September 2, 2024 • 28 mins
Rennae is joined by fellow legendary player, broadcaster and coach of Donna Vekic Pam Shriver to recap week one of the US Open, including some big upsets and late nights. Plus: A look ahead to week two, and some coaching BTS you won't want to miss!
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Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome everybody to the Renee Stubs Tennis podcast. This is
an unusual one. I'm doing it from the grounds of
the Usta Billy Jan King National Tennis Center because well,
I never leave here, so I've decided to pull in
the person that I know who's also hasn't left the
grounds and it's pretty much had left sleep than me,
and that's Pam Shiverer. Pam, thanks for joining me today.
We're going to recap the first week as best as
(00:32):
we can.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
No, it's certainly a short night sleep last night, but
we both were looking forward to the Muhova Paolini match,
which we just called, and you were smoked to get
me while my energy is still up.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
So anyway, let's get a little bit of recap. I mean,
this first week of the US Open has been pretty tremendous.
We had so many big upsets on the men's side.
Something we didn't expect to see is both Novak Djokovic
and Alcaraz out of the tournament with two huge upsets,
one of course from vander down Sloop. That was probably
more of a surprise for me just the way it
(01:04):
happened against Alcarez, and obviously Alexi Popper and what he
was able to do against Novak Chokovich was impressive, but
Novac certainly didn't look his best. How much do you think, Pam,
that was a little bit also of the Olympic fatigue
factive for the guys playing best of five here is
a little different from the women coming backing up from
the Olympics playing best of three. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I think obviously it had an effect. We knew this
summer for the players playing, and really, what is the
fifth major every Olympic four years, It was going to
be a lot because of the surface transition, clay grass,
clay hardcourt. To do all that in Mike, a seven
eight week span is a lot to ask physically, mentally, emotionally.
(01:47):
And I think you're right. The main difference is because
the women medalists from the singles really played great tennis.
At the oment, two of the three are still in
it with Siontek and Jang, and I think the three
out of five set format is the reason why.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Yeah, I do. I think that. Look Also, Alchiis was
losing his shit in Cincinnati, so you knew that his
I don't know, just his capacity to deal with the
stress and the pressure of the US Open was going
to be tough, and I think that loss really stung him.
At the Olympics in his wonder Pam how much like Djokovic,
his energy levels were as well, because that was, as
he said, the greatest moment of his tennis career winning
(02:23):
the gold medal, which is pretty remarkable considering what he's
done in his tennis career. It's unbelievable. But also kudos
to the guys that got the wins, because you still
have to win the match. Something that's a real positive,
you know, in this tournament so far, is just the
success of the Americans, particularly the American men. Were used
to the American women still being latent tournaments like the
(02:44):
likes of Cocoa Goth and Jess Bagool or etc. But
to see what Taylor and Tommy and Francis are doing
in this tournament and Brandon Nakashima who lost yesterday, but gee,
you've got to be if you're Americans tennis, got to
be pretty pumped about what you're seeing.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Now we've I've seen them this summer be ranked all
in a bunch right in the sort of the bottom
end end of the top ten, and the first few
spots of like eleven, twelve, thirteen, they're pushing each other.
They have that sort of friendly rivalry where they're sort
of using the energy of the group to push forward.
(03:18):
I think they're sick and tired, the men of hearing
how many years it's been since Andy Roddick won a
major on the US male side. That's two thousand and
three US Open. And I think all the men that
are still in it from the US I mean, Paul
has the toughest assignment, needless say, because by the time,
you know, he played center tonight. But I think Tiafo
(03:38):
and Taylor Fritz who knows, we could see an all
American semi final.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Yeah, I actually said that the other day. I looked
at the draw and I thought, oh my god, like,
we really could have two American men in the semifinals.
And can you remember the last time that happened, Well,
probably in the.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Era of the sampras Agasy courier chang, you know, certainly
it happened a lot in the Connors back and row.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I'm trying to think over the other type.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Mars out of Europe, and we haven't slept enough to
worry about that. But yeah, I mean, this is an
amazing opportunity for these guys, and I don't know, you
just think, you know, the changing in the guard of
Novak's still around. He's not going anywhere for now, but
you know, father time catches up with everyone, and you
just think he didn't look fresh, and we know what
he's been that through. But he's only made two finals
(04:25):
this year, Pam. I mean one he won at the
Olympics and the other one was Wimbledon. But for him
not to win a major in the year is you
just start to think how much more does he have
mentally and physically in his body. And these guys are
so good and so young and so hungry, and now
they actually believe they can beat him, and that's, as
you know, is half the battle.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Yeah, Novak certainly seems to have lost a little bit
of that giant aura that he had that would sort
of make him start with a two love lead in
each set. But you know, obviously the French Open, the
injury to the knee, the surgery, the surgery on the meniscus.
But when you think about how he was you just
mentioned just one tournament went on the year, and that
(05:05):
was the Olympics. Yeah, well, I mean there was not
an ATV Tour tournament win. He got the finals of
the semi finals of the Australian Open. That was probably
foreshadowing his year when he couldn't fire at the caliber
that he usually does in a semi final of major,
losing the center and you know, the injury, and then
obviously he just put all in to do the one
thing the sport he had not done, which is an
(05:26):
Olympic gold medal. And I don't think there was enough
time for even him to reset. He didn't play Canada
or Cincinnati, didn't play a warm up tournament, but I
don't think he's been able to reset and establish his
next big goal. Is it to get to twenty five
singles majors? Is it to you know, he's got to
have something I think to push him.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Yeah, I agree, And you just wonder how much because really,
the only thing that he has on his resume that
he you know, to just arguably say greatest player of
all time, not just man a woman, but greatest players
to get twenty five Grand slams. If he does that,
then forget about it. But I don't know, at some point,
it's it just gets tiring to have to wake up
every day and be great and win every match, and
(06:04):
his kids are growing up, and you just wonder how
much he's got left in the tank. But we'll certainly
know because if he does it, he's going to probably
do it in Australia because that's where his best results
have come. And I'm glad that truck that takes all
the poop and stuff away from the US Open has
finally stopped happening in the background outside our beautiful ESPN
bus here on site. But anyway, but I want to
(06:25):
just touch upon Francis Tiafo what he was able to
do the other day against reversing the lost to Ben Shelton.
I think you could see in his face, Pam that
it was kind of like he was not giving in
in that match, and I think that boy that could
turn around his career again. We know how well he
played in Cincinnati, so that certainly got his confidence up.
(06:45):
But what he did last night, even against Popera, and
he just didn't panic. He played great. You got to think,
I mean, does he have it in him to win
this tournament?
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Yeah? I think he does.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Plays Demitrof next to play the winner of Fritz Zverev.
I think tis learned so much from a semi final
run of two years ago and he became even more
of a star. And I think he probably knows that
sometimes he needs to say no and kind of keep
into his lane and notice sponsorship and things like that. Yeah,
stay in his hula hoop a little bit more because
(07:17):
he's yeah, like stay within the hula a little expression.
But anyway, I think, you know, we know guys mature
tend to mature a little bit later. But I do
think you mentioned that Shelton match that was huge because
he lost in the quarters that was last year to Shelton.
That was very painful loss. That's when Shelton kind of
did the hang up the phone game and.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
He wasn't really the same player after that loss.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
No, he wasn't.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
But I think Cincinnati was huge. I think the decision
for Francis not to play the Olympics. Obviously, Washington, d C.
Which is where he grew up, that was an important
tour stop. I think Francis getting on the hard courts,
getting his teeth sunk into this segment of the circuit
is why he has a chance to win this US Open.
From two SATs to one down against Shulton, we saw
(08:03):
the best of Francis.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Yeah, that's true. But you got to give credit then
to Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz because they both played
the Olympics right deep to the end. They've got a
silver medal in the doubles there, so what they've been
able to do has been impressive. Of Course, we've already
mentioned the guys that won medals at the Olympics have
not done well in the singles medals, So all credit
to Taylor and to Tommy Paul forgetting to where they've
(08:26):
gotten to at the US Open with that short bit
of rest as well. So it's just been an impressive
tournament from the American guys. And you have to think,
I don't know, with the losses to al Karaz and
to Djokovic, does it give that impotence to the guys
that have been knocking on the door a little bit
to say why not me? And could this be the time?
Clearly we know Sinner's the one to beat in this
(08:48):
tournament now, and it's been pretty remarkable considering what he's
gone through emotionally over the last couple of weeks that
he's playing as well. As ears, but he will be
tested tonight against Tommy Paul for sure.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yeah, as we're talking now and recording this part, it
was almost two weeks since the news just spread so
quickly about what happened to Janick Center in March, when
two tests came up positive for a banned substance, and
he immediately went into the process of challenging it.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
He could immediately.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Explain how it got into a system in three different
groups confirmed that that was most likely the case. Lost
his first set at this tournament, and he looked.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Like a ghost. He looked like he'd seen a ghist
in that fast set, like he was not himself.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Yeah, to Mackenzie McDonald.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
But then since then his sets have been six two
six one six two sixty four six love six two
six one six four six two. So you think he's
playing well, Yeah, I think he is now, and I think,
you know, there must be an unbelievable relief. I mean,
he had known he had been dealing with this since
a month early April. Yeah, we just found out when
the news broke two weeks agost. We were all stunned.
(09:53):
But I do think he's starting to show the relief
that the worst is over for him on this process.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Yeah, yeah, exactly. Anyway, let's get a little bit to
the women before we wrap this little pot up and
get back to work here at the US Open. And
Pam has a nap, but Coco's lost yesterday. Let's just
dive into that one because it's fresh in our minds.
I just want to give so much credit to Emminavarro
because that was a really, really first It was an
incredibly entertaining match, but it was a great match with
(10:22):
Emma Navarro considering up a set and four to three,
was it thirty love or forty love? Thirty love for
sure on her serve, and then the wheels fell off
a little bit and Coco played great to win that
second set, and you thought, okay, train's back on the track,
definitely playing better golf. But the unfortunately for Coco, nineteen
(10:43):
double faults. Pam, you and I were both consider our
serves to be one of our strengths. I cannot imagine
double faulting nineteen times and feeling good about where my
serve was at and the anxiety I think that that
gives her on all aspects of her game. It has
to affecting her what is happening.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Well, I think two shots are causing a lot of anxiety.
It's both the serve and the forehand and when you
have two such important shots that can break down, and
everybody in the locker room, every coach, everybody knows it.
And there you obviously can't target the serve, but you
can certainly target the forehand side. And you can sort
of see by some of the stress this summer that
(11:23):
Coco's displayed, whether he's at Wimbledon, when she also lost
to Novarro at the Olympics, when Donna Veketch got the
better of Cocoa Golf, and really she was defending all
these points this summer on the hard courts, didn't look
herself and had the pressure of trying to defend this title,
but she didn't have the game to do it. However,
we know Coco Golf has won a lot of tough
matches not with her a game, and it looked like
(11:45):
maybe that was going to be the case yesterday, but
then Navarro was able to capitalize on the mistakes and
be the better of the two.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Yeah, I just feel like, you know, if you're going
to teach demeanor and composure on the tennis goll It.
We thought Coco was one of the best of that.
That's being challenged little bit over the last couple of
months with some of the demonstrative behavior we've seen sort
of at her coaching box and things, And that's what
happens when you're in a bit of stress. You sort
of look to help and you're not quite got the
answers yourself. But Emma Navarro, on the other hand, I mean,
(12:12):
she just like, if I want someone to play poker
for me, you're in girl. Like her attitude, her composure,
her willingness to look at things like I feel like
with a glass half full or rose colored glasses all
the time, is so bloody impressive on the tennis court,
and she stepped up in the end and won that match.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
You know, I really have enjoyed watching Navarro's rise. Donaveca's
the player of Coach Ramas two years, actually played Navarro
in the second round of Mono Ray March a year
and a half ago, and Navarro was just beginning to
make her move. Dona beaterr fairly comfortably scorelne wise, but
during the match, I'm like, oh my goodness, I knew
the backhand was really good the forehand was getting stronger,
(12:51):
the movement, the athleticism, and she's just become a great
hard worker. I think her coach Peter and Emma are
one of the best coach player tandems out there. I
love the fact they made a two year contract with
each other that was up just a little while ago,
and it was like, we're renewing because this is going
really well. On Navarro, who knows what her ceiling is
(13:12):
because she is proving a little bit like Pagoula. Maybe
you don't see it necessarily in the juniors that she's
going to be like a top tenor, but I think
Navarro is definitely has a chance to win a major
and be a consistent member of the top ten.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Yeah, well, consistent member of the top ten foreshore. I mean,
you know, just like we just called the Pegoula, sorry,
the Pawelini Mukhova match, and both of those players that
have been in the top ten. Paolini is there now.
I suspect that Macova will probably move back in there
at some point if she stays injury free. But Emma
Navarro is a very similar player. You know, all court
player can come forward, you know, great top spin on
(13:48):
the forehand, and then you've got that beautiful backhand that
can go anywhere, cross caught down the line so easily.
She can slice very good serve, so not a lot
of weaknesses, and that's really the key. And I think
that's what happened in the end yesterday with Coca, is
that Coco's weaknesses you can see, Emma's you don't really see.
So you know, there's a little bit of work for
Coco to do in the not the off season, because
(14:09):
she's still got to play in the fall. But certainly, look,
she's twenty years of age. The improvement is still possible.
But little Paula Medosa's really come back. Pam playing some
great tennis and she won Washington d C which Coco
did last year. And one of the things she said
after she won, and we mentioned it last week on
the podcast with Peco, she said, I finally figured out
how to be an athlete again. And when you think
(14:31):
about her back injury and all of that stuff, boy,
oh boy, does she look bloody good now and she's
hitting the ball really well.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Yeah, you always like to see a comeback. She was
number two in the world for a while, but it
wasn't because of great results in majors. She'd only been
to one quarter final of a major before, never a
Sammy or a final, and she's looked great here now.
She did have a match point against her when she
was playing Rusa in the third round. And we know
(15:01):
through the years how many times you kind of feel
this sense of relief and you know, what do you
call it? Like a second life and you play with
great freedom, And I thought Bidosa did that in her
fourth round match against one. Next up against Navarro, it's
not a match that we've I don't even know if
they've played.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I don't recall them playing.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
I think Bidoza's forehand is one of the biggest weapons
in women's tennis right now now that she's healthy again.
The serve is the big question because that second serve
and the toss can really go off when Bidosa's under stress.
And let's face it, Navarro knows how to exploit when
somebody had some vulnerability on the surf.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Yeah, having said that, as you said, the first serve
is beak, So it's a matter of confidence. I don't know.
I maybe give a slight edge to Emma just because
of what she's done over the last twelve months and
the crowd is going to be a huge factor for her,
so you just have to give her a slight edge.
But if Badosa plays at her best, we know what
she's capable of, So looking forward to that matchup. Unfortunately
(15:57):
for you, Pammy was here till two fifteen am for
Donna Vekch losing to Chinwan Jiung. Great match. It was
such a shame it was on so late because I
would say that that was possibly the best match I've
seen on the women's side this year this tournament. Great
hitting of the ball. You know, both were hitting more
winners than unforced errors, and they were clocking the ball,
(16:20):
so it's like they were hitting winner after winner after winner. Yes,
there was some unforced errors, but in the end it
was Jiang who got the edge in the three sets.
I just think Donna ran out a bit of a
gas in the third set, but Jang to play Zapalannka, now.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Well, you know what was fun about this match is
to have within a month a rematch of the gold
medal match from Paris, which was a much more routine
win for Juang, and to have such high quality. I
mean the first set you had twelve straight holds. They
only faced a couple of break points. The quality the
serving and Donna was serving second, so the pressure on
her late in that set was immense. I was really
(16:55):
proud that Donna got at the tie break. Unfortunately, that
was one of the moments of the match, was that
Janga played a much better quality tie break. And it
turns out winning the first set usually matters in most matches.
But still did Donna come back and win the second set.
And to see Donna here at the US Open sort
of back up her results earlier in the summer when
(17:15):
she got the finals of the Olympics Semis of Women
and came within two points of the final, losing to Pallini.
You know Donna's match point, She didn't get to match point,
did not She was up eight to seven in the
match tiebreak. But for Donna at this point, at twenty eight,
we know the primes of careers. You can mature, you
can learn new skills as far as mindset and how
to just be mentally a little more resilient. And Donna's
(17:38):
been open to learning some new skills to manage the
mental side. Still she's always going to be emotional, but
she's learned how to reset a lot better and not
let the previous point affect the next point. So I
see Donna's upside. Kind of one of the reasons why
I was willing to join the team two years ago.
I think her best years are ahead.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Yeah, absolutely, And it's just nice to see her back
in a terrible knee injury a couple of years ago
with surgery, and just you know, a couple of years ago,
I had a conversation with her and said, what do
you feel like you need to do? Because she was
still hitting the ball so well. I coached against her
a couple of times in doubles, and she said, stubbsy,
I gotta lose weight. And you know, that was just
such a frank and honest answer for Donna to give.
(18:16):
You can cough, Pam, It's okay, you know, we can
edit that out, but you know, it was just a
nice thing for her to realize. Look, I just got
to get fitter and faster and stronger. And I have
to say, Pam, Wow, James Blake and I were both
just so impressed with how well Donna was moving around
the court yesterday and just making jiang play one extra
great shot. And guess what, she did. Jiang was just
(18:37):
a little bit better, a little bit more energetic at
the beginning of the third set, and I think that
made the world a difference. And you've got to give
a lot of credit and the confidence that Jang possesses
now after winning that gold medal. And listen, I gotta
tell you, Pam, and I know this because of just
connections with some Chinese players over the past. The Olympics
means more to the Chinese than anything. So as big
(18:58):
as star as Lena is in the in the in
China after winning two slams, Qinuan, Jiang is bigger the
gold medal. She said, Yes, people recognize me for what
I've done in my tennis career. Tennis fans recognized me,
but she said, when I went back to China, now
everybody recognizes me. And that's how big that point is.
But how do you see the Saboleanca metchup.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Well, it's interesting because I think while we known that
Sabolenka has been one of the power players of this generation,
now we have Jiang entering the conversation because the power
she possesses when the first serve is working well and
the groundstrokes and I tell you another really impressive shot
of Xang was the slice backhand when Jang was put
(19:41):
on defense by Donna Vekich. She's going to be on
defense at times, certainly against Sabolenka. That was like one
of those unsung hero type shots. So I was really
impressed by Jiang. She stands way back on the first serve,
which I think is going to be interesting visual for Sabolenka.
I looking forward to that match. Sometimes two power players
(20:03):
facing off isn't all that pretty. But remember the Australian
Open final less than two years ago between Remarka and
Saballanka is one of the best matches.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Of the year.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
And I think the Jang having played Saballanka in the
finals of the Australian Open will help her in this match,
because look, she's been there. She's now won an enormous
title for herself in the Olympics, and I think her
confidence is so much higher than it was earlier this year.
I think it was a little bit of a oh
who's this girl in the finals of the austray And Open,
and Sabalanka was so comfortable out on rod Laver arena.
(20:32):
She won the tournament the year before. She was like,
this is my house kind of thing, Whereas I feel
like Jang goes into this match with a lot more
confidence on hard court, and she's going to have to
play her best to beat Sablenka. But if Sabalanka is
serving drops off a little bit, Jang is also serving huge.
When she's getting the first survey and second service, still
vulnerable and Donna took advantage of that last night, just
(20:54):
not quite enough. We're sitting here watching Pegoula play against Schneider,
So what are your thoughts in first of all, in
this match that Jessica is winning pretty comfortable at five
to two, but also she on Tech tonight against Samsonova.
She has a winning record against Samsonova, but when Samsonova
plays well, she can beat anybody. It wasn't Yaki against
hadaj Maaya, and we just saw Makova beat Paulini. But
(21:17):
your thoughts on this section of the draw, Pemmy.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Yeah, well, shion Tech won here two years ago, the
only major she's won outside of rolling Garros. I thought
her match against Pavlio Chenkova was her best yeat. I mean,
Shibahara was a qualifier that Sfiontech beat easily, but I
thought there was some stress, certainly in Fiontek's opening round,
but seems to be settling in a little bit more.
IgA was pretty outspoken about the demands of this summer
(21:41):
of twenty twenty four for top players who also wanted
to play the Olympics. But now it seems like she's
got her teeth in it. I think she'll be a
little too consistent for sam Sonova. But if sam Sonova's
a game, the power game is on, that's the kind
of power that can up end Fiontech. So a little
bit of a chance. And Pagoula is really interesting to
(22:02):
me because she's had the block, the quarter final block,
her whole career lasts so many times in major. She
still has a bit of business to do to take
out the talented lefty. But when will Pagoula have, you know,
success getting the semis or the finances of a major.
I don't think it's gonna happen here. But it made
as far as was Niaki the benefit of probably the
(22:22):
best draw on the tournament, it was Niyaki has the
experience and the consistency to make good for that opportunity.
Hadad maya lefty, I mean, that's kind of the best
part of the drave you could choose to be in it.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
And I think that just to add to it with
Hadaj Maya against w was Niaki, I think the lefty
that helps Caroline because she likes to serve. The serve's
going to go to her back end a lot more.
We know that was Niyaki's got one of the best
back ends of all time, so she'll appreciate that. And
Handaj Maya they win the other night against Callen skuy
We have to talk about the var a little bit.
There was a bit of a mess up there. I
(22:53):
was confused about it all and how it went down.
Clearly they didn't give the umpire the best angle of
the video, just for people at home to understand what happened.
There certainly something that the USDA would have learned a
lot from in the us Open officials about how to
take your time, look at every single angle. If it
takes an extra minute, get that extra video up to
(23:15):
the umpire. But I also think I don't know about you, Pam,
but I don't think the umpire should be the one
making that decision. Do you think it should be done
in house where they're looking at it on a massive,
big television screen and getting all the angles.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
Yeah, I think that there needs to be a VAR
official that just tells the umpire here, we've looked at
all the angles, here's the decision.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
But yeah, there's like a red light green light on
the umpires year.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
You know, you talk about the US Open and the
usta kind of learning some things and whether it's how
to manage var better next year. But I think one
of the big things I want is for something like
what happened last night.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
I don't want matches.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
I don't want matches to end at two fifteen anymore.
I think the fact that they start ash Labor Day weekend,
when the matches are getting more competitive, they're going to
be longer, they're going to be more five setters, four setters,
three setters on the women's side, to start at noon
instead of eleven o'clock. The way they start on Grandstand
and Armstrong and all the other courts is a huge mistake.
And seeing what the two of the last three nights
(24:13):
that we've had all time late finishes, late starts. That's
not something a brag about in our sport. It's something
for us all to problem solve it and to fix
because it's not good for athletes. Even the winner has
less of a chance to recover because they've finished at
two am. So it's got to change.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
Yeah, I agree. Starting at eleven is the absolute minimum
that I think they can do. I mean, Francis, you know,
went full four something else. I mean, it's just you
can't predict, and women having to play off to the men,
knowing the men could possibly play four or five hols
is just not fair to the women.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
It's just not I made a play when I found
out that the tentative schedule was for Donna to play
last on ASH the match again Jang after Tiaffo coppran
I made the record, asked that it be reconsidered, and
I understood that it was much greater than me being
able to switch it around. And I was told by
the USTA that they have this equal thing where one
(25:11):
night the women start on ASH and the next night
the men, and they flip flop, so it's quote unquote equal.
But guess what when it's three out of five sets
on the men's side, it's not equal. It's not equal
as far as time on the court exposure of men's tennis.
It puts the women at a great disadvantage when there's
a long men's match that's five sets versus a women's
match that's three sets, so it is not equal and
(25:34):
women should play first.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
I agree. No, I agree, and we had it forever.
And of course, look, the guys do pay the penalty
sometimes because you know, if they do play five sets,
they are finishing at one or two o'clock in the morning.
And we've had that happen here at the US Open.
So I think the key is we got to figure
out a way to start a little bit earlier, get
the fans in and out. This is an enormous stadium.
It's difficult to get everyone out and get everyone in.
(25:57):
And we're talking twenty thousand spectators that come in. You
see it find us at ESPN when they're all just
standing there waiting to get into the into Arthur Ash Stadium.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
They do need to manage the between the shifts. It
needs to be tightened up. They've got to somehow get
the power, the work power in to get the stadium
ready in like thirty to forty minutes. Yeah, not this
hour hour and twenty.
Speaker 1 (26:19):
Yeah, I think they're straight and open or it's a
smaller stadium. Obviously, I think it's a maximum of forty
five minutes I believe, to get everybody in and everybody
back out. But look, you know the popularity of tennis
is growing. We love that about our sport. We love
that people are willing to pay a lot of money
to come and watch the US Open. But if you
are going to come out, you get your little grounds
pass and get out to Armstrong Stadium because the matches
(26:42):
out there. You can sit with a grounds pass up
the tops. That court at Armstrong is probably the best
court in tennis. The atmosphere is awesome. There's four matches
on that court today and I think that's a day session,
I believe. So that's the place to go. You get four, wait,
four five matches on that call at one, two, three,
(27:03):
four matches on Armstrong, all incredible matches. Drapa and Mahatsha
playing there right now was Niyaki Hadaj Maya and then
Dimna and Thompson. The Aussie's a gonna round it up.
But anyway, listen, Pammy, thanks for joining me to do
this today. We are on an unbelievably long, tight schedule,
not on a lot of sleep, but God we love it,
do we?
Speaker 2 (27:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (27:23):
And I just want to say, because I know I've
just suggested USTA make some major changes on things, but
I got to really admire how the USTA's kind of
led the way as far as having a major that
is not just about tennis. It's about the overall experience,
both food wise entertainment. It's a festival and it is
an event and an experience to go to, whether or
(27:44):
not you're a hardcore tennis fan or a curious experiential
person that wants to come to the US Open. I
also want to give them kudos. I always will for
the US Open that was played four years ago, the
first major played during a global pandemic. No fans, they
figured it out. Took a hit in the bottom line,
but anyway, we can still keep evolving and improving so
(28:04):
we have even a better product.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
I agree. And another added extra for all you people
that do come out to the tennis if you're gonna
get a Honeyduce, get it as a double double the vodka.
It's much tastier. I think it's way too sweet. So
that's my little tidbit for all of you people, including Serena,
who had her first Honeydeuce apparently yesterday. It's nice to
see her on the grounds yesterday looking relaxed and may
(28:27):
I say, incredibly fit, to the point that I was like,
are you coming back? But anyway, it's been a great week, Pam.
We've enjoyed it. Thanks for joining me today, and everybody
enjoyed the second week of the US Open.
Welcome everybody to the Renee Stubs Tennis podcast. This is
an unusual one. I'm doing it from the grounds of
the Usta Billy Jan King National Tennis Center because well,
I never leave here, so I've decided to pull in
the person that I know who's also hasn't left the
grounds and it's pretty much had left sleep than me,
and that's Pam Shiverer. Pam, thanks for joining me today.
We're going to recap the first week as best as
(00:32):
we can.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
No, it's certainly a short night sleep last night, but
we both were looking forward to the Muhova Paolini match,
which we just called, and you were smoked to get
me while my energy is still up.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
So anyway, let's get a little bit of recap. I mean,
this first week of the US Open has been pretty tremendous.
We had so many big upsets on the men's side.
Something we didn't expect to see is both Novak Djokovic
and Alcaraz out of the tournament with two huge upsets,
one of course from vander down Sloop. That was probably
more of a surprise for me just the way it
(01:04):
happened against Alcarez, and obviously Alexi Popper and what he
was able to do against Novak Chokovich was impressive, but
Novac certainly didn't look his best. How much do you think, Pam,
that was a little bit also of the Olympic fatigue
factive for the guys playing best of five here is
a little different from the women coming backing up from
the Olympics playing best of three. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I think obviously it had an effect. We knew this
summer for the players playing, and really, what is the
fifth major every Olympic four years, It was going to
be a lot because of the surface transition, clay grass,
clay hardcourt. To do all that in Mike, a seven
eight week span is a lot to ask physically, mentally, emotionally.
(01:47):
And I think you're right. The main difference is because
the women medalists from the singles really played great tennis.
At the oment, two of the three are still in
it with Siontek and Jang, and I think the three
out of five set format is the reason why.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Yeah, I do. I think that. Look Also, Alchiis was
losing his shit in Cincinnati, so you knew that his
I don't know, just his capacity to deal with the
stress and the pressure of the US Open was going
to be tough, and I think that loss really stung him.
At the Olympics in his wonder Pam how much like Djokovic,
his energy levels were as well, because that was, as
he said, the greatest moment of his tennis career winning
(02:23):
the gold medal, which is pretty remarkable considering what he's
done in his tennis career. It's unbelievable. But also kudos
to the guys that got the wins, because you still
have to win the match. Something that's a real positive,
you know, in this tournament so far, is just the
success of the Americans, particularly the American men. Were used
to the American women still being latent tournaments like the
(02:44):
likes of Cocoa Goth and Jess Bagool or etc. But
to see what Taylor and Tommy and Francis are doing
in this tournament and Brandon Nakashima who lost yesterday, but gee,
you've got to be if you're Americans tennis, got to
be pretty pumped about what you're seeing.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Now we've I've seen them this summer be ranked all
in a bunch right in the sort of the bottom
end end of the top ten, and the first few
spots of like eleven, twelve, thirteen, they're pushing each other.
They have that sort of friendly rivalry where they're sort
of using the energy of the group to push forward.
(03:18):
I think they're sick and tired, the men of hearing
how many years it's been since Andy Roddick won a
major on the US male side. That's two thousand and
three US Open. And I think all the men that
are still in it from the US I mean, Paul
has the toughest assignment, needless say, because by the time,
you know, he played center tonight. But I think Tiafo
(03:38):
and Taylor Fritz who knows, we could see an all
American semi final.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Yeah, I actually said that the other day. I looked
at the draw and I thought, oh my god, like,
we really could have two American men in the semifinals.
And can you remember the last time that happened, Well,
probably in the.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Era of the sampras Agasy courier chang, you know, certainly
it happened a lot in the Connors back and row.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I'm trying to think over the other type.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Mars out of Europe, and we haven't slept enough to
worry about that. But yeah, I mean, this is an
amazing opportunity for these guys, and I don't know, you
just think, you know, the changing in the guard of
Novak's still around. He's not going anywhere for now, but
you know, father time catches up with everyone, and you
just think he didn't look fresh, and we know what
he's been that through. But he's only made two finals
(04:25):
this year, Pam. I mean one he won at the
Olympics and the other one was Wimbledon. But for him
not to win a major in the year is you
just start to think how much more does he have
mentally and physically in his body. And these guys are
so good and so young and so hungry, and now
they actually believe they can beat him, and that's, as
you know, is half the battle.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Yeah, Novak certainly seems to have lost a little bit
of that giant aura that he had that would sort
of make him start with a two love lead in
each set. But you know, obviously the French Open, the
injury to the knee, the surgery, the surgery on the meniscus.
But when you think about how he was you just
mentioned just one tournament went on the year, and that
(05:05):
was the Olympics. Yeah, well, I mean there was not
an ATV Tour tournament win. He got the finals of
the semi finals of the Australian Open. That was probably
foreshadowing his year when he couldn't fire at the caliber
that he usually does in a semi final of major,
losing the center and you know, the injury, and then
obviously he just put all in to do the one
thing the sport he had not done, which is an
(05:26):
Olympic gold medal. And I don't think there was enough
time for even him to reset. He didn't play Canada
or Cincinnati, didn't play a warm up tournament, but I
don't think he's been able to reset and establish his
next big goal. Is it to get to twenty five
singles majors? Is it to you know, he's got to
have something I think to push him.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Yeah, I agree, And you just wonder how much because really,
the only thing that he has on his resume that
he you know, to just arguably say greatest player of
all time, not just man a woman, but greatest players
to get twenty five Grand slams. If he does that,
then forget about it. But I don't know, at some point,
it's it just gets tiring to have to wake up
every day and be great and win every match, and
(06:04):
his kids are growing up, and you just wonder how
much he's got left in the tank. But we'll certainly
know because if he does it, he's going to probably
do it in Australia because that's where his best results
have come. And I'm glad that truck that takes all
the poop and stuff away from the US Open has
finally stopped happening in the background outside our beautiful ESPN
bus here on site. But anyway, but I want to
(06:25):
just touch upon Francis Tiafo what he was able to
do the other day against reversing the lost to Ben Shelton.
I think you could see in his face, Pam that
it was kind of like he was not giving in
in that match, and I think that boy that could
turn around his career again. We know how well he
played in Cincinnati, so that certainly got his confidence up.
(06:45):
But what he did last night, even against Popera, and
he just didn't panic. He played great. You got to think,
I mean, does he have it in him to win
this tournament?
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Yeah? I think he does.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Plays Demitrof next to play the winner of Fritz Zverev.
I think tis learned so much from a semi final
run of two years ago and he became even more
of a star. And I think he probably knows that
sometimes he needs to say no and kind of keep
into his lane and notice sponsorship and things like that. Yeah,
stay in his hula hoop a little bit more because
(07:17):
he's yeah, like stay within the hula a little expression.
But anyway, I think, you know, we know guys mature
tend to mature a little bit later. But I do
think you mentioned that Shelton match that was huge because
he lost in the quarters that was last year to Shelton.
That was very painful loss. That's when Shelton kind of
did the hang up the phone game and.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
He wasn't really the same player after that loss.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
No, he wasn't.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
But I think Cincinnati was huge. I think the decision
for Francis not to play the Olympics. Obviously, Washington, d C.
Which is where he grew up, that was an important
tour stop. I think Francis getting on the hard courts,
getting his teeth sunk into this segment of the circuit
is why he has a chance to win this US Open.
From two SATs to one down against Shulton, we saw
(08:03):
the best of Francis.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Yeah, that's true. But you got to give credit then
to Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz because they both played
the Olympics right deep to the end. They've got a
silver medal in the doubles there, so what they've been
able to do has been impressive. Of Course, we've already
mentioned the guys that won medals at the Olympics have
not done well in the singles medals, So all credit
to Taylor and to Tommy Paul forgetting to where they've
(08:26):
gotten to at the US Open with that short bit
of rest as well. So it's just been an impressive
tournament from the American guys. And you have to think,
I don't know, with the losses to al Karaz and
to Djokovic, does it give that impotence to the guys
that have been knocking on the door a little bit
to say why not me? And could this be the time?
Clearly we know Sinner's the one to beat in this
(08:48):
tournament now, and it's been pretty remarkable considering what he's
gone through emotionally over the last couple of weeks that
he's playing as well. As ears, but he will be
tested tonight against Tommy Paul for sure.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yeah, as we're talking now and recording this part, it
was almost two weeks since the news just spread so
quickly about what happened to Janick Center in March, when
two tests came up positive for a banned substance, and
he immediately went into the process of challenging it.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
He could immediately.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Explain how it got into a system in three different
groups confirmed that that was most likely the case. Lost
his first set at this tournament, and he looked.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Like a ghost. He looked like he'd seen a ghist
in that fast set, like he was not himself.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Yeah, to Mackenzie McDonald.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
But then since then his sets have been six two
six one six two sixty four six love six two
six one six four six two. So you think he's
playing well, Yeah, I think he is now, and I think,
you know, there must be an unbelievable relief. I mean,
he had known he had been dealing with this since
a month early April. Yeah, we just found out when
the news broke two weeks agost. We were all stunned.
(09:53):
But I do think he's starting to show the relief
that the worst is over for him on this process.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Yeah, yeah, exactly. Anyway, let's get a little bit to
the women before we wrap this little pot up and
get back to work here at the US Open. And
Pam has a nap, but Coco's lost yesterday. Let's just
dive into that one because it's fresh in our minds.
I just want to give so much credit to Emminavarro
because that was a really, really first It was an
incredibly entertaining match, but it was a great match with
(10:22):
Emma Navarro considering up a set and four to three,
was it thirty love or forty love? Thirty love for
sure on her serve, and then the wheels fell off
a little bit and Coco played great to win that
second set, and you thought, okay, train's back on the track,
definitely playing better golf. But the unfortunately for Coco, nineteen
(10:43):
double faults. Pam, you and I were both consider our
serves to be one of our strengths. I cannot imagine
double faulting nineteen times and feeling good about where my
serve was at and the anxiety I think that that
gives her on all aspects of her game. It has
to affecting her what is happening.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Well, I think two shots are causing a lot of anxiety.
It's both the serve and the forehand and when you
have two such important shots that can break down, and
everybody in the locker room, every coach, everybody knows it.
And there you obviously can't target the serve, but you
can certainly target the forehand side. And you can sort
of see by some of the stress this summer that
(11:23):
Coco's displayed, whether he's at Wimbledon, when she also lost
to Novarro at the Olympics, when Donna Veketch got the
better of Cocoa Golf, and really she was defending all
these points this summer on the hard courts, didn't look
herself and had the pressure of trying to defend this title,
but she didn't have the game to do it. However,
we know Coco Golf has won a lot of tough
matches not with her a game, and it looked like
(11:45):
maybe that was going to be the case yesterday, but
then Navarro was able to capitalize on the mistakes and
be the better of the two.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Yeah, I just feel like, you know, if you're going
to teach demeanor and composure on the tennis goll It.
We thought Coco was one of the best of that.
That's being challenged little bit over the last couple of
months with some of the demonstrative behavior we've seen sort
of at her coaching box and things, And that's what
happens when you're in a bit of stress. You sort
of look to help and you're not quite got the
answers yourself. But Emma Navarro, on the other hand, I mean,
(12:12):
she just like, if I want someone to play poker
for me, you're in girl. Like her attitude, her composure,
her willingness to look at things like I feel like
with a glass half full or rose colored glasses all
the time, is so bloody impressive on the tennis court,
and she stepped up in the end and won that match.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
You know, I really have enjoyed watching Navarro's rise. Donaveca's
the player of Coach Ramas two years, actually played Navarro
in the second round of Mono Ray March a year
and a half ago, and Navarro was just beginning to
make her move. Dona beaterr fairly comfortably scorelne wise, but
during the match, I'm like, oh my goodness, I knew
the backhand was really good the forehand was getting stronger,
(12:51):
the movement, the athleticism, and she's just become a great
hard worker. I think her coach Peter and Emma are
one of the best coach player tandems out there. I
love the fact they made a two year contract with
each other that was up just a little while ago,
and it was like, we're renewing because this is going
really well. On Navarro, who knows what her ceiling is
(13:12):
because she is proving a little bit like Pagoula. Maybe
you don't see it necessarily in the juniors that she's
going to be like a top tenor, but I think
Navarro is definitely has a chance to win a major
and be a consistent member of the top ten.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Yeah, well, consistent member of the top ten foreshore. I mean,
you know, just like we just called the Pegoula, sorry,
the Pawelini Mukhova match, and both of those players that
have been in the top ten. Paolini is there now.
I suspect that Macova will probably move back in there
at some point if she stays injury free. But Emma
Navarro is a very similar player. You know, all court
player can come forward, you know, great top spin on
(13:48):
the forehand, and then you've got that beautiful backhand that
can go anywhere, cross caught down the line so easily.
She can slice very good serve, so not a lot
of weaknesses, and that's really the key. And I think
that's what happened in the end yesterday with Coca, is
that Coco's weaknesses you can see, Emma's you don't really see.
So you know, there's a little bit of work for
Coco to do in the not the off season, because
(14:09):
she's still got to play in the fall. But certainly, look,
she's twenty years of age. The improvement is still possible.
But little Paula Medosa's really come back. Pam playing some
great tennis and she won Washington d C which Coco
did last year. And one of the things she said
after she won, and we mentioned it last week on
the podcast with Peco, she said, I finally figured out
how to be an athlete again. And when you think
(14:31):
about her back injury and all of that stuff, boy,
oh boy, does she look bloody good now and she's
hitting the ball really well.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Yeah, you always like to see a comeback. She was
number two in the world for a while, but it
wasn't because of great results in majors. She'd only been
to one quarter final of a major before, never a
Sammy or a final, and she's looked great here now.
She did have a match point against her when she
was playing Rusa in the third round. And we know
(15:01):
through the years how many times you kind of feel
this sense of relief and you know, what do you
call it? Like a second life and you play with
great freedom, And I thought Bidosa did that in her
fourth round match against one. Next up against Navarro, it's
not a match that we've I don't even know if
they've played.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I don't recall them playing.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
I think Bidoza's forehand is one of the biggest weapons
in women's tennis right now now that she's healthy again.
The serve is the big question because that second serve
and the toss can really go off when Bidosa's under stress.
And let's face it, Navarro knows how to exploit when
somebody had some vulnerability on the surf.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Yeah, having said that, as you said, the first serve
is beak, So it's a matter of confidence. I don't know.
I maybe give a slight edge to Emma just because
of what she's done over the last twelve months and
the crowd is going to be a huge factor for her,
so you just have to give her a slight edge.
But if Badosa plays at her best, we know what
she's capable of, So looking forward to that matchup. Unfortunately
(15:57):
for you, Pammy was here till two fifteen am for
Donna Vekch losing to Chinwan Jiung. Great match. It was
such a shame it was on so late because I
would say that that was possibly the best match I've
seen on the women's side this year this tournament. Great
hitting of the ball. You know, both were hitting more
winners than unforced errors, and they were clocking the ball,
(16:20):
so it's like they were hitting winner after winner after winner. Yes,
there was some unforced errors, but in the end it
was Jiang who got the edge in the three sets.
I just think Donna ran out a bit of a
gas in the third set, but Jang to play Zapalannka, now.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Well, you know what was fun about this match is
to have within a month a rematch of the gold
medal match from Paris, which was a much more routine
win for Juang, and to have such high quality. I
mean the first set you had twelve straight holds. They
only faced a couple of break points. The quality the
serving and Donna was serving second, so the pressure on
her late in that set was immense. I was really
(16:55):
proud that Donna got at the tie break. Unfortunately, that
was one of the moments of the match, was that
Janga played a much better quality tie break. And it
turns out winning the first set usually matters in most matches.
But still did Donna come back and win the second set.
And to see Donna here at the US Open sort
of back up her results earlier in the summer when
(17:15):
she got the finals of the Olympics Semis of Women
and came within two points of the final, losing to Pallini.
You know Donna's match point, She didn't get to match point,
did not She was up eight to seven in the
match tiebreak. But for Donna at this point, at twenty eight,
we know the primes of careers. You can mature, you
can learn new skills as far as mindset and how
to just be mentally a little more resilient. And Donna's
(17:38):
been open to learning some new skills to manage the
mental side. Still she's always going to be emotional, but
she's learned how to reset a lot better and not
let the previous point affect the next point. So I
see Donna's upside. Kind of one of the reasons why
I was willing to join the team two years ago.
I think her best years are ahead.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Yeah, absolutely, And it's just nice to see her back
in a terrible knee injury a couple of years ago
with surgery, and just you know, a couple of years ago,
I had a conversation with her and said, what do
you feel like you need to do? Because she was
still hitting the ball so well. I coached against her
a couple of times in doubles, and she said, stubbsy,
I gotta lose weight. And you know, that was just
such a frank and honest answer for Donna to give.
(18:16):
You can cough, Pam, It's okay, you know, we can
edit that out, but you know, it was just a
nice thing for her to realize. Look, I just got
to get fitter and faster and stronger. And I have
to say, Pam, Wow, James Blake and I were both
just so impressed with how well Donna was moving around
the court yesterday and just making jiang play one extra
great shot. And guess what, she did. Jiang was just
(18:37):
a little bit better, a little bit more energetic at
the beginning of the third set, and I think that
made the world a difference. And you've got to give
a lot of credit and the confidence that Jang possesses
now after winning that gold medal. And listen, I gotta
tell you, Pam, and I know this because of just
connections with some Chinese players over the past. The Olympics
means more to the Chinese than anything. So as big
(18:58):
as star as Lena is in the in the in
China after winning two slams, Qinuan, Jiang is bigger the
gold medal. She said, Yes, people recognize me for what
I've done in my tennis career. Tennis fans recognized me,
but she said, when I went back to China, now
everybody recognizes me. And that's how big that point is.
But how do you see the Saboleanca metchup.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Well, it's interesting because I think while we known that
Sabolenka has been one of the power players of this generation,
now we have Jiang entering the conversation because the power
she possesses when the first serve is working well and
the groundstrokes and I tell you another really impressive shot
of Xang was the slice backhand when Jang was put
(19:41):
on defense by Donna Vekich. She's going to be on
defense at times, certainly against Sabolenka. That was like one
of those unsung hero type shots. So I was really
impressed by Jiang. She stands way back on the first serve,
which I think is going to be interesting visual for Sabolenka.
I looking forward to that match. Sometimes two power players
(20:03):
facing off isn't all that pretty. But remember the Australian
Open final less than two years ago between Remarka and
Saballanka is one of the best matches.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Of the year.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
And I think the Jang having played Saballanka in the
finals of the Australian Open will help her in this match,
because look, she's been there. She's now won an enormous
title for herself in the Olympics, and I think her
confidence is so much higher than it was earlier this year.
I think it was a little bit of a oh
who's this girl in the finals of the austray And Open,
and Sabalanka was so comfortable out on rod Laver arena.
(20:32):
She won the tournament the year before. She was like,
this is my house kind of thing, Whereas I feel
like Jang goes into this match with a lot more
confidence on hard court, and she's going to have to
play her best to beat Sablenka. But if Sabalanka is
serving drops off a little bit, Jang is also serving huge.
When she's getting the first survey and second service, still
vulnerable and Donna took advantage of that last night, just
(20:54):
not quite enough. We're sitting here watching Pegoula play against Schneider,
So what are your thoughts in first of all, in
this match that Jessica is winning pretty comfortable at five
to two, but also she on Tech tonight against Samsonova.
She has a winning record against Samsonova, but when Samsonova
plays well, she can beat anybody. It wasn't Yaki against
hadaj Maaya, and we just saw Makova beat Paulini. But
(21:17):
your thoughts on this section of the draw, Pemmy.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Yeah, well, shion Tech won here two years ago, the
only major she's won outside of rolling Garros. I thought
her match against Pavlio Chenkova was her best yeat. I mean,
Shibahara was a qualifier that Sfiontech beat easily, but I
thought there was some stress, certainly in Fiontek's opening round,
but seems to be settling in a little bit more.
IgA was pretty outspoken about the demands of this summer
(21:41):
of twenty twenty four for top players who also wanted
to play the Olympics. But now it seems like she's
got her teeth in it. I think she'll be a
little too consistent for sam Sonova. But if sam Sonova's
a game, the power game is on, that's the kind
of power that can up end Fiontech. So a little
bit of a chance. And Pagoula is really interesting to
(22:02):
me because she's had the block, the quarter final block,
her whole career lasts so many times in major. She
still has a bit of business to do to take
out the talented lefty. But when will Pagoula have, you know,
success getting the semis or the finances of a major.
I don't think it's gonna happen here. But it made
as far as was Niaki the benefit of probably the
(22:22):
best draw on the tournament, it was Niyaki has the
experience and the consistency to make good for that opportunity.
Hadad maya lefty, I mean, that's kind of the best
part of the drave you could choose to be in it.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
And I think that just to add to it with
Hadaj Maya against w was Niaki, I think the lefty
that helps Caroline because she likes to serve. The serve's
going to go to her back end a lot more.
We know that was Niyaki's got one of the best
back ends of all time, so she'll appreciate that. And
Handaj Maya they win the other night against Callen skuy
We have to talk about the var a little bit.
There was a bit of a mess up there. I
(22:53):
was confused about it all and how it went down.
Clearly they didn't give the umpire the best angle of
the video, just for people at home to understand what happened.
There certainly something that the USDA would have learned a
lot from in the us Open officials about how to
take your time, look at every single angle. If it
takes an extra minute, get that extra video up to
(23:15):
the umpire. But I also think I don't know about you, Pam,
but I don't think the umpire should be the one
making that decision. Do you think it should be done
in house where they're looking at it on a massive,
big television screen and getting all the angles.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
Yeah, I think that there needs to be a VAR
official that just tells the umpire here, we've looked at
all the angles, here's the decision.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
But yeah, there's like a red light green light on
the umpires year.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
You know, you talk about the US Open and the
usta kind of learning some things and whether it's how
to manage var better next year. But I think one
of the big things I want is for something like
what happened last night.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
I don't want matches.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
I don't want matches to end at two fifteen anymore.
I think the fact that they start ash Labor Day weekend,
when the matches are getting more competitive, they're going to
be longer, they're going to be more five setters, four setters,
three setters on the women's side, to start at noon
instead of eleven o'clock. The way they start on Grandstand
and Armstrong and all the other courts is a huge mistake.
And seeing what the two of the last three nights
(24:13):
that we've had all time late finishes, late starts. That's
not something a brag about in our sport. It's something
for us all to problem solve it and to fix
because it's not good for athletes. Even the winner has
less of a chance to recover because they've finished at
two am. So it's got to change.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
Yeah, I agree. Starting at eleven is the absolute minimum
that I think they can do. I mean, Francis, you know,
went full four something else. I mean, it's just you
can't predict, and women having to play off to the men,
knowing the men could possibly play four or five hols
is just not fair to the women.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
It's just not I made a play when I found
out that the tentative schedule was for Donna to play
last on ASH the match again Jang after Tiaffo coppran
I made the record, asked that it be reconsidered, and
I understood that it was much greater than me being
able to switch it around. And I was told by
the USTA that they have this equal thing where one
(25:11):
night the women start on ASH and the next night
the men, and they flip flop, so it's quote unquote equal.
But guess what when it's three out of five sets
on the men's side, it's not equal. It's not equal
as far as time on the court exposure of men's tennis.
It puts the women at a great disadvantage when there's
a long men's match that's five sets versus a women's
match that's three sets, so it is not equal and
(25:34):
women should play first.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
I agree. No, I agree, and we had it forever.
And of course, look, the guys do pay the penalty
sometimes because you know, if they do play five sets,
they are finishing at one or two o'clock in the morning.
And we've had that happen here at the US Open.
So I think the key is we got to figure
out a way to start a little bit earlier, get
the fans in and out. This is an enormous stadium.
It's difficult to get everyone out and get everyone in.
(25:57):
And we're talking twenty thousand spectators that come in. You
see it find us at ESPN when they're all just
standing there waiting to get into the into Arthur Ash Stadium.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
They do need to manage the between the shifts. It
needs to be tightened up. They've got to somehow get
the power, the work power in to get the stadium
ready in like thirty to forty minutes. Yeah, not this
hour hour and twenty.
Speaker 1 (26:19):
Yeah, I think they're straight and open or it's a
smaller stadium. Obviously, I think it's a maximum of forty
five minutes I believe, to get everybody in and everybody
back out. But look, you know the popularity of tennis
is growing. We love that about our sport. We love
that people are willing to pay a lot of money
to come and watch the US Open. But if you
are going to come out, you get your little grounds
pass and get out to Armstrong Stadium because the matches
(26:42):
out there. You can sit with a grounds pass up
the tops. That court at Armstrong is probably the best
court in tennis. The atmosphere is awesome. There's four matches
on that court today and I think that's a day session,
I believe. So that's the place to go. You get four, wait,
four five matches on that call at one, two, three,
(27:03):
four matches on Armstrong, all incredible matches. Drapa and Mahatsha
playing there right now was Niyaki Hadaj Maya and then
Dimna and Thompson. The Aussie's a gonna round it up.
But anyway, listen, Pammy, thanks for joining me to do
this today. We are on an unbelievably long, tight schedule,
not on a lot of sleep, but God we love it,
do we?
Speaker 2 (27:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (27:23):
And I just want to say, because I know I've
just suggested USTA make some major changes on things, but
I got to really admire how the USTA's kind of
led the way as far as having a major that
is not just about tennis. It's about the overall experience,
both food wise entertainment. It's a festival and it is
an event and an experience to go to, whether or
(27:44):
not you're a hardcore tennis fan or a curious experiential
person that wants to come to the US Open. I
also want to give them kudos. I always will for
the US Open that was played four years ago, the
first major played during a global pandemic. No fans, they
figured it out. Took a hit in the bottom line,
but anyway, we can still keep evolving and improving so
(28:04):
we have even a better product.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
I agree. And another added extra for all you people
that do come out to the tennis if you're gonna
get a Honeyduce, get it as a double double the vodka.
It's much tastier. I think it's way too sweet. So
that's my little tidbit for all of you people, including Serena,
who had her first Honeydeuce apparently yesterday. It's nice to
see her on the grounds yesterday looking relaxed and may
(28:27):
I say, incredibly fit, to the point that I was like,
are you coming back? But anyway, it's been a great week, Pam.
We've enjoyed it. Thanks for joining me today, and everybody
enjoyed the second week of the US Open.
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