Best Of Three

6d ago

What is a tennis player’s prime anymore? This week, we dig into the emerging “middle class” on the ATP Tour — the 25–26 year olds who are stepping into the best years of their tennis lives. Alex de Minaur, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud, Denis Shapovalov, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina — where are they headed in 2026 and beyond? We break down: • The science and mythology of peak vs prime in tennis • Why longevity has shifted the curve into weird territory • Who among this group has another level to unlock • Who is at risk of getting passed by the next wave • Why this cohort may set the tone for the ATP’s future depth Prime isn’t guaranteed… it must be defended. Send us a text

Dec 8

What if you were good enough to be a Grand Slam contender… in any other era? Part 2 of our ATP Year-End Review looks at the players aged 22–24 — the cohort stuck directly behind Alcaraz and Sinner. This is the group that knows the assignment: solve the best duo men’s tennis has seen in 20 years… or sit in the waiting room forever. We dive into: • Ben Shelton — the competitive mutant who has climbed faster than his skill set was “supposed” to • Flavio Cobolli — burning competitive fire plus a late-season breakout that changes everything • Jack Draper — elite results, still searching for the identity that unlocks it all • Holger Rune — consistency is nice… but where are the big Slam runs? Plus the truth they all face: there’s no “waiting out” the top anymore. The future is happening in real time. Send us a text

Dec 5

The men’s game is finally entering a new era — and the heat is coming from below. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner may be the “new two” at the top of the ATP mountain, but the base has started to rumble. In this episode, Torrey and Alvin break down the youngest wave of challengers ready to push the sport forward. We dig into the rapid rise of Learner Tien, the firepower of João Fonseca, the big-man upside of Jakub Mensik, and the smooth-handed swagger of Alex Michelsen. What did each show us in 2025? And who actually has the goods to force the future to arrive sooner? Along the way we talk: – Why Davis Cup reminded us the tour is deeper than headlines let on – Why Mensik’s Miami run raised expectations… and pressure – Whether Fonseca avoids the Rublev plateau – How Tien can skyrocket just by adding a serve – What Michelsen must learn now that he’s among the big boys Can anyone touch the top in the next 24 months? We make our predictions and put the stopwatch on the future. Send us a text

Nov 24

The 2025 WTA season is in the books, and it might be the clearest sign yet that women’s tennis has officially entered a new era. Arena Sabalenka finished as the undisputed force at the top, Coco Gauff found another gear, Amanda Anisimova became a two-slam finalist, and a wave of young talent made serious noise. Alvin and Torrey break down: • Why Sabalenka’s “Serena 2.0” season was both dominant and revealing • Whether Coco Gauff actually has another level — and what that could mean for 2026 • The case for Amanda Anisimova as a true long-term contender • Players poised to break into the Top 8 next year (Mirra Andreeva, Qinwen Zheng, Naomi Osaka…?) • Who’s rising, who’s falling, and why style matchups matter more than ever • Stock Up / Stock Down • Our favorite matches and storylines of the year Send us a text

Nov 17

Sinner vs Alcaraz delivered again. We dive deep into the ATP Tour Finals—tactics, momentum swings, psychological edges, and why this rivalry already feels historic. We also zoom out to the full field: Felix resurging, Ben chasing the top tier, De Minuar’s rise, Fritz finding his ceiling, and what all of this means heading into Australia. If you’re a tennis nerd, settle in. If you’re not, you will be by the end. Send us a text

Nov 10

Elena Rybakina just put the entire women’s tour on notice. In Riyadh she didn’t just win — she took time away from the biggest hitters in the sport, went coast-to-coast, and made a real case that we have a new tier forming at the top. In this episode we break down what makes Rybakina’s game so suffocating, how she’s evolved tactically, why her compact mechanics change the geometry of rallies, and what this week tells us about the next four years in women’s tennis. Then we pivot to the men — because the ATP Finals actually matter this year — and we get into the Musetti chaos, Felix’s re-emergence, and Novak’s mid-tournament “I’m not going to Turin” moment. If you love the sport at a technical and narrative level — this one is a feast. Send us a text

Nov 3

The indoor swing keeps delivering clarity. Jannik Sinner beats Felix Auger-Aliassime in Paris… and again shows he isn’t just in form — he’s becoming the constraint the entire ATP field has to solve. His time-pressuring geometry is the new standard. Felix keeps showing progress, but the gap between “great ball” and “Sinner/Carlos OS level” was on display. We also connect this to the upcoming Turin Finals and what’s actually at stake — not points — but era momentum. Then we go to the WTA side: the matchups and early reads from the year-end Finals. The difference between the big hitters’ group and the movers’ group. And why this week is an early preview for 2025 identity. This episode is about the future direction of the tours — through the lens of Paris. 👟 ATP PARIS takeaway: Sinner is not just winning — he’s defining the future 🎾 Felix is close — but his “operating system” needs a leap to compete with the two at the top 🔥 WTA Finals takeaway: weapons + problem solving will rule this week indoors — subscribe to the show. follow on instagram @bestofthreepodcast Send us a text

Oct 27

The 2025 WTA Finals field is locked. Alvin and Torrey unpack the storylines behind the top eight — from Sabalenka’s dominance to Gauff’s consistency and Rybakina’s late run. They also react to the ATP’s new Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia and discuss what Frances Tiafoe’s latest coaching split says about his future on tour. (Bonus “WTA 1–5” segment available on YouTube.) Send us a text