Ready Play Tennis Podcast

Eyes on the Prize Money

In his five part tweet (yes, 5/5), John Isner expresses his disdain with the significant 80 percent decrease in the Champion's prize money (60 percent overall) for the Miami Open, which is similar for other tour events.

Is a review of lost ticket revenue's against other revenue sources worth exploring to protect player interest? It doesn't impact players like Nadal, who gets a $500K appearance fee for non-mandatory events even before he takes the court (you read that right!). As Reilly Opelka points out, some players even risk taking a loss with an early tourney exit. Which begs the question: For some lower ranked players, is it even worth it? 

The guys further discuss a 'Tennis Bubble' seemingly being explored by the new player association with Zverev, Djokovic and Pospisil. With no fans able to attend most events, is a Tennis Bubble in the offing to keep players safe? Could it be the answer to support lower ranked players with their income potential? Could the tours even get their shit together to pull it off?

At the front end of this week's episode, the guys review results of four events this week, including maiden title winners Popyrin in Singapore and Cerundolo (who?) in Cordoba, plus title number too for the surging Iga Swiatek.

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Your Australian Open Wrap-Up

The guys wrap-up an exhausting eight month journey (kidding, but felt like it) and the conclusion of Australian Open 2021.

Aldwin and Jason reflect on the 'rollercoaster' (Djoko's words) that was the five weeks which concluded with dominance from Osaka and Djokovic. What's next for Serena as she continues her quest for the elusive 24th slam? And when can we seriously talk about those next gen men taking a slam from one of the Big 3?

The guys capture the highlights and lowlights of the tournament. The return of Bianca, the run of Hsieh, the big win of Aldwin's boyfriend (Tsitsipas, in case you haven't been listening) over Nadal, the 'out of nowhere' emergence of Aslan Karatsev, and another great run by 'Jenny' (don't call be Jennifer, unless you're Osaka) Brady and the top matches from an unprecedented AO2021.

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Real Tennis T with Christian Harrison

The guys welcome Christian Harrison to The Ready Play Tennis Podcast.

While Christian caught fire on court with his semi-final run at the Delray Beach event, he also got flack for declining to wear a mask during a post-match interview. 

Christian shares his side of that story, as well as his journey on tour. From managing countless injuries and undergoing eight different surgeries, to his renewed optimism  now being injury free, and his on-court sibling rivalry growing up with brother and fellow ATP player Ryan Harrison.

He reveals a few surprises in the 'Changeover' segment, including the diva whose tunes he belts at karaoke, and the tennis neighbour who has a piece of Jason's heart.

Love or hate him, you'll hopefully gain new appreciation for Christian's tennis story as he works hard to climb the ranks of the ATP Tour.

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Your Australian Open Preview

The guys can hardly contain their excitement with the kick-off of all things Australian Open. But first, a hotel worker testing positive for COVID-19 forces a break in play at all 400 pre-AO tournaments (jokes -- there were six). Was their a difference in this worker's 'close contact' to players compared to those who tested positive on the airplanes? Why no hard lockdown in this case?

Aldwin and Jason review pre-AO event results, struggling to remember who played which event in the process. Bianca Andreescu's withdrawal (again) is called into question, along with the countless other players who withdrew late into those events.

On the heels of the start to the Australian Open, the guys analyze the draw, who they look forward to seeing, who will make deep runs and their early picks to hold the trophy.

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Quarantine Chaos

Aldwin & Jason are back for season two!

The guys share how they're coping being unable to play tennis in Toronto's winter lockdown with no indoor courts open. 

On the other side of the planet, the Australian summer of tennis kicked-off with some quarantine chaos. Three chartered flights with COVID-positive passengers leaves leaves 72 players and members of their crew confined to a hard, hotel room lockdown. Public health measure or excessive and leaving some in the field with a training/conditioning advantage?

The guys share who their excited to see as multiple tournaments at Melbourne Park kick-off this week. Will Barty and Andreescu come out of the gate in form after almost one year away? Will Rublev and Medvedev continue their march in 2021.

Stay until the very end to hear the name of the first ATP player joining them for an upcoming interview.

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Real Talk with Vika Azarenka

In the season finale, Aldwin and Jason score some ‘Real Talk’ with the incomparable Vika Azarenka.

Over 60+ unforgettable minutes, the two-time Australian Open Champion and 2020 US Open finalist gets personal on growing up in the tennis spotlight, separating life on and off the court, and offers up some unique perspective on her successful 2020 season that may surprise you.

She shares hilarious ‘Real T’ on her chilled-to-the-bone, ‘sitting here like ducks’ opening round match at Roland Garros 2020. Her fun side shines through when sharing her catalogue of unposted TikTok dances, karaoke with Serena, and her love of 'Riri'.

Vika gets sentimental talking about her son Leo and her desire to share his Instagram with his father. Leo hadn’t posted on his IG since early 2019… that was until the day after the guys interviewed this mom and one-of-a-kind champion. Coincidence? 

If you didn’t like Victoria Azarenka before, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for this tennis starlet, who looks forward to continued success in the 2021 season.

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The Almost Season Finale

When it comes to tennis, 2020 in many ways is now 'a wrap'. 

With Toronto on lockdown for at least 28 days, the guys recount their last ditch efforts to get some tennis in, including the first and likely last practice of 'Lemona Haleps', their team (hopefully) for Winter Tennis.

The Nitto ATP World Tour Finals capped off a unique 2020 season and its final year at the O2 in London with the 'Real Deal Daniil' (Medvedev) going 5-0 and beating seeds one through three to raise his most prestigious title to date. Have we finally reached the crossroads of the Big Three, or does this next generation still need to 'Level Up'?

Finally, Aldwin and Jason capture some of their favourite highlights from the 'unprecedented' year that was 2020, including the incredible moments of the first season of the Ready Play Tennis Podcast. It's the 'Almost Season Finale' because there's one more episode to go... perhaps it's their #1 moment!

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When Vika Slides Into Your DMs

Enough said really, as the guys recount the morning when Vika did just that, letting them know she was ready to be interviewed... later that evening! After weeks of engagement with Vika on IG, how did they respond, and how did they prepare for their much sought-after interview?

Jason relives the magic that was Vasek's dream week at the final ATP250 of the season, including his experience 'watching' his final against Sinner. Will Jason's love of Vasek finally confirm that 'Anything is Pospisil'?... like him coming on the pod? In related news, the guys highlight how skier turned Next Get superstar Sinner is truly the real deal!

The guys cover the end of the WTA season and the kick off to the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals, which will end its 12 year run in front of no fans in London. After this unusual 2020 season, who's got the goods to hold the trophy? 

Don't forget to like, share, review and subscribe!

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Olga Speaks Out

Clouds of controversy continue to hang over Alexander Zverev's head despite his recent on-court successes.  Not even his recent finals appearance at the Paris Masters event in Bercy (big congrats to Danili Medvedev for taking the title!) could detract from the detailed allegations of physical and emotional abuse that his ex-girlfriend Olga Sharipova opened up about that week.  

Jay and Aldwin tackle this difficult story with care as they share some of the startling details that Olga recently shared with Racquet Magazine and address some of the feedback given about this breaking story from a few devoted listeners.  

The two end the podcast with on an optimistic note as they briefly discuss the tennis world's reaction to the US Presidential election.

Level Up & Execute

This week is all about execution as Jason and Aldwin analyze each other's game. Aldwin's much-improved one-handed forehand has extended to other areas of his game, tipping the scale of exhibition match victories against Jason into his favour. While Aldwin shares some kind words on Jason's game, he also reveals some of his positive self talk strategies on court.

Speaking of 'Level Up & Execute', the relentless, ruthless, Ruby-red Russian Andrey Rublev has been doing just that. After securing his 3rd ATP 500 title in a row in Vienna, his final and title of 2020, and 39th match victory (tied with None) can anyone stop the progress of this emerging star?

The guys also cover Simona Halep's COVID-19 diagnosis, and revelations (and allegations) from Alexander Zverev who will be a baby-daddy at age 23. They conclude by 'rounding the corner' (not like Donald's thoughts on COVID), reassessing, and diving deeper into their feelings on Nick Kyrgios after watching his funny, mild self-deprecating appearance on a new Aussie comedy/reality show, 'Reputation Rehab'.

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