to the interview and find out why...

Thanks for listening and for supporting college tennis and tennis at large!

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You can find Behind the Racquet on the web here:

You can find Behind the Racquet on Instagram here:

You can find Noah's podcast, "Coffee Cast" with Mike Cation here:

Topics discussed and hit points:

Noah's current life in NY during Coronavirus (interview starts at 2:45)

What it meant to be named as one of tennis' 20 most important people by L'equipe (5:15)

How the mission of Behind the Racquet has not changed due to the pandemic (14:15)

Why it's important to use the time to make tennis better so we can come back to a sport that is better than it was before, and why Noah is not holding his breath (4:30)

The importance of financial aid for lower-ranked players (8:09)

How Noah sees Behind the Racquet evolving in the years to come (14:15)

The future of ATP and WTA Collaboration (12:55)

A player's union or just a union? (9:05)

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***INTERVIEW BEGINS AT 3:45***

Alison Riske on Twitter

Alison Riske on Instagram

Alison Riske's WTA Profile

Riske is a consummate pro. She has notched seven consecutive Top 100 finishes and is sitting just one spot shy of her career-best ranking of 18. She was also in line to qualify for a spot in the 2020 Olympic Games as the fourth-ranked American, but that dream is also on hold as the IOC announced the postponement of the games on Tuesday, just a day before we reached Riske at her home in Orlando where she is making the most of her time at home with her husband Stephen Amritraj. 

As the 29-year-old Pennsylvania native points out, we are all in this together, and while her practice and playing routine has been shattered for the foreseeable future she is intent upon making the most of her time away from the tour and is continuing the mental growth that has enabled her to blossom as a player over the last few seasons.

Tune in to hear Riske’s thoughts on the difficulties of training when there is no official return date in sight, how she feels about the Olympic postponement, who she is leaning on for support and information during the crisis, what books and movies she is currently binging and why she is happy to enjoy a luxury that is incredibly rare for a professional tennis player—couch time!

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Follow Bret on Twitter: @Bretjust1T

Follow Bret at Sports Business Journal: https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal.aspx

Bret covers the business side of the sport and has been following multiple storylines as the Coronavirus has thrown the globe--and tennis--into financial disarray.

We talk about the French Tennis Federations' decision to change the play date of Roland Garros and the implications of their unilateral move.

We discuss the reaction of the WTA and ATP and wonder if their joint statement could signify the beginning of a new era of cooperations of tennis' governing bodies.

If so, what would that look like?

We discuss the plight of the numerous ATP and WTA events that have been cancelled and wonder what the tour will look like when the dust settles.

Will tournaments be forced out of business?

What are some of the more vexing problems that the smaller events face?

And what about other interested parties, such as television and sponsors?

And finally we wonder what the tour might look like when the crisis passes, while simultaneously wondering: How long will it take?

Thanks to Bret for joining, and for his insights!

Stay safe everybody, and thanks for listening!

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We begin the interview with a bit of a rundown of the club's history. As it turns out we happened to be sitting by a two-foot tall photo of the great Helen Wills Moody, a 19-time major winner who used to play that the club, which was founded in 1906.

We move into a deep dive into the career and legacy of the recently retired Maria Sharapova, discussing:

1. The gut reaction to Sharapova's announcement
2. Sharapova's earning power and how that will pay into her legacy.
3. Sharapova as Claypova -- what made her so special on the clay surface in her 20s?
4. Meldonium and the ban -- what does it all mean?
5. Sharapova's inability to win against Serena -- does it say more about Maria or Serena?
6. Sharapova's competitiveness, where does it rank?

In the second half of the podcast we discuss Joel's career in tennis, from his formative years as a young player in Southern California to his early days in tennis journalism, when Jimmy Connors became his spirit animal.

We also talk about both of Drucker's books, "Jimmy Connors Saved My Life" and "Don't Bet On It" and the process that he went through in each.

There's a discussion about today's tennis media, the use--or overuse--of analytics, and what tennis could potentially look like in 2030.

All the while, Drucker sprinkles in the wit, wisdom and historical perspective that has made him one of the premier tennis journalists for over three decades.

Thanks for listening and thanks to Joel Drucker for coming on the show!

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Before you read the show notes please take a moment to pop over to iTunes and drop a review. If you like the podcast and have a moment, it would mean a lot to us!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-letcord-podcast/id1141129184

On Sofia Kenin

"To come from triple break point down and hit the five gutsiest and greatest shots of your life in a row, in succession, against a two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 and just to lay it all out there at the moment when you need it the most--it blew my mind and it must have blew Muguruza's mind as well too, because it was just incredible that she was able to produce at that level, under that pressure. Just unbelievable."

Pagliaro adds: "Her ability to time the ball and take the ball on the rise, I think it's really unsettling for players."

On Garbine Muguruza:

"I do think it is the beginning of a building year--look you climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, majors seem like a speedbump compared to that."

"I think it is a breakthrough tournament for her."

"She's more of an all-court player than I think she gets credit for."

On Novak Djokovic

"If he didn't have that elbow injury I think he'd be at 20 majors right now," Pagliaro says of Novak Djokovic.

Pagliaro adds: "His strength of character and stamina might be his most underrated virtue. ... he will be the Grand Slam king in my view."

On Dominic Thiem

"What he did was build upon the promise that he showed us all at Indian Wells when he beat Roger in the finals to break through there, he showed us that his game is transferable, that he's not a one-surface champion, that he can do it on hard court." Pagliaro says.

"What he showed me is that he was able to flip the switch through a lot of turmoil and hard times," says Pagliaro, who points out that Thiem had a rough go at ATP Cup and things could have become more complicated when he fired Thomas Muster as his co-coach midway through the tournament.

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We catch up with Steve to get his take on Dominic Thiem's massive takedown of Rafael Nadal on Day 10.

"It was a beauty," says Flink. "You have to look at this as another step--a serious step--in the evolution of Thiem as an all-surface player who is really going to be challenging for majors this year. Not just this one or Roland Garros but everywhere, with perhaps the exception of Wimbledon."

We talk about the crucial turning points of the match and what it might mean for Thiem going into the semis.

We discuss the performance of Nadal and how he could have easily won this match if a few more big points went his way.

And what to make of Thiem's nerves at the finish and the sway of Nadal v Thiem as a rivalry moving forward?

The discussion then moves to Roger Federer and his match point miracle on Day 9. Will Federer have anything left as he prepares to take on Djokovic tonight? And what about Alexander Zverev? The German is the biggest surprise of the tournament, can he be a factor moving forward?

WE also discuss the womens' side of the draw and what makes Ash Barty's run so special on home soil. We chat about the surging Sofia Kenin and why she's a future Top 10 force--but will she be an elite Top 5 talent?

And of course we can not overlook the resurgence of Garbine Muguruza.

There's a lot to cover ahead of today's Australian Open semifinals, and we did our best to cover it all in about 20 minutes. Thanks for listening, and don't forget to check Steve's work at Tennis.com! You can find that here: https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/list/steve-flink/?page=3&

And, if you find the time and like the show, please do us a big favor by rating and reviewing the podcast on iTunes or wherever you like to listen. And if you really, REALLY love us -- tell your friends!

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Currently the fourth highest-ranked player aged 20 and under on the ATP Tour, Kecmanovic has already reached an ATP semifinal in 2020. He did that in Doha, just weeks after breaking camp in Dubai where he spent the off-season training with the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

We hear from Kecmanovic from Dubai, where he gives his thoughts on what it is like to practice with the legends of the game and why he was able to have so much success in 2019, a season that saw him rise from outside the Top 130 to inside the Top 50 for a spell.

Kecmanovic also talks about his time in Tenerife with Dominic Thiem and why he feels he was able to have a successfull 2019 campaign. The Serb won 24 matches on tour last season and reached his first ATP final as well as qualifying for the final four at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. He also won three matches at the Grand Slam level and set himself up for a push to the Top 30 (his goal) in 2020.

We mix in conversation with Kecmanovic with an interview with Jimmy Arias the Director of Tennis at the IMG Tennis Academy.

Arias knows Kecmanovic well (the Serb trains at IMG and is represented by them), and he talks about his first impression of Kecmanovic (which is a hilarious story) and where he thinks the young Serb can take his game.

Thanks for listening to this edition of the podcast and thanks to Miomir and Jimmy for taking part!

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Richard and Chris break down their favorites, such as Francesca Schiavone's Roland Garros title and Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut's special moment in Paris in 2018.

The conversations gently turns to the player of the decade and Richard and Chris both agree that Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to the 2010s. Is there even an argument for any other player? Maybe. Maybe not.

Thanks for listening and if you have a moment and want to support the podcast the best way to do it is by rating and reviewing us on iTunes or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

All the best and HAPPY OFF SEASON!

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We celebrate by talking with longtime ATP commentator Nick Lester, who joins and talks to host Chris Oddo about several topics. How mind-blowing was the decade and how can we sum it up in words? Nick has answers to this question and he also has a prediction for the 2020 Grand Slam season that you won't want to miss...

Will the Big 3's remarkable streak of major titles won be halted by an surging upstart? Tune in and find out.

Nick also speaks about other topics, such as the rise of Dominic Thiem. Will he be the man to crack the code and snag a major in 2020? What about Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev? Do they have what it takes?

We also discuss Davis Cup and look back at the pros and cons of this year's event and what it changes could be in store...

We also have a chat about Andy Murray. What does he mean to his country and what does he mean to tennis? And how gory was the scene in "Resurfacing" where he gets a ball hammered into his hip joint?

We digress. Thanks to Nick Lester for joining. He is truly one of the bosses of commentary and if you've been listening you know what we are talking about--we don't need to tell you. For the others, get hip and tune into Nick's work. He's as passionate as they come about this sport.

Thanks to our sponsors, Tennis Express! They are an incredibly devoted group that lives and dies for the sport.

Lastly, our social:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tennis_Now

Tennisnow.com: http://www.tennisnow.com/Home.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tennisnow/

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-letcord-podcast/id1141129184

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Gp7fldUc5oL8kZjzW9tdI

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