Making a Racquet

On the ninth episode, we start by talking about Novak Djokovic as he wins Wimbledon and looked virtually unstoppable while doing it; can anyone stop him from winning Olympic Gold and the US Open for the Golden Slam? Then we talk about Ash Barty's victory and how good we think she can be throughout her career (21:35) before closing it with a conversation about Naomi Osaka's mental health, her very thoughtful Time Magazine article, and the Olympics as a whole (27:19). Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @makingaracquet3 Novak Djokovic career statistics (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novak_Djokovic_career_statistics Novak Djokovic (ATP Tour): https://www.atptour.com/en/players/novak-djokovic/d643/overview Ashleigh Barty career statistics (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashleigh_Barty_career_statistics Ashleigh Barty (WTA Tour): https://www.wtatennis.com/players/318033/ashleigh-barty Wimbledon Gentlemen's Singles Draw: https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/index.html?event=MS Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Draw: https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/index.html?event=LS Naomi Osaka: "It's O.K. Not to be O.K." (Time Magazine): https://time.com/6077128/naomi-osaka-essay-tokyo-olympics/ Soul Cap Petition to FINA Nears 5,000 Signatures (Swimming World Magazine): https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/soul-cap-petition-to-fina-nears-5000-signatures/ Theme and End Music: "Back to the Future" by Ofshane from YouTube Audio Library, Remixed by Nathan Lee with Tennis Sound from FreeSFX Middle Music: "Stairway" by Patrick Patrikios from YouTube Audio Library Tennis sound effect from FreeSFX: freesfx.co.uk

History was made in Paris as Novak Djokovic won his second French Open and 19th Grand Slam title (start), and Barbora Krejickova not only won her third Grand Slam doubles title to get back to No. 1, but also broke through in singles by winning it all in just her fifth Grand Slam main draw (15:37). We have a break conversation about the NBA and the Olympics (26:20) before talking about Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from Wimbledon and the Olympics (29:21) and Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from Wimbledon and what should be reimagined about dealing with the press in tennis and the sports world at-large (34:26). Follow us @makingaracquet3 on Twitter and Instagram Theme and End Music: "Back to the Future" by Ofshane from YouTube Audio Library, remixed by Nathan Lee with tennis sound effect from FreeSFX Middle Music: "Stairway" by Patrick Patrikios from YouTube Audio Library Tennis sound effect from FreeSFX: freesfx.co.uk

We preview the French Open: Rafa Nadal's road to 14 (or more importantly, 21), Novak Djokovic, and who has an easy draw even though they'll end up losing to Nadal anyway. On the women's side (8:47), we talk about the three favorites in Ash Barty, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka, plus some other big names and a possible dark horse that may get big in Paris. We close with our final four (19:55), and this was way shorter than we wanted. Congratulations to UIL 6A Boys' Singles State Champion Tyler Stewart, and we apologize we were not able to get the interview on this episode due to technical difficulties (that were caused by Nathan). Midland Reporter Telegram article immediately after it happened: https://www.mrt.com/sports/highschool/mhs/article/BREAKING-MHS-Stewart-becomes-1st-MISD-player-16194358.php Newswest 9 article: https://www.newswest9.com/article/sports/tennis/mhs-senior-tyler-stewart-wins-singles-tennis-state-championship/513-d363b4f5-3db7-4ebe-9524-a0e0477cbf44 French Open draws: https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/results/SM Tennis Draw Challenge: tennisdrawchallenge.com Theme and End Music: "Back to the Future" by Ofshane from YouTube Audio Library, remixed by Nathan Lee with tennis sound effect from FreeSFX. Middle Music: "Awakening Instrumental" by Wataboi from Pixabay Tennis sound effect from FreeSFX: freesfx.co.uk

We would like to note that we did not plan to talk about the accusations against Alexander Zverev. We decided to lead with his accomplishments in Madrid, and then Nathan mentioned the accusations that are not even mentioned anymore. We find that suspicious on many different levels. There are multiple alleged incidents, and the biggest one seems to be August 2019 in New York. The link to "Olya's Story" in Racquet Magazine is below, as well as other articles about the situation. "Olya's Story": racquetmag.com/2020/11/05/olyas-story/ www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/13/tennis-stays-silent-as-violence-allegations-hang-over-alexander-zverev www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/30310216/alexander-zverev-again-denies-domestic-abuse-allegations www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-men-zverev/tennis-german-zverev-splits-with-federers-management-firm-idUSKBN29N0NI wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/roger-federer-alexander-zverev-assault-allegations-atp-should-not-get-involved/cba8b85f-5289-413a-a10b-9d7cfa0df303 In the rest of the episode, we recap Madrid, where (frankly) Zverev and Aryna Sabalenka (7:35) won, then talk about Roger Federer coming back (although now we realize he already lost. Whoops, 11:08) and even Serena Williams playing in Parma. In the second half, we talk about Rafael Nadal's 10th Rome title as he gears up to win his 14th French Open (19:11), talk about Novak Djokovic's run to still make the final (27:31), Iga Swiatek's dominant Rome final as she gears up to defend her French Open (32:53), and end talking about why Ash Barty is still the favorite to win her second title in Paris (34:54). Follow us @makingaracquet3 on Twitter and Instagram Music: "Back to the Future" by Ofshane from YouTube Audio Library, remixed by Nathan Lee with tennis sound from FreeSFX: freesfx.co.uk Middle Music: "Awakening Instrumental" by Wataboi from Pixabay Tennis and Whistle sound effects from FreeSFX: freesfx.co.uk

In the first half, we cover all the men, especially after Monte Carlo: finalist Andrey Rublev, champion Stefanos Tsitisipas (10:38), shock semifinalist Dan Evans (14:07), Novak Djokovic getting upset in the third round (we unintentionally recap his lapses in history, 18:25), and we end up realizing that Rafael Nadal is still the favorite and will be forever. In the second half, we focus more on the women as both tours head into Madrid and Rome in 2 weeks, such as whether Naomi Osaka will stay dominant (29:03), the pressure on defending champion Iga Swiatek (36:56), and what Bianca Andreescu will do if she can stay healthy (43:57). @makingaracquet3 Twitter, @makingaracquet3 Instagram Music: Awakening Instrumental by Wataboi from Pixabay Tennis and Artillery sound effects from FreeSFX: www.freesfx.co.uk