Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast

3d ago

It’s our year-in-review fashion and culture edition. I’m joined by new Ground Pass contributor Kaya Courtside to break down the exhibition season and what it’s really like covering tennis behind the scenes, from UTS Finals in London to the chaos and charm of these off-season events. Then I hand out my 2025 tennis style “awards,” from best dressed and outfit of the year to the meme moments that took over our feeds. Plus, quick tennis news: the WTA’s Mercedes-Benz era begins in 2026, Garbiñe Muguruza joins Madrid’s leadership team, Serena’s testing-pool headline sparks speculation, and Next Gen is around the corner. 00:00 Introduction to the Year in Review 03:12 Introducing Kaya Courtside and UTS Finals 30:10 Exhibition Season and Upcoming Events 31:03 Fashion and Style Awards of 2025 36:11 Outfit of the Year and Brand Partnerships 41:58 Cultural Moments and Player Highlights 45:29 Tennis Photos and Memes of the Year 51:31 Most Stylish Tournament and Personality of the Year 58:52 WTA News and Future Predictions 01:04:44 Upcoming Projects and Wrap-Up Links: - GP Exhibition Deep Dive Episode - https://youtu.be/fjuxg3dzIXs?si=raOH2B8XOMWO7wrD - The Real Challenger Documentary - https://youtu.be/fjuxg3dzIXs?si=raOH2B8XOMWO7wrD - Off Season Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/offseasontv?igsh=MWJhaHZ4ano4NWlpeQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr - Off Season Tiktok - We have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️ Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspod Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 8

In this episode of Meet the Professionals , I sit down with tennis host, commentator, and writer Nick McCarvel to unpack what it really looks like to build a career in tennis media. Nick shares how a childhood dream in Montana turned into bylines at the New York Times and USA Today, and how that writing work eventually led him to the mic as an on-court host at Grand Slams and big events around the world. We talk about cold-calling editors, early social media experiments, and why persistence (and a lot of “no”s) still matter in 2025. Nick also pulls back the curtain on his current roles with the Olympic Channel and at tournaments like Cincinnati, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. He explains how he prepares to tell players’ stories on court, deals with nerves and stage fright as an introvert, and why research and empathy are just as important as being good on camera. If you’ve ever wondered how to get into tennis journalism, presenting, or sports media more broadly, this is your masterclass. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:54 Career Journey in Tennis Journalism 06:06 Transition to On-Camera Presence 09:08 Connecting with Players and Audience 12:03 Research and Preparation for Interviews 15:01 Innovations in Tennis Presentation 17:58 Advice for Aspiring Tennis Professionals Links: Nick McCarvel on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickmccarvel?igsh=MXU4YW1uZXQ0MGhudw== We have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️ Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 3

It is time for the Ground Pass Awards. Anastasia and Nick are handing out their very own trophies for the 2025 tennis season. Think Oscars energy with a very casual dress code. They run through favorite tournament of the year, best match, biggest plot twist, and the off court moments that broke the internet. From the Citi Open and Charleston to Ilkley, from the Sincaraz Roland Garros final to Madison Keys in Melbourne, it is a full season recap through the lens of Ground Pass. You will also hear their picks for breakthrough and most improved players, the tennis story of the year, and the official Ground Pass Players of the Year on the men’s and women’s side. Plus a quick fire round, bold predictions for 2026, and a love letter to small tournaments and doubles. Chapters: 00:00:00 Ground Pass Tennis Oscars 02:17:00 Best tournament 07:59:00 Best Match 15:23:00 Breakthrough Player of the Year 21:27:00 Biggest Plot twist 29:18:00 Best Off court moment of 2025 33:28:00 Quick Fire Categories 42:08:00 Tennis Story of the Year 47:39:00 Ground Pass Players of the Year Links: Emma Raducanu Match Stories - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNb5JDygQ_M/?igsh=MTQwdmlva2c5OGg5ZQ== Sincaraz Roland Garros match stories - https://youtu.be/k7mgL4GSRI4?si=rMfUXMM8oi8aAihz Muchova Point - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRAOc4ZjIn8/?igsh=MTNudnlpdGdxdHI2Mg== Ostapenko/Townsend Match Story - https://youtu.be/3arCsp2jvvE?si=3EwPuE2NcFBSbRe0 We have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️ Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 24

This week, Anastasia and Nick break down a wildly entertaining Davis Cup. Spain overachieved. Belgium stole our hearts. Germany survived doubles chaos. And Italy completed a dominant run without Jannik Sinner. We also talk Carlos Alcaraz’s viral living room photo, Arthur Fils’ injury update, Fabio Fognini’s Dancing with the Stars era, Rafa Nadal’s return to the court, and Roger Federer’s Hall of Fame induction. We wrap up with the Ground Pass Gift Guide and preview the upcoming Ground Pass Awards. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:36 Q&A - The Absence of the US in the Davis Cup 06:49 The Evolution and Popularity of the Davis Cup 17:22 The Stories that dominated Davis Cup: No Sincaraz 18:29 Doubles deciders and Tiebreaks & Team Belgium 26:39 Team Spain: The underdogs 32:26 The dominance of Italian Tennis 38:51 Other News around Tennis 44:40 Mental and Physical Health in Tennis 52:19 Rafael Nadal's Comeback Journey 53:42 Roger Federer's Hall of Fame Induction 57:01 Fabio Fognini's Dancing with the Stars Journey 58:48 Groundpass Offseason Plans and Gift Guide 01:03:06 Groundpass Awards Preview 01:07:35 Outro Links: ⁃Ground Pass Gift Guide - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/tournament-guides/-ground-pass-gift-guide-2025-the-best-tennis-gifts-of-the-season We have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️ Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspod Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 17

The ATP Finals in Turin are officially in the books, and yes… the Sincaraz final we all predicted actually delivered. Anastasia breaks down how we got there: Ben Shelton’s muted week, Taylor Fritz’s quietly excellent season, Alex de Minaur’s redemption arc, Lorenzo Musetti’s hometown surge, and Felix Auger-Aliassime’s rise back into the top five. She also digs into Alexander Zverev and the “Lost Boys” generation, why Sinner’s indoor dominance is starting to feel inevitable, and how the doubles event turned into a sunglasses-fuelled fashion show before ending with a statement win for Patten & Heliovaara. Then it’s a mini Davis Cup preview (hello Bologna), a look at the United Cup draw, and a few must-listen tennis recs—from Andy Murray’s hilarious interview on The Ramesh Ranganathan Show to the Player Box pod’s behind-the-scenes WTA Finals stories—plus news of Ons Jabeur’s baby. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:55 ATP Finals Review 02:18 Player Performances 08:39 Zverev 11:27 FAA 16:19 Sincaraz 22:28 Doubles Matches 30:43 Davis Cup Preview 33:38 Tennis News Links: FAA Press Conference - https://youtu.be/mExNSX4WtCU?si=9cTAn4tTlzVPcfy1&t=87 Sinner Indoor Stat - https://x.com/universtennis/status/1990141713235444042?s=46&t=34KFRaMxpc-93mq_1EOI7A Sunglasses walk out video - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DREz80HjE8A/?igsh=MWthdG54ZGd6ZjA5ZQ== Vavassori instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrevavassori?igsh=dDllampoNGhwaWdl United Cup draw - https://www.unitedcup.com/en/media/news/united-cup-2026-draw-revealed We have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️ Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com Website - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 10

Anastasia and Nick break down the thrilling close to the WTA season — Elena Rybakina’s flawless run in Riyadh, Aryna Sabalenka’s fiery consistency, and what Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek’s “rebuilding” phases really mean heading into 2026. Then they pivot to the ATP Finals, unpacking Novak Djokovic’s late withdrawal, Lorenzo Musetti’s mad dash to Turin, and why the Alcaraz–Sinner rivalry now defines men’s tennis. Plus: doubles shakeups, the ATP’s new Spotify deal, and the so-called “Battle of the Sexes” rematch. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:55 Audience Q&A 09:00 WTA Finals review 52:22 ATP Finals Preview 01:12:46 The News Around Tennis 01:35:35 Outro Links: Morgan’s Mexico City GP vlog - https://youtu.be/HDb8Ng-f2xo?si=YgjIfWUEWXeSwwb9 Players box Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@ThePlayersBoxPodcast Doubles reels - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ1b3-dDhi5/?igsh=MXYxNDhnZTgzamxjdA== Hardcourt article - https://open.substack.com/pub/hardcourt/p/the-tennis-tours-content-conundrum?r=64928&utm_medium=ios We have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️ Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspod Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 3

Anastasia and Nick recap a jam-packed week in tennis, from the glitz and glamour of the WTA Finals in Riyadh to the drama and breakthroughs at the Paris Masters. They debate the WTA’s fashion moment of the year, break down Madison Keys’ surprising serve change, and celebrate rising stars like Vicky Mboko and Janice Tjen. Plus, Valentin Vacherot continues to stun, FAA fights to reach Turin, and Bublik becomes a serious contender. It’s all happening—even after the US Open. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:08 Ground Passer Q&A 07:20 WTA Finals Update 08:38 Reaction to the WTA Player Photo 18:22 The Tennis results so far at the WTA Finals 28:52 Paris Masters Review 42:01 Editing Notes! 44:18 Voice Note from the Paris Masters 49:28 FAA's resurgence and the chaos of figuring out who mades the YEF 59:59 Bublik is a Top 15 Player! 01:05:15 Hong Kong Review - The WTA Next Gen tournament 01:12:51 What's coming next week on tour 01:14:58 Player of the Fortnight 01:21:56 Outro Links: Link to the WTA Finals Photo - https://www.instagram.com/p/DQeKYmHkfuF/?igsh=ZmM3c2FjZHNhdXl0 Sabalenka/Paolini practice clip - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQZ2QRYkq72/?igsh=NHJicWZ4ZWVycnYx Link to the WAG episode - https://youtu.be/ms2pOe_Tffo?si=eaTDWv7lzm9TwC4Q Link to the Hardcourt Article - https://open.substack.com/pub/hardcourt/p/a-definitive-guide-to-the-tennis?r=47h9qh&utm_medium=ios Link to Double H interview - https://youtu.be/b1W8amIALyg?si=AmHbwgwGe8DEd-ho •⁃Harri’s blog - https://www.harriheliovaara.fi/?fbclid=PAdGRleAN1tXdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpxSyBHFx9AFh0rHJzS83q7OLop6xtTiqanQSuR2T0XZLAyRihXETtd4T0NFV_aem_vMpCIEwBTKF74_BMUGP6hQ We have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️ Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 30

In this bonus episode of Ground Pass , Anastasia is joined by Jessica from Hard Court and Emily Snyder — partner of Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot — for a deep dive into the evolving “WAG-scape.” They discuss how tennis girlfriends and wives are reshaping fan culture, influencer partnerships, and visibility in the sport. Emily shares her whirlwind love story, how she balances her own career in sports business, and what life looks like as her boyfriend rockets into the ATP Top 40. Chapters: 00:00 Intro to the WAG-scape 09:29 Who is a WAG? 10:37 How did Emily & Valantin meet? 17:09 Emily's Intro to the tennis world 23:50 Emily's Career Development 37:45 How Emily supports Val in his career 44:12 What's next for Emily 47:16 Outro Links: WAG-scape article on Hardcourt Substack - https://open.substack.com/pub/hardcourt/p/a-definitive-guide-to-the-tennis?r=47h9qh&utm_medium=ios Emily on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@emilysnyderr?_t=ZP-90zYVXelZrL&_r=1 Emily on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emilysnyyder?igsh=NGIyOGhxZm5ybnl2 We have Merch!!! Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️ Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com Follow us for daily updates on Social: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast X: https://x.com/groundpasspod Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.