July 29, 2024 • 34 mins
The Olympics are here! On this week’s Open Era, Simon and Devang preview the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and the tennis we’ll see. Andy Murray’s farewell will take center stage, but there’s plenty of other intrigue. Elsewhere, are the Olympics good? Mostly no. The guys dive into that plus Swiatek ,Fils, Zverev, Alcaraz, Nadal and plenty more!
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Follow @OpenEraPod on Twitter! While you're there say hello to @DesaiDevang or reach out to the show and say hey: podcast@openera.ca
If merch is your thing, be sure to check out the store.
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Hello and welcome to the Open Era podcast. My name
is de Vega Side. I'm joined as always by mister
Simon Bushell on this Olympics edition of the podcast Bush.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
How are you doing, dev Did you just fucking underarm
serve me to start this podcast? How dare you ro?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Jill Jill in front of my country then as well?
My god, we'll get to the latest and greatest in
the tennis world, including Arthur Feez doing the damn thing
in front of Alexander Seb's country people in Germany, which
we loved. We'll talk Andy Murray of course, but it's
the Olympics. Bush. If you followed this podcast long and
(01:00):
you'll know that we are a bit of Olympic files.
I think it's safe to say, Bush, we have a
tough relationship with it. We know overall generally the Olympics
are bad, but we get hype for the games, right yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
I feel like we should clarify that iOS se bad.
Olympics by and large probably good, question Mark, I think
there's enough good there isn't there that you want to
support this as an entity whilst acknowledging that it's extraordinarily
problematic in a number of ways.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yeah, athletes great for them, most of them. I mean,
let's see who gets caught doping? I joke mostly, but yeah,
an incredible journey for them. And then obviously you have
like the big team sports and athletes that we've seen
in other leagues joining up, which should be fun. But yeah,
it's It's also very interesting because like I was trying
(01:50):
to remember anything from the Tokyo Olympics, and I was
racking my brain and I do not remember much at all,
do you like? I think it was during the pandemic obviously,
and fans and it was delayed, but it obviously felt
not the same.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I absolutely loved it despite its weirdness. I had a
great time with the fortnite. I think my love affair
with the Olympic is well documented on this podcast. I
my overall hatred of the structures of it, was still
really genuinely enjoying a celebration of sport and athletes across
the two and a bit weeks that it takes place
(02:26):
for I thought TOYO was really, yeah, obviously very weird,
just given its place and whether or not it should
even have taken place. The still question marks around that.
Whilst at the same time, it probably not, I mean
almost certainly not right, just given everything we know about it.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
In wait, what happened? Tell me something that happened at
the Tokyolympics.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Oh, I can't do that, and at the top of
my head. Yeah, So then Adam pd one, it's almost certain.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Spa of what a gold medal, so in fact, we
should ever talk about those Olympics again. But yeah, I
go what you mean, And I just I think I
was watching the Netflix documentary Sprint on the men's and
women's sprinters in the hundred and two hundred meters following
them last season. I thought it was well done, but
they also showed highlights from that Olympics, and they showed
(03:15):
Marcel Jacobs winning the one hundred meters in front of nobody,
and you were like, obviously this is a fluke and
not real, and that just kind of felt like the
entire games were like that. So in this case, I
feel a little more hyped for Paris, just because there'll
be people there, but it also seems like a bit
of a boondog over people in Paris regarding the security, Like,
I think the idea is to make these a free
(03:37):
flowing games and have all these venues so accessible in
a sense, but also you're gonna require a ton of security.
So I'm curious to see how this all shakes out, because,
like one thing that we've talked about a lot is
maybe the crowds developing into terrible beasts, becoming more of
(03:58):
a phenomenon post pandemic. I feel like that is the thing,
and it might happen here as well.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I think it is a very legitimate question of whether
or not a buffoonish, clownish and ghoulish crowd that will
be at these Olympic Games for the home crowd, the
home athletes, especially in ten let's talk about tennis to
start with, whether or not that actually affects the rhythm
of these players and actually throws in a surprise winner
(04:24):
just and also whether or not the place in the
schedule so close to changing of surfaces, going from Clay
to Grasp, back to Clay and back to this particular
venue as well, whether or not that throws in any surprises.
But yeah, on the crowd front, get ready for a
roller coaster. I think we're going to see some pretty
bad stuff, I would guess through this games. Whilst at
(04:47):
the same time remembering that, I think a good percentage
of the people that will be attending this are going
to go in good spirits and just do the go
Canada go thing. But there is going to be some
buffoons as well.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Yeah, obviously goes to that say hope everything goes off
okay and safely. But yeah, that element is something I'll
be watching for. But regarding the tennis, and I'm glad
you brought us back there, Simon. I think one of
the things I loved about twenty twelve they could make
Wimbledon less bullshitty, if that is fair to say, Like
(05:19):
it did not feel like this stained wibbleded stayed wibbled
because they allowed colors and because they allowed people to
like clap voisterously and hoot and holler, and it helped
Andy was making a run and playing fed of all people.
But that part, to me made it unique in a
sense because they took Wimbledon and kind of reworked it
(05:42):
into a kind of a spectacle that felt proper at
the Olympics. That's what tennis at the Olympics has felt
like for me, though at its best. Bush, Like we've
talked about the Rio Games a lot for the tennis
that they produced, like these long battles and epic three centers,
and I think that this is going to be at
the French Open is such a such a bood for
us because, like you said, we're gonna get upsets, but
(06:04):
we also have vast favorites, we have unlikely duos, we
have a big farewell, like it's gonna be pretty special.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I really think it is. I'm genuinely far more excited
for this version of the Olympic Games, the tennis discipline
of it than I was I think three and a
bit years ago, which I don't know quite why. Maybe
it is just the having the crowds there and being
in this venue, and that's I think. Just it's going
to be quite open as well. I think one part
(06:32):
that often gets forgotten there's just not been that many
versions of the Olympic Games with tennis in it since
obviously it's inception open era comme on dev eighty.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Eight, yeah, ninety two or eighty eight, yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
So it's quite recent development. There's reason is developed, you know,
in quotations, it's still quite quite young as a discipline
in the Olympics, in the open era. Winning it matters
despite its weirdness, and I think some of the surprises
that it's thrown up through the year. The list of
players that have won gold for men and for women,
(07:07):
and indeed for doubles. In that regard, it's quite a
it's a bit of a who's who it's I think
it does hold a level of prestige, just on the
basis that you don't get many shots at this during
your career.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
You were right by the way it was nineteen eighty
eight when it came back as a metal sport. It's
really well said. I'm looking at this switters list and
it's it's nuts. It is. Uh, it's a bit hilarious
as well in some ways, Like if I would ask
you who won gold at the Athens Olympics in the
men's side, could you tell me.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Well, I do know that one, just because the list
is so short and it's it's quite easy to remember
that one has to be the Nicholas Massou one, right.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
It is, and they won doubles gold, Gonzales and Vasu.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Wow, I didn't remember, Jesus.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
The Sydney one. I mean that was for Canadians Loro
and Nestor winning gold. There was them and Simon Whitfield
and triathlon, those are like the first those are like massive,
big moments post on Hvan Bailey. I'd say for me
as a sports fan, because like, let's let's talk Olympic moments,
and it can be tennis as well, but like, does
something stand out for you as the seminal Olympic woman.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
I sit in a weird position because I have two passports.
I was born in the UK, but I've lived in
Canada for over a decade at this point, twelve years,
and I think my adult life has been much more
based around watching and supporting Canadian athletes in the Olympics,
mostly because it's very hard to keep track of British athletes.
(08:41):
You don't have the benefit of watching like the BBC
over here. So it's so Canada dominant and it will
be in any country, right like whoever the host broadcaster
is in any nation, you're going to have a situation
where that nation is going to be focused on their athletes,
and rightfully so, I think it makes sense to do
that because it's a celebration of national pride when it
comes to your sporting side of things. With all that
(09:01):
being said, I think I have memories from my sort
of British life, of my Canadian life, and this is
a very long way of building up to say, I
think Usain Bolt winning gold Medalis what I remember the most.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Jamaican passport too.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
On your and your briefcase, I'm trying trying my hardest,
I'm secretly as friendon.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Looking back now, it feels even more surreal. At the time,
it didn't feel right or like proper. It felt like
we were watching an alien But now as we get
farther past it and seeing how far away people are
still from his time, it's nuts. I was going to
say Don and Bailey still for me ninety six the
first real big Olympics I remember almost in full, and
(09:45):
like them winning the relay race as well. After that
and the call from Don Woodman, I think I've I've
talked about that specific race at least six times. Songs
were chroniclere on open air as well, so I love
I love that event so much. And then like the
tennis itself, like you're right Bush that it definitely I
(10:08):
think it's taken on more meaning because players specifically are
targeting it as like maybe their last, their last thing
they're missing, or like for some players, it's their biggest
achievement of the career, and it goes beyond tennis because
it's representing your country and it makes an imprint beyond
the tennis viewing public. But I think I mentioned the
(10:31):
doubles win for the Canadians in two thousand, that was big.
Monica Puigue winning in Brazil was awesome, Like that's one
of those things that we got a shock win and
we got a once in a lifetime moment for Puerto
Rico and Monica Puigue. But also like the potential for
a del Potro Murray or the potential for adel Potro
Nadal again, like those things are what I'm I'm really
(10:54):
excited for me too.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Yeah, I feel like the we sort of say that
the Who's who have won Who's one Gold does extend
across all the disciplines, Like it's been some obviously some
shock winners, but even in the mixt it's you get
two players coming together sometimes from different disciplines. You might
(11:18):
get two singles players playing together, or you might have
a singles and a double specialist, and I think it
throws up some real surprises and I think this year
is a really good example of that as well, we
get some surprise. I don't have surprise teams as the
right phrasing, but some teams that you're very excited to
watch to see actually if they can play together, because
they might not be they might be terrible. And the
(11:39):
same in the doubles as well, Like it's cool to
be able to see doubles specialists from the same country
being able to play together, of course, but at the
same time, having two single stars play together mix for
an exciting event.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
I was a bit surprised that I was sad in
for Marquette Vantrasova who had to what's your off in
the Olympics dudo injury, But I was I've been surprised
to Checkia put Sanyakova in singles, taking her out of doubles,
and then putting g Linda Noskova with Mukhova and Barbarakretchikova.
It's these little, these little things that I I think
(12:16):
also take on a bigger a bigger steak, Like you
have these really excellent doubles teams who have been really
strong their whole seasons, but now they're linked up with
someone from a different from someone from their same country.
Now their their pair is playing with someone else, so
they've got to change with that and also kind of
realize that for them, unfortunately, this might be one of
(12:38):
the more high profile moments for them as a doubles
player playing tennis for their country because more eyeb also
be on them and this could propel them into who
knows what, maybe a career and something else beyond tennis.
So yeah, I feel like the stakes are high. You
got new teams, you got the cat Alcaraz Nadal, which
is gonna be nuts, and like I feel like it's
(12:59):
going to work, but also maybe it doesn't, which is
also going to be fascinating. We should talk about Andy
Bush confirmed this is going to be his last tournament.
I think the writing was on the wall after that
that operation he had before Wimbledon, which seemed like something
he was trying to rush to do. But not a
(13:19):
bad place to leave this sport. In terms of like
the Olympics and tennis, Andy's done extremely well.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yes, absolutely. I got a message from a friend this
morning asking why on earth Andy Murray is playing the Olympics,
and my response to him was just well, my response
was like I guess more more or less pithy, depending
on your perspective, which was just closure a single word.
It's it's time, like it's yeah, there's got to be
(13:46):
an event that you go out on. And maybe this
has been lost. It was certainly lost to me until
I did a little bit of digging on it. He's
the most successful male tennis player at the Olympics.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
In the open.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
He has more metals than anyone else, more golds and
obviously the silver as well, so he has three. I
know it's not a huge a huge deal, but at
the same time, it's it's his kind of crowning moments,
his signature achievement in a lot of ways, and maybe
that gets slightly forgotten.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Yeah, and I think that makes it that much more perfect.
And I was just going back through twenty sixteen and
twenty twelve and like, holy cow, like Andy played some
huge matches, really big stuff, and I feel like you
should he have some time go back and find those highlights,
like I twenty sixteen men's side, the tournament nuts. So
(14:40):
this feels right. I hope he can make a bit
of a run. It feels like the odds are against
him a bit, but we'll see quick hitters. Bush the
mugshots of the players are hilarious. Not sure where those
are taken in a bathroom? Maybe not the most slattery.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Why is it like that, I've not found an It's
so strange.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
That's very strange, man. Yeah, that was add Yeah and
exeter ill perhaps Bush.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Well he delayed going out, didn't he? So he delayed
flying out to Paris or taking the train. I don't
know what he was doing or where he is at
the moment. I wonder where he must be in Italy
surely or it is a quote unquote residence in Monte Carlo,
so must be challenging to get to Paris from there.
But no, he I think he is legitimately, whether or
not that effects his ability to compete at this Olympics, Well,
(15:27):
we'll watch this space.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
How big of a favorite is Ega here because we're
back at Argy or does that she come off because
it's a different tournament.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
No, she's the overwhelming favorite. Overwhelming favorite, there's no no denying.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
No, that screams. You know, that screams a shocking upset
from Diya Sharif exactly ship in the first round. That's
definitely happening. Second recording before the draw. Yeah, but yeah,
she's such a huge favorite that we know something insane
will happen on the inside. I honestly couldn't tell you.
I don't know where you're leading on this bush, but
(16:00):
like maybe you go safe and go Alcoraz. I feel
like Nadal is going to do something also unhinged and
that means make the final.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Do you not think that Novak Chocovitch is the overhelm
favorite for this?
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Yes? And also Novak is like this is his no
slams this year? Is fine if he only gets one
title and it's this one. Who cares?
Speaker 3 (16:21):
Right?
Speaker 1 (16:21):
He's golden? Literally, this is his everest?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Is it not? This is the time?
Speaker 1 (16:27):
That is it? That is a storyline? Actually that I like,
lo Kia is going to be big as we get
into this deeper. So you're picking Novack then you coward?
Speaker 2 (16:38):
I am picking? Is that a cowardly pick?
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Like I lashed out?
Speaker 2 (16:43):
People are somewhat sleeping? Are people sleeping on it? Might
just making this up and argument.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Against my Half of these guys have had surgery within
the last four days, So I don't know who anyone
can be favorites. Like if fels like the Walking Dead
coming into.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
This, did I say on a pod cast at the
start of this year, in our year, at our beginning
predictions for the season that I thought Daniel Autmayo was
gonna win. I was gonna say there was a surprise winner.
So let's go with that.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
Honestly, that's what we deserve, That's what Germany. I don't
even think he's he's not even he's not. We gotta
we gotta go with Dominic Komfort, our cool German pick.
Germany did not pick Spap to carry the flag. Dennis Schroeder,
who led Germany to fever gold last summer for a
(17:35):
Toronto Raptor, will carry the flag.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Can I remember Shrewder?
Speaker 1 (17:39):
I think it's shrewder? Actually, thank you? Yeah, good job
Germany for not fucking that. Okay, And finally, the Olympic
year Canadas is bad. I don't wanna, I don't wanna
talk out of school, but I don't like what we've
done with our gear for the Olympics.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
It's out of pocket death, as they say on Techno. Now,
I fully fully agree with you. I think it's horrendous.
I think it's awful. The gb Ones no better either.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
No, you've seen Mongolia get some love for their kits.
So hades kits are also quite nice.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
But yeah nice, Yeah, yeah, the US one is.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Closing. Everybody's shocking. Yeah, but I mean you might as well.
The Canada one. It's like they must have just found
some leaves lying around and just throwing these in here. Okay,
we'll take a break. When we come back on party shots,
we'll talk about some of the tennis that we missed
last week, and as always, it's two challenges remaining coming
up next. Welcome back to the Open Air podcast. I
(18:50):
mentioned the tennis that we missed, Rafa Nadal playing in Sweden,
of all places, simon, which must have been hilariously cool
for the fans there twenty years in between appearances to
Rafa there. He made it to the final, lost the final,
which not the biggest shock, but congrats to you. No Borges.
(19:11):
You could say that he beat Rafa and Adal on
clay in the final, which only four other people can say.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
That's ridiculous, but overall, yeah, do you know the other
this is in the discord, so if you do, I
didn't see it, Novak Federer, Yes, yes, Farre never beat
him on clay in a final. No, the logical next
person in that crew Nope, don't know team the team
(19:40):
be in a final. Team must have been in the final.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
No, anyway, he did in Horatios of Aios, the Argentine
guy that yeah, he might have memory hold that, but
it happened.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Uh Jesus deev. I would never have got that in
a million years. Not a chance.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
I'm glad. I'm glad I answer. But I mean, in
Rapha's sense, not moving great, and I mean the aura
is still there. But like the pois he was winning,
didn't necessarily enthuse like it didn't. I don't have I'm
not more confidence. Let's just say about his chances in Paris,
but I mean to make the run, to show the
(20:19):
fighting spirit. Those things are all there, so who are
we to say he can't do it.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
There is going to be an aura, isn't there going
into this tournament and trying to take him out, which
we'll get him through at least a few rounds. It
has to be said though. Losing to Nuna Borgage in
the final on clay is perhaps an indication of where
his level is at. And there's a good player, by
the way, there's with all due respect to him, but
it's an indication of where Nadal is at, he is
(20:48):
obviously very very close to the end. If he manages
to get to the latter stage of this tournament, it's
going to be an extraordinary situation. The amount of support
that he's going to be getting is going to be
wild to watch.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Who Nadal Novak here would be. I think it would
be sad, though it would be sad, No, it would
be sad. Carlos gammoing one of them also would be
kind of sad, but also Arthur Fees winning in Hanburg.
One of them were bizarre matches. I think Alexanders Varia
(21:25):
was one for twenty two on breakpoint chances, which is hilarious.
I thought Fees was excellent though in front of a
hostile crowd. I love his play style. Bush like I
feel like he basically this explain to me why he
can't be one of the why he can't be in
the top ten for the next five years. I feel
(21:47):
like he's got everything.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Yeah, I agree with you. I think just repeatability, consistency.
I think is his biggest biggest issue at the moment
is that he does break down a decent amount and
rallies that he shoul should be winning, but he has
all the shots, Like, it's not like he's not capable
of doing these things. You just kind of want to
get to the point where he's able to have a
level of repeatability. I think on the foehand as well,
(22:12):
like I still have major question marks about whether or
not that's going to hold up long term, considering it's
got some real.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
It looks cooler. It looks cooler than it should be.
I feel like if he dialed down the coolness, it
would be better.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Agreed. Did you hear the interview that he did gave
after the can we please put the clip in here?
I thought it was so so funny the way that
he said it, so yes, fingers crossed that we can
put it in.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
I think that I did everything for winnings as much.
I've got cramps at five. All in discern, I'm cramping
trying under I'm served because I cannot serve crowd. They
could badly. I don't care. I'm winning and that's it.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
It's very very pissed off at the under arm serve.
The handshake was brewed. All loved it, love to see him.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
It was all smile in the ceremony at the end,
though right there was the feast, unsure of how to
do the Champagne celebration. I'll admit if I won a
tour title, I wouldn't know how to do that. Ever,
I've never done a Champagne thing. Because you know I'm no,
I'm not going to say that I don't know how
(23:23):
to do it. You can insert the blank of what
you think I was going to say that.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Moving on swiftly, Marcus Tiron winning his first ATP title
an old man, thirty years old.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Cool story. Right to have a player that has been
on the tour for as long as he has. Obviously
an excellent collegiate career as well, not like you mentioned
final four All Americans, first time title or the age
of thirty. Good story, really good story elsewhere.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Laura Sampson Bush Laura Samson, Yes, good story as well
this one.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Want to keep an eye on. First WTA Tour level event.
She beat Katarina Snyakova in Prague. She is sixteen years
of age to sixteen.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
Sixteen Michael Caine voice incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Former French Open Girls runner up, I want to say,
and former world number one at junior level. She is
a real talent. Keep an eye out for her.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Barbara creji Kova getting the Lego treatment, much like Eustrian
Tech and Lee la FRIANDZ did, which seemed a bit random,
but I think there's a sponsorship deal involved. But good
to see barbe get a cool plate that looks like
it took someone a long ish time to put together,
but not too long.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
Someone actually made this by hand? Or do you think
it was press in a factory somewhere?
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Oh? Actually, shit, three D printed, probably, I wonder so.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
I fully, I fully recognize that Lego has some problems,
giving the fact that's mad out of plass stick and
you know, oil and climate change and all the things
that come with it. I'm am I just a fucking
simp here. I quite like Lego. I quite like some
of the partnerships and things they do. I find it
quite sweet and quite funny.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
What what is a Lego piece cost? These days? Like?
What is a box of Lego costs? Do you know?
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Is this like a politician being asked like the price
of a cotton of milk at the moment?
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Well, I believe it'd be three to four thousand dollars
out of touch one piece of Lego.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
It's got to be like fifteen dollars right.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
I don't know if you six hundred dollars now, But
what I'm saying is this plate feels like it will
cost six hundred dollars in the shop. So I'm less
charmed by Lego's cuteness.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
I guess I think they do some really interesting things,
like the sponsor. I'm not I'm not gonna say this
any like it's gonna it's gonna cross like I'm looking for.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
Speaking of Cridge, Speaking of Cridge, the big dance at
wimbled in which I was I had pre cringe feelings
about this, the way it was being discussed and the
prophecy was fulfilled. Based on the discourse afterwards, I.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Guess the question that I have for you, why are
we still doing this? Why are the single champions and
the men's and women's dancing together at the ball.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
The fact that they Carlos made them all weight because
he was celebrating Spain winning. It made me laugh, But
also like, what is this ball? You like? Guys? Come on,
serve some food, do some karaoke back there? Get with
the times I went.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
If the players like this, I'm trying to trying to
work out whether or not. It's actually a good thing.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
The old photos that were circulating of like past balls
and like fed and Serena and like Serena and all
the Big four, like rotating years, which is hilarious, but
like this is all nostalgia, probably, but it felt like
it was a big deal. It probably still is, right,
but I don't know. Everything is social mediaized, everything is
clipped and generated, so I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
So cringe question mark do we coming down as saying
that this is cringe or not huge huge?
Speaker 1 (27:03):
I felt awkward. I think generally though, I find this
kind of stuff awkward and like hard to watch.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
It didn't do anything for me, but it that way,
I'm clearly not the target audience because I'm not seventy
five years of age.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Speaking of Carlos, Akaraz did an interview with an influencer.
They're trying, damn it, the ATP is trying Bush, They're there,
They're going. But he was asked about several things like
best talker, funniest guy, et cetera. On the tour. He
had some funny answers, but the big one, biggest trash talker.
(27:40):
He said, hold Rune, m hmm, Bush.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
That check out to you, sure does. Yeah, absolutely, I
thought it was. I thought it was a good answer.
Gives you some indication. No smoke without fire.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
He apologized immediately, but then it's like, come on, we
all see it.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
It was like, yeah, he's like, I'm come on, the
most Charlie way of doing it. Yeah, yeah, this guy,
he's kind of a doucheberg. I'm sorry for saying that,
but it's kind of true. I'm paraphrasing.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Do you think Alex you and ours pumped when he
hears that Alchoris thinks he's really good but should be
way better than he is.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Do you think he's like, oh, okay, especially from this
podcast where I've multiple times said that I'd never thought
he'd be a top ten player and still is. So
he's managing to squeeze everything out of that lemon. At
the moment, I thought that was interesting.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
He's clearly highly rated by the locker room, so that
was cool.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Dude, like clearly works his bag off, doesn't he He's
maximizing everything, and I think that gives you the significant
amount of respect in the locker room. Can we just
talk about for one second, how you put an influencer
to do a video like this, and you give them
the most fucking boiler plate questions slash content that you
could possibly ask for. This looks like an AI came
(28:50):
up with these questions. The guy himself was AI right
the influence. I'm pretty sure he was even just the.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
Way he the person the talent was able to clue
it on the TIAPO answer, like make some jokes regarding that,
like yeah, see, like there's a bit of effort goes
a long way. I thought it was good.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
Thought it was good. Yeah, yeah, as much as I
sh talked it a second ago, I actually quite enjoyed
this video, so it worked.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Do we want to make predictions for the tennis? Like?
I think I'm going to go with Sriantech to you,
but I really don't have any lean men's side. I
just want to I want to see something cool happen.
Is that too much to ask?
Speaker 2 (29:28):
I think Sria Tech and Jokovic I think. I don't
think it's any more. No, I think scuffs came out
when the whin the doubles, I think they might win.
I forget who he's playing with, but I think I
think the British team might have a chance of winning
gold on the double side in the men's doubles.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
How far does Milosh and Felix get and don't God,
this is the most random pairing of all time with
their back on clay.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
First round. It's got to be first round.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
So mis better come out in false leaves and Felix
as well, because so you have to go back to
where we.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Started, thirty degree heat, full sleeves.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
I'm going to pick check you to win a shitload
of metals. How about that? That's my big pick.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
Okay, it's really going out on a limb there, shuck.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
Two challenges remaining, Simon, do you want to go first?
Speaker 3 (30:17):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (30:18):
Yeah, sure. It just have been part of Movement Vancouver
and also Vision zero Vancouver. The a lot of work
to get a motion in front of council. We will
know the result as of the time that you listen
to this, but it's just fun to be around some
good quality activism. We're trying to push for more dedicated
(30:38):
bus lanes along different routes inside of Vancouver. These are
the things where it's always fun to be part of
something where you have a concrete position that you're trying
to push for. It's not just a nebulus trying to
raise attention. You're actually pushing on something. I'm almost certain
this is going to get photoed down my council. But
it's also one of those things that you do it anyway.
You keep pushing, you keep hoping, you get good press
(30:59):
about it, you get more people informed about it, and
you put the ball in like the horrible right wing
council's caught and you to say, like, please, like vote
against this if you dare, vote against like regular people
taking public transit more often than trying to improve the service.
So yeah, it's been it's been a fun week for
that for me.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Well done, sir, Kudos to you for that. Mine's a
bit similar, but I do I was gonna I was
actually gonna shout out the Toronto Public Library for coming
back online after being cyber hacked last year and taken
ages to recover. But obviously you've seen some commonalities recently
(31:38):
with that big outage regarding crowd strike. I think mine
was going to be simon, like, the news is happening
at a rate now where I am I am earnestly
like wow, this is happening quickly and like not really
being digested, like we're moving on to the next thing
almost immediately, Like the assassination thing was moved on from
so quickly that I I think it took me aback
(32:01):
because I find myself really noticing it more than before.
And I don't know if that's just me getting older,
so I'm doing the waving at clouds thing. But yeah,
I feel like the last like three weeks have been
really really bizarre and it's just hitting me now. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
I mean the fact that you have a presidential, former
president and presidential nominee being attempted assassinate it.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
It's like, well, shit happens.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
Yeah, we just kind of move on. I think it's
interesting as well, just given the sort of press reaction globally,
especially in the backdrop of the Mexican election. Of course
during the course of this year, clear shame barn one,
but the more the amount of violence which took place
during and that the amount of candidates that were either
attacked or I think people died as well. I think
(32:48):
actual candidates died who were on the ballot paper they
were assassinated. So it's a tough tough time to be
in the democratic world, and you know you're going to
have a few people angry at you for standing up
for the positions that you like. It's tough sledding out there, dev.
Speaker 1 (33:04):
I really commend your activism, sir, and I'm trying to
lean more into that myself instead of scrolling doom scrolling.
But I am trying to be offline a bit more
as well, because God, it's a lot. It's a lot. Okay,
we'll leave it there. A reminder, we are on Patreon
(33:24):
dot com, forward slash open Era Pod. Join us there,
get the show ad free, get it early on Sundays.
Plus join us on the discord. Well, we'll be chatting
tennis at the Olympics, plus Olympics in general. I'm sure
over on the discord, so join us there. For producer
Greg on the once and twesday and for Simon, thank
(33:46):
you so much for listening to open Era. We'll talk
to you next week. Everybody loves
Hello and welcome to the Open Era podcast. My name
is de Vega Side. I'm joined as always by mister
Simon Bushell on this Olympics edition of the podcast Bush.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
How are you doing, dev Did you just fucking underarm
serve me to start this podcast? How dare you ro?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Jill Jill in front of my country then as well?
My god, we'll get to the latest and greatest in
the tennis world, including Arthur Feez doing the damn thing
in front of Alexander Seb's country people in Germany, which
we loved. We'll talk Andy Murray of course, but it's
the Olympics. Bush. If you followed this podcast long and
(01:00):
you'll know that we are a bit of Olympic files.
I think it's safe to say, Bush, we have a
tough relationship with it. We know overall generally the Olympics
are bad, but we get hype for the games, right yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
I feel like we should clarify that iOS se bad.
Olympics by and large probably good, question Mark, I think
there's enough good there isn't there that you want to
support this as an entity whilst acknowledging that it's extraordinarily
problematic in a number of ways.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yeah, athletes great for them, most of them. I mean,
let's see who gets caught doping? I joke mostly, but yeah,
an incredible journey for them. And then obviously you have
like the big team sports and athletes that we've seen
in other leagues joining up, which should be fun. But yeah,
it's It's also very interesting because like I was trying
(01:50):
to remember anything from the Tokyo Olympics, and I was
racking my brain and I do not remember much at all,
do you like? I think it was during the pandemic obviously,
and fans and it was delayed, but it obviously felt
not the same.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I absolutely loved it despite its weirdness. I had a
great time with the fortnite. I think my love affair
with the Olympic is well documented on this podcast. I
my overall hatred of the structures of it, was still
really genuinely enjoying a celebration of sport and athletes across
the two and a bit weeks that it takes place
(02:26):
for I thought TOYO was really, yeah, obviously very weird,
just given its place and whether or not it should
even have taken place. The still question marks around that.
Whilst at the same time, it probably not, I mean
almost certainly not right, just given everything we know about it.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
In wait, what happened? Tell me something that happened at
the Tokyolympics.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Oh, I can't do that, and at the top of
my head. Yeah, So then Adam pd one, it's almost certain.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Spa of what a gold medal, so in fact, we
should ever talk about those Olympics again. But yeah, I
go what you mean, And I just I think I
was watching the Netflix documentary Sprint on the men's and
women's sprinters in the hundred and two hundred meters following
them last season. I thought it was well done, but
they also showed highlights from that Olympics, and they showed
(03:15):
Marcel Jacobs winning the one hundred meters in front of nobody,
and you were like, obviously this is a fluke and
not real, and that just kind of felt like the
entire games were like that. So in this case, I
feel a little more hyped for Paris, just because there'll
be people there, but it also seems like a bit
of a boondog over people in Paris regarding the security, Like,
I think the idea is to make these a free
(03:37):
flowing games and have all these venues so accessible in
a sense, but also you're gonna require a ton of security.
So I'm curious to see how this all shakes out, because,
like one thing that we've talked about a lot is
maybe the crowds developing into terrible beasts, becoming more of
(03:58):
a phenomenon post pandemic. I feel like that is the thing,
and it might happen here as well.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I think it is a very legitimate question of whether
or not a buffoonish, clownish and ghoulish crowd that will
be at these Olympic Games for the home crowd, the
home athletes, especially in ten let's talk about tennis to
start with, whether or not that actually affects the rhythm
of these players and actually throws in a surprise winner
(04:24):
just and also whether or not the place in the
schedule so close to changing of surfaces, going from Clay
to Grasp, back to Clay and back to this particular
venue as well, whether or not that throws in any surprises.
But yeah, on the crowd front, get ready for a
roller coaster. I think we're going to see some pretty
bad stuff, I would guess through this games. Whilst at
(04:47):
the same time remembering that, I think a good percentage
of the people that will be attending this are going
to go in good spirits and just do the go
Canada go thing. But there is going to be some
buffoons as well.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Yeah, obviously goes to that say hope everything goes off
okay and safely. But yeah, that element is something I'll
be watching for. But regarding the tennis, and I'm glad
you brought us back there, Simon. I think one of
the things I loved about twenty twelve they could make
Wimbledon less bullshitty, if that is fair to say, Like
(05:19):
it did not feel like this stained wibbleded stayed wibbled
because they allowed colors and because they allowed people to
like clap voisterously and hoot and holler, and it helped
Andy was making a run and playing fed of all people.
But that part, to me made it unique in a
sense because they took Wimbledon and kind of reworked it
(05:42):
into a kind of a spectacle that felt proper at
the Olympics. That's what tennis at the Olympics has felt
like for me, though at its best. Bush, Like we've
talked about the Rio Games a lot for the tennis
that they produced, like these long battles and epic three centers,
and I think that this is going to be at
the French Open is such a such a bood for
us because, like you said, we're gonna get upsets, but
(06:04):
we also have vast favorites, we have unlikely duos, we
have a big farewell, like it's gonna be pretty special.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I really think it is. I'm genuinely far more excited
for this version of the Olympic Games, the tennis discipline
of it than I was I think three and a
bit years ago, which I don't know quite why. Maybe
it is just the having the crowds there and being
in this venue, and that's I think. Just it's going
to be quite open as well. I think one part
(06:32):
that often gets forgotten there's just not been that many
versions of the Olympic Games with tennis in it since
obviously it's inception open era comme on dev eighty.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Eight, yeah, ninety two or eighty eight, yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
So it's quite recent development. There's reason is developed, you know,
in quotations, it's still quite quite young as a discipline
in the Olympics, in the open era. Winning it matters
despite its weirdness, and I think some of the surprises
that it's thrown up through the year. The list of
players that have won gold for men and for women,
(07:07):
and indeed for doubles. In that regard, it's quite a
it's a bit of a who's who it's I think
it does hold a level of prestige, just on the
basis that you don't get many shots at this during
your career.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
You were right by the way it was nineteen eighty
eight when it came back as a metal sport. It's
really well said. I'm looking at this switters list and
it's it's nuts. It is. Uh, it's a bit hilarious
as well in some ways, Like if I would ask
you who won gold at the Athens Olympics in the
men's side, could you tell me.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Well, I do know that one, just because the list
is so short and it's it's quite easy to remember
that one has to be the Nicholas Massou one, right.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
It is, and they won doubles gold, Gonzales and Vasu.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Wow, I didn't remember, Jesus.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
The Sydney one. I mean that was for Canadians Loro
and Nestor winning gold. There was them and Simon Whitfield
and triathlon, those are like the first those are like massive,
big moments post on Hvan Bailey. I'd say for me
as a sports fan, because like, let's let's talk Olympic moments,
and it can be tennis as well, but like, does
something stand out for you as the seminal Olympic woman.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
I sit in a weird position because I have two passports.
I was born in the UK, but I've lived in
Canada for over a decade at this point, twelve years,
and I think my adult life has been much more
based around watching and supporting Canadian athletes in the Olympics,
mostly because it's very hard to keep track of British athletes.
(08:41):
You don't have the benefit of watching like the BBC
over here. So it's so Canada dominant and it will
be in any country, right like whoever the host broadcaster
is in any nation, you're going to have a situation
where that nation is going to be focused on their athletes,
and rightfully so, I think it makes sense to do
that because it's a celebration of national pride when it
comes to your sporting side of things. With all that
(09:01):
being said, I think I have memories from my sort
of British life, of my Canadian life, and this is
a very long way of building up to say, I
think Usain Bolt winning gold Medalis what I remember the most.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Jamaican passport too.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
On your and your briefcase, I'm trying trying my hardest,
I'm secretly as friendon.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Looking back now, it feels even more surreal. At the time,
it didn't feel right or like proper. It felt like
we were watching an alien But now as we get
farther past it and seeing how far away people are
still from his time, it's nuts. I was going to
say Don and Bailey still for me ninety six the
first real big Olympics I remember almost in full, and
(09:45):
like them winning the relay race as well. After that
and the call from Don Woodman, I think I've I've
talked about that specific race at least six times. Songs
were chroniclere on open air as well, so I love
I love that event so much. And then like the
tennis itself, like you're right Bush that it definitely I
(10:08):
think it's taken on more meaning because players specifically are
targeting it as like maybe their last, their last thing
they're missing, or like for some players, it's their biggest
achievement of the career, and it goes beyond tennis because
it's representing your country and it makes an imprint beyond
the tennis viewing public. But I think I mentioned the
(10:31):
doubles win for the Canadians in two thousand, that was big.
Monica Puigue winning in Brazil was awesome, Like that's one
of those things that we got a shock win and
we got a once in a lifetime moment for Puerto
Rico and Monica Puigue. But also like the potential for
a del Potro Murray or the potential for adel Potro
Nadal again, like those things are what I'm I'm really
(10:54):
excited for me too.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Yeah, I feel like the we sort of say that
the Who's who have won Who's one Gold does extend
across all the disciplines, Like it's been some obviously some
shock winners, but even in the mixt it's you get
two players coming together sometimes from different disciplines. You might
(11:18):
get two singles players playing together, or you might have
a singles and a double specialist, and I think it
throws up some real surprises and I think this year
is a really good example of that as well, we
get some surprise. I don't have surprise teams as the
right phrasing, but some teams that you're very excited to
watch to see actually if they can play together, because
they might not be they might be terrible. And the
(11:39):
same in the doubles as well, Like it's cool to
be able to see doubles specialists from the same country
being able to play together, of course, but at the
same time, having two single stars play together mix for
an exciting event.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
I was a bit surprised that I was sad in
for Marquette Vantrasova who had to what's your off in
the Olympics dudo injury, But I was I've been surprised
to Checkia put Sanyakova in singles, taking her out of doubles,
and then putting g Linda Noskova with Mukhova and Barbarakretchikova.
It's these little, these little things that I I think
(12:16):
also take on a bigger a bigger steak, Like you
have these really excellent doubles teams who have been really
strong their whole seasons, but now they're linked up with
someone from a different from someone from their same country.
Now their their pair is playing with someone else, so
they've got to change with that and also kind of
realize that for them, unfortunately, this might be one of
(12:38):
the more high profile moments for them as a doubles
player playing tennis for their country because more eyeb also
be on them and this could propel them into who
knows what, maybe a career and something else beyond tennis.
So yeah, I feel like the stakes are high. You
got new teams, you got the cat Alcaraz Nadal, which
is gonna be nuts, and like I feel like it's
(12:59):
going to work, but also maybe it doesn't, which is
also going to be fascinating. We should talk about Andy
Bush confirmed this is going to be his last tournament.
I think the writing was on the wall after that
that operation he had before Wimbledon, which seemed like something
he was trying to rush to do. But not a
(13:19):
bad place to leave this sport. In terms of like
the Olympics and tennis, Andy's done extremely well.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yes, absolutely. I got a message from a friend this
morning asking why on earth Andy Murray is playing the Olympics,
and my response to him was just well, my response
was like I guess more more or less pithy, depending
on your perspective, which was just closure a single word.
It's it's time, like it's yeah, there's got to be
(13:46):
an event that you go out on. And maybe this
has been lost. It was certainly lost to me until
I did a little bit of digging on it. He's
the most successful male tennis player at the Olympics.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
In the open.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
He has more metals than anyone else, more golds and
obviously the silver as well, so he has three. I
know it's not a huge a huge deal, but at
the same time, it's it's his kind of crowning moments,
his signature achievement in a lot of ways, and maybe
that gets slightly forgotten.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Yeah, and I think that makes it that much more perfect.
And I was just going back through twenty sixteen and
twenty twelve and like, holy cow, like Andy played some
huge matches, really big stuff, and I feel like you
should he have some time go back and find those highlights,
like I twenty sixteen men's side, the tournament nuts. So
(14:40):
this feels right. I hope he can make a bit
of a run. It feels like the odds are against
him a bit, but we'll see quick hitters. Bush the
mugshots of the players are hilarious. Not sure where those
are taken in a bathroom? Maybe not the most slattery.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Why is it like that, I've not found an It's
so strange.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
That's very strange, man. Yeah, that was add Yeah and
exeter ill perhaps Bush.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Well he delayed going out, didn't he? So he delayed
flying out to Paris or taking the train. I don't
know what he was doing or where he is at
the moment. I wonder where he must be in Italy
surely or it is a quote unquote residence in Monte Carlo,
so must be challenging to get to Paris from there.
But no, he I think he is legitimately, whether or
not that effects his ability to compete at this Olympics, Well,
(15:27):
we'll watch this space.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
How big of a favorite is Ega here because we're
back at Argy or does that she come off because
it's a different tournament.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
No, she's the overwhelming favorite. Overwhelming favorite, there's no no denying.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
No, that screams. You know, that screams a shocking upset
from Diya Sharif exactly ship in the first round. That's
definitely happening. Second recording before the draw. Yeah, but yeah,
she's such a huge favorite that we know something insane
will happen on the inside. I honestly couldn't tell you.
I don't know where you're leading on this bush, but
(16:00):
like maybe you go safe and go Alcoraz. I feel
like Nadal is going to do something also unhinged and
that means make the final.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Do you not think that Novak Chocovitch is the overhelm
favorite for this?
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Yes? And also Novak is like this is his no
slams this year? Is fine if he only gets one
title and it's this one. Who cares?
Speaker 3 (16:21):
Right?
Speaker 1 (16:21):
He's golden? Literally, this is his everest?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Is it not? This is the time?
Speaker 1 (16:27):
That is it? That is a storyline? Actually that I like,
lo Kia is going to be big as we get
into this deeper. So you're picking Novack then you coward?
Speaker 2 (16:38):
I am picking? Is that a cowardly pick?
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Like I lashed out?
Speaker 2 (16:43):
People are somewhat sleeping? Are people sleeping on it? Might
just making this up and argument.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Against my Half of these guys have had surgery within
the last four days, So I don't know who anyone
can be favorites. Like if fels like the Walking Dead
coming into.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
This, did I say on a pod cast at the
start of this year, in our year, at our beginning
predictions for the season that I thought Daniel Autmayo was
gonna win. I was gonna say there was a surprise winner.
So let's go with that.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
Honestly, that's what we deserve, That's what Germany. I don't
even think he's he's not even he's not. We gotta
we gotta go with Dominic Komfort, our cool German pick.
Germany did not pick Spap to carry the flag. Dennis Schroeder,
who led Germany to fever gold last summer for a
(17:35):
Toronto Raptor, will carry the flag.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Can I remember Shrewder?
Speaker 1 (17:39):
I think it's shrewder? Actually, thank you? Yeah, good job
Germany for not fucking that. Okay, And finally, the Olympic
year Canadas is bad. I don't wanna, I don't wanna
talk out of school, but I don't like what we've
done with our gear for the Olympics.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
It's out of pocket death, as they say on Techno. Now,
I fully fully agree with you. I think it's horrendous.
I think it's awful. The gb Ones no better either.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
No, you've seen Mongolia get some love for their kits.
So hades kits are also quite nice.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
But yeah nice, Yeah, yeah, the US one is.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Closing. Everybody's shocking. Yeah, but I mean you might as well.
The Canada one. It's like they must have just found
some leaves lying around and just throwing these in here. Okay,
we'll take a break. When we come back on party shots,
we'll talk about some of the tennis that we missed
last week, and as always, it's two challenges remaining coming
up next. Welcome back to the Open Air podcast. I
(18:50):
mentioned the tennis that we missed, Rafa Nadal playing in Sweden,
of all places, simon, which must have been hilariously cool
for the fans there twenty years in between appearances to
Rafa there. He made it to the final, lost the final,
which not the biggest shock, but congrats to you. No Borges.
(19:11):
You could say that he beat Rafa and Adal on
clay in the final, which only four other people can say.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
That's ridiculous, but overall, yeah, do you know the other
this is in the discord, so if you do, I
didn't see it, Novak Federer, Yes, yes, Farre never beat
him on clay in a final. No, the logical next
person in that crew Nope, don't know team the team
(19:40):
be in a final. Team must have been in the final.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
No, anyway, he did in Horatios of Aios, the Argentine
guy that yeah, he might have memory hold that, but
it happened.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Uh Jesus deev. I would never have got that in
a million years. Not a chance.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
I'm glad. I'm glad I answer. But I mean, in
Rapha's sense, not moving great, and I mean the aura
is still there. But like the pois he was winning,
didn't necessarily enthuse like it didn't. I don't have I'm
not more confidence. Let's just say about his chances in Paris,
but I mean to make the run, to show the
(20:19):
fighting spirit. Those things are all there, so who are
we to say he can't do it.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
There is going to be an aura, isn't there going
into this tournament and trying to take him out, which
we'll get him through at least a few rounds. It
has to be said though. Losing to Nuna Borgage in
the final on clay is perhaps an indication of where
his level is at. And there's a good player, by
the way, there's with all due respect to him, but
it's an indication of where Nadal is at, he is
(20:48):
obviously very very close to the end. If he manages
to get to the latter stage of this tournament, it's
going to be an extraordinary situation. The amount of support
that he's going to be getting is going to be
wild to watch.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Who Nadal Novak here would be. I think it would
be sad, though it would be sad, No, it would
be sad. Carlos gammoing one of them also would be
kind of sad, but also Arthur Fees winning in Hanburg.
One of them were bizarre matches. I think Alexanders Varia
(21:25):
was one for twenty two on breakpoint chances, which is hilarious.
I thought Fees was excellent though in front of a
hostile crowd. I love his play style. Bush like I
feel like he basically this explain to me why he
can't be one of the why he can't be in
the top ten for the next five years. I feel
(21:47):
like he's got everything.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Yeah, I agree with you. I think just repeatability, consistency.
I think is his biggest biggest issue at the moment
is that he does break down a decent amount and
rallies that he shoul should be winning, but he has
all the shots, Like, it's not like he's not capable
of doing these things. You just kind of want to
get to the point where he's able to have a
level of repeatability. I think on the foehand as well,
(22:12):
like I still have major question marks about whether or
not that's going to hold up long term, considering it's
got some real.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
It looks cooler. It looks cooler than it should be.
I feel like if he dialed down the coolness, it
would be better.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Agreed. Did you hear the interview that he did gave
after the can we please put the clip in here?
I thought it was so so funny the way that
he said it, so yes, fingers crossed that we can
put it in.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
I think that I did everything for winnings as much.
I've got cramps at five. All in discern, I'm cramping
trying under I'm served because I cannot serve crowd. They
could badly. I don't care. I'm winning and that's it.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
It's very very pissed off at the under arm serve.
The handshake was brewed. All loved it, love to see him.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
It was all smile in the ceremony at the end,
though right there was the feast, unsure of how to
do the Champagne celebration. I'll admit if I won a
tour title, I wouldn't know how to do that. Ever,
I've never done a Champagne thing. Because you know I'm no,
I'm not going to say that I don't know how
(23:23):
to do it. You can insert the blank of what
you think I was going to say that.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Moving on swiftly, Marcus Tiron winning his first ATP title
an old man, thirty years old.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Cool story. Right to have a player that has been
on the tour for as long as he has. Obviously
an excellent collegiate career as well, not like you mentioned
final four All Americans, first time title or the age
of thirty. Good story, really good story elsewhere.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Laura Sampson Bush Laura Samson, Yes, good story as well
this one.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Want to keep an eye on. First WTA Tour level event.
She beat Katarina Snyakova in Prague. She is sixteen years
of age to sixteen.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
Sixteen Michael Caine voice incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Former French Open Girls runner up, I want to say,
and former world number one at junior level. She is
a real talent. Keep an eye out for her.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Barbara creji Kova getting the Lego treatment, much like Eustrian
Tech and Lee la FRIANDZ did, which seemed a bit random,
but I think there's a sponsorship deal involved. But good
to see barbe get a cool plate that looks like
it took someone a long ish time to put together,
but not too long.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
Someone actually made this by hand? Or do you think
it was press in a factory somewhere?
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Oh? Actually, shit, three D printed, probably, I wonder so.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
I fully, I fully recognize that Lego has some problems,
giving the fact that's mad out of plass stick and
you know, oil and climate change and all the things
that come with it. I'm am I just a fucking
simp here. I quite like Lego. I quite like some
of the partnerships and things they do. I find it
quite sweet and quite funny.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
What what is a Lego piece cost? These days? Like?
What is a box of Lego costs? Do you know?
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Is this like a politician being asked like the price
of a cotton of milk at the moment?
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Well, I believe it'd be three to four thousand dollars
out of touch one piece of Lego.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
It's got to be like fifteen dollars right.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
I don't know if you six hundred dollars now, But
what I'm saying is this plate feels like it will
cost six hundred dollars in the shop. So I'm less
charmed by Lego's cuteness.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
I guess I think they do some really interesting things,
like the sponsor. I'm not I'm not gonna say this
any like it's gonna it's gonna cross like I'm looking for.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
Speaking of Cridge, Speaking of Cridge, the big dance at
wimbled in which I was I had pre cringe feelings
about this, the way it was being discussed and the
prophecy was fulfilled. Based on the discourse afterwards, I.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Guess the question that I have for you, why are
we still doing this? Why are the single champions and
the men's and women's dancing together at the ball.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
The fact that they Carlos made them all weight because
he was celebrating Spain winning. It made me laugh, But
also like, what is this ball? You like? Guys? Come on,
serve some food, do some karaoke back there? Get with
the times I went.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
If the players like this, I'm trying to trying to
work out whether or not. It's actually a good thing.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
The old photos that were circulating of like past balls
and like fed and Serena and like Serena and all
the Big four, like rotating years, which is hilarious, but
like this is all nostalgia, probably, but it felt like
it was a big deal. It probably still is, right,
but I don't know. Everything is social mediaized, everything is
clipped and generated, so I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
So cringe question mark do we coming down as saying
that this is cringe or not huge huge?
Speaker 1 (27:03):
I felt awkward. I think generally though, I find this
kind of stuff awkward and like hard to watch.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
It didn't do anything for me, but it that way,
I'm clearly not the target audience because I'm not seventy
five years of age.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Speaking of Carlos, Akaraz did an interview with an influencer.
They're trying, damn it, the ATP is trying Bush, They're there,
They're going. But he was asked about several things like
best talker, funniest guy, et cetera. On the tour. He
had some funny answers, but the big one, biggest trash talker.
(27:40):
He said, hold Rune, m hmm, Bush.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
That check out to you, sure does. Yeah, absolutely, I
thought it was. I thought it was a good answer.
Gives you some indication. No smoke without fire.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
He apologized immediately, but then it's like, come on, we
all see it.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
It was like, yeah, he's like, I'm come on, the
most Charlie way of doing it. Yeah, yeah, this guy,
he's kind of a doucheberg. I'm sorry for saying that,
but it's kind of true. I'm paraphrasing.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Do you think Alex you and ours pumped when he
hears that Alchoris thinks he's really good but should be
way better than he is.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Do you think he's like, oh, okay, especially from this
podcast where I've multiple times said that I'd never thought
he'd be a top ten player and still is. So
he's managing to squeeze everything out of that lemon. At
the moment, I thought that was interesting.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
He's clearly highly rated by the locker room, so that
was cool.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Dude, like clearly works his bag off, doesn't he He's
maximizing everything, and I think that gives you the significant
amount of respect in the locker room. Can we just
talk about for one second, how you put an influencer
to do a video like this, and you give them
the most fucking boiler plate questions slash content that you
could possibly ask for. This looks like an AI came
(28:50):
up with these questions. The guy himself was AI right
the influence. I'm pretty sure he was even just the.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
Way he the person the talent was able to clue
it on the TIAPO answer, like make some jokes regarding that,
like yeah, see, like there's a bit of effort goes
a long way. I thought it was good.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
Thought it was good. Yeah, yeah, as much as I
sh talked it a second ago, I actually quite enjoyed
this video, so it worked.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Do we want to make predictions for the tennis? Like?
I think I'm going to go with Sriantech to you,
but I really don't have any lean men's side. I
just want to I want to see something cool happen.
Is that too much to ask?
Speaker 2 (29:28):
I think Sria Tech and Jokovic I think. I don't
think it's any more. No, I think scuffs came out
when the whin the doubles, I think they might win.
I forget who he's playing with, but I think I
think the British team might have a chance of winning
gold on the double side in the men's doubles.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
How far does Milosh and Felix get and don't God,
this is the most random pairing of all time with
their back on clay.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
First round. It's got to be first round.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
So mis better come out in false leaves and Felix
as well, because so you have to go back to
where we.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Started, thirty degree heat, full sleeves.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
I'm going to pick check you to win a shitload
of metals. How about that? That's my big pick.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
Okay, it's really going out on a limb there, shuck.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
Two challenges remaining, Simon, do you want to go first?
Speaker 3 (30:17):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (30:18):
Yeah, sure. It just have been part of Movement Vancouver
and also Vision zero Vancouver. The a lot of work
to get a motion in front of council. We will
know the result as of the time that you listen
to this, but it's just fun to be around some
good quality activism. We're trying to push for more dedicated
(30:38):
bus lanes along different routes inside of Vancouver. These are
the things where it's always fun to be part of
something where you have a concrete position that you're trying
to push for. It's not just a nebulus trying to
raise attention. You're actually pushing on something. I'm almost certain
this is going to get photoed down my council. But
it's also one of those things that you do it anyway.
You keep pushing, you keep hoping, you get good press
(30:59):
about it, you get more people informed about it, and
you put the ball in like the horrible right wing
council's caught and you to say, like, please, like vote
against this if you dare, vote against like regular people
taking public transit more often than trying to improve the service.
So yeah, it's been it's been a fun week for
that for me.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Well done, sir, Kudos to you for that. Mine's a
bit similar, but I do I was gonna I was
actually gonna shout out the Toronto Public Library for coming
back online after being cyber hacked last year and taken
ages to recover. But obviously you've seen some commonalities recently
(31:38):
with that big outage regarding crowd strike. I think mine
was going to be simon, like, the news is happening
at a rate now where I am I am earnestly
like wow, this is happening quickly and like not really
being digested, like we're moving on to the next thing
almost immediately, Like the assassination thing was moved on from
so quickly that I I think it took me aback
(32:01):
because I find myself really noticing it more than before.
And I don't know if that's just me getting older,
so I'm doing the waving at clouds thing. But yeah,
I feel like the last like three weeks have been
really really bizarre and it's just hitting me now. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
I mean the fact that you have a presidential, former
president and presidential nominee being attempted assassinate it.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
It's like, well, shit happens.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
Yeah, we just kind of move on. I think it's
interesting as well, just given the sort of press reaction globally,
especially in the backdrop of the Mexican election. Of course
during the course of this year, clear shame barn one,
but the more the amount of violence which took place
during and that the amount of candidates that were either
attacked or I think people died as well. I think
(32:48):
actual candidates died who were on the ballot paper they
were assassinated. So it's a tough tough time to be
in the democratic world, and you know you're going to
have a few people angry at you for standing up
for the positions that you like. It's tough sledding out there, dev.
Speaker 1 (33:04):
I really commend your activism, sir, and I'm trying to
lean more into that myself instead of scrolling doom scrolling.
But I am trying to be offline a bit more
as well, because God, it's a lot. It's a lot. Okay,
we'll leave it there. A reminder, we are on Patreon
(33:24):
dot com, forward slash open Era Pod. Join us there,
get the show ad free, get it early on Sundays.
Plus join us on the discord. Well, we'll be chatting
tennis at the Olympics, plus Olympics in general. I'm sure
over on the discord, so join us there. For producer
Greg on the once and twesday and for Simon, thank
(33:46):
you so much for listening to open Era. We'll talk
to you next week. Everybody loves
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