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Best Of Three
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In this episode, Alvin Owusu and Torrey Hawkins engage with Peter Lebedevs, the tournament director for the ATP 500 Dallas event, discussing the intricacies of running tennis tournaments, enhancing fan experiences, and the evolving landscape of the sport. They explore the transition from 250 to 500 events, the impact of betting, and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game. Peter shares insights on the future of tennis attendance, broadcasting strategies, and the significance o...
In this episode of the Best Three Podcast, hosts Torrey Hawkins and Alvin Owusu discuss the recent performances of Madison Keys in women's tennis, reflecting on her resurgence and the importance of competition in the sport. They analyze her tactical adjustments during matches, the role of doubles in player development, and the evolution of her game. The conversation highlights the dynamics of women's tennis and the future of the sport, emphasizing the need for players to adapt and grow. In th...
In this episode of the Best of Three podcast, hosts Alvin Owusu and Torrey Hawkins discuss the ongoing Australian Open, analyzing key matches, player performances, and the overall tournament atmosphere. They delve into the match between Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of both players. The conversation bounces around the draw, discussing the implications of player consistency and the impact of injuries on performance. The hosts also reflect on stan...
In this episode, Alvin and Torrey are joined by Bobby Reynolds, head coach of the Auburn University men's tennis team. The trio discusses the evolving landscape of men's tennis, particularly in light of the recent Australian Open. The conversation covers the emergence of young talent, the impact of technology on player development, and the changing strategies in the game. The hosts reflect on how the current generation of players is redefining the sport with their aggressive playing sty...
Alvin Owusu and Torrey Hawkins preview the mens side of the Australian Open draw. Send us a text
Alvin Owusu and Torrey Hawkins break down the Australian Open draw on the womens side. Send us a text
In this episode, Alvin and Torrey discuss the ATP Next Gen competition and its implications for player development, particularly focusing on the lack of a women's equivalent. Next, they analyze the current state of American women's tennis, highlighting Coco Gauff's potential and the challenges she faces, especially regarding her serve. The conversation emphasizes the importance of challenger tournaments and the need for a structured pathway for young players to transition into professi...
In this conversation, Alvin Owusu and Torrey Hawkins discuss the current state of American men's tennis, focusing on players like Taylor Fritz, Francis Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, and Sebastian Korda. They analyze each player's strengths, weaknesses, and potential for the upcoming seasons, while also reflecting on the cultural expectations surrounding American tennis. The discussion highlights the challenges these players face in a competitive landscape dominated by established champions...
In this conversation, Alvin Owusu and Torrey Hawkins discuss the challenges young players face in maintaining consistency and the emerging rivalries in women's tennis. They also discuss the importance of winning skills, and the impact of college tennis on player development. They analyze emerging talents and the role of coaching in shaping successful players, while also addressing the future of American women's tennis and the opportunities for growth in the sport. Lastly, they also expl...
In this episode of Best of Three, Alvin and Torrey delve into the factors shaping the modern tennis landscape, from the critical role of continuous learning for players and coaches to the immense challenges of winning that elusive first Grand Slam title. We talk about the career of Dominic Thiem, and then discuss sponsors “five-year rule” that can predict many players’ peak performances. With stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz taking a stranglehold upon the top of ATP rankings, and...
In this episode, Alvin and Torrey delve into the year-end championship format, the need for a tennis commissioner, and the impact of injuries on player rankings. They reflect on the legacies of tennis legends like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray, emphasizing the importance of rivalries in the sport. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of spectatorship, discussing the balance between viewership and attendance at events. Finally, they conclude with a segment in Coach's Co...
In this engaging conversation, Alvin and Torrey reflect on the evolution of tennis, particularly focusing on the end of an era marked by the dominance of players like Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. They discuss the impact of Serena's legacy on women's tennis, the current state of the sport, and the transition to a new generation of players. They explore the importance of appreciating greatness while it's present and the challenges of sustaining excellen...
Alvin and Matt discuss the current state of tennis, reflecting on the recent Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup, as well as the WTA and ATP Finals. They analyze Coco Gauff's impressive victory and the implications for the women's tour, while also highlighting Jannik Sinner's rise in the men's game. The conversation takes a turn to address John Wertheim's controversial comments about Barbora Krejcikova and the consequences he faced. Finally, they delve into the sponsorship dynamics of Rolex wi...
The crew discusses the ATP Paris Masters 1000 and WTA Finals. Send us a text
The 2026 tennis season is officially underway, and we’re kicking it off with our full Australian Open Draw Show. In this episode of Best of Three, we break down: • The women’s draw first – contenders, dangerous floaters, and early-round landmines • The men’s draw second – blockbuster first rounds, brutal sections, and who really got tested • Which seeds are vulnerable • Which unseeded players could blow things up • And what the draw tells us about how this tournament might actually unfold If ...
American women’s tennis is quietly stacked—and complicated. In this special State of the Union episode of Best of Three, Alvin Owusu and Torrey Hawkins break down where US women’s tennis really stands heading into the new season. They dig into: Coco Gauff’s evolution into a consistent Grand Slam force (and what still limits her ceiling)Amanda Anisimova’s comeback year, mental toughness, and why her pedigree mattersJessica Pegula’s consistency, her realistic Grand Slam window, and what her nex...
American men’s tennis looks stable at the top — but stability isn’t the same as momentum. In this State of the Union episode, Alvin and Torrey take a wide-angle look at where U.S. men’s tennis stands heading into the next season. They break down the established core (Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe), assess Ben Shelton’s rapid ascent, and ask the harder question: what happens after this generation? The conversation spans ceiling vs. longevity, talent vs. professionalism, and why dept...
Why does Jannik Sinner feel inevitable—especially indoors? In this episode of Best of Three, Alvin Owusu is joined by Patrick Parr for a deep dive into what actually separates Sinner from the rest of the ATP field. This isn’t about forehands or backhands. It’s about skiing, pressure, stillness, and why tennis feels slow to him. We unpack: How Sinner’s elite skiing background shaped his movement, balance, and mental calmWhy indoor tennis removes chaos—and why that heavily favors SinnerThe diff...
In Part 4 of our ATP 2025 Year-End Review, we look at the players aged 27–29 — the most complicated group in men’s tennis. They were supposed to take over from Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. Then came The New Two. We dive into: • Zverev’s stagnant ceiling and why the next dip could get ugly • Fritz maximizing every ounce but needing just one more gear • Medvedev’s “one more run” and what actual change looks like • Tsitsipas falling fast — is a comeback even realistic? • Rublev as the gatekeepe...
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 l...







