About this episode
Madrid stretched nearly two weeks and few of the top men survived without injury. Felix Auger-Aliassime landed in the final after three walkovers/retirements but it was a very ill Andrey Rublev who snatched the title. Iga Swiatek won Madrid for the first time (be scared). Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur provided lots of food for thought -- in very different ways -- on women’s sports and continuing inequities. Plus, we’re bringing you our thoughts on Luca Guadagnino’s long awaited queer tennis drama Challengers (aka the crowning of Zendaya as a true movie star), and we answer some listener questions! 1:40 Women save the day (after Aryna steps in it) 14:30 More of Madrid women’s draw shining bright 18:25 Ons Jabeur makes a statement about women’s sports + Feliciano Lopez’s change of tone 25:30 Never stay for your farewell ceremony 30:00 Shirtgate: the height of idgaf-ness 36:35 Men’s draw ravaged by injuries but Andrey overcomes 45:55 Cornet is retiring, Tsitsidosa is breaking up 47:50 Our thoughts on Challengers 65:15 What’s the first thing you’d change if you were in charge of the WTA/ATP merger? 73:45 Players who’ve taken us on journeys of like and dislike (or apathy or indifference or standom, etc.) …