Tennis Weekly

And that’s a wrap on Melbourne! Carlos Alcaraz is your Australian Open champion who becomes the youngest men’s player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam. In doing so, he handed Novak Djokovic his first-ever defeat in an Australian Open final, snapping the Serb’s perfect 10–0 record on Rod Laver Arena and sending the wait for Grand Slam title number 25 on.We break down exactly how Alcaraz turned the match after a nervy start, why that pivotal 4–4 game in the fourth set changed everything, and what truly separates Carlos from Jannik Sinner when facing Djokovic on the biggest stages. And yes, we tackle the elephant in the room — what does King Carlos’s win mean for his relationship with former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero…For Djokovic, it was a sobering comedown after a blockbuster semi-final win over Sinner. Was this his last genuine shot at Slam 25? And will we see him back at Melbourne Park next year? Plus, Chris gives his verdict on the women’s final, we go full Rafa-watch as Nadal looks on from the stands, and we reveal the winner of our exclusive Australian Open competition.Support the podcast by donating to our Tennis Weekly 2026 Crowdfund. Your support no matter how large or small is hugely appreciated, from listening to donating we couldn’t be more thankful to our audience! Click the link above or go to gofundme.com/tennis-weekly-2026AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elena Rybakina has won the Australian Open! It looked like it was heading for a repeat of the 2023 Final where Sabalenka came back to win in three sets but Rybakina had a comeback of her own from 3-0 down in the Final set, storming back to close out the match 6-4 4-6 6-4. It was a long wait for a second major for Rybakina who triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022 but has had ups and downs professionally and personally but managed to set all of that aside to win in Melbourne. She moves up to number three in the ranking and adds the trophy to her recently won WTA Finals title to establish herself as the form player on the WTA Tour.Joel and Kim ask how high can Rybakina go and question why Sabalenka isn’t able to close out major finals despite being the dominant force on the tour. Sabalenka is now 4-4 in grand slam finals and has won just 1 of her last 4 since her 2024 US Open triumph. They also announce the winner of collect a set and who is taking home the official AO cap and they wrap-up the doubles where Zhang and Mertens and Harrison and Skupski came out on top. They also make their last observations ahead of the Men’s Finals the day after the semi-final epics in Melbourne Park.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did we just witness?! Australian Open Day 13 delivered with aplomb so we had no choice but to all jump on the mics together at Tennis Weekly HQ and get our heads around the absolute treat that was the men’s semifinals action. Novak Djokovic rolled back the years in one of his all-time great Australian Open performances, outlasting Jannik Sinner in a five-set epic to move one win away from a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. At 38 years old, Novak went full Houdini on Rod Laver Arena, saving break point after break point after break point. Is this one of the greatest wins of his career? And what does this say about the Alcaraz-Sinner era when a 38 year old can defeat them?Carlos Alcaraz also survived a brutal 5 hour 27 minute marathon against Alexander Zverev to reach his first Australian Open final, in the longest men’s semi-final in tournament history (who remembers that match between Nadal vs Verdasco?). Cramp, controversy, medical timeouts, blown chances and unreal mentality. Did Zverev choke it or did Alcaraz win it? And should cramp ever equal an MTO? We also look ahead to a blockbuster Australian Open final: Djokovic vs Alcaraz. Slam 25 or a historic career Grand Slam at 22. Goosebumps already.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have our ladies finalists! Australian Open Day 12 did not come to play – and neither did we. In this episode, Joel and Chris break down all the drama from Melbourne as Aryna Sabalenka bulldozes her way into a fourth straight Australian Open final, doing it the scary way: without dropping a set and with plenty of spice along the way (yes, we’re talking that hindrance call). We also dive into Elena Rybakina’s ice-cold win over Jessica Pegula, saving set points, firing aces when it mattered, and booking a blockbuster AO final rematch with Sabalenka. Joel and Chris hope that maybe we will get a ladies match that goes the distance in the business end of the tournament which has been strangely lacking.Elsewhere, we preview the men’s semi-finals with Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz and Zverev all lining up, ask whether anyone can actually stop Carlos, and look at how much Zverev’s serve decides his fate. Plus, all the latest from the doubles and mixed doubles finals and a quick detour across to America as the Serena Williams ‘will she, won’t she’ comeback takes on another development…AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another day, another very eventful 24 hours at the Australian Open, and Joel and Chris are back at Tennis Weekly HQ to unpack it all as the semi-final line-ups are all locked in. We dive into Novak Djokovic’s latest Houdini act after Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire despite leading by two sets, handing Novak yet another date with destiny — and Jannik Sinner. The Italian barely broke a sweat against Ben Shelton, cruising into another Australian Open semi and extending a frankly brutal head-to-head. Is Shelton running out of answers against the very elite, and is this era already beginning to define him?On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina laid down a serious marker by dismantling Iga Swiatek to set up a semi-final showdown with Jessica Pegula. We debate whether Iga has a genuine Rybakina problem, or if the rest of the field is simply catching up — and then get into Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Pegula speaking out about behind-the-scenes cameras and life “in the zoo” at Melbourne Park. Plus, we announce our Australian Open competition to win an official Australian Open towel and tennis ball, and look ahead to ladies’ semi-finals day with some fresh (and possibly questionable) predictions.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a big day for Carlos Alcaraz and Elina Svitolina in Melbourne where both made their first ever Australian Open semifinals. Alcaraz produced a dominant display to defeat home hope Alex de Minaur in straight sets as Svitolina upset No.3 seed Coco Gauff in just 59 minutes. Alcaraz is still on track to become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam should he win on Sunday and based on his form his semifinal opponent Alexander Zverev will have to produce the performance of a lifetime to prevent the Spaniard from making another grand slam final. Zverev won his semifinal mainly thanks to his impeccable service display hitting 24 aces and 1 double fault to down next gen player Learner Tien in 4 sets. Svitolina will go on to face Sabalenka who dismantled 18 year old Iva Jovic in straight sets in sweltering conditions in Melbourne. Sabalenka has now made the semis or better at the last 8 grand slams and 14 of the last 17. Chris and Kim also talk tennis’ bad boy Nick Kyrgios who was spotted partying on two consecutive nights before his AO Mixed Doubles Round 2 loss with Leylah Fernandez. They question if it is time for Tennis Australia’s support of Nick to stop after such a display. Also up for discussion is player privacy after Coco Gauff was filmed smashing a racket after her semifinal loss and made it clear she felt there was not somewhere private apart from the locker room for the players to go. Finally they give a collect-a-set update where three players are still in the running to win the official AO cap thanks to our sponsor AO Travel & Experiences. AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australian Open 2026 rolls on and Tennis Weekly is back with Joel and Chris for your Day 9 recap. On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner delivered a serving masterclass in Melbourne, firing 19 aces and reminding everyone why he’s the man to beat as he sets up a mouth-watering Australian Open quarterfinal against Ben Shelton. Can Shelton’s crowd-surfing energy and net-rushing chaos trouble the ice-cold Italian? Lorenzo Musetti also cruised past Taylor Fritz in straight sets to complete a full set of Grand Slam quarterfinals. Is he cementing himself as a bonafide Top 5 player on the tour? We’re asking the question — and previewing what awaits against a well-rested Novak Djokovic (just don’t look at H2H Musetti fans).Over on the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek makes light work of Maddison Inglis… but not without sparking a full-blown scheduling debate behind the scenes as her day match request was denied. We ask the question - should players be able to dictate when they play? We also look ahead to Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina in one of the standout quarterfinals of Australian Open 2026. Plus: Jessica Pegula knocks out defending champion Madison Keys (and wins an apple pie with cheddar bet), Juan Carlos Ferrero takes up golf coaching (because why not), and we preview a brutally hot Day 10 in Melbourne.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are getting to the business end of the Australian Open and Day 8 brought statement wins for the top Men’s seeds with Alcaraz, Zverev and de Minaur winning in emphatic style. Particularly impressive was home hope Alex de Minaur who took out his Roland-Garros conqueror Alexander Bublik in style, winning emphatically 6-4 6-1 6-1. The big question on Australia’s lips is can he do the impossible and take out World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals to make his first slam semi. Also causing a shock in a rematch from last year was Next Gen favourite Learner Tien who bageled Daniil Medvedev as he made it to his first quarter-final and as the youngest since 2015 to do it at Melbourne Park.. On the women’s side Coco Gauff rallied past tricky customer Karolina Muchova to make another quarterfinal in Australia where she will face off against veteran of the game Elina Svitolina who got the better of Mirra Andreeva in the night session, Svitolina has gone 9-0 in 2026 after ending her season following her first round defeat at the US Open last year. In the first match on Rod Laver, Sabalenka won her 20th consecutive tiebreak at grand slam level to oust teenage sensation Mboko but will have to do it again when she takes on another teen sensation Iva Jovic in the last 8. The team are also joined by their by David MacCallum, Director & General Manager of STH Group, the company responsible for all things AO Travel and Experiences. He joins the pod to tell Chris and our listeners more about their exciting offering and how you can secure the best AO Experience for 2027.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a scorcher in Melbourne and Tennis Weekly is back to break down one of the most dramatic days of the Australian Open so far. From heat rules and lucky escapes to shock withdrawals and eyebrow-raising scheduling decisions, there was much to discuss for Joel and Chris.On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner flirted with disaster as cramping threatened to derail his campaign, before the heat rule – and a timely roof closure – gave him a lifeline. Wimbledon déjà vu, anyone? Novak Djokovic hit a major milestone with his 400th Grand Slam win, but not without controversy, as another reckless ball strike narrowly missed a ball kid. We also say goodbye to Stan Wawrinka at Melbourne Park and ask the big question: are we all seriously underestimating Ben Shelton’s decent form?Over on the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek survived a wild, three-breadstick rollercoaster. Naomi Osaka’s injury withdrawal sends shockwaves, while the awkward Madison Keys vs Jessica Pegula clash comes with an apple pie and cheese forfeit twist with Joel and Chris debating just exactly would it taste any good?!. Plus, we preview Day 8 and question why Sabalenka vs Mboko isn’t under the lights on Rod Laver Arena.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 6 in Melbourne didn’t disappoint with Carlos Alcaraz entertaining the crowds with magician in the making Coretin Moutet and Daniil Medvedev becoming the first player this year to win from 2 sets to 0 down to set up a mouthwatering rematch against his 2025 conqueror Learner Tien. Aussie home hope Alex de Minaur continued to impress as he took out Frances Tiafoe in the night session but will face a tougher test against in the battle of the Alexanders when he plays Bublik in Round 4. On the women’s side Iva Jovic got the biggest win of her career when she took out Jasmine Paolini to make her first fourth round and fellow teenagers Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko will join her in the second week in Melbourne. Trying to stop the rise of the teenager will be Aryan Sabalenka who faces Mboko in a mouthwatering clash of experience vs youth. She had a tough time against Potopova but survived in two tight tiebreak sets to progress. Also less than convincing was Coco Gauff who rallied to defeat countrywoman Hailey Baptiste in three sets. Also on the discussion table are the soaring temperatures expected in Australia on Saturday and the change in schedule to move matches forward. Joel and Chris discuss if this is the right move and if it is fair for all the players…AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 5 at the Australian Open delivered straight-set statements, veteran brilliance, and just a touch of chaos courtesy of Iga Swiatek so join Joel and Kim at Tennis Weekly HQ to break it all down.On the men’s side, it was business as usual for the top seeds. Novak Djokovic cruised, Jannik Sinner barely broke a sweat, and the Old Guard reminded us they’re not done yet, with Stan Wawrinka rolling back the years in a five-set epic. We also unpack shock exits for Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hubert Hurkacz, ask whether pressure strikes again at the Slams, and debate the real motivation behind Ethan Quinn’s breakout win (spoiler: credit card roulette may be involved).Over on the women’s courts, Naomi Osaka delivered fireworks and a frosty handshake in a tense post-match moment against Sorana Cirstea. Did the Romanian have a point about Osaka’s ‘come ons’ in between serves? And should the umpire have done more? We decide! Iga Swiatek also advanced amid one of the stranger “hindrance” calls you’ll see all year. Plus, we spotlight rising Czech star Nikola Bartunkova after bouncing back from another bagel to beat Belinda Bencic.We also talk Aryna Sabalenka’s new Gucci collab, gold rackets, windy conditions, and look ahead to a blockbuster Day 6 clash between Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, they unpack Carlos Alcaraz surviving a marathon 78-minute first set – the longest opening set of his Grand Slam career – before powering through on Rod Laver Arena. We discuss whether his new-look serve is edging into Novak Djokovic “copyright” territory, plus what his team are telling him behind the scenes.It was a gritty day for the other top male seeds as well, with Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev and Alex de Minaur all battling through four-set wins, while Cam Norrie kept British hopes alive to set up yet another clash with Zverev who holds a 6-0 record in the H2H. Not so much joy for Emma Raducanu though, as she bowed out early in a flat second-round loss to Anastasia Potapova – we ask the big questions about form, fitness and whether she should ditch Francisco Roig.On the women’s side, the top seeds cruised. Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva all booked their places in Round 3 with minimum fuss, while we also dive into off-court banter, from Federer and Alcaraz golfing to Rublev’s elite “coffee and sleep” recovery routine. Plus look ahead to the action on Day 5 where Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina are the headline acts on Rod Laver Arena.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australian Open Day 3 served up a little bit of everything in Melbourne Park with champions cruising, favourites wobbling, bold fashion statements (Osaka!) and a few emotional goodbyes. Defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner looked ice-cool as he breezed past French showman Hugo Gaston via retirement. On the other hand, reigning women’s champ Madison Keys had to dig deep as the champion found a way to reach Round 2 battling some early jitters along the way.Naomi Osaka also had to battle through in three sets on Rod Laver Arena, though the tennis almost took a back seat to her unforgettable jellyfish-inspired outfit, which had social media buzzing almost as much as her forehand. Fashion icon? Melbourne crowd favourite? Kim and Chris give their views on if it was a fashion fave or a fashion faux-pas. Elsewhere, they also bemoan the exit of two legends as Grigor Dimitrov and Gael Monfils exited early, with the Frenchman playing out his final ever match in Melbourne Park.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australian Open Day 2 did not disappoint and on today’s episode Joel and Kim are back at Tennis Weekly HQ as they react to Novak Djokovic cruising to his 100th Australian Open win, barely dropping a point on serve as Melbourne once again feels like his kingdom. We also discuss Iga Swiatek surviving a nervy opening-round first set, a skirt-for-shorts wardrobe change and whether her second serve still is a vulnerability for opponents to attack.There’s celebration for Daniil Medvedev, who *finally* snaps a 370-day Grand Slam drought, while hotly tipped Felix Auger-Aliassime’s Australian Open campaign comes to a frustrating and premature end with cramps that he could not explain (and nor could we!). We also touch on Casper Ruud’s dominant start, Stan Wawrinka’s long-awaited Slam win, dramatic comebacks elsewhere on the men’s side (did someone say Jaume Munar?), plus the prize money controversy involving Michael Zhang shaking up tennis Twitter. We also unveil our Collect a Set player pick predictions and look ahead to Day 3 order of play headlined by Jannik Sinner and Naomi Osaka in the Rod Laver night session and Madison Keys getting her title defence underway.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australian Open Day 1 is in the books, and it didn’t take long for the first big storylines to arrive at Tennis Weekly HQ. Carlos Alcaraz launched his bid to complete a Career Grand Slam in style, cruising past Adam Walton with a composed and confident performance to open his Melbourne campaign.It was also a very good day for British tennis fans. Emma Raducanu, Cameron Norrie and Arthur Fery all booked their spots in round two. Raducanu’s win keeps alive the possibility of a mouth-watering rematch with Aryna Sabalenka who had a few early nerves of her own but quickly settled, powering through her opener in front of tennis royalty as Roger Federer and Rod Laver watched on from the stands.Venus Williams was involved in one of the matches of the day, pushing Olga Danilovic to the limit in an epic contest before falling just short. The performance raised plenty of questions — and plenty of admiration — as Joel and Chris debated what’s next for the American legend.AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.comSOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Australian Open is back in Melbourne, and we’re kicking off Grand Slam season at Tennis Weekly HQ with a full, no-nonsense breakdown of the men’s and women’s singles draws, quarter by quarter — plus our trademark very BOLD predictions and a look back at the sheer brilliance of the Million Dollar One Point Slam.On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic finds himself in Jannik Sinner’s half, while Carlos Alcaraz appears to have landed the easier path — but big questions remain over how he’ll perform without supercoach Juan Carlos Ferrero in his box. We also dig into whether Daniil Medvedev’s resurgence can continue, if an epic 2025 rivalry with Learner Tien could ignite in Round 4, and just how cruel the draw was for Alex De Minaur, who opens against Matteo Berrettini.Over on the women’s side, we unpack Aryna Sabalenka’s Australian Open draw, including the prospect of a Wimbledon rematch with Emma Raducanu in Round 3 and a potential Round 4 test against rising star Victoria Mboko. Elsewhere, we’re manifesting Coco Gauff vs Venus Williams in Round 2 and questioning Madison Keys’ chances of defending her title.Plus, we reveal our Collect A Set player picks — Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Bublik, Aryna Sabalenka, Madison Keys, and Belinda Bencic. Let us know how far you think they’ll go in Melbourne before play starts on Sunday for your chance to win an official Australian Open cap!AO Travel & Experiences Learn more and book your tickets through AO Travel & Experiences at ausopentravel.com SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the first tour catch-up of the season and it’s go, go, go at Tennis Weekly HQ. Joel and Chris break down all the winners and losers from a dramatic United Cup, as Poland claim the title at the third time of asking, led by a resurgent Hubert Hurkacz. Top of the agenda is Iga Swiatek – is the world No.1 already under pressure ahead of the Australian Open after losses to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic? The team also reacts to Taylor Fritz’s indifferent start to the season, capped by a shock defeat to clay-court specialist Sebastian Baez.Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka puts Battle of the Sexes firmly behind her by storming to the Brisbane title without dropping a set, while Alexander Bublik picked up from where he left off last season with a debut into the ATP Top 10. Daniil Medvedev also claims he’s back to playing Top 5 tennis with his title win in Brisbane… but are we convinced? We also unpack the controversial Nairobi wildcard that got literally everyone talking (and believing they could play on the ITF tour), the Nick Kyrgios AO wildcard that wasn’t, discuss Milos Raonic’s retirement, and ask how history will judge his career. Plus, Kim delivers a very special crowdfund announcement as Tennis Weekly hits their £2,000 target!Support the podcast by donating to our Tennis Weekly 2026 Crowdfund. Your support no matter how large or small is hugely appreciated, from listening to donating we couldn’t be more thankful to our audience! Click the link above or go to gofundme.com/tennis-weekly-2026SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the podcast by donating to our Tennis Weekly 2026 Crowdfund. Your support no matter how large or small is hugely appreciated, from listening to donating we couldn’t be more thankful to our audience! Click the link above or go to gofundme.com/tennis-weekly-2026Back with a bang, Tennis Weekly launches into the 2026 tennis season with Joel, Kim and Chris breaking down a huge off-season packed with headlines, controversy and debate.We discuss the shock split between Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero, exploring what it means for Alcaraz’s chances at the Australian Open and who should Ferrero coach next on the ATP Tour. The gang also reacts to the headline-grabbing (or is that sleep inducing?) Battle of the Sexes in Dubai, featuring Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka, asking whether there were any real winners from the event — and why Sabalenka’s Macarena celebration pushed Joel over the edge.There was debate as well on Venus Williams receiving an Australian Open wildcard - should it instead have gone to Victoria Azarenka? And is Nick Kyrgios deserving of one at all? Finally, we unpack Novak Djokovic’s decision to step away from the PTPA, citing transparency concerns and what it could mean for player representation on the tour.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the podcast by donating to our Tennis Weekly 2026 Crowdfund. Your support no matter how large or small is hugely appreciated, from listening to donating we couldn’t be more thankful to our audience! Click the link above or go to gofundme.com/tennis-weekly-2026Get ready for the new tennis season with Tennis Weekly as Joel, Kim and Chris dive into their blockbuster 2026 ATP & WTA preview and make some bold predictions for the year ahead.The gang reveal their Grand Slam champion predictions, who will end the year as No.1, Sinner of Alcaraz as well as the bigger question who will finish as the best of the rest at number 2. In addition who will make the end-of-year Top 8 in Turin and Riyadh, who are ones to watch and the players they believe are set to rise and fall in the year ahead. They also look back (sometimes painfully!) at their 2025 predictions to see who called it right…and who definitely didn’t.Will the Sinner vs Alcaraz dominance continue, how many Grand Slams will Aryna Sabalenka win in 2026 and is Jack Draper set to bounce back after an indifferent end to 2025. At Tennis weekly HQ, the team also ponder which players they think might start a tennis podcast next (Joel is certain it will be Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur) and look ahead to the first action of the season as the 2026 United Cup gets underway in Perth and Sydney with United states as defending champions.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com.MERCHPurchase Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the podcast by donating to our Tennis Weekly 2026 Crowdfund. Your support no matter how large or small is hugely appreciated, from listening to donating we couldn’t be more thankful to our audience! Click the link above or go to gofundme.com/tennis-weekly-2026PART 2! It's time once again to get the pen and paper, grad a mug of hot chocolate (or maybe something a bit stronger) and join Joel, Kim and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ as they test themselves and their listeners on all major stories from the last twelve months on the WTA Tour 2025. Can you remember what dish Iga Swiatek consumed on her way to her Wimbledon title, who was the only player to win a title on every surface or what ranking Lois Boisson went into Roland-Garros ranked before her breakout run to the semifinals?As always, we have three categories to test your knowledge on - Tour, Grand Slams and Team Events / Doubles - each with their own set of questions. Listen to find out who is the Tennis Weekly champ for 2025 and who ends up with the wooden spoon - or should that be lump of coal? And if you haven't already, make sure to listen to our ATP 2025 quiz from last week.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show tennisweeklypod@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.