May 31, 2025 • 8 mins
The 2025 French Open is under way - but the tennis players are struggling to beat the heat.
Tennis commentator Craig Gabriel joined Piney to discuss the latest.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalks 'b'.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
All safely advanced to the last sixteen that the French
Tennis Open, including the men's top seed too much points
Canter that is imperious beast near roll Gas the world
number one looking sharp see wins for the loss of
(00:33):
just three games. Our man in Paris is Craig Gabriel,
who joins us. Now, before we talk about any of
the matchups overnight, Craig, can we start with the conditions?
As I understand it quite hot, quite humid today.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Yeah, pretty warm and humid. There's a lot of the
players who are feeling it. The temperature was in the
high twenties yesterday, I think it was yesterday day before
they went up to thirty, so a lot of them
were using ice packs around their necks, under their arms.
So you know, most of them have made a comment
(01:06):
on the conditions being very human and not the easiest
to get through.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
All right, Well, I guess the idea is to stay
out there for as short a time as possible. Which
top seed Yannick Sinner did throw and strike sits? How's
he looking?
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Yeah? Well, I mean I'm thinking that he should have
gone for the triple bagel, gone for love, Love, and Love,
and it was Love one and two, so very impressive.
But he did warn I don't think that that's what's
going to happen every match, and he used the comparison
to Rome. He absolutely wiped the court with Caspar Rude
(01:43):
over there. I think that was like sixty one six
love and Casper's top ten, and then the next match
he played got tight. So he says, you know, that
is very very likely and quite possible and you know,
could very well happen. So while he was pretty pleased
with this because it's given him less time on court,
so it keeps fresh if there's you know, he made
(02:04):
it clear, this is what's going to happen every match.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Alexander Zverev, the third seed and beaten finalists last year
also through How did he look in his straight seats? One?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yeah, relatively good, because Sasha zvere has been very up
and down this year. Since reaching the final of the
Australian Open. He's won one title. Yeah, all well and good,
but most of the other tournaments he's played he's gone
out very early, and he's admitted that it's really been
It had really been bothering him and he was concerned
(02:37):
about it. But today no such issues for him and
he was through six, two, seven, six, six to one
against Flavia Kobli.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
He said afterwards, I note that he expects Carlos al Karez,
who beat him, of course in the final last year,
to be in the final again. Is it there's no
one on that side who can stop him? Is he right?
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Well? Pretty much, yeah, but you never know what can happen.
And seriously, so this is these are these majors, anything
is possible. So yeah, he's absolutely right in that Alcaraz
is the defending champion, is the favorite for the title,
but you don't discount anybody.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
How has Alcarez looked to you in the first week.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Solid? I mean he's dropped one set, that was last
night my time, and he was down a break in
the fourth as well. I thought match was going to
go five sets against Damie Zuma, but he certainly recovered
very very smartly to close it out in for so overall,
I'd say Alcirez is looking very solid, all right.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
The others who advanced safely, Jack draper Is through cam
Norius through there's been very few upseats and the means singles.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Craig, Yeah, oh but remember Casper Rud's gone out and
he's been a finalist here on two occasions, so that
was a couple of days ago. There had been the upsets,
but you know, off the ultimate big guns, know, things
have been relatively smooth, you know. Saying about Jack Draper,
he beat this young Brazilian, this eighteen year old Jean Fonseca,
who's just a marvelous player, but so much to learn
(04:17):
and that's what's exciting. And to see him develop even
from the Australian Open to now he's come on gangbusters
and has already won a title in the in the
in that period and the way he was talking, you
could see how excited he is to keep on learning
and seeing new things and developing new things. But Draper
pretty solid. Two four and two.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Can we go to the women's singles. I see the
battle of the former Australian Open champions, in fact the
current champion Medicine case Sofia Cannon. They went the distance
Madison case. Where did she have the advantage?
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Well, I mean she was down to break in the
third set, so she really had to battle to come
back and four six six, three seven five against Sophia Kennan,
who's not one of my favorites by any means. So
I was very happy that Maddie got through that one.
But that's a good test for her and we'll see
what happens in the next round. But yes, so I
(05:16):
think she's gonna be pretty pleased with it, you know,
and the people around her, The other players like Jessica
Bogula who's one of her close friends, Coco Golf another friend,
all got through.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Coo Goff remembered her rackets this time, did.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
She Yes, she's been doing that. Now, he's been doing that.
He's been remembering the rackets. He's probably not gonna live
it down. I'm sure that I remember Francis Tiaff were
doing the same thing at a tournament. Whether it was
that the US Open last year or earlier this year,
I can't remember that. But yeah, there's pony situation when
(05:50):
it happens. I remember many years ago, Paul McNamee was
due to play John McEnroe in the first round of Wimbledon,
and you know how strict they are with the dress rules,
and McNamee had noticed this and Johnny Mack had put
blue shorts on instead of all white, and he walked
(06:13):
on court, took out his truck fuit pants and the
referee said, off the court, you go and change your shorts.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
It's not Coga goffer forgetting her records, the sort of thing,
as you say, you only do once. I've just been
noting Arena Sabalinka's performances in the first week, craig Man.
She has been imperious, straight to its ones, right the
way through, seemingly untroubled. Is she the woman's favorite?
Speaker 3 (06:40):
I think there are a couple. Obviously she has to
be one of the favorites. She is the world number one,
She's won a couple of tournaments like this, a couple
of majors, the US Open and the Australian Open. And
you know you'd also throw an eagle Shroontek as a
four time champion over here, so you know, don't forget her.
(07:00):
And also trying to think I just me and Paulini
another one, but saber Lenka tomorrow will be playing Amanda
and a Samova. And when I was just doing some
resource this afternoon looking ahead to that match, I was
actually taken aback by the head to head. They've played
seven times and Saberlenka's only won twice, so you know,
(07:26):
we'll see how that one panther. I'd still go with Saberlenka,
but that could be a tight one.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Just to finish, Craig always like to get you know,
your as statement. You've been to all the Grand Slams
many many, many many times. How do you enjoy the
French Open.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
It's it's it's a terrific event. It it really is
so stylish. It's I think it's just class I think
this tournament probably has the best looking merchandise of any
of the events. And it's just the whole layout. It's
just chic, you know, to use a French word, it's
(08:03):
just classy. And and you know the way the tournament
staff are retired at tired, not retired, are tired. And
you know, all the teams will have a certain type
of uniform and then the next team will have another
type of uniform and then they'll you know, they'll change
colors on days and stuff. So it's just it is
(08:25):
really glassy, seriously. So, I mean, Wimbledon is all tradition
and there and you know, their their merchandise as well English,
whereas this is French.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Very chic. As I say, Craig, thank you so much
for your time as always really appreciate it. No worries
Craig Gabriel from Roland Garross, where As Craig mentioned most
of the top players of throwcasts were about the only
one we've lost in the first week.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks it'd be weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalks 'b'.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
All safely advanced to the last sixteen that the French
Tennis Open, including the men's top seed too much points
Canter that is imperious beast near roll Gas the world
number one looking sharp see wins for the loss of
(00:33):
just three games. Our man in Paris is Craig Gabriel,
who joins us. Now, before we talk about any of
the matchups overnight, Craig, can we start with the conditions?
As I understand it quite hot, quite humid today.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Yeah, pretty warm and humid. There's a lot of the
players who are feeling it. The temperature was in the
high twenties yesterday, I think it was yesterday day before
they went up to thirty, so a lot of them
were using ice packs around their necks, under their arms.
So you know, most of them have made a comment
(01:06):
on the conditions being very human and not the easiest
to get through.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
All right, Well, I guess the idea is to stay
out there for as short a time as possible. Which
top seed Yannick Sinner did throw and strike sits? How's
he looking?
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Yeah? Well, I mean I'm thinking that he should have
gone for the triple bagel, gone for love, Love, and Love,
and it was Love one and two, so very impressive.
But he did warn I don't think that that's what's
going to happen every match, and he used the comparison
to Rome. He absolutely wiped the court with Caspar Rude
(01:43):
over there. I think that was like sixty one six
love and Casper's top ten, and then the next match
he played got tight. So he says, you know, that
is very very likely and quite possible and you know,
could very well happen. So while he was pretty pleased
with this because it's given him less time on court,
so it keeps fresh if there's you know, he made
(02:04):
it clear, this is what's going to happen every match.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Alexander Zverev, the third seed and beaten finalists last year
also through How did he look in his straight seats? One?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yeah, relatively good, because Sasha zvere has been very up
and down this year. Since reaching the final of the
Australian Open. He's won one title. Yeah, all well and good,
but most of the other tournaments he's played he's gone
out very early, and he's admitted that it's really been
It had really been bothering him and he was concerned
(02:37):
about it. But today no such issues for him and
he was through six, two, seven, six, six to one
against Flavia Kobli.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
He said afterwards, I note that he expects Carlos al Karez,
who beat him, of course in the final last year,
to be in the final again. Is it there's no
one on that side who can stop him? Is he right?
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Well? Pretty much, yeah, but you never know what can happen.
And seriously, so this is these are these majors, anything
is possible. So yeah, he's absolutely right in that Alcaraz
is the defending champion, is the favorite for the title,
but you don't discount anybody.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
How has Alcarez looked to you in the first week.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Solid? I mean he's dropped one set, that was last
night my time, and he was down a break in
the fourth as well. I thought match was going to
go five sets against Damie Zuma, but he certainly recovered
very very smartly to close it out in for so overall,
I'd say Alcirez is looking very solid, all right.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
The others who advanced safely, Jack draper Is through cam
Norius through there's been very few upseats and the means singles.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Craig, Yeah, oh but remember Casper Rud's gone out and
he's been a finalist here on two occasions, so that
was a couple of days ago. There had been the upsets,
but you know, off the ultimate big guns, know, things
have been relatively smooth, you know. Saying about Jack Draper,
he beat this young Brazilian, this eighteen year old Jean Fonseca,
who's just a marvelous player, but so much to learn
(04:17):
and that's what's exciting. And to see him develop even
from the Australian Open to now he's come on gangbusters
and has already won a title in the in the
in that period and the way he was talking, you
could see how excited he is to keep on learning
and seeing new things and developing new things. But Draper
pretty solid. Two four and two.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Can we go to the women's singles. I see the
battle of the former Australian Open champions, in fact the
current champion Medicine case Sofia Cannon. They went the distance
Madison case. Where did she have the advantage?
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Well, I mean she was down to break in the
third set, so she really had to battle to come
back and four six six, three seven five against Sophia Kennan,
who's not one of my favorites by any means. So
I was very happy that Maddie got through that one.
But that's a good test for her and we'll see
what happens in the next round. But yes, so I
(05:16):
think she's gonna be pretty pleased with it, you know,
and the people around her, The other players like Jessica
Bogula who's one of her close friends, Coco Golf another friend,
all got through.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Coo Goff remembered her rackets this time, did.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
She Yes, she's been doing that. Now, he's been doing that.
He's been remembering the rackets. He's probably not gonna live
it down. I'm sure that I remember Francis Tiaff were
doing the same thing at a tournament. Whether it was
that the US Open last year or earlier this year,
I can't remember that. But yeah, there's pony situation when
(05:50):
it happens. I remember many years ago, Paul McNamee was
due to play John McEnroe in the first round of Wimbledon,
and you know how strict they are with the dress rules,
and McNamee had noticed this and Johnny Mack had put
blue shorts on instead of all white, and he walked
(06:13):
on court, took out his truck fuit pants and the
referee said, off the court, you go and change your shorts.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
It's not Coga goffer forgetting her records, the sort of thing,
as you say, you only do once. I've just been
noting Arena Sabalinka's performances in the first week, craig Man.
She has been imperious, straight to its ones, right the
way through, seemingly untroubled. Is she the woman's favorite?
Speaker 3 (06:40):
I think there are a couple. Obviously she has to
be one of the favorites. She is the world number one,
She's won a couple of tournaments like this, a couple
of majors, the US Open and the Australian Open. And
you know you'd also throw an eagle Shroontek as a
four time champion over here, so you know, don't forget her.
(07:00):
And also trying to think I just me and Paulini
another one, but saber Lenka tomorrow will be playing Amanda
and a Samova. And when I was just doing some
resource this afternoon looking ahead to that match, I was
actually taken aback by the head to head. They've played
seven times and Saberlenka's only won twice, so you know,
(07:26):
we'll see how that one panther. I'd still go with Saberlenka,
but that could be a tight one.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Just to finish, Craig always like to get you know,
your as statement. You've been to all the Grand Slams
many many, many many times. How do you enjoy the
French Open.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
It's it's it's a terrific event. It it really is
so stylish. It's I think it's just class I think
this tournament probably has the best looking merchandise of any
of the events. And it's just the whole layout. It's
just chic, you know, to use a French word, it's
(08:03):
just classy. And and you know the way the tournament
staff are retired at tired, not retired, are tired. And
you know, all the teams will have a certain type
of uniform and then the next team will have another
type of uniform and then they'll you know, they'll change
colors on days and stuff. So it's just it is
(08:25):
really glassy, seriously. So, I mean, Wimbledon is all tradition
and there and you know, their their merchandise as well English,
whereas this is French.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Very chic. As I say, Craig, thank you so much
for your time as always really appreciate it. No worries
Craig Gabriel from Roland Garross, where As Craig mentioned most
of the top players of throwcasts were about the only
one we've lost in the first week.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks it'd be weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
True Crime Tonight
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.