May 22, 2025 • 43 mins
Jasmine Paolini has completed the Italian double, defeating Coco Gauff to claim the Rome singles title and taking down Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova to win doubles with compatriot Sara Errani. Carlos Alcaraz has extended his head-to-head lead over Jannik Sinner, ending the Italian’s 26-match winning run in the Rome final. We check in with Brie Stewart and Duncan McKenzie-McHarg on the ground in Paris, while in studio, Xavier Muhlebach hosts a Roland Garros fantasy draft with experts Luke Saville, Simon Rea, and Viv Christie competing for bragging rights at Roland Garros.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hello, and welcome to the Tennis pal any perfection. Hometown
hero completes the Rome double rollin' into Paris. The stage
is set for the second Slam of the year and
it is draft day. Our experts here at the table
will be picking their fantasy teams for Roland Garris. What
does that mean? How does it work? We'll explain it
in a minute. That's all ahead with me Xavier Muhla
(00:23):
Bark along with the man who delayed his flight just
to be a part of the pod. It's Luke Saville. Hello, guys,
where's the energy, Come on, welcome, let's go very excited.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I love my Fantasy Football AFL and first time Fantasy
tennis draft today.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So the world first might not be true, but I'm
going to stick with that. Let's do it. Yeah, and
next to you, the best analyst in tennis. There, I've
said it, another world first. It's something Ray. Hey, Dave,
thanks for having me back always any opportunity we can.
You're good. Good to be here, Yeah, really good. And now,
as you know, Bree is over in Paris. She's cross
saunting her way through the streets of the city, heading
(01:00):
there for Roland Garros. But we are blessed with our
friend of the show five Christy from the sit down.
Welcome in the co host chair.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Thank you, Sabe. It's great to be here. Great, feel
like I have big shoes to fill with Brie away,
but I will do my best.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
True, But they're usually cheap and have holes in them,
so I wouldn't worry about it now. But we're feeled
to have you back. Finally, someone in that seat who
has knowledge of the game. Well, we'll see, not that
I do, but one of us has to. Let's see. Anyway,
we'll dive in. We'll dive in Rome. How good was that?
Huge crowds, huge audiences globally and the Italian double? Where
do we jump in, Plenie, let's just just go there.
(01:34):
Dream event for.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Her really was, Yeah, winning the singles and doubles, absolutely
incredible to do that on home soil, and I just
sort of saurce you on the doubles as well, and
her and Sarah RAINI, you know, they combine so well
together and sometimes hitting the underarm serves to start their points,
so it's definitely an interesting one there. But yeah, just
to sort of see the crowd, and then obviously Janick
(01:57):
Sinner making the final as well, and really a dream
to audment for Rome over the couple weeks and she's
coming into Paris in red hot form.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Yeah, so I'm Pollini, pint sized Pollinnie. She's five foot
four hundred and sixty three centimeters, Like surely she would
walk on to most courts with that physical disadvantage. How
does that weigh up? How does it impact her game?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, I think it's a really interesting case study, and
I think you touch on some great points and she
does it in a different way, and just having a
look at kind of her overall profile, I guess the
way that we've seen her play over the last year
or two when she's exploded onto the scene and we
know how successful she was this time a year ago
and backed up the role in Girls performance in a
way that I think, well, I don't think any of
(02:37):
us were predicting what she'd do at Wimbledon. So clearly
an absolutely top shelf elite player. If you have a
look at she's incredibly savvy. If you have a look
at her service game, she knows that she doesn't have
an overpawing, so she doesn't know earth sands, butts or
maybe's about it. She doesn't try to do that with
her serve, but the average over a kind of a
year long period, we expect players on the woman's tour
(02:59):
to land sixty maybe sixty two percent of their first
serves in play. Just have a look at some of
her recent numbers on clay. So she knows her second
serve potentially is a liability. She's little, it's not an
absolute strength of her game, so she wants to land
a lot of her first serves in play. She serves
seventy six percent first serves in play against GoF in
the final. Against Stearn's in the semifinal she serves eighty
(03:20):
four percent first serves in play. Huge and come back
to Stuttgart where she plays Sabalenka. She goes down in
that match, but she makes a great fist of it.
She serves seventy six percent against Sablenka. So that's just
an athlete that's at the peak of their powers, that
knows their game styles, really clear on their game style,
and knows what she's not going to dish up to
her opposition, knowing that where her strengths, and more importantly,
(03:40):
sometimes knowing your own weaknesses. Knowing where those sit. Then
from the back of the court, it's a bit different
again her returning profile, and Luke and Vivell have comments
on this.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
So often we see in the women's game on second.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Serve return charge inside the baseline, make a big statement
and kind of live by the sword, die by the
sword a little bit.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
That's not what she does. She can do that, but
she mixes up her return position a lot better than
nearly every other player. She is unique.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Sometimes she's a meter or two inside the baseline on
second serve. Other times she's two and three meters behind
the baseline, giving herself some more time to find her forehand,
which is something that we also see from her during
the rally. That forehand of hers has more spin on
it than nearly every other player in the woman's game,
and she's keen to find her forehand out of backhand
corner when the rally starts. She knows she's got a
weapon on forehand, but she knows she's not prepared to
(04:31):
kind of be kamikazi on her second serve return because
she knows some of these players are serving big second
serves at her now. So I just love how clever
she is how strategic she is, how aware she is
of the type of match, the type of battle she's
looking to enter into, and where she doesn't want to
get caught. So there's a bit of a deep dive
into the numbers and what I see from her from
a profile perspective.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Well, if you had some late nights watching the rain.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Yeah I did. I just think what she does so
well is use her experience. I think you've touched on
it there. I think she's twenty nine now, the lying
on my memory there, which is not always the most.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Reliable measure, pritted out half of Wikipedia there, I know,
but it's right at the back.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Of my night. So I was trying to do the
shuffle she has she is age twenty nine, so yeah,
I think she uses her experience so well. And Coco
Coco hit a lot of unforced errors in that final.
I think it was over fifty or something like that.
So but what she said was that Jasmine made her,
you know, she made her play like that, So I think, what, Yeah,
(05:32):
she's she's using her experience to full advantage. So her
first singles title for since Dubai last year, so yeah,
I think she's coming into.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Paris and she shot up now to number four, her
career high ranking.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Yeah, which creates so pushes Eagert to number five in
the rankings and changes the seatings for definitely thoughts.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Yeah, yeah, I mean she's obviously defending the two finals
of the French Open and women coming up, so that's
twenty four hundred points, just sort of dropping off but
coming in in great form. She's obviously backing herself to
repeat that from last year and really give the French
Open a nudge. So I think back to your point, Simon,
she obviously has to lean on her tennis i Q
(06:15):
and and her experience to you know, she's only sort
of five foot four, so I think she's she can't
overpower the other women, so she has to lean on
that and play very smart, which she's doing.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
It's great to see.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
She's always so happy. Do you think people get distracted
by that big smile because under that there's a bit
of a killer instinct.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
You've got to have a bit of killer instinct, and
she could we call her like the deputy Minister of
her happiness.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Let's let's go with that.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Yeah, sinner, the Pope's buddy. He had a good run.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, it's I think we'll sort of discuss in a
couple of weeks ago what our expectations were of Younnix
Cinner to make the final, and I thought he was
probably going to win that one.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Just so impressive.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Take three months off, obviously, we know he would have
been training the house down, comes in and.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Took three months off, took three yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, force sorry, but yeah, it comes out and makes
the final, beats caspar Ruod, who's one of the best
clay quarters in the men's game, six love, six to one,
so so so impressive.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
That final was amazing.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I was watching those Tennis TV highlights over and over
and whenever those two play each other, they bring the
best out of each other all the time. So I
think it's basically a dream return for Yannick Sinner. I
think he'd be thrilled with getting you know, what was it,
six matches? Yeah, that quantity of matches straight back, he
matches didn't finish it off, but you know, I think
(07:41):
he would have definitely signed for a final after the
the hiatus away from competitive tennis. So he's coming in
in great form, the top seed in Paris, and he's
just showing that he can play on every surface. Now, yeah,
I don't disagree with any of that. I think one
of the interesting angles about this though, is there's very
(08:03):
few players, if any other than Alcaraz I think, on
the tour at the moment that don't possess an enormous
fear factor when they see Yanick Cinner down the other end,
or don't kind of quake in their boots. And I
don't think Alcaraz does, you know, seven to four I
think now head to head in his favor from memory
in the last couple on clay, including a semi final
at Roland Garross last year, I.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Think, yeah, last four matches as well.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yeah, so, and that's that's highly unusual when Yannick's been
going from strength to strength and Alcoraz talks about it's
in the notes here, you know, needing Cinner around to
find his best stuff. I think probably, I think it's
a fair comment to say Alcarez's performances.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Have been a little more volatile, was seen a little
more up and.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Down from him than we have from Cinner. But the
interesting thing about Alcarez is when he looks down the
other end of the of the court and see Cinner
down there he's bringing his best stuff, which can't be said.
I don't think for too many players on the men
in the men's game right now, So I find that
dynamic really interesting. Alcarez seems to produce best stuff with
young Sinner waiting for him down the other end.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Yeah, it's kind of got shades of Roger and Rafa,
hasn't you know? And Novak as well. I mean they're
players that always bring out the best in each other
and lift each other up, and the standard just goes up.
And yeah, they're really separating themselves from the pack.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
I think, Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
I think that respect is hard earned and knowing what
the level needs to be when you encounter that challenge
that lies and wait for you and producing in that moment.
I think that's part of what makes such a special rivalry.
And we've got a lot more to see of that.
I think over the next decade.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
It is very Roger and Rafa, mainly because you've got
a firey Spaniard versus a well dressed tor Man. There
is that Yeah, that's that's what you were.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
That's what I meant.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
No, not just the Guccie reference, Okay, cook a cool,
but yeah, you know it is really the al Choraz story,
but sid did have an amazing run. Any other thoughts
on that rome before we dive into a Patty Well.
I agree with Luke. I think six matches under the belt.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I don't have any qualms about Sinner's ability to back
up best of five set tennis. So I think he's
as good an athlete as we've seen on the in
the men's game in recent years. He would have done
the work. He'll spend his time wisely over this this
interim week, over this this period in the middle, and
he'll be ready to go come Sunday or Monday or
(10:12):
even Tuesday night at Roland Garros in Paris.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
I mean five sets is a different beasts that in
a factory. I mean, obviously it will, but.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Yeah, but potentially I actually think he's come back looking
fitter and stronger.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
He wasn't just having apparole spirits on them.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
I wouldn't have thought, okay, seemed like Amo, yeah, boring,
good on him.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
That's fine.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
He's looking in great, great neck, in great shape, and
as Simon alluded to, I think he's been training so
hard they would have, you know, sort of put in
a lot of match simulation type sort of practice sessions
the last few months. So I think he's in great shape.
I think he'll be better off for it. He'll be
nice and fresh coming in and as we've seen our
(10:54):
Kras has had a few sort of injury hiccups. I
don't think he played Madrid from memory, so but yeah,
I think he put those sort of accusations to sleep
a little bitter or the injury talk. So he's playing
great and sort of probably iron off another rematch in
the final those two, which would be great for the game.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
It's a long time since Yannick's lost a match in
straight sets, so what do we make of that? Does
that make him hungrier?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Well, I think what we make of that is potentially
for Yannick and the team, they'll be looking to really now,
not that they.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Wouldn't have been going to work.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
We know what type of the caliber person that Jani's
got in his camp there with Darren Hale and the team,
but they'll be looking to go to work on just
reversing that trend that we are starting to see. And
you mentioned some of the numbers, Viv in terms of
this matchup between the two of them, So they'll be
looking to get even more specific, right down into the
nitty gritty of well, what is it that's taking place
when we do meet him on a clay court, and
(11:51):
what are we going to do about it to try
to turn this around in our favor. So I think
that the coaching challenge now is a curious one for me.
So I'm looking for little nuances that might be shifting
if they do come up against each other at Roland Girls.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Yeah, well, a couple of Ozzie's had a pretty good
run over in Rome Hunter and Perez, but now they're
heading over well are They were already in Paris for
Roland Garros, including Luke's far far, far better half, Dasher.
That's a bit mean.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Come on, Yeah, I'm not a very nice person, So
I thought I made that very clear in the pitch,
and you're staring at me while you're saying that, Well, Dash,
she had a match last night out of time that
got suspended, Yes, against the young Impeshi's sister per cards sister. Yes, yes,
it's two. Also played four games rain delay, so they'll
(12:37):
come back tomorrow and I didn't see any of the
four games. Hoping that she doesn't have a similar serve
to her brother.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
So yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Heard she's Yeah, she's she's tall, she's she's young, she's
only sixteen years old. And it's a tough one, you know,
if you're if you're Dash, she come into the match,
you haven't seen much of her, you know, she's only
only sixteen, very fresh on the tour, and.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
I was I had to give her a Google and
my career earnings from prize money seven hundred and thirty
two dollars, so very very fresh.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Yeah, it's also dangerous, you know, wild card into her
home slam. You know, nothing to lose, come out, and
she's obviously seen a lot more of Dasher than the
other way around.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
So it's a tricky one for us.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
You know, it's just going out there and bringing what
Dasha does and playing to her strengths and competing the
right way. And I think if you can go out
there and really assert yourself as the favorite early on
and not always sort of easier said than done, of course,
but then come out and play aggressive, not too passive,
and try and show the young girl, you know who
(13:44):
the more established player is. So yeah, four games and
hopefully she can come out and take care.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Of it tomorrow, definitely all right, Well everything crossed. Speaking
of France and Brie, our fearless co host of the show,
she's over there now, probably eight or seven. Coffee is deep,
but she's caught up with Duncan m Kenzy mccaugh over
there at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. So we'll
throw to that now and see what they're up to.
Speaker 5 (14:07):
Katie Brie here calling in from Well, I'm gonna let
dunk and explain where we are.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
To be honest, we're at the champ Demas.
Speaker 6 (14:14):
I've dragged you here in the freezing cold out in
front of the Eiffel Tower's probably the most magical time
of the day to see the Eiffel Tower. And I'll
tell you what, you know, it's the quietest time as well,
because a little bit later on we're going to have
qualifying starting at Rolling Garross.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
You know, it's going to be completely a buzz.
Speaker 6 (14:29):
And I'll tell you what, most of the city is
really excited at the moment because we've got Paris's football
team is currently in the UEFA Champions League final in
a couple of weekends times, so it's a very very
good time for you to be here at Paris rolling
Garross for the first time.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
You were on the site for the very first time.
Speaker 7 (14:46):
I was on the side.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
What were your first impressions of the place.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
It's just majestic, Like I can't even the architecture is
just beautiful.
Speaker 7 (14:53):
Obviously Europe.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
Europe does things differently and it's just so beautiful.
Speaker 7 (14:59):
I love the Klake.
Speaker 5 (15:01):
I love watching role on Garas It's always my favorite
to watch on TV.
Speaker 7 (15:05):
So beautiful to be here.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
But one thing I would say is that the weather
changes quite quickly, doesn't it was.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
Yeah, yeah, I think that's one of the beauties of
this European Grand Slammer is it can be hot and
lively during the day and you know, just beautiful, balmy,
sunny afternoons, yeah, and then come the evening, wild wintry,
you know, rugging up can be this a little bit
rainy at times as well. So I feel like a
lot of the players they're sort of refreshing the weather
(15:30):
rap on their phone based on the conditions. We saw
that with Alex Demanoll last year. Obviously, you know he
had to sort of weigh out a couple of reindulayers
and that sort of thing. So it certainly puts a
little bit of a bit of a cat amongst the pigeons.
Speaker 7 (15:41):
It does.
Speaker 5 (15:42):
And we definitely saw the impacts of some rainess today,
didn't we.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Yeah, we did.
Speaker 8 (15:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
Bianca Andresco, who looks absolutely flawless. In her first year
match she won six love, six love in a French
double bagel. And then obviously yesterday, you know, she's out
playing on Suzanne Longland again and she's up a set
and a break and then all all of a sudden,
the weather changes a little bit. It starts to rain,
and then suddenly within like an hour on Drescuo's out
(16:06):
of the French Open.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
So yeah, interesting, interesting.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
Time, yeap, And just over and not who's back home?
It was two days ago Bami here quite warm spring
weather and we are currently standing in five degrees. Just yeah,
I'm embracing it. Can't wait to put my jacket on.
But what else do we have to look forward to
this week?
Speaker 6 (16:25):
The thing I'm most looking forward too, Brie is the
tribute to Rafael Nadal. It's going to be after the
third match on court Philip Chartrier on night one, all
of Raffa's family is going to be flying in we're
going to be seeing his parents here, maybe Raffa.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Junior, uncle Tony, I'm sure we'll.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
Be always and Carlos Moyer's former coach, and then fingers crossed,
we're going to be seeing Roger Federer.
Speaker 7 (16:47):
I would love that.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
So obviously we know that, you know, Raffa was a
huge part of Roger's farewell, and hopefully we're going to
be seeing Roger a huge part of Raffa's farewell here.
You know, organizers have kept this all the arrangements under
wraps pretty closely.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Yeah, exactly, so it's all going to be a bit
of a surprise.
Speaker 6 (17:05):
And then you know, we might also see a few
current players involved as well. I'm thinking namely Carlos al
Karaz and Novak Djokovic.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
And big thing's been happening in the Djokovic camp, right.
Speaker 6 (17:14):
Yeah, big things happening for Novak obviously, you know, departing
from Andy mara A for just six months, which I
think we're all just slightly surprised by. But he's bringing
back sort of two familiar voices into that camp.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
You know.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
One of them is Dusan Vemic, who he worked together
with between twenty eleven and twenty thirteen and again in
twenty sixteen, so maybe, yeah, a familiar voice for Novak
in what's probably sort of an uncertain time in his career.
And then he's bringing in a tennis strategist or an analyst,
a guy by the name of Boris boz and Jakovic,
So that would be interesting to sort of manage the
sort of data side of things. But he's actually gone
(17:46):
on record basically saying that you know, this is an
interim coaching set up arrangement just for Geneva and rodn Garos, and.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
He might potentially make another change going to Wimbledon.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
Yep, So I'll have to see what happens there. Now
it's my first rollin Garros.
Speaker 7 (18:00):
Tell me what should I see and do?
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Well?
Speaker 6 (18:03):
I know you love doing your top five. Yeah, it's famous.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
I'm going to give you my top five.
Speaker 8 (18:10):
Good.
Speaker 7 (18:10):
Yeah, I'm going to do the numbers.
Speaker 6 (18:12):
Okay, all right, hit me five five Okay, number five
absolutely needs to go and see the raffa on a
Dale statue on Roland Garross. Yeah, so basically it's in
the northwest corner, very instagram worthy.
Speaker 4 (18:24):
It's usually quite absolutely see that for number five.
Speaker 7 (18:28):
Okay, great, four four.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
Okay, number four, you've got to go to the sky
bar at court Phillips.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Yeah, yeah, it's so so awesome.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
So basically, you look one direction, you're looking, haven't got
this bird's eye view of the court. Do a three
sixty or a one eighty and you look behind you
and sweeping views of Paris. Go there at sunset, just
as the night session starting in the sun's.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
Sons to drop.
Speaker 7 (18:50):
Amazing.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
Okay three three you've got to see a frenchman or
a French woman play on court.
Speaker 7 (18:57):
Susan Longland did see a bit of that yesterday, right.
Speaker 6 (19:00):
So basically, you know courtses and long Land is the
rowdy crowd. It's kind of like our John Cane arena
for one of a better term. And the things for
the French, I mean the French. You know, we know
they're very cool and sophisticated and civilized, but once you
get them into a path.
Speaker 9 (19:14):
They were not they right, They're so so rowdy, they're loud.
Speaker 6 (19:20):
I mknew from watching Quarantine Moute and Benoir Pere last year. Yeah,
the atmosphere inside that court is absolutely electric.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
Great, well, I can't wait to see more.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Two two you.
Speaker 6 (19:30):
For a more serene, tranquil environment. You've got to go
so far. You've got to go to the greenhouse court.
It's called Court Simone Matthieu. So yeah, it literally is
been built inside a greenhouse. And then on your way
there you can actually go through this kind of garden
area and you go past a French bistro called Laurenterie
and you can stop in there for some are de'uvs
(19:51):
and some rose.
Speaker 5 (19:52):
Oh my god, I can't wait. Okay, drum roll one
numero un.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
I'm not sure if it's the best thing you can
do it rolling, But once you leave the.
Speaker 9 (20:01):
Site we're leaving, you've got to stop by Hotel Molotor
and basically it's got this fantastic hotel lobby with like
some really great art and architecture, but also that it's
got one of the most what are the coolest lap
pools in all of Europe.
Speaker 6 (20:17):
It's they lighted up at night. You can maybe go
for a midnight swim. And this is where like some
of the big players stay as well. So keep your
eyes peeled. You might bump into a Francis Tiafa or
an arena Sutham.
Speaker 5 (20:27):
I got amazing. Well that all sounds great. Can't wait
to see what the next couple of weeks include. Thank
you more touch base soon.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Sounds good now, Cebri that looked pretty fun, But jealous, FIV.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
You been a couple of times, I am, I've only
been once actually to r G it must be time
for another visit.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
Absolutely well, we'll get that on the budget done. See
it done. It comes out of Breeze budget. So all
go with me. Okay, all right, well we'll have a
quick break now as we reset, get our screen ready.
It is time for the first annual RG Draft here
from the Tennis Sea Sect. All right, welcome back here
we are. It is time for the Rolling Gaross Fantasy Draft,
(21:07):
brought to you by Andy, who's out one of our producers.
Just you know, he's not a sponsor, he's just a
good guy. So this is something we've been cooking up
in the background. Basically, we wanted to do fantasy football
style snake draft of a Grand Slam, and the next
one is, of course Roland Garross over in Paris. I'll
give you a couple of tips. Each team must consist
(21:29):
of two women and two men. The winning team will
be the one that wins the most main draw matches
at RG and obviously the deeper they go through, more
points they'll get per round. It all makes pretty much sense. Look,
let's just suck and see see what we get.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
What do we win?
Speaker 1 (21:45):
That's a really great question.
Speaker 3 (21:47):
You've already given me a flight to Paris for next year.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Yes, what I was going to add to breeze budget?
You know what? You know what You're going to get
premium economy if you will. Oh my gosh, yeah, can
you imagine the luxury of extra eight degrees recline? All right,
we'll dive in, we'll dive in. Okay, So first round
there was a drawer done under a very strict scrutiny
of Andy, just making it up of our draft order.
(22:13):
So in round one with first pick, it's Luke.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Saville special shout out to Andy, Thank you very much, mate.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
A check clear out the real question?
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Alrighty, I haven't had first pick in my fantasy drafts
for a while, so the pressure's on. Yeah, but I
am going to go with the reigning French Open champion,
Carlos our Caraz with my first pick. I don't think
I needs too much explaining there. He's obviously playing so
well in the clay, winning Monte Carlo Final, Barcelona and
(22:47):
winning Rome coming in in great form as we've discussed
as well.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Yeah, the back of.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Rome got the wood on Jannick Sinner at the moment
seven to four in the head to head and I thinks,
you know, on the men's and women's side, the clear
favourite playing so well on the clay, and he's he's
ready to win his second French Open.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
In my opinion, Yeah, pretty good pick. I could see
the other two draft d's scrambling second.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Relatively he doesn't mind playing.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
All right, Vive, you got second pick in our first round?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Thanks save. Can I just start by saying I have
done nothing fantasy draft related in my life before? Yeah,
so this is all new for me. So I'm a
renowned footy tipper, but you have never done the.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Well on the footy tipping too. Have you noticed a
perennial brain?
Speaker 3 (23:40):
What's this money to kind? At the end of the season.
I am going to go with for my number one pick,
Arena sable Anca. It hurts me world number one.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
Just thinking she'd still be on the board.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
She is our you know, established hardcourt queen. But I
think it's yeah, I think she's out to make a
statement at Roland Garrass this year. I prove that she
can win on every surface, which obviously we know anyway.
But yeah, she lost to Andreva last year. She was
unwell at that time, so I think she's she's keen
(24:16):
for a do over and due a big performance.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
All right, well, good pick, very good pick. All right,
what do you got, Razor?
Speaker 2 (24:25):
I was fifty to fifty there, and they've stole Sablenka
off the board right under my nose. So I'm going
to head to my Well, she was notionally my second pick,
she's now becoming my first pick. I'm going to head
to Coco Gough. I think it's an exceptional clay court profile.
I'm happy with the form coming in. I'm happy with
the physicality, with the weapons, with the big match temperament.
(24:47):
I think she's going to be there at the business end.
So the way I'm looking at my draft, if I'm
going to miss, I think I'm going to claim some
matches along the way, so I'm confident she'll be there
come the point the end of the event. So I'm
going to take Coco GoF with pick three in the draft.
Please ave a.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Very good pick. Locked in all right, round two, mixing
it up. Sorry, Luke, but guess what, Simon, you're up
with your second.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Round pier Well, I accuse Luke of playing a straight
back with his first pick.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Accuse away, which is ironic.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
And I'm going to come back and I'm going to
take given he's still on the board there at pick
number four, I'm going to take you Onick Center. I'm
happy to go with Sinner. We've mentioned some of the
head to head momentum, and the Center al Karez matchup
of late has been in Alcaraz's favor. I think Sinner
and his camp will enjoy that challenge. I think Darren
Kale and the information that will be coming Center's way
(25:36):
I think will be nothing short of absolutely first rate. Again,
I think he'll be there. I'd be surprised if he
wasn't there at the business end of the event. So
I'm happy to take the number one player in the
world in you Onick Center and put him on my
draft board.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
Very good pick. Now, Sorry, Luke, We're going to have
a viv wow.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Thanks. This seems quite hush. I'm going to go with
Kaspar Rude. Yeah, so you can pick two time finalists soon.
Roland Garros, you know, warming up to some bigger performances
this year, is just coming off his biggest title of
his career when Madrid, So yeah, I think he's He
(26:15):
also drew a strong run.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Very good, All right, Okay, Luke, who's back to back picks?
How good is this?
Speaker 2 (26:25):
I feel like after Sinner and Our craz it's a
little murky on the men's side, Simone, it's going to
go pivot to the women's side here.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
Because keep in mind you have two men, two women,
got three in mind. Yeah, I'm going to go with.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Eager in my six pick, please ave. I think yeah,
she's she's the fifth seed. Been struggling for her standards
as we know, but she's won the French Open four times.
She's coming back. I think she's obviously got great feelings
whenever she walks into Roland Garros. I think she's got
(27:10):
that sort of aura about her. Whenever you step on
cord it's it's going to be a tough day. So
if I can lock in, so I take on my
sixth pic please.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
She's serious. Wrong button that was meant to be a
positive one. Done and then going into the third next round,
and you've actually got first pick in.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
That I do, I do, and I'm just stacked in
someone's favor.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
I'm going to go right because clear jetsum, it's fair.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Okay, this is a tough one, but I'm going to
go with Mirror Andreva very.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Good groans from my left and right.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
I'm not going to say who the other one was
because they might be on the board, but I doubt
it with Simon. Look, she's the sixth seed, third in
the race. I think we've been speaking about her a lot.
She's coming into rare air. She's only eighteen years old
and playing amazing. I think she plays well on all surfaces, games,
(28:07):
very well suited to the clay, and I think she's
really ready to make a deep run at a Grand Slam.
Her time's coming. I think she wins multiple slams well
end of her career and pretty happy with that turn.
The six to seven turn.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
My heart is broken. I mean it's worth noting. So
your next pick must be a man. Are you going
to tell Dasha that she's not even in the mix
for your selections?
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Interesting point, Yeah, that's cooked. I try to get her
on the graphics. But Andy said no.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
After all the favors he did have qualified graphics, the
rules that were just made up in the last eight
seconds of very good, very good. Right in round three,
you're up next.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Fiv Okay, I am going to go with Novak.
Speaker 1 (28:55):
Oh, I've heard of him, yes.
Speaker 3 (28:57):
So I know.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
You know I didn't think.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Clay court season.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
We know that.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
But you know there's been a lot said about Novak
not having a great season. And it's his birthday today, eight,
so I just feel like, let's be nice to Novak
and why would you count him out?
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Honestly, Well, he's hungry for that hundredth title exactly. Yes,
this could be it against the wall of your thinking.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
Yeah, absolutely, And you know I do think he's got
one last slam.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
In him and it could be this one. Yes, very good.
I mean either way, he's going to go deep.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
Yeah, so expect a second week.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Man, right, A bit of a good pick, and as
a fellow thirty eight year old, you know I've got
his back. Yeah, he's done a bit more than I have.
But whatever, I think it's just because he's got darker hair.
Simon your round three.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
Pick, I'm going to take the inform woman at pick
number nine. I'm going to take Joseph Palini, more than
happy with the clay court profile, more than happy with
the form coming in. We've spoken about some of her
points of difference earlier in the podcast. I think the
challenges and looks touched on this as well. I think
the challenge is to handle that pressure of defending the
(30:05):
mountain of points both at Roland Garrison then a few
weeks following at Wimbledon. But I think she's up for
the challenge. I think she's mentally tough. I think clay
suits her so well, particularly if it's lively, and I
think she'll get a little bit more value out of
her forehand in terms of spin that she does, the
vicious spin that she generates on that side. So I'm
going to take Jase mcpalin your pick number nine.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
Good pick, nice, all right, Well, so I'm going to
stick with you final pick. Yeah, So looking up here,
you do have two female players. You've got cinner for
your men. You need another blow cup there? Yeah, where's
your head at?
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Well, I'm tossing up too here and obviously the kind
of the usual suspects are gone. I'm Jack Draper or
Hoole Garona I'm going to go with my guard here.
I'm going to throw the data to one side, and
I'm going to say Jack Draper's twenty twenty five season
has been exceptional.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
I think there's a relatively natural fit.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
I know he hasn't grown up on the clay, so
to speak, but I think there's a relatively natural fit
between the type of ball that Jack produces on his
forehand side and his competitiveness and grit and will to win,
his resilience to overcome adversity.
Speaker 1 (31:16):
So I'm going to go with Jack Draper. I was
tossing up between he and Holding the Runa.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
But if I've got one of those two to play
for my life, which I'm treating this fantasy dress seriously.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
Any serious quite literally got a big red button.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
Here, I'm gonna go with Jack Overholder because I think
you know what you're going to get from Jack.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
I know the desperation. I mean, I will be keeping
close eye on the whole that is, to see you
sliding doors, momentum out, thank you, locked in. That's it.
I'm happy there, all right. Well, to finish off your
little quadrangle, what you got VI, I'm going to go
go with quin win good ones.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
So yeah, she's you know, she's still pretty young, but
we know she steps up for a big occasion and
loves the Grand Slam. One gold medal on that court
last year, so yeah, she's done well at the French
Open before, so why not again?
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Definitely? Yeah, I think that Olympics win could be quite
a crucial you know, back on her turf.
Speaker 3 (32:11):
H absolutely about those happy memories.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
Absolutely, all right, excellent, all right, close this out, Luk.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Who a few names here, I'm looking at Sasha's whereof Setti,
Alex demon Ar, Francisco Serrendlo, thanks a little bit of
an outsider, but I'm going to go with our assie hope.
Alex Demonar, thank you of him, a bit of a
shout out, and very good making quarterfinals last year.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
I think his prime for another great run.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
He had a pretty good clay court swing, a couple
of fourth rounds and two quarterfinals, and he's in Paris
now getting ready and preparing well with his coach Matt Reid,
and I think he's due for another good Slam run.
I know he desperately wants a big run at a
Grand Slam, and I think, you know, just just the
absolute ultimate professional. I think he's his due for a
(33:02):
big run there and been playing better and better on
the clay. I think sort of in the past it
was sort of known as his least preferred surface, the
clay courts, and prefers the grass. But I think he's
really sort of adjusting very well on the clay, and
he's just such a tough out, and I think he's
he's so solid early on in Grand Slam, so tough
to beat. The next challenge is probably pushing deeper into
(33:24):
those slams and knocking off the top few players in
the world, which is so incredibly.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
Difficult, as we know.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
But I think he's ready, so driven and very happy
with him as my fourth.
Speaker 1 (33:33):
Pick least favorite service. Do you think because of the
speed or he just doesn't like getting dirty?
Speaker 2 (33:39):
He likes getting dirty, He likes getting dirty, but yeah,
you know, I think his game is suited to the
grass that I think he's.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
Just not a fan of getting dirt under his finger.
Questions all about that real journalism here at the tennis
Ye okay, Well that's our draft all locked in first
time ever, so just two and firm team Luke al Karez,
s Fiatek Andreva, Demonol, No Dasha, that's fine. Team Viv Sabalanka, Rude,
(34:09):
Djokovic and Jang. Happy with your results, very happy, okay cool.
And lastly Team Simon, Coco, goff Yanni, Sinner, Paolini and Draper.
So we'll be keeping a closer on this. Tell us
on social who you think out of these teams you're
going to back send us your own selections. You know,
this is all virgin territory for us. Let's just see
where we go with. It's gonna be pretty fun. But
thank you very much for that. Lot of thought went
(34:30):
into that, so you know, by Andy, but especially by
you guys, So thank you very much. Good fun. Looking
forward to soon, how please, Yeah, I'm going to go.
I mean, if Dasha was there, it'll be all about now.
I'm all team Viv through and through. I think that
is the perfect mix of history, skill, future possibilities, experience
(34:50):
and no one who doesn't like getting don under they
figure of us. So all important. Absolutely Now, well done, guys.
Before we move on from Roland Garros, there's plenty to cover,
you know. I think we touched on a a lot
of the key storylines. The players who are going to
do well those that might have challenges. Anything else you
wanted to call out about Roland Garros I think.
Speaker 3 (35:08):
Qualis has been really interesting this year. Actually, some some
big names. We've got Maroon Chillick in the qualifying draw.
Co Yeah, yeah, he lost first round. By the way
Bianca Androsco she won six love, six love first round
then lost her second match. Just goes to show how
tough tennis is.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:26):
Well, we had some amazing quality action here for the
Austraight Open this year. You know, a few wild cards
were in there and names that had never been heard
of on SECA had an amazing run. It was just
it's really great. Get down and watch the qualities. It's
a cheaper way to experience some great Grand Slam and
there's nothing.
Speaker 3 (35:40):
Quite like having seen that the big name come through
a qualities draw at the first time.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
You get to be the core person at the pub
later and go I saw this player and now they're
in the quarter finals. I was there before you even
knew it. Yeah, mate, Richie at high school he was
all about this band called the Black Eyed Ps and
everyone's like, what is this? And then they took over
the world for a bit and beside do.
Speaker 3 (36:00):
You think the Aussie's are kind of getting more confident
on the clay.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
I think it's case by case, you know, I think
I think Luke's right. I think traditionally that as you know,
it's been by far and away our most challenging Slam.
I think someone like an Astra Shama, though that court
is incredibly well suited to Astra's game style. I think
Dasha can produce great tennis on clay. So despite the
fact that her husband left him out of his left
her of his draft board, I wouldn't put it past
(36:26):
her qualifying and making a run. I think I really
think she can win overnight touch wood. I think Jason
Kubler that's an exciting story for us in terms of
his resurgence, not for the first time, I don't know.
Look what would this be ten, twelve, fifteen times. He's
coming back from significant long term injury, some horrific kind
of chronic ailments in his knees, and I think he
(36:48):
can produce good tennis on a clay court. So I
think it's a little bit case by case as a whole,
as a cohort, no doubt it's our most challenging Slam.
But there's some exceptions to that rule too.
Speaker 3 (36:57):
We had Nasi Kokanakas in the studio.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
For She's Plugging Around show.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
It's taken me this long a break. He said he
loved competing on clay. He said he feels like it
suits his game.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
So yeah, no, I did hear a little sneak peak
of that chat and it did sound amazing, So.
Speaker 3 (37:13):
He was great Monday, tune in, like and subscribe before
we move off.
Speaker 1 (37:19):
Though, one thing I forgot to mention Novak new coach announcement,
Viv it's not you. I was hoping you.
Speaker 3 (37:25):
Yeah, I mean I probably should be on my way
towards me, but yeah, you know so Vimage, Yes, that's right. Yeah,
And you know he's a player that's had kind of
a consistent team for a long time, and then we've
seen lots of changes this year, so you know, points
to him trying a few new things in his game.
(37:46):
I don't know, it's a wait and see for me. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (37:49):
I think we touched on this last week a little bit.
It's back to the tried and true a little mess
so it's not back to Murri and Vider, but it's
back to that camp and we've seen some of these
members of his team around over the long term. So
do Son's been, if not the number one guy in
the camp for a long period of time. It's Novak
returning to what he knows that I think there's a
(38:09):
short term commitment for now, with an understanding that it
will be reviewed post rolling girls. So it's back to
that level of comfort, people that understand him and his
defaults under pressure, and perhaps how to try to just
settle things down and allow him every opportunity to play
his best tennis when it matters most.
Speaker 1 (38:24):
And I will just say one thing. I was a
bit flipped last week with the whole anty thing. Wesh good.
I love the email from Sarah in the UK if
you're listening again this week. I wasn't having a crack
at Andy. I think he's a great guy. Just having
a laugh. So yeah, So say us your emails, good,
bad and ugly. We read them all. Thanks Sarah, keep
me honest. All right, Well, let's have a quick break.
(38:44):
We'll be back with the favorite part of my week,
and I'm hoping everyone else is ace of the week.
You stick around me back in a second, welcome back,
all right, Time to wrap up the show. Guys, it
is that time of the week. Ace of the week
I know so well everyone loves to get in early.
Viv I'm going to go with you first, because you
have done such a great job feeling it for free
(39:05):
that you're going to be that next week hopefully, so
I will.
Speaker 3 (39:08):
Be back next week. My ace of the week. It's
a little bit of an unusual one and maybe unpopular,
but I'm going to go with winter. Winter has arrived
here in Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
It is unpopular.
Speaker 3 (39:18):
I'm down with it though, yeah, because you know, I
know that we're all about summer, sport and summer in
this room. But yeah, I've loved the change of season.
We've had some amazing beautiful days in Melbourne for months
and months and months, but cold mornings, very bracing, get
to do, wear.
Speaker 1 (39:35):
All your black, your boots.
Speaker 3 (39:37):
I found twenty dollars in my coat pockets. Now that
paid for morning coffee. Yeah, don't dispute winter.
Speaker 1 (39:44):
A nice crisp winter's morning can be quite refreshing. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (39:47):
So yeah, I'm enjoying the changing season. Pleas I get
to go to summer.
Speaker 1 (39:52):
Yeah, so bury the lead there, Yeah, heading over for
a lovely London summer for Wimby. Yeah very good. All right, Luke,
what about yourself?
Speaker 2 (40:00):
Yeah, I like that one. I like putting the beanie
on and my big robe.
Speaker 3 (40:04):
I forgot slippers football as well.
Speaker 1 (40:08):
Oh there you go. Are you going to do your
team draft this year? Yeah, Fantasy viv.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
My Ace of the Week is going to be on Sunday.
Ran a performance clinic in Liston and Williamstown with my
mates out there who run W and W tennis there,
so a little shout out to those guys.
Speaker 1 (40:26):
But it was good.
Speaker 2 (40:28):
Since retiring, I've always sort of had a bit of
an ambition to give back a little bit. And we
had twenty four kids out there and just try to
give them a little bit of a glimpse of what
high performance training is and what it takes a little
bit to reach your potential and possibly, you know, become
a professional tennis player. So it was it was good fun,
first time sort of being part of running something like that,
(40:50):
So it was it was good. We're going to try
and run a few more and yeah it was.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
I got a lot out of it. It was good.
That's great. I'm sure that did too. That's pretty good.
Thank you. I'm going to default help the community.
Speaker 2 (41:03):
Well I'm not sure that I have, but I'm going
to default back to as I often tend to do
with it, So the week back to the family front.
But this time I think it's how lucky are we
to have volunteer coaches? So when I think about my
oldest who's only five and it nearly six.
Speaker 1 (41:16):
He's already coaching, well huge, not quite but you wouldn't
want to be coached by him?
Speaker 2 (41:20):
But I don't they but oz kick, you know, volunteer
coaches on a Friday night, just parents to help out.
Then you go to a soccer team, you know, training
last night on a Wednesday night, run by a parent
volunteer coach, and then same thing with the games on
Sundays and all hands on deck to try to man
the stations and set up the pitchers, and man the
barbecue and staff the canteen. And I think, to find
a way to get young people active and involved in
(41:42):
sport and playing. I just tipped my cap to all
people volunteering their time, effort, energy and expertise to give
our youngsters a chance to run around and have.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
Them Also, it's National Volunteer Week, so oh well, yes,
well that way, well, in a world where does people
no one has enough time.
Speaker 1 (41:59):
Yeah, it's amazing that people do calve that out exactly.
So a big shout out to a volunteers, tennis, other sports,
anything really exactly. Yeah, it takes a lot, but it
gives even more little question and then for myself, you
may have noticed, I finally got a haircut.
Speaker 3 (42:15):
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
I can see you properly, I can hear properly. I'm
about four and a half kilos lighter. There was a
lot of hair up there. Yeah, it's been a long
time coming, but as we're saying, there's not enough time
in the week, in the day, in an hour, finally
did it. Jeez feels good. So that you look good?
Speaker 3 (42:33):
Yeah, excellently, very good. Were you inspired by Jack Droper
you got a haircut recently as well?
Speaker 1 (42:38):
Yeah, I think, but I've been keeping up my car payments,
so he's probably lost a car as well. Who knows.
I just read the headline, not the story. All right,
Well that is it from us, Viv. Thank you so
much for joining us, and we'll see you again next week.
Speaker 3 (42:55):
Can't wait.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
Excellent. Luke, thank you for coming back. When you're heading
off to Paris.
Speaker 2 (43:00):
When Dasher qualifiers, I'm gonna put her in my team.
Good okay, Oh head over there, very good to flick
the subswitch. Yeah, wise move Demon, you're out. Sorry Mate
and Raizer, thank you very much for joining us. We'll
see we'regain soon, I hope. Thanks for having back guys.
Speaker 1 (43:13):
We'll see you next week for more tennis.
Speaker 8 (43:15):
Good day everyone. Andy here, I just want to say
thanks for listening to today's pod. And if you think
listening to it was fun, then you're gonna love watching it.
It's even better. You get to see what we chuck
up on the big screen. Here. You get to see
what pod laver Arena looks like on the inside. So
why don't you head to our YouTube channel, Austrain Open TV,
hit subscribe and you can see every episode of the
tennis there. See you next week.
Hello, and welcome to the Tennis pal any perfection. Hometown
hero completes the Rome double rollin' into Paris. The stage
is set for the second Slam of the year and
it is draft day. Our experts here at the table
will be picking their fantasy teams for Roland Garris. What
does that mean? How does it work? We'll explain it
in a minute. That's all ahead with me Xavier Muhla
(00:23):
Bark along with the man who delayed his flight just
to be a part of the pod. It's Luke Saville. Hello, guys,
where's the energy, Come on, welcome, let's go very excited.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I love my Fantasy Football AFL and first time Fantasy
tennis draft today.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So the world first might not be true, but I'm
going to stick with that. Let's do it. Yeah, and
next to you, the best analyst in tennis. There, I've
said it, another world first. It's something Ray. Hey, Dave,
thanks for having me back always any opportunity we can.
You're good. Good to be here, Yeah, really good. And now,
as you know, Bree is over in Paris. She's cross
saunting her way through the streets of the city, heading
(01:00):
there for Roland Garros. But we are blessed with our
friend of the show five Christy from the sit down.
Welcome in the co host chair.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Thank you, Sabe. It's great to be here. Great, feel
like I have big shoes to fill with Brie away,
but I will do my best.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
True, But they're usually cheap and have holes in them,
so I wouldn't worry about it now. But we're feeled
to have you back. Finally, someone in that seat who
has knowledge of the game. Well, we'll see, not that
I do, but one of us has to. Let's see. Anyway,
we'll dive in. We'll dive in Rome. How good was that?
Huge crowds, huge audiences globally and the Italian double? Where
do we jump in, Plenie, let's just just go there.
(01:34):
Dream event for.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Her really was, Yeah, winning the singles and doubles, absolutely
incredible to do that on home soil, and I just
sort of saurce you on the doubles as well, and
her and Sarah RAINI, you know, they combine so well
together and sometimes hitting the underarm serves to start their points,
so it's definitely an interesting one there. But yeah, just
to sort of see the crowd, and then obviously Janick
(01:57):
Sinner making the final as well, and really a dream
to audment for Rome over the couple weeks and she's
coming into Paris in red hot form.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Yeah, so I'm Pollini, pint sized Pollinnie. She's five foot
four hundred and sixty three centimeters, Like surely she would
walk on to most courts with that physical disadvantage. How
does that weigh up? How does it impact her game?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, I think it's a really interesting case study, and
I think you touch on some great points and she
does it in a different way, and just having a
look at kind of her overall profile, I guess the
way that we've seen her play over the last year
or two when she's exploded onto the scene and we
know how successful she was this time a year ago
and backed up the role in Girls performance in a
way that I think, well, I don't think any of
(02:37):
us were predicting what she'd do at Wimbledon. So clearly
an absolutely top shelf elite player. If you have a
look at she's incredibly savvy. If you have a look
at her service game, she knows that she doesn't have
an overpawing, so she doesn't know earth sands, butts or
maybe's about it. She doesn't try to do that with
her serve, but the average over a kind of a
year long period, we expect players on the woman's tour
(02:59):
to land sixty maybe sixty two percent of their first
serves in play. Just have a look at some of
her recent numbers on clay. So she knows her second
serve potentially is a liability. She's little, it's not an
absolute strength of her game, so she wants to land
a lot of her first serves in play. She serves
seventy six percent first serves in play against GoF in
the final. Against Stearn's in the semifinal she serves eighty
(03:20):
four percent first serves in play. Huge and come back
to Stuttgart where she plays Sabalenka. She goes down in
that match, but she makes a great fist of it.
She serves seventy six percent against Sablenka. So that's just
an athlete that's at the peak of their powers, that
knows their game styles, really clear on their game style,
and knows what she's not going to dish up to
her opposition, knowing that where her strengths, and more importantly,
(03:40):
sometimes knowing your own weaknesses. Knowing where those sit. Then
from the back of the court, it's a bit different
again her returning profile, and Luke and Vivell have comments
on this.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
So often we see in the women's game on second.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Serve return charge inside the baseline, make a big statement
and kind of live by the sword, die by the
sword a little bit.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
That's not what she does. She can do that, but
she mixes up her return position a lot better than
nearly every other player. She is unique.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Sometimes she's a meter or two inside the baseline on
second serve. Other times she's two and three meters behind
the baseline, giving herself some more time to find her forehand,
which is something that we also see from her during
the rally. That forehand of hers has more spin on
it than nearly every other player in the woman's game,
and she's keen to find her forehand out of backhand
corner when the rally starts. She knows she's got a
weapon on forehand, but she knows she's not prepared to
(04:31):
kind of be kamikazi on her second serve return because
she knows some of these players are serving big second
serves at her now. So I just love how clever
she is how strategic she is, how aware she is
of the type of match, the type of battle she's
looking to enter into, and where she doesn't want to
get caught. So there's a bit of a deep dive
into the numbers and what I see from her from
a profile perspective.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Well, if you had some late nights watching the rain.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Yeah I did. I just think what she does so
well is use her experience. I think you've touched on
it there. I think she's twenty nine now, the lying
on my memory there, which is not always the most.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Reliable measure, pritted out half of Wikipedia there, I know,
but it's right at the back.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Of my night. So I was trying to do the
shuffle she has she is age twenty nine, so yeah,
I think she uses her experience so well. And Coco
Coco hit a lot of unforced errors in that final.
I think it was over fifty or something like that.
So but what she said was that Jasmine made her,
you know, she made her play like that, So I think, what, Yeah,
(05:32):
she's she's using her experience to full advantage. So her
first singles title for since Dubai last year, so yeah,
I think she's coming into.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Paris and she shot up now to number four, her
career high ranking.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Yeah, which creates so pushes Eagert to number five in
the rankings and changes the seatings for definitely thoughts.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Yeah, yeah, I mean she's obviously defending the two finals
of the French Open and women coming up, so that's
twenty four hundred points, just sort of dropping off but
coming in in great form. She's obviously backing herself to
repeat that from last year and really give the French
Open a nudge. So I think back to your point, Simon,
she obviously has to lean on her tennis i Q
(06:15):
and and her experience to you know, she's only sort
of five foot four, so I think she's she can't
overpower the other women, so she has to lean on
that and play very smart, which she's doing.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
It's great to see.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
She's always so happy. Do you think people get distracted
by that big smile because under that there's a bit
of a killer instinct.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
You've got to have a bit of killer instinct, and
she could we call her like the deputy Minister of
her happiness.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Let's let's go with that.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Yeah, sinner, the Pope's buddy. He had a good run.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, it's I think we'll sort of discuss in a
couple of weeks ago what our expectations were of Younnix
Cinner to make the final, and I thought he was
probably going to win that one.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Just so impressive.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Take three months off, obviously, we know he would have
been training the house down, comes in and.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Took three months off, took three yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, force sorry, but yeah, it comes out and makes
the final, beats caspar Ruod, who's one of the best
clay quarters in the men's game, six love, six to one,
so so so impressive.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
That final was amazing.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I was watching those Tennis TV highlights over and over
and whenever those two play each other, they bring the
best out of each other all the time. So I
think it's basically a dream return for Yannick Sinner. I
think he'd be thrilled with getting you know, what was it,
six matches? Yeah, that quantity of matches straight back, he
matches didn't finish it off, but you know, I think
(07:41):
he would have definitely signed for a final after the
the hiatus away from competitive tennis. So he's coming in
in great form, the top seed in Paris, and he's
just showing that he can play on every surface. Now, yeah,
I don't disagree with any of that. I think one
of the interesting angles about this though, is there's very
(08:03):
few players, if any other than Alcaraz I think, on
the tour at the moment that don't possess an enormous
fear factor when they see Yanick Cinner down the other end,
or don't kind of quake in their boots. And I
don't think Alcaraz does, you know, seven to four I
think now head to head in his favor from memory
in the last couple on clay, including a semi final
at Roland Garross last year, I.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Think, yeah, last four matches as well.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yeah, so, and that's that's highly unusual when Yannick's been
going from strength to strength and Alcoraz talks about it's
in the notes here, you know, needing Cinner around to
find his best stuff. I think probably, I think it's
a fair comment to say Alcarez's performances.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Have been a little more volatile, was seen a little
more up and.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Down from him than we have from Cinner. But the
interesting thing about Alcarez is when he looks down the
other end of the of the court and see Cinner
down there he's bringing his best stuff, which can't be said.
I don't think for too many players on the men
in the men's game right now, So I find that
dynamic really interesting. Alcarez seems to produce best stuff with
young Sinner waiting for him down the other end.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Yeah, it's kind of got shades of Roger and Rafa,
hasn't you know? And Novak as well. I mean they're
players that always bring out the best in each other
and lift each other up, and the standard just goes up.
And yeah, they're really separating themselves from the pack.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
I think, Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
I think that respect is hard earned and knowing what
the level needs to be when you encounter that challenge
that lies and wait for you and producing in that moment.
I think that's part of what makes such a special rivalry.
And we've got a lot more to see of that.
I think over the next decade.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
It is very Roger and Rafa, mainly because you've got
a firey Spaniard versus a well dressed tor Man. There
is that Yeah, that's that's what you were.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
That's what I meant.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
No, not just the Guccie reference, Okay, cook a cool,
but yeah, you know it is really the al Choraz story,
but sid did have an amazing run. Any other thoughts
on that rome before we dive into a Patty Well.
I agree with Luke. I think six matches under the belt.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I don't have any qualms about Sinner's ability to back
up best of five set tennis. So I think he's
as good an athlete as we've seen on the in
the men's game in recent years. He would have done
the work. He'll spend his time wisely over this this
interim week, over this this period in the middle, and
he'll be ready to go come Sunday or Monday or
(10:12):
even Tuesday night at Roland Garros in Paris.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
I mean five sets is a different beasts that in
a factory. I mean, obviously it will, but.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Yeah, but potentially I actually think he's come back looking
fitter and stronger.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
He wasn't just having apparole spirits on them.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
I wouldn't have thought, okay, seemed like Amo, yeah, boring,
good on him.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
That's fine.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
He's looking in great, great neck, in great shape, and
as Simon alluded to, I think he's been training so
hard they would have, you know, sort of put in
a lot of match simulation type sort of practice sessions
the last few months. So I think he's in great shape.
I think he'll be better off for it. He'll be
nice and fresh coming in and as we've seen our
(10:54):
Kras has had a few sort of injury hiccups. I
don't think he played Madrid from memory, so but yeah,
I think he put those sort of accusations to sleep
a little bitter or the injury talk. So he's playing
great and sort of probably iron off another rematch in
the final those two, which would be great for the game.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
It's a long time since Yannick's lost a match in
straight sets, so what do we make of that? Does
that make him hungrier?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Well, I think what we make of that is potentially
for Yannick and the team, they'll be looking to really now,
not that they.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Wouldn't have been going to work.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
We know what type of the caliber person that Jani's
got in his camp there with Darren Hale and the team,
but they'll be looking to go to work on just
reversing that trend that we are starting to see. And
you mentioned some of the numbers, Viv in terms of
this matchup between the two of them, So they'll be
looking to get even more specific, right down into the
nitty gritty of well, what is it that's taking place
when we do meet him on a clay court, and
(11:51):
what are we going to do about it to try
to turn this around in our favor. So I think
that the coaching challenge now is a curious one for me.
So I'm looking for little nuances that might be shifting
if they do come up against each other at Roland Girls.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Yeah, well, a couple of Ozzie's had a pretty good
run over in Rome Hunter and Perez, but now they're
heading over well are They were already in Paris for
Roland Garros, including Luke's far far, far better half, Dasher.
That's a bit mean.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Come on, Yeah, I'm not a very nice person, So
I thought I made that very clear in the pitch,
and you're staring at me while you're saying that, Well, Dash,
she had a match last night out of time that
got suspended, Yes, against the young Impeshi's sister per cards sister. Yes, yes,
it's two. Also played four games rain delay, so they'll
(12:37):
come back tomorrow and I didn't see any of the
four games. Hoping that she doesn't have a similar serve
to her brother.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
So yeah, I.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Heard she's Yeah, she's she's tall, she's she's young, she's
only sixteen years old. And it's a tough one, you know,
if you're if you're Dash, she come into the match,
you haven't seen much of her, you know, she's only
only sixteen, very fresh on the tour, and.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
I was I had to give her a Google and
my career earnings from prize money seven hundred and thirty
two dollars, so very very fresh.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Yeah, it's also dangerous, you know, wild card into her
home slam. You know, nothing to lose, come out, and
she's obviously seen a lot more of Dasher than the
other way around.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
So it's a tricky one for us.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
You know, it's just going out there and bringing what
Dasha does and playing to her strengths and competing the
right way. And I think if you can go out
there and really assert yourself as the favorite early on
and not always sort of easier said than done, of course,
but then come out and play aggressive, not too passive,
and try and show the young girl, you know who
(13:44):
the more established player is. So yeah, four games and
hopefully she can come out and take care.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Of it tomorrow, definitely all right, Well everything crossed. Speaking
of France and Brie, our fearless co host of the show,
she's over there now, probably eight or seven. Coffee is deep,
but she's caught up with Duncan m Kenzy mccaugh over
there at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. So we'll
throw to that now and see what they're up to.
Speaker 5 (14:07):
Katie Brie here calling in from Well, I'm gonna let
dunk and explain where we are.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
To be honest, we're at the champ Demas.
Speaker 6 (14:14):
I've dragged you here in the freezing cold out in
front of the Eiffel Tower's probably the most magical time
of the day to see the Eiffel Tower. And I'll
tell you what, you know, it's the quietest time as well,
because a little bit later on we're going to have
qualifying starting at Rolling Garross.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
You know, it's going to be completely a buzz.
Speaker 6 (14:29):
And I'll tell you what, most of the city is
really excited at the moment because we've got Paris's football
team is currently in the UEFA Champions League final in
a couple of weekends times, so it's a very very
good time for you to be here at Paris rolling
Garross for the first time.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
You were on the site for the very first time.
Speaker 7 (14:46):
I was on the side.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
What were your first impressions of the place.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
It's just majestic, Like I can't even the architecture is
just beautiful.
Speaker 7 (14:53):
Obviously Europe.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
Europe does things differently and it's just so beautiful.
Speaker 7 (14:59):
I love the Klake.
Speaker 5 (15:01):
I love watching role on Garas It's always my favorite
to watch on TV.
Speaker 7 (15:05):
So beautiful to be here.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
But one thing I would say is that the weather
changes quite quickly, doesn't it was.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
Yeah, yeah, I think that's one of the beauties of
this European Grand Slammer is it can be hot and
lively during the day and you know, just beautiful, balmy,
sunny afternoons, yeah, and then come the evening, wild wintry,
you know, rugging up can be this a little bit
rainy at times as well. So I feel like a
lot of the players they're sort of refreshing the weather
(15:30):
rap on their phone based on the conditions. We saw
that with Alex Demanoll last year. Obviously, you know he
had to sort of weigh out a couple of reindulayers
and that sort of thing. So it certainly puts a
little bit of a bit of a cat amongst the pigeons.
Speaker 7 (15:41):
It does.
Speaker 5 (15:42):
And we definitely saw the impacts of some rainess today,
didn't we.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Yeah, we did.
Speaker 8 (15:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
Bianca Andresco, who looks absolutely flawless. In her first year
match she won six love, six love in a French
double bagel. And then obviously yesterday, you know, she's out
playing on Suzanne Longland again and she's up a set
and a break and then all all of a sudden,
the weather changes a little bit. It starts to rain,
and then suddenly within like an hour on Drescuo's out
(16:06):
of the French Open.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
So yeah, interesting, interesting.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
Time, yeap, And just over and not who's back home?
It was two days ago Bami here quite warm spring
weather and we are currently standing in five degrees. Just yeah,
I'm embracing it. Can't wait to put my jacket on.
But what else do we have to look forward to
this week?
Speaker 6 (16:25):
The thing I'm most looking forward too, Brie is the
tribute to Rafael Nadal. It's going to be after the
third match on court Philip Chartrier on night one, all
of Raffa's family is going to be flying in we're
going to be seeing his parents here, maybe Raffa.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Junior, uncle Tony, I'm sure we'll.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
Be always and Carlos Moyer's former coach, and then fingers crossed,
we're going to be seeing Roger Federer.
Speaker 7 (16:47):
I would love that.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
So obviously we know that, you know, Raffa was a
huge part of Roger's farewell, and hopefully we're going to
be seeing Roger a huge part of Raffa's farewell here.
You know, organizers have kept this all the arrangements under
wraps pretty closely.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Yeah, exactly, so it's all going to be a bit
of a surprise.
Speaker 6 (17:05):
And then you know, we might also see a few
current players involved as well. I'm thinking namely Carlos al
Karaz and Novak Djokovic.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
And big thing's been happening in the Djokovic camp, right.
Speaker 6 (17:14):
Yeah, big things happening for Novak obviously, you know, departing
from Andy mara A for just six months, which I
think we're all just slightly surprised by. But he's bringing
back sort of two familiar voices into that camp.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
You know.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
One of them is Dusan Vemic, who he worked together
with between twenty eleven and twenty thirteen and again in
twenty sixteen, so maybe, yeah, a familiar voice for Novak
in what's probably sort of an uncertain time in his career.
And then he's bringing in a tennis strategist or an analyst,
a guy by the name of Boris boz and Jakovic,
So that would be interesting to sort of manage the
sort of data side of things. But he's actually gone
(17:46):
on record basically saying that you know, this is an
interim coaching set up arrangement just for Geneva and rodn Garos, and.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
He might potentially make another change going to Wimbledon.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
Yep, So I'll have to see what happens there. Now
it's my first rollin Garros.
Speaker 7 (18:00):
Tell me what should I see and do?
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Well?
Speaker 6 (18:03):
I know you love doing your top five. Yeah, it's famous.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
I'm going to give you my top five.
Speaker 8 (18:10):
Good.
Speaker 7 (18:10):
Yeah, I'm going to do the numbers.
Speaker 6 (18:12):
Okay, all right, hit me five five Okay, number five
absolutely needs to go and see the raffa on a
Dale statue on Roland Garross. Yeah, so basically it's in
the northwest corner, very instagram worthy.
Speaker 4 (18:24):
It's usually quite absolutely see that for number five.
Speaker 7 (18:28):
Okay, great, four four.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
Okay, number four, you've got to go to the sky
bar at court Phillips.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Yeah, yeah, it's so so awesome.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
So basically, you look one direction, you're looking, haven't got
this bird's eye view of the court. Do a three
sixty or a one eighty and you look behind you
and sweeping views of Paris. Go there at sunset, just
as the night session starting in the sun's.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
Sons to drop.
Speaker 7 (18:50):
Amazing.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
Okay three three you've got to see a frenchman or
a French woman play on court.
Speaker 7 (18:57):
Susan Longland did see a bit of that yesterday, right.
Speaker 6 (19:00):
So basically, you know courtses and long Land is the
rowdy crowd. It's kind of like our John Cane arena
for one of a better term. And the things for
the French, I mean the French. You know, we know
they're very cool and sophisticated and civilized, but once you
get them into a path.
Speaker 9 (19:14):
They were not they right, They're so so rowdy, they're loud.
Speaker 6 (19:20):
I mknew from watching Quarantine Moute and Benoir Pere last year. Yeah,
the atmosphere inside that court is absolutely electric.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
Great, well, I can't wait to see more.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Two two you.
Speaker 6 (19:30):
For a more serene, tranquil environment. You've got to go
so far. You've got to go to the greenhouse court.
It's called Court Simone Matthieu. So yeah, it literally is
been built inside a greenhouse. And then on your way
there you can actually go through this kind of garden
area and you go past a French bistro called Laurenterie
and you can stop in there for some are de'uvs
(19:51):
and some rose.
Speaker 5 (19:52):
Oh my god, I can't wait. Okay, drum roll one
numero un.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
I'm not sure if it's the best thing you can
do it rolling, But once you leave the.
Speaker 9 (20:01):
Site we're leaving, you've got to stop by Hotel Molotor
and basically it's got this fantastic hotel lobby with like
some really great art and architecture, but also that it's
got one of the most what are the coolest lap
pools in all of Europe.
Speaker 6 (20:17):
It's they lighted up at night. You can maybe go
for a midnight swim. And this is where like some
of the big players stay as well. So keep your
eyes peeled. You might bump into a Francis Tiafa or
an arena Sutham.
Speaker 5 (20:27):
I got amazing. Well that all sounds great. Can't wait
to see what the next couple of weeks include. Thank
you more touch base soon.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Sounds good now, Cebri that looked pretty fun, But jealous, FIV.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
You been a couple of times, I am, I've only
been once actually to r G it must be time
for another visit.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
Absolutely well, we'll get that on the budget done. See
it done. It comes out of Breeze budget. So all
go with me. Okay, all right, well we'll have a
quick break now as we reset, get our screen ready.
It is time for the first annual RG Draft here
from the Tennis Sea Sect. All right, welcome back here
we are. It is time for the Rolling Gaross Fantasy Draft,
(21:07):
brought to you by Andy, who's out one of our producers.
Just you know, he's not a sponsor, he's just a
good guy. So this is something we've been cooking up
in the background. Basically, we wanted to do fantasy football
style snake draft of a Grand Slam, and the next
one is, of course Roland Garross over in Paris. I'll
give you a couple of tips. Each team must consist
(21:29):
of two women and two men. The winning team will
be the one that wins the most main draw matches
at RG and obviously the deeper they go through, more
points they'll get per round. It all makes pretty much sense. Look,
let's just suck and see see what we get.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
What do we win?
Speaker 1 (21:45):
That's a really great question.
Speaker 3 (21:47):
You've already given me a flight to Paris for next year.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Yes, what I was going to add to breeze budget?
You know what? You know what You're going to get
premium economy if you will. Oh my gosh, yeah, can
you imagine the luxury of extra eight degrees recline? All right,
we'll dive in, we'll dive in. Okay, So first round
there was a drawer done under a very strict scrutiny
of Andy, just making it up of our draft order.
(22:13):
So in round one with first pick, it's Luke.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Saville special shout out to Andy, Thank you very much, mate.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
A check clear out the real question?
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Alrighty, I haven't had first pick in my fantasy drafts
for a while, so the pressure's on. Yeah, but I
am going to go with the reigning French Open champion,
Carlos our Caraz with my first pick. I don't think
I needs too much explaining there. He's obviously playing so
well in the clay, winning Monte Carlo Final, Barcelona and
(22:47):
winning Rome coming in in great form as we've discussed
as well.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Yeah, the back of.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Rome got the wood on Jannick Sinner at the moment
seven to four in the head to head and I thinks,
you know, on the men's and women's side, the clear
favourite playing so well on the clay, and he's he's
ready to win his second French Open.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
In my opinion, Yeah, pretty good pick. I could see
the other two draft d's scrambling second.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Relatively he doesn't mind playing.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
All right, Vive, you got second pick in our first round?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Thanks save. Can I just start by saying I have
done nothing fantasy draft related in my life before? Yeah,
so this is all new for me. So I'm a
renowned footy tipper, but you have never done the.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Well on the footy tipping too. Have you noticed a
perennial brain?
Speaker 3 (23:40):
What's this money to kind? At the end of the season.
I am going to go with for my number one pick,
Arena sable Anca. It hurts me world number one.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
Just thinking she'd still be on the board.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
She is our you know, established hardcourt queen. But I
think it's yeah, I think she's out to make a
statement at Roland Garrass this year. I prove that she
can win on every surface, which obviously we know anyway.
But yeah, she lost to Andreva last year. She was
unwell at that time, so I think she's she's keen
(24:16):
for a do over and due a big performance.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
All right, well, good pick, very good pick. All right,
what do you got, Razor?
Speaker 2 (24:25):
I was fifty to fifty there, and they've stole Sablenka
off the board right under my nose. So I'm going
to head to my Well, she was notionally my second pick,
she's now becoming my first pick. I'm going to head
to Coco Gough. I think it's an exceptional clay court profile.
I'm happy with the form coming in. I'm happy with
the physicality, with the weapons, with the big match temperament.
(24:47):
I think she's going to be there at the business end.
So the way I'm looking at my draft, if I'm
going to miss, I think I'm going to claim some
matches along the way, so I'm confident she'll be there
come the point the end of the event. So I'm
going to take Coco GoF with pick three in the draft.
Please ave a.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Very good pick. Locked in all right, round two, mixing
it up. Sorry, Luke, but guess what, Simon, you're up
with your second.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Round pier Well, I accuse Luke of playing a straight
back with his first pick.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Accuse away, which is ironic.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
And I'm going to come back and I'm going to
take given he's still on the board there at pick
number four, I'm going to take you Onick Center. I'm
happy to go with Sinner. We've mentioned some of the
head to head momentum, and the Center al Karez matchup
of late has been in Alcaraz's favor. I think Sinner
and his camp will enjoy that challenge. I think Darren
Kale and the information that will be coming Center's way
(25:36):
I think will be nothing short of absolutely first rate. Again,
I think he'll be there. I'd be surprised if he
wasn't there at the business end of the event. So
I'm happy to take the number one player in the
world in you Onick Center and put him on my
draft board.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
Very good pick. Now, Sorry, Luke, We're going to have
a viv wow.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Thanks. This seems quite hush. I'm going to go with
Kaspar Rude. Yeah, so you can pick two time finalists soon.
Roland Garros, you know, warming up to some bigger performances
this year, is just coming off his biggest title of
his career when Madrid, So yeah, I think he's He
(26:15):
also drew a strong run.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Very good, All right, Okay, Luke, who's back to back picks?
How good is this?
Speaker 2 (26:25):
I feel like after Sinner and Our craz it's a
little murky on the men's side, Simone, it's going to
go pivot to the women's side here.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
Because keep in mind you have two men, two women,
got three in mind. Yeah, I'm going to go with.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Eager in my six pick, please ave. I think yeah,
she's she's the fifth seed. Been struggling for her standards
as we know, but she's won the French Open four times.
She's coming back. I think she's obviously got great feelings
whenever she walks into Roland Garros. I think she's got
(27:10):
that sort of aura about her. Whenever you step on
cord it's it's going to be a tough day. So
if I can lock in, so I take on my
sixth pic please.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
She's serious. Wrong button that was meant to be a
positive one. Done and then going into the third next round,
and you've actually got first pick in.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
That I do, I do, and I'm just stacked in
someone's favor.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
I'm going to go right because clear jetsum, it's fair.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Okay, this is a tough one, but I'm going to
go with Mirror Andreva very.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Good groans from my left and right.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
I'm not going to say who the other one was
because they might be on the board, but I doubt
it with Simon. Look, she's the sixth seed, third in
the race. I think we've been speaking about her a lot.
She's coming into rare air. She's only eighteen years old
and playing amazing. I think she plays well on all surfaces, games,
(28:07):
very well suited to the clay, and I think she's
really ready to make a deep run at a Grand Slam.
Her time's coming. I think she wins multiple slams well
end of her career and pretty happy with that turn.
The six to seven turn.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
My heart is broken. I mean it's worth noting. So
your next pick must be a man. Are you going
to tell Dasha that she's not even in the mix
for your selections?
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Interesting point, Yeah, that's cooked. I try to get her
on the graphics. But Andy said no.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
After all the favors he did have qualified graphics, the
rules that were just made up in the last eight
seconds of very good, very good. Right in round three,
you're up next.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Fiv Okay, I am going to go with Novak.
Speaker 1 (28:55):
Oh, I've heard of him, yes.
Speaker 3 (28:57):
So I know.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
You know I didn't think.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Clay court season.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
We know that.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
But you know there's been a lot said about Novak
not having a great season. And it's his birthday today, eight,
so I just feel like, let's be nice to Novak
and why would you count him out?
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Honestly, Well, he's hungry for that hundredth title exactly. Yes,
this could be it against the wall of your thinking.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
Yeah, absolutely, And you know I do think he's got
one last slam.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
In him and it could be this one. Yes, very good.
I mean either way, he's going to go deep.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
Yeah, so expect a second week.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Man, right, A bit of a good pick, and as
a fellow thirty eight year old, you know I've got
his back. Yeah, he's done a bit more than I have.
But whatever, I think it's just because he's got darker hair.
Simon your round three.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
Pick, I'm going to take the inform woman at pick
number nine. I'm going to take Joseph Palini, more than
happy with the clay court profile, more than happy with
the form coming in. We've spoken about some of her
points of difference earlier in the podcast. I think the
challenges and looks touched on this as well. I think
the challenge is to handle that pressure of defending the
(30:05):
mountain of points both at Roland Garrison then a few
weeks following at Wimbledon. But I think she's up for
the challenge. I think she's mentally tough. I think clay
suits her so well, particularly if it's lively, and I
think she'll get a little bit more value out of
her forehand in terms of spin that she does, the
vicious spin that she generates on that side. So I'm
going to take Jase mcpalin your pick number nine.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
Good pick, nice, all right, Well, so I'm going to
stick with you final pick. Yeah, So looking up here,
you do have two female players. You've got cinner for
your men. You need another blow cup there? Yeah, where's
your head at?
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Well, I'm tossing up too here and obviously the kind
of the usual suspects are gone. I'm Jack Draper or
Hoole Garona I'm going to go with my guard here.
I'm going to throw the data to one side, and
I'm going to say Jack Draper's twenty twenty five season
has been exceptional.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
I think there's a relatively natural fit.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
I know he hasn't grown up on the clay, so
to speak, but I think there's a relatively natural fit
between the type of ball that Jack produces on his
forehand side and his competitiveness and grit and will to win,
his resilience to overcome adversity.
Speaker 1 (31:16):
So I'm going to go with Jack Draper. I was
tossing up between he and Holding the Runa.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
But if I've got one of those two to play
for my life, which I'm treating this fantasy dress seriously.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
Any serious quite literally got a big red button.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
Here, I'm gonna go with Jack Overholder because I think
you know what you're going to get from Jack.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
I know the desperation. I mean, I will be keeping
close eye on the whole that is, to see you
sliding doors, momentum out, thank you, locked in. That's it.
I'm happy there, all right. Well, to finish off your
little quadrangle, what you got VI, I'm going to go
go with quin win good ones.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
So yeah, she's you know, she's still pretty young, but
we know she steps up for a big occasion and
loves the Grand Slam. One gold medal on that court
last year, so yeah, she's done well at the French
Open before, so why not again?
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Definitely? Yeah, I think that Olympics win could be quite
a crucial you know, back on her turf.
Speaker 3 (32:11):
H absolutely about those happy memories.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
Absolutely, all right, excellent, all right, close this out, Luk.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Who a few names here, I'm looking at Sasha's whereof Setti,
Alex demon Ar, Francisco Serrendlo, thanks a little bit of
an outsider, but I'm going to go with our assie hope.
Alex Demonar, thank you of him, a bit of a
shout out, and very good making quarterfinals last year.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
I think his prime for another great run.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
He had a pretty good clay court swing, a couple
of fourth rounds and two quarterfinals, and he's in Paris
now getting ready and preparing well with his coach Matt Reid,
and I think he's due for another good Slam run.
I know he desperately wants a big run at a
Grand Slam, and I think, you know, just just the
absolute ultimate professional. I think he's his due for a
(33:02):
big run there and been playing better and better on
the clay. I think sort of in the past it
was sort of known as his least preferred surface, the
clay courts, and prefers the grass. But I think he's
really sort of adjusting very well on the clay, and
he's just such a tough out, and I think he's
he's so solid early on in Grand Slam, so tough
to beat. The next challenge is probably pushing deeper into
(33:24):
those slams and knocking off the top few players in
the world, which is so incredibly.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
Difficult, as we know.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
But I think he's ready, so driven and very happy
with him as my fourth.
Speaker 1 (33:33):
Pick least favorite service. Do you think because of the
speed or he just doesn't like getting dirty?
Speaker 2 (33:39):
He likes getting dirty, He likes getting dirty, but yeah,
you know, I think his game is suited to the
grass that I think he's.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
Just not a fan of getting dirt under his finger.
Questions all about that real journalism here at the tennis
Ye okay, Well that's our draft all locked in first
time ever, so just two and firm team Luke al Karez,
s Fiatek Andreva, Demonol, No Dasha, that's fine. Team Viv Sabalanka, Rude,
(34:09):
Djokovic and Jang. Happy with your results, very happy, okay cool.
And lastly Team Simon, Coco, goff Yanni, Sinner, Paolini and Draper.
So we'll be keeping a closer on this. Tell us
on social who you think out of these teams you're
going to back send us your own selections. You know,
this is all virgin territory for us. Let's just see
where we go with. It's gonna be pretty fun. But
thank you very much for that. Lot of thought went
(34:30):
into that, so you know, by Andy, but especially by
you guys, So thank you very much. Good fun. Looking
forward to soon, how please, Yeah, I'm going to go.
I mean, if Dasha was there, it'll be all about now.
I'm all team Viv through and through. I think that
is the perfect mix of history, skill, future possibilities, experience
(34:50):
and no one who doesn't like getting don under they
figure of us. So all important. Absolutely Now, well done, guys.
Before we move on from Roland Garros, there's plenty to cover,
you know. I think we touched on a a lot
of the key storylines. The players who are going to
do well those that might have challenges. Anything else you
wanted to call out about Roland Garros I think.
Speaker 3 (35:08):
Qualis has been really interesting this year. Actually, some some
big names. We've got Maroon Chillick in the qualifying draw.
Co Yeah, yeah, he lost first round. By the way
Bianca Androsco she won six love, six love first round
then lost her second match. Just goes to show how
tough tennis is.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:26):
Well, we had some amazing quality action here for the
Austraight Open this year. You know, a few wild cards
were in there and names that had never been heard
of on SECA had an amazing run. It was just
it's really great. Get down and watch the qualities. It's
a cheaper way to experience some great Grand Slam and
there's nothing.
Speaker 3 (35:40):
Quite like having seen that the big name come through
a qualities draw at the first time.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
You get to be the core person at the pub
later and go I saw this player and now they're
in the quarter finals. I was there before you even
knew it. Yeah, mate, Richie at high school he was
all about this band called the Black Eyed Ps and
everyone's like, what is this? And then they took over
the world for a bit and beside do.
Speaker 3 (36:00):
You think the Aussie's are kind of getting more confident
on the clay.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
I think it's case by case, you know, I think
I think Luke's right. I think traditionally that as you know,
it's been by far and away our most challenging Slam.
I think someone like an Astra Shama, though that court
is incredibly well suited to Astra's game style. I think
Dasha can produce great tennis on clay. So despite the
fact that her husband left him out of his left
her of his draft board, I wouldn't put it past
(36:26):
her qualifying and making a run. I think I really
think she can win overnight touch wood. I think Jason
Kubler that's an exciting story for us in terms of
his resurgence, not for the first time, I don't know.
Look what would this be ten, twelve, fifteen times. He's
coming back from significant long term injury, some horrific kind
of chronic ailments in his knees, and I think he
(36:48):
can produce good tennis on a clay court. So I
think it's a little bit case by case as a whole,
as a cohort, no doubt it's our most challenging Slam.
But there's some exceptions to that rule too.
Speaker 3 (36:57):
We had Nasi Kokanakas in the studio.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
For She's Plugging Around show.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
It's taken me this long a break. He said he
loved competing on clay. He said he feels like it
suits his game.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
So yeah, no, I did hear a little sneak peak
of that chat and it did sound amazing, So.
Speaker 3 (37:13):
He was great Monday, tune in, like and subscribe before
we move off.
Speaker 1 (37:19):
Though, one thing I forgot to mention Novak new coach announcement,
Viv it's not you. I was hoping you.
Speaker 3 (37:25):
Yeah, I mean I probably should be on my way
towards me, but yeah, you know so Vimage, Yes, that's right. Yeah,
And you know he's a player that's had kind of
a consistent team for a long time, and then we've
seen lots of changes this year, so you know, points
to him trying a few new things in his game.
(37:46):
I don't know, it's a wait and see for me. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (37:49):
I think we touched on this last week a little bit.
It's back to the tried and true a little mess
so it's not back to Murri and Vider, but it's
back to that camp and we've seen some of these
members of his team around over the long term. So
do Son's been, if not the number one guy in
the camp for a long period of time. It's Novak
returning to what he knows that I think there's a
(38:09):
short term commitment for now, with an understanding that it
will be reviewed post rolling girls. So it's back to
that level of comfort, people that understand him and his
defaults under pressure, and perhaps how to try to just
settle things down and allow him every opportunity to play
his best tennis when it matters most.
Speaker 1 (38:24):
And I will just say one thing. I was a
bit flipped last week with the whole anty thing. Wesh good.
I love the email from Sarah in the UK if
you're listening again this week. I wasn't having a crack
at Andy. I think he's a great guy. Just having
a laugh. So yeah, So say us your emails, good,
bad and ugly. We read them all. Thanks Sarah, keep
me honest. All right, Well, let's have a quick break.
(38:44):
We'll be back with the favorite part of my week,
and I'm hoping everyone else is ace of the week.
You stick around me back in a second, welcome back,
all right, Time to wrap up the show. Guys, it
is that time of the week. Ace of the week
I know so well everyone loves to get in early.
Viv I'm going to go with you first, because you
have done such a great job feeling it for free
(39:05):
that you're going to be that next week hopefully, so
I will.
Speaker 3 (39:08):
Be back next week. My ace of the week. It's
a little bit of an unusual one and maybe unpopular,
but I'm going to go with winter. Winter has arrived
here in Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
It is unpopular.
Speaker 3 (39:18):
I'm down with it though, yeah, because you know, I
know that we're all about summer, sport and summer in
this room. But yeah, I've loved the change of season.
We've had some amazing beautiful days in Melbourne for months
and months and months, but cold mornings, very bracing, get
to do, wear.
Speaker 1 (39:35):
All your black, your boots.
Speaker 3 (39:37):
I found twenty dollars in my coat pockets. Now that
paid for morning coffee. Yeah, don't dispute winter.
Speaker 1 (39:44):
A nice crisp winter's morning can be quite refreshing. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (39:47):
So yeah, I'm enjoying the changing season. Pleas I get
to go to summer.
Speaker 1 (39:52):
Yeah, so bury the lead there, Yeah, heading over for
a lovely London summer for Wimby. Yeah very good. All right, Luke,
what about yourself?
Speaker 2 (40:00):
Yeah, I like that one. I like putting the beanie
on and my big robe.
Speaker 3 (40:04):
I forgot slippers football as well.
Speaker 1 (40:08):
Oh there you go. Are you going to do your
team draft this year? Yeah, Fantasy viv.
Speaker 2 (40:14):
My Ace of the Week is going to be on Sunday.
Ran a performance clinic in Liston and Williamstown with my
mates out there who run W and W tennis there,
so a little shout out to those guys.
Speaker 1 (40:26):
But it was good.
Speaker 2 (40:28):
Since retiring, I've always sort of had a bit of
an ambition to give back a little bit. And we
had twenty four kids out there and just try to
give them a little bit of a glimpse of what
high performance training is and what it takes a little
bit to reach your potential and possibly, you know, become
a professional tennis player. So it was it was good fun,
first time sort of being part of running something like that,
(40:50):
So it was it was good. We're going to try
and run a few more and yeah it was.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
I got a lot out of it. It was good.
That's great. I'm sure that did too. That's pretty good.
Thank you. I'm going to default help the community.
Speaker 2 (41:03):
Well I'm not sure that I have, but I'm going
to default back to as I often tend to do
with it, So the week back to the family front.
But this time I think it's how lucky are we
to have volunteer coaches? So when I think about my
oldest who's only five and it nearly six.
Speaker 1 (41:16):
He's already coaching, well huge, not quite but you wouldn't
want to be coached by him?
Speaker 2 (41:20):
But I don't they but oz kick, you know, volunteer
coaches on a Friday night, just parents to help out.
Then you go to a soccer team, you know, training
last night on a Wednesday night, run by a parent
volunteer coach, and then same thing with the games on
Sundays and all hands on deck to try to man
the stations and set up the pitchers, and man the
barbecue and staff the canteen. And I think, to find
a way to get young people active and involved in
(41:42):
sport and playing. I just tipped my cap to all
people volunteering their time, effort, energy and expertise to give
our youngsters a chance to run around and have.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
Them Also, it's National Volunteer Week, so oh well, yes,
well that way, well, in a world where does people
no one has enough time.
Speaker 1 (41:59):
Yeah, it's amazing that people do calve that out exactly.
So a big shout out to a volunteers, tennis, other sports,
anything really exactly. Yeah, it takes a lot, but it
gives even more little question and then for myself, you
may have noticed, I finally got a haircut.
Speaker 3 (42:15):
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
I can see you properly, I can hear properly. I'm
about four and a half kilos lighter. There was a
lot of hair up there. Yeah, it's been a long
time coming, but as we're saying, there's not enough time
in the week, in the day, in an hour, finally
did it. Jeez feels good. So that you look good?
Speaker 3 (42:33):
Yeah, excellently, very good. Were you inspired by Jack Droper
you got a haircut recently as well?
Speaker 1 (42:38):
Yeah, I think, but I've been keeping up my car payments,
so he's probably lost a car as well. Who knows.
I just read the headline, not the story. All right,
Well that is it from us, Viv. Thank you so
much for joining us, and we'll see you again next week.
Speaker 3 (42:55):
Can't wait.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
Excellent. Luke, thank you for coming back. When you're heading
off to Paris.
Speaker 2 (43:00):
When Dasher qualifiers, I'm gonna put her in my team.
Good okay, Oh head over there, very good to flick
the subswitch. Yeah, wise move Demon, you're out. Sorry Mate
and Raizer, thank you very much for joining us. We'll
see we'regain soon, I hope. Thanks for having back guys.
Speaker 1 (43:13):
We'll see you next week for more tennis.
Speaker 8 (43:15):
Good day everyone. Andy here, I just want to say
thanks for listening to today's pod. And if you think
listening to it was fun, then you're gonna love watching it.
It's even better. You get to see what we chuck
up on the big screen. Here. You get to see
what pod laver Arena looks like on the inside. So
why don't you head to our YouTube channel, Austrain Open TV,
hit subscribe and you can see every episode of the
tennis there. See you next week.
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