Nothing Major

The quarterfinals in New York brought plenty of fireworks, and we’re breaking it all down before looking ahead to the semifinals. Novak Djokovic was clinical against Taylor Fritz and now sets up a blockbuster clash with Carlos Alcaraz. Is Novak the greatest athlete of all time? We debate it. Jannik Sinner’s dominance rolls on as he heads into a big showdown with Felix Auger-Aliassime, but does Felix really have a chance? On the women’s side, Jessica Pegula’s steady run keeps her in the spotlight, while Amanda Anisimova pulled off sweet redemption against Iga Swiatek. Could we be on track for an all-American final? We dive into the possibilities and what it would mean for the tournament. Off the court, there’s bracket drama, group chat chaos, and some questionable takes, from whether Fritz’s headband was a mistake to the rising La Bubbus trend. 00:00 We're back! 01:08 Semi-Finals Preview and Quarterfinals Recap 02:21 Group Chat Confusion 05:00 Novak Djokovic's Performance So Far 12:22 Alcaraz vs. Djokovic Preview 16:23 Sinner's Dominance and Upcoming Match 19:59 Felix vs. Sinner 20:07 Men's Semifinals Preview 21:24 Women's Semifinals: American Hopes 22:09 Pegula's Path to Victory 25:15 Amanda Anisimova's Redemption 27:49 Osaka's Comeback 32:43 Bracket Challenge Drama and Goodbye! Try Huel with 15% OFF for New Customers today using our code nothingmajor15 at https://huel.com/nothingmajor15. Fuel your best performance with Huel today!

The pod hits triple digits, and Sam immediately blows the budget - dropping $663 on hotel laundry in New York. That fiasco sets the tone for an episode packed with shaky quarterfinal predictions, a surprisingly deep dive into life choices, and a full Round 4 recap. From Anna Wintour lurking courtside to Jason Biggs randomly popping up, the celebrity sightings nearly stole the show… nearly. The guys break down Felix’s revival, Alcaraz’s shot-of-the-year candidate, Novak’s effortless cruise, and Fritz’s eternal struggle against him. On the women’s side, Iga keeps steamrolling, Osaka looks dangerous again after taking out Coco, Pegula is gliding quietly under the radar, and Krejcikova delivered what might be the match of the tournament. Things wrap up with one of the wildest Life Advice questions yet. The guys dish out surprisingly heartfelt guidance—sandwiched between trash talk about their bracket challenge and scheming over who’s doomed to write and sing a jingle. Chaotic, sharp, and accidentally sincere… basically the perfect 100th episode. 00:00 Intro to Our 100th Show! 00:37 Dry Cleaning in New York 02:22 Celebrity Sightings 03:27 Recap of Round of 16 Matches 05:27 Felix / Musetti Surprising Performances 09:57 Novak's Dominant Form 11:52 Alcaraz's Shot of the Year 12:54 Quarterfinals Preview / Predictions 15:17 Women's Quarterfinal Highlights 17:35 Match of the Tournament: Krejcikova vs. Townsend 19:21 Osaka vs. Coco Gauff Analysis 23:27 Life Advice Segment 25:56 Bracket Challenge Update and Goodbye!

Round 3 of the US Open had everything: injuries, drama, and plenty of star power in the stands. We dig into Ben Shelton’s tough setback, Sinner’s tricky test against Shapo, Alcaraz’s dominant run, and Taylor Fritz quietly holding strong. And yes, we even get into the celeb scene, from Russell Wilson and LL Cool J courtside to who didn’t quite make the “celebrity cut.” On the women’s side, Coco Gauff bounced back after a shaky start, while Taylor Townsend kept the drama rolling. Now all eyes are on the blockbuster clash between Gauff and Naomi Osaka, a matchup that could help define the tournament. We wrap with some chatter on tennis’s unwritten rules (do you really have to apologize for a let cord?), a few fan habits that drive us crazy, and an update on our bracket standings… let’s just say not everyone’s thrilled. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:34 Celebrity Sightings at the US Open 01:56 Ben Shelton's Injury and Perspective 03:37 Jannik Sinner's Performance 05:21 Carlos Alcaraz and His Impressive Run 06:13 Taylor Fritz's Match Recap 07:02 Novak Djokovic's So Far 11:06 Round of 16 Popcorn Matches 13:06 Women's Draw Highlights 13:49 Coco Gauff's Performance So Far 14:34 Taylor Townsend's Impressive Run 19:28 Unwritten Rules of Tennis and Fan Annoyances 20:54 Bracket Updates and Episode Wrap-Up

We’ve got a special guest… John McEnroe crashes the pod — and yes, we’re serious! Steve, Sam, John, and Johnny Mac break down the latest results and hottest storylines, from which American he sees with the most potential, to Medvedev’s fine, and the tense Townsend–Ostapenko exchange. We also dig into Jack Draper’s unexpected withdrawal, highlight the standout performances of Alcaraz and Sinner, and wrap it all up with bold predictions for Round 3. 00:00 Intro and Sponsor Message 01:15 US Open Round 2 Overview 02:35 Men's Singles Highlights 03:09 Jack Draper's Withdrawal 06:25 Contenders? 08:45 Mary Carillo Unexpected Appearance 11:45 John McEnroe Joins the Pod! 12:53 American Players' Performance 14:10 Medvedev's Meltdown 17:57 Djokovic’s age showing? 20:40 Young Players Physical Challenges 22:58 Round 3 Predictions 27:36 Women's Draw and Predictions 33:00 Bracket Challenge and Goodbye Try Huel with 15% OFF for New Customers today using our code nothingmajor15 at https://huel.com/nothingmajor15. Fuel your best performance with Huel today!

Round 1 of the US Open had it all: celebrity gossip, bad haircuts, and Daniil Medvedev screaming at photographers.  We start with the essential Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce update (because, priorities), then break down Carlos Alcaraz’s brother-approved buzzcut.  Medvedev’s meltdown gets the full debate treatment, with zero agreement on who was right. Venus Williams throws it back with flashes of vintage Venus, Madison Keys crashes out way too soon, and the American women keep things spicy.  Then, we wrap the episode with the best Round 2 popcorn matches and a very questionable look at the US Open’s celebrity guest list. — 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:46 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey Engagement 01:50 Celebrity Lists at the US Open 04:34 Men's Round One Highlights 04:52 Carlos Alcaraz's New Haircut 05:54 Novak Djokovic's Performance 07:41 American Players 08:21 Medvedev's Controversy 12:35 Alex Michelsen Tough Loss 13:40 Fashion Statements at the US Open 14:33 Popcorn Matches and Predictions 17:45 Women's Tournament Highlights 21:50 American Women in the Spotlight 24:37 Bracket Challenge and Goodbye!

We dive into the main draws of the US Open, breaking down the most exciting first-round matchups and sharing our picks to win it all. Expect some surprise calls on the women’s side, while on the men’s side, most of us agree there’s one clear favorite. We also get into the mixed doubles action, including the impressive run of Vavassori and Errani against top singles stars... including how we officially became Vavassori fans! And don’t miss your chance to join our Bracket Challenge, where the winner takes home a $2,000 prize! 00:00 We're back! 00:44 Bracket Challenge Announcement 01:16 Congrats to HoFamers Sharapova and Bryans 02:54 Mixed Doubles Recap 08:19 Men's Draw Analysis 13:17 Can Tien Upset Novak? 13:55 Players Who Listen to the Podcast 16:39 Women's Draw Analysis 19:42 Predictions for Women's Champion 22:37 Our Take on Padel  23:49 Live Show Recap and Goodbye!

The Nothing Major podcast goes LIVE for the very first time, straight from the heart of US Open Fan Week, the Fountain Plaza Stage. Sam, John, and Jack host their first live pod in front of a rowdy crowd, hungry for free hats, laughs, and unfiltered takes! Sam announces the launch of tennis’ original Bracket Challenge for the US Open and reveals our biggest prize yet! The boys share memories of iconic night matches, New York nostalgia, and some very bold predictions for this year’s Open. The crowd joins in on the fun with our Buy or Sell: New York Edition” and some surprising picks are made for a hypothetical dream dinner companion among today’s draw Finally, the guys take on the best questions from the live audience, bigger, louder, and every bit as unpredictable as the pod itself. 00:00 Introduction to the Live Show at the US Open 00:52 Showing some love to the fans 03:33 Memorable Matches and Experiences 06:02 Fun Games  14:42 Predictions and Analysis 17:51 Trivia and Hat Giveaway 18:13 Discussion on Mixed Doubles Format 19:43 Fan Questions Begin 21:18 Favorite Pregame Songs 22:14 Laver Cup Participation 23:18 Memories of Playing at the US Open 24:42 Getting into Tournaments for Free 25:58 Favorite Things to Do in New York City 26:57 Dream Mixed Doubles Partners 28:32 Advice for Young Tennis Players 29:18 Wishlist to Coach 30:33 Pickleball Potential 33:17 Extended Game Clock Debate 34:35 Goodbye!

With the US Open upon us, Sam, Steve, and Jack break down the brand-new mixed doubles format with special guest Eric Butorac. The US Open’s Senior Director of Player Relations gives us the inside scoop on the event including the moment Jannik Sinner asked if he could team up with Serena Williams! From Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s secret visit last year to the fresh upgrades around the US Open grounds, Eric offers some great behind-the-scenes updates. The US Open Bracket Challenge is coming and the boys reveal the details on a special live Nothing Major show at the Open this week! 00:00 Sponsor Message 01:26 On Today's Episode... 02:21 Cincinnati Finals Recap 03:53 Sinner and Alcaraz Rivalry 08:48 Terence Atmane proves Sam wrong 13:23 The guys complain about the schedule again 15:05 Iga vs. Paolini 17:38 Eric Butorac joing the pod 17:38 Mixed Doubles Event at the US Open 21:16 Navigating Grand Slam Approvals 21:41 Anticipation for Other Slams to Follow 22:12 Official Announcement and Player Reactions 23:57 Facilitating Player Pairings 25:42 Challenges of Tournament Directing 28:24 Celebrity Appearances at the US Open 31:38 Exciting Renovations and Future Plans 34:31 Mixed Doubles Tournament Predictions 37:31 Housekeeping and Live Show 40:43 Goodbye!

In this week's Friday episode, John, Sam and Steve take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the legendary Kalamazoo boys' tennis tournament and its significance in the junior tennis world.  The boys share stories about their enjoyable (and sometimes chaotic) times at the Cincinnati Open and dive into the Major Mailbag to answer your questions, including revealing who are the worst practice partners on Tour... And finally after months of embarrassing himself with the worst attempts at pronouncing professional tennis player names, Sam is put in the hot seat, with a list of names chosen by our listeners. 00:00 Sponsor Message 01:25 Intro 03:56 Cincinnati Memories 10:14 Kalamazoo Tournament Recap 17:11 Fan Questions: Analytics in Tennis 20:19 Cincy Ball Kids and Personal Experiences 22:13 Practice Partners and Arrangements 23:24 Challenges with Practice Partners 25:47 American Players in Masters 1000 26:21 Hypothetical Matchup: College Steve Johnson vs. Ben Shelton 27:17 Life Advice: Parenthood, yes or no? 29:41 The Ultimate Pronunciation Challenge 34:31 Goodbye!

John, Sam, and Steve kick off your week “live” from Cincinnati, running down the biggest headlines in tennis, including Ben Shelton’s maiden Masters 1000 title in Toronto and teenage Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko capturing her first title and rising to Canadian No. 1. The crew breaks down Shelton’s explosive athleticism, undeniable clutch gene, and the tactical brilliance of his father, while also celebrating Mboko’s stunning run in Canada and discussing her ceiling and career potential. And of course, there’s never a wrong time to talk about the Big 4, the squad debates who truly got robbed of Masters 1000 titles in the shadow of their dominance. 00:00 Intro 01:25 Episode Overview 03:05 Cincinnati Tournament Insights 05:09 Toronto Tournament Highlights 05:26 Ben Shelton's Rise in Tennis 12:59 Women's Tennis Highlights 19:20 Upcoming US Open Predictions 21:35 Tennis Player Performance Analysis 22:17 Carlos Alcaraz's Travel Schedule 24:12 Masters Series Discussion 28:10 Life Advice Segment Debut 31:42 Outro and Cincy Predictions 31:56 A Wild John Isner Appears

The boys are back as tennis heads to Cincinnati for the latest Masters 1000! With a fresh debate around the new Masters 1000 structure the talk of tennis., John, Jack, Sam and Steve are joined by Toronto Tournament Director, Karl Hale to offer his thoughts on the hot topic. The group discuss player withdrawals, the schedule shake-up, and throw out some wildly confident predictions for Cincinnati. The boy take a trip down memory lane, remembering some memorable moments in Mason, Ohio and break down the big renovation that might just make it the best Masters 1000 on the calendar (depending on who you ask). The Major Mailbag makes it popular appearance, and it's time to tackle your burning questions, from coaching insights to lower-ranked player's sponsor challenges. Plus the boys reveal an exciting event with Red Bull next month, and one lucky listener might even get a chance to join the fun... 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 01:26 Episode Overview 02:06 Red Bull Flugtag Event Announcement 03:55 Cincinnati Tournament Discussion 11:16 Mailbag Questions 17:09 Tough Opponents and Player Struggles 17:53 Player Name Pronunciation Game 18:47 Coaching in Modern Tennis 21:44 Special Guest: Karl Hale on New Tournament Formats 26:37 Player Sentiments on 12-Day Events 30:15 Tournament Pullouts and Future Concerns 35:10 Predictions and Retirement Speculations 36:42 Closing Remarks

The boys are back and things are getting ugly (in the best way) as they revisit their “Ugliest Strokes” debate, respond to hilarious fan feedback, and rank the absolute worst games in tennis history. There's plenty to break down from Toronto and Montreal, but more importantly, Sam feels this is the right time to reflect on his infamous stint on Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker ... complete with a fake house and even a fake... dog?! Plus: want life advice from your favorite tennis pros? We’re launching a new segment, and you could be part of it! 00:00 Intro 00:51 Welcome to the Show! 02:38 Stevie's Hall of Fame Induction 05:11 Discussing Ugly Tennis Games 13:45 Comparing Toronto and Montreal Tournaments 15:41 Toronto Draw and QFs Preview 17:22 Toronto Predictions 21:01 Vasek Pospisil Retires 23:45 Montreal Reaction 25:54 US Open x The Bachelor 30:19 Sam's Reality TV Experience 34:22 New Life Advice Segment 35:55 Goodbye!

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev stops by for what might be the funniest and most dehydrated interview of his life. Battling full-body cramps (seriously), Zverev still dives into it all: the crash after the Australian Open final, the mistakes he’s owned, and what it’ll take to finally leave the 'No Majors' club. The crew discuss mental health, public pressure, and the wild experience of being coached by both Toni AND Rafael Nadal that resulted in an incredible story of Rafa giving a forehand masterclass in the middle of an intense dinner that went until at 1AM.... Zverev gives Sam a hard time, questions the so-called “Golden Generation” of the 1980s, and opens up about traveling with dogs, his growing collection of questionable gold chains, before being put on the Nothing Major Hot Seat.  One of the funniest, weirdest, and most honest chats we’ve had with a top player. And yes, the cramps made the cut! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:51 Episode teaser 01:08 Getting Zverev on the Podcast 02:15 Zverev's Joins the Pod and the Beef with Sam 11:15 Sibling Rivalry and Early Career 13:51 Challenges and Future Goals 19:14 Coaching and Mentorship 23:28 Rafa's Unbelievable Dedication 24:34 Advice from a Champion 25:55 The Roland Garros Setback 28:09 Comparing Tennis Generations 32:21 Las Vegas Companions 35:22 Traveling with Dogs 37:11 Worst Match Memories 40:23 Annoying Opponents 41:44 European Pet Peeves in America 43:47 Goodbye!

John, Jack, Stevie, and Sam kick off the week by breaking down the biggest headlines in tennis. The boys recap the big results from Washington D.C., discuss Venus Williams’ return to the court, and preview the tour’s upcoming stops in Canada. The crew start an important debate, what are the ugliest swings in tennis history? And reveal what insurance looks like for pro tennis players. Plus, they tease an exciting special guest joining Friday’s episode… 00:00 Intro 00:50 Weekend Recap 01:12 Washington DC Event Highlights 03:13 Men's Final Analysis: Thrills and Heartbreaks 05:34 First Titles and Player Reflections 10:10 Ben Shelton's Performance and Potential 16:23 Venus Williams' Comeback and Women's Highlights 21:29 Other Tournament Results and Cheap Points Debate 23:04 Insurance Talk and Retirement Benefits 23:42 Retirement Insurance Options 24:39 The Hassles of Dental Insurance 26:12 Booking Flights and Celebrity Tasks 27:27 Toronto vs. Montreal Tournaments 32:51 Debating Ugly Tennis Strokes 38:07 Heated Argument and Final Thoughts

Nothing Major turns one! Join John, Jack, Sam, and Stevie for the one-year anniversary episode as they celebrate 12 months of being on air, not being cancelled and somehow not being sick of each other. This week the boys are joined by Mark Ein, Tournament Director of the Washington DC Open and partner of the Washington Commanders, who shares his journey in tennis, what it takes to run a world-class tournament, and some unforgettable stories, including a special moment with Rafael Nadal. A big thank you for following, subscribing and listening to Nothing Major, here's to the future! 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 02:22 Celebrating One Year of the Podcast 03:20 Favorite Moments and Guests 06:24 Goals for the Next Year 08:24 Discussing the Washington DC Tournament 10:34 Memorable Matches and Experiences 19:09 Interview with Mark Ein 20:03 Debating Tennis Strategies 21:05 Transforming the Tournament Experience 23:04 From Ball Boy to Tournament Owner 24:13 Challenges of Hosting Top Players 26:17 Player Requests and Tournament Logistics 30:11 Crossover Between Tennis and NFL Ownership 32:23 Memorable Matches and Player Interactions 39:04 Fun Questions and Personal Stories 44:52 Outro and Future Plans