Talking Tennis

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"There's a total lack of transparency here," argues Daniel Kaplan after Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion and 2021 Olympic Silver medalist, received a four year ban for her refusal to take an anti-doping test last December. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to ATP Weekly, your roundup of the biggest stories from the grass-court swing as Wimbledon approaches. Frances Tiafoe claimed the biggest title of his career at the Halle Open, defeating fellow American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final. Tiafoe produced a near-flawless performance, breaking early in both sets and protecting his serve throughout. He also became the first American champion in Halle since 1993, a significant milestone heading into Wimbledon. In London, Francisco Cerúndolo defeated Tommy Paul 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3 to win the Queen’s Club Championships. The Argentine battled through a marathon final lasting more than three hours, the longest championship match in the tournament's history. After dropping the opening set, Cerúndolo steadily wore down Paul and completed a memorable comeback to secure his first ATP 500 crown. The triumph makes Cerúndolo the first Argentine ever to win Queen’s and further establishes him as a genuine threat on grass after previously winning Eastbourne in 2023. One of the most anticipated stories of the week is the return of British star Jack Draper. After months on the sidelines with injury problems, Draper is set to make his comeback at the Eastbourne Open. Draper has spoken positively about working with former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, whose guidance has helped him through a difficult rehabilitation period. The Brit opens his campaign against Brandon Nakashima. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WTA Weekly: Noskova wins Berlin, Bouzkova seals Nottingham title | Eala heads to Bad Homburg after Berlin heroics | Serena Williams to play Wimbledon singles | Sabalenka woes continueThis week on WTA Weekly, @nickbc30 and @aces_and_faults break down a huge grass-court weekend as rising Czech star Linda Noskova captured the biggest title of her career at the Berlin Open, defeating Jessica Pegula in a three-set final to claim her first grass-court trophy and move into the WTA Top 10 for the first time. Nick and Amanda also discussed Marie Bouzkova's title-winning run in Nottingham and what it means heading into Wimbledon, while Filipino sensation Alexandra Eala continues to turn heads after a breakthrough Berlin campaign that included wins over top players before her semifinal run ended against Noskova. With Bad Homburg next on her schedule, we assess whether another deep run is on the cards. Plus, the tennis world is buzzing over Serena Williams return to Wimbledon singles competition, and we examine what that could mean for the tournament and her legacy. We also take a closer look at the worrying trend surrounding world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, whose grass-court preparations suffered a setback after a semifinal defeat to Jessica Pegula in Berlin. Is it merely a bump in the road, or a genuine concern ahead of SW19? All that and more as Wimbledon fever builds on this week's episode of WTA Weekly. 🎾 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Shelton continued his breakout 2026 season by winning the Stuttgart grass-court title, defeating fellow American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the final. It was Shelton's first ATP title on grass and his third trophy of the season after earlier successes on hard courts and clay. The title run was anything but straightforward. Shelton survived multiple three-set battles during the week, including a dramatic semifinal victory over Jiří Lehečka in which he saved two match points before prevailing in a final-set tiebreak. With Wimbledon approaching, Shelton's ability to win on all three major surfaces has elevated him into the group of genuine contenders for a deep run in London. Kamil Majchrzak completed a dream week in 's-Hertogenbosch by claiming the first ATP Tour title of his career. The Pole's run included victories over top players, highlighted by wins against Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev. Majchrzak reached the final after upsetting Medvedev in straight sets and then completed his remarkable tournament by lifting the trophy, a breakthrough achievement for the 30-year-old. His grass-court form makes him one of the more dangerous unseeded players heading into Wimbledon qualifying and draw discussions. The first week of ATP grass-court action produced two major storylines: Shelton has shown he can transfer his explosive serve and aggressive baseline game to grass, making him a legitimate threat at Wimbledon. Majchrzak's confidence is at a career high after securing his first ATP title and multiple top-level victories. This week's ATP 500 event in Halle serves as one of the strongest Wimbledon tune-ups. Historically, the tournament has favored elite servers and aggressive all-court players. The field is expected to feature many of the tour's leading grass-court performers as they continue preparations for the Championships. Players to watch include: Jannik Sinner, who has been one of the dominant forces of 2026. Ben Shelton, arriving with momentum from Stuttgart. Other Wimbledon contenders looking to fine-tune their grass-court games. The ATP 500 event at Queen's Club traditionally offers one of the clearest indicators of Wimbledon form. The fast conditions reward big serving, aggressive returning, and efficient net play. Key questions entering the week: Can the top contenders quickly adapt from clay to grass? Will a player such as Shelton continue his surge? Which established grass-court specialists will emerge as serious Wimbledon threats? Bottom line: Shelton leaves Stuttgart looking like one of the hottest players on tour, while Majchrzak's maiden ATP title is one of the feel-good stories of the grass season. The spotlight now shifts to Halle and Queen's, where the final pecking order for Wi

WTA Weekly – Queen's Club Review & Berlin/Nottingham Preview Welcome to WTA Weekly. This week, the grass-court season delivered one of its best stories as Donna Vekic completed a remarkable run to win the Queen's Club title in London. Entering the tournament as a lucky loser after falling in qualifying, Vekic took full advantage of her second chance and capped the week with a 6-0, 7-6(6) victory over home favourite Emma Raducanu in the final. Vekic dominated the opening set before Raducanu fought back impressively in the second. The Brit recovered from a difficult start, built a lead, and even held set points, but Vekic's experience on grass proved decisive in a tense tiebreak. The Croatian eventually converted her fifth championship point to secure her first title in several years. Despite the loss, Raducanu leaves Queen's with plenty of positives. After an injury- and illness-disrupted season, she reached the final without dropping a set before Sunday and recorded victories over multiple top players. Her form suggests she could be a dangerous contender during the remainder of the grass swing and at Wimbledon. As for Vekic, the title continues a remarkable turnaround. She only entered the main draw after a late withdrawal created a lucky-loser spot, yet she navigated the field brilliantly and now heads into Wimbledon full of confidence. Looking ahead, attention shifts to the WTA 500 event in Berlin, one of the strongest grass-court tournaments outside Wimbledon. The field is expected to feature many of the tour's top players, making it a crucial test before the Championships. Meanwhile, the WTA event in Nottingham offers another opportunity for players to gain valuable grass-court matches and ranking points. With Wimbledon just around the corner, every match becomes increasingly important as players fine-tune their games for the year's biggest grass-court event. That's all for this week's WTA Weekly. The road to Wimbledon is heating up, and after Vekic's incredible lucky-loser triumph at Queen's, the grass season has already shown that anything can happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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ALEX EALA - LIVE Q&A After winning her first grass court title in Birmingham, in typical gritty fashion, we will have our first Alex Eala Q & A. Get your questions in as we do a live show, addressing all your Eala-related queries. Why is she so good on grass? Can she go far at Wimbledon? Why does she struggle on clay? What is her potential? What was she like to interview? Can she win a Grand Slam? What is her ceiling? Strengths & weaknesses, and things to work on... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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At just 19 years old, Mirra Andreeva has captured her first French Open crown, beating Maja Chwalińska 6-3 6-2, announcing herself as one of the brightest stars in women's tennis. But is this breakthrough triumph the beginning of a new era, or simply the first chapter in what could become a legendary career? In this episode, we break down Andreeva's remarkable run to the Roland-Garros title, the strengths that set her apart from her rivals, and how her game stacks up against the current elite of the WTA Tour. We discuss her tactical intelligence, mental composure under pressure, and whether she has the tools to become a multiple Grand Slam champion. We also explore what this victory means for the future of women's tennis, the challenges Andreeva will face as expectations rise, and how many major titles could realistically be in her future. Join us as we analyze one of the biggest stories in tennis and ask the question on everyone's mind: Is Mirra Andreeva's first French Open title the first of many Grand Slam victories to come? 🎾 Subscribe for more tennis analysis, Grand Slam coverage, and in-depth discussions on the biggest stories in the sport. #Tennis #FrenchOpen #MirraAndreeva #RolandGarros #WTA #GrandSlam #TennisPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026 French Open men’s final is set, and it’s a matchup few predicted at the start of the fortnight. Alexander Zverev is one win away from finally capturing his first Grand Slam title, while Flavio Cobolli has stormed into his maiden major final after a breakthrough season. With both men chasing their first Slam trophy, the pressure in Paris couldn't be higher. In this episode, we break down the key tactical battles, examine each player's route to the final, discuss Cobolli's path after Matteo Arnaldi's withdrawal, and analyse whether Zverev can overcome the mental hurdle that has denied him Grand Slam glory in previous finals. We'll also look at their recent clay-court history, the significance of Cobolli's upset win over Zverev in Munich earlier this season, and the factors that could decide the championship on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Can Zverev finally lift a major trophy after years of near misses, or will Cobolli complete a stunning Cinderella run and become a surprise Roland-Garros champion? We give our full match preview, keys to victory, and official prediction for the French Open final. 🎾🔥 Prediction: Zverev in 4 sets. His experience in deep Grand Slam runs, superior consistency over five sets, and proven clay-court pedigree make him the favourite, but Cobolli's confidence and fearless shot-making give him a genuine chance to spring the upset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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🎾 LAST BALL DROPS | FRENCH OPEN DAILY 🇫🇷 The drama keeps coming at Roland-Garros. ❌ Four-time champion Iga Świątek is OUT, ending her remarkable reign in Paris. 🔥 Teenage sensation João Fonseca delivered the biggest statement of his young career, taking down Casper Ruud in a breakthrough victory. 💪 Business as usual for Alexander Zverev and Mirra Andreeva, who both cruised into the quarter-finals with commanding performances. 🎙️ On today's Last Ball Drops, we break down: • What Świątek's exit means for the women's draw • Fonseca's arrival on the Grand Slam stage • Zverev's title credentials • And why Andreeva continues to look like a serious contender 🎧 Listen on Apple or Spotify or watch now on YouTube and catch up on all the key stories from French Open with @brennermorton & @fergus_sjourno #FrenchOpen #RolandGarros #Tennis #IgaSwiatek #JoaoFonseca #CasperRuud #AlexanderZverev #MirraAndreeva #GrandSlam #LastBallDrops #TennisPodcast #ParisTennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Iga Świątek beat compatriot Magda Linette 6-4 6-4 in 85 minutes to reach the Roland-Garros round of 16 for the eighth straight year, the first woman to do it since Monica Seles. Swiatek will play Marta Kostyuk next, who is on a 14-match winning streak. Who wins this clash? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A dramatic day at Roland-Garros sees Jannik Sinner’s French Open campaign come to an end, leaving the men’s draw wide open. In this episode of Last Ball Drops, we break down what Sinner’s exit means for the tournament, assess the title credentials of Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev, and debate who now stands as the favourite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires. We also review the key matches from today’s action, analyse the shifting dynamics in the draw, and look ahead to the biggest storylines still to come in Paris. Who has the edge on the clay? Can Djokovic add another Grand Slam to his collection, or is this finally the moment for Ruud or Zverev? Join us for your daily French Open roundup, expert analysis and plenty of tennis debate. 🎾 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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A chaotic day in Paris delivered one of the tournament’s biggest shocks so far as Elena Rybakina crashed out of Roland-Garros in dramatic fashion. We break down Yuliia Starodubtseva’s stunning comeback, the brutal heatwave conditions impacting players across the grounds, and how Marta Kostyuk battled through to keep the Ukrainian charge alive. Jakub Mensik survives an absolute clay-court war — and nearly collapses afterward — while João Fonseca continues his breakout run to book a blockbuster showdown with Novak Djokovic. We also cover Swiatek’s steady progress, more five-set madness in the men’s draw, and the growing conversation around player safety in the Paris heat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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WTA Weekly French Open Preview | Swiatek Seeks Fifth Roland Garros Crown | Gauff Aims to Defend Her Title The clay-court Grand Slam season reaches its peak as Roland Garros gets underway in Paris. This week, we break down the women's singles draw, the biggest contenders, and the storylines that could define the 2026 French Open. Can Iga Świątek rediscover her best form on her favorite surface and capture a fifth Roland Garros title? The former champion remains one of the most dangerous players on clay despite a challenging season, and Paris could be the perfect stage for another deep run. Meanwhile, defending champion Coco Gauff returns looking to repeat last year's triumph and add another major trophy to her growing collection. After another strong clay-court campaign, the American arrives in Paris full of confidence and eager to prove she can thrive under the pressure of defending a Grand Slam title. We also assess the chances of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the ever-dangerous Elena Rybakina, rising star Mirra Andreeva, and in-form Elina Svitolina as a stacked women's field prepares for two weeks of battles on the Paris clay. Join us as we preview the draw, predict potential blockbuster matchups, identify dark horses, and reveal our picks for who will be lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on championship weekend. 🎾 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The Roland Garros draw is out and we went LIVE to break down every major storyline from Paris! Who will Filipino sensation Alex Eala face in the opening round, and does she have a path to make a deep run? Which half of the men's draw will Novak Djokovic land in, and what could his route look like as he chases another Grand Slam title? On the women's side, we reveal the full pathway for four-time champion Iga Swiatek as she targets an incredible fifth Roland Garros crown. Swiatek opens against Emerson Jones and could face a quarterfinal showdown with Elina Svitolina, while Djokovic has been handed a potentially challenging section of the draw that could see a Round 4 matchup with recent Rome finalist Casper Ruud. We'll also examine the prospects for top contenders including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and the rest of the field, highlighting the toughest first-round matchups, possible blockbuster clashes, and the biggest winners and losers from the draw ceremony. Join us live as we react in real time, answer your questions, and map out the road to the 2026 French Open titles. Who got the dream draw? Who faces danger from day one? Let's dive in. 🎾 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brenner and John break down their ATP French Open Power Rankings ahead of Roland Garros — and the debate gets heated fast. Does teenage sensation João Fonseca deserve a spot in the top contenders? Who really belongs behind overwhelming favourite Jannik Sinner — Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, or clay specialist Casper Ruud? The guys debate recent form, draw dynamics, clay-court trends, and which dark horses could shake up Paris. Plus: sleeper picks, early upset alerts, and players neither host trusts despite the ranking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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