Ready Play Tennis Podcast

Au Revoir Aldwin

Aldwin says goodbye to Ready Play Tennis Podcast on his final episode. Aldwin explains his departure and the guys reminisce on some of their favourite moments and memories over 100+ episodes.

The also discuss the upcoming Canadian Gay Open, a GLTA event where they have been bumped up to 'Open' level because of Jason's points, Jason starts-up again with a coach, and the guys discuss the future of Carlos and Ons after their titles in Madrid.

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Déjà Vu = More Winning for Swiatek & Alcaraz

What else can be said other than tennis seems quite alright in the hands of 20 year old Iga Swiatek and 18 year old Carlos Alcaraz. 

Iga becomes the first woman in no one knows how long (the guys ask for a fact check on this) to win four straight tournaments in a row, proving a dominant #1. Alcaraz for his part is dominating in his own right. He defeated Tsitsipas in a tense QF match-up before taking out De Minaur in a 3 hr 38 min marathon in the semis. Later that afternoon, he would defeat his countryman PCB to take his 3rd title in 2022 on home soil in Barcelona. 

Rising to #9 in the world, he makes his way into the Top 10 at the same age (a reminder, he's 18) and after winning the very same tournament as one Rafa Nadal (who did it back in 2005). That year, Rafa beat his fellow countryman Juan Carlos Ferraro, who happens to be Alcaraz's coach. The circle of Spanish Tennis life.

The guys also cover:

• Jason's random pairing with a club player... and said player's subsequent coaching
• Aldwin's run in with a listener at Pegasus
• All the stories from Stuttgart and Barcelona
• Rublev takes the title in Serbia over Djokovic, who's dealing with a mystery illness
• An event took place in Istanbul with Potpova taking it.

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Wimbledon Bans Russian & Belarusian Players

After rumblings 4-5 weeks ago, the All England Lawn & Tennis Club, which hosts Wimbledon confirmed on Wednesday its decision to ban all Russian and Belarusian players from this year's Championships as a response to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. 

Most seem to denounce the move, while some, including Ukraine tennis players welcome the response. The guys share their takes.

Others Items on the show this week:

1. Jason's birthday and shout outs from listeners (and ATP player Christian Harrison... shirtless!).
2. Aldwin & Jason's first match of 2022.
3. Run down of Monte Carlo and Tsitsipas' title defence.
4. The three name game featuring Spanish Players
5. Barcelona begins and what's up with Felix
6. Domi Thiem returns on Serbia as Djokovic performs magic to outlast Djere in his opener
7. Andreescu makes her return in Stuttgart

100th episode in the books. Like, share and write a review of the show to help us out!

 

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Simona Snatches Serena’s Coach; Bencic Chews Up Competition in Charleston

As tennis transitions to the clay, some big stories emerged this week. Of the 'Big Four' stories, which would you rank among the top:

1. Bianca's return with a wildcard in Stuttgart?
2. Simona snatches up Patrick Mouratoglou from Serena as she eyes more grand slam glory?
3. Federer shows fitness photos as he eyes his return at 40?
4. Clijsters retires for good after her second return to tennis?

Check the title for your answer.

The guys cover the results in Charleston and the play of its champ Bencic. Is she petulant as some listeners think? Are you happy for her?

One player Aldwin is living for is Amanda Anisimova, making another deep run into the semis. 

Houston happened and Opelka proves things are bigger in Texas, taking his second title this year in the state. Jason challenges Aldwin to guess who won in Morocco.

The guys conclude by covering the myriad of stories taking shape in Monte Carlo, including:

• Djokovic's early exit; does the Nole hate really need to continue?
• Wawrinka's return
• What up with those Adidas kits on Tsonga and Korda, and did Zverev ask for another cut off?

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Iga Reigns Supreme in Ascent to #1

While the name of this episode could have been recycled from last week, it was more important to give props to the dominance of the new WTA World #1. Once thought to have been 'gifted' the mantle after Ashleigh Barty's shock retirement, Iga took to reins and reigned supreme in Miami, dropping just 26 games in six matches as she marched to her third straight WTA 1,000 title and completing the 'Sunshine Double'.

That's not to knock Carlos Alcaraz one bit, who fought through a QF scare to take the title, defeating Casper Ruud, both of whom were contesting their first Masters 1,000 title. At just 18, Carlos becomes the first Spanish player to win the Miami Open... that's right, even Rafa hasn't won it, being five times denied in the Final. 

Other items the guys discuss as Jason returns from vacation in Italy:

• Osaka brings out them positive vibes as she returns to the finals of a tourney for the first time since her AO 2021 title.
• Will Venus and Serena ever return?
• Why aren't Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Zverev snatching the opportunity?
• Reflections on Barty's retirement from tennis.

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Carlos and Iga Making the Moves in Miami

Your fave tennis girl, Aldwin, is flying solo this week as his partner in crime in enjoying a hard earned vacation in Italy.  Not to worry though because Aldwin gets into the nitty gritty discussing the draw development in Miami, Emma Raducanu's less than stellar play, Jenson Brooksby's 2nd round outburst, and the legacies that are Venus and Serena Williams at this year's Oscars.  Oh, and there's a little reveal at the end.  Miami, it's getting hot in here!

Taylor Takes First Masters Title and Iga Continues to Dominate

What a week it was in the desert. Who knew Taylor would take out Rafa and end his 20 match winning streak? And who knew Iga would continue her dominance in the desert.

The guys break down all the action at Indian Wells, including Taylor's first Master's title and the injury which almost kept him out of that final, what's next for Rafa, Kyrgios makes a run. On the ladies side, aside from Iga's dominance, Sakkari continues her strides, and Halep's got some edge.

Aldwin gives Jason an Indian Wells quiz, they recount their first 'domestic' related to a topic to cover (or not to cover) on the episode, and the guys discuss the joint announcement from the four slams that sees them all implement the 10-point super tiebreak in the final set. We shall never see a 70-68 final set again... and will only have one, perhaps perfect 12 All final set tiebreak at Wimbledon (Federer vs. Djokovic 2019).

 

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Osaka Gets Heckled and Other Stories from the Desert

After a week break, the guys return and there's a shit ton to talk about. The biggest story of the week was the fan heckling of Naomi Osaka during her 2nd round loss to Kudermetova 6-0, 6-4. The female fan yelled out 'you suck' multiple times before Kudermetova's service game, leading to a discussion between Naomi and the umpire. The incident clearly shook her and impacted the result. The guys reflect on her journey with mental health, the inappropriate behaviour of fans, and how the 2018 US Open Final might have impacted her reaction in the match

Other Items on the Desert Dish Menu:

• Amanda Anisimova's moment -- she got sick
• Leylah the fighter and three-set lover
• Mugu's mid-match breakdown
• Iga on fire
• Sakkari continues her roll... can she break through?
• Halep's surge
• Ostapenko... is she a Nike girl
• Nadal keeps winning... matches and with his kit
• the 'New' Big 3 of Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Zverev go out early

The guys weigh in on news that Wimbledon may ban Russian players like Daniil Medvedev is they don't offer some assurance that they denounce Vladimir Putin's regime... is that fair?

And Serena says she would go to jail for doing what Zverev did... would Serena receive more punishment and backlash for similar behaviour?

 

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Medvedev Makes Bittersweet Ascent to World #1

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Under the fog of war -- a shocking invasion of sovereign Ukraine by an aggressor in Russia, the ATP's 27th #1 player in the world is Russia's Daniil Medvedev. While his childhood dream comes true, it's bittersweet when many are not happy with the actions of his homeland.

The guys cover this history of the ATP #1 and how monumental Daniil's achievement is after 18 years of 'Big 3' (plus Andy Murray) dominance. 

Should Russian players like Medvedev, winner in two consecutive weeks Andrey Rublev and other Russian players be forced to speak out on the war launched by their home country? Should their be sanctions to ban Russian tennis players like those imposed in team sports like Fifa has done by banning Russia from competing in the World Cup?

The guys cover some of the week's other stories, including Nadal's continued dominance, Cam Norris, the thickness and success of Jiri Vesely this week (downing a returning Novak Djokovic to reach the final).

For the ladies, Iga takes her fourth title and Sloane returns to the winner's circle.

The guys start the show with some updates as they begin to hit the courts again, including the start of Jason's doubles league with a new lefty partner!

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Zverev Gets the Boot in Acapulco

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After an incredible night of tennis where he would win a hard fought battle and the latest ATP match ever at 4:55 AM, Sascha Zverev would soon have that history forgotten with aggressive 'acting out' behaviour directed at a chair umpire in a first round doubles match. 

After a what he perceived to be a bad missed call and subsequent loss of the match, the umpire experienced Zverev's expletive laden rant and smashing of the racquet against the umpire's chair, close enough to risk harm. The jury of public opinion is out, and history is likely not to view this behaviour well. It will be perhaps more interesting to see how it impacts what has been a stumbling start to Zverev's 2022 campaign.

The guys a myriad of stories from the week. Felix returns to the finals for a 2nd straight tourney. A new sexy Russian emerges in Saffiulin... and he's got some game too. Alcaraz takes the title in Rio, becoming the youngest ATP 500 winner in the process. Norris and RBA are winners too... and Djokovic returns in Dubai.

Aldwin has his own therapy session on Jelena Ostapenko. 

 

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