SERVING ACES: Conversations with Alexandra Stevenson

Alexandra Stevenson in "Serving Aces" and co-host Hugues Laverdiere discuss Jannik Sinner and his amazing play in Turin during the ATP Tour Finals, which he won.  He will start the year in 2025 as number one.  Alexandra and Ougi talk WTA Finals, BJK Cup, Davis Cup, college football and the NFL. Alexandra and Ougi chime in with their opinions on off court coaching, a rule that is becoming firm in 2025.

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdiere break down the Coco Gauff win at the WTA Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  They talk about her grip and her high percentage of returns.  And the 4.8 million dollar prize for winning.  They discuss the comments Jon Wertheim made on a hot mic about Barbara Krejcikova.  He has been suspended for the comments.  Alexandra says its time for white males to quit judging female athletes in a negative way.  They talk ATP Finals in Turin Italy with the top 8 singles and 8 doubles in a round robin format going on this week.  Alexandra has newsy notes on Taylor Swift and Deion Sanders.

The women are in Riyadh in all their purple and white splendor.  The Final 8 teams in singles and doubles are playing in a round robin format with two groups - the purple and orange groups of 4 Each.  Sabalenka is still number one but the Finals could change her status.  Gauff and Swiatek are using their coaching change as well as Rybakina - to begin making their games bigger.  Rybakina has brought in Goran Ivanisevic - a bold move. The men are still moving for the final 8 spots with Sinner, Alcaraz, Medvedev, Zverev set to play.  Zverev showed his might by winning Paris.  Alexandra talks the US election on Tuesday and Jason Kelce's inopportune smashing of a kid's telephone - after a direct slur at Kelce from the kid.  Alexandra ends with a quote from Djokovic that signals his thoughts on the ATP Finals.

Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdiere discuss a myriad of newsy notes at the top of the podcast including World Series, college football, NFL, Junior tennis players preparing for college scholarships, and professional tennis players branding and marketing themselves to huge dollars.  Alexandra talks about Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, the Williams' sisters leading the marketing bonanza with several hundred million for each player.  Alexandra breaks down ideas for junior tennis players and their parents to prepare players for college tennis.  Ougi having done it with his eldest daughter, Amelia, describes his journey.

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and co-host Hugues Laverdière discuss Rafael Nada;, his retirement, his game, and what he meant to tennis.  Alexandra and Ougi reminisce about his game, his nuances on the tennis court, and his pleasing personality that seemed made for tennis.  Newsy notes brought in Cher in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the World Series with the Yankees and the Dodgers.  68

Alexandra Stevenson and Hughes Laverdiere talk changes on the women's tour on "Serving Aces" - where Swiatek, Gauff and Rybakina all dump their coaches.  Swiatek is looking for a foreign coach, she says.  Rybakina doesn't know and Gauff added a grip coach, a relative unknown former college tennis player from Notre Dame in the early 2000s.  Ougi talks about the emotional rules a coach needs with both a junior and a professional player in the Ball is In Ougi's Court.  Newsy Notes talks fashion, Kamala Harris, Taylor and Travis.  The quote of the podcast is from Abraham Lincoln in honor of the American election in 29 days.

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and co-host Hugues Laverdière discuss WADA going after Jannik Sinner for a possible one to two year ban for using the drug Clostebol - a anabolic steroid spray used by his Physio during treatment.  Sinner failed two tests.  He was allowed to keep playing and cleared of wrong doing by an independent counsel.  He lost money and points from Indian Wells.  Now the anti doping body - WADA - is saying hold on - he may be banned for one to two years for using the drug.  WADA is saying that the independent counsel didn't follow their applicable rules.  Alexandra and Ougi discuss what would happen if Sinner is banned.  Who will step up in men's tennis?  They talk China and tennis - ATP and WTA are mostly in China.  They talk Travis and Taylor - and Billie Jean King getting a Congressional Gold Medal.

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and co-host Hugues Laverdière discuss the Laver Cup - Team Europe won - new Captains in Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah - and the end of the year championships on both men and women. Coco Gauff parted ways with Brad Gilbert.  Alexandra thinks Brad will end up back on the men's side - perhaps with Tsitsipas. Ougi and Alexandra discuss how Coco fell off in the quality of her play during the summer months.  Childhood coach importance is discussed.  Newsy notes highlight Travis Kelce not playing well on the field of play - and Taylor Swift didn't show up to the game - when Kansas City played in Atlanta - a hop, skip, and jump from NYC where Taylor was spotted.

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and co-host Hugues Laverdière discuss coaching.  They talk about the professional side and the junior side.  Alexandra takes Ougi back through their coaching days. What is the diagram of a coach? What does it take to be a coach? The levels of coaching.  Alexandra gives a shout out to Andy Reid and Bill Belichick - and the second performance from new broadcaster, Tom Brady.  Alexandra notes Taylor Swift is the winningest VMA winner - and she gave a nod to her boy friend, Travis Kelce, on live television.  Swift was also at the KC Chiefs game for her boyfriend on Sunday.      

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and co-host Hugues Laverdière discuss the winners of the US Open titles - Jannick Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka.  The Sinner-Fritz match was straight forward because Fritz didn't use his legs or the whole court to force Sinner out of position.  Sinner just kept coming - even in the third when it appeared Fritz was going to give the crowd more energy and win the set at 5-4, serving.  Some errors and mishits gave the game to Sinner - and that was really the match.  Sinner wins 7-5. Pegula-Sabalenka was two sets.  It was the Sabalenka power and serve that took over the match, though Pegula had chances in the match.  Pegula has shown that her climb up the ladder has been steady - Sabalenka was just better.  Alexandra talks about the Nick Kyrigos controversy over his former girl friend, Kalinskaya, and now girl friend to Sinner.  The funny triangle gives tennis a soap opera tone that it desperately needs to keep social media happy. Many celebrities including Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew McConaughey, Seal, Anna Wintour, Katy Ladecky, Laverne Cox, Simone Biles.

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdière talk Round of 16 and quarterfinals at the US Open 2024.  Alexandra talks about the serve and how the person who manages their serve the most will win the US Open.  Ougi and Alexandra talk about the fun rise of Frances Tiafoe.  Ougi talks about the four Grand Slams and why they overshadow any other tennis event during the year.  Newsy notes brings football back.  Alexandra talks about the 23 weeks of football and the Kelce brothers selling their podcast for 100 million dollars to Wondery.  And that Taylor Swift may show up for the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

Alexandra Stevenson and co-host Hugues Laverdière discuss the first round of the US Open.  They talk about the easy matches, and Jannick Sinner's WADA slap of the hand after Indian Wells. Alexandra introduces fun fashion looks to watch for at the US Open.  Nakashima and Ben Shelton get nods from Alexandra and Ougi.

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdière talk US Open qualifying and hot prospects for the coming weeks.  Alexandra and Ougi discuss Carlos Alcaraz' meltdown with the banging of his racket in Cincinnati.  Alexandra says Djokovic is the smartest player to get the Gold Medal and then not play in any US Open summer events during the Series.  Saving himself for the Flushing Meadows courts.They talk Frances Tiafoe live as he brings back the match against Rune.  Sabalenka and Pegula - and their run to the Finals at Cincy.  The fast courts at Cincy.  Alexandra gives the quote of podcast to Kamala Harris - with the Democratic convention beginning tomorrow. "You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?"

Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdière discuss summer tennis and the amazing conclusion of the 2024 Olympics.  Alexandra talks about her trips to junior national tennis events - and the onset of cheating as a normal occurrence among the junior girl players.  The duo talk about the incredible Djokovic getting Gold - and the star of the Olympics, the swimmer, Marchand.  Alexandra discusses what can be done to improve junior tennis - and she cautions that the present type of play will hurt future players.  Alexandra and Ougi discuss summer tennis tournaments for WTA and ATP with the US Open looming.

In "Serving Aces" Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdière talk Paris Olympics, athletes, controversy - and most importantly, the plight of Coco Gauff and her perceptions about line calls against her.  Alexandra discusses both sides of the controversial call by the chair referee.  Alexandra and Ougi say it's the third time - and the long argument and tears affected Coco's second set.  Alexandra and Ougi felt Coco made the questionable call about race - and they didn't feel race should have been brought into the conversation - this time.  Coco told the supervisor, Claire Wood, that it's about her being cheated - and she said the same thing happened to Serena.  Was Coco correct that the refs are going against her in major events?  Alexandra and Ougi don't think so.  But, they agree there should be electronic line calling at all events - and video replay like the big sports.

Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdière take on the movie star and the tennis star.  They discuss how tennis can cross over in a big way globally to bring about a huge tennis star.  They agree that the men including Alcaraz, Sinner, Shelton, Tiafoe, Paul - have chances to become tennis' cultural phenomenon - but they say that the women are totally lacking in any one person to have a movie star career.  Alexandra says it may be a generational thing - unlike the 1980s and 1990s when big girl power tennis could make a huge star.  Ougi and Alexandra discuss the tragic look of the Girls' 12s' serve technique.  Alexandra went to the national tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina - and said she was appalled by the lack of serve prowess amongst the girls.  Newsy notes has Eminem overtaking Taylor Swift for number one album today.  Alexandra gives the podcast quote to Kamala Harris, the potential Democratic candidate for President..."I'm the luckiest person on earth."

"Serving Aces", Conversations with Alexandra Stevenson and co-host Hugues Laverdière discuss the second week of Wimbledon with the play of men and women.  Ougi discusses the slice and the slow grass while Alexandra laments the lack of excitement in the women's game.  Alexandra cites the men for entertaining play including Alcaraz, Sinner, Fritz, Paul, Djokovic.  Ougi picks Sinner and Rybakina as champions.  Alexandra picks Fritz and Rybakina and Paolini.  She thinks Lulu Sun can surprise everyone - and match Alexandra's 25 year record of qualifying to the semifinals at Wimbledon 1999.  And possibly, break it with her fascinating game.

Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdière discuss Wimbledon, champions, ESPYS, Princess Catherine, Slow grass, Paolini, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Krejcikova. It was a Wimbledon recap - and a look at Serena hosting the ESPYs with 8 outfit changes during the broadcast.

Alexandra Stevenson and Hugues Laverdière discuss first round at Wimbledon - the ambience, the play - and the special look at Wimbledon Village.  Alexandra gives her four picks to the semifinals and Hugues comes up with his in both men's and women's draw.  They talk about the Euro Cup and England tying the match with a flip kick that was amazing at the 95th minute.  Ougi brings up Caitlin Clark and the bullying that is going on in the WNBA.  Alexandra gives the quote of the podcast to the England Captain for the spectacular tie.

"Serving Aces" with Alexandra Stevenson and co host Hugues Laverdière discuss pre Wimbledon results with Halle, Queens, Berlin.  Tommy Paul gains number one knocking out Taylor Fritz and is number one American.  Jess Pegula is back from injury.  Alexandra talks fashion at Vogue World.  Ougi discusses his lessons on grass and what a player needs to remember on the grass surface.  He chooses his favorites in the men and the women to make a run at Wimbledon.  Alexandra joins in with her picks -and reminds Ougi that Wimbledon Village is heating up with parties and pubs - all part of the Wimbledon experience. As usual, Alexandra gives a Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce update.  This time the update is at Wembley Stadium, where Prince William danced and brought his children, George and Charlotte.  The family did a selfie with Taylor and of course, Travis Kelce.