Episodes

6d ago

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray get together for the last episode of the 2025 campaign proper. As well discussing the latest news about the Battle of the Sexes, the WTA's $500m (potentially) sponsorship deal and Piers Morgan (!), they picked out the highlights and lowlights of 2025. That includes: - Biggest letdown - Best improvement - Favourite moment - Least favourite moment And more! **** Oh and to watch Luke Johnson teach James a tennis lesson, watch here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSUv0nhidls/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 9

George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton are all in London - but still can't all get in the same room! 🤣 Anyway, they were still able to discuss a week of bombshell news in the tennis world, including... Serena Williams's name appeared in the ITIA testing pool, shortly before she vehemently denied that she was "coming back" to tennis. But why else would she have signed up for whereabouts drug testing? Mika Brunold came out as gay on Instagram this week, the second male professional player to do so in the professional game in the last 12 months. https://www.instagram.com/p/DRpXksmDACU Anastasia Potapova has changed nationality - from Russia to Austria - and in doing so managed to copy Daria Kasatkina's statement virtually word for word on social media... And the BBC has picked up the TV rights for Battle of the Sexes, which will be shown on BBC One, boosting its TV audience They also answered questions tennis at the Olympic Games, Michael Stich and the Davis Cup. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 2

James Gray (The i Paper), Calvin Betton (grand slam-winning ATP coach) and George Bellshaw (tennis writer and broadcaster) answer your questions on all things tennis over the course of an hour. Topics include... - The Big 3/Big 4 era and was it good for tennis? - The Sincaraz dominance - Andy Roddick's scheduling ideas - What happens when doubles pairs break up - The Winter County Cup - Dream coaching jobs - Top 10 predictions for 2026 - Emma Raducanu's pre-season plans And much, much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 25

George Bellshaw for part 1, Calvin Betton for part 2, and the dulcet tones of James Gray back on the airwaves for the whole blooming thing. What more could anyone want? Here are the stories they discussed: - Roger Federer has been voted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, but Juan Martin de Potro and Svetlana Kuznetsova did not make it - The PTPA and Tennis Australia are engaged in "substantive and productive bilateral settlement discussions" to settle their lawsuit in New York, but cases against other tennis bodies including the other three grand slam organisers continue - Katie Boulter says she is choosing between her ranking and her body ahead of the Australian Open because she is in danger of missing out on direct entry - Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from a couple of pre-season exhibitions in January with some light bone bruise in her foot, and has also hired a new physio Emma Stewart, who has previously worked with the successful British Olympic Rowing team - Joe Salisbury is taking six months out of tennis to deal with anxiety-related stress - Italy have won a third consecutive Davis Cup, the first country to do so since the USA in the 1970s Plus so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19

George Bellshaw grasps the reins as James Gray takes a week off. He is joined by Calvin Betton, fresh from ATP World Tour Finals victory with Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara. Here are six bullet points summarizing this podcast episode: Henry Patten and Harry Heliövaara's ATP Finals triumph: Calvin reflects on their dominant week in Turin, where they became the only pair not to lose serve all tournament and capped off a phenomenal end to the season with victories in Beijing, Paris, and the year-end finals in Turin, all after winning the Australian Open in January. Sinner's indoor dominance continues: Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-5 in the ATP Finals, extending his remarkable indoor winning streak to 31 matches (fourth-longest in history) and demonstrating his superiority in fast court conditions. Felix Auger-Aliassime poised for breakthrough: Calvin's bold prediction: FAA will establish himself as the world's third-best player in 2026, citing his newfound confidence, consistent results, injury-free status, and superior talent compared to players like Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Zverev's coaching concerns : Despite being world number two, Calvin criticises Zverev's practice sessions as lacking proper structure and technical coaching, suggesting he needs to hire a proven coach rather than relying solely on family members if he wants to win majors. ATP calendar controversy intensifies: Calvin and George discuss Andrea Gaudenzi's plans to expand Masters events and focus on "premium products," with Calvin arguing passionately against taking tennis away from passionate fanbases in places like South America and Italy in favour of lucrative but atmosphere-lacking Middle Eastern venues. Djokovic's reality check: George and Calvin reflect on Novak Djokovic's interview with Piers Morgan, in which he admits the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz has forced him to re-evaluate his goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 11

George Bellshaw, Calvin Betton and James Gray unpick another "complicated" week of tennis news - because nothing is ever straightforward in this sport! They discussed... - A date has been confirmed for a new "Battle of the Sexes” with Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios set for 28 December in Dubai - Elena Rybakina wins the WTA Finals and is then determined to embarrass WTA boss Portia Archer over her role in banning coach Stefano Vukov - Aryna Sabalenka loses another big final and ends up in tears - Jack Draper says players need to stop talking and start doing over complaints on the gruelling tennis schedule - Novak Djokovic wins title No 101 in Athens, ripping off his shirt in celebration and becoming the oldest man to win a title in 48 years. It took him all of three gruelling hours against Lorenzo Musetti - whom he then told at the net that his defeat was meaningless and the Italian would still qualify for ATP World Tour Finals because Djokovic was pulling out - Learner Tien beat Cam Norrie in a fine Metz final to claim his first career title and confirm a top 30 debut. Breakthrough player of the year? - And finally, many congratulations to Ons Jabeur, who has announced that she is expecting a baby boy in April Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 4

Welcome back to Tennis Unfiltered, the weekly podcast about tennis that does not hold back. Host James Gray risked his marriage this week by taking two hours out of his holiday to do the podcast, logging on from Athens to discuss the last seven days of tennis with Calvin Betton, Paris Masters-winning coach, and tennis writer and broadcaster George Bellshaw. Here are the stories they discussed: Jannik Sinner won his fifth Masters title and returned to world No 1, for a week at least with Carlos Alcaraz set to overtake him again next week. It also took Sinner to exactly 10,000 points for the 2025 season despite having served at three-month ban in the middle of it. Sinner beat Felix Auger-Aliassime (the indoor GOAT) in the final, having battered Alexander Zverev in the semi-final for the loss of just one game. Carlos Alcaraz meanwhile was knocked out by Cam Norrie, who maintains an impressive record against the Spaniard. But Norrie was beaten by Valentin Vacherot, who followed up his Shanghai title with proof that he is no flash in the pan, and moves into the top 30 in the world for the first time. In the best social media beef of the week, Zizou Bergs managed to catch both Reilly Opelka and Nick Kyrgios in a web of their own egos. The WTA Finals kicked off over the weekend in Riyadh, albeit not in particularly grand style. Coco Gauff was beaten by Jessica Pegula and served 17 double-faults, which meant missing more than a quarter of her second serves, and was broken nine times in all. It begs the question, do year-end finals ever really produce the best tennis? Plus Gauff claimed the WTA is “more interesting” because it has more grand slam champions, while Alcaraz and Sinner clean up on the men’s side Three breakout stars won titles on the WTA Tour in the meantime: Janice Tjen of Indonesia; Canada’s Victoria Mboko; and a 17-year-old from Austria named Lilli Tagger with a one-handed backhand and a grand slam winner in her box Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement after 20 years on tour at the age of 45. He won 26 tour-level doubles titles, including the 2024 Australian Open doubles. That also took him to world No 1 at the age of 43, the oldest man ever to do so. He won 539 tour-level matches, won titles with 15 different partners and also picked up a mixed doubles grand slam title at Roland Garros in 2017. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 28

Calvin Betton joins from Paris to talk to James Gray about most things (not everything) that has been going on in tennis this week. George Bellshaw is off sick and we send him our best! In his absence, they talked about… - Saudi Arabia's ATP Masters 1000 tournament, now finally confirmed, with a start date expected in 2028 and a one-week, non-mandatory format. - Analysis of Jannik Sinner's win in Vienna, beating Alexander Zverev in the final. - Sinner also pulled out of the Davis Cup Finals this week, citing prep time for Australia, which went down badly in Italy. There were controversies surrounding player selections for the Spanish and Austrian team too - The Paris Masters has moved to La Defense Arena in Nanterre in western Paris, a spectacular new 16,500-seater venue - Joao Fonseca won the biggest title of his career in Basel And much, much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 21

Calvin Betton in Vienna joins James Gray and George Bellshaw in London to look back at a week of 250s and exhibitions, plus another one falls off the coaching roundabout. They discussed... - Daniil Medvedev ended an 882-day title drought and triumphed for the first time since Rome 2023 by winning the Almaty Open. He now has 21 career titles in 21 different cities. - Felix Auger-Aliassime beats Jiri Lehecka to win Brussels - FAA landed 83 per cent of his first serves in the final, and registering a 9.4 serve rating on Tennis Insights - and Casper Ruud wins Stockholm with a smaller racket by beating Ugo Humbert. - Jannik Sinner won the Six Kings Slam and $6m, but did not seem that bothered about it all - Novak Djokovic talked about his future saying: “Longevity is one of my biggest motivations. If you see across all the global sports, LeBron James he is still going strong, he is 40, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40-something years old, it is unbelievable." - Holger Rune suffered a serious injury on court in Stockholm this week, rupturing his Achilles tendon and faces months on the sideline - Jack Draper started a storm on Twitter by talking about fatigue and injuries, with Taylor Fritz getting involved too - James Trotman has left Team Draper, saying he can’t square the circle of family life and weeks on tour, leaving new addition Jamie Delgado as sole coach - Leylah Fernandez wins Japan Open, beating in the final 18-year-old Tereza Valentova - Elena Rybakina won the Ningbo Open and is in a very intense battle for the last spot at WTA Finals with Mirra Andreeva… - Emma Raducanu has ended her season early after battling illness in China, and will miss tournaments in Tokyo and Hong Kong as a result. In more positive news, she has signed a new contract with Francisco Roig, the Spanish coach formerly of the Nadal camp whom she has had on trial since July. (James wrote about this for The i Paper, read it for FREE here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-rocky-year-reasons-for-optimism-3982254?utm_campaign=PNITUx1xSr1ai7e&ito=gifted_article&data-target=gifted_article&utm_source=XJPLeh5koSHChZEU ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 14

As the Beatles almost sang, we’re BACK… in the UK! Remember, if you want a question answered, you can DM us @tennisunfilteredpod on Instagram or email us on tennisunfiltered at gmail dot com **** This week, he's jet-lagged and jaded, but Calvin Betton is back from his sojourn in the Far East, George Bellshaw is bang up for his head to head and James Gray is just trying to keep everyone calm. Here are the stories they discussed… 00:00 Welcome back to Tennis Unfiltered 01:27 Your questions answered 23:43 Valentin Vacherot made history as the lowest ranked Masters champion ever, beating his own cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the Shanghai final having knocked out Novak Djokovic in the semi-final - and Rinderknech revealed afterwards that he had thought about quitting tennis only a few months before, but was helped through his rough patch by coach Lucas Pouille 40:28 For his own part, Djokovic was a surprise entrant in Shanghai and was pushed to his limit by Yannick Hanfmann, Jaume Munar and Zizou Bergs before Vacherot finished the job in the last four 51:15 Coco Gauff triumphed in Wuhan, a rare one-week Masters, but her run to the title hardly felt impressive given the players she beat, including 11 breaks of serve in two sets against Jasmine Paolini and then a more credible win against former doubles partner Jessica Pegula 58:51 Aryna Sabalenka had been unbeaten at the event since 2018 but she was downed by Pegula in the semi-finals, but not before the Belarusian had sewn up year-end world No 1 for the second time in a row 01:03:07 Jack Draper has appointed Jamie Delgado, a former coach of Andy Murray, to work with him ahead of the 2026 season - but long-time coach James Trotman is very much still involved, and simply wants to travel less on the main tour 01:04:46 Goncalo Oliveira, a Portuguese-born player who represents Venezuela, has been banned for four years after testing positive for methamphetamine last year. He claimed that a girl he met in a bar in Mexico, who did testify at the tribunal, had taken drugs that evening and contaminated him through kissing - but the director of the lab that tested the samples said that there was between “four and 36” times too much methamphetamine in his system to have been transferred by kissing 01:07:27 Under a trial scheme, the ITIA are offering up to $5k in costs to players who want to test supplements or medication at a Wada lab, or to investigate meds contamination. The package also includes a degree of free legal support and confidential third-party counselling. And the PTPA already offers free support from two law firms. The trial is going to run until the end of next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 7

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are all back to discuss the last week of action in tennis, as the Far East swing continues apace and the weather really starts to bite... Jannik Sinner wins the title in Beijing, incredibly his first non-slam title of the year, but then limps out of the Shanghai Masters with severe cramps At least he didn't get coded for lack of effort, like Daniil Medvedev did in Beijing the week before... Gael Monfils is to retire at the end of next season, bringing to an end the golden generation of French players that included Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Alexander Zverev calls out tournament directors for making all surfaces the same to benefit Alcaraz and Sinner Amanda Anisimova wins in Beijing to continue her sensational 2025 Sonay Kartal shocks Mirra Andreeva to secure her first ever top-10 win Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic get into it during a bad-tempered last-16 match Heather Watson is taking a forced break from tennis until February 2026 And more! You can also watch a version of the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpO0ako_jKQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 30

George Bellshaw (from London) and Calvin Betton (from Shanghai) call in to have their say on all things tennis from the last seven days, with James Gray trying to marshal the troops. They discussed... Carlos Alcaraz wins the title in Tokyo, himself taped up from an earlier injury, against Taylor Fritz who was also carrying a leg problem. They both join Daniil Medvedev, Lorenzo Musetti and Jakub Mensik in the physio room, as the last stretch of the season starts to bite. Novak Djokovic is fit though, and has signed up to play Emma Raducanu blows match points against Jessica Pegula in Beijing Roger Federer talks court speeds Boris Becker on winning Wimbledon at 17 PLUS your questions answered on the BATS, the Californian takeover, coaching individual sports and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 23

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw, Molly McElwee and James Gray all have their say on the last week of tennis including... Italy win the Billie Jean King Cup for the second year in a row, led by Jasmine Paolini and powered by "good vibes" Great Britain reach another semi-final without No 1 Emma Raducanu and, despite winning the first set of both singles matches, are beaten 2-0 by the United States Taylor Townsend gets in trouble over her criticism of Chinese cuisine in Shenzhen https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2025/09/17/tennis-player-involved-in-us-open-racism-row-mocks-chinese/ The other American Taylor - Fritz - and Alex de Minaur starred for Team World as they beat Team Europe in San Francisco to claim the Laver Cup 15-9, but did anyone notice or care? Bjorn Borg has been diagnosed with an "extremely aggressive" form of prostate cancer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 16

George Bellshaw and James Gray answer your questions from the Instagram mailbag, before being joined by Calvin Betton from Chengdu to look back at a dramatic week of Davis Cup play-offs in Poland, Spain and beyond. Great Britain are back in the elite of the Davis Cup for next year, but can they actually win it? How many "hairs" does Holger Rune REALLY have on his chest? The USA are out, but was that much of a shock? Belgium have been doing a madness in Australia... ...while Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt has been doing a madness in Malaga And loads more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 9

The US Open 2025 is in the history books and all we can do now is talk about it. George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton join James Gray to do exactly that, focusing on finals weekend after Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka both won their second titles at Flushing Meadows. Was Sinner vs Alcaraz inevitable? And what does that say about men's tennis right now if it was? (James also wrote about this for The i Paper, read it for FREE at the bottom of these notes.) Did George approve of Aryna Sabalenka's celebration? And how did the USTA get the trophy ceremony quite so wrong? How did Skupski-Salisbury NOT beat Granollers-Zeballos in the men's doubles final? And much more! Alcaraz vs Sinner is getting boring - tennis needs a third wheel: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/alcaraz-vs-sinner-getting-boring-tennis-third-wheel-3904393?utm_campaign=PNITUx1xSr1ai7e&ito=gifted_article&data-target=gifted_article&utm_source=XJPLeh5koSHChZEU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 7

Calvin Betton is back in the UK and joins George Bellshaw and James Gray to review the US Open semi-finals and look ahead to a weekend of finals. They discussed... Novak Djokovic says he can't beat Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner at a grand slam any more Jannik Sinner beats Felix Auger-Aliassime, but are we going to see the Canadian follow up on his strong run? Can Amanda Anisimova get under Aryna Sabalenka's skin again? Should Naomi Osaka have made it back to the final? And who will win the men's doubles? And so much more! Check out our men's final Twitter spaces: https://x.com/UnfilterTennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 4

The usual suspects look back at the US Open quarter-finals... Novak Djokovic takes down Taylor Fritz for the 11th time in a row, becoming the oldest man ever (Open era) to reach the semi-finals of all four grand slams in a single year. He says he was ‘lucky’ to win and did at one point complain to the umpire about spectator noise, but nevertheless set up a blockbuster semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz, after the Spaniard eased past Jiri Lehecka. Can he beat Alcaraz 3 times in a row and extend his 5-3 head-to-head? In the top half, Jannk Sinner battered fellow countryman Lorenzo Musetti, losing just five points in first five games, and will now face the tournament's surprise package Felix Auger-Aliasime. Aryna Sabalenka got a walkover into the semi-finals after Marketa Vondrousova was forced to withdraw, and will face a 2024 US Open rematch against Jessica Pegula who breezed past Barbora Krejcikova, who struggled badly on serve And finally, Amanda Anisimova avenged her Wimbledon final humiliation at the hands of Iga Swiatek, calling it ‘the most meaningful victory of my life’. She will face Naomi Osaka, who beat Karolina Muchova, played brilliantly and looks utterly relaxed. Dare we say it: Naomi Osaka is back? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 2

James Gray and George Bellshaw are back as the US Open locks in its quarter-finalists. Naomi Osaka hammers Coco Gauff but was it closer than the scoreline suggested? Taylor Townsend's run is over - in the singles at least - after failing to convert eight match points in the second-set tie-break against Barbora Krejcikova Felix Auger-Aliassime is back in the US Open last eight for the first time since 2021 Sinner vs Alcaraz is still on and looks inevitable Follow your fantasy team here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZeTX3XeWLVICU_sSsf9Z-KOkNsE6ne6BGInPGmfbm1g And remember to send your questions to tennisunfiltered at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 31

'Chunky' George Bellshaw and James Gray go through the last 32 of the US Open with only 22 of 64 seeds now remaining. Emma Raducanu was thrashed by Elena Rybakina, her third such chastening grand slam exit of the year. Where does she go from here? Ben Shelton retired in tears after injuring his left shoulder in a fall against Adrian Mannarino Taylor Townsend 'has a job to do' and keeps on doing it, while Jelena Ostapenko scrambles to save her reputation PLUS: Djokovic injury concern; Shapovalov draws quality out of Sinner; Gauff vs Osaka is locked Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 29

George Bellshaw is back off his cruise and relishing dry land - and US Open drama! He joins James Gray to look back at a controversial second round of action. Jelena Ostapenko is forced to deny allegations of racism after calling Taylor Townsend "not educated" and "no class" after a fractious second-round match Jack Draper pulls out of the second round with an arm injury (just a week after playing in the mixed doubles exhibition) Coco Gauff beats Donna Vekic having been sobbing into her towel during the first set - and says it was a vulnerable moment that she was able to "reset" from Stefanos Tsitsipas warns Daniel Altmaier for hitting a string of underarm serves against him that he will keep trying to hit him - but nevertheless the Greek is out PLUS How are you faring in Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered? Check out the league table here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZeTX3XeWLVICU_sSsf9Z-KOkNsE6ne6BGInPGmfbm1g Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 28

George Bellshaw is all at sea - literally - while Calvin Betton is in NYC (that rhymes!) and James Gray is trying to wrangle them together from London. In a unique "voicenote" format, the Tennis Unfiltered crew unpick... Daniil Medvedev's Bonzi-infused meltdown earned him a massive fine, a first-round defeat and a fair bit of flak - but did he deserve it? Carlos Alcaraz has got a buzz cut and a new vibe, but he still had hair when he was trying to win the mixed doubles (and failing) Venus Williams is a 45-year-old wildcard, but she was beaten by Karolina Muchova. Was it really worth it? More "as live" podcasts will return later in the tournament! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 19

Calvin Betton calls in from North Carolina before Molly McElwee joins from Barcelona as James Gray holds the good ship Tennis Unfiltered together from home in London. They discuss... Carlos Alcaraz wins all five games of the Cincinnati Masters final before Jannik Sinner is forced to retire due to illness. Sinner was in tears afterwards and was clearly hampered before shaking hands with Alcaraz. He said: “I tried to come out and make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more.” The Alejandro Davidovich Fokina verdict we've all been waiting for? “A Monday final at 3pm in August in Cincinnati, after the whole Toronto–Cincinnati swing, with so many retirements and players dead tired… something needs to change.” Earlier, 23-year-old qualifier Terence Atmane - without any clothes or shoe sponsor, or an agent - reached the semi-finals with wins over Flavio Cobolli, Joao Fonseca, Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune. The man with an IQ of 158 is the 7th lowest ranked player to reach masters 1000 semi, and apparently also has one of the biggest Pokémon card collections in France The US Open Mixed Doubles kicks off... (!) Kyle Edmund has retired Iga Swiatek hammers Jasmine Paolini, her sixth consecutive win over the Italian Emma Raducanu loses narrowly to Aryna Sabalenka and talks to Tumaini Carayol about dating, therapy, the US Open legacy and how her stalking ordeal changed her life: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/15/i-am-tough-emma-raducanu-on-legacy-of-her-us-open-win-stalking-ordeal-and-why-therapy-wont-help-her Monica Seles speaks out about neuromuscular disease: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c99mg51032ko Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 12

James Gray joins George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton for another episode of Tennis Unfiltered, picking their way through the big topics and issues from the last week of tennis Cincinnati Reflections: Calvin shares his experiences and observations from the Cincinnati tournament, discussing the revamped site and player feedback. Another new star is born: Is Vicky Mboko, the 18-year-old Montreal champion, about to "do an Andreescu"? Vukov is back: A candid discussion on the WTA's handling of Stefano Vukov's ban and subsequent return to the sport. (More here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6542878/2025/08/08/elena-rybakina-coach-suspension-lifted-stefano-vukov-wta/ ) US Open Prize Money confirmed: Calvin and George debate the implications of the latest prize money announcements and the ongoing arms race among grand slams. And finally... Here is that piece from Matt Lambwell on the weird and wacky US Open... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-14986287/Tennis-richest-prize-fund-listers-influencers-galore-reality-dating-YouTube-years-US-Open-promises-wildest-wackiest-yet.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 5

In this episode of Tennis Unfiltered, James Gray, Calvin Betton, and George Bellshaw answer your questions on court speeds, the current state of tennis, the Masters events, player celebrations, and the ethics of interviewing controversial figures. The conversation also touches on... - Emma Raducanu's new coaching decision, bringing on board Francisco Roig - Alexander Zverev begs Toni Nadal to come and coach him after a productive week at his academy, even on court with Rafa - Dan Evans starts a fight with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina while Ben Shelton starts a fight with Flavio Cobolli - Eugenie Bouchard retires - Novak Djokovic the minimalist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 29

Support the podcast by subscribing to NordVPN. Make sure you use this link to get our special offer and so they know you came from here! Four months extra, discounted rate and a 30-day moneyback guarantee: https://nordvpn.com/tennisunfiltered In this episode of Tennis Unfiltered, host James Gray and guests George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton discuss the latest happenings in the tennis world. They delve into Jannik Sinner's controversial decision to rehire his fitness coach Umberto Ferrara, Cam Norrie's impressive comeback, and Stefanos Tsitsipas' return to working with his father after parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic. The trio also covers Emma Raducanu's recent performances and win over a slightly spiky Naomi Osaka, Daniil Medvedev's dramatic match point against Corentin Moutet, and Venus Williams' enduring (!) talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 22

Join James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw as they welcome Wimbledon doubles champion Lloyd Glasspool to Tennis Unfiltered. As well as a lengthy question and answer session, Lloyd shares insights into his recent Wimbledon triumph (and 3am celebrations), the unique dynamics of playing against former partners Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, and the challenges faced by doubles players in gaining recognition. The conversation also touches on the broader issues within the tennis world, including the marketing of doubles and the ongoing debate about its value. Guest: Lloyd Glasspool, Wimbledon doubles champion; Ben Rothenberg, Bounces Hosts: James Gray, Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw CHAPTERS 00:00: Introduction and Overview of the Episode 05:03: Reflections on Wimbledon 2025 14:05: Commentary and Broadcasting in Tennis 18:05: Potential Pundits: Ex-Players as Commentators 28:40: The Impact of Player Withdrawals on Masters Events 33:44: The Challenges of Tennis Scheduling 43:31: The Future of Tennis: Addressing Climate Change 53:26: Wildcards in Washington: Fairness vs. Star Power 01:03:58: Dream Guests for the Podcast: Who Would You Choose? 01:08:10: Analysing Tennis Matches: A Coach's Perspective 01:13:09: Training Young Tennis Players: Balancing Fun and Discipline 01:21:07: HEAD TO HEAD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 14

Calvin Betton is back! He dials in from Barnsley to join James Gray and George Bellshaw at Wimbledon for one last daily podcast. - Jannik Sinner avenges French Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz with a four-set victory on Centre Court - Alcaraz said he was "just better than me" from the baseline and looked short of answers as his serving fell apart - Sinner said it had been emotionally challenging to turn around the Roland Garros result but that he had been pushing every day in practice, even when he didn't feel like he could - Veronika Kudermetova & Elise Mertens win the women's doubles the day after Lloyd Glasspool & Julian Cash secure the men's title Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12

George Bellshaw and James Gray spend almost as long talking about the women's final as Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova spent playing it... - Swiatek becomes only the eighth woman ever to win the career "Surface Slam" - Anisimova is the first woman since 1911 to be handed a 6-0, 6-0 defeat in a Wimbledon, and first in any slam since 1988 - Swiatek moves clear of Martina Hingis and Maria Sharapova with her sixth grand slam title and back up to No 3 in the world - Nick Kyrgios predicts Carlos Alcaraz will overcome Jannik Sinner in the men's final - Ben Rothenberg (cameo, brief) says the opposite, and explains his shoes! James's Nick Kygrios interview here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/nick-kyrgios-tennis-boring-right-now-ill-be-back-soon-3802975 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11

George Bellshaw and James Gray look back at men's semi-final day at Wimbledon, in which Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner booked a rerun of the French Open final. Novak Djokovic admitted afterwards that age has caught up with him and that he keeps turning up to matches against Sinner and Alcaraz with the tank half-empty... ...but the Serb says it is not his last Wimbledon Meanwhile Jannik Sinner is a fourth-round lucky loser into the SW19 final for the first time... ...but what would have happened if Grigor Dimitrov HAD beaten him in the last 16? Carlos Alcaraz produces a near-perfect performance, barring one brain-fart service game, to down Taylor Fritz The American still has an unimpressive record against top 10 players at grand slams and must be wondering when these two will stop winning And Andre Agassi was a welcome surprise commentator on the first semi-final, outshining Andrew Castle and Tim Henman with his pithy and analytical breakdowns: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/andre-agassi-bbc-coverage-tennis-watchable-3801983 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 10

Molly McElwee subs in for George Bellshaw and joins James Gray to talk about the aftermath of women's semi-final day at Wimbledon. - Amanda Anisimova booked her place in a first ever grand slam final in front of her family and friends, coming full circle from her eight-month break from tennis in 2023 (Read James's piece here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/artist-psychologist-wimbledon-final-amanda-anisimova-3799855 ) - Aryna Sabalenka once again lost at Wimbledon at the semi-final stage and insisted she was not going to "do a Roland Garros" again (but sort of did) - Belinda Bencic's remarkable run, 15 months on from starting a family, comes to an end in a one-sided semi-final - Iga Swiatek is within one victory of the career Surface Slam, winning a grand slam on hard, clay and grass (Read Molly's piece here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/iga-swiatek-time-become-superstar-3799968 ) Mollie McElwee is a freelance journalist and the author of "Building Champions": https://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Champions-Success-Womens-Tennis/dp/1913759237 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 9

James Gray and George Bellshaw are back on the microphones at a pleasantly early hour after four relatively straightforward quarter-finals on the second Wednesday of Wimbledon. - Novak Djokovic "played with his food" by dropping the first set to Flavio Cobolli but came through in four sets, despite a nasty looking fall behind the baseline - Iga Swiatek is doing her best to grow her reputation in Britain with five straight match wins at Wimbledon, into her first SW19 semi-final - Jannik Sinner's elbow seems to be fine, judging by the smacking he handed a downtrodden Ben Shelton - Mirra Andreeva is out, beaten by Belinda Bencic, who had a baby just 15 months ago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 9

George Bellshaw and James Gray are at Wimbledon at the end of the first half of the quarter-finals and enjoying an (alcohol-free) lager to celebrate. Here are the top stories from the second Tuesday at SW19 - Carlos Alcaraz thrashed Cam Norrie and ending British interests at Wimbledon - Aryna Sabalenka came within a few games of a serious upset at the hands of 37-year-old world No 107 Laura Siegemund - Jannik Sinner barely practised after an MRI scan on his right elbow is an injury doubt to face Ben Shelton - Taylor Fritz overcome "rubbed raw" patches on his feet to beat Karen Khachanov in four sets (despite a Hawk-Eye malfunction) - Amanda Anisimova beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to complete a weird stat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 8

George Bellshaw is back, baby - and James Gray is just here as always. On "Not So Magic Monday" they discussed... - Grigor Dimitrov was two sets up on Jannik Sinner but then tore a pectoral muscle serving and had to retire in tears - Novak Djokovic lost the opening set and was a break down in the fourth against Alex de Minaur before putting the afterburners on to reach the quarter-finals - Iga Swiatek got an interesting question from George - Mirra Andreeva keeps hope in the women's draw alive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 7

Ben Rothenberg subs in once again for George Bellshaw, who returns on Monday. James Gray is here as always and they discussed... - The electronic line-calling farce that marred Sonay Kartal's defeat to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - How Wimbledon responded to Hawk-Eye Live's failure - The threat of AI in journalism - Laura Siegemund's surprise run to the quarter-finals - Cam Norrie's win over Nico Jarry and his chances of upsetting Carlos Alcaraz And SO much more... As ever, do read Ben Rothenberg's Substack, Bounces: just head to benrothenberg.com and sign up using, well there isn't a promo code but there should be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5

James Gray runs down all the stories from the first half of the third round at Wimbledon. - Naomi Osaka misses out on her best-ever Wimbledon performance - Sonay Kartal is lost for words after an uber-clean win over Diane Parry - Emma Raducanu produces a creditable effort but is eventually out-blasted by Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court - Cam Norrie is bafflingly asked if he is dating Emma Raducanu - Carlos Alcaraz almost trips over Jan-Lennard Struff Molly's piece on THAT Norrie questions: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/questions-emma-raducanu-boyfriend-are-disgusting-sexist-3789380 James's analysis from Centre Court last night: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-top-10-wimbledon-best-matches-3789374 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 4

George Bellshaw is back, a year older and wiser, to join James Gray on the podcast and look back at a bloodbath for the Brits. Four of the five remaining British men were taken out on the fourth day of play at Wimbledon. Dan Evans won just five games against Novak Djokovic and admitted he "doesn't know" if that was his last ever match at Wimbledon Jack Draper is out after a four-set defeat to an inspired Marin Cilic Zeynep Sonmez is still going! And more from the last embers of the second round at Wimbledon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2

Ben Rothenberg ( Bounces and No Challenges Remaining) subs in for George, joining James Gray to discuss all things Day 3 with an American slant. They talked about... - Taylor Fritz making it through two gruelling five-setters to then earn a reward of a cushy draw going forward - Madison Keys being, by default, the "Other Guy" of the women's draw - Oliver Tarvet's struggles to make any money - Emma Raducanu romping past Marketa Vondrousova - Naomi Osaka's best Wimbledon in seven years Please do take a look at Ben's Substack here: https://www.benrothenberg.com/ Or check out his book about Naomi Osaka: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Naomi-Osaka-Journey-Finding-Power/dp/0593472438/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 1

George Bellshaw has survived his bike ride and James Gray has survived the first round, so they've got their microphones together to discuss it all. Shock Exit for Coco Gauff: The biggest upset of the tournament saw French Open champion and No 2 seed Coco Gauff knocked out in the first round by Dayana Yastremska. Gauff struggled with her serve, recording nine double faults in a straight-sets defeat, making her only the third woman in the Open Era to lose in the first round of Wimbledon after winning Roland Garros. Top Seeds Continue to Tumble in Women's Draw: Beyond Gauff, the women's draw saw two more high-profile exits. No 5 seed Zheng Qinwen lost in the first round for the third consecutive Wimbledon, falling to Katerina Siniakova, while No 3 seed Jessica Pegula was also upset in straight sets by Elisabetta Cocciaretto, marking her earliest Grand Slam exit in five years. Zverev's Unexpected First-Round Loss: On the men's side, third seed Alexander Zverev suffered a surprising five-set defeat to Arthur Rinderknech. Zverev expressed feeling "empty" and "struggling mentally" after the match, which was suspended overnight due to Wimbledon's 11pm curfew. Fritz Survives Marathon including Record Serve: Taylor Fritz emerged victorious in a gruelling five-set match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, which spanned two days due to the curfew. Notably, Mpetshi Perricard hit the fastest serve in Wimbledon history at 153mph during the match, though Fritz managed to win that point. British Hopes Progress to make it 10 in R2: There was mixed news for British players. Jack Draper advanced to the second round after his opponent retired injured, and young Jack Pinnington Jones secured a maiden Grand Slam win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 30

Live from SW19, it's James Gray (The i Paper) and George Bellshaw (anyone who asks). They discuss... Emma Raducanu's straight sets victory over fellow Brit Mimi Xu, with whom there appears to be no love lost Daniil Medvedev's defeat to Benjamin Bonzi, who shocked the Russian with his level The retirement of Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose coach Goran Ivanisevic had some choice words to say about his fitness levels Carlos Alcaraz's shaky five-set win over Fabio Fognini And a bit more to boot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28

James Gray and George Bellshaw inspect a rudimentary way of ranking the Wimbledon contenders, before James looks back at media day after Novak Djokovic interrupted Aryna Sabalenka's press conference and Dan Evans got emotional talking about his efforts to get back to the top of the game. MEDIA DAY HIGHLIGHTS Jack Draper: "Andy has done an unbelievable job of that and has been incredibly successful and has become adored by the nation. It's obviously big shoes to fill. I'm aware of that. At the same time I'm confident in myself that hopefully I can inspire people like Andy has done, myself." Emma Raducanu: "Truthfully I don't expect much from myself this year. I know I've just been dealing with certain things. I just want to go out there and embrace the moment. I want to embrace the occasion." Novak Djokovic: "Whether it could be my last dance, I'm not sure, as I'm not sure about Roland Garros or any other slam that I play next. My wish is to play for several more years. I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level. That's the goal, but you never know at this stage." Aryna Sabalenka (on her comments about Coco Gauff): "I did what I did. I get what I deserve, I believe. It was tough time for me. I'm glad I had a book at Mykonos so I could just get distracted by reading book. I got back to reading! So the lesson is learned. Definitely not going to happen again." JOIN FANTASY WIMBLEDON NOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14u_zTiSph5KWffJE2iC0SZG24h-fC1fRtEarTPfftls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28

Join George Bellshaw and James Gray for an in-depth analysis of the 2025 Wimbledon draw. In this comprehensive 75-minute breakdown, we dissect every section of the men's and women's singles draws, examining why this year looks like a dream scenario for Carlos Alcaraz and a potential nightmare for British hopeful Jack Draper. We also give you our tips for our bespoke Fantasy Wimbledon game, which you can enter here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14u_zTiSph5KWffJE2iC0SZG24h-fC1fRtEarTPfftls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 24

James Gray and Calvin Betton are in Eastbourne while George Bellshaw dials in from an early-morning gym session in London. They discussed... Carlos Alcaraz beats Jiri Lehecka to claim the title at Queen's once again and reinforce his status as favourite for the Wimbledon title Dan Evans got first top 20 win since 2023 and only his second ever on grass at Queen's to upset Frances Tiafoe and gets a wildcard for Wimbledon Jannik Sinner loses to Alexander Bublik, his worst lost by ranking since 2023, first time he has lost to not Alcaraz since August 2024 The US Open have announced the Mixed Doubles Championship, featuring Osaka/Kyrgios, Alcaraz/Raducanu and more Maria Sakkari and Yulia Putintseva are involved in one of tennis's great spats Wimbledon confirm wildcards, including one for Petra Kvitova, who says she will retire after the US Open later this year. Lois Boisson misses out Emma Raducanu is quizzed about equal prize money but says she doesn't want to get involved in the conversation Katie Boulter shares some of the abuse she gets on a regular basis from disgruntled gamblers on social media Tennis in brief Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), has confirmed plans for a statue of Andy Murray at Wimbledon. Jevans says she and the AELTC are “working closely” with Murray on the plans, which involve the statue being unveiled in 2027, fittingly marking the 150th anniversary of the first Championships. Jannik Sinner has recorded a duet of "Con Te Partirò" with Andrea Bocelli, marking the tennis player's first foray into music. The collaboration was announced this week and was recorded in a studio in Tuscany. The video features footage from the pair's childhoods and more recent clips of the singer and Sinner, clutching a racket and tennis ball, in front of a piano in Bocelli's Tuscan home. After nearly two years in the wilderness, former Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová has won the Berlin Open, defeating Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu in a hard-fought final. The Czech left-hander came through 7–6, 4–6, 6–2, saving six set points in a dramatic opening set. It’s her first title since Wimbledon 2023, and a timely return to form just ahead of this year’s Championships. It was a statement win that included toppling world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals—her first career victory over a reigning number one. American McCartney Kessler claimed her first grass-court title at the Nottingham Open, defeating Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 7-5 in a rain-interrupted final. The unseeded 23-year-old from Georgia knocked out defending two-time champion Katie Boulter and top seed Beatriz Haddad Maia en route to capturing her third career WTA title. It's been a remarkable 12-month run for Kessler, who has now won all three of her career titles since Cleveland last summer. This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 17

Calvin Betton's latest glamorous venue is the Premier Inn Putney, joining George Bellshaw and James Gray for another week of news from the tennis world. First of all, we wish Luke Johnson all the best after a nasty fall and wrist injury at Queen's on Sunday. Listen on for more details... 00:00 - Reaction to our French Open final debate 03:27 - Concerns over court safety at Queen's Club 10:30 - The return of women's tennis to Queen's 14:06 - Tatiana Maria's historic win 19:37 - The state of British women's tennis 30:16 - The rollercoaster of Emma Raducanu's career 47:45 - The great Wimbledon prize money debate 57:40 - WTA's support for female players 01:00:26 - The mental game in tennis rivalries 01:06:15 - Taylor Fritz vs. Alexander Zverev: PIGEON ALERT! 01:12:17 - Taylor Fritz's grand slam journey 01:15:12 - Emerging contenders for the Wimbledon title 01:17:50 - Head-to-Head (George vs Calvin) This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 10

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are back together again for a review of the French Open at Roland Garros, culminating in two memorable singles finals for quite different reasons. 01:10 - Alcaraz's Historic Victory : Breaking down Carlos Alcaraz victory over Jannik Sinner in five sets. 04:53 - Debating the Match's Greatness : Where George and Calvin clash on where this final ranks in tennis history 12:15 - Men's final analysis : A deeper dive into tactical approaches and execution under pressure 20:11 - The Impact of Crowd Dynamics : Did the Philippe Chatrier crowd lift Alcaraz to victory or affect Sinner's mindset? 29:47 - Future of Men's Tennis Rivalries : Who can come through, if anyone, to challenge Sinner and Alcaraz? 34:07 - The Women's Final : Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka in an error-strewn final 46:47 - Sabalenka's press conference was classless or honest? : Analysing Aryna Sabalenka's post-match comments and media reaction 51:34 - Two doubles finals of quality and drama : Calvin breaks down the two doubles finals 55:37 - Hawkeye and Line Calls: The French Open's Technology Debate : Why doesn't Roland Garros use HawkEye? 01:03:26 - TNT Coverage and Commentary Quality : Critiquing broadcast quality and commentary insights after TNT announce they will cover the French Open until 2030. 01:11:25 - Nadal vs. New Generation: Was John McEnroe right that Alcaraz and Sinner would beat prime Nadal, even on clay? The changing of the guard at Roland Garros 01:17:06 - Head-to-Head Challenge : James takes on Calvin in a grass-themed quiz set by George This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 6

Calvin Betton is back! The double French Open quarter-finalist is back in the UK after a two-week jaunt at Roland Garros, gutted but pleased at the same time. He and James Gray (The i Paper) break down the French Open semi-finals in which Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka set up a high-calibre final, before Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner fulfilled their destiny by reaching a grand slam final against each other for the very first time. This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 4

Down to one court, and the singles at Roland Garros becomes a rarefied atmosphere, to say the least. Just ask Mirra Andreeva, who melted under the pressure of playing a home favourite in Lois Boisson. Same could be said of Alexander Zverev, beaten by Novak Djokovic, while Alexander Bublik or Tommy Paul were never expected to stop Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz's inexorable march to the final. All that and more with James Gray and George Bellshaw This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered⁠⁠⁠ Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 2

11 of 16 top-eight seeds in the quarter-finals! George Bellshaw and James Gray sit down to discuss a loaded second week of the French Open in the men's and the women's draw, the end of the British bid for Roland Garros glory and the return (or is it?) of Iga Swiatek. (Calvin Betton is also winning matches, but what's new?) This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered⁠⁠ Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 1

This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered⁠ For the first time since 2003 in Paris all top eight women's seeds have reached the last 16, and in the men's draw seven of the top 10 have done so as well as all the major threats for the title. R4 ones to watch: Swiatek vs Rybakina, Sabalenka vs Anisimova, Paolini vs Svitolina, Andreeva vs Kasatkina, Sinner vs Rublev, Musetti vs Rune, Shelton vs Alcaraz Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 29

This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered Seeds out: (ATP) Ruud, De Minaur, Mensik, Tsitsipas, Humbert, Davidovich Fokina, Shapovalov, Mpetshi Perricard; (WTA) Shnaider, Krejcikova, Vekic, Frech R3 ones to watch: Draper vs Fonseca, Fearnley vs Norrie, Rublev vs Fils; Ostapenko vs Rybakina, Gauff vs Bouzkova, Andreeva vs Putintseva Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 27

This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered ATP seeds out: Medvedev, Fritz, Dimitrov, Cerundolo, Machac, Nakashima, Auger-Aliassime, Hurkacz, Michelsen WTA seeds out: Navarro, Muchova, Haddad Maia, Mertens, Kostyuk, Fernandez, Stearns, Noskova, Kalinskaya Round Two match-up picks: Fearnley vs Humbert, Moutet vs Djokovic, Raducanu vs Swiatek⁠⁠⁠, Paolini vs Tomljanovic Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 20

This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠⁠ http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered ⁠⁠⁠ Calvin Betton drags himself out of a karaoke bar in Hamburg to join James Gray for a look back at the Italian Open, before Myles David of Tuned Into Tennis dials in from Houston, TX to discuss Jasmine Paolini's victory over Coco Gauff. They talked about the following... Carlos Alcaraz ended Jannik Sinner’s 26-match unbeaten run on Sunday to claim the Italian Open title and deny the Rome crowd a home winner in the men’s event for the first time since the 1970s, triumphing 7-6, 6-1. It was Sinner’s first straight sets defeat since the 2023 ATP Tour Finals against Novak Djokovic. In coaching news, Djokovic and Andy Murray have split after six months working together. Djokovic said: “Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court, really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.” Murray said: “Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.” Nick Kyrgios is playing doubles with Jordan Thompson at the French Open Jasmine Paolini is the Rome champion, ending a 40-year wait for a home winner of Italian Open. She was already the first Italian finalist in 11 years but then swatted Coco Gauff aside 6-4, 6-2. Emma Raducanu picks up three valuable wins on the clay Peyton Stearns shrugs off Tom Hill's shock departure to show her class in Rome Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 13

This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠⁠ http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered ⁠⁠ Calvin Betton joins live from Rome, where he has been busy celebrating the new pope (not), George Bellshaw is at home in north London and James Gray is hanging on to reality after 1000 miles of driving in one weekend. Nevertheless, they got themselves together to talk about... Jannik Sinner's return to tour tennis, whether he is already the French Open favourite and how beneficial this enforced time off might have been What's going on with Novak Djokovic How Iga Swiatek is supposed to recover from yet another awful defeat PLUS: An epic head-to-head between Calvin and George Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 6

This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: ⁠ http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered ⁠ The lads are back together! For the first time in a couple of weeks, James Gray (The i Paper), Calvin Betton (ATP coach) and George Bellshaw (gun for hire) are all in the same (virtual) place at the same time - and it took some time to catch up. They discussed... Jack Draper came within a set of a second Masters 1000 title in four attempts, but was eventually edged out by Casper Ruud in Madrid Aryna Sabalenka stormed to the title once again while Iga Swiatek was knocked out by former pigeon Coco Gauff. What's wrong with the former world No 1? Novak Djokovic has pulled out of Rome but Jannik Sinner certainly hasn't, the Italian making his first appearance this week since serving a three-month ban Carlos Alcaraz says he prefers the one-week Masters events, as does Andy Murray Alexander Bublik says tennis was easy five years ago and now it's hard. Frances Tiafoe and Alexander Zverev think so too. Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠ tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 30

This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered We got him! Calvin Betton finally has power again so can tell us all about why players were walking nearly two hours back to their hotels - and what he read to pass the time. Plus, James and Calvin discuss the 18-month ban settled by Max Purcell after taking two 500ml intravenous infusions of vitamins, in contravention of the anti-doping rules. Read the full judgment here: f https://www.itia.tennis/media/q1hgr0kv/itia-decision-max-purcell-29425-redacted.pdf Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit tide.co/savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 29

This episode is sponsored by Tide. Visit tide.co/savings , and use the bonus code "tennisunfiltered" to support the podcast and get a great deal Calvin Betton is stranded! The power cut in Spain means we are unable to contact our resident coach, so James Gray and George Bellshaw are taking up the mantle (or trying) in his absence. They discussed... Novak Djokovic was beaten in the second round of the Madrid Open 6-3, 6-4 by world No 44 Matteo Arnaldi, continuing a pattern that's becoming hard to ignore. Statistically, his win percentage this year has dipped below what Rafael Nadal managed in his injury-plagued, farewell-tour year. Patrick Mouratoglou says Djokovic arrived on tour with an "average game". "Even today, at the end of his career, when you look at Rafa’s game, Roger’s game, Novak’s game, it’s incredible that Novak is the strongest of the three, the one who broke all the records. It shows that the most important thing is not in the tennis, in the racket." Are Damir Dzumhur and Mattia Bellucci the greatest s**thouses of all-time Emma Raducanu says she’s happy with an “informal” arrangement with Mark Petchey, who was coaching her at the Madrid Open. And what IS a good record against top 20 players? Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit tide.co/savings . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 21

This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered This week, Calvin is fresh off a Barcelona title, George is prepping for a big vegan night out and James has promised not to entertain any more soft drink chat... Instead, they talked about TENNIS. (Mostly.) Luke Johnson and Sander Arends are the Barcelona champs after beating Britain's top pair in the doubles final Carlos Alcaraz was beaten in the singles final by a resurgent Holger Rune Serena Williams has been in the media after saying in an interview with Time that she would have got "20 years" if she had done what Jannik Sinner did. (Read the whole interview here: https://time.com/7277099/serena-williams-interview-time100-2025/ ) Alexander Zverev is interrupted by a fan calling him a "wife-beater" - but still beats Ben Shelton to win the title in Munich on his birthday Iga Swiatek STILL can't Jelena Ostapenko - and actually neither can Aryna Sabalenka Harriet Dart causes global ripples with her "deodorant" comment Elina Svitolina wins in Rouen We have the first player born in 2008 to win an ATP tour match And Aryna Sabalenka is in trouble on her phone AND MORE! Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit tide.co/savings . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 15

James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw are back together again - but you might wish they weren't... Here is an extended episode featuring: Carlos Alcaraz's Monte Carlo win The struggle to sell the Billie Jean King Cup Why Novak Djokovic has lost the hunger Ben Shelton's doubles beef A home win in Monaco PLUS Some absolute first-rate nonsense about soft drinks, a terrible quiz performance and your emails answered as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 7

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are in particularly nonsensical mood, discussing... The return of the clay-court season Emma Raducanu's decision to skip Billie Jean King Cup duty An epic head-to-head battle between Calvin and George The best tennis court in the world The rise of the super-coach And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 1

In this episode of Tennis Unfiltered, James Gray, George Bellshaw, and Calvin Betton discuss everything that has been going on in the world of tennis and more from coaching techniques and the Wimbledon dress code to scheduling and the recent Miami Open. Jakub Mensik defeated Novak Djokovic, even though the Czech teenager almost withdrew from the tournament before his first-round match. Djokovic did not appear to be 100 per cent with a swelling under his right eye and trouble moving behind the baseline, but said Mensik deserved the win. In the women's final, Aryna Sabalenka snapped her run of two straight defeats in finals (AO, IW) by beating Jessica Pegula to claim her first Miami title: she has now won three of the last four top-level American hard-court events, cementing her place as runaway world No 1. Still somehow No 2, Iga Swiatek's challenges and mental resilience have been in the spotlight, targeted by an abusive member of the public in practice and then shocked by breakout star Alex Eala. It was also a good week for Emma Raducanu and her temp coach Mark Petchey, a bad one for Alexander Zverev and a decent one for French tennis... PLUS: Ongoing developments from the PTPA legal case and a new coach for Andrey Rublev that Calvin doesn't like Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 25

Calvin Betton calls in from Miami and Molly McElwee subs in for Barcelona with George Bellshaw on holiday. The PTPA has finally broken cover on a legal battle with the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA across three different territories. The men's tour says it will not be cowed by the players union, but over the weekend the PTPA filed a motion with US judge asking “to prohibit all illegal contact with players by the ATP or any defendant or co-conspirator”. The ATP said it "refutes their assertions". Nick Kyrgios wins his first match on tour since wrist surgery but is then beaten by Karen Khachanov Francisco Comesana and Corentin Moutet both provide unusual entertainment https://www.instagram.com/p/DHeuH7RMkTr/?img_index=2&igsh=MTZjeWc2aGxtNHNoZQ== Jacob Fearnley becomes British No 2 Emma Raducanu parts ways with her trial coach Vlado Platenik and then goes on her best run of the season with Mark Petchey in the box Mirra Andreeva can't back up her Indian Wells title, beaten by Amanda Anisimova, but puts female coaches firmly in the spotlight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 18

Presented by Calvin Betton, James Gray and George Bellshaw Produced and edited by James Gray At 23, Jack Draper secured his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating four top-15 players, including Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. This victory propelled him to a career-high world ranking of No 7. Mirra Andreeva matched fellow Russian Maria Sharapova's record by achieving ten consecutive WTA match wins before turning 21, and actually made it 12 to secure her second consecutive 1000 title. Her Indian Wells triumph included a historic comeback against world No1 Aryna Sabalenka, elevating her to world No 6. Iga Swiatek, one of Andreeva's victims, inadvertently returned a ball that nearly struck a ball boy, leading to immediate apologies and a social media statement expressing her regret. She also addressed public perceptions, highlighting the double standards female athletes often face regarding emotional expression on the court. https://www.instagram.com/p/DHTtfobClLE/?img_index=1 The WTA has had a rebrand... but Zheng Qinwen has not https://x.com/kostekcanu/status/1899718881171923033?s=46&t=Rhiq-18RZr7lX_TkDfCsvA And SO much more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 11

George Bellshaw and James Gray are stuck on this side of the Atlantic while Calvin Betton is sunning himself in Tennis Paradise: Indian Wells. We delve into the mailbag for your emails on weird dreams, George's long-term hatred of Indian Wells, the let rule, and comments on coaching by Janko Tipsarevic Emma Raducanu has another coach on trial Nick Kyrgios managed just 1.5 sets on his comeback from injury, beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp... ...who then ruins the party for Novak Djokovic in tough conditions that he said were totally different And there's a great run in IW for Sonay Kartal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 4

Calvin Betton (ATP tennis coach), George Bellshaw (writer and broadcaster) and James Gray (journalist) all gather round the microphone once again to discuss the biggest issues in tennis. On the eve of "the fifth slam", there has been plenty of off-court controversy... Calvin reacts to Andy Roddick's claim that Rohan Bopanna being a good person and helping other people "doesn't necessarily make doubles a use case" as well as insisting that "a singles player might have done the same or even more" George breaks down the VAR controversy in Dubai where Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik clash over a "hindrance" video replay call James posits a theory on Stefanos Tsitsipas's resurgence Gerard Pique says he has more ideas on how to improve the sport because "tennis needs to evolve to adapt to the current speed and attract those young people who are tempted to watch many other things like HBO or Netflix" Emma Navarro records a double-bagel victory in the Merida final while Jessica Pegula makes it two titles for the American women with victory in Austin Tomas Machac serves his way to a maiden ATP title And everyone gets ill in Acapulco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 25

Molly McElwee (Substack here: https://mollymcelwee.substack.com/ ) joins James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw to talk about a busy and often fraught week of tennis. Emma Raducanu was approached by a stalker in Dubai, who allegedly followed her across four tournaments, and burst into tears on court, triggering widespread discussion of women's safety in tennis On the court, Mirra Andreeva won the title, beating Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek back to back Andrey Rublev won the men's title in Doha, beating Jack Draper in the final - but it was Stefanos Tsitsipas's remarkable defeat to Hamad Medjedovic that really caught the eye Reilly Opelka says it's time to get rid of doubles - and it backfired badly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 18

Quiet week in tennis? It will never happen. ATP coach Calvin Betton, The i Paper journalist James Gray and former tennis reporter George Bellshaw sit down to discuss a couple of weighty issues in tennis this week. Jannik Sinner has agreed a three-month ban with Wada after two positive test for clostebol last March. Wada re-stated their acceptance of his excuse, that a member of staff had used it, but would have claimed on appeal that he bore some responsibility for the actions of his team members. Stefano Vukov, somehow still coach to Elena Rybakina, has been handed a one-year ban by the WTA for "mental abuse", calling Rybakina stupid and telling her she would "still be picking potatoes in Russia" if it wasn't for her, as well as pushing her physically to the point that she got ill. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6035283/2025/02/11/stefano-vukov-wta-ban-report-elena-rybakina-coach/ Joao Fonseca has won his first ATP tour title in Buenos Aires Jelena Ostapenko didn't win the title in Doha but has cemented her place as Calvin's "absolutely rock star" of women's tennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 11

Grand-slam winning tennis coach Calvin Betton, tennis writer George Bellshaw and The i Paper's sports news correspondent James Gray are all back for another episode of the award-winning Tennis Unfiltered podcast. They discussed... Emma Raducanu is on a four-match losing streak after another defeat in the first round, this time to Ekaterina Alexandrova in Abu Dhabi - but what next for her in the coaching corner? Two-time grand slam champion and former world No 1 Simona Halep is retiring at the age of 33 Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic remain in talks about their future together as coach and player Lucas Pouille says he may have played his last match Belinda Bencic won a title, her first after returning from maternity leave four months ago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 4

Thank you SO MUCH for voting for us in the Sports Podcast Awards. After two years of disappointment, we the WINNERS of the Best Tennis and Racket Podcast for 2024 . We literally could not have done it without you, so thank you to each and every one of you who voted. James, George and Calvin triumphantly returned to the microphones this week to discuss your questions in the mailbag and... Jacob Fearnley made his debut for Great Britain in a Davis Cup tie against Japan, beating Kei Nishikori but ultimately unable to drag an injury-stricken team over the line There was controversy in Hasselt after Zizou Bergs collided with Cristian Garin during a celebration. The Chilean refused to play on, losing final game of the match and the tie, because of an apparent eye injury. (Full footage here: https://x.com/TennisChannel/status/1886151198207549685 ) The US Open has expanded to a 15-day tournament, leaving Wimbledon as the only remaining slam to run for "just" two weeks Felix Auger-Aliassime continues his incredibe record indoors by winning Montpellier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 30

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are reunited in the wake of a furiously busy grand slam. They discussed Calvin helping Henry and Harri to their second grand slam title and refusing to fly economy class ever again Jannik Sinner wins his third hard-court slam in 13 months and Alexander Zverev vows not to be the best player ever not to win a grand slam Madison Keys denies Aryna Sabalenka an Australian Open hat-trick after beating Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Danielle Collins and Elina Svitolina in one of the great grand slam runs Novak Djokovic posts a picture of the muscle tear that forced him out of the Australian Open semi-final as a rogue pundit claims he is out for months Emma Raducanu is on the hunt for a new coach after Nick Cavaday was forced to step down The Australian broadcasters breath a sigh of relief after multiple rows with players over their coverage. Daniil Medvedev gets a massive fine for his antics in early exit to Learner Tien A winner is crowned in fantasy tennis AND a fair bit more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 27

The pod is still coming down from the highs of Saturday night (and early Sunday morning) but there is the small matter of a men's final to discuss as Jannik Sinner dismantled Alexander Zverev to claim his third straight hard-court grad slam title. He becomes the most successful Italian player, male or female, of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 25

Henry Patten. Harri Heliovaara. What a team. Two of the last three slams. There is so much work by so many other people that went into that win, but they were the two men standing - or more correctly lying - on court at the end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 24

How doubles champions prepare for a late-night final Did Novak Djokovic deserve to be booed off? Does Alexander Zverev have a chance against Jannik Sinner? Has Ben Shelton got any better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 23

...but we wanted a Sabalenka vs Swiatek final. Aryna Sabalenka did her part, beating best friend Paula Badosa with ease But then Madison Keys upset the apple-cart, brilliantly hitting Iga Swiatek off the court to reach her second grand slam final, eight years after her first Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 23

Iga Swiatek wins her Australian Open semi-final with ease but not before a controversial double bounce incident ( https://inews.co.uk/sport/iga-swiatek-double-bounce-australian-open-emma-navarro-3494688 ) Jannik Sinner batts Alex de Minaur, guaranteeing 50 years since the last Australian male winner here Ben Shelton books his place in a second grand slam semi-final Madison Keys outlasts Elina Svitolina SEMI-FINAL PREVIEWS Iga Swiatek vs Madison Keys Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 21

George Bellshaw and James Gray look back at a thrilling day - or specifically, night - of tennis at Melbourne Park Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in an instant classic across four sets Djokovic had treatment for a left leg injury, thought to be groin or hamstring, but rallied from losing the first set to triumph just before 1am in Melbourne How will he pull up to face Alexander Zverev, who beat Tommy Paul, in Friday's semi-final? Aryna Sabalenka outlasted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a wind-swept semi Coco Gauff produced 41 unforced errors in just two sets, mostly on her forehand, as Paula Badosa became a shock semi-finalist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 19

Novak Djokovic boycotted Channel 9 interviews after beating Jiri Lehecka, claiming he had been offended by comments made by anchor Tony Jones. Jones appeared to have already apologised on Saturday, but Djokovic said he would not talk to the broadcaster until an official apology had been issued Jack Draper was forced to retire after two sets of his fourth-round clash with Carlos Alcaraz (More on that here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-message-jack-draper-3489163 ) Coco Gauff nearly comes a cropper against Belinda Bencic Tommy Paul ghosts his way into the quarter-finals Aryna Sabalenka shrugs off Pam Shriver's scheduling complaints: https://x.com/PHShriver/status/1880498898587836547 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 18

Emma Raducanu is thrashed 6-1, 6-0 by Iga Swiatek to end her Australian Open run Gael Monfils shocks Taylor Fritz to reach the fourth round - and then watches his wife do the same thing by beating Jasmine Paolini on the very same court Eva Lys, the lucky loser, continues her dream fortnight by reaching the last 16 and setting up the biggest match of her life against Swiatek Ben Shelton is doing his best to cash in on a soft section of the draw too, beating Lorenzo Musetti in a hard-fought four-setter. LINKS Elo ratings piece here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/stat-proves-emma-raducanu-world-class-iga-swiatek-3485830 And Jeff's excellent Elo ratings here: https://tennisabstract.com/reports/atp_elo_ratings.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 17

NO. SLEEP. TIL. BROOKLYN. James Gray is delirious, Jack Draper is through to round three and it's going off in Melbourne Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 16

It's the fifth day of the tournament and I've finally tracked down Calvin Betton, our resident tennis coach, to chat through the biggest issues of the day - including why the Brits are on the verge of history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 15

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Jan 14

Tuesday at the Australian Open wraps up the first round of the year's opening major Emma Raducanu beat Ekaterina Alexandrova despite hitting 15 double-faults in an error-strewn performance - but she did win her 7th and 8th tie-breaks in a row A win for Katie Boulter over Rebecca Marino made it six Brits into the second round, a new record But Cam Norrie could not join them, beaten by Matteo Berrettini There was a shock win for Joao Fonseca, the teenage qualifier, over No 9 seed Andrey Rublev And Daniil Medvedev needed five set to see of Kasidit Samrej, the Thai wildcard, marmalising a camera in the process Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 14

Jacob Fearnley beat Nick Kyrgios in straight sets on Monday, leaving the Australian questioning whether he would ever play singles at the Australian Open ever again. In his first-round match, Novak Djokovic, now coached by former rival Andy Murray, overcame a challenging start to defeat 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy. After losing the first set, Djokovic rallied to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, marking the beginning of his pursuit for an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th major title. Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded 11th, was eliminated in the first round by American Alex Michelsen. Michelsen secured the victory with a 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 win, marking a significant upset in the men's singles draw. Returning mother Belinda Bencic is back, beating Jelena Ostapenko in straights to catapult her up the rankings from 421 in the world And finally, legendary rugby player Sonny Bill Williams appeared on Court 6 - and it turns out he is coaching Australian wildcard James McCabe. For more, read James's article for The i Paper here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/sonny-bill-williams-coaching-tennis-australian-open-3477653 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 12

George Bellshaw and James Gray look back a rain-affected first day of the Australian Open, talking about Kei Nishikori, Emma Raducanu, Jiri Lehecka and more! An interview with Andrey Rublev: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/12/andrey-rublev-i-dont-feel-any-more-that-crazy-anxiety-and-stress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 9

Play FTU, AO 2025 edition sponsored by Raquex NOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19oQbG9pcnYnX0oXLGFgDkta5ugKcs5MEizCPmXLC3A8/ [Closes 12 January] James and George go line by line through both draws to suss out the new fantasy tennis format. Don't forget to vote for us in the Sports Podcast Awards either! https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ [Closes 13 January] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 7

VOTE FOR US: It’s your last chance to get a vote in for us in the Sports Podcast Awards, which we would dearly like to win this time after narrowly missing out two years in a row. The deadline is THIS WEEKEND: www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ George Bellshaw (from convalescence after surgery) and James Gray (preparing for a flight to Australia) get together to discuss a genuinely exciting week of pre-grand slam tennis. The off-season is well and truly over! FTU is now LIVE! Enter here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19oQbG9pcnYnX0oXLGFgDkta5ugKcs5MEizCPmXLC3A8 They discussed: Nick Kyrgios returning to court in singles and doubles, and making sure to return to form on Instagram as well. (See Cruz Hewitt’s post with Jannik Sinner: https://www.instagram.com/cruzhewitt/?hl=en ) Novak Djokovic is beaten by Reilly Opelka, who reaches the Brisbane final just over two years since he had hip surgery Coco Gauff gets another one over on Iga Swiatek as the Americans win a thrilling United Cup (The Brits did okay too, but in truth only won one tie…) Luke Johnson and Sander Arends take the title in Hong Kong, beating Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov in the final to give Calvin yet another title Naomi Osaka gets through to the Auckland final but worryingly retires with another injury while a set up in the final Speaking of big-name Japanese stars and comebacks, Kei Nishikori was back in a final this week too! Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu did not even make the start line in Auckland, pulling out with a back problem, but is already back in training ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov is suspended by the WTA pending an investigation into an alleged breach of the code of conduct, which he denies (H/t to the great reporting by The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare and Matt Futterman here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6034236/2025/01/02/rybakina-vukov-coach-suspended-wta-investigation/ ) Gaby Dabrowski reveals she was diagnosed with cancer in April, but has come out the other side - and played through it to win an Olympic medal and the WTA Tour Finals (Read her incredibly moving Instagram post here: https://www.instagram.com/gabydabrowski/p/DEPGbMNvrCF/?img_index=13 ) Beatriz Haddad Maia hits one of the all-time bad serves ( https://x.com/josemorgado/status/1873229229493764484?s=46&t=Rhiq-18RZr7lX_TkDfCsvA ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 29, 2024

VOTE FOR US! We are desperately trying to beat Dan Kiernan to an award and *really* need your help in doing so. It takes about 20 seconds to vote for us, just head to this link: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ This week, George Bellshaw is a late withdrawal after being called in for surgery on a torn meniscus, Calvin Betton tunes in from Hong Kong (sorry about the satellite delay!) and James Gray is at home for the last time before heading to Australia. They discussed... Jack Draper has been forced to pull out of the United Cup because of a hip injury and will also skip the Davis Cup, but says he is still optimistic of competing well at the Australian Open Emma Raducanu has turned over a new leaf for 2025 and says she is learning to say no more Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting to a breach of anti-doping rules relating to "a prohibited method" Nick Kyrgios is back, drawn in a big-serving match-up with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Brisbane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 25, 2024

Merry Christmas! (Or just happy Wednesday if you don't celebrate.) VOTE FOR US: It's the Sports Podcast Awards next month and Tennis Unfiltered is up for best tennis show. We came third two years ago and second last year, so would mean a lot if you added your vote and helped us complete the set! https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ While the lads take a well-earned week off over Christmas, we pre-recorded an episode with Tom Corrie of the excellent Tennis Insights to talk about how they generate their data, what it means, how they use it and a whole lot more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 18, 2024

Thanks to Chris, Deb and Colum for their questions and comments which we read out this week. You can get in touch by emailing us on tennisunfiltered at gmail dot com - and James does read them all even if they don't all make the pod! If you want to sign up for our newsletter, Substack is the place to do it: https://tennisunfiltered.substack.com/ And finally, have a very Merry Christmas when it comes! As well as our awards this week, we discussed... Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic teaming up to play doubles in Brisbane The LTA bringing in a ban on trans women in female events down to Grade 6 amateur tournaments Got an opinion? Email us. We welcome it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 12, 2024

A special BONUS episode from James Gray and George Bellshaw from the UTS Grand Final in east London, held at a sold-out Copper Box Arena. NB: James apologises for the edit and audio quality. An amateur sound engineer at best, this is as good as he can do with the equipment in hand! VOTE in our Tennis Unfiltered 2025 awards: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aUUOiYvsuDQpALWPEQpJj1v873OP-vk_-7gpQDRZCBg/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 9, 2024

Calvin Betton, James Gray and George Bellshaw are in full off-season mode - and spending as much time talking nonsense as possible. No Peaky Blinders chat, this time, although our Spotify Wrapped does get a mention We answered questions from Taz, Jeff, Ben and Nicolas about boring tennis matches, the 2009 US Open and tennis analytics. Plus... Emma Raducanu reveals her pre-season plans (More here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-australian-open-plans-glory-3419042 ) And we preview our awards for 2025 George's newsletter: https://tennisunfiltered.substack.com/p/the-best-and-worst-bits-of-tennis VOTE in our Tennis Unfiltered 2025 awards: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aUUOiYvsuDQpALWPEQpJj1v873OP-vk_-7gpQDRZCBg/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 3, 2024

Tennis never takes a week off, does it? And neither (sort of) do James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw, who are back to discuss all the latest goings on in a busy week of breaking tennis news. Iga Swiatek is serving a one-month ban after testing positive for trimetazidine or TMZ, a banned metabolic modulator Simona Halep, Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov have plenty to say about it, as does everyone else Novak Djokovic explains more about his coaching link-up with Andy Murray Hubert Hurkacz has replaced long-time coach Craig Boynton with an unusual combo of Nicolas Massu and Ivan Lendl And Calvin has dug out a stat about the good old days... PLUS Your questions on Jannik Sinner, tennis balls and cats all answered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 26, 2024

James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton get round the microphones again and wonder if there is anything to talk about this week... Andy Murray has agreed to join Novak Djokovic's coaching team for pre-season the Australian Open at least, just three months after retiring from playing (James wrote this piece for the i paper if you're interested: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-coaching-novak-djokovic-storyline-netflix-3397499 ) Oh, also Rafael Nadal retired this week as Spain crashed out of the Davis Cup to the Netherlands Italy retained their title thanks to Jannik Sinner, who ends the year without losing a match in straight sets And they also won the Billie Jean King Cup, powered by the extraordinary doubles pair of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani, the underarm-serving legend Britain blew their big chance in the semi-finals, losing having been a set away from a straightforward win over Slovakia And finally... the USA made the same mistake all over again in their clash with Australia, dropping their doubles specialists for the deciding clash with Jordan Thompson and Matthew Ebden, only to see Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton beaten in straight sets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19, 2024

Uh oh, Calvin is not a happy man... but why? Listen on to find out as George Bellshaw and James Gray do their best to keep him in hand while discussing... Jannik Sinner dominates ATP World Tour Finals, not even dropping a set en route to the title in Turin Taylor Fritz moves to a career-high ranking after reaching the final, and continuing his dominance of Alexander Zverev Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter lead Britain into the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup Frances Tiafoe avoids a ban for his sweary outburst at an umpire in Shanghai earlier in the season, but is fined $120,000 Plus your reviews and questions on a fifth slam and foot faults answered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 12, 2024

Calvin Betton calls in from the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin to help James Gray (inews.co.uk) and George Bellshaw (his flat in north London) discuss the latest in tennis Coco Gauff wins the WTA Finals in a dramatic - but not necessarily high-quality - final victory over Zheng Qinwen John Wertheim is forced to apologise for comments about Barbora Krejcikova's "eight-head" Denis Shapovalov wins a first title in five years, but isn't in the mix for ATP Comeback of the Year Daniil Medvedev "loses his head" And finally... Roberto Carbaelles Baena throws his hat into the ring for wettest bloke on tour after beef with Cam Norrie And here is THAT Jannik Sinner stat Calvin was talking about: https://x.com/TennisTV/status/1855594522199150734 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 5, 2024

Calvin Betton is in Helsinki but that doesn't stop him dialing in to Tennis Unfiltered; George Bellshaw is in north London but that doesn't stop him struggling with tech; and James Gray is now married and didn't get into a scrape with Elena Rybakina. We answer your questions on LTA funding and doubles end-of-year tournaments, plus... Alexander Zverev wins the Paris Masters title and returns to No 2 in the world Giovanni Mpetshi-Pericard's huge serve keeps on entertaining on the French capital's lightning-fast courts Richard Gasquet says a tearful goodbye to Paris, but he will be back Jack Draper picks up a big win over Taylor Fritz The WTA Finals is underway in Saudi Arabia And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 29, 2024

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are all in England at the same time, a genuine rarity this year, but are still all sitting in their respective living rooms refusing to actually spend time together. Instead, they talked about... Jack Draper's second career title, beating Karen Khachanov in Vienna to move up to No 15 in the world Novak Djokovic pulling out of the Paris Masters and perhaps calling time on his whole season Nick Kyrgios raising his head above the parapet on Louis Theroux's podcast, positing all kinds of wild theories on the pyramids, the flat earth and his own tennis abilities Dominic Thiem's retirement and legacy Maria Sharapova's induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's serve And so much more... LINKS The Louis Theroux Podcast with Nick Kyrgios: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KpdqmxkTVSO9qy50GZ2SD Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has always been a giant: https://x.com/Nigee_Uno/status/1850189321619337633 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 22, 2024

Calvin Betton calls in from Vienna, James Gray from honeymoon and George Bellshaw... is here also. We started by answering a listener email from Blair, who asked: “I'm taking a few too many long haul flights in the next couple of months, and am looking for distraction recommendations. Which matches from the past 30 years would you recommend I download to watch? Any documentaries? I particularly enjoyed the Vilas one, so anything like that'd be great.” Here are some links to the docs mentioned. Agassi vs Sampras: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ACFmPyN80g&ab_channel=AustralianOpenTV Federer vs Safin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agF1HkdpR6s&ab_channel=AustralianOpenTV 1984 Wimbledon final, McEnroe vs Connors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQS-XriW9p8&ab_channel=JohnMcEnroeChannel Girls on Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnHcaki-PO8&ab_channel=RealStories In other news... Iga Swiatek hires Wim Fissette, saying: "I said many times that my career is a marathon for me, not a sprint and I’m working, operating and making decisions with this approach. I want to say that I’m very excited and looking forward to working with Wim. He seems to have a great attitude, vision and huge experience at the very top level of tennis.” Aryna Sabalenka passes Iga Swiatek as world No 1 despite neither playing this week Danielle Collins backtracks on retiring, saying: "The Danimal story has not reached its conclusion. I will be back on tour in 2025.” She added: "Dealing with endometriosis and fertility is a massive challenge for many women and something that I am actively traversing, but I am fully confident in the team I am working with. It is just going to take longer than I thought." In the “Six Kings Slam” event in Riyadh, Daniil Medvedev earns a $21,739 a minute after getting hammered by Jannik Sinner 6-0, 6-3, while Holger Rune reportedly earned 68 per cent of his annual tournament earnings But is Saudi Arabia changing? Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal to end their rivalry and both gave gushing tributes as you would expect Forgotten man Roberto Bautista Agut beats Jiri Lehecka to win Antwerp, the second-oldest tour-level champion this year at 36 Grigor Dimitrov opens up about anxiety and panic attacks on court after losing the final in Stockholm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 16, 2024

Calvin Betton dials in from Antwerp to join James Gray. George Bellshaw is, unforgivably, on holiday. Rafael Nadal announced his retirement this week, causing Calvin to ask whether he is actually the most underrated or perhaps most influential player of all-time ...and whether he will sign off on a high by winning the Davis Cup The full decision from CAS that reduced Simona Halep's ban for testing positive to just nine months has been published Frances Tiafoe, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev have all been mouthing off at umpires PLUS Your questions answered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 8, 2024

It's the clash of the eras this week as Mats Wilander's comments on Eurosport spark an intense debate about whether Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have already eradicated the legacy of the Big Four. Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner, who had chances of his own, to win the China Open and wrestle control of their head-to-head in an increasingly storied rivalry Arthur Fils wins a title in Tokyo and beats Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini, Ben Shelton, Holger Rune and Ugo Humbert en route - but then crashes out in the first round a week later Davis Cup Group stages scrapped in favour of a return to post-US Open home and away ties Coco Gauff wins her second WTA 1000 title in China, returning to the top five and improving her final record to 8-1... ...but her match-up with Naomi Osaka disappointingly ended in a retirement as a back injury forced the Japanese player to walk off early Iga Swiatek has split with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and is already looking for someone new LINKS FROM JG: " Many thanks to everyone who donated to my Cancer Research fundraiser. It made it all very worthwhile! If you would like to and missed out, here is the link. " - https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/jamess-giving-page-139725 Hugh Clarke's beautifully crafted newsletter is here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-149701313 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 1, 2024

Calvin Betton is still in China, George Bellshaw is still in London and James Gray is still complaining. They discuss... WADA has announced it is to appeal the decision to absolve Jannik Sinner of blame for his two positive tests for banned substance clostebol earlier this year. The case will be heard before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the World Anti-Doping Agency will seek a ban of between one and two years Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram have broken up their long-standing, multiple grand slam-winning partnership. Salisbury will play with fellow Brit Neal Skupski in 2025 Naomi Osaka has won a match from a set down for the first time in 22 attempts, and now faces Coco Gauff in a blockbuster clash in Beijing British No 3 Jacob Fearnley has cracked the top 100 for the first time after winning his fourth Challenger title of the year Jack Draper is still struggling with the rigours of top-level tennis, injured again in Tokyo this week Marin Cilic has become the lowest ranked player ever - No 777 - to win an ATP title in Hangzhou If you want to donate to James's fundraisers, you can do so here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/jamess-giving-page-139725 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 25, 2024

Calvin Betton tunes in from Beijing and George Bellshaw from north London to tell James Gray exactly what's wrong with the tennis world. Emma Raducanu told a reporter she was prioritising the Asian swing after a stripped-back schedule in the first half of the year, but after two wins in Seoul she suffered yet another injury, pulling out of the quarter-final with a foot injury and then withdraws from Beijing too. Coco Gauff has ended her partnership with coach Brad Gilbert just two weeks after her "disappointing" US Open title defence. Gilbert said: ”Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. I’m excited for the next chapter in my coaching career.” Carlos Alcaraz has complained about tennis scheduling: ”Probably they are going to kill us in some way. Right now a lot of good players are going to miss a lot of tournaments because of that [injury].” Team Europe win the Laver Cup with Alcaraz winning the most points any player ever has - but did any of it mean anything? Beatriz Haddad Maia wins her fourth career title in South Korea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 17, 2024

James Gray is joined by George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton to discuss all the latest tennis news (and an injury update from our resident coach). Naomi Osaka splits with Wim Fisette and hires Patrick Mouratoglou as her new coach Novak Djokovic is on course to miss out on ATP World Tour Finals but says he isn't bothered by it Jack Draper jumps off a plane and into the Great Britain Davis Cup team, but to no great effect as they are drummed out by Canada and Argentina Dan Evans hints this could be his last appearance in GB shirt Rafael Nadal pulls out of the Laver Cup Sonay Kartal wins her first WTA title in Monastir and enters the top 100 for the first time Emma Raducanu has been picked for the BJK Cup Olivia Gadecki reaches the Guadalajara final from qualifying Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 10, 2024

James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw waited for the dust to settle... and then promptly started kicking it up again. Jannik Sinner wins the title in New York to become the king of hard courts Aryna Sabalenka is the queen too, or is she? Jack Draper gives a fine account of himself but hasn't impressed Martin Keown Have Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz both hit their ceiling PLUS Nick Kyrgios shows his true colours Vasek Pospisil defends the PTPA Calvin ducks the Davis Cup The final results of FTU: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AB0u6pxiTiaY3kZMfjZZI60lSZ7g3GpJawK5bWxtsoI/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 6, 2024

Calvin Betton wakes up from jet lag to predict the men's and women's final with James Gray ahead of Draper vs Sinner and Tiafoe vs Fritz in the semi-finals. They also looked back at Emma Navarro's defeat to Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula's win over Karolina Muchova, as well as a few thoughts on Iga Swiatek's absence from the latter stages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 4, 2024

Calvin Betton is fresh off a flight from New York and talks to James Gray about... Third-round defeat for Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara Why Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Caroline Wozniacki was a great example of how styles make fights… The secrets to Jack Draper's run at the US Open Why there have been so many double-faults at this year's tournament Is this the real reason everyone seems to hate Zheng Qinwen? What got Alexander Zverev's goat? Grigor Dimitrov limps out of perhaps *his* best chance to finally win a slam but allows Frances Tiafoe to guarantee an American man in the final for the first time since 2006 Also, Donald Young is in the mixed doubles final?! And Harri produces one of the all-time great racket smashes: https://x.com/BenRothenberg/status/1830757928166461726 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 2, 2024

George Bellshaw and James Gray catch up on a busy weekend of US Open action, including... Sky Sports apologise for problems with US Open coverage, raised by Tennis Unfiltered listeners: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/us-open-viewers-frustrated-sky-tennis-coverage-3256452 Video review goes so badly wrong as Beatriz Haddad Maia gets away with one against Anna Kalinskaya: https://x.com/LoveGame_Tennis/status/1830181747281055879 Dan Evans is finally beaten in the US Open, handed two bagels by Alex De Minaur Yulia Putintseva is beaten but more importantly apologises for this behaviour towards a ball girl: https://x.com/MerThomp/status/1829999912399818965 Coco Gauff is knocked out by Olympic team-mate Emma Navarro. Gauff served at 46 per cent and hit 60 unforced errors, but perhaps worst of all hit 19 double-faults and says she will consider a biomechanics expert to break down her service issues. "I definitely want to get other opinions because, you know -- and also I think it's sometimes more of an emotional, mental thing because if I go out on the practice court right now, I would make, like, 30 serves in a row." Who on earth will win the bottom half of the men's draw now? Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz are surely favourites with either Grigor Dimitrov or Frances Tiafoe waiting in the semi-final. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 31, 2024

George Bellshaw looks back on a day of US Open action where there really was only one place to start as Novak Djokovic was stunned by Alexei Popyrin as the men's draw continues to disintegrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 30, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz is handed a shock US Open defeat by Botic van de Zandschulp Alcaraz said afterwards he is "not strong enough mentally" and has taken steps back in that regard. Van de Zandschulp meanwhile was proud of his "emotionally stable" approach to the match, impressive for a man who nearly decided to retire just a few months ago at the age of 28. The Dutchman came to the net 35 times in the match, winning all bar seven points when he did so, perhaps revealing a blueprint for beating Alcaraz in the future. It leaves a wide open section of the draw where one of Jack Draper, Dan Evans, Alex de Minaur or five others who have never made a USO semi-final is guaranteed to make the last four Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 29, 2024

Emma Raducanu says she will manage her schedule differently going forward after "learning a lesson" in defeat to Sofia Kenin Raducanu had played just one tournament since Wimbledon and flew back to the UK instead of playing qualifying in Canada or Cincinnati, traditional warm-ups for the US Open. She said: "I know when I have a lot of matches, just like every player, you feel really good, you feel like everything's automatic. So yeah, I think I can learn from it and manage my schedule slightly differently." Here is something James wrote about Emma Raducanu in the wake of her defeat to Kenin: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-us-open-comments-reveal-sadder-truth-3248144 UK viewers complain about the "mess" that is Sky Sports+ is a mess for lots of users Temperatures hit 34 degrees Celsius in New York City with the heat rule in place, but there is nothing against Tomas Martin Etcheverry throwing up on himself mid-match, and still winning! Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova is out Defending champion Novak Djokovic is through after a Laslo Djere retirement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 28, 2024

James Gray and Calvin Betton look back at some of the highlights from the second half of the first round of the US Open, including... Holger Rune promises his fans he "will not let you down any more" after being well beaten by Brandon Nakashima in the first round of the US Open. Karolina Muchova and Bianca Andreescu both produce early shot of the tournament contenders, Muchova's here https://x.com/usopen/status/1828459066626044039 and Andreescu's here https://x.com/usopen/status/1828586747438956844 Katie Boulter is through despite losing the first set to Aliaksandra Sasnovich, complete with white bodysuit. Felix Auger-Aliassime is beaten by improving teenager Jakub Mensik while Stefanos Tsitsipas is blown away by Thanaski Kokkinakis Danielle Collins ends her US Open career (in singles) but refuses a bunch of flowers at the end and says she had requested no presentation on the court Dan Evans grabs an unlikely win, beating Karen Khachanov in a match that lasted more than five-and-a-half hours, the longest in US Open history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 27, 2024

It's the first daily update from Flushing Meadows after Day 1 of the US Open Novak Djokovic becomes the most successful ever player on Arthur Ashe, beating another Roger Federer record, in his easy first-round win over Radu Albot Coco Gauff promises she "will" win the US Open again, but maybe not this year Jack Draper says cheat accusations hurt him Emma Raducanu insists she will keep playing a stripped-back schedule to concentrate on the big events Diego Schwartzman and Dominic Thiem both bow out of the US Open for the last time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 23, 2024

Men's draw in full: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/draws/mens-singles.html Women's draw in full: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/draws/womens-singles.html George Bellshaw and James Gray go line-by-line through the US Open draw for 2024, and try to put together their #FTU teams. They also of course discussed the shock news this week of Jannik Sinner having twice tested positive for a banned substance. If you want to enter Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered, the last of the year, then please do so here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1csjRJTTdquLZiFPgrGogAzXtXMRyRaDxYrWco5mlFvY The concept is simple: pick players you think are going win matches. You have to pick a total of 10 players, five men and five women, one from each category. The Underdog (30 points per win) - A qualifier, lucky loser or wildcard The Surprise (25 points per win) - Another unseeded player in the draw The Possible (20 point per win) - One of the seeds between No 17 and No 32 The Probable (20 point per win) - One of the seeds between No 5 and No 16 The Star (15 points per win) - One of the top four seeds They score points for every match they win - with 5 bonus points for each match they win in the second week, and 5 more bonus points for winning the tournament overall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 20, 2024

Calvin Betton checks in from North Carolina to join James Gray and discuss... Jack Draper's controversial match point against Felix Auger-Aliassime Novak Djokovic calls for video replay in the aftermath Umpires come under fire after failing to overrule clear HawkEye failure Naomi Osaka writes a lot... but says very little Frances Tiafoe finds some form from nowhere Carlos Alcaraz hits out (at the ground) And much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 13, 2024

Calvin Betton tunes in from Cincinnati, James Gray from back home in London and George Bellshaw from the sharp end of his anecdotal yardstick. Calvin gives us an update on Henry and Harri's bizarre concussion retirement: https://www.atptour.com/en/video/tennis-a-contact-sport-wimbledon-champs-collide-in-montreal Denis Shapovalov is defaulted for swearing at a fan: https://www.skysports.com/tennis/video/12110/13190123/denis-shapovalov-defaulted-after-heated-exchange-with-fan Hunter Reese and partner Scott Duncan are defaulted after ONE game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCONS88kPpo Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper having a blast playing doubles Rafael Nadal to skip US Open because he will not be 100 per cent but will play Laver Cup, is this the end? Stefanos Tsitsipas sacks his Dad as coach Coco Gauff loses to a player who is younger than her for the first time Emma Raducanu skips qualifying in North America and Novak Djokovic is barely going to play before the US Open Greg Rusedski to coach Victoria Azarenka: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/greg-rusedski-coach-victoria-azarenka-3220235 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 6, 2024

One of our more international podcasts as tennis coach Calvin Betton joins us from the Rogers Cup in Montreal, James Gray from the Olympics in Paris and George Bellshaw... still at home in London. They discussed... Novak Djokovic exacted revenge on Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday and ‘completes tennis’ with Olympic gold. He is just the fifth player to complete the career golden slam, joining Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams and first man to win gold without dropping a set, although it was pretty close in the final. Zheng Qinwen became the surprise women’s champion, beating in-form Donna Vekic. Zheng had an eventful tournament: she retired Angelique Kerber, ended Iga Swiatek’s Roland Garros winning streak and had a fall-out with Emma Navarro after which it became clear that basically no-one seems to like her. Iga Swiatek barely spoke after semi-final defeat to Zheng, says she cried for about six hours after defeat but did come back to win bronze. Andy Murray’s career is finally over, beaten by Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul in the Olmypic men's doubles. Sponsored by AG1, click here ( https://drinkag1.com/tennisunfiltered ) for free Vitamin D3/K2 and 5 travel packs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 1, 2024

First, an apology: James is covering the Olympics in Paris and the technological conditions are challenging to say the least, so his audio is not in great shape this week. However, he has identified the problem and has a solution in place for next week. In the meantime, here is this week's episode with Calvin from Porto, George from London and James from Paris. Calvin talks about Harri Heliovaara wearing a microphone on a live match court Rafael Nadal is drummed out of the Olympic singles by Novak Djokovic Coco Gauff loses her temper in defeat to Donna Vekic Late withdrawals fire Matt Ebden and Petros Tsitsipas into the singles draw Andy Murray and Dan Evans keep the dream alive And SO much more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 24, 2024

Calvin Betton, James Gray and George Bellshaw answer your questions on all sorts of topics, including some from the very bottom of the mailbag. Here's what we got into... Veteran Athlete : Is there a future for grass court tennis? Wazza : Is it time for Wimbledon to re introduce grass court seeding? Having Swiatek as number 1 seed when she has lack of ability on the surface makes a mockery of the draw in my opinion. Ian Warren : Hi guys question about the BBC coverage of Wimbledon. Do you think it’s time to pension off John McEnroe, Pat Cash and other players winning slams 40 to 50 years ago? As great as it was how many more times do we have to hear from John McEnroe about his rivalry with Borg. JG : Why is no one excited about the Olympics? Jari Jarvinen : Who do you think are best dubs players all time and why? This came to my mind because of Leander Paes Hall of Fame election. He won a lot and with so many different partners, that's a strong case for him. Definitely one of the best dubs volleyers Tennis Ranter : We see tennis players throughout the year jetting off to lots of locations, with air travel being the most used. What would your thoughts be on a carbon cap for players to limit the amount of carbon they use and encourage the use of less carbon intensive transport? Matt Gunner : For the modern great male players, is it the new normal to win 20+ majors? Pundits that played in the 80s and 90s often say how hard it is to win 7 matches over 2 wks and how remarkable it is to see numbers the big 3 have. For me, in the yrs ahead, these numbers will be the norm. Lynney Pin : Not really a question…. Just wanted to say I HATE seeing the ball kids passing the sweaty germ ridden towels to the players. Why the flip have they brought that back??!!! It’s revolting. GB1 : Of the current crop of young players (let's say under 25), who has the best tennis IQ ? Would Alcaraz be lost without Juan Carlos ? How far would Ben Shelton get without his Dad's coaching ? For me, the Big Four and Meddy are high IQ players, but what about the next gen ? Also, do you think players like eg Shapovalov, Tiafoe, and certainly in the past Dimitrov, haven't reached full potential because they use their natural game without developing their tennis IQ brains as much ? Sponsored by AG1, click here ( https://drinkag1.com/tennisunfiltered ) for free Vitamin D3/K2 and 5 travel packs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 16, 2024

Calvin, George and James are reunited for the first time since Wimbledon to discuss... Who will challenge Carlos Alcaraz? Is Novak Djokovic on the decline? Would Jasmine Paolini have been a more popular winner than Barbora Krejcikova? Should the Brits be pleased with their championships? What was the Champions' Ball like? And *so much* more. Sponsored by AG1, click here ( https://drinkag1.com/tennisunfiltered ) for free Vitamin D3/K2 and 5 travel packs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 14, 2024

Men's doubles champion Henry Patten joins his coach Calvin Betton and host James Gray to look back at a 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory alongside Harri Heliovaara over the Australian pair of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson. We laughed, we cried, we sat around and couldn't believe what was going on. My favourite podcast of the year. Sponsored by AG1, click here ( https://drinkag1.com/tennisunfiltered ) for free Vitamin D3/K2 and 5 travel packs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 13, 2024

James Gray sets his Wimbledon doubles nerves aside to look back at... How Daniil Medvedev nearly got disqualified from his Wimbledon semi-final Carlos Alcaraz finding an extra gear to seal victory and reach a fourth grand slam final Novak Djokovic barely got booed Lorenzo Musetti gave his best but his best wasn't good enough Sponsored by AG1, click here (https://drinkag1.com/tennisunfiltered) for free Vvtamin D3/K2 and 5 travel packs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11, 2024

Calvin Betton, Wimbledon finalist, joins James Gray to talk about Henry and Harri's brilliant run to the final, and why he was holding up one finger at the end of the match. Plus, Donna Vekic in tears during defeat to Jasmine Paolini and Barbora Krejcikova's comeback against Elena Rybakina. Sponsored by AG1, click here ( https://drinkag1.com/tennisunfiltered ) for free Vvtamin D3/K2 and 5 travel packs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 8, 2024

George Bellshaw comes out of hiding to join James Gray to discuss the first week of Wimbledon, including... Emma Raducanu's run to the fourth round Emma Navarro's shock win over Coco Gauff Carlos Alcaraz and his inability to win in straight sets Who will win Wimbledon? How much will anyone care? And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 7, 2024

On Friday… - Carlos Alcaraz survives a thriller against Frances Tiafoe - Emma Raducanu beats Maria Sakkari in shades of the US Open with a draw that is yawning wide open - Jannik Sinner continues his serene progress in the draw, while there were defeats for Bianca Andreescu and Gael Monfils Then on Saturday… - Emma Raducanu dominates headlines by pulling out of the mixed doubles and inadvertently retiring Andy Murray - World No 1 Iga Świątek is beaten by Yulia Putintseva, yet another underperformance at Wimbledon by the Pole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2024

George Bellshaw joins James Gray to discuss the fourth day of action at Wimbledon on and off the court. Andy Murray and his brother Jamie were beaten in doubles and Centre Court took its chance to say thank you to its two-time champion Cam Norrie surprised Jack Draper Katie Boulter blew her chance against Harriet Dart The draw is opening up for Emma Raducanu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2024

James Gray looks back at the second day of action at Wimbledon where rain was seen for the very first time and Andy Murray gave in to the inevitable, conceding that he has played his last singles match at Wimbledon. Andy Murray pull out of the singles but confirms he will play doubles with brother Jamie Novak Djokovic proves he has fully recovered from knee surgery Caroline Wozniacki hints at her form Jack Draper goes five sets but pulls victory out Sebastian Korda suffers an upset loss And much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 1, 2024

James Gray looks back at Day 1 of Wimbledon 2024, and discusses… Carlos Alcaraz’s title defence getting underway Emma Raducanu playing her first match at Wimbledon for two years Coco Gauff thrashing Caroline Dolehide Jannik Sinner arguing about the roof but winning in four PLUS: Dramatic wins for Lloyd Harris, Frances Tiafoe and Brenda Fruhvirtova. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2024

George Bellshaw helps out in the first half before Calvin Betton joins James Gray in Eastbourne in the second half. They discussed... Jack Draper beats Carlos Alcaraz at Queen's to secure the biggest win of his career but... He lost to Tommy Paul the day after as the American made his way to the Queen's title, beating Lorenzo Musetti Jannik Sinner won a title too, triumphing over Hubert Hurkacz in Halle to confirm some of his grass-court credentials Emma Raducanu is back and very happy about it Jessica Pegula won a title in Berlin And much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 19, 2024

Tennis coach Calvin Betton, journalist James Gray and writer/broadcaster George Bellshaw answer your questions about tennis. We talked about everything from doubles to divas, from Olympics to eye contact, and from TV to Fritz tea. This week's episode is sponsored by the Tennis Channel's coverage of every court at Birmingham, Queen's and Eastbourne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 10, 2024

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are back together again to look back at the French Open and discuss what it means for tennis more broadly. Carlos Alcaraz now has a grand slam title on every surface, and a total of three - but how many will he go on to win? Has Iga Swiatek ruined women's tennis, on clay at least? How do we fix the night sessions at Roland Garros And so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 9, 2024

James Gray looks back after Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev in five thrilling, if not always high-quality, sets and Iga Swiatek thrashed Jasmine Paolini to claim her fourth French Open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 8, 2024

James Gray looks back at an 'underwhelming' day of men's semi-finals as Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in five sets, before Alexander Zverev knocked out an ailing Casper Ruud. Latest French Open fantasy tennis table is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MLjysGmg_c_oRNRAa7yjWkxJ4pspiaO2Px9xXbc5zow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 7, 2024

James Gray is joined by Calvin Betton from the National Tennis Centre in London to look back at the women's semi-finals, predict Iga Swiatek's crowning and cast an eye over who might win the men's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 6, 2024

James Gray looks back at two women's quarter-finals and Novak Djokovic's knee surgery on a bustling Rue d'Auteuil Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 5, 2024

James Gray looks back at Day 10 of Roland Garros, where Novak Djokovic pulled out and Ons Jabeur was knocked out, and looks ahead to the last round of quarter-final matches including Mirra Andreeva vs Aryna Sabalenka. To read what Lucie Safarova and Agnieszka Radwanska said about the rise of Andreeva, click here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/mirra-andreeva-tennis-emma-radacanu-comparison-french-open-3092320 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 3, 2024

George Bellshaw joins James Gray to look back at yet another four-and-a-half-hour comeback from Novak Djokovic, who looked done and dusted when behind in the fourth set and struggling with a knee injury. There were also wins for Casper Ruud, Elena Rybakina, Alex de Minaur, Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva and Aryna Sabalenka in the rarified atmosphere of fourth-round day at Roland Garros. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 3, 2024

James Gray looks back at a packed and lengthy weekend of French Open action at Roland Garros. Novak Djokovic finished at 3am Calvin Betton had to sit on his hands while watching his two players face off Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are eating people for breakfast And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 1, 2024

Calvin Betton joins James Gray to talk about winning two doubles matches in the space of a few hours, look back at a busy (if wet) week of tennis at Roland Garros. Plus James predicts Alcaraz vs Korda - and is immediately proved wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 1, 2024

James Gray looks back at Thursday's action - all of which took place indoors - and featured Novak Djokovic shaking out the cobwebs, a ban on booze in the stands and some late-night drama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 30, 2024

James Gray looks back at Wednesday's action - all of which took place indoors - and featured Iga Swiatek scraping past Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz beating Jesper de Jong and Stan Wawrinka leaving Roland Garros in tears Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 29, 2024

James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper talks through the third day of action as... Dan Evans and Katie Boulter are beaten to knock the Brits out of the French Open before the second round for the fourth time this century David Goffin was spat at and insulted for three hours and 35 minutes as he beat France's own Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard Novak Djokovic beat Pierre-Hugues Herbert in straight sets but still did not look great Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 27, 2024

George Bellshaw checks into the game with James Gray to look back at the day Rafael Nadal (possibly) said goodbye to Roland Garros (in its French Open form anyway) and lost to Alexander Zverev in the first round, plus a bad day at the office for the Brits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 27, 2024

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May 24, 2024

George Bellshaw and James Gray go through the French Open draw line by line and highlight their picks for Roland Garros glory. To sign up for Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered, click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_Gm_DiUpvzODXG3UUXKFo82UQekz0PR4RQZiABgxivI/ Follow the leaderboard here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MLjysGmg_c_oRNRAa7yjWkxJ4pspiaO2Px9xXbc5zow/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 22, 2024

Calvin Betton calls in from the ATP 250 in Lyon, James Gray is packing for Paris and George Bellshaw is here too. We discussed... Emma Raducanu reveals she will not be playing the French Open in order "to do a healthy block before the grass and subsequent hard court seasons", and to prioritise fitness over Roland Garros Jannik Sinner has been under an injury cloud but arrived in Paris this week to suggest he is ready to compete for his second grand slam Novak Djokovic is also battling fitness concerns but has flown to Geneva in search of form Andy Murray is there too but has already lost, beaten by Yannick Hanfmann - and will now head to Roland Garros for singles and doubles And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 14, 2024

With George Bellshaw otherwise engaged (football...), freelance journalist Molly McElwee joins James Gray and Calvin Betton to discuss all the latest news in the tennis world. And there was a lot, so sorry we went on so long! Andy Murray is back, playing on the clay in Bordeaux and signing up for Geneva, as well as changing 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem says he will end his career at the end of this season after years spent battling a wrist injury Naomi Osaka is playing regularly and starting to look like a threat on clay - and she's even enjoying press conferences Novak Djokovic was hit on the head by a water bottle and then lost comprehensively to Alejandro Tabilo, seeming to blame concussion symptoms afterwards Tsitsidosa is no more! QUESTIONS FROM THE MAILBAG David asks: "You can pick two former players, one male and one female, that you would like to have seen win Wimbledon. It can be for any reason, a favourite player, unfortunate not to have won etc. The third answer is a wild card, any other player to have won any other grand slam." Elam asks: "What do you guys think needs to be done to address all of the concerns about scheduling in tennis that's been going on recently? With all of the recent chatter from the players and fans about the scheduling issues in tennis, like these 1000 level tournaments being extended to 10 days, all of the recent injuries that have been linked to these lengthened tournaments, and the already busy schedule these players face, how does tennis fix this problem? I've wondered about a shortened calendar, say a 9-month schedule that allows for a longer off season for the players to rest from the game." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 7, 2024

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray do their very best to set the tennis world to rights, discussing... Iga Swiatek's continued dominance of the women's game Her Madrid Open victory over Aryna Sabalenka Felix Auger-Aliassime's remarkable run to the final of Madrid and his defeat to Andrey Rublev Jack Draper hires Wayne Ferreira as a coach PLUS your questions answered on... Tennis documentaries French Open night sessions Promoting doubles tennis Shirt-gate follow-ups Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 2, 2024

Calvin Betton, James Gray and George Bellshaw are all at home for once and ready to answer your questions on... Momentum shifts in tennis The perfect tennis body The new format of doubles in Madrid They also discuss... Anne Keothavong's criticism of Emma Raducanu Rafael Nadal's run in Madrid Whether Pedro Cachin should have waited to ask for his shirt And so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 23, 2024

Calvin Betton and James Gray talk through the last seven days of tennis news while George Bellshaw recovers from food poisoning. (Get well soon, George!) Garbine Muguruza says she didn't miss "the discipline and the difficulty of the life" in her year off tennis and has decided to retire at the age of 30 Novak Djokovic is playing golf, playing with his dogs but not playing tennis after withdrawing from the Madrid Masters for a "non-medical reason" Emma Raducanu picks up two more wins in Stuttgart before a creditable defeat by Iga Swiatek, and now heads to Madrid after picking up a wildcard Rafael Nadal is beaten by Alex De Minaur in Barcelona Casper Ruud gets his own back on Stefanos Tsitsipas in Barcelona Elena Rybakina shows her form on red dirt PLUS We answer your questions from the mailbag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 17, 2024

Calvin Betton calls in from Bucharest to chat with James Gray and George Bellshaw in London about... Calvin's team win another title! Stefanos Tsitsipas has now won Monte Carlo three times, more than Novak Djokovic even (although we all acknowledge he is probably more successful at other tournaments...) ... but perhaps Jannik Sinner should have beaten him, except for a blown line-call overrule by the umpire Sinner was not the only player to suffer from a bad call over the last two weeks: Nuno Borges got an extraordinarily bad call in Estoril against Cristian Garin so we ask... Is it time to bring in video reviews for almost anything that happens on a tennis court? Emma Raducanu is back, winning two ties for Great Britain against France to qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals Good news out of Andy Murray's camp that he is not having surgery on his ankle and is due back hitting this week Great Twitter shithousing from Corentin Moutet, Holger Rune and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 9, 2024

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are back behind the microphones to look at all the biggest stories of the week - and celebrate Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara's victory in Marrakesh. The WTA has confirmed that its biggest tournament, the WTA Finals, will be held in Riyadh for the next three years in a deal worth around $50m in prize money Rafael Nadal is out of the Monte Carlo Masters saying his body 'simply won't allow me' Danielle Collins wins her second title in a row, this time in Charleston, and has only lost two sets in the last three weeks. We talk about her incredible numbers on return of second serve It was a good week for the big servers as Ben Shelton, Hubert Hurkacz and Matteo Berrettini all won titles on clay across three different continents But it was a bad start to the clay season for the Brits with Dan Evans and Cam Norrie both bounced out in the first round in Monaco LINKS Calvin's week in crazy Marrakesh: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ehdtLN5-QeJTvUq00oTY_TOTHje-QD50BMYY0 James ran a half-marathon on Sunday, raising money for his local community cricket club. You can donate here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/james-runs-london-1 Jeff Sackmann has written this excellent blog on Danielle Collins's second serve return: https://www.tennisabstract.com/blog/2024/04/03/danielle-collins-destroyer-of-second-serves/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 2, 2024

FACTCHECK FROM JAMES: I said I was watching Charleston on red clay. I was of course watching *Houston*, not Charleston. Houston = reddish brown clay, Charleston = still equals mucky grey-green. Apologies... Calvin Betton joins James Gray (inews.co.uk) and George Bellshaw (man of the people) from the ATP 250 in Marrakesh to discuss a very busy few days in tennis... Danielle Collins is the surprise Miami champion after beating Elena Rybakina in the final, losing the first set of the tournament and then not another one after that But Collins also made headlines after clapping back at the suggestion she might reconsider retirement, due at the end of this year, given she is now playing the best tennis of her life Sofia Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands won the women's doubes: an unlikely duo or a force to be reckoned with? Jannik Sinner comfortably beat Grigor Dimitrov in the men's final, having beaten Daniil Medvedev in the semi, their first meeting since the Australian Open final. Andy Murray has chosen not to have surgery on a “full rupture of my ATFL” and a “near full thickness rupture of my CFL” - that is the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) to give them their full names. Novak Djokovic has split with Goran Ivanisevic and does not know if he will replace him. Who would be the perfect coach for Djokovic at this point in his career? Djokovic said: “First of all, Goran is my friend for life, mine and of my family’s. I will always remember that he was there for me as a person, as a human being, first and foremost, and that he brought the right set of values into our relationship. That kind of chemistry was followed by great results. I wish Goran all the best. I still don’t have a clear idea who a new coach would be, or whether there will be one at all. I’ve had coaches since I was a kid, now I am trying to feel by myself what I need, what I feel most comfortable with. You will be informed in case someone joins the team.” PLUS... We answer your questions on Dominic Thiem and whether there really is "a dominant eye". LINKS MENTIONED James's piece on everything we know about Andy Murray's injury: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-wimbledon-injury-hopes-2976945 Novak Djokovic's quotes in full on his coaching situation: www.tennismajors.com/atp/djokovic-trying-to-feel-by-himself-what-he-needs-without-a-coach-for-the-moment-752469.html John McEnroe's penchant for the dramatic: https://twitter.com/Calvbetton/status/1774855117725933985 Hubert Hurkacz loses his mind: https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1772784378717823397 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 27, 2024

George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton are back round the microphone to discuss Andy Murray picks up two valuable wins in Miami - but then tears two ligaments in his ankle while losing to Tomas Machac Simona Halep loses on return and gets into a fiery spat with Caroline Wozniacki over wildcards and doping bans There were defeats for Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Christopher Eubanks Holger Rune was thrashed by Fabian Maroszan (and blamed illness for winning just two games Denis Shapovalov wins the battle of the one-handers with Stefanos Tsitsipas Naomi Osaka is beaten by Caroline Garcia again and Katie Boulter picks up a couple of wins including beating Beatriz Haddad Maia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 19, 2024

George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton are back to talk about another week of tennis after the final of Indian Wells... Carlos Alcaraz won first title since June, beating Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev along the way - although he was temporarily halted by a swarm of bees... Novak Djokovic was stunned by lucky loser Luca Nardi, his third ever Masters loss to someone outside top 100, and has pulled out of Miami too Iga Swiatek thumped Maria Sakkari in just 69 mins to win Indian Wells for a second time Emma Raducanu picks up valuable points but is beaten well by Aryna Sabalenka Hsieh Su-Wei is the world No 1 in doubles after spending 18 months out of the game Roger Federer says today’s game is starting to lack variety, his goal when he was on tour was to mix things up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 13, 2024

EMERGENCY PODCAST with James Gray ( inews.co.uk ) and Calvin Betton (ATP tour coach) to talk about the alleged Saudi Arabian takeover of tennis, and the games reaction to it. We are indebted to Simon Briggs of the Telegraph, friend of the podcast, for breaking this story and writing some brilliantly detailed stories about it. Read his original pieces below.. On the Premium Tour: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2024/03/11/wimbledon-aeltc-equal-prize-money-atp-wta-contender-tour/ On Saudi Arabia's bid: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2024/03/12/saudi-arabia-launches-tennis-takeover-1-billion-pound-offer/ On the civil war brewing in tennis: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2024/03/13/tennis-civil-war-saudi-arabia-pif-wta-atp-tour/ We will do a full podcast on this on Monday when we will know more, but in the meantime please send your questions to tennisunfiltered@gmail.com and we will try to answer them, or at least discuss them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 12, 2024

James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton are back together to look back at a dramatic week off the court (and occasionally on it), discussing the following... Rafael Nadal pulls out of Indian Wells at the last minute, citing an injury issue - although he seemed fine at The Netflix Slam... Simona Halep gets a successful ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, her doping ban reduced from four years to nine months and a verdict that she had not deliberately ingested a banned substance Katie Boulter follows up the best result of her career with... a first-round defeat to Camila Giorgi Andy Murray beats David Goffin and then loses a one-sided match to Andrey Rublev Netflix follows up its first live tennis event by cancelling its behind-the-scenes documentary Queen's is set to host a WTA 500 event from 2025, according to the BBC Calvin calls out the ATP on the doubles entry system - and gets a lot of blowback on Twitter LINKS Calvin's viral tweet: https://twitter.com/Calvbetton/status/1766779797554762071 James's piece on Simona Halep and doping: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/simona-halep-doping-tests-reform-tennis-2945955 George's interview with Tim Mayotte: https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/24/tim-mayotte-bemoans-conflict-ridden-tennis-after-snub-from-noval-djokovic-and-player-council-9648485/ Full story on WTA and Queen's: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/68497148 Stu Fraser's piece on Netflix cancelling tennis: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/netflix-cancels-break-point-tennis-documentary-series-kbx0t9fzm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 5, 2024

George Bellshaw returns to join James Gray (inews.co.uk) and Calvin Betton (ATP tennis coach) to discuss a controversial week on and off the court. Andrey Rublev was DQed for abuse of an official on Friday - but had his points and prize money reinstated on Monday after appealing to the ATP (More on that story here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/andrey-rublev-line-judge-default-120k-prize-money-2938316 ) Carlos Alcaraz "beat" Rafael Nadal to win "The Netflix Slam" in Las Vegas, but was it more circus than spectacle? Katie Boulter won the biggest title of her career, coming from behind to beat Marta Kostyuk to the WTA 500 title in San Diego (For an opinion piece by James, click here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/katie-boulter-emma-raducanu-british-tennis-2938499 ) Titles also for Alex De Minaur, Yuan Yue, Ugo Humbert and Sebastian Baez Corentin Moutet with the best shithousery of all-time: https://twitter.com/juanignacio_ac/status/1763732566526321120 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 29, 2024

Eleanor Crooks, the Press Association's tennis correspondent, joins James Gray and Calvin Betton (with George temporarily unavailable). They discussed... Andy Murray's first win of 2024 before losing to Jakub Mensik - and then coming back next week and beating Denis Shapovalov. Is this still the game for him? Has he only got a few months left? Ivo Karlovic has finally confirmed his retirement after years out of the game. Was he really just an enormous server and nothing else? What other athletes's freakish size has made them a spectacle to watch? Anna Kalinskaya beat Jelena Ostapenko, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek consecutively to reach the Dubai final. Is she another woman we are going to have to consider in the melting pot of women's tennis? And speaking of, Calvin defends his take on Azarenka-Ostapenko handshake-gate PLUS Wildcards for Irishmen in Dubai, Cam Norrie's struggles in South America and paying $150,000 for a private lesson with Carlos Alcaraz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 20, 2024

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray go through all the big tennis stories from the last seven days, including... Iga Swiatek becomes the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the same WTA title three years in a row, beating Elena Rybakina to win in Doha Maria Sakkari has dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in two years Jannik Sinner continues his unbeaten 2024, winning the title in Rotterdam and beating Alex De Minaur Carlos Alcaraz loses to Nicolas Jarry in South America PLUS we answer your questions on: The I formation in amateur doubles Andrey Rublev - the new David Ferrer? Felix Auger-Aliassime's ceiling LINKS The death of the one-handed backhand in The Times (£): https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/death-one-handed-backhand-tennis-roger-federer-pfl2gwwp6 Gay doubles player Demi Schuurs talks about she has to go to Saudi Arabia because if she doesn't, someone else will: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/saudi-arabia-womens-tennis-2874511 Jelena Ostapenko's "handshake" with Victoria Azarenka: https://twitter.com/WTA/status/1757863285339177406 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 12, 2024

It's the Middle East swing and James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton are back home in the UK, picking the bones out of the action. They answered your questions too, including: What does British tennis get from players switching allegiance to play under the Union Flag? And why does Kazakhstan do it? (Thanks to Matthew on email for that one) Can you remember anyone doing such a good job of improving on their weaknesses, at least so quickly, as Aryna Sabalenka has on second serve? (Nikos via email) Danny asks "What's the deal with the ITF events held in places like Monastir and Sharm El Sheikh, how do they afford to host tournaments every week of the year without the backing of wealthy federations, at the bottom tier of the sport with no TV or gate money?" And in this week's news Elena Rybakina wins the title in Abu Dhabi Naomi Osaka talks about failure - but then gets the best win of her comeback so far over Caroline Garcia in Doha Emma Raducanu is beaten by Anhelina Kalinina in a one-sided encounter And so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2024

Thanks to everyone who voted for us in the Sports Podcast Awards. We came SECOND, a one-place improvement on last year, but still losing out to Dan Kiernan. We shall overcome! We're back as a trio this week, a little later after James took the slow boat home from Australia, answering as many questions as possible from the bulging mailbag. Justin Cerny on Twitter/X asked: “Thoughts on the variety of surfaces & locations for events during weeks like this? (ATP, Challengers, WTA tour & 125s) Does it help bring opportunity & exposure or does it lack a uniform brand for professional tennis? Something in between? Keep up the good work” John Williamson on Twitter/X wrote: “After a joyful 2 weeks of loads of televised #tennis games courtesy of a month’s UK Discovery subscription, the potential spectre of Sky Sports thin pickings is appearing over the horizon – any chance of bluer skys?” Fab Miss Ana asked on Twitter/X: “What are possible penalties for (WTA / ATP) players for complaining about tour or tournament? Have they ever been enforced? Asking as Daniela Hantuchova (now appointed the infamous Madrid WTA director?) criticised players for complaining and asked for penalties to be enforced." Andy Lee on email asks: “Looking at the results from the Davis Cup this weekend, including a shock for Serbia (will that affect Novak's plans post US Open this year?) and to a lesser extent Croatia I noticed the finals group stages venues haven't been announced. I'm completely biased being from here but do the panel think Manchester should be a permanent finals venue as per last year? Yes, there were attendance problems at say Switzerland v Australia but the GB games were bouncing. Fill the other games with schools and club tickets if necessary. We suffer from a lack of top class tennis in the North, we have the Ilkley Challenger and then it's down to Nottingham/ Birmingham pre Wimbledon. This would fit the bill very nicely in my opinion.” We also discussed... Andy Murray's savage reaction to an article questioning whether his current form threatens to "tarnish his legacy" Emma Raducanu is one and done in Abu Dhabi, but with no added injury concerns and a win under her belt Heather Watson is back in the headlines, making a run at AD to return to the top 150 Holger Rune has got rid of Boris Becker and Severin Luthi, and signed for IMG Saudi Arabia is going to offer eight top players up to £5m to play an exhibition there later this year, more on the story here from Simon Briggs of the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2024/02/06/saudi-atp-rules-6-kings-slam-novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 31, 2024

That's it! The Australian Open is in the books once and for all. Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are the champions (the first men and women's champion at any slam since the early 1990s to share the same first letter of their surname) and James, George and Calvin have (almost) caught up on their sleep. They ask... Having broken his duck, how many grand slams will Jannik Sinner go on to win? Will Daniil Medvedev ever add to his solitary US Open victory? What's going on with Andy Murray? Can anyone stop Aryna Sabalenka? What else has the women's game got to offer? Will Emma Raducanu get back to her US Open heights? Remember to leave us a positive review if you enjoy the podcast - and if you want to ask Calvin a question, email us at tennisunfiltered@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 28, 2024

THANK YOU to everyone who voted for us in the Sports Podcast Awards. The results will be revealed later this year and we look forward to seeing the fruits of your endeavours. To review both singles finals, George Bellshaw in London joins James Gray in Melbourne to discuss... Jannik Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3, coming from two sets down to become Australian Open champion and win his first grand slam title Medvedev has now lost five of his six major finals, and twice been two sets up in a final in Melbourne before losing Aryna Sabalenka dominated her Australian Open final, losing just five games to continue her streak of 14 matches unbeaten at Melbourne Zheng Qinwen would rather her first grand slam final had gone better, but does she have what it takes to sustain a lucrative Chinese presence in the top 10? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 27, 2024

VOTE FOR US. We have once again been short-listed for a Sports Podcast Award in the tennis category - but now we need YOU to help us win it. Time is running out as voting closes on January 28th. Vote for us NOW: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Novak Djokovic lost at the Australian Open for the first time in six years, with Jannik Sinner not facing a single break point along the way. (James's analysis with input from Boris Becker, Darren Cahill and both players is here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-slowing-down-sinner-2875415 ) Daniil Medvedev went two sets down to Alexander Zverev but fought back to win in five and reach his sixth grand slam final Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 26, 2024

VOTE FOR US. We have once again been short-listed for a Sports Podcast Award in the tennis category - but now we need YOU to help us win it. Time is running out as voting closes on January 28th. Vote for us NOW: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Coco Gauff was beaten 7-6 6-4 by Aryna Sabalenka, who won her 13th straight match in Melbourne and reached the final for the second year in a row, the first female player to reach back-to-back slam finals since Serena Williams in 2017 Gauff served eight double-faults and has been attacked on second serve by almost all her opponents at this year's Australian Open. James wrote something about why, and what Roddick did to try and fix it: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/coco-gauff-andy-roddick-serve-2872771 Meanwhile, Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese woman since Li Na here in 2014 to reach a grand slam final, beating Dayana Yastremska 6-4 6-4 in a nervy encounter On Friday Novak Djokovic will play Jannik Sinner, hoping to avenge the three match points he failed to take (remember that match here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/jannik-sinner-match-points-novak-djokovic-davis-cup-2777778 ) The winner will face Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev, two players who really don't like each other. Here's why: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/daniil-medvedev-alexander-zverev-crying-2872703 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 24, 2024

TIME IS RUNNING OUT - both existentially but also in terms of voting for us in the Sports Podcast Awards. Please do it, do it now: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ (Apologies for the sound issues here: Calvin's laptop charger got torched by Doha airport so he had to record on his phone on this occasion. Back soon we hope!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 21, 2024

Vote for us! Seriously. Please. We need your help. Badly. https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Calvin and James discuss... Calvin's overall impressions of the Australian Open - and a run-in with security Alex de Minaur, hot or not? (Tennis-wise...) Can Taylor Fritz stop Novak Djokovic? Previewing Alcaraz vs Kecmanovic, Norrie vs Zverev and Hurkacz vs Cazaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 20, 2024

Vote for us! https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Calvin and James discuss... Novak Djokovic finding his best form Cameron Norrie turning into peak Tim Henman Nuno Borges and Arthur Cazaux making shock runs to the fourth round Emma Raducanu trying to tag her opponent on match point Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 18, 2024

Mike Dickson, the Daily Mail's long-serving tennis correspondent, has died suddenly at the age of 59. Mike was in Melbourne covering the Australian Open for the Daily Mail with his usual gusto and good humour. But on Wednesday, we were given the most awful news imaginable. James and George both knew Dicko, as he was to almost everyone, through working in tennis and have both separately tried to put into words what he meant to them. This obituary from Jonathan McEvoy, who knew Dicko for far longer, is a fitting tribute: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-12975403/Mike-Dickson-Jonathan-McEvoy-tribute-friend-colleague-Mail-Sport-Australian-Open.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 17, 2024

Vote for us! https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 16, 2024

VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ ** Tonight, James is joined by Eleanor Crooks of the Press Association to talk through the day's play. Here are the highlights. ** Australian Open, Day 3 Jack Draper required five sets to beat Marcos Giron, needed his blood pressure checked mid-match and had to seek out a courtside bin to throw up immediately after sealing victory. "I kind of felt bad because I obviously just beat the guy, and I was saying, 'I need to shake your hand, mate, but I need to get to that bin'," Draper said. Iga Swiatek came through an opening test of fire in her hunt for a first Australian Open title on Tuesday. Poland's world number one Swiatek had been handed a stern opening draw in hot and blustery conditions that made things difficult for players across the grounds. But the four-time Grand Slam champion responded in style and twice fought back from a break down to win 7-6(2) 6-2. "It wasn't the easiest first round," said Swiatek, who is now on a 17-match winning run after triumphs in Beijing and the WTA Finals last year as well as her United Cup heroics where she won five successive singles matches. "I felt off in terms of the timing. For sure the temperature was higher than any match I've played here and I needed to adjust as the balls were flying in these conditions." Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz wrapped up the third day's play with an entertaining victory over French veteran Richard Gasquet on Tuesday. Alcaraz was spared the worst of the heat as he made his return to the tournament after missing it last year. Concluding a balmy night session on Rod Laver Arena against a man who won his first ATP tour match a year before he was even born, the 20-year-old Alcaraz won 7-6(5) 6-1 6-2. The young Spaniard, wearing a sleeveless vest top, was given a run for his money by 131-ranked Gasquet who produced some signature backhand winners to get within two points of taking the opening set in the tiebreak. But Alcaraz responded to reel off three successive points and once he had the first set in his pocket he cruised. "I didn't have good run the years that I played here but I felt really well today," Alcaraz, who is making his third appearance at the year's opening Grand Slam, told American former great John McEnroe on court. "I struggled a bit in the first set and Richard was playing great but in the end I think I played quite a good level." He will face Italian Lorenzo Sonego in round two. And former US Open champion Emma Raducanu made an encouraging return to the Grand Slam stage after surgery as she outplayed American Shelby Rogers for a 6-3 6-2 win. Double Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka was made to work hard by Italian Camila Giorgi before the 18th seed from Belarus prevailed 6-1 4-6 6-3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 16, 2024

VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ *** By Press Association Andy Murray suffered only his second opening-round defeat at the Australian Open in 16 years on a sobering evening for the Scot at Melbourne Park. The five-time finalist was outplayed by 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a 6-4 6-2 6-2 loss that was a far cry from his glory days. His only other defeat in the first round here since 2008 came five years ago in an emotional five-setter against Roberto Bautista Agut after Murray had revealed the extent of his hip problems. A tribute video from his fellow players and global attention accompanied that occasion, with Murray's career thought to be winding to a close. Hip surgery has given him a commendable post-script, but it would be no surprise if this much more low-key exit does signal the 36-year-old's final departure from Melbourne. Murray admitted at the end of last season that he was not enjoying tennis, and it is increasingly hard to see him finding the sort of performances and results that will bring the joy back. This was his fourth defeat in a row dating back to October, while he has now lost seven of his last eight matches, the worst run of his career. *** Two tennis players have defended their decision to play an exhibition event in Russia last month, sponsored by Gazprom, despite pleas from the Ukrainian No 2 not to do so. Adrian Mannarino and Roberto Bautista Agut, ranked 19 and 72 in the world respectively, both took part in the event in St Petersburg on 1-3 December as part of their preparations for the Australian Open. Read more here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/tennis-players-defend-decision-play-event-russia-sponsored-gazprom-2854150 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 15, 2024

VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ ** Novak Djokovic beat Dino Prizmic in four sets, the match of the day on the opening Sunday of the Australian Open - but is he fully fit? James asked him afterwards if he was suffering from a cold, and here is what he said. "I am a bit under the weather last four, five days. You can probably judge by my voice," Djokovic said. "Look, it is what it is. You just have to try to deal with it and get over it and accept the circumstances and try to make the most of it." ** Amanda Anisimova made a successful return to grand slam tennis on Sunday, downing No 13 seed Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets. The American took seven months off last year citing burnout and mental health concerns, but says she is happy to be back. "The most important thing is that I feel a lot more refreshed," Anisimova said. "I'm enjoying practicing. I'm enjoying every second that I'm out there. Even when I was down today, I was still just enjoying the challenge. "I'm just happy with how I feel coming back. I feel like I was very burned out while I was playing, and that really wasn't a nice feeling. Being able to just reset is really nice." ** Matteo Berrettini's rotten luck at grand slam continues after he was forced to withdraw before the first round with a foot injury. It means the tie of the round - against Stefanos Tsitsipas - is off, but lucky loser Zizou Bergs will hope he can still provide entertainment against the Greek. James interviewed him for inews.co.uk before he played Jack Draper at Wimbledon in 2022: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/zizou-bergs-who-jack-draper-wimbledon-2022-opponent-name-why-zinedine-zidane-1710171 PLUS Andre Agassi is back, but with an unpopular wingman Alina Korneeva, 16, leads the charge of the Russian women Andrey Rublev 'gives up' mentally but wins in five sets Jodie Burrage is the first Brit up - and first Brit out Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 13, 2024

VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Enter #FTU (Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered) for FREE: https://shorturl.at/krT37 Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a doubles player on tour? Or what it's like travelling with Calvin Betton? Wonder no more. Here is Henry Patten, world No 73 and long-time charge of Calvin's, to tell us all about it on a rainy Melbourne afternoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 13, 2024

VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Enter #FTU (Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered) for FREE: https://shorturl.at/krT37 James Gray and George Bellshaw sit down to take the Australian Open draw in line-by-line. Calvin will be back for our next episode, bringing with him Henry Patten to talk about life on tour, playing doubles for a living and trying to get his coach to change his mind. Can Novak Djokovic win an 11th Melbourne title? Could Jack Draper cash in on his open section? Is there much for Iga Swiatek to fear? Aryna Sabalenka's run is HARDER than you think? Click here for the full men's draw: https://ausopen.com/draws#!mens-singles Click here for here for the women's draw in full: https://ausopen.com/draws#!womens-singles And if you want to read James's analysis of the routes of the top two seeds it's here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/australian-open-draw-2024-predicted-routes-final-djokovic-alcaraz-and-sabalenka-2848106 And how the Brits might fare is here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/australian-open-draw-2024-who-every-british-player-raducanu-murray-2848101 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 9, 2024

VOTE FOR US in the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ We're back! Welcome to 2024 - where we hope we do not encounter as many technical issues as we did in the opening episode... Calvin Betton is (briefly) live from rainy Adelaide, James Gray is frantically packing for Melbourne and George Bellshaw is... staying in London. He will be our constant as James and Calvin try to take over the world in Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 1, 2024

VOTE FOR US in the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ As we take a two-week break over the festive season, James Gray turns the spotlight onto Calvin Betton, Tennis Unfiltered's resident tennis coach. Born in south Yorkshire in the 1970s, we talk about the real reason he loves John McEnroe so much, learning to shithouse his brother off the court and an ill-fated trip to a trailer park in Tennessee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 25, 2023

It's Christmas so we are taking some time off, but we have recorded a couple of special episodes to keep you going in the festive period. This week, James turns the spotlight onto George Bellshaw, born in 1992 in Sutton Coldfield to a lawyer and a teacher. Once known as the best tabloid tennis journalist in the UK, he then turned his mind to matters of health and social care in the civil service, but kept his oar in by co-hosting what was then the Love Tennis Podcast and keeping up appearances on TV and radio stations around the world. We talked about playing the trombone, wishing he had been a better person as a youngster and why he might be the most famous person from the town where he grew up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 18, 2023

Once more with feeling... for the last time this year, our Tennis Unfiltered crew get together for an hour of discussion, laughter and, occasionally, tennis. To help you navigate the last "live" episode (there will be two specials over Christmas and New Year) of the season, here is a topic-by-topic runthrough of the episode... 01:04: Reflecting on the dramatic year of tennis 03:33: Pre-season at the NTC 04:43: Discussion on Australian Open balls 10:04: Recap of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown Grand Final 11:20: Review of the UTS format 16:07: Jack Draper's UTS victory and Australian Open prospects 18:00 onwards: MAILBAG 18:35: Ana Ivanovic's potential comeback 27:37: Differences in playing deuce and ad in doubles 32:23: Appearance fees and prize money 39:01: Reviewing our predictions in players who made a leap in rankings 44:44: The controversy surrounding Patrick Mouratoglou's $7,500 coaching sessions 50:26: The debate over Tim Henman's coaching and performance 56:36: The value and duration of warm-ups 01:01:47: The financial relationship between the All England Club and the LTA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 12, 2023

If you have more questions for the pod, send them to tennisunfiltered@gmail.com and we will try to get to them (along with all the others) next week. James Gray, George Bellshaw, Calvin Betton and you the listener vote on the 2023 Tennis Unfiltered Awards - and the winners are... Men's Player of the Year: Novak Djokovic Women's Player of the Year: Iga Swiatek Young Player of the Year: Carlos Alcaraz Most Improved Player of the Year: Jannik Sinner Doubles Team of the Year: Ram/Salisbury Match of the Year: Djokovic vs Alcaraz, Wimbledon final Moment of the Year: Alcaraz winning Wimbledon Worst Moment of the Year: The WTA Finals Coach of the Year: Brad Gilbert Disappointment of the Year: Felix Auger-Aliassime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 5, 2023

It's awards season! As 2023 comes to a close, James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw start to mull over who's hot and who is not after a dramatic 12 months. Maybe the more things change the more they stay the same? Below are the nominations for each award. Head over to our Twitter (@UnfilterTennis) to vote on each one over the week and make your opinion count! Who is your men’s player of the year? Djokovic Alcaraz Medvedev Sinner Who is your women’s player of the year? Swiatek Sabalenka Gauff Rybakina Who is your young player of the year? (Under-22 at start of season) Alcaraz Sinner Gauff Zheng Qinwen Who is your most improved player? Sinner Sabalenka Shelton Wang Xinyu Who is your doubles team of the year? Gauff/Pegula Krejcikova/Siniakova Ram/Salisbury Dodig/Kraijcek What is your match of the year ? Djokovic-Alcaraz Wimbledon Murray-Kokkinakis AO Svitolina-Azarenka Wimbledon Muchova-Sabalenka FO What is your moment of the year? Alcaraz winning Wimbledon Gauff’s USO win Svitolina’s emotional Wimbledon run Sinner winning Davis Cup What is your worst moment of the year ? Nadal failing to make the French Open Widespread support of the Saudi Arabian regime The WTA Finals mess Murray’s missed challenge vs Tsitsipas Who is your coach of the year? Brad Gilbert Darren Cahill Raemon Sluiter Juan Carlos Ferrero Which player who disappointed you most in 2023? Murray Tsitsipas Auger-Aliassime Raducanu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 28, 2023

George Bellshaw is still on holiday for one more week so former player turned now presenter, commentator and broadcaster Pippa Horn joins James Gray (inews.co.uk and i newspaper) and Calvin Betton (ATP coach) Italy win the Davis Cup final, powered by the brilliant Jannik Sinner How did he save three match points against Novak Djokovic? Will captains ever learn that singles players are *bad* at doubles? Is Sinner beating Djokovic his Andy Murray 2012 Olympics moment? Is the Davis Cup format finally working? 2024 BJK Cup draw Great Britain are handed France again - this time away in April What surface will they give us? How will the British women fare? Next Gen Finals preview Is this the thin end of the wedge that sees Saudi Arabia take over tennis move into tennis? Jon Wertheim's story is here: https://twitter.com/jon_wertheim/status/1728825313642307777 Is there anything anyone can do? What about the new rules? No on-court warm-up: Matches will start immediately after the coin toss, with a separate practice court available for warm-ups. Shot-Clock Reductions: A new maximum of eight seconds will be introduced between first and second serves. This also applies after a let on first or second serve. As in previous editions, time between points will be reduced from 25 to 15 seconds if the previous point includes fewer than three shots. Each set will be first to four games with a tie-break played at 3-3. Games will be played using the No-Ad scoring format with the server choosing the service box. TV coverage of the professional tennis tours is going back to Sky in the UK Wimbledon’s expansion plans have hit planning permission problems, here is James's in-depth long read on the top https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon-200m-headache-residents-halting-expansion-plans-2770548 AND FINALLY Caroline Garcia breaking the mould by going to Antarctica on holiday rather than the Maldives or Miami Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 21, 2023

Calvin Betton (coach of Henry Patten and Luke Johnson) and James Gray (inews.co.uk) are joined by Ben Lewis (Match Point Canada) subbing in for George Bellshaw to look back at the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin and ahead to the Davis Cup Finals. They talked about all this and more... How have Canada won all these team titles? Can they do it again in Malaga? Why is Milos Raonic back again?! Will Andy Murray's absence be so keenly felt by Britain? Can Novak Djokovic win as second Davis Cup title? How did we rate his ATP Tour Finals win over Jannik Sinner? And should Sinner have tanked his match against Holger Rune? PLUS: Calvin answers your questions on... Alcaraz and Djokovic practising together Stefanos Tsitsipas's 'regression' Court speeds Best-of-five for women Expensive tennis balls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 14, 2023

George Bellshaw delays his holiday to join James Gray and Calvin Betton to look through another full week of tennis news Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl have split for a third time Novak Djokovic's win over Holger Rune seals year-end world No 1 *again* Week-old tennis news but Iga Swiatek has also claimed that title after thrashing Jessica Pegula, a disappointing finish to an awful WTA Finals Leylah Fernandez, Marina Stakusic and, surprisingly, Eugenie Bouchard lead Canada to Billie Jean King Cup victory Emma Raducanu pulls out of her proposed comeback at an exhibition in China but is still on track to play in Australia And much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 7, 2023

"He was like the Donald Trump of tennis!" Listen on to find out who Calvin Betton was talking about when he said this. Our resident tennis coach was in fine form with George Bellshaw (ex-Metro) and James Gray (inews.co.uk) watching on in awe. First, they answered your questions on... What are the best and worst Masters 1000 event on the ATP Tour and which 500 would you promote if you could? Did losing best-of-five-set finals at Masters change the course of tennis history? Why won't Calvin start a tennis consultancy? Is Novak Djokovic being "undermined" by the media? And they also talked about... Novak Djokovic winning his 97th title in Paris, beating an in-form Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 in the final. He is now 12 short of Jimmy Connors’s record, and says he is determined to chase down his tally. Daniil Medvedev flipping off the Paris crowd Why so many singles players pulled out of the doubles The WTA Finals, a bungle to end bungles And more! KEEP IN TOUCH Sign up to our newsletter: https://tennisunfiltered.substack.com/ Follow us on social media: https://twitter.com/unfiltertennis Follow George @BellshawGeorge, Calvin @CalvBetton and James @JamesGraySport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 31, 2023

It's another weekly tennis round-up featuring tennis coach Calvin Betton, fresh off a German carpet, broadcaster and columnist George Bellshaw, fresh off a practice court, and James Gray (inews.co.uk) is on dog duty. They discussed: Another defeat for a downbeat Andy Murray from match point up against Alex de Minaur Whether Toni Nadal has got a point when he says that tennis players have gone soft these days Why the WTA Finals is such a mess What the PTPA actually *do* Coaching scouting reports Beatriz Haddad-Maia The wedding alternates list And so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 24, 2023

We have to start with an apology: James was hit by serious technical gremlins this week that mean his audio died just a few minutes into the podcast and we have had to rely on the emergency back-up. Hopefully it does not ruin your enjoyment and you can still listen to the musings of Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw in full HD! We discussed... Emma Raducanu's BBC interview in which she claimed that some coaches couldn't "keep up" with her questioning in training Boris Becker returns to tennis as he is signed by Holger Rune to replace Patrick Mouratoglou Saudi Arabia is in line to buy the licence for a Masters 1000 event Petros and Stefanos Tsitsipas win their first ATP doubles title Ben Shelton wins his first ATP singles title in Tokyo Titles too for Alexander Bublik, Katerina Siniakova, Tamara Korpatsch and Elise Mertens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 17, 2023

Calvin Betton tunes in from Stockholm to join George Bellshaw and James Gray for another look back at the week that was in tennis. What it's like inside the 250 in Stockholm Why was Leylah Fernandez wearing basketball shoes? Does Eva Lys have a point about the ever-changing balls on the WTA? Is Hubert Hurkacz underrated? (He now has more Masters titles than Dimitrov, Wawrinka, Cilic and Del Potro) Has Andrey Rublev turned his life around? Jessica Pegula reveals why her win in Korea was such an emotional one Should we be worried by Carlos Alcaraz actually losing a match? We will do an "Ask Us Anything" in next week's episode. Get involved by sending us an email on tennisunfiltered@gmail.com or head to our X/Twitter, it's www.twitter.com/UnfilterTennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 9, 2023

James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw talk about all the biggest issues from tennis last week including... Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in consecutive matches to win the Beijing title and move to a career-high No 4 in the world Coco Gauff is beaten, nay thrashed, by Iga Swiatek as the Pole restores her supremacy over the new US Open champion Dan Evans loses a highly entertaining match to Alcaraz in Shanghai Stefanos Tsitsipas sacks Mark Philippoussis and brings back his Dad, but insists nothing has really changed And who really is the best tennis coach in the world? LINKS Here is Hugh Clarke's excellent newsletter about Jannik Sinner, with some brilliant in-depth stats: https://hughclarke.substack.com/p/beijing-wrap This is the super-wholesome Ben Shelton moment Calvin was talking about: https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1711258959565529139 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 2, 2023

Calvin Betton (@calvbetton), George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) and James Gray (@JamesGraySport) discuss all the latest issues in tennis this week. Including... - How does a tennis coach work from home? - What can video analysis do for you? - Is Wim Fissette wrong to dump Zheng Qinwen for Naomi Osaka? - Was there anything wrong with Jannik Sinner? - Should we ban medical time-outs? - Why doesn't tennis sell any tickets in China? And so much more! How good are these tennis impressions? https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx0F6xVo_-k/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 25, 2023

George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton join James Gray to answer the big questions in the world of tennis this week, including: What is the point of the Laver Cup? Can it survive without Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and co? Wouldn't it be better as a mixed tournament? How did Brit Liam Broady finally crack the top 100 a few months before his 30th birthday? Is a title in Guadalajara a turning point for Maria Sakkari? Has Elena Rybakina got a point about performance byes? Plus your questions answered and much, much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 19, 2023

James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw discuss all the latest news from the tennis world over the last seven days, including... - What Sky Sports said about YOUR feedback on their coverage of the US Open - The WTA make their return to China after a four-year absence and no real political stand - Great Britain edge France to reach the Davis Cup Finals in dramatic fashion - Spain missed out though which means they will host but not play, which could hit ticket sales - An awful 1000-level draw in Guadalajara And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 11, 2023

Calvin Betton joins James Gray and (very briefly) George Bellshaw to look back at the US Open and answer as many of your questions as possible in an hour Why did Daniil Medvedev not change his return position? Is Novak Djokovic just cashing in on a weak era? Was the men's final actually interesting? Why isn't Iga Swiatek more marketable? Will Coco Gauff find her own period of dominance? When is Naomi Osaka coming back? And much, much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 10, 2023

George Bellshaw joins James Gray (inews.co.uk/i newspaper) to look back at Coco Gauff's maiden grand slam title and one last preview of the men's final Should we bother interviewing players after finals or just give them the microphone? What next for Coco Gauff? Does Aryna Sabalenka need to learn to handle the crowd? Can Daniil Medvedev use a mental edge to win a second US Open title? Will Novak Djokovic suffer from the pressure like he did two years ago? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 9, 2023

It's US Open finals weekend! James Gray and George Bellshaw discuss... Two pantomime villains, one more willing than the other, in Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev How Carlos Alcaraz was unpicked by the 2021 US Open champion Whether Coco Gauff can handle the occasion What Aryna Sabalenka can do to overcome the crowd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 8, 2023

Calvin Betton and James Gray look back at the women's semi-finals and ahead to the men's on Friday night... What has Coco Gauff *actually* done with her forehand to add racket head speed? How Aryna Sabalenka became world No 1 The gameplan Ben Shelton needs to overcome Novak Djokovic What Daniil Medvedev could do to upset Carlos Alcaraz's rhythm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 7, 2023

James Gray and George Bellshaw look back at the US Open quarter-finals and make their predictions for the semis Can anything, or anyone, stop Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz from reaching the final? What does Ben Shelton have to do to stop his first ever grand slam semi-final into a procession? Is Alexander Zverev BACK? What does Coco Gauff have left in the tank? Did anyone predict Madison Keys to make it this far? (Yes, Martina did.) And much, much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 6, 2023

James Gray is joined by former player, now broadcaster and commentator Pippa Horn to talk about the latest US Open news including... Coco Gauff thrashes Jelena Ostapenko in just 67 minutes to cement her place as favourite for the title Karoline Muchova reaches her second grand slam semi-final of the year Novak Djokovic screams at his own fans en route to a straight-sets win over Taylor Fritz and a 47th grand slam semi Ben Shelton announces himself as a superstar by beating Frances Tiafoe in four sets We also get to know Pippa and talk about her career, her experiences in tennis and why decided not to pursue a life on tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 4, 2023

James finally tracks down Calvin Betton, who is still recovering from third-round defeat for Henry Patten and Julian Cash to Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden. We talked about... Whether sushi is the root of all the illness at the US Open What it's like to hit on Arthur Ashe How Ben Shelton hits 149 mph serves for fun and why we should never change that (Read James's interview with him here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/ben-shelton-tennis-nba-star-us-open-2573842) Iga Swiatek is starting to look like she has a mental block against Jelena Ostapenko Why Calvin is NOT wrong about Coco Gauff's forehand despite her QF run And much, much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 1, 2023

James Gray and George Bellshaw look back at round two of the US Open Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 31, 2023

James Gray and George Bellshaw look back on the second round of the US Open on Wednesday where... - Zhang Zhizhen became the first Chinese man to beat a top-five opponent in ATP rankings history, stunning last year's runner-up Casper Ruud - No 7 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out by Dominic Stricker, world No 128 and a qualifier, in five exhausting sets - A Brit finally lost as Lily Miyazaki was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by Belinda Bencic, a dark horse for the title (James insists) - Venus Williams was battered 6-1, 6-1 by Greet Minnen - and we ask at what point she still deserves a wildcard - There were also defeats for Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Magda Linette, Francisco Cerundolo and Chris Eubanks PLUS All the latest from fantasy tennis, the league table is here: https://shorturl.at/azJRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 31, 2023

James Gray looks back at the second day of action at the US Open where more seeds fell to make it a total of 17 out, more than a quarter, after only the first round. Six British players picked up wins, all in straight sets, to make it 18-0 in the first round Andy Murray saw the first ever use of VAR in a grand slam go awry Grigor Dimitrov came from two sets down to win a 4:40 thriller Caroline Garcia and Donna Vekic crashed out And more! LINKS Laura Siegmund defends herself: https://twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1696528429355827200 Inside Sky Sports Tennis, by James Gray: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/sky-sports-tennis-return-us-open-mnf-studio-rights-2566137 Warning, contains strong language, but non-UK viewers need to be made aware of Neil Warnock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NCCzGM_af4&ab_channel=TomStrong Also more Warnock here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQtWVcFpvHg&ab_channel=poppadomhands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 29, 2023

What happened at the US Open on Day 1? Well... In the men’s draw… Holger Rune loses to Roberto Carballes Baena and then complains about the court scheduling (while also claiming he wasn’t) Dominic Thiem wins against Alexander Bublik! His first grand slam victory in 2 years and lost three of last four against top 20 players. Bublik also embarrassed himself rather and overstepped the line with a rant. As predicted, Felix Auger-Aliassime slumps to defeat against Makenzie McDonald Sebastian Korda and Lorenzo Musetti out too Stefanos Tsitsipas is too strong for Milos Raonic Novak Djokovic cruises through, water is wet etc In the women’s draw… Maria Sakkari is out and in pain, saying she may need a break from the game Other seeds to fall were Anhelina Kalinina, Bernarda Pera and Elisabetta Cocciaretto Caroline Wozniacki gets a win on her Grand Slam return Coco Gauff survives an early scare against queen of gamesmanship Laura Siegmund Beatriz Haddad Maia edges Sloane Stephens Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina cruise through Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 29, 2023

James Gray and George Bellshaw assess every player's chances at the US Open, going through the men's and women's draw line by line. How easy is Djokovic's draw and is Alcaraz's even easier? Could Andy Murray go deep or will Alexander Zverev stop him in his tracks? What was Iga Swiatek worried about? Who is the WTA dark horse? LINKS Interview with Ben Shelton: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/ben-shelton-tennis-nba-star-us-open-2573842 Interview with Milos Raonic: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/milos-raonic-bitter-losing-murray-wimbledon-sour-taste-2447451 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 22, 2023

This week's featured listener emails are From Heather: "I found your discussion on the transgender issues in tennis really interesting but wonder why this is being treated as something new when in fact, the same issues occurred in the 1970s when Renee Richards tried to enter the US Open. I think that after various court cases, she did eventually win the right to compete there but I don’t remember anything else about her career other than she coached Martina Navratilova at some stage. It would be interesting to see if any of the issues people are concerned about at the moment were around when Renee Richards was fighting for her right to play and to see how and if, they were resolved. Love the podcast!" Andy Lee asks: "As a spectator, I always try and sit opposite the umpire's chair. Why can't someone in 2023 come up with a solution that would give spectators a better view on the players bench side? E.g. a perspex chair or suspended chair umpire? I find it ridiculous that the view of a third of the court is still obstructed from a lower level!" Got a question for the podcast? Email us on tennisunfiltered@gmail.com Meanwhile, this week James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw discussed... Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz in another epic that lasted nearly four hours and which the Serb called "definitely one of the toughest matches I've ever played in my life, regardless what tournament, what category, what level, what player" Djokovic also compared this to his rivalry with Nadal. Is Alcaraz-Djokovic perhaps even better? Alcaraz laughed and joked with Djokovic afterwards, but how can he switch from friend to foe so effectively? Coco Gauff wins the women’s title in Cincinnati, the biggest title of her career, not long after getting Brad Gilbert involved in her coaching team Meanwhile, beaten semi-finalst Iga Swiatek says she has no fuel in the tank and needs to rest before the US Open Juan Martin del Potro's potential comeback is over :( A venue for the WTA Finals still not confirmed - nor the Next Gen Finals either AND FINALLY Stefanos Tsitsipas asks for a woman to be removed from the crowd because she’s imitating a bee when he’s about to serve. Really. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 15, 2023

Tennis coach Calvin Betton joins James Gray (inews.co.uk and the i newspaper) from Poland in part one before George Bellshaw replaces him in part two from the less glamorous Birmingham. They answer questions on Tommy Paul's serve, string tension for amateurs, tournament scheduling, Alcaraz-Rune-Sinner and the race for No 1 between Iga Swiatek. We also discuss... Is Jannik Sinner triumphing in Toronto a watershed moment for his career? Can Alex De Minaur keep going up after reaching the final? Why has Stefanos Tsitsipas hired Mark Philippoussis as his new coach? Will Andy Murray get a game after returning to the GB Davis Cup team? How impressive is Jennifer Brady's comeback? Will Iga Swiatek still start the US Open as favourite? LINKS Milos Raonic interview: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/milos-raonic-bitter-losing-murray-wimbledon-sour-taste-2447451 Cotton Eye Joe: https://twitter.com/some1namedryan/status/1690431039498592257 Collins vs Sakkari: https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1689516627648192512 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 8, 2023

James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper talks to George Bellshaw (@bellshawgeorge) and Calvin Betton (@calvbetton) about music, Pokemon, walking and occasionally tennis. This week we talk about... A first ATP 500 win for Dan Evans after poor run of form where he’d not won a match since April Similarly in poor form, Coco Gauff gets her season back on track with a title in Washington Nick Kyrgios replied to himself on Twitter presumably (he or others close to him) trying to send praise from a different account, and once again starts a fight about prize money Caroline Wozniacki returns in Canada after coming out of retirement Martina Navratilova criticises USTA for trans policy after a trans woman wins the 55+ national title PLUS Your questions answered on Daniil Medvedev, Andy Murray's volleying and Pokemon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 1, 2023

James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper talks to George Bellshaw (@bellshawgeorge) and Calvin Betton (@calvbetton) about music, Pokemon, walking and occasionally tennis. This week we ask... Is Alexander Zverev establishing himself as a US Open threat after winning the title in Hamburg? Wasn't Marketa Vondrousova vs Ons Jabeur at Wimbledon actually just a refreshing change from the usual power battles on the WTA? What is Max Eisenbud, agent to Sharapova, Li Na and Raducanu, trying to sell us? How hard is it to adapt to different opponents day after day? Is Nick Kyrgios doing anything for the game of tennis? Why do we still love Stan Wawrinka so much? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 24, 2023

Tennis coach Calvin Betton, journalist James Gray and writer and broadcaster George Bellshaw look back at a busy week of news in tennis as well as take a broader look at what happened at Wimbledon having had a week to reflect on the tournament. We pick our awards including best moment, worst moment, biggest surprise and biggest disappointment. We also ask: Is Carlos Alcaraz working too hard? Are the Brits working at all? What on *earth* happened in that Toth-Zhang match? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 17, 2023

James Gray asks Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw the big questions after Carlos Alcaraz claims his first Wimbledon title and Novak Djokovic misses out on his eighth. Questions like: Has Alcaraz's second serve always been this good? What happened to Djokovic in the tie-break? Is this the beginning of a great rivalry? Who will win the US Open? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 16, 2023

Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw join James Gray for a debrief on the women's final, which saw Marketa Vondrousova become the lowest ranked women's champion in Wimbledon's history, while Ons Jabeur lost her third consecutive grand slam final. It left us asking questions like... Why shut the roof in the wind? Will Ons Jabeur ever win a grand slam? Will Marketa Vondrousova ever win another? Has the women's draw given us more entertainment than the men's? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 15, 2023

George Bellshaw joins James Gray at the gates of Wimbledon ahead of the women's final to look back at Friday's action and ahead to Saturday's. Novak Djokovic felt he was unfairly called for a hindrance against Jannik Sinner. What do you think? https://twitter.com/jamesgraysport/status/1679872598295937024 Does Carlos Alcaraz have any chance of beating him on Sunday? He says he will not be tired or afraid . Who will become a first-time Wimbledon champion: Ons Jabeur or Marketa Vondrousova ? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 13, 2023

Tennis coach Calvin Betton joins James Gray to review the women's semi-finals (Vondrousova vs Svitolina and Jabeur vs Sabalenka) as well as look ahead to the men's last four (Djokovic vs Sinner and Alcaraz vs Medvedev). To sign up for our live text chat on a new app called Circus on Friday, you need to download two apps. First of all, download Test Flight: https://t.co/UAjqwtpRFa Then download Circus: https://testflight.apple.com/join/R83MjeGY When we go live during Djokovic vs Sinner, you'll see Tennis Unfiltered in there. Join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12, 2023

James Gray and Calvin Betton look back at the second set of Wimbledon quarter-finals as Ons Jabeur beats Elena Rybakina, Carlos Alcaraz tonks Holger Rune, Daniil Medvedev outlasts Christopher Eubanks and Aryna Sabalenka cruises past Madison Keys. To sign up for our live text chat on a new app called Circus on Friday, you need to download two apps. First of all, download Test Flight: https://t.co/UAjqwtpRFa Then download Circus: https://testflight.apple.com/join/R83MjeGY When we go live during Djokovic vs Sinner, you'll see Tennis Unfiltered in there. Join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12, 2023

Tennis coach Calvin Betton joins James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper to look back at the first day of quarter-finals at Wimbledon Order of play Centre Court – 1.30pm (6) Ons Jabeur (Tun) vs (3) Elena Rybakina (Kaz) (1) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa) vs (6) Holger Rune (Den) No 1 Court – 1pm (25) Madison Keys (USA) vs (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Bel) (3) Daniil Medvedev (Rus) vs Christopher Eubanks (USA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11, 2023

James Gray and Calvin Betton look back at a day of shocks that never were - and ask why Wimbledon insists on starting matches so late. Tuesday's Wimbledon order of play on the show courts Centre Court (1.30pm) (1) Iga Swiatek (Pol) vs Elina Svitolina (Ukr) (7) Andrey Rublev (Rus) vs (2) Novak Djokovic (Ser) No 1 Court (1pm) (4) Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Marketa Vondrousova (Cze) (8) Jannik Sinner (Ita) vs Roman Safiullin (Rus) No 2 Court (11am) (15) Marcel Granollers (Spa) & Federico Zeballos (Bol) vs Robert Galloway (USA) & Lloyd Harris (Rsa) (13) Jamie Murray (Gbr) & Michael Venus (Nzl) vs (4) Hugo Nys (Mon) & Jan Zielinski (Pol) Caroline Garcia (Fra) & Luisa Stefani (Bra) vs Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) & Barbora Strycova (Cze) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 10, 2023

James Gray looks back at the second ever scheduled Middle Sunday, and ahead to a not so manic Monday, which will feature... Centre Court (1.30pm) (13) Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra) vs (3) Elena Rybakina (Kaz) Not before 2.30pm, to finish: (2) Novak Djokovic (Srb) leads (17) Hubert Hurkacz (Pol) 7-6, 7-6 (6) Ons Jabeur (Tun) vs (9) Petra Kvitova (Cze) (1) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa) vs Matteo Berrettini (Ita) No 1 Court (1pm) (3) Daniil Medvedev (Rus) vs Jiri Lehecka (Cze) (21) Ekaterina Alexandrova (Rus) vs (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr) (21) Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) vs (6) Holger Rune (Den) All courts below start at 11am No 2 Court (25) Madison Keys (USA) vs Mirra Andreeva (Rus) Christopher Eubanks (USA) vs (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) (5) Santiago Gonzalez (Mex) & Edouard Roger-Vasselin (Fra) vs Toby Samuel (Gbr) & Connor Thomson (Gbr) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 9, 2023

James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw debate the merits of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage and why British tennis has had such a poor tournament. Order of play for Sunday Centre Court (1.30pm) (7) Andrey Rublev (Rus) vs Alexander Bublik (Kaz) (1) Iga Swiatek (Pol) vs (14) Belinda Bencic (Swi) (17) Hubert Hurkacz (Pol) vs (2) Novak Djokovic (Ser) No 1 Court (1pm) (4) Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Lesia Tsurenko (Ukr) (8) Jannik Sinner (Ita) vs Daniel Elahi Galan (Col) (19) Victoria Azarenka (Blr) vs Elina Svitolina (Ukr) No 2 Court (11am) Marketa Vondrousova (Cze) vs (32) Marie Bouzkova (Cze) Not before 12.30pm, to finish: (21) Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) leads (10) Frances Tiafoe (USA) 6-2, 6-3, 1-2 Roman Safiullin (Rus) vs (26) Denis Shapovalov (Can) No 3 Court Not before 12pm: Mirra Andreeva (Rus) vs (22) Anastasia Potapova (Rus) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 8, 2023

James Gray gets Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw to break down all the action from the first Friday of Wimbledon, including Andy Murray finally losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Saturday’s order of play (All courts start at 11am unless stated) Centre Court (1.30pm start) (1) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa) vs (25) Nicolas Jarry (Chi) (6) Ons Jabeur (Tun) vs Bianca Andreescu (Can) Katie Boulter (Gbr) vs (3) Elena Rybakina (Kaz) No 1 Court (1pm start) (3) Daniil Medvedev (Rus) vs Marton Fucsovics (Hun) Anna Blinkova (Rus) vs (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr) (19) Alexander Zverev (Ger) vs Matteo Berrettini (Ita) No 2 Court Natalija Stevanovic (Ser) vs (9) Petra Kvitova (Cze) Laslo Djere (Ser) vs (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) (10) Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs (21) Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) No 3 Court (13) Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra) vs Sorana Cirstea (Rom) (31) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spa) vs (6) Holger Rune (Den) (22) Anastasia Potapova (Rus) vs Mirra Andreeva (Rus) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 7, 2023

James Gray and Michael Hincks look back on Day 4 at Wimbledon, and Denis Shapovalov talks about what it's like trying to beat the SW19 crowd ahead of his clash with Liam Broady Order of play for show courts (All courts start at 11am unless stated) Centre Court (from 1.30pm) (1) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa) vs Alexandre Muller (Fra) (Not before 3pm, to finish) Andy Murray (Gbr) leads (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 (1) Iga Swiatek (Pol) vs (30) Petra Martic (Cro) Stan Wawrinka (Swi) vs (2) Novak Djokovic (Ser) No 1 Court (from 1pm) Varvara Gracheva (Fra) vs (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr) (12) Cameron Norrie (Gbr) vs Christopher Eubanks (USA) (6) Ons Jabeur (Tun) vs Bai Zhuoxuan (Chi) No 2 Court Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Blr) vs (9) Petra Kvitova (Cze) (Not before 12.30pm, to finish) (3) Daniil Medvedev (Rus) leads Adrian Mannarino (Fra) 6-3, 6-3, 4-4 (19) Alexander Zverev (Ger) vs Yosuke Watanuki (Jpn) (26) Denis Shapovalov (Can) vs Liam Broady (Gbr) (32) Marie Bouzkova (Cze) vs (5) Caroline Garcia (Fra) No 3 Court Roberto Carballes Baena (Spa) vs (6) Holger Rune (Den) (8) Jannik Sinner (Ita) vs Quentin Halys (Fra) (4) Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Ita) Elina Svitolina (Ukr) vs Sofia Kenin (USA) Court 12 Viktorija Golubic (Swi) vs (25) Madison Keys (USA) 14) Lorenzo Musetti (Ita) vs (17) Hubert Hurkacz (Pol) (11) Daria Kasatkina (Rus) vs (19) Victoria Azarenka (Blr) (7) Andrey Rublev (Rus) vs David Goffin (Bel) (Not before 6pm) (1) Barbora Krejcikova (Cze) & Katerina Siniakova (Cze) vs Fang-Hsien Wu (Tpe) & Lin Zhu (Chn) Court 18 Marta Kostyuk (Ukr) vs Paula Badosa Gibert (Spa) Matteo Berrettini (Ita) vs (15) Alex De Minaur (Aus) Alexander Bublik (Kaz) vs Maximilian Marterer (Ger) (3) Rajeev Ram (USA) & Joe Salisbury (Gbr) vs Tallon Griekspoor (Ned) & Bart Stevens (Ned) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 6, 2023

James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper looks back at a wild Wednesday, before asking Grigor Dimitrov about how to unlock the secrets of Carlos Alcaraz. Order of play (British players in bold; show courts only) Centre Court 1.30pm: Liam Broady (Gbr) vs (4) Casper Ruud (Nor) Alize Cornet (Fra) vs (3) Elena Rybakina (Kaz) Andy Murray (Gbr) vs (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) No 1 Court 1.00pm: (19) Alexander Zverev (Ger) vs Gijs Brouwer (Ned) Sloane Stephens (USA) vs (20) Donna Vekic (Cro) (4) Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Cristina Bucsa (Spa) No 2 Court 11.00am: (28) Elise Mertens (Bel) vs Elina Svitolina (Ukr) (7) Andrey Rublev (Rus) vs Aslan Karatsev (Rus) Danielle Collins (USA) vs (14) Belinda Bencic (Swi) (3) Daniil Medvedev (Rus) vs Adrian Mannarino (Fra) No 3 Court 11.00am: (29) Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Arg) vs Stan Wawrinka (Swi) Viktorija Golubic (Swi) vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (Svk) Leylah Annie Fernandez (Can) vs (5) Caroline Garcia (Fra) Ilya Ivashka (Blr) vs (21) Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) Court 12 11.00am: (16) Karolina Muchova (Cze) vs Jule Niemeier (Ger) Matteo Berrettini (Ita) vs Lorenzo Sonego (Ita) Viktoriya Tomova (Bul) vs Katie Boulter (Gbr) (10) Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs Dominic Stephan Stricker (Swi) (13) Jamie Murray (Gbr) & Michael Venus (Nzl) vs Albano Olivetti (Fra) & David Vega Hernandez (Spa) Court 18 11.00am: Jan Choinski (Gbr) vs (17) Hubert Hurkacz (Pol) Kimmer Coppejans (Bel) vs (15) Alex De Minaur (Aus) (32) Marie Bouzkova (Cze) vs Anett Kontaveit (Est) Mikael Ymer (Swe) vs (9) Taylor Fritz (USA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2023

James Gray is joined by brand expert and editor-in-chief of PRWeek UK Danny Rogers to talk brand Wimbledon, as well as looking back at a rain-affected second day of the Championships Wednesday's order of play (All courts start at 11am unless otherwise stated) CENTRE COURT (1.30pm) Daria Kasatkina [11] vs Jodie Burrage (GBR) Iga Swiatek (POL) [1] vs Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) Jordan Thompson (AUS) vs Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2] No 1 COURT (1pm) Daniil Medvedev [3] vs Arthur Fery (GBR) Heather Watson (GBR) vs Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [10] Jannik Sinner (ITA) [8] vs Diego Schwartzman (ARG) No 2 COURT Maria Sakkari (GRE) [8] vs Marta Kostyuk (UKR) Yannick Hanfmann (GER) vs Taylor Fritz (USA) [9] 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 2-3 to finish Dominic Thiem (AUT) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [5] 6-3, 3-4 to finish Alexander Zverev (GER) [19] vs Gijs Brouwer (NED) (Not before 4:30pm) Nadia Podoroska (ARG) vs Victoria Azarenka [19] No 3 COURT Frances Tiafoe (USA) [10] vs Yibing Wu (CHN) George Loffhagen (GBR) vs Holger Rune (DEN) 6-7(4), 0-0 to finish Sonay Kartal (GBR) vs Madison Keys (USA) [25] Jasmine Paolini (ITA) vs Petra Kvitova (CZE) [9] (Not before 4:30pm) Andrey Rublev [7] vs Aslan Karatsev COURT 12 Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) [13] vs Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 2-0 to finish Denis Shapovalov (CAN) [26] vs Radu Albot (MDA) 5-7, 2-2 to finish Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 13 vs Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) 14 6-7(5), 0-0 to finish Karolina Muchova (CZE) [16] vs Jule Niemeier (GER) (Not before 4:30pm) Jan Choinski (GBR) vs Hubert Hurkacz (POL) [17] COURT 18 Sho Shimabukuro (JPN) vs Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [21] Katie Boulter (GBR) vs Daria Saville (AUS) 5-6 to finish Karolina Pliskova (CZE) [18] vs Natalija Stevanovic (SRB) Kimmer Coppejans (BEL) vs Alex De Minaur (AUS) [15] (Not before 4:30pm) Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) [14] vs Jaume Munar (ESP) COURT 4 Shuai Zhang (CHN) vs Donna Vekic (CRO) [20] Ysaline Bonaventure (BEL) vs Zhuoxuan Bai (CHN) 6-7(0), 0-4 to finish Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) vs Tommy Paul (USA) [16] Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) vs Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) COURT 5 Camila Osorio (COL) vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) Alexandre Muller (FRA) 3 vs Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) 7-6(5), 1-0 to finish Christopher Eubanks (USA) vs Thiago Monteiro (BRA) Marco Cecchinato (ITA) vs Nicolas Jarry (CHI) [25] (Not before 4:30pm) Xinyu Wang (CHN) vs Sofia Kenin (USA) COURT 6 Anett Kontaveit (EST) vs Lucrezia Stefanini (ITA) Varvara Gracheva (FRA) vs Camila Giorgi (ITA) Marcos Giron (USA) vs Hugo Dellien (BOL) 7-6(2), 1-2 to finish Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) vs Anna Blinkova (Not before 4.30pm) Tomas Barrios Vera (CHI) vs David Goffin (BEL) COURT 7 Dominic Stricker (SUI) vs Alexei Popyrin (AUS) Madison Brengle (USA) vs Sara Errani (ITA) 6-3, 3-0 to finish Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs Alexander Shevchenko (Not before 4:30pm) Maximilian Marterer (GER) vs Michael Mmoh (USA) COURT 8 Sorana Cirstea (ROU) vs Tatjana Maria (GER) Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) vs Harold Mayot (FRA) 3-6, 3-5 to finish Bernarda Pera (USA) [27] vs Viktoriya Tomova (BUL) 7-6(3), 0-1 to finish Maxime Cressy (USA) vs Laslo Djere (SRB) (Not before 4:30pm) Alexander Bublik (KAZ) [23] vs JJ Wolf (USA) COURT 9 Lloyd Harris (RSA) vs Gregoire Barrere (FRA) Ilya Ivashka vs Federico Coria (ARG) Christopher O'Connell (AUS) vs Hamad Medjedovic (SRB) 7-5, 1-0 to finish Viktorija Golubic (SUI) vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) (Not before 4:30pm) Alycia Parks (USA) vs Ana Bogdan (ROU) COURT 10 Jaqueline Cristian (ROU) vs Lucia Bronzetti (ITA) Roman Safiullin vs Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [20] 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-7(4), 0-0 to finish Nao Hibino (JPN) vs Alize Cornet (FRA) Borna Gojo (CRO) vs Jiri Vesely (CZE) 4-6, 7-6(4), 0-0 to finish (Not before 4.30pm) Stefano Travaglia (ITA) vs Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 3, 2023

Wimbledon order of play, day 2 (All courts start at 11am BST unless stated; show courts only) Centre Court – from 1.30pm Shelby Rogers (USA) v (3) Elena Rybakina (Kaz) Ryan Peniston (Gbr) v Andy Murray (Gbr) Panna Udvardy (Hun) v (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr) Court 1 – from 1pm (1) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa) v Jeremy Chardy (Fra) (6) Ons Jabeur (Tun) v Magdalena Frech (Pol) (12) Cameron Norrie (Gbr) v Tomas Machac (Cze) No 2 Court Dominic Thiem (Aut) v (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) Not before 12.30pm, to finish: Quentin Halys (Fra) leads Dan Evans (Gbr) 6-2, 6-3 Jasmine Paolini (Ita) v (9) Petra Kvitova (Cze) Heather Watson (Gbr) v (10) Barbora Krejcikova (Cze) (3) Daniil Medvedev (Rus) v Arthur Fery (Gbr) No 3 Court George Loffhagen (Gbr) v (6) Holger Rune (Den) Not before 12.30pm, to finish: Taylor Fritz (USA) leads Yannick Hanfmann (Ger) 6-4, 2-6, 4-6, 7-5, 3-2* (8) Maria Sakkari (Gre) v Marta Kostyuk (Ukr) (19) Alexander Zverev (Ger) v Gijs Brouwer (Ned) Sonay Kartal (Gbr) v (25) Madison Keys (USA) Court 12 Matteo Berrettini (Ita) v Lorenzo Sonego (Ita) Not before 12.30pm, to finish: Radu Albot (Mda) leads Denis Shapovalov (Can) 7-5, 2-2 (18) Karolina Pliskova (Cze) v Natalija Stevanovic (Ser) Alison Riske-Amritraj (USA) v Paula Badosa Gibert (Spa) (10) Frances Tiafoe (USA) v Yibing Wu (Chn) Court 18 Katie Boulter (Gbr) v Daria Saville (Aus) Kimmer Coppejans (Bel) v (15) Alex De Minaur (Aus) Sho Shimabukuro (Jpn) v (21) Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) (16) Karolina Muchova (Cze) v Jule Niemeier (Ger) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2023

Enter Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1f4-6Mxa9xlLjMz1qr4FTytGFLPShl97MVUgYi8YFsBY George, James and Calvin react LIVE to Nick Kyrgios pulling out of Wimbledon, take a look at how tennis is ready to take the Saudi Arabian dollar whatever way they can and look ahead to the first day at SW19. Wimbledon order of play, day 1 (All courts start at 11am BST unless stated) Centre Court – 1.30pm Pedro Cachin (Arg) vs (2) Novak Djokovic (Ser) Venus Williams (USA) vs Elina Svitolina (Ukr) (8) Jannik Sinner (Ita) vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo (Arg) No 1 Court – 1pm (1) Iga Swiatek (Pol) vs Lin Zhu (Chn) Laurent Lokoli (Fra) vs (4) Casper Ruud (Nor) Sofia Kenin (USA) vs (7) Coco Gauff (USA) No 2 Court (4) Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Lauren Davis (USA) David Goffin (Bel) vs LUCKY LOSER Katie Swan (Gbr) vs (14) Belinda Bencic (Swi) Quentin Halys (Fra) vs (27) Daniel Evans (Gbr) No 3 Court (7) Andrey Rublev (Rus) vs Max Purcell (Aus) Katie Volynets (USA) vs (5) Caroline Garcia (Fra) Jodie Burrage (Gbr) vs Catherine McNally (USA) Yannick Hanfmann (Ger) vs (9) Taylor Fritz (USA) Court 4 Nadia Podoroska (Arg) vs Tereza Martincova (Cze) Corentin Moutet (Fra) vs Richard Gasquet (Fra) Rebeka Masarova (Spa) vs (31) Mayar Sherif (Egy) Lloyd Harris (Rsa) vs Gregoire Barrere (Fra) Court 5 Barbora Strycova (Cze) vs Maryna Zanevska (Bel) Maximilian Marterer (Ger) vs Borna Gojo (Cro) Mikael Ymer (Swe) vs Alex Molcan (Svk) (32) Marie Bouzkova (Cze) vs Simona Waltert (Swi) Court 6 Sebastian Baez (Arg) vs Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera (Chi) Martina Trevisan (Ita) vs Sara Sorribes Tormo (Spa) (24) Qinwen Zheng (Chn) vs Katerina Siniakova (Cze) (29) Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Arg) vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles (Spa) Court 7 Luca Van Assche (Fra) vs Aslan Karatsev (Rus) Marketa Vondrousova (Cze) vs Peyton Stearns (USA) Miomir Kecmanovic (Ser) vs Diego Schwartzman (Arg) Camila Osorio (Col) vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Ita) Court 8 Alycia Parks (USA) vs Anna-Lena Friedsam (Ger) Lesia Tsurenko (Ukr) vs Claire Liu (USA) Dominik Koepfer (Ger) vs Oscar Otte (Ger) Benjamin Bonzi (Fra) vs Harold Mayot (Fra) Court 9 Jordan Thompson (Aus) vs Brandon Nakashima (USA) Storm Hunter (Aus) vs Xin Yu Wang (Chn) Aleksandar Vukic (Aus) vs Daniel Altmaier (Ger) Court 10 Cristina Bucsa (Spa) vs Kamilla Rakhimova (Rus) Jeffrey Wolf (USA) vs Enzo Couacaud (Fra) Roman Safiullin (Rus) vs (20) Roberto Bautista Agut (Spa) Court 12 Diane Parry (Fra) vs Harriet Dart (Gbr) Michael Mmoh (USA) vs (11) Felix Auger-Aliassime (Can) (26) Denis Shapovalov (Can) vs Radu Albot (Mol) Shuai Zhang (Chn) vs (20) Donna Vekic (Cro) Court 14 (14) Lorenzo Musetti (Ita) vs Juan Pablo Varillas (Per) Kateryna Baindl (Ukr) vs Leylah Fernandez (Can) (28) Elise Mertens (Bel) vs Viktoria Hruncakova (Slo) (13) Borna Coric (Cro) vs Guido Pella (Arg) Court 15 Yue Yuan (Chn) vs (19) Victoria Azarenka (Blr) Liam Broady (Gbr) vs Constant Lestienne (Fra) Alexander Bublik (Kaz) vs MacKenzie McDonald (USA) Anett Kontaveit (Est) vs Lucrezia Stefanini (Ita) Court 16 Linda Fruhvirtova (Cze) vs (30) Petra Martic (Cro) John Isner (USA) vs Jaume Munar (Spa) (24) Yoshihito Nishioka (Jpn) vs Daniel Elahi Galan (Col) Sloane Stephens (USA) vs Rebecca Peterson (Swe) Court 17 Ana Bogdan (Rom) vs (15) Ludmilla Samsonova (Rus) (23) Magda Linette (Pol) vs Jil Teichmann (Swi) Jan Choinski (Gbr) vs Dusan Lajovic (Ser) Danielle Collins (USA) vs Julia Grabher (Aut) Court 18 (12) Veronika Kudermetova (Rus) vs Kaia Kanepi (Est) Albert Ramos-Vinolas (Spa) vs (17) Hubert Hurkacz (Pol) (11) Daria Kasatkina (Rus) vs Caroline Dolehide (USA) Emil Ruusuvuori (Fin) vs Stan Wawrinka (Swi) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 30, 2023

Read the Wimbledon men's draw in full here and the Wimbledon women's draw in full here Or listen to George Bellshaw and James Gray break down the full draw for both men and women, including: Can anyone stop Novak Djokovic? How will food poising affect Iga Swiatek's chances? What will Carlos Alcaraz make of his projected run to the final? Who are our best picks for fantasy tennis? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 2023

Calvin Betton is in Eastbourne, George Bellshaw is in Birmingham and James Gray is in London to discuss all the latest goings on in the tennis world, including: Carlos Alcaraz beats Alex De Minaur to claim the Queen's title Jelena Ostapenko announces her Wimbledon candidacy in Birmingham Wimbledon wildcards are released Alexander Bublik beats Andrey Rublev to win the biggest title of his career Who are the best up and coming British players? Is Kate Middleton any good at tennis? Are the Saudis taking over? And so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 20, 2023

The latest tennis news with James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper, joined by tennis coach Calvin Betton (part one) and writer and broadcaster George Bellshaw (part two). We answered listener questions on: Are tournaments for sale to the highest bidder? Does tennis take doping seriously enough? Which one-time major winners are the least likely to win a second major? Why do you think Wimbledon is not exploiting all their commercial opportunities? And in tennis news, we talked about: Andy Murray winning Surbiton and Nottingham (part one) and then loses in the first round of Queen's (part two) Katie Boulter wins her first WTA title but is that just what happens when you play on grass? Dan Evans produces 'embarrassing' defeat to Sebastian Korda and has split with his coach Venus Williams and Camila Giorgi go to war in Birmingham Anett Kontaveit *retires* Nick Kyrgios withdraws from Halle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 12, 2023

Tennis coach Calvin Betton, writer George Bellshaw and reporter James Gray of inews.co.uk and i newspaper look back at the two French Open finals, review the tournament as a whole and pick up on the latest tennis news. Here are the stories we discussed: Novak Djokovic beats Casper Ruud to win French Open and eclipse Rafael Nadal with record-breaking 23rd grand slam Will Djokovic now go on and take the calendar year Grand Slam? Iga Swiatek beats Karolina Muchova in ‘rollercoaster’ to win fourth grand slam Andy Murray takes a wildcard to play the Nottingham Challenger French Open slammed by doubles champion - 'I hope next year you can do better' We have a Fantasy Roland Garros winner! #FTU results revealed Dan Evans wages class war on British tennis after French Open exit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 11, 2023

James Gray reports live from Paris after Iga Swiatek beats Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to claim her third French Open title and fourth grand slam title overall. In Paris, she equals Serena Williams, Margaret Court and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, while also winning her fourth slam just five days apart in age from Rafael Nadal. The men's final between Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud awaits (2pm UK time) and the weather is likely to mean the roof will be shut, another obvious advantage for Djokovic. But does Alexander Zverev have a point? Could the nerves get to Djokovic? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 10, 2023

James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton look back at Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz - and spend a lot of time talking about cramp. Here is Carlos Alcaraz playing arguably the best shot of all time: https://twitter.com/jamesgraysport/status/1667211512371396615 And here is Roger Federer doing something similar: https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/14588bg/where_have_we_seen_this_before/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 9, 2023

James Gray reports live from Paris after Iga Swiatek beat Beatriz Haddad Maia and Karolina Muchova stunned Aryna Sabalenka on women's semi-final day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 8, 2023

James Gray catches you up on all the quarter-final action from the French Open Carlos Alcaraz hammers Stefanos Tsitsipas, who blames a failure to manage his sleep properly for his performance Novak Djokovic cruises past Karen Khachanov to reach his 12th Roland Garros semi-final and set up a showdown for the ages Karolina Muchova is through to face Aryna Sabalenka, who appeared to inflame the situation with Elina Svitolina after her quarter-final win Iga Swiatek still can't lose to Coco Gauff, hard as the American might try Beatriz Haddad Maia is making history for Brazil Alexander Zverev is coming up on the rail fast Holger Rune ran out of puff against Casper Ruud French Open women’s semi-finals (Not before 2pm BST) Karolina Muchova vs Aryna Sabalenka (2) (Followed by) Iga Swiatek (1) vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (14) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 6, 2023

James Gray looks back at Day 9 action from Roland Garros and ahead to the first set of quarter-finals Tuesday’s schedule (All times BST) Court Philippe Chatrier (from 10am) Karolina Muchova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Not before 11.30am) Elina Svitolina vs Aryna Sabalenka (2) Novak Djokovic (3) vs Karen Khachanov (11) (Not before 7.15pm) Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 5, 2023

Looking back at the middle Sunday of Roland Garros, when the first two quarter-finals in each singles draw were decided Monday’s French Open schedule All times BST Court Philippe Chatrier (from 10am) Bernarda Pera vs Ons Jabeur (7) Nicolas Jarry vs Casper Ruud (4) Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Coco Gauff (6) (Not before 7.15pm) Grigor Dimitrov (28) vs Alexander Zverev (22) Court Suzanne Lenglen (from 10am) Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (14) Holger Rune (6) vs Francisco Cerundolo (23) Iga Swiatek (1) vs Lesia Tsurenko Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Yoshihito Nishioka (27) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 4, 2023

James Gray in Paris and Calvin Betton at Surbiton look back at the first week of the French Open, and glance ahead at what might be to come Sunday’s schedule (All courts start at 10am) Court Philippe Chatrier Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Elise Mertens (28) (Not before 11.30am) Novak Djokovic (3) vs Juan Pablo Varillas Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Lorenzo Musetti (17) (Not before 7.15pm) Sloane Stephens vs Aryna Sabalenka Court Suzanne Lenglen Karen Khachanov (11) vs Lorenzo Sonego Karolina Muchova vs Elina Avanesyan Elina Svitolina vs Daria Kasatkina (9) (Not before 4.30pm) Sebastian Ofner vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 3, 2023

James Gray reports live from Paris Saturday’s schedule (All courts start at 10am BST unless otherwise stated) Court Philippe Chatrier (from 10.45am) Elena Rybakina (4) vs Sara Sorribes Tormo Holger Rune (6) vs Genaro Alberto Olivieri Iga Swiatek (1) vs Wang Xinyu (Not before 7.15pm) Alexander Zverev (22) vs Frances Tiafoe (12) Court Suzanne Lenglen Zhang Zhizhen vs Casper Ruud (4) Mirra Andreeva vs Coco Gauff (6) Fracisco Cerundolo (23) vs Taylor Fritz (9) Olga Danilovic vs Ons Jabeur (7) Court Simonne Mathieu Yoshihito Nishioka (27) vs Thiago Seyboth Wild Ekaterina Alexandrova (23) vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (14) Bianca Andreescu vs Lesia Tsurenko Daniel Altmaier vs Grigor Dimitrov (28) Court 14 (Following a women’s doubles match) Borna Coric (15) vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Kayla Day Court 7 (Following a women’s doubles match) Nicolas Jarry vs Marcos Giron Elisabette Cocciaretto vs Bernarda Pera Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 2, 2023

James Gray reports live from Paris to look back at Day 5 at Roland Garros, as the second round completes. Friday’s schedule (All courts start at 10am BST unless stated; singles only) Court Philippe Chatrier (from 10.45am) Elise Mertens (28) vs Jessica Pegula (3) Kamilla Rakhimova vs Aryna Sabalenka (2) Novak Djokovic (3) vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (29) (Not before 7.15pm) Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Denis Shapovalov (26) Court Suzanne Lenglen Peyton Stearns vs Daria Kasatkina (9) Lorenzo Sonego vs Andrey Rublev (7) Sloane Stephens vs Yulia Putintseva Diego Schwartzman vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) Court Simonne Mathieu Karen Khachanov (11) vs Thanasi Kokkinakis Anna Blinkova vs Elina Svitolina Lorenzo Musetti (17) vs Cameron Norrie (14) Karolina Muchova vs Irina-Camelia Begu (27) Court 14 (Following one men’s doubles match) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Anastasia Potapova (24) Fabio Fognini vs Sebastian Ofner Juan Pablo Varillas vs Hubert Hurkacz (13) Court 7 (Following two women’s doubles matches) Clara Tauson vs Elina Avanesyan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 1, 2023

James Gray reports live from Paris to look back at Day 5 at Roland Garros, the first half of the second round Thursday’s schedule (All courts start at 10am BST unless stated) Court Philippe Chatrier (from 10.45am) Giulio Zeppieri vs Casper Ruud (4) Iga Swiatek (1) vs Claire Liu Oceane Dodin vs Ons Jabeur (7) (Not before 7.15pm) Alexander Zverev (22) vs Alex Molcan Court Suzanne Lenglen Elena Rybakina (4) vs Linda Noskova Jannik Sinner (8) vs Daniel Altmaier Julia Grabher vs Coco Gauff (6) Arthur Rinderknech vs Taylor Fritz (9) Court Simonne Mathieu Kayla Day vs Madison Keys (20) Diane Parry vs Mirra Andreeva Aslan Karatsev vs Frances Tiafoe (12) Court 14 Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Alex De Minaur (18) Bernarda Pera vs Donna Vekic (22) Tommy Paul (16) vs Nicolas Jarry Bianca Andreescu vs Emma Navarro Court 7 Diana Shnaider vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (14) Emil Ruusuvuori vs Grigor Dimitrov (28) Marcos Giron vs Jiri Lehecka Lauren Davis vs Lesia Tsurenko Court 6 Borna Coric (15) vs Pedro Cachin Ekaterina Alexandrova (23) vs Anna-Lena Friedsam Jasmine Paolini vs Olga Danilovic Francisco Cerundolo (23) vs Yannick Hanfmann Court 9 Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Simona Waltert Guido Pella vs Thiago Seyboth Wild Court 12 Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Petra Martic Rebecca Peterson vs Wang Xinyu Thiago Agustin Tirante vs Zhang Zhizhen Court 13 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Aliona Bolsova Yoshihito Nishioka (27) vs Max Purcell Genaro Alberto Olivieri vs Andrea Vavassori Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 31, 2023

George Bellshaw joins James Gray live from Paris to look back at the third day of French Open action, and look ahead to the second round. Wednesday’s order of play (All courts start at 10am unless otherwise stated) Court Philippe Chatrier (from 10.45am) Camila Giorgi vs Jessica Pegula (3) Caroline Garcia (5) vs Anna Blinkova Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Taro Daniel (Not before 7.15pm) Novak Djokovic (3) vs Marton Fucsovics Court Suzanne Lenglen Roberto Carballes Baena vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) Marketa Vondrousova vs Daria Kasatkina (9) Iryna Shymanovich vs Aryna Sabalenka (2) Lucas Pouille vs Cameron Norrie (14) Court Simonne Mathieu Storm Hunter vs Elina Svitolina Stan Wawrinka vs Thanasi Kokkinakis Corentin Moutet vs Andrey Rublev (7) Leolia Jeanjean vs Elina Avanesyan Court 14 Jelena Ostapenko (17) vs Peyton Stearns Lorenzo Sonego vs Ugo Humbert Sloane Stephens vs Varvara Gracheva Luca Van Assche vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (29) Court 7 Elise Mertens (28) vs Camila Osorio Liudmila Samsonova (15) vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Tallon Griekspoor vs Hubert Hurkacz (13) Lorenzo Musetti (17) vs Alexander Shevchenko Court 6 Fabio Fognini vs Jason Kubler Yulia Putintseva vs Zheng Qinwen (19) Karen Khachanov (11) vs Radu Albot Leylah Fernandez vs Clara Tauson Court 12 (Following men’s doubles at 10am) Mayar Sherif vs Anastasia Potapova (24) Matteo Arnaldi vs Denis Shapovalov (26) Court 13 Sebastian Ofner vs Sebastian Korda (24) Karolina Muchova vs Nadia Podoroska Roberto Bautista Agut (19) vs Juan Pablo Varillas Magdalena Frech vs Kamilla Rakhimova Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 30, 2023

Live from Paris, James Gray looks back at a busy first Monday at Roland Garros... Novak Djokovic wins and writes a political message about Kosovo on the camera Carlos Alcaraz also picks up victory on Day 2 Jack Draper is 'mentally destroyed' after yet another injury Why Cam Norrie was furious with an 'absurd' umpiring decision despite victory over Benoit Paire Tuesday’s order of play (All courts start at 10am BST unless otherwise stated) Court Philippe Chatrier (from 10.45am) Lucia Bronzetti vs Ons Jabeur (7) Thiago Seyboth Wild vs Daniil Medvedev (2) Iga Swiatek (1) vs Cristina Bucsa (Not before 7.15pm) Gael Monfils vs Sebastian Baez Court Suzanne Lenglen Elias Ymer vs Casper Ruud (4) Rebeka Masarova vs Coco Gauff (6) Elena Rybakina (4) vs Brenda Fruhvirtova Richard Gasquet vs Arthur Rinderknech Court Simonne Mathieu Anhelina Kalinina (25) vs Diane Parry Alexander Zverev (22) vs Lloyd Harris Holger Rune (6) vs Christopher Eubanks Victoria Azarenka (18) vs Bianca Andreescu Court 14 Rebecca Peterson vs Fiona Ferro Hugo Gaston vs Alex Molcan Clara Burel vs Sara Sorribes Tormo Michael Mmoh vs Taylor Fritz (9) Court 7 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Genaro Alberto Olivieri Lesia Tsurenko vs Barbora Krejcikova (13) Quentin Halys vs Guido Pella Erika Andreeva vs Emma Navarro Court 6 Tommy Paul (16) vs Dominic Stricker Selena Janicijevic vs Oceane Dodin Emil Ruusuvuori vs Gregoire Barrere Petra Martic vs Shelby Rogers (32) Court 8 Andrea Vavassori vs Miomir Kecmanovic (31) Zhu Lin vs Lauren Davis Thiago Monteiro vs Yannick Hanfmann Court 9 Yoshihito Nishioka (27) vs JJ Wolf Court 10 Mirra Andreeva vs Alison Riske Olga Danilovic vs Kateryna Baindl Court 11 Xinyu Wang vs Marie Bouzkova (31) Alexander Bublik vs Giulio Zeppieri Court 12 Max Purcell vs Jordan Thompson Arantxa Rus vs Julia Grabher Francisco Cerundolo (23) vs Jaume Munar Ylena In-Albon vs Claire Liu Court 13 Nicolas Jarry vs Hugo Dellien Linda Noskova vs Danka Kovinic Sorana Cirstea (30) vs Jasmine Paolini Timofey Skatov vs Grigor Dimitrov (28) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 28, 2023

James Gray looks back at the opening day of the 2023 French Open, live from Paris. French Open order of play, day 2 (All courts start at 10am BST unless stated) Court Philippe Chatrier (from 10.45am) Karolina Pliskova (16) vs Sloane Stephens Novak Djokovic (3) vs Aleksandar Kovacevic Caroline Garcia (5) vs Wang Xiyu (Not before 7.15pm) Jannik Sinner (8) vs Alexandre Muller Court Suzanne Lenglen Benoit Paire vs Cameron Norrie (14) Elina Avanesyan vs Belinda Bencic (12) Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Flavio Cobolli Petra Kvitova (10) vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto Court Simonne Mathieu Kayla Day vs Kristina Mladenovic Felix Auger-Aliassime (10) vs Fabio Fognini Elina Svitolina vs Martina Trevisan (26) Arthur Fils vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (29) Court 14 Kaia Kanepi vs Madison Keys (20) Stan Wawrinka vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas Tatjana Maria vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (14) (Not before 4pm) Luca Van Assche vs Marco Cecchinato Court 7 Brandon Nakashima vs Denis Shapovalov (26) Yulia Putintseva vs Maryna Zanevska Filip Krajinovic vs Frances Tiafoe (12) Jelena Ostapenko (17) vs Tereza Martincova Court 6 Ilya Ivashka vs Alex De Minaur (18) Marketa Vondrousova vs Alycia Parks Dominic Thiem vs Pedro Cachin Veronika Kudermetova (11) vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova Court 4 Caty McNally vs Ana Bogdan Christopher O'Connell vs Taro Daniel Hamad Medjedovic vs Marcos Giron Nao Hibino vs Anna-Lena Friedsam Court 5 Shang Juncheng vs Juan Pablo Varillas Rebecca Marino vs Diana Shnaider Peyton Stearns vs Katerina Siniakova Zhang Zhizhen vs Dusan Lajovic Court 8 Dayana Yastremska vs Donna Vekic (22) Alexei Popyrin vs Aslan Karatsev Aliona Bolsova vs Kristina Kucova Daniel Altmaier vs Marc-Andrea Huesler Court 9 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Linda Fruhvirtova Jack Draper vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry Botic Van De Zandschulp (25) vs Thiago Agustin Tirante Anna Blinkova vs Ysaline Bonaventure Court 12 Anett Kontaveit vs Bernarda Pera Roberto Bautista Agut (19) vs Wu Yibing Borna Coric (15) vs Federico Coria Ekaterina Alexandrova (23) vs Viktoriya Tomova Court 13 Bernabe Zapata Miralles (32) vs Diego Schwartzman Varvara Gracheva vs Dalma Galfi Jiri Lehecka vs Jan-Lennard Struff (21) Simona Waltert vs Elizabeth Mandlik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 26, 2023

James Gray is live from Paris and George Bellshaw is live from his bedroom to analyse the French Open draw. FANTASY TENNIS UNFILTERED IS LIVE, ENTER HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DFWXhrlx_Y25itXD7unoLUAXIMMmdkLgfBBZ0v_dR_Q Novak Djokovic could not have wished for a worse consequence of Daniil Medvedev’s first-ever clay-court title in Rome as the Serb was drawn into the same half of the French Open as Carlos Alcaraz. Medvedev overtook Djokovic as the world No 2 last week, relegating him to No 3 seed. As such, there was a 50:50 chance that he would end up in the same half as world No 1 Alcaraz and so it proved, meaning he could face the US Open champion in the semi-finals, then perhaps have to take on Medvedev in the final two days later. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek could have four consecutive grand slam finalists as she tries to defend her French Open title. Thursday’s draw saw her handed a relatively straightforward opening week, but a succession of players with past success at Roland Garros and beyond are slated to await her in the second week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 22, 2023

Rafael Nadal has announced that he will miss the French Open through injury and will spend several months away from the tennis court. Nadal wants to give his hip as much time as possible to heal because 2024 will probably be his last season. He said: “I’m going to try to make my last year not just a party, I'm going to try to compete at the highest level, give myself the option to try to compete and win tournaments on this clay tour. The reality is that we'll have to wait for that." Will he realistically be able to make a meaningful comeback or will this be a farewell world tour? ***** LISTENER QUESTION: Tino from Hamburg asks "how are players like Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev able to recover from those severe injuries and potentially get back to the top, given that they face stronger opponents in the first rounds of bigger tournaments, are used to continuous success (and a place within the top 10), still lack physical strength and even lack of trust in their bodies?". ***** Elena Rybakina benefits from not one, not two but three walkovers en route to the Italian Open title, where her final started after 11pm local time, the crowd booed her and they forgot to present her with the trophy. But she moves to No 4 in the world and further into contention for the French Open title, where Iga Swiatek faces a race against time to be fit after suffering a thigh injury in Rome. "A couple of days off for sure. And booking my flight to Paris, so fingers crossed, please," Swiatek wrote on social media. ***** Daniil Medvedev cemented his status as a clay-court threat and a shithouse of the highest order as he won the Italian Open. First he produced some abysmal dance moves to mock Stefanos Tsitsipas's own dance from a previous encounter, and then outplayed a fatigued Holger Rune to win in Rome. “I always want to believe in myself and I always try to do my best I want to win the biggest tournaments in the world. But in the same time honestly I didn’t really believe much I can win a Masters 1000 on clay in my career because usually I hated it,” Medvedev said afterwards. “I don’t think I love it. I love hard court. My only love… in tennis! But I definitely like clay courts much more now.” ***** Andy Murray has pulled out of the French Open to concentrate on the grass after failing to win a tour-level match on clay. He did win a Challenger title - and will return to the Challenger Tour in Surbiton instead of playing at Roland Garros. Is it the right decision? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 15, 2023

It's Roman but it's no holiday - the Italian Open follows hot on the heels of two weeks in Madrid, and while the grind of the clay-court swing may have caught up with some players, James, George and Calvin are still clinging onto their motivation. This week, the tennis podcast that does not hold back talks about... Rafael Nadal was spotted doubled over in pain during practice - are the pod starting to think he is now OUT of Roland Garros? (https://twitter.com/vanshv2k/status/1656760340133343232) Novak Djokovic has returned and got some wins under his belt: how do we think he’s looking? Is one good tournament here enough to convince us he’s the favourite for Roland Garros? And what about that elbow? Holger Rune was booed ONTO court. We ask Calvin whether he was hiding in the crowd... (https://twitter.com/TheTennisLetter/status/1657725318969593857) Sofia Kenin is... back? Coco Gauff is out early again. A French Open finalist last year but does anyone believe that is realistic again? that feel a world away this time? Emma Raducanu famously ditched her coach Andrew Richardson just days after she won the US Open, but the man known as "Flex" has never spoken publicly about why - until now. (Read the full interview here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-12083065/I-got-brief-phone-call-Andrew-Richardson-opens-split-Emma-Raducanu.html) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 8, 2023

Tennis coach Calvin Betton, writer and broadcaster George Bellshaw and journalist James Gray look back at another packed week of tennis news... Carlos Alcaraz wins another title in Madrid but can anyone stop him in Rome or Paris? No love lost in the women's final but Aryna Sabalenka came out on top against Iga Swiatek - could we finally have a rivalry worth fighting for? What on earth was going on with the organisation in Madrid? And why were the women's doubles players gagged? Rafa Nadal will go into Roland Garros without a warm-up tournament for the first time in his career - does he stand a chance? Maybe four months out of the limelight will be the making of Emma Raducanu? LISTENER QUESTIONS Peanut : Now that Rafa has withdrawn from Rome, do you think he will play RG and if he does, will he have a chance to win it? Errol Samuel : What do the players check for when they receive the balls to pick before they serve. Elena Tsourdi : What was the tipping point in Andy's performance on clay in 2016? i always thought his game is a very good fit for clay: the physicality, building up of points, good hands at the net, slices and angles. The early years in Spain probably were pivotal-so why did it not come sooner? Kirit Mookerjee : What possible reason for Madrid organisers to eliminate speeches for women's doubles trophy ceremony? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 3, 2023

Rick Macci thought he was mad when he answered Richard Williams's call and turned up in Compton to see his two little girls play tennis. What he saw was two of the greatest of all-time in the making: Venus and Serena Williams. As portrayed by Jon Bernthal in the Oscar-winning film King Richard, Macci coached the girls for four years and remains friends with the whole family. We talk: Why Serena and Venus are "like family" to him What marks out a special player How he could fix Emma Raducanu's game Clay courts of the USA (and why hard courts could be a better coach) What's happened to Sofia Kenin And so much more! LISTENER QUESTIONS Laurie on email: Would Calvin be able to elaborate about the 4 stages of a shot (anticipation, perception decision and action) and how these differ from each other? Also specifically regarding the component, shaping, diversion and automatic stages of developing these? Sami Dowd on Twitter: Was Calvin encouraged at all with Dominic Thiem's performance against Stefanos Tsitsipas or does he still think there is no way he comes back? Love Will Survive on Twitter: Why didn’t you lot record a pod from May 2019 to 2020? Tim Mason on Twitter: Protected rankings - how long do you get them for and who has ever really benefited? Kyle Edmund not having much fun at the moment. Laurie again: Was Brandon Murphy 's behind-the-back passing shot in the UK pro league the shot of the year so far? I can't quite tell from the footage but he looks like he's fully de-weighted when he hits it?! [Watch it here: https://twitter.com/TennisLegende/status/1647560959530090500] Ask your questions on Twitter @UnfilterPod or email us tennisunfiltered@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 25, 2023

LISTENER QUESTIONS Kenny Koala Bear on Twitter: What can be done to address the distinct prize money differences in WTA and ATP tournaments? The difference between Stuttgart and Barcelona was huge! Carmen on email: With the clay season in full swing, I'd like to learn more about how chair umpires determine which specific mark on the court was made by the ball when a player challenges a call. The umpire seems very confident about which mark it was but how can that be if there are so many smudges on the clay court. At times it seems quite arbitrary. Also, why isn't Hawk Eye the default choice? It seems like a more reliable, fast and fair way to call a ball in or out. Ian Warren in Twitter: Is the WTA trying to win a prize for most incompetent sporting body? First China saga followed by top 10 players not allowed to enter 250 events and the schedule of tournaments? Last week a 28-player draw in one tournament while the men had three tournaments. Matt on email: Watching Alcaraz drop shot Tsitsipas over a dozen times it struck me that drop shots seem to be a more important tactic than they used to be. I’m only 29 so don’t have much to compare to though! What do you think, are drop shots used more now than they used to be? Also, how much can you coach when to play a drop shot and how much is down to instinct? IN TENNIS NEWS Iga Swiatek retains the Stuttgart title on return from injury and proves why she is favourite for the French Open title Ons Jabeur is out of Madrid with a torn calf muscle What next for Emma Raducanu after a thrashing at the hands of Jelena Ostapenko? Novak Djokovic joins the long list of withdrawals in Madrid with what we suspect is an elbow injury Dusan Lajovic knocked him out in Banja Luka before claiming only the second title of his "storied" career Carlos Alcaraz defended his Barcelona title including a one-sided victory in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who promises to open a one-handed backhand academy in the aftermath... Holger Rune saves four match points to beat Botic Van De Zandschulp and win the title in Munich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 17, 2023

LISTENER QUESTIONS Chris Thornton asks: “I know it’s not ‘new’, but does legal on-court coaching favour younger players, who may be more fleet of foot, but less experienced problem-solvers, compared to their potentially more experienced opponents, who my not be the athletes they once were, but greater problem-solvers?” Twitter user Ppeanut says: “Can Rafa win FO this year and what are his chances for a second gold medal next year?” Ian Warren in Melbourne asks: “During the Masters coverage last week Rory McIlroy was interviewed by CBS walking up the 9th fairway. How long before we see something similar in Tennis? End of the set hook up with the comms team?!” Balvin Cetton asks: “How are we going to stop singles players entering doubles and then pulling out?” ‘Anja loves tennis’ wants us to talk about “Daniil Medvedev's sneaky tricks and how he lulls everyone by his rhetorical skills” IN TENNIS NEWS Andrey Rublev comes from behind to win his first Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo Daniil Medvedev hits back at “unfair” accusations from Alexander Zverev by essentially telling him he has more friends than him Novak Djokovic loses to Lorenzo Musetti and gets very grumpy about it indeed Great Britain are beaten 3-1 by France in the Billie Jean King Cup (but will probably work their way into the finals anyway) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 10, 2023

Tennis coach Calvin Betton and (belatedly) George Bellshaw join James Gray, journalist for i newspaper and inews.co.uk, to answer your questions and look at the biggest news in tennis this week. Listener topics include: Why team tennis in Europe makes players money (but will never work in the UK) Cam Norrie crashes out in R1 for the second tournament in a row Dominic Thiem has split with his coach Nicolas Massu after yet more on-court struggles Why is the women's game so inconsistent And we also talk the latest from Monte Carlo, more injury concerns for Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, the return of Novak Djokovic and Billie Jean King Cup selection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 3, 2023

VOTE FOR US - NOW (voting closes April 6): https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/shortlist-category James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper is joined by tennis coach Calvin Betton and tennis writer/broadcaster George Bellshaw to chat through some of the biggest stories of the week, including: Daniil Medvedev's incredible run of 19 titles in 19 different cities The Alcaraz vs Sinner rivalry Kvitova "the has-been" beats Rybakina to the Miami title Bianca Andreescu tears two ligaments in her ankle YOUR QUESTIONS Lorraine asks why Robbie Koenig thinks everything is "filthy" Wazza wants to know if tennis loses credibility with matches that start after midnight Nikos thinks Americans should start covering the courts during rain delays Vince wonders why anyone bothers with a clothing deal LINKS Those Andre Agassi trainers: https://twitter.com/AndreAgassi/status/1642629205862260737 Vansh vs Craig Gabriel vs Alcaraz: https://twitter.com/vanshv2k/status/1642191012943794176 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 27, 2023

James Gray ( @JamesGraySport ) asks George Bellshaw ( @BellshawGeorge ) and Calvin Betton ( @CalvBetton ) YOUR questions, including: What aspects of the respective games of Roger, Rafa and Novak do you see in Carlos Alcaraz and what specific improvements should he make since apparently currently he has reached only 60 per of his potential according to Juan Carlos Ferrero? (From Elena Tsourdi) What's happened to Casper Ruud? (From LynneyPin) With all the money in tennis, can they not afford to pay for world feed TV commentators to be on site at tournaments rather than sitting thousands of miles away? (From WazzaMelbourne) To ask the pod a question, head over to @UnfilterTennis on Twitter or email us at tennisunfiltered@gmail.com. We also talked about Andy Murray's defeat to Dusan Lajovic, Lucas Pouille's remarkable trip to rock bottom (Ilkley) and why Barbora Krejcikova wants more recognition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 21, 2023

Calvin Betton dials in from France and special guest Myles David of Tuned into Tennis joins to tell us what's going on in the US during the Sunshine Swing. If you enjoyed this podcast and previous ones, please VOTE for us in the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ LINKS Here are a few of the bits and pieces that came up in our discussion that you should go and seek out. High Strung: Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and the Untold Story of Tennis's Fiercest Rivalry by Stephen Ticknor: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/high-strung-bjorn-borg-john-mcenroe-and-the-untold-story-of-tennis-s-fiercest-rivalry-stephen-tignor/2936382?ean=9780062009852 How specialist training sessions during the growth spurt can prevent injuries in teenagers and later life: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league-academy-sessions-cut-injuries-rolled-out-schools-2207433 Novak Djokovic denied entry to the Miami Open: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/35886664/novak-djokovic-miss-miami-open-vaccine-status Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 13, 2023

James Gray is not impartial and he won't get sacked for it here (yet). He is joined as usual by Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw to talk about the biggest stories in tennis this week, and there are plenty of them. Emma Raducanu is back winning matches, including by ranking her best win since the US Open semi-final against Maria Sakkari, beating world No 21 Madga Linette - and that is despite a flare-up of the wrist injury that she has been battling and the dregs of a bout of tonsillitis. But why won't she play Billie Jean King Cup? Daniil Medvedev lost his head at the court speed in Indian Wells: "I'm gonna go to the toilet and be as slow as this court is. I'm gonna take 25 minutes. This is not hard courts." And Gilles Cervara has given some insight to Tennis Majors about how he helped Medvedev overcome his slump in form. Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko has pulled out of IW citing a panic attack she suffered after a conversation with WTA CEO Steve Simon . Is tennis moving towards or away from banning Russian and Belarusian tennis players? Jack Draper faces Andy Murray after beating Dan Evans, has there been a changing of the guard in British tennis? Reilly Opelka says tennis should “get rid of doubles, only time people watch are when its singles players or the Bryan Bros." Calvin disagrees... PLUS: Your questions answered on equal prize money, the PTPA, the top three British players of all time, playing injured and Rafa Nadal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 7, 2023

Abigail Johnson returns as guest contributor alongside George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton to look over this week's biggest stories, including: - A statement week for Daniil Medvedev after winning his third title of the season and, more significantly, beating Novak Djokovic fairly comfortably and ending a 21-match win streak. - Novak Djokovic will not be in Indian Wells or Miami despite his request for an exemption gaining support from US senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, and the USTA. Carlos Alcaraz will return to world No 1 if he wins IW as a result... - Alex De Minaur won his first ATP 500 in Acapulco, beating Tommy Paul in the final and picking up a strong win over Holger Rune en route. - Naomi Osaka, who is on a career break after announcing her pregnancy, has been spotted on court with Andre Agassi watching on! - Marta Kostyuk is at last a WTA champion, winning the title in Austin and reaching the top 40 in the world for the first time. - Donna Vekic beat Caroline Garcia in the Monterrey to move to No 20 in the world, just one place short of her career high. We also answer some of your questions, including: Wazza asks on Twitter: At the Australian Open many players were complaining about the balls and I read similar comments in Dubai. What can be done to fix this issue? Rahul Misra asks on Twitter: Who are the players (both ATP and WTA) outside the top 50 who could make a giant leap up the rankings this year? This is your opportunity to line yourself up for an "I told you so" in December Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 27, 2023

It's George (the hungover one), James (the posh one) and Calvin (the angry one) again trying to sum up a week of tennis in just 90 minutes. We ask: Will Andy Murray ever win in straight sets again? And how bad IS his second serve? Are we NOW convinced that Daniil Medvedev is back? Has Cam Norrie made us all look very silly? What does Carlos Alcaraz bring back to the top table? Is Barbora Krejcikova worthy of a place in The WTA Conversation? How long has Coco Gauff got to prove herself? Is Steffi Graf underrated? We also try to answer YOUR questions (Tweet us @UnfilterTennis or email us tennisunfiltered@gmail.com to get involved) about Novak Djokovic's vaccine stance, Cam Norrie's French Open chances, "big point players", Caty McNally and the secrets of spin! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 20, 2023

Calvin Betton is back in the UK and joins George Bellshaw and James Gray, of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper to talk about all the biggest stories in tennis this week. Has Daniil Medvedev rediscovered his mojo? How can Carlos Alcaraz just hit the ground running so easily? Will we see that much of Iga Swiatek in 2023? What is Cam Norrie's schedule all about? And we try to answer your questions... Danny Rogers: " if Olympics' decision to allow Russian athletes causes a major boycott, doesn't that impact on the pressure on AELTC and LTA to re-admit Russians?" BuyandSold: "What is Adrian Mannarino doing that makes his game seem so different from every other player, and why nobody else does it. Also, he has a career high ranking of 22, what would it have been if he was right handed?" Ian Warren: "Does Emma Raducanu deserve a wild card for Indian Wells?" Rugby Posts: "What is the best surface to train on for overall player development? I feel like clay being slower, trickier & bouncing higher forces you to develop more racquet/ball skills which = better overall?!” Nikos Biggs-Chiropoulos: "I had the idea a few years ago that Miami should be on green clay. That surface has faded in pro tennis since the US Open used it ages ago, but it seems like it would be the perfect segue between hard and clay court seasons and help make the event unique (plus use a surface that’s quite common in the US, including Florida). Thoughts?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 13, 2023

Tumaini Carayol of the Guardian sits in for Calvin Betton, alongside George Bellshaw and James Gray as per usual. Jessica Pegula has revealed her mother has been fighting for her life, a sub-plot that has left her struggling mentally for months (Read her story here: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/jessica-pegula-tennis) Nicolas Mahut picks a fight over the Davis Cup Novak Djokovic is two weeks away from going past Steffi Graf’s record for most weeks at No 1 - does that bolster his GOAT credentials? And why is he asking for vaccine exemption again? Jannik Sinner has the seventh title of his career, where does he stand in the current pecking order? Is this the worst line call in tennis history? https://twitter.com/therealjakemosz/status/1622699415130587136 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 7, 2023

Want to ask a listener question? Mention us on Twitter (@UnfilterTennis), DM us on Instagram (@tennisunfilteredpod) or email as tennisunfiltered@gmail.com. Tennis commentator Abigail Johnson joins the podcast for the first time alongside James Gray in Melbourne and George Bellshaw in London, with Calvin Betton calling in from Dallas, Texas. Listeners ask: Will Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka have the consistency to challenge Iga Swiatek for No 1 status? Is the one-handed backhand dying and why? We ask: Has Novak Djokovic's 3cm 'tear' (or was in an inflammation?) sparked a new playing style that will herald a new era in his career? What will we remember this Australian Open for in years to come? Is Alycia Parks just the latest player to throw her hat into the ring for WTA supremacy? How will the ATP respond to Nick Kyrgios's guilty plea for common assault of his then-girlfriend? Should the tour do anything more with the Alexander Zverev allegations? Has Dan Evans backed up his talk about doubles now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 31, 2023

Want to ask a listener question? Mention us on Twitter ( @UnfilterTennis ), DM us on Instagram ( @tennisunfilteredpod ) or email as tennisunfiltered@gmail.com. James Gray in Melbourne, Calvin Betton in Barnsley and George Bellshaw in London look back at the 2023 Australian Open. Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets and dropped just one set all tournament - is this how he should be playing all the time now? What did Tsitsipas do wrong? Can any of the 1990s kids touch the GOAT generation? Aryna Sabalenka out-hit Elena Rybakina in a three-set final that a chaotic and often lopsided women's draw desperately needed - but will we see them both back here again? Why didn't Iga Swiatek make it? Is Rybakina's coach too negative? Will Calvin actually wear his cowboy hat? We try to make sense of it all, one way or another... LISTENER QUESTIONS Elena Tsourdi asks: "1) What are your thoughts on Medvedev's lacklustre form? Game plan of absorbing power from the BL being read by more opponents?2) What does Swiatek need to change to be more competitive vs big hitters and agrressive returners (Rybakina, Sabalenka, Garcia)? Tim Mason asks: "Thoughts on how much of a lift locker room invincibility gives you please. And what the pack can do to counteract it.... other than winning more?" Gohan asks "If Murray put Berrettini away in 3 sets, and presumably starts the Kokkinakis match with more energy and doesn’t end up going to 5 sets, how far do you think he could’ve gone in the slam, especially with how his quarter of the draw collapsed?" Hanya asks simply: "Match of the tournament?" Sinfoerubelix asks: "How much worse can the atp get?" And finally, Rick Marsonet asks: "What's more upsetting, Rybakina playing from the parking lot for her first few matches, Djoker's rigged draw, Djoker's fake injury or the crazy preferential treatment Djoker received by playing at night every match?!?!" LINKS MENTIONED Pam Shriver vs Stefan Vukov/Elena Rybakina/Dmitry Tursonov: https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/pam-shriver-told-she-owes-000900351.html James's Australian Open player ratings: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/australian-open-2023-player-ratings-novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-sebastian-korda-2115502 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 28, 2023

George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton make their predictions - with a little help from James Gray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 24, 2023

Tennis coach Calvin Betton joins writer George Bellshaw and inews.co.uk journalist James Gray to talk through the biggest issues from the third and fourth rounds of the Australian Open and look ahead to the second week: Novak Djokovic is through after he absolutely marmalised Alex De Minaur 6-2 6-1 6-2 - but is he carry an injury or is he playing possum? Djokovic says he is being victimised: “I leave the doubting to those people – let them doubt. Only my injuries are questioned. When some other players are injured, then they are the victims, but when it is me, I am faking it. It is very interesting… I don’t feel that I need to prove anything to anyone." Stefanos Tsitsipas and Jannik Sinner went five sets, Tsitsipas taking the first two and Sinner taking the next two before the Greek took the decider. Tsitsipas said afterwards: “I think that I just released my arm a little bit, released my wrist on the serve. That helped me a lot to generate more power and accuracy, something that I wasn’t doing before. It completely changed the way I approached this match.” Andrey Rublev beat Holger Rune in possibly the best match tie-break ever, coming from 5-0 down to win it. Rune also served for the match at 5-3 and was broken to love, and also had match points at 4-5. Ben Shelton has never been outside America and is now a grand slam quarter-finalist, how far can he go? Iga Swiatek is out, beaten by Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff was shocked by Jelena Ostapenko. Gauff, through tears of frustration, said she would take her anger out playing doubles with Jessica Pegula. Who now will triumph from a wide open women's draw with Wimbledon champion Rybakina going well? In the bottom half, Magda Linette is the surprise package - or is it Karolina Pliskova, finally delivering an elite grand slam performance? Aryna Sabalenka seems to have her demons under control, but for how long? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 21, 2023

On a day when Andy Murray was finally put away by the Spanish wall and Novak Djokovic limped his way into the fourth round, James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper gives you the lowdown from Down Under. Murray had a debt of lactic and energy to pay after his late-night finish against Thanasi Kokkinakis and the interest rate was too high as he was beaten 6-1 6-7(7) 6-3 6-4 by Roberto Bautista Agut. Djokovic's hamstring has been troubling him all week but one leg was enough to beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets Magda Linette sprang an upset to beat Ekaterina Alexandrova Caroline Garcia is a dangerous No 4 seed and overcame a scare to beat Laura Siegmund SUNDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY (All times GMT) Rod Laver Arena Doubles match Not before 1.30am : Iga Swiatek (1) vs Elena Rybakina (22) Hubert Hurkacz (10) vs Sebastian Korda (29) 8am : Stefanos Tsitsipas (3) vs Jannik Sinner (15) Victoria Azarenka vs Zhu Lin Margaret Court Arena Doubles match Not before 2am : Jelena Ostapenko (17) vs Coco Gauff (7) Not before 4.30am : Jiri Lehecka vs Felix Auger-Aliassime (6) John Cain Arena Doubles match Doubles match Not before 3.30am : Yoshihito Nishioka (31) vs Karen Khachanov (18) Not before 6am : Jessica Pegula (3) vs Barbora Krejcikova (20) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 20, 2023

We sometimes record special editions of Tennis Unfiltered during grand slams in an effort to give you even more content. This week, James (in Melbourne) and Calvin talk about the men's draw before George fills us in on what has been happening in the women's. Follow our new Twitter account here: https://twitter.com/unfiltertennis We are on Instagram too: https://www.instagram.com/tennisunfilteredpod/ Remember to keep up to date with your fantasy tennis team: shorturl.at/bisZ7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 12, 2023

We look over both Australian Open draws, where it was a car crash for the Brits but looked like a win for Novak Djokovic. #UnfilteredFantasyTennis is live! Click here to sign up before Sunday at 10pm: shorturl.at/ptuvz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 10, 2023

A new era begins. Tennis Unfiltered starts with Calvin Betton (resident tennis coach) calling in from Portugal, James Gray (inews.co.uk and i newspaper) on the line from Melbourne and George Bellshaw (tennis writer) in... north London. It's not all glamour. This week, we tackle the big topics in tennis. Is a sachet of vinegar acceptable to drink on court? What is Cliff Richard's biggest hit? Will Netflix ever learn? We also talk about some tennis too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 5, 2023

This is the last Love Tennis Podcast (sort of). As of next week, we will be Tennis Unfiltered. The OG fans will remember we started this podcast as part of Love Sport Radio, a now defunct radio station, and that's where we got our name: the Love Tennis Podcast, a sort of co-branding exercise. It stuck, and we never bothered to change it. But over time, we've realised that it didn't really suit us as a brand, or reflect who we are. So we've changed. We commissioned an amazing graphic designer called Luke to do all our new logos and banners, which look amazing, and one day you might even be able to buy a t-shirt with the logos on. (We have mock-ups, they look amazing.) Thank you to everyone who listened and contributed in 2022 - your downloads helped us pay Luke a proper wage to do some fantastic work. Not too much will change about the podcast: it will still be James, Calvin and George, talking nonsense. Hopefully it'll be better, the mailbag will be checked more often and we'll be even more successful in 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 29, 2022

They're back! George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton return for the 2023 season to discuss anything and everything tennis related - and more! Are the pre-season exhibitions in the Middle East a complete waste of time? How would we rebuild tennis? Once again we ask: is Nick Kyrgios is right? (No) Is the United Cup a good idea? Will Tim Henman ever stop talking? Is the Forbes list of highest paid female athletes in 2022 total nonsense? Will Rafael Nadal retire this year? Who is Novak Djokovic's new physio? What about Emma Raducanu's new coach? Plus: we answer your questions from Twitter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 13, 2022

Calvin Betton, live from pre-season, joins George Bellshaw and James Gray to talk about all the biggest news from tennis this week, including: Why Nick Kyrgios thinks he should be ranked No 2 in the world (see link for the full 'discourse' https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1602161813998665728) We choose our picks for the following categories Player of the Year Best Newcomer Most Improved Coach of the Year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 8, 2022

Calvin Betton (coach), George Bellshaw (writer) and James Gray (journalist, inews.co.uk and the i newspaper) talk about the biggest issues of the week in tennis. This week... What Nick Bollettieri did for the game of tennis Did he really invent the tennis academy? Was he a great coach or a great motivator? And how many wives did he *really* have? The LTA have been fined $1m by the ATP, should the AELTC pay the fine? What will they do next summer, ban Russians and Belarusians again? Could they really be expelled from the ATP and the WTA? We'll also answer your questions, discuss the rights and wrongs of playing in Saudi Arabia (again) and look at the latest doping ban in tennis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 29, 2022

Tennis coach Calvin Betton returns to the UK and talks to George Bellshaw and James Gray about... The secret to Henry Patten and Julian Cash's record-breaking year, in which they've won nine Challenger titles and are on the verge of Australian Open qualification The ethical issues of playing in Saudi Arabia vs allowing Russian players to play in the UK Why Felix Auger-Aliassime can use Davis Cup success to kick on at grand slams - and why Denis Shapovalov can't What Rafa Nadal is doing in South America NOTES Here is a link to the allegations made by Polish MP Katarzyna Kotula against Mirosław Skrzypczyński (TW: sexual abuse): https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/katarzyna-kotula-prezes-pzt-to-seksualny-predator-krzywdzil-mnie-gdy-bylam-dzieckiem/qj0rnet And Iga Swiatek's response: https://twitter.com/iga_swiatek/status/1595077207130787840 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 21, 2022

Calvin Betton dials in from Italy to join George Bellshaw and James Gray of the i newspaper and inews.co.uk to talk all things tennis, including: Will Novak Djokovic ever age? Is he already the greatest 35-year-old in the history of sport? Will he surpass Roger Federer's record of six ATP Finals titles? Do we read much into Rafael Nadal's defeats to Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz? Could he still win the Australian Open next year? Is Casper Ruud sneakily the most consistent player on tour? Or is he just 'a Poundland Djokovic'? Can we possibly agree with Stefanos Tsitsipas on Andrey Rublev's 'very few tools'? Coaching questions for Calvin How gambling on tennis ruined my life, by Hannah Jane Parkinson: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/nov/20/gambling-addiction-tennis-bet365-online-betting-hannah-jane-parkinson WHO IS THE WORST MUSICIAN ON THE ATP? Stefanos Tsitsipas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNHiwNG2HVQ&ab_channel=StefanosTsitsipas-Topic Denis Shapovalov - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iu64p6RAWc&ab_channel=ShapoMusic-Topic Andrey Rublev - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9OUNt7gjDY&ab_channel=SummerAfternoon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 14, 2022

Tennis coach Calvin Betton, writer George Bellshaw and senior sports journalist at i and inews.co.uk James Gray discuss all the biggest issues in tennis over the last week, including: Why Novak Djokovic's drinks bottle became such a big deal How the BJK Cup was almost a disaster, then wasn't, then was again [and later why it should only be every four years] What Cam Norrie should have done instead of going to Saudi Arabia for pre-season - and why it's different from allowing politics to ban Russian players from playing at Wimbledon The secret to a top doubles pairing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 7, 2022

George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton join James Gray of the i newspaper and inews.co.uk to talk about everything that has happened in the last week of tennis, with questions like: How can we fix the WTA Finals? Why did it break in the first place? Whose run to the final is more impressive: Caroline Garcia and Aryna Sabalenka? What of Holger Rune's chances of winning over the rest of the locker room? Why is Novak Djokovic so good in Paris (indoors)? And many, many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 1, 2022

George Bellshaw, Calvin Betton and James Gray of inews.co.uk and the i newspaper talk about the biggest topics from the last seven days of tennis, including: Dimitry Tursonov discusses the 'red flags' that made him walk away from the Emma Raducanu job, and how he did *not* line up Belinda Bencic before doing so (Read the full interview here: https://www.tennismajors.com/wta-tour-news/tursunov-i-wasnt-hopping-from-one-player-to-another-i-wouldnt-do-that-631908.html ) Iga Swiatek says she 'can't control' the hand-waving that some people call hindrances, but do the podcasters agree? Cam Norrie (and Nick Kyrgios) complain that Novak Djokovic has benefitted from Wimbledon by qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals but they have not. Do we agree? (Read Simon Briggs' piece in the Telegraph here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2022/10/31/cameron-norrie-atp-finals-favours-novak-djokovic-unfair-selection/) Daniil Medvedev has won his second title of the year, triumphing in Vienna Australia confirm they have replaced the Hopman and ATP Cup with the United Cup, an 18-team, mixed competition held across three cities before the Australian Open The WTA Finals gets underway in Fort Worth, having sold very few tickets indeed by all accounts - but listener Eli Cook asks us why one of the favourites Coco Gauff is quite so highly rated. Plus loads more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 25, 2022

James Gray of i newspaper and inews.co.uk is joined by writer George Bellshaw and tennis coach Calvin Betton to talk about all the latest tennis news, including: Simona Halep has been provisional suspended after failing a drugs test Dan Evans says he should have been playing doubles for Great Britain in the Davis Cup and could quit if he is not given the chance to do so. Is he right? (Read the original story in full here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/dan-evans-threatens-quit-davis-cup-1918744) Felix Auger-Aliassime wins back-to-back 250 titles - has he levelled up again? Dominic Thiem says his backhand, serve and movement are all there now, but can he still function properly without a fully firing forehand? Jessica Pegula beats Maria Sakkari in Guadalajara to cement her place as No 3 in the world, where does she sit in the eight-strong field for the WTA Finals in Forth Worth? Arise the Next Next Gen as Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune both win titles Filmmaker Cosmin Andrei talks to James about "OUT! The Untold Truth of Tennis", a film he wants to make in order to highlight the issues behind parental coaching in tennis (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andreea-costea/out-the-untold-truth-of-tennis) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 17, 2022

Live from Antwerp, James Gray joins Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw to discuss all the latest from the tennis world. Why Andy Murray *really* pulled out of the European Open What's the deal with indoor courts? Is Felix Auger-Aliassime the next Andrey Rublev? What does Coco Gauff have to do about her forehand Whether Iga Swiatek needs to take a look hard look at herself, or if the 'hindrances' are just part of the game And much, much more! Key links You need to follow this guy (https://twitter.com/juanignacio_ac) on Twitter. Just do it. Here is JI's brilliant guide to WTA Finals permutations this week: https://twitter.com/juanignacio_ac/status/1581988629475254274 This is the compilation of what some people are calling Iga Swiatek's pattern of behaviour: https://twitter.com/tennisooc/status/1581891202705596416 This is Anastasia Gasanova's series of posts, dating back years. Fair warning, there's lots of grim stuff in there: https://twitter.com/ukrtennis_eng/status/1581212917390712837 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 11, 2022

George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton join James Gray to talk about the biggest issues in tennis this week: Novak Djokovic wins his 90th ATP title in Astana, beating a strong field and thrashing Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. The former world No 1 is now guaranteed a place at the ATP World Tour finals and has lost just two tour matches since May - is this season he is putting together being underrated? Daniil Medvedev was putting together a fine match against Djokovic before pulling an adductor muscle. What next for him? Is Barbora Krejcikova good for women's tennis? She is certainly good at it after becoming just the second player in senior tennis to beat Iga Swiatek in a final. Both women saved match points before Krejcikova triumphed in three sets. Emma Raducanu has ended her WTA season with a wrist injury but says she will play Billie Jean King Cup. What should we hope for next season? And will the seven-figure investment in British tennis secure her legacy? Where will Taylor Fritz end next year after beating Frances Tiafoe to the title in Tokyo? Fritz is the only player along with Djokovic to win a 250, 500 and 1000 event in 2022 and is up to No 8 in the world. There has been some movement on the Nick Kyrgios court case in Australia - James explains what but you should also read this explainer with one of Australia's top lawyers: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/the-next-emma-raducanu-british-tennis-grand-slam-champion-1891939 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 4, 2022

George Bellshaw returns to join James Gray and Calvin Betton to discuss all the biggest stories in tennis this week, and consider the follow: So Novak Djokovic wasn't injured then? Can he catch Jimmy Connors' ATP title record? Who will finish on the most titles out of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal? Was Iga Swiatek right to criticise the tour and the ITF over the timing of the BJK Cup Finals in Glasgow? How can tennis fix its calendar problems? Should Corentin Moutet be banned after a fight with Adrian Andreev? Who will win the race to Turin and Texas respectively? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 26, 2022

James Gray and Calvin Betton are joined by Michael Hincks, freelance sports journalist who got to witness the Laver Cup and The Roger Federer Show up close and personal. They ask: Did Roger Federer overshadow his own event? Does it matter? What was Ellie Goulding doing there? Who was our Laver Cup MVP? Is Frances Tiafoe the future of the tournament? Should we be asking the Laver Cup to help grow the game internationally? What would we change about the tournament format? Plus the latest from the tour, including a fresh injury problem for Emma Raducanu and Alexander Bublik being... Alexander Bublik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 19, 2022

We're all wearing black, the crying has barely stopped and as a mark of respect George has left the country. Yes, Roger Federer has announced his retirement. Resident tennis coach Calvin Betton and journalist for i newspaper and inews.co.uk James Gray react to the news, and try to answer the following question... If Federer changed the game, how? Will he end up joining an elite group of billionaire athletes? What is Federer's legacy? Will we ever see another player win 20 grand slams across 15 years? Could Britain have won their Davis Cup group by dropping Andy Murray? Is the new Davis Cup format working? Who will win the Davis Cup now? Emma Raducanu is grinding the 250s, which is exactly what she needs? How much will we see Naomi Osaka in 2023? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 12, 2022

James Gray is joined by Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw to look back at two weeks of mayhem at Flushing Meadows which culminated in Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz being crowned US Open champions, both for the first time. Will Iga Swiatek win all four next year? Will Carlos Alcaraz win any? Has Casper Ruud proven he is a grand slam challenger? Is Ons Jabeur *actually* any closer to winning one? We'll also talk about the future of Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, whether Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff can really step up to win their first slam next year, and what this all means for the rest of the tours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 10, 2022

Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw join James Gray in New York to look at the two singles finals, firstly between Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur, and then between Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 8, 2022

James reports live from New York (well sort of - he definitely is there but since this is a podcast, it can't really be called live), talking all things US Open from the last 48 hours. This is a podlet, so sometimes he'll be alone, sometimes he'll be with a guest or two, and it will almost always be quite raw. No music, no editing, just pure, unadulterated mind dump. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 6, 2022

James reports live from New York (well sort of - he definitely is there but since this is a podcast, it can't really be called live), talking all things US Open from the last 48 hours. This is a podlet, so sometimes he'll be alone, sometimes he'll be with a guest or two, and it will almost always be quite raw. No music, no editing, just pure, unadulterated mind dump. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 3, 2022

Calvin Betton joins James Gray to talk about the first week of the US Open. Is this really the end of Serena Williams? What will Emma Raducanu get out of playing a lower level of tournament? Where is it going wrong for Andy Murray? What next for Harriet Dart? Is Rafael Nadal really in the best shape? What can Daniil Medvedev expect from Nick Kyrgios? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 3, 2022

James reports live from New York (well sort of - he definitely is there but since this is a podcast, it can't really be called live), talking all things US Open from the last 24 hours. This is a podlet, so sometimes he'll be alone, sometimes he'll be with a guest or two, and it will almost always be quite raw. No music, no editing, just pure, unadulterated mind dump. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 1, 2022

James reports live from New York (well sort of - he definitely is there but since this is a podcast, it can't really be called live), talking all things US Open from the last 24 hours. This is a podlet, so sometimes he'll be alone, sometimes he'll be with a guest or two, and it will almost always be quite raw. No music, no editing, just pure, unadulterated mind dump. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 31, 2022

James reports live from New York (well sort of - he definitely is there but since this is a podcast, it can't really be called live), talking all things US Open from the last two days. This is a podlet, so sometimes he'll be alone, sometimes he'll be with a guest or two, and it will almost always be quite raw. No music, no editing, just pure, unadulterated mind dump. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 26, 2022

Check out the men's draw in full and the women's draw in full to see how the brackets might unfold, and make sure to study them carefully before entering our fantasy tennis game, which you can play by clicking here . This week, George, Calvin and James (from NYC) discuss the impact of Novak Djokovic finally withdrawing from the US Open, why grand slam prize money should be REDUCED and how Emma Raducanu might fair in her maiden grand slam title defence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 23, 2022

Emma Raducanu enjoyed two of her most high-profile wins as she beat Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams comfortably, but then lost to in-form Jessica Pegula. Finding form at the right time, or catching two legends at a bad time? Borna Coric made an incredible return from shoulder surgery earlier this year and years in the wilderness to win the title in Cincinnati, his first Masters 1000 crown. He will now be seeded at the US Open; is he finally about to come of age? In the women's draw, Caroline Garcia won as a qualifier in. Is she now finding her way and adding yet more chaos to the top of the women's game? Both Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal lost in Cincinnati - which of those two is more concerning? And does it just throw the US Open even wider open? Andy Murray throws away a win against Cameron Norrie and suffers bad cramps. What does he have to do to finally make that jump back into the top 30? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 16, 2022

Serena Williams says she will retire after the US Open, announcing in a long letter to the tennis world in Vogue that she’s “evolving” away from tennis and will focus now on expanding her family and her business Serena Ventures. What’s been her impact on the game? What’s her legacy? Where does she rank among the greatest of all-time? And what about her clash with Emma Raducanu ? Simona Halep is back in the top 10 after winning Rogers Cup beating Zhang, Teichmann, Gauff, Pegula and then Haddad Maia in the final. How much credit should her coach Patrick Mouratoglou be getting? There was a first Masters 1000 title for Pablo Carreno Busta . Is he the most underrated player on tour? Carlos Alcaraz lost to Tommy Paul from a commanding position and spoke about feeling the pressure afterwards. Are we concerned about his US Open chances? Jack Draper beat Stefanos Tsitsipas for the biggest win of his career and a place on the cusp of the top 50. What do we think his ceiling is? Nick Kyrgios beat Daniil Medvedev. Does this change our perspective on Kyrgios’s chances at US Open? Dan Evans reached the semis and lost doubles final. After a big week for him, is there any sense that this US Open is last-chance-saloon in terms of having a serious chance of going deep in a grand slam? Andy Murray is set to take on Cam Norrie in Cincinnati, who wins? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 8, 2022

- Nick Kyrgios wins singles and doubles title in Washington to announce himself as a challenger for the US Open title. He will be seeded for the singles draw and is probably playing at a top-10 level, isn't he? - Daniil Medvedev also won a title this week in Los Cabos, beating Cam Norrie in the final after another strong week for the British No 1 - Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka faced off in San Jose, but where is this rivalry going? - Afterwards, Naomi Osaka Tweeted and deleted about not having rich parents. Is that where all tennis players' motivation comes from? - Daria Kasatkina is third in the WTA Race after winning the title, beating Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa and Shelby Rogers; (worth noting Gauff is no. 4 in the race) - Terry White asked what we think about not allowing second serves? "Too many serve bots in the game. Has this been tried before?" he wrote on Twitter - Elena Tsourdi asked us about Iga Swiatek's defeat to Carolina Garcia, particularly her destruction on second serve, and whether that concerns us about her form going forward AND FINALLY - Pickleball and padel both got prominent coverage on US and UK TV this week - can tennis get anything out of people picking up these sports? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 1, 2022

Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the singles in Atlanta with a knee problem but did then win the doubles alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis, the Australian Open winning pair Alex de Minaur wins the singles title, beating Jenson Brooksby in the final Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz again to claim his first ATP title on clay - how many times are we going to see that match-up in their careers? Also titles for Roberto Bautista Agut, Caroline Garcia and Marie Bouzkova Goran Ivanisevic says Novak Djokovic is targeting 30 grand slams, but has he worked out the visa implications? Serena Williams has been playing the part of hitting partner to Venus in Washington, but do either of them have that long left? Emma Raducanu has a new coach - on trial - in Dmitry Tursunov, although he is not available for the whole US swing. Needless to say, we have opinions... but he has at least got her playing doubles, it seems. Kyle Edmund is back! He beat Yosuke Watanuki 6-4 7-6(8) to claim a first victory at ATP level since US Open 2020 AND FINALLY Ash Barty got married. Nice one Ash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 26, 2022

With James Gray on holiday, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw discuss all the latest news from the tennis world, including: Novak Djokovic joins the Laver Cup but will having the Big Four on the same squad turn it into a global event? What does Roger Federer's choice of racquet tell us about his career? Dominic Thiem makes a semi-final, he's not had a chance to defend his 2020 US Open title yet... Lorenzo Musetti goes for underarm serve on match point in the semi-finals but still wins and goes on to beat Carlos Alcaraz to the title, while the Spaniard becomes the second-youngest since 2000 (after Rafa Nadal) to reach the top five in the world Casper Ruud beats Matteo Berrettini to the title in Gstaad Irina-Camelia Begu triumphs in Palermo Bernarda Pera shocks Anett Kontaveit to claim victory in Hamburg Andrea Gaudenzi discusses a grass court Masters and hints it will lean towards Germany Elina Svitolina criticises governing bodies for lack of support over Ukraine war while Iga Swiatek holds a high-profile fundraiser and vows keep focus on it AND FINALLY... Venus Williams’ dream tennis dinner party... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 18, 2022

James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton dig into the biggest issues of the week in tennis. 1:35 - Daria Kasatkina reveals she is dating a woman, and her concerns about the taboo over same-sex relationships in Russia. The Russian No 1 also said she wanted "war to end", a significant statement both for its anti-war sentiment and even for defining the invasion of Ukraine as a war, something the Russian regime continues to call a "special military operation". 14:53 - Lleyton Hewitt is inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport, giving an emotional speech in which he said he never expected to be a HoFer, that is was something for his idols. How did the Australian make it so far? And what about that Wimbledon win in 2002? 23:55 - Maxime Cressy wins the title at Newport, serve-and-volleying his way to victory over Alexander Bublik. What is his ceiling? He will now probably be seeded at the US Open, which could make him a tricky early-round opponent for someone. And Calvin's got another theory about the return of S&V in modern tennis... 38:45 - Serena Williams reveals her plans for the summer will take her to Toronto and Washington before New York. How much work does she need to put in to be competitive at the US Open? 45:18 - Inside the secret world of tennis umpires , a Guardian long read. LINKS Daria Kasatkina puts it better than we ever could: https://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/tennis-world-showers-daria-kasatkina-with-love-after-star-comes-out-as-gay/news-story/8b0b38bfb57cce0876552a94e2b9e976 Read William Ralston's brilliant piece on umpires here: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jul/07/tennis-umpires-secret-world-you-cant-be-the-players-friend A cricket umpire puts Stuart Broad in his place: https://twitter.com/ClubRespectTeam/status/1546611539523751939 Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lovetennispod And YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_pnF_62lE5rqd9qopYXcg And you can email us lovetennispod@gmail.com It's never been easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 15, 2022

We've got a full set! George Bellshaw, Calvin Betton and James Gray all manage to get on the same podcast to look back at two weeks of Wimbledon and forward to the hard court season. We asked: Should Novak Djokovic still be confident of beating Rafa Nadal's all-time slam record? Is Roger Federer still the GOAT on grass? Would any of them beat John McEnroe? Is Elena Rybakina a bigger breakthrough than Nick Kyrgios? Will Ons Jabeur ever win a grand slam? Does James need to change his fantasy tennis system? (Answer: always) Was Wimbledon 2022 a success? Why is Andy Murray STILL playing on grass? Dominic Thiem is BACK?! Follow us on Twitter @LoveTennisPod or get in touch with your thoughts lovetennispod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 10, 2022

Thank you so much for listening to all the podlets over Wimbledon. It has been our record fortnight, with thousands of you tuning in to listen. We really, REALLY appreciate it, even if you don't always agree with us. That's why we're here, in the end, to stir the pot a bit! Anyway, weekly pods will be back after Wimbledon - and if you want to play me at Matchpoint Tennis Championships, just drop me a DM... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 10, 2022

Thank you so much for listening to all the podlets over Wimbledon. It has been our record fortnight, with thousands of you tuning in to listen. We really, REALLY appreciate it, even if you don't always agree with us. That's why we're here, in the end, to stir the pot a bit! Anyway, weekly pods will be back after Wimbledon - and if you want to play me at Matchpoint Tennis Championships, just drop me a DM... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 9, 2022

Please tell your friends and tennis partners about the Love Tennis Podcast. We will be releasing new episode EVERY DAY over Wimbledon, and it would be a great shame if we didn't get any new listeners for our trouble. You are our greatest asset, our greatest supporters and the reason we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 8, 2022

Please tell your friends and tennis partners about the Love Tennis Podcast. We will be releasing new episode EVERY DAY over Wimbledon, and it would be a great shame if we didn't get any new listeners for our trouble. You are our greatest asset, our greatest supporters and the reason we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 7, 2022

Order of play for Thursday 1.30pm : Ons Jabeur (3) vs Tatjana Maria Followed by (expected around 3.15pm) : Simona Halep (16) vs Elena Rybakina (17) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2022

Wimbledon order of play for Wednesday Centre Court (from 1.30pm BST) Ajla Tomljanovic vs Elena Rybakina Rafael Nadal vs Taylor Fritz No 1 Court (from 1pm BST) Simona Halep vs Amanda Anisimova Nick Kyrgios vs Cristian Garin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2022

Order of play for Tuesday (All times BST and subject to change!) Centre Court (1.30pm start) Novak Djokovic (1) vs Jannik Sinner (10) Marie Bouzkova vs Ons Jabeur (3) No 1 Court (1pm start) Tatjana Maria vs Jule Niemeier David Goffin vs Cameron Norrie (9) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 4, 2022

Order of play for Monday (All times BST and order of play is subject to change) Centre Court (from 1.30pm) Brandon Nakashima vs Nick Kyrgios Paula Badosa (4) vs Simona Halep (16) Botic van de Zandschulp (21) vs Rafael Nadal (2) No 1 Court (from 1pm) Elena Rybakina (17) vs Petra Martic Jason Kubler vs Taylor Fritz (11) Amanda Anisimova (20) vs Harmony Tan No 2 Court (from 11am) Cristian Garin vs Alex de Minaur Alize Cornet vs Ajla Tomljanovic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 3, 2022

Please tell your friends and tennis partners about the Love Tennis Podcast. We will be releasing new episode EVERY DAY over Wimbledon, and it would be a great shame if we didn't get any new listeners for our trouble. You are our greatest asset, our greatest supporters and the reason we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2022

Please tell your friends and tennis partners about the Love Tennis Podcast. We will be releasing new episode EVERY DAY over Wimbledon, and it would be a great shame if we didn't get any new listeners for our trouble. You are our greatest asset, our greatest supporters and the reason we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 30, 2022

Please tell your friends and tennis partners about the Love Tennis Podcast. We will be releasing new episode EVERY DAY over Wimbledon, and it would be a great shame if we didn't get any new listeners for our trouble. You are our greatest asset, our greatest supporters and the reason we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 30, 2022

Please tell your friends and tennis partners about the Love Tennis Podcast. We will be releasing new episode EVERY DAY over Wimbledon, and it would be a great shame if we didn't get any new listeners for our trouble. You are our greatest asset, our greatest supporters and the reason we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 29, 2022

Please tell your friends and tennis partners about the Love Tennis Podcast. We will be releasing new episode EVERY DAY over Wimbledon, and it would be a great shame if we didn't get any new listeners for our trouble. You are our greatest asset, our greatest supporters and the reason we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28, 2022

Please tell your friends and tennis partners about the Love Tennis Podcast. We will be releasing new episode EVERY DAY over Wimbledon, and it would be a great shame if we didn't get any new listeners for our trouble. You are our greatest asset, our greatest supporters and the reason we do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 26, 2022

A look back at all the biggest stories of the last week including: Petra Kvitova won in Eastbourne and turned a few heads in fantasy Stefanos Tsitsipas "proved" he can play on grass Emma Raducanu's ongoing injury scare Nick Kyrgios is up to his usual tricks again Novak Djokovic still won't get vaccinated Enter Fantasy Wimbledon here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SlzP2_ikNbyjxVJMEUynBQTKhJGtdKeLJ_qS3aUySJ0/ Follow your progress here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sb92qUwEerHozhfcw0TtTyK9l9la7oTaWOUFAPSJckg/ Plus a look forward to the Day 1's order of play: All courts start at 11am BST unless otherwise stated Centre Court (1.30pm) Novak Djokovic (1) vs Kwon Soon-woo Alison Van Uytvanck vs Emma Raducanu (10) Andy Murray vs James Duckworth No 1 Court (1pm) Mirjam Bjorklund (Q) vs Ons Jabeur (3) Jan-Lennard Struff vs Carlos Alcaraz (5) Angelique Kerber (15) vs Kristina Mladenovic No 2 Court Cameron Norrie (9) vs Pablo Andujar Bernarda Pera vs Anett Kontaveit (2) Jannik Sinner (10) vs Stan Wawrinka (WC) Maria Sakkari (5) vs Zoe Hives (Q) No 3 Court Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Hubert Hurkacz (7) Danielle Collins (7) vs Marie Bouzkova Tamara Korpatsch vs Heather Watson Ryan Peniston (WC) vs Henri Laaksonen Court 12 Casper Ruud (3) vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas Kaja Juvan vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (32) Belinda Bencic (14) vs Qiang Wang Steve Johnson vs Grigor Dimitrov (18) Court 18 Jodie Burrage (WC) vs Lesia Tsurenko Enzo Couacaud (Q) vs John Isner (20) Jay Clarke (WC) vs Christian Harrison (Q) Marta Kostyuk vs Katie Swan (WC) Court 4 Tommy Paul (30) vs Fernando Verdasco Camila Osorio vs Elise Mertens (24) Martina Trevisan (22) vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto Carlos Taberner vs Reilly Opelka (15) Court 6 Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Ugo Humbert Clara Tauson vs Mai Hontama (Q) Tamara Zidansek vs Panna Udvardy Taro Daniel vs Sebastian Baez (31) Court 7 Anhelina Kalinina (29) vs Anna Bondar Alejandro Tabilo vs Laslo Djere Oscar Otte (32) vs Peter Gojowczyk Court 8 Maximilian Marterer (Q) vs Aljaz Bedene Aleksandra Krunic vs Sorana Cirstea (26) Daniel Altmaier vs Mikael Ymer Daria Saville (WC) vs Viktoriya Tomova Court 9 Benoit Paire vs Quentin Halys Federico Coria vs Jiri Vesely Lucia Bronzetti vs Ann Li Yanina Wickmayer (Q) vs Lin Zhu Court 10 Ylena In-Albon vs Alison Riske (28) Rebecca Marino vs Katarzyna Kawa (Q) Maddison Inglis (Q) vs Dalma Galfi Alexander Bublik vs Marton Fucsovics Court 11 Thiago Monteiro vs Jaume Munar Jule Niemeier vs Xiyu Wang Tim van Rijthoven (WC) vs Federico Delbonis Court 14 Adrian Mannarino vs Max Purcell (Q) John Millman vs Miomir Kecmanovic (25) Astra Sharma (Q) vs Tatjana Maria Oceane Dodin vs Jelena Ostapenko (12) Court 15 Nikoloz Basilashvili (22) vs Lukas Rosol Kaia Kanepi (31) vs Diane Parry Dusan Lajovic vs Pablo Carreno Busta (16) Shuai Zhang (33) vs Misaki Doi Court 16 Katerina Siniakova vs Maja Chwalinska (Q) Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Kamil Majchrzak Tallon Griekspoor vs Fabio Fognini Ekaterine Gorgodze vs Irina-Camelia Begu Court 17 Frances Tiafoe (23) vs Andrea Vavassori Carolina Garcia vs Lily Miyazaki (WC) Magda Linette vs Fernanda Contreras Gomez (Q) David Goffin vs Radu Albot (Q) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 24, 2022

Novak Djokovic appears to have been given the softer end of the Wimbledon draw Rafael Nadal will have to battle but the podders still reckon he'll make it through Who is the dark horse to come out of a wide-open bracket and reach the quarter-finals? Is there anyone Iga Swiatek should be scared of? How glad is Ons Jabeur to have avoided her half of the draw? How many Brits can make it through? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 19, 2022

A PACKED podcast with more stories than ever, including: Serena Williams made her comeback official and will play doubles at Eastbourne with Ons Jabeur before taking a singles wildcard at Wimbledon Naomi Osaka will not be there though after failing to recover from an Achilles problem, and she says she is trying to master the phrase "after the storm comes the calm" Eugenie Bouchard said she would not play Wimbledon because it would be a waste of her protected ranking entries when she can't pick up any points Emma Raducanu has pulled out of Eastbourne due to an ongoing side strain and is inevitably an injury doubt for Wimbledon Tim van Rijthoven and Stan Wawrinka both have wildcards to Wimbledon main draw Rafa Nadal announces his foot is (mostly) fine and his wife is (entirely) pregnant Jannik Sinner has a new coach, formerly Simona Halep's coach Darren Cahill Ons Jabeur beats Belinda Bencic to win a stacked draw in Berlin Beatriz Haddad Maia wins her second title of the summer on grass while Katie Boulter also shows some form in the same tournament in Birmingham Hubert Hurkacz strengthens his Wimbledon credentials by beating Daniil Medvedev to claim the title in Halle Dominic Thiem gets accused of making an adult film, when in fact he was just grunting playing tennis! Has tennis gone soft on drugs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 12, 2022

Andy Murray played his first grass-court final since 2016, when he won Wimbledon, but he could not get over the line against a resurgent Matteo Berrettini in Stuttgart. There was good form for Nick Kyrgios who was stopped by Murray in the semi-final but revealed afterwards that he had been racially abused by the crowd. Stefanos Tsitsipas was another who ran into Murray in good form, and is yet to show what he can do on grass All of which gets us wondering.... how high can Andy Murray fly on grass this summer? Tim van Rijthoven comes from outside the top 200 to win in s’hertogenbosch, beating all top three seeds including Daniil Medvedev in the final! Dan Evans picked up the title in Nottingham, a Midlands win for the Midlands boy, while Ken Skupski and Jonny O'Mara beat Calvin's superstar pair to the doubles Trophy Beatriz Haddad Maia won both the singles and the doubles in the WTA event And not forgetting... a WTA event in Berlin coming up, the ATP heads to the Queen's Club and Sue Barker is to step down from heading the BBC coverage of Wimbledon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 7, 2022

PART 1 Rafael Nadal won his 22nd grand slam title at Roland Garros, sweeping aside Casper Ruud with apparent ease. Has it changed the way we see the GOAT debate? Nadal did reveal he would have a non-invasive nerve procedure in an effort to limit the pain in his foot after having anaesthetic injections throughout the tournament. How long has he got left on his left foot? Casper Ruud admitted the occasion got to him after he managed to win just six games. Will he be back here again? Coco Gauff seemed to experience similar as she was beaten by Iga Swiatek. What does Gauff have to do to compete at that level? Iga Swiatek is now 35 matches unbeaten. Is there anyone out there who can stop her? PART 2 Alexander Zverev has announced he has had surgery on his 3 torn ankle ligaments. When will we see him back in any meaningful way? Emma Raducanu has another injury, this time an apparent side or rib strain. Is she in a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon? The WTA are reportedly in talks to award 50 per cent ranking points to players at Wimbledon, reneging on their previous withdrawal. Does that suit anyone? Who is better: Pat Cash or Patten-Cash? Get to know Britain's most in-form doubles pair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 5, 2022

Rafael Nadal is looking to win a 14th French Open title and maintain his 100 per cent record in the final of Roland Garros Casper Ruud is in his very first grand slam final and has never played Nadal competitively What could possibly go wrong?! And on Saturday Iga Swiatek beat Coco Gauff in straight sets to claim her second French Open title (in front of Robert Lewandowski), leaving the American tearful but proud of her achievements Both women used their platform during the tournament to highlight causes close to their heart Swiatek was asked many things in her post-match press conference, but also about what make-up she wears, a question that harked back to a bygone era Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 3, 2022

Alexander Zverev was taken off court in a wheelchair to end a thrilling semi-final against Rafael Nadal Nadal stopped keeping balls in his pocket because conditions were so humid Casper Ruud was interrupted in his effort to beat Marin Cilic by a climate change protestor The Norwegian triumphed though and will face Nadal in Sunday's final Coco Gauff takes on Iga Swiatek in the women's final on Saturday (2pm BST) Who do we want to win? Who do we *need* to win? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 2, 2022

Is there any way of stopping Iga Swiatek? How on earth did Coco Gauff get so mature at 18? How can Alexander Zverev beat Rafael Nadal? Is Nadal's foot going to be alright? Where did Marin Cilic's form come from? What can Casper Ruud do in the tennis world? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 2, 2022

Read James' comment piece on the scheduling at Roland Garros here: https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/french-open-schedule-2022-women-match-men-primetime-slot-1662774 We also ask: Did Casper Ruud really shout at Holger Rune in the locker room? How is Marin Cilic still not done yet? Is Iga Swiatek starting to show some weaknesses? Can Daria Kasatkina stop her? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 1, 2022

How on earth do you explain Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal? Where did Djokovic go wrong? How fit is Nadal really and will we see him at Wimbledon? Is 1am in May too late and too cold to play tennis? Plus: Zverev vs Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Fernandez's injury and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 30, 2022

Order of play for Tuesday (All times UK) Court Philippe Chatrier 11am : Martina Trevisan vs Leylah Fernandez (17) Followed by : Coco Gauff (18) vs Sloane Stephens Followed by : Alexander Zverev (3) vs Carlos Alcaraz (6) Not before 7.45pm : Novak Djokovic (1) vs Rafael Nadal (5) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 29, 2022

Will Felix Auger-Aliassime regret not serving at 70 per cent? How is Rafa Nadal playing? Can Coco Gauff stop Iga Swiatek? Where did Sloane Stephens' form come from? This and so many other questions to answer from Roland Garros... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 28, 2022

Calvin and James raw and unedited on Saturday's action at Roland Garros Jessica Pegula is the highest ranked seed left in the women's draw except for Iga Swiatek Who can challenge the Polish world No 1? Is Aryna Sabalenka ever going to win a grand slam? What does Andrey Rublev add to the draw? Why did we never believe that Daniil Medvedev could be good on clay? What is Holger Rune's deal? James will be taking no questions about the football now and for some time afterwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 28, 2022

What a match between Fernandez and Bencic! Anisimova got away with one Norrie’s French Open campaign is over Gauff dispatched the giant-killer Kanepi It’s a big day for the top half pretenders tomorrow: Pegula vs Zidansek, Badosa vs Kudermetova; Keys vs Rybakina and Sabalenka vs Giorgi. Holger Rune vs Hugo Gaston on Saturday night Medvedev faces Kecmanovic, which feels like a big test Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 26, 2022

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic: who are we more convinced by? Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev: who are we less convinced by? Can anyone stop Iga Swiatek and is it worth trying? How do we rate the British effort? Plus a look ahead to how the quarter-finals might be shaping up and why Irina-Camelia Begu was not disqualified from the tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 25, 2022

Calvin and James discuss high-profile defeats for Emma Raducanu and Maria Sakkari, while Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz both faced match points but somehow came away with victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 24, 2022

After a late-night finish from Tsitsipas and Musetti, this podcast needs no introduction. Also it's very late and I'm very tired. Instead, here is Benoit Paire's introduction to his press conference. **** I would like to talk about Wimbledon. I would like to know if ATP defends more players or Russia. This is why I wanted to talk with you guys. Because we are going to play a tournament without any points. When some people had COVID, we didn't say, Oh, okay, we should cancel the tournament altogether. But then we have three or four Russian players, including Medvedev, and we are rallying against Wimbledon. I think it's a pity, because if we were to listen to all the players, players do not understand this decision. 99% of players, they want to have points and to play the tournament as it was before. So I want to know if ATP wants to defend players or Russia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 23, 2022

Today's Roland Garros wrap includes: Amanda Anisimova beating Naomi Osaka Osaka's Wimbledon bombshell and reaction from Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic Emma Raducanu almost slipping on a first-round banana skin Novak Djokovic standing up for players' rights Here is Tuesday's order of play (All courts start at 10am BST unless stated; British players in bold) Court Philippe Chatrier Play starts at 11am Alize Cornet vs Misaki Doi Casper Ruud (8) vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Paula Badosa (3) vs Fiona Ferro Not before 7.45pm: Lorenzo Musetti vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) Court Suzanne Lenglen Facundo Bagnis vs Daniil Medvedev (2) Not before 12pm: Lloyd Harris vs Richard Gasquet 1-6 2-5 Taylor Townsend vs Carolina Garcia Hugo Gaston vs Alex de Minaur (19) Chloe Paquet vs Aryna Sabalenka (7) Court Simonne Mathieu Tessah Andrianjafitrimo vs Karolina Pliskova (8) Not before 11.30am: Benoit Paire vs Ilya Ivashka 3-6 2-1 Frances Tiafoe (24) vs Benjamin Bonzi Simona Halep (19) vs Nastasja Schunk Pablo Carreno Busta (16) vs Gilles Simon Court 5 Not before 11am: Ekaterina Alexandrova (30) vs Greet Minnen Irina-Camelia Begu vs Jasmine Paolini Court 6 Danielle Collins (9) vs Viktoriya Tomova Not before 11.30am: Sebastian Korda (27) vs John Millman 1-0 Adrian Mannarino vs Federico Delbonis Claire Liu vs Tamara Zidansek (24) Giulio Zeppieri vs Hubert Hurkacz (12) Court 7 Emil Ruusuvuori vs Ugo Humbert Not before 12pm: Madison Keys (22) vs Anna Kalinskaya 2-1 Jessica Pegula vs Qiang Wang Bjorn Fratangelo vs Jannik Sinner (11) Rebecca Sramkova vs Daria Kasatkina (20) Court 10 Joao Sousa vs Chun-Hsin Tseng Shelby Rogers vs Tereza Martincova Roberto Carballes Baena vs Oscar Otte Panna Udvardy vs Fernanda Contreras Gomez Court 11 Ricardas Berankis vs Laslo Djere Jiri Lehecka vs David Goffin Irina Bara vs Yulia Putintseva Madison Brengle vs Mihaela Buzarnescu Court 12 Denis Shapovalov (14) vs Holger Rune Not before 12pm: Pedro Martinez vs Henri Laaksonen 6-2 4-6 0-2 Mayar Sherif vs Marta Kostyuk Oksana Selekhmeteva vs Kaja Juvan Jiri Vesely vs Steve Johnson Court 13 Aleksandra Krunic vs Kamilla Rakhimova Not before 11.30am: Arantxa Rus vs Elena Rybakina (16) 1-6 4-2 Peter Gojowczyk vs Lorenzo Sonego (32) Angelina Kalinina vs Hailey Baptiste Marco Cecchinato vs Pablo Andujar Court 14 Lucia Bronzetti vs Jelena Ostapenko (13) Not before 11.30am: Arthur Rinderknech vs Alexander Bublik 2-6 2-4 Andrey Rublev (7) vs Soonwoo Kwon Camila Giorgi (28) vs Shuai Zhang Lucas Pouille vs Zdenek Kolar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 22, 2022

We'll be doing daily podlets from Paris to cover off each day's play and preview action from the next day. We hope you enjoy! If you want to watch James' video diaries, head to instagram.com/jamesgraysport Ons Jabeur left the women's draw even more wide open when she lost to Magda Linette Garbine Muguruza can't buy a win and the last person she needed to face was Kaia Kanepi Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is supposed to be good on clay! Plus: Could Nadal REALLY lose in R1? Could Djokovic REALLY lose in R1? (No and no.) How will the Brits fare on Monday? Will it just rain all day and what happens if it does? The show courts on Monday are as follows... Court Philippe Chatrier Play starts at 11am BST Iga Swiatek (1) vs Lesia Tsurenk Diane Parry vs Barbora Krejcikova (2) Jordan Thompson vs Rafael Nadal (5) Not before 7.45pm : Novak Djokovic (1) vs Yoshihito Nishioka Court Suzanne Lenglen Play starts at 10am BST Amanda Anisimova (27) vs Naomi Osaka Stan Wawrinka vs Corentin Moutet Anett Kontaveit (5) vs Ajla Tomljanovic Lloyd Harris vs Richard Gasquet Court Simonne Mathieu Play starts at 10am BST Ocean Dodin vs Andrea Petkovic Cameron Norrie (10) vs Manuel Guinard Linda Noskova vs Emma Raducanu (12) Benoit Paire vs Ilya Ivashka Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 21, 2022

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lovetennispod Play fantasy tennis here: https://forms.gle/wTitJ6wQqMGHny1v9 Follow your progress here: https://rb.gy/xkx8b9 This week, George, James and Calvin react to the breaking news that Wimbledon has been stripped of its ranking points for 2022 as the two tours fire back over the decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus over the invasion of Ukraine. Is it the right thing to do? How will Wimbledon react? What next? Will anyone notice? They also look over the French Open draw and try to pick their fantasy teams in an effort to avoid anyone finding out how little they really know about tennis(!). As always, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and a review if you are able to do so. We love getting them and it helps us do more with our podcasting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 16, 2022

Just hours before this podcast was recorded, the ATP confirmed they would not strip Queen's and Eastbourne of their points over the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players, but would not be drawn on their response to Wimbledon doing the same. What about the WTA? And will Wimbledon really be a ranking points-free zone? On the court, Emma Raducanu pulled out injured in Rome, losing to Bianca Andreescu after dropping the first set. Is the back injury a concern? What other 'niggles' are there to shake off ahead of Roland Garros? Iga Swiatek mullered the women's draw once again, even Ons Jabeur crumbled in the face of her aggression. Can anyone stop her? Novak Djokovic has done what he does best and hit top form and the right time but Carlos Alcaraz will start as joint-favourite for the title. Stefanos Tsitsipas has lots of points to defend in Paris but seems unable to beat the biggest players, while Alexander Zverev is quietly coming up on the rail... But what about Rafael Nadal? Roland Garros is his domain but his own body seems to be failing him at the worst possible time. PLUS: Jack Draper, Matteo Berrettini and Gael Monfils all pull out of the French Open, Laura Robson officially retires and doubles is the gift that keeps on giving Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 9, 2022

Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev in an underwhelming final after perhaps the greatest run of Masters history, beating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in consecutive days. Will he win *60* grand slams?! George, Calvin and James refuse to get off the hype train. Will Nadal and Nole be in better shape come Roland Garros and be able to stop him? What of the lost generation, consumed by the all-conquering Alcaraz? What next for Ons Jabeur? This is certainly the biggest win of her career, but she now needs to show she can do it at grand slam tournaments at the French Open could be a great opportunity. Could Madrid have scheduled the tournament any better? Almost certainly. Who is Sonay Kartal? The British 20-year-old has already won three 25Ks this year and is flying up the rankings. The sky is the limit, isn't it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 2, 2022

Please leave us a five-star review wherever you get your podcast - we will read EVERY single one out on the pod (eventually - the system often filters them out for a few weeks). You can also contact us on Twitter @LoveTennisPod or by email lovetennispod@gmail.com, and we'll always try to include your questions on the podcast. Firstly, George sends his apologies this week. North London's most injured tennis player has finally gone under the knife to repair a meniscus damaged putting up flatpack furniture. He assures he will be less pilled up next week and capable of lucid thoughts. In his absence, James and Calvin did their best to get through another stacked week of tennis news, starting with Emma Raducanu's decision to sack coach Torben Beltz and adopt a new training model, including support from the LTA and a wide range of voices contributing to her development. Elsewhere, Wimbledon defended their decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from their tournament. They claimed the UK Government advice had left them with little option but to do so. How will the ATP and WTA respond? Could they pull points from the grass-court season in the UK altogether and put on extra tournaments elsewhere? Plus we discuss the return of Roger Federer at the Swiss Indoors later this year, whether Rafael Nadal really needs that much match practice as he makes his comeback at the Madrid Open, what Iga Swiatek's 'injury' really means, Jack Draper's fine win in Spain and titles for two more young up-and-comers, Holger Rune and Sebastian Baez. James Gray - @jamesgraysport George Bellshaw - @bellshawgeorge Calvin Betton - @calvbetton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 25, 2022

Since we last recorded, Wimbledon turned the tennis world upside down by banning Russian and Belarusian players from the grass-court grand slam. The decision divided opinion in the tennis world, and between George Bellshaw, Calvin Betton and James Gray. Part one of this pod is entirely dedicated to the issue, so if you're sick of that by now, skip the first half hour. In part two, you'll find Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andy Murray and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 19, 2022

Emma Raducanu made her senior professional debut on clay last week - with mixed results. She beat Tereza Martincova, her best result against a player in the top 50 since the US Open, and was then thumped by Marketa Vondrousova. What next for Raducanu in Stuttgart and beyond? And could we see another coaching change in the not-too-distant future? Stefanos Tsitsipas retained his Monaco crown by seeing off Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - is he the real French Open favourite given the lack of form elsewhere? ADF knocked out Novak Djokovic for him on his return to action for the first time in six weeks, so what can we learn from that result? 'Minute Tennis' returns as Calvin discusses why clay is such an important surface for development and why Brits are usually so poor on it Plus: Billie Jean King Cup news, blisters, toenails, the No 1 ranking and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 11, 2022

Please leave us a five-star review wherever you get your podcast - we will read EVERY single one out on the pod. You can also contact us on Twitter @LoveTennisPod or by email lovetennispod@gmail.com, and we'll always try to include your questions on the podcast. Nick Kyrgios has picked up yet more fines for on-court spats with umpires, although this one did concede he had got it wrong. Does tennis need to reflect on how good its umpires are? Or find a better way to deal with players who behave unacceptably towards them? The so-called golden generation of French tennis is coming to an end as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga announces his retirement. A career well spent or a persistent underperformer? And what now for the game in France as others will soon follow him out to pasture. Emma Raducanu has been hitting with at the academy run by Riccardo Piatti - is this a hint about where her next coaching change might come from? Torben Beltz remains in charge... for now. Belinda Bencic beat Ons Jabeur in an excellent final in Charleston, should we consider the Swiss a genuine threat on the clay now? We also talk about all the latest injury news including Matteo Berrettini, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal. James Gray - @jamesgraysport George Bellshaw - @bellshawgeorge Calvin Betton - @calvbetton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 5, 2022

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please leave us a five-star review to help us reach more listeners and devote more time to the pod. - Are we over Ash Barty? The WTA’s new No 1 and the biggest star of the women's game met in Miami final, and gave us all plenty of reasons to be cheerful - Can anyone beat Iga Swiatek? She was far too strong for Naomi Osaka and now heads to the clay where she won her grand slam title. - Naomi Osaka is back: we are pleased to see her and she seems please to see us. A rivalry to define an era? - There’s no escape from Alcaraz as Carlos wins his first Masters title. How many slams will he win? Could he win one *this year *? - Casper Ruud certainly played his part in Miami as looks a complete top-10 player. Is he a major threat at RG? (But he's not just about the clay.) Do we see him as more than just a sometime semi-finalist at slams? - Daniil Medvedev is a doubt for the French and for Wimbledon all of a sudden: minor surgery on a hernia is going to keep him out for most of the clay and The Daily Telegraph say the All-England are ready to ban over Russian invasion of Ukraine… - We also look at Jack Draper's run of wins, Cameron Norrie's move into the top 10, new world No 1 Joe Salisbury, Nick Kyrgios drawing a telling off from the ATP boss for all the players, Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka returning and the Emma Raducanu effect on UK TV right! Phew... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 28, 2022

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in the most Richard Williams move possible, and then rewrote the story of Serena and Venus' father just as well as the film did Ashleigh Barty is done with tennis - but is tennis done with her? Certainly not... How will Iga Swiatek stand up to the pressure of being the sport's new No 1 and leading yet another "new generation" of players? The Brits are on a roll: Paul Jubb has won his first Challegner title, Heather Watson beat Elina Svitolina, Cam Norrie closing in on the top 10 and Joe Salisbury is set to become world doubles No 1 for the first time However, Andy Murray has never been more in last chance saloon Nick Kyrgios looking fit, fired up and ruthless: is a Wimbledon title out of the question given lack of quality on grass/Novak’s lack of activity? Is Emma Raducanu an easy target for critics who say she is too busy off the court to be successful on it? Or has Raducanu got to do her talking on court? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 22, 2022

Taylor Fritz won his first ever Masters title by beating Rafael Nadal , the first American to do so in 21 years - is there an era of American success and attention in the offing? And how big would that be for tennis as a whole? Nick Kyrgios came, conquered, swore and left again, but not without leaving plenty of entertainment behind. Does he really not care about winning? Actually, says Calvin, it's that he can't cope with losing. Liam Broady came through qualifying but how close did he get to springing a main draw upset against Miomir Kecmanovic ? Iga Swiatek moved up to No 2 in the world for the first time by beating Maria Sakkari in the women's final. Sakkari is also up to a career-high at No 3. Are we starting to see a new world order in the WTA? Harriet Dart has cracked the top 100 for the first time after a surprise run in California. Can she go further? And a quick look at the Miami Open, where Daniil Medvedev could end up facing Andy Murray in the second round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 13, 2022

Andy Murray got his 700th career win at Indian Wells but was then beaten by Alexander Bublik - what can Calvin tell us about his new coaching set-up, and where does he go from here? Roger Federer says he is in the middle of a three-part recover from his knee injury and we ask whether he is really a serious tennis player any more. Naomi Osaka was left in tears after a spectator shouted "you suck" at her and she said it reminded her of what Serena and Venus went through back in 2001. Is she fit for professional tennis at the moment? How much of her will we see at future tournaments? Did Emma Raducanu exceed expectations in California, where she won one and lost one? QUICK HITS Novak Djokovic's draw farce Rafael Nadal vs Dan Evans - a foregone conclusion? Amanda Anisimova splits with Darren Cahill Jack Draper gets a wildcard in Miami Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 7, 2022

Andy Murray has brought Ivan Lendl back into his coaching team for a third spell, reuniting a partnership that picked up three grand slams and two Olympic gold medals Serena Williams has taken aim at Alexander Zverev's actions and claimed she would have been put "in jail" if she had done something similar Novak Djokovic is doing his best to help on the front line in Ukraine as Dayana Yastremska , who escaped the county, donates her runners-up prize money in Lyon to the cause Leylah Fernandez has her second WTA title after beating the improving Camila Osorio in three dramatic sets in Mexico, feature five saved championship points and a floodlight failure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 28, 2022

Anna Smith once again joins James Gray and Calvin Betton to talk all things tennis. We start with the horrific Russian invasion of Ukraine, brought into the tennis world by the likes of Elina Svitolina and Andrey Rublev this week with strong statements of their views. Will the WTA, ATP and ITF follow suit? We await with interest. Elsewhere, Cam Norrie reached final and beat Stefanos Tsitsipas along the way but lost to Rafael Nadal . Beating Tsitsipas was only his third ever victory over a top-10 player: a landmark win or a right place, right time victory? And what about Nadal? The man who keeps defying time, and now seems happy to play a relatively full schedule too. How many Slams do we see him winning based on this latest resurgence? Emma Raducanu continues to struggle for momentum with yet another injury hampering her. Is criticism of her for “doing too many photoshoots” unfair? There are a lot of points to defend later in the year, if any of these injuries are serious and she slips back down the rankings, how will that impact her progress overall? Jack Draper has won his third Challenger of the year, and is up into the top 150 in the world. How far do we see him going in 2022? And finally, Alexander Zverev smashes up a chair, gets fined and kicked out of the tournament - but should he get banned by the ATP as well? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 22, 2022

A new voice joins us to talk about all things tennis as Anna Smith, former player and now coach, commentator and broadcaster, replaces George Bellshaw (for this week at least) in the third chair. She chats with James Gray and Calvin Bellshaw about this week's latest tennis news, including titles for Cam Norrie, Carlos Alcaraz and Jelena Ostapenko, a return to the public eye for Novak Djokovic and three Brits winning titles at lower levels to suggest the future is very bright on home soil Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 14, 2022

George Bellshaw, Calvin Betton and James Gray breakdown the latest week in the weird world of tennis. This week on the Love Tennis Podcast: Juan Martin del Potro's on-court tears Daniil Medvedev's chase of Novak Djokovic's world No. 1 crown Andy Murray's hopes of finding a new coach Felix Auger-Aliassime's first ATP title The future stars of the men's game Anett Kontaveit's roaring indoor streak Emma Raducanu's 2,000 points challenge Serve bots reign supreme in Dallas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2022

The Telegraph's Simon Briggs joins as a guest for the first half of this week's Love Tennis Podcast as George Bellshaw takes over regular hosting duties, accompanied by Calvin Betton. James Gray returns - live from Beijing - for the second half of the pod. What they discussed: - Behind the scenes of umpire controversy - Juan Martin del Potro’s last hurrah - Andy Murray’s decision to skip the clay-court season - A first international media interview with Peng Shuai - Alexander Bublik’s first ATP title - Emma Raducanu’s off-court court case - And random titbits across the world of tennis involving Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Albert Ramos Vinolas, Joao Sousa and Dominic Thiem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 31, 2022

James Gray picks the brains of George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton after a wild weekend of Australian Open action. What questions did they answer? Well... - Is this Rafael Nadal's greatest ever title? - Is he now the GOAT? - What does Daniil Medvedev need to change? - Could the Russian ever overhaul the great Big Three? - What does Ash Barty add to the women's game? - Is the WTA in crisis? - Has Nick Kyrgios 'changed the game'? - What great rivalries does tennis have to look forward to? And a whole lot more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 27, 2022

**** This week's episode is supported by MANSCAPED, the best in men’s below-the-waist grooming champions of the world. Get 20% OFF MANSCAPED and free Shipping with promo code LOVETENNIS at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod **** In a two-part special, George Bellshaw takes care of the women's semi-finals before Calvin Betton cracks into the men's draw. Questions asked and (partially) answered include: - What does it take to beat Ash Barty? - Where did Madison Keys come from? - Has there every been anyone like Daniil Medvedev (on this planet or others)? - Is anyone mates with Stefanos Tsitsipas? - Can Nick Kyrgios turn up a bit more, please? Presented and produced by James Gray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 20, 2022

The Australian Open is four days old - and here are the big questions for the pod: - Just how well did Emma Raducanu play with half her game wiped out by a blister on her right hand? - What have we learned about the US Open champion during her first senior Australian swing? - How open is the bottom half of the draw? - Can Simona Halep take advantage? And on the men’s side… - Is Daniil Medvedev really angry with the Australian crowd? - Who is the biggest shock exit so far? - What can Andy Murray realistically expect to achieve if he is losing in the second round of that draw? - Is Nick Kyrgios going bald?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 16, 2022

It's a bumper episode. We apologise. There was quite a bit to talk about. ENTER FANTASY TENNIS HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14IXsNQb95sGWAS7-FxxdyN2O4xFjiOEKrWqBBJ6PU-k/edit Novak Djokovic is OUT of the Australian Open, flown back to Serbia before the tournament even began after his visa was cancelled. In his stead, Daniil Medvedev is the new favourite, but who will challenge him? Alexander Zverev, quite probably; Stefanos Tsitsipas, less probably; Rafael Nadal, quite possibly; Andy Murray, maybe! We also look at a typically wide open women's draw but conclude that Ash Barty is the player to beat, why Andy Murray's second serve has become such a problem, what Emma Raducanu's chances of getting past even the first round are and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 11, 2022

Key questions answered in this episode include: - Should we be no-platforming Novak Djokovic's father Srdan? - Is the Djokovic family the new Trump? - What can Emma Raducanu do to bounce back from defeat to Elena Rybakina? - Is Andy Murray back (again)? (Shady's back etc) - Should we turn Ugo Humbert into a serve-and-volleyer (given the chance)? - Exactly *what* has happened to Aryna Sabalenka? All this and much, much more in a bumper episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 6, 2022

We answer your questions on the Novak Djokovic Covid vaccine/medical exemption/Border Force/visa saga including: - Will other grand slams try to pull the move? - What now for Djokovic's global reputation? - Will he actually play the Australian Open? - Is he *really* the new Jesus? James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw might not have all the answers - but they can at least try. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 2, 2022

Great Britain earned a redemptive win over Germany at the ATP Cup, gaining revenge for Davis Cup defeat, and Dan Evans appears to have found some form out of nowhere. Emma Raducanu meanwhile needs another week to find some more form and has pulled out of her first tournament of the season - what would a good month in Australia look like for her? And why is it SO hard to watch tennis on TV? We look at just how many subscriptions you need to watch all the tennis from the Australian swing - and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 27, 2021

Emma Raducanu was just a Fed Cup new girl back in 2020 when George Bellshaw interviewed her at the indoor courts at Queen's Club in west London, but you'll get to hear some of the best bits from their chat in this week's episode. George, James and Calvin also discuss Naomi Osaka's imminent return to grand slam tennis, Novak Djokovic's latest vaccine update (or non-update) and predict the grand slam winners for 2022. If you don't want to listen (why wouldn't you?!), here they are in full: Australian Open James - Medvedev, Muguruza George - Medvedev, Muguruza Calvin - Djokovic, Osaka French Open James - Djokovic, Swiatek George - Nadal, Barty Calvin - Tsitsipas, Barty Wimbledon James - Djokovic, Serena George - Djokovic, Barty Calvin - Djokovic, Muguruza US Open James - Zverev, Sabalenka George - Medvedev, Osaka Calvin - Medvedev, Gauff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 21, 2021

Andy Murray beat Dan Evans and Rafael Nadal at the Mubadala World (lol) Tennis Championship - which is just an exhibition tournament but, says Calvin, plays like more of a warm-up event. So how much can we take away from arguably the Brit's best result of the year? The boys also discuss the rising Covid cases across the tennis community, the thinning Australian Open field and Calvin reveals what life is like inside the NTC, where players and coaches alike are desperate to avoid catching the latest variant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 14, 2021

A momentous episode of the podcast as James, George and Calvin all get together in a room for the first time ever (if you don't count being stood next to Court 5 at Wimbledon in the summer, socially distanced and outdoors). They discussed Andy Murray's split with long-time coach and friend Jamie Delgado and what will come next for the former world No 1, Emma Raducanu's poorly timed contraction of Covid and her pre-season plans, and discussed nominations for the prestigious LTP awards. (As you know, all three of us are volunteers and, frankly, so is our equipment. As such this was recorded in James' living room, converted into a very rudimentary, makeshift studio. Please accept our apologies for any issues with sound quality.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 7, 2021

Fill out the Love Tennis Podcast listeners' survey: https://forms.gle/UHTqseLQzjJNEQdA9 You can also email us your thoughts: lovetennispod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 5, 2021

Listener survey - have your say: https://forms.gle/tU8ycz2f2gv2nr3J7 Johanna Konta has retired from professional tennis at the age of 30. She reached three grand slam semi-finals, No 4 in the world rankings and racked up more than $10m in career prize money - but did anyone in the UK ever see it coming? And what about *that* infamous Wimbledon press conference? RTF (Russian Tennis Federation) did what everyone expected them to and delivered victory in the Davis Cup Finals after Great Britain had been knocked out by Germany in the quarter-finals. Daniil Medvedev was nearly flawless but Andrey Rublev had a few wobbles, despite delivering when it mattered. What will happen to the tournament next year? Abu Dhabi done deal? Where Is Peng Shuai. We will keep talking about this story and so will the WTA. This week, Steve Simon has said the WTA will not hold tournaments in China until the situation is resolved but the ITF has said they will maintain their junior and senior calendar there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 28, 2021

Emma Raducanu played her first match on British soil in nearly five months, appearing at the Royal Albert Hall for an exhibition match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, which she duly hit and giggled her way through. The British No 1 will now head to the Middle East for a pre-season training camp, another exhibition, Christmas and then fly to Australia. Novak Djokovic's dad has been causing trouble by saying that his sone will not be 'blackmailed' into playing the Australian Open (and therefore getting vaccinated). And Great Britain are through to the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup where they will face Germany (this feels familiar) with the draw opening up for almost anyone who thinks they can win a doubles match. James, George and Calvin talk about these things and much, much more in this week's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 22, 2021

Where is Peng Shuai? is our first question on this week's podcast, as the world continues to put pressure on the Chinese government over the player's well-being. Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev beat Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev on successive days to win the ATP World Tour Finals and raise the prospect that the German might win his first slam in 2022. What does that mean for Novak Djokovic's efforts to run away with the all-time record? Garbine Muguruza, the woman who should win every tournament she enters, did indeed triumph at the WTA Finals, but will she end up making world No 1 in the near future? Roger Federer says he would be 'surprised' if he plays Wimbledon in 2022 - so how do we think his return to the tennis court is going and how will it look if/when he makes it back? All these questions and more are answered by tennis coach Calvin Betton, writer George Bellshaw and journalist James Gray on this week's Love Tennis Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 14, 2021

We start by discussing #WhereIsPengShuai, the beginning of (we hope) a lengthy campaign to get to the bottom of the Chinese player's disturbing story. After making a serious allegation of sexual assault against a high-ranking Chinese official, her social media post was deleted from Weibo and she has not been heard from since. On Sunday, the WTA released a firm statement asking for clarity and transparency on Shuai's location as well as a full investigation into the case. We also discuss Emma Raducanu's new coach, Andy Murray's end to the season as well as the WTA, ATP and Next Gen Finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 8, 2021

Calvin does not hold back on Eddie Jones after the England rugby coach warned one of his players not to make the 'same mistakes Emma Raducanu has', and James and George can only really agree. Plus the lads look at a new coach in the Andy Murray camp, what Emma Raducanu can do as No 1 seed in Linz and the inexorable march of Novak Djokovic towards the title of Greatest Of All Time. There's also a big congratulations to friend of the pod Luke Johnson, a preview of the WTA Finals and yet another lament of the Billie Jean King Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 1, 2021

- Was Emma Raducanu's trip to Transylvania a horror show or not? - Would you rather watch Frances Tiafoe or Jannik Sinner? - Will Novak Djokovic go to Australia? - Which heavyweight boxer is Andy Murray most like? James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton tackle these questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 24, 2021

WTA players were told on Sunday night that they did not need a vaccine to attend the Australian Open, but that they would have to do two weeks of hard quarantine in a hotel. Cue a political maelstrom, with Novak Djokovic and Vika Azarenka at the heart of it. James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton pick the bones out of the story that continues to run as well as discussing: - Whether Jannik Sinner is still moving forward - How Andy Murray is avoiding going backwards - What next for Emma Raducanu's coaching saga And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 19, 2021

Cam Norrie 'has hit his ceiling', they said. They were wrong. Will the boys admit they underestimated the new British No 1? Will George concede he would now beat Andy Murray in a one-off match? Why is his backhand so *weird*? Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray discuss Indian Wells champions Cam Norrie and Paula Badosa, the latest man to coach Emma Raducanu, and why Andy Murray has rarely been so angry after losing a match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 11, 2021

*This is a reuploaded version after a technical issue with this week's episode* Emma Raducanu returned to action last week for the first time since the US Open, but was beaten in straight sets at Indian Wells to send everyone into panic mode that she *wasn't* in fact the greatest tennis player since Eve herself invented the game as a way to keep Adam busy in the summer. She also said she still doesn't have a permanent coach and, slightly bizarrely, made another public plea for "anyone experienced" to offer themselves as a candidate. James, George and Calvin discuss all that plus: - Andy Murray, shoe-related drama off the court and putting-teenagers-in-their-place-related on it - Complaints about the state of the Indian Wells courts - Reilly Opelka's views on mixed doubles (who cares what he thinks?) - Live reporting from Calvin on an all-time tantrum in Prague Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 4, 2021

The ATP have finally opened an investigation into the domestic abuse allegations against Alexander Zverev, which he has consistently denied. James, George and Calvin discuss that and all the latest news on the court too with titles for Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud, a fine run for Cam Norrie and another new coach for Emma Raducanu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 27, 2021

Tune in for a review of a one-sided Laver Cup and where the tournament goes from here, a look at Emma Raducanu's coaching situation, what has happened to Dominic Thiem - and British success in Europe for Andy Murray and Liam Broady. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 20, 2021

Emma Raducanu is already on her way to overtaking Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka on Weibo, China's biggest social network - is she the most marketable star in world sport? We also ask whether Rafael Nadal's latest injury and the surgery required on it spells the end of a great career, what Andy Murray's ATP Challenger campaign in France means and how the Laver Cup can justify blocking people on Twitter who dare to mention domestic abuse allegations against Alexander Zverev. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 13, 2021

How did Emma Raducanu get so good and where did it all go wrong for Novak Djokovic? Plus Daniil Medvedev, Leylah Fernandez, Fantasy US Open results and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 6, 2021

Halfway through the US Open and already enough drama and beef for a Gray family BBQ. James, Calvin and George ask each other: - How much did we see Carlos Alcaraz coming? - Will Naomi Osaka ever return as the same player? - Could Emma Raducanu actually win the US Open? - How quickly could Calvin change his clothes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 30, 2021

James, George and Calvin talk through their picks for the US Open just hours before the deadline to enter, at 3pm BST on Monday 30 August Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 25, 2021

The BIG questions for the lads this week are: - Was Naomi Osaka given an unfair question? - Does she really need questioning? - Will Daniil Medvedev kick another camera? - Does Stefanos Tsitsipas need more fibre in his diet? And much, MUCH more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 16, 2021

This week's big questions for James, George and Calvin are: - Will Roger Federer ever play again? (The listeners say no.) - Can Daniil Medvedev stop Novak Djokovic? - Has Camila Giorgi dumped her Dad? - What on earth was CoCo Vandeweghe up to?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 11, 2021

Where does Naomi Osaka's self-titled documentary land in the pantheon of great sporting films? George, James and Calvin discuss that, plus whether Novak Djokovic's latest withdrawal is anything to worry about and if Rafael Nadal needs to find some form ahead of the US Open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 2, 2021

Novak Djokovic says he carried multiple injuries through the Olympic Games - so should he have been playing them at all? George and James discuss all this and more - and Calvin calls in from Estonia at the end too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 26, 2021

Can anyone stop Novak Djokovic from claiming Olympic gold in Tokyo? James, George and Calvin struggle to find anyone to stop them, wonder out loud whether Andy Murray's singles withdrawal was forced or prudent, and consider if Lionel Messi is better at football than Djokovic is at tennis. Yes, really. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 19, 2021

Is it the end of Roger Federer? Is it time to let coaches get involved on every point? Is grass-court tennis worth the effort? All this and more on the latest Love Tennis Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 13, 2021

Novak Djokovic could give up his chance to secure the Golden Slam because he can't take his stringer to Tokyo, Ash Barty is a multiple grand slam winner but people still don't know who she is and have Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Andy Murray all played their last Wimbledon? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 9, 2021

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Jul 8, 2021

How Karolina Pliskova and Ashleigh Barty turned semi-final places into places in the final Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 6, 2021

Emma Raducanu's injury ending from courtside, Ons Jabeur's brilliance and why rain no longer matters to Wimbledon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 4, 2021

The pod still don't think anyone can beat Novak Djokovic - and still don't know who will win the women's singles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2021

After Andy Murray bows out of Wimbledon in the third round, we ask: was it worth it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 1, 2021

Cam Norrie won through to the third round on Thursday and will now face Roger Federer on Saturday afternoon - which George and James may watch if they can work out what day it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 1, 2021

Andy Murray keeps us all up at night - and we wouldn't have it any other way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 29, 2021

Serena Williams crashed out of Wimbledon after only six games thanks to a slip and a leg injury that could - *could* - have ended her time at SW19 for good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 28, 2021

George and James consider Aryna Sabalenka, Andy Murray and even Katie Boulter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 27, 2021

George and James try to unpick both draws and justify their terrible fantasy teams while Calvin reveals the best and the worst thing about life in the Wimbledon bubble. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 21, 2021

We have been experiencing some technical difficulties that resulted in losing two recordings of pods in the last week. We can only apologise - and hope that this discussion of Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer - as well as Cam Norrie, Jack Draper and Matteo Berrettini - makes up for your weeks in the wilderness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 8, 2021

Should Roger Federer have played the French Open at all? Will Serena Williams ever get a better chance to win No 24? What *was* Lorenzo Musetti thinking? It's all questions (and some answers) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 4, 2021

We ask what we have learned - about Osaka, tennis and life - from Naomi Osaka's very public withdrawal from the French Open, what on earth has happened to Dominic Thiem and who gave the best press conferences ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 25, 2021

Roger Federer's return to action was a disappointing defeat to Pablo Andujar, suggesting his French Open campaign will be a damp squib - but for Stefanos Tsitsipas the right draw could represent his biggest chance at a grand slam yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 17, 2021

We ask big questions about Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, as well as little questions about Ash Barty and Roger Federer - and some medium-sized ones about Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Iga Swiatek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 10, 2021

Calvin relives a heated argument about how flat tennis balls can (or cannot) simulate clay-court training and bemoans the lack of "natural surfaces" available in the UK. Meanwhile, George has yet another injury, Dominic Thiem doesn't, and James is just trying to keep the whole thing in one piece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 4, 2021

Ash Barty and Iga Swiatek may be playing each other on clay for big titles for years to come, and tournaments that cannot attract Novak Djokovic may not worry too much if they can. Elsewhere, Cam Norrie is in the form of his life, Nick Kyrgios is coming back to Europe and Calvin remembers (or tries to) a stag do to Mallorca dressed as The Riddler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 26, 2021

The answer? A scrap, watched by Kyle Edmund. Otherwise we discuss the form of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who seem to be shying away from the French Open favourite's tag, while Ash Barty seizes it with both hands. We also look at some interesting developments regarding a Masters 1000 event on grass, Dominic Thiem's return from injury and pick our worst possible doubles drinking buddies... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 19, 2021

Rafael Nadal was left reeling from an interview with George Bellshaw, so much so that he lost on clay. We talk about the red-dirt GOAT (Stefanos Tsitsipas, of course), Andrey Rublev's 1D tennis and our dream drinking buddies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 12, 2021

Mike McIntyre of the Tennis Canada Podcast makes a guest appearance to talk Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Annie Fernandez and more, Calvin reveals his guilty pleasure Madonna song and George insists he has *not* spent all day in the pub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 5, 2021

We ask whether Ash Barty has proved the point she insists she never had to prove, whether Bianca Andreescu is primed for a re-breakout and if Hubert Hurkacz is going to usher in a great new era as a role model for players who hit the ball with their eyes closed. We also pick our footballing doubles dream team and George explains why he has "Drog" tattooed on his body in an undisclosed location. Listen to the Love Tennis Podcast LIVE before it hits your feed, every Monday night at 8pm by downloading the Locker Room app for iPhone, and following George, James and Calvin on there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 30, 2021

Listen to the end for full discourse on Matteo Berrettini's rig, but first we talk to Dom Hayes about the UK Pro League, chat about Andy Murray's latest withdrawal and where it has all gone wrong for Jo Konta. NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 8pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 22, 2021

Zverev beat Tsitsipas in Acapulco, Fernandez took a title in Monterrey and some bloke called Aslan won in Dubai. NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 16, 2021

We take about Federer's plans for 2021, Garbine Muguruza's sizzling form and Holger Rune's hair. NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 8, 2021

NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 1, 2021

Special guest Sasa Ozmo joins from Serbia to discuss Novak Djokovic's latest record, George has a been in his bonnet about appearance fees and Calvin reckons Federer is lining up a few Challenger titles... NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 22, 2021

For the first time in a month, George goes more than an hour without talking about Nick Kyrgios. NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 15, 2021

The Australian Open gives the boys plenty to talk about, including Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic, abdominal injuries and the state of the draw. NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2021

Sinner vs Shapovalov, Dan Evans' first title, the sad demise of Gael Monfils, Benoit Paire's beard and the needle between Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic. NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 1, 2021

NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 25, 2021

NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 19, 2021

NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 11, 2021

NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 5, 2021

NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 15, 2020

Calvin reveals Roger Federer has been hitting with players already in his race to be fit for the Australian Open, George discusses an unusually revealing interview with Jo Konta and James bemoans Guillermo Vilas' lost world No 1 status. NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live at 9pm on Monday nights, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 8, 2020

George updates us on the possibility of Indian Wells being cancelled imminently, Calvin introduces to his current charge, British tennis player Luke Johnson, and James asks who really *was* Jimmy Connors. NB This is a raw recording of a conversation on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. If you want to listen live, download Locker Room on your iPhone and follow George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 1, 2020

Dominic Thiem's Grand Slam breakthrough year, picked by Calvin, earned him the listeners' vote for Player of the Year over George's Novak Djokovic, much to George's chagrin. NB This is a raw recording of the lads on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 24, 2020

James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton chat over Medvedev's ATP Finals victory, whether Dominic Thiem has a problem in finals and what has happened to Novak Djokovic? NB This is a raw recording of the lads on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. We apologise for the vagaries of the format, and hope to return to something more produced soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 17, 2020

James, George and Calvin discuss the difficulties surrounding the Australian swing that could jeopardise the first Grand Slam of 2021, whether Rafael Nadal is at real risk of going out of the ATP World Tour Finals at the group stages and what happens when an overnight storm floods your tennis court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 10, 2020

NB We had some sound-related technical difficulties with George's microphone in the first eight minutes of the pod which we did eventually fix. If it annoys you too much, please skip forward to eight minutes and enjoy the rest! We talked about Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, the joy of doubles for Felix Auger-Aliassime and the end of the women's season in Linz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 3, 2020

James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton talk Novak Djokovic's shock defeat, another title for Andrey Rublev and the weird world of Alexander Zverev Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 27, 2020

James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton look back at Alexander Zverev's two titles in Cologne, Aryna Sabalenka (who IS a US Open champion, just not in singles) getting back to winning ways and Dan Evans moving away from his coach Mark Hilton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 20, 2020

James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton try to pick the bones out of Andy Murray's latest injury, Felix Auger-Aliassime's run of final defeats and the difficulty of the WTA Finals being cancelled in China. NB This is a raw recording of the lads on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. We apologise for the vagaries of the format, and hope to return to something more produced soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 13, 2020

James revels in predicting Nadal to win the French Open (duh?), George predicts the next five years of tennis and Calvin recounts the tale of the worst player he has ever seen. NB This is a raw recording of the lads on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. We apologise for the vagaries of the format, and hope to return to something more produced soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 6, 2020

Is Alexander Zverev a risk to tennis in a post-Covid world? Does Novak Djokovic have a better opportunity than ever to beat Rafael Nadal in a French Open final? Who on earth is going to win the women's singles? George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton discuss all this and more. NB This is a raw recording of the lads on a new app called Locker Room, which is providing us with the chance to podcast remotely during a time when we otherwise would not be able to. We apologise for the vagaries of the format, and hope to return to something more produced soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 26, 2020

This is a raw, unedited recording of a session on Locker Room, an audio social media app the LTP team are currently beta testing. James, George and Calvin this week discuss the French Open draw and make their predictions for the last Grand Slam of a mad year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 15, 2020

This is a raw, unedited recording of a session on Locker Room, an audio social media app the LTP team are currently beta testing. Once again, James was not able to join, leaving George and Calvin to do their own thing. One might wonder if they're starting to enjoy it... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 8, 2020

This is a raw, unedited recording of a session on Locker Room, an audio social media app the LTP team are currently beta testing. Technical issues meant that James was not able to join, leaving George and Calvin to steer the ship on their own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 1, 2020

After a lengthy sabbatical, George Bellshaw of Metro.co.uk and James Gray, now of i newspaper and inews.co.uk, are joined by a new member of the team, tennis coach Calvin Betton, to catch up on everything that has gone on in the tennis world and look ahead to the US Open. This podcast is a raw recording of a broadcast on the beta version of Locker Room, a new social media audio app that the team are currently helping to test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 13, 2019

Novak Djokovic was a predictable but impressive winner at the Madrid Open while Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer struggled - but who will triumph in Rome? George Bellshaw of metro.co.uk and James Gray of Love Sport Radio discuss that, Kiki Bertens, Jo Konta and more in the latest podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 1, 2019

Dominic Thiem is ready to come of age (again) on clay courts while Rafael Nadal is still looking ring-rusty. And can Petra Kvitova be the one to dominate the women's game? James Gray of Love Sport Radio and George Bellshaw of metro.co.uk discuss all that and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 23, 2019

Fabio Fognini became the first Italian ever to win a Masters title but it was Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic who still dominated the headlines with their surprising absences from the final. James Gray and George Bellshaw look at that, the Fed Cup and the verdict on Justin Gimelstob... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 4, 2019

Roger Federer was the surprise winner that we were all expecting but did James Gray and George Bellshaw predict it? Find out as we look back at Miami, consider Serena Williams' injuries and work out who might succeed on clay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 19, 2019

Have injuries caught up with Rafael Nadal? Is Dominic Thiem ready to win a Grand Slam? Will Bianca Andreescu bring some order to the chaotic world of women's tennis? James Gray of Love Sport Radio and George Bellshaw of metro.co.uk discuss all this and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 1, 2019

Rafael Nadal could hardly have been less gracious in defeat to Nick Kyrgios - even though underarm serves are not against the rules! The Brits are enjoying the sunshine in Mexico and Juan Martin del Potro is not. James Gray and George Bellshaw sort through all the big issues of the day - and some of the smaller ones too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 22, 2019

Roger Federer is back! Clay-court return, Naomi Osaka's struggles and the best of the Brits by Love Tennis Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 15, 2019

Who will finish their career with the most Grand Slams? Djokovic, Nadal or Federer? Who will Naomi Osaka bring in next? Will Britain win the Davis Cup? James Gray and George Bellshaw have a lot of questions and not a lot of answers in their romantic Valentine's Day episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 6, 2019

Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka are the new Australian Open champions, Andy Murray has had surgery again and the Davis Cup is, once again, in disarray. Love Sport's James Gray and George Bellshaw of metro.co.uk talk through the biggest issues in tennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 12, 2019

Andy Murray's imminent retirement dominates our Australian Open preview podcast while Jeremy Bates gives us the lowdown on the three-time Grand Slam champion's Davis Cup debut and predicts the fate of Britain's other contenders next week. Ben Weich makes his pod debut in London while George Bellshaw of Metro.co.uk joins James Gray from Melbourne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 4, 2019

Nadal, Murray and Sharapova all face injury battles to reach the Australian Open later this month but what can we expect from tennis this year. Love Sport Radio's James Gray and Metro.co.uk's George Bellshaw look ahead to 2019, discuss a difficult start to the year for British tennis and make the mistake of predicting the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 6, 2018

Roger Federer's 20th Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic's golden Masters or Rafael Nadal's 11th French Open? We asked the Love Tennis Podcast listeners which they thought was the achievement of the year - and many, many more. These are the Love Tennis Podcast Awards 2018! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 26, 2018

Jordanne Whiley won a Wimbledon wheelchair title while 11 weeks pregnant and now, with her son Jackson due for his first birthday in January, she is ready to get back on the court. James Gray and George Bellshaw talk to the 10-time Grand Slam champion and also look back at the Davis Cup final and Jo Konta's latest comments on Serena Williams herself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19, 2018

Alexander Zverev has won the biggest title of his career at the ATP World Tour Finals - but is 2019 his year to mount a challenge to Novak Djokovic? Is Roger Federer getting special treatment? And should he? James Gray of Love Sport Radio and George Bellshaw of metro.co.uk discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 7, 2018

Is Roger Federer about to walk into the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals? Or has Novak Djokovic got the easier draw? And is Karen Khachanov going to leapfrog the other young pretenders to a Grand Slam? James Gray and guest podder Ros Satar attempt to answer all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 23, 2018

Greek tennis journalist Vicky Georgatou joins James Gray and George Bellshaw to discuss Stefanos Tsitsipas' first ATP title. The pod also look at Kyle Edmund's maiden win, the ATP awards and the Swiss Indoors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 15, 2018

Novak Djokovic picked up another title in China on Sunday and looks set to take another year-end world No 1. Meanwhile he, Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev have all had their say on the new Davis Cup and Johanna Konta is looking for a new coach. James Gray of Love Sport Radio and George Bellshaw of Metro.co.uk discuss it all - and more - in the latest Love Tennis Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 5, 2018

Anne Keothavong, Team GB Fed Cup captain, joins the pod to discuss the chance to play at home in February and James and George review the seasons of Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Produced by Guy Watts Presented by George Bellshaw and James Gray With thanks to the LTA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 29, 2018

James Gray of Love Sport Radio and George Bellshaw of Metro.co.uk look back at the Laver Cup, discuss the validity of the Davis Cup and whether Andy Murray might regret ending his season early. Presented by James Gray and George Bellshaw Produced by Guy Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 19, 2018

After George's jaunt to Glasgow for the Davis Cup, the Love Tennis Podcasts looks over the result from the weekend as well as the new-look tournament for next year, backed by Gerard Pique and co, before looking ahead to the second instalment of Roger Federer's brainchild coming up this weekend - the Laver Cup. Produced by Guy Watts Presented by James Gray of Love Sport Radio and George Bellshaw of metro.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 21, 2018

The inaugural Love Tennis Podcast previews the US Open, including a look back at Novak Djokovic's win over Roger Federer at the Cincinnati Masters, both of their chances of stopping Rafael Nadal from retaining the title and whether Serena Williams can win yet another Grand Slam. Presented by George Bellshaw and James Gray Produced by Guy Watts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices