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cover art for Madrid - Sabalenka sets up Swiatek showdown; Leading men struggle; Shirt-gate

The Tennis Podcast

Madrid - Sabalenka sets up Swiatek showdown; Leading men struggle; Shirt-gate

Ep. 1226

Madrid is nearing the finish line, so here's a podcast to round up what's happened since the last one. There's coverage of Arena Sabalenka's comebacks against Danielle Collins and Elena Rybakina, a men's draw that has rather fallen apart, and concerns over Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev. Plus, the latest on Rafael Nadal, and of course our reaction to the Twitter storm we were part of: Shirt-gate!

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  • 1229. Rome chaos reigns for the men while Swiatek-Sabalenka ride again

    01:12:54
    Catherine, David and Matt are together at Tennis Podcast Towers to discuss everything that's happened in Rome since Monday. There's lots of excitement about a final rematch between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, David's hopped on board Matt's Nicolas Jarry hype train, and Catherine rants about the French Open's decision not to give Dominic Thiem a wildcard. 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 Emma Raducanu is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnEmmaRaducanuSign 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 profileTennis Podcast Terminology
  • 1228. Djokovic doubts, a Mix of many and we’re Live in London!

    01:09:40
    For the first time since 2004, neither Novak Djokovic nor Rafael Nadal will feature in the quarter-finals of Rome as both lost early at the Foro Italico. Djokovic was beaten in just over an hour by Alejandro Tabilo, a couple of days after being hit on the head by a water bottle, while Nadal was a shadow of himself in a 6-1 6-3 loss to Hubert Hurkacz. Catherine, David and Matt discuss both results and, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both sidelined with injury, there’s lots of chat about what it all means for Roland Garros. In the women’s event, Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal is discussed, as well as impressive weeks for Naomi Osaka and Paula Badosa. Finally, there’s reaction to Dominic Thiem announcing his retirement at the end of the season. LONDON LIVE SHOW! We are delighted to announce that The Tennis Podcast will be live in London at Bush Hall on Wednesday 19th June. The show will start at 8pm, with doors opening at 7pm.Tickets are now on General Sale, and they are going quickly!You can buy them here - https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-tennis-podcast-liveOUR 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 Emma Raducanu is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnEmmaRaducanuSign 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 profileTennis Podcast Terminology
  • 1227. Madrid - Swiatek wins true classic; Rublev defies illness to triumph

    01:17:57
    Catherine, David and Matt look back on Finals weekend in Madrid which saw Iga Swiatek win an absolute thriller against Aryna Sabalenka and Andrey Rublev overcome illness to defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime. There's chat about both matches, how this sets us up for Roland Garros, and a look ahead to Rome. 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 Emma Raducanu is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnEmmaRaducanuSign 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 profileTennis Podcast Terminology
  • 1225. Resurgent Rafa, meandering Madrid, but here comes Collins vs Sabalenka!

    01:19:12
    With Madrid pretty much at the halfway stage, Catherine, David and Matt catch up to cover the biggest stories so far, headlined by Rafael Nadal’s stirring victory over Alex de Minaur. We also cover defeats for Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune, promising signs for Carlos Alcaraz, a ridiculous match between Corentin Moutet and Juncheng Shang, convincing victories for most of the top women, and a clash to savour between Danielle Collins and Aryna Sabalenka. Elsewhere, there’s our usual discussion about two-week Masters 1000 events, plus how wildcards are awarded, the new men’s doubles format being trialled, changes to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Alize Cornet’s upcoming retirement, and an upsetting question put to Garbine Muguruza. 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 Emma Raducanu is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnEmmaRaducanuSign 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 profileTennis Podcast Terminology
  • 1224. Rybakina, Ruud conquer clay, Rafa's ready to ‘die’ on Chatrier, and Muguruza retires

    01:33:55
    Catherine, David and Matt round up the results from another hectic week on the clay, headlined by Elena Rybakina’s victory in Stuttgart. We discuss her win over Iga Swiatek and what that might mean for the pair’s rivalry, and pay tribute to an incredible week for Marta Kostyuk. Elsewhere, Sloane Stephens’ run to the title in Rouen had us checking the Roland Garros odds and Catherine was trolled by Casper Ruud avenging his Monte Carlo defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas by winning in Barcelona. Is Ruud now in the French Open Mix? There’s also discussion about Rafael Nadal’s form in Barcelona and his quote that he’s ready to die on the court in Paris, Jan-Lennard Struff’s first career title in snowy Munich, Garbine Muguruza announcing her retirement, and a quick preview of Madrid. 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 Emma Raducanu is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnEmmaRaducanuSign 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 profileTennis Podcast Terminology
  • 1223. Tsitsipas rises again, Nadal is back and Raducanu inspires GB comeback

    01:26:34
    An eventful week in Monte Carlo means there's lots for Catherine, David and Matt to discuss, not least a return to form for Stefanos Tsitsipas. In what ways is he just a much better player on clay? And can he make sure his Monte Carlo title is not just a one off? There's also chat about Holger Rune's tweets, another week for Novak Djokovic without his top level, Casper Ruud's Finals problem, and Jannik Sinner's second defeat of the season. Elsewhere, we wrap up the results from the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, including Romania's comeback from 0-2 down against Ukraine, and Emma Raducanu inspiring Great Britain's incredible victory away to France on clay. This week, Rafael Nadal is getting ready to play his first match on clay in almost two years, but Carlos Alcaraz is out of Barcelona. 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 is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnCommunitySign 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 profileTennis Podcast Terminology
  • 1222. Collins' streak continues as WTA heads for Saudi Arabia

    01:26:34
    For the second week in a row, Danielle Collins headlines the pod after she kept her winning streak going in Charleston. Catherine, David and Matt try to find new things to say about her incredible form and wonder once again whether this puts her In The Mix at the remaining Grand Slams this year. Elsewhere there's chat about some surprise winners on the clay on the ATP Tour in the form of Matteo Berrettini, Hubert Hurkacz and Ben Shelton. We also discuss the news that the WTA Finals are heading to Saudi Arabia, Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from Monte Carlo, and some changes to doubles which are going to be trialled by the ATP in Madrid. 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 is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnCommunitySign 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 profileTennis Podcast Terminology
  • 1221. Ivanisevic interview - coaching Djokovic, the split, and what’s next for Goran

    23:57
    David speaks to Goran Ivanisevic after his recent split from Novak Djokovic. Goran talks about what it was like coaching Djokovic over the last five years, the areas they worked on together, their on court dynamic, the reasons for the split, Djokovic's biggest rivals, how much time Djokovic might have left in the sport, and what's next for both of them. 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 is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnCommunitySign 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 profileTennis Podcast Terminology