Category: Podcast

Episode 62 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, recaps the ATP/WTA joint event in Rome, where Rafael Nadal got his mojo back, winning his ninth title with a decisive final-round victory over Novak Djokovic. We pick apart some of Djokovic’s decision-making, especially his 18 dropshots.

A less-polished clay-court performer, Karolina Pliskova, took the women’s title, and we explain why the conventional wisdom understates how well her game adapts to the dirt.

Also: Nick Kyrgios wants attention, and we give him some.

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(Note: this week’s episode is about 64 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

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Episode 61 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, struggles to draw conclusions from Rafael Nadal’s latest surprise loss in Madrid. The King of Clay has no titles in 2019–not even a clay-court final–but his longer-term track record still suggests he’s the favorite (or close) at Roland Garros.

We also cover the continued late blooming of Kiki Bertens, the surprise relevance of Roger Federer, the return of the always-dangerous Serena Williams, and the abysmal doubles record of Marco Cecchinato.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 62 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

Click to listen, subscribe on iTunes, or use our feed to get updates on your favorite podcast software.

Episode 60 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, delves into the little-known group of dirt-ballers, including Garin, Matteo Berrettini, and Guido Pella, who are piling up the clay-court wins in 2019. We mull the vagaries of surface-specific Elo ratings, as well as the types of skills that might lead these guys to have crossover success on faster courts.

We also touch on the WTA results in Rabat and Prague, with a particular focus on the up-and-down career of Johanna Konta. Finally, we consider how David Ferrer stacks up against the best in the history of the sport, as he plays his last event in Madrid this week.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 63 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

Click to listen, subscribe on iTunes, or use our feed to get updates on your favorite podcast software.

Episode 59 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, re-evaluates Rafael Nadal’s status as clay-court favorite after his semi-final loss to Dominic Thiem in Barcelona. We also consider what Daniil Medvedev is doing right, even if it didn’t work against Thiem. We compare Medvedev’s accomplishments to those of another Russian, Karen Khachanov, and consider which set of skills is likely to lead to a better career. The same type of comparison is worth making for Istanbul finalist Marketa Vondrousova, whose counterpunching style differs from many of her teenage peers.

Finally, we dive into the muck of Justin Gimelstob’s assault case and tennis’s typically incoherent response.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 72 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

Click to listen, subscribe on iTunes, or use our feed to get updates on your favorite podcast software.

Episode 58 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, recaps the Monte Carlo Masters and tries to make sense of Rafael Nadal’s semi-final loss to Fabio Fognini. We discuss how seriously to take the early exits of Nadal and Djokovic, as well what the result tells us about Fognini. We also cover the Fed Cup final four and consider whether the women’s event should undergo a radical change next year to match the Davis Cup.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 69 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

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Episode 57 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, reviews a week’s worth of ATP and WTA results, starting with Christian Garin and Casper Ruud, the dirtballers who contested the Houston final. We consider the decline of clay-court specialization, and the more aggressive returning style favored by up-and-coming women’s stars such as Amanda Anisimova.

Finally, we express considerable befuddlement over my recent findings about Caroline Wozniacki’s extremely predictable serves.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 62 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

Click to listen, subscribe on iTunes, or use our feed to get updates on your favorite podcast software.

Episode 56 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, considers the clay-court success of Charleston winner Madison Keys and how aggression seems to be a proven strategy at WTA clay events… though not for everyone.

We also do a deep dive on underarm serve strategy, and review some recent research into ATP aging patterns.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 63 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

Click to listen, subscribe on iTunes, or use our feed to get updates on your favorite podcast software.

Episode 55 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, discusses the newly-minted Miami champions. We start with Ashleigh Barty, possibly now the best hard-court player in the game, and mull over how her throwback style will translate to other surfaces this season. The second half is for Roger Federer, who breezed through a weaker-than-usual draw, but did so in particularly dominating style.

We also consider whether Karolina Pliskova has peaked, if Simona Halep will regain the No. 1 ranking, and the future for the pair of Canadian ATP prospects, Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime. We wrap up with some thoughts about the gap on this week’s ATP calendar where Davis Cup used to be.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 65 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

Click to listen, subscribe on iTunes, or use our feed to get updates on your favorite podcast software.

Episode 54 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, catches up on the Miami early rounds, beginning with some rocky starts for Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. We also look at the slew of early upsets and the threats who remain in the draw. We talk about how to evaluate Bianca Andreescu’s feats at her young age, and the wacky wild cards that always find their way into the Miami main draw.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 64 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

Click to listen, subscribe on iTunes, or use our feed to get updates on your favorite podcast software.

Episode 53 of the Tennis Abstract Podcast, with Carl Bialik of the Thirty Love podcast, focuses on the breakthrough hard-court title for Dominic Thiem, who claimed his first non-clay Masters trophy yesterday in Indian Wells. We talk a bit about his tactics, his draw, and–we just can’t help it, apparently–whether we’re in a weak era.

On the women’s side, we use the shock victory of 18-year-old wild card Bianca Andreescu to consider the strength of her generation, with names like Osaka, Sabalenka, and now Andreescu poised to sweep away their elders. Yet still in the mix, and representing our last topic, are Serena, Venus, and Vika, who remain a threat against just about anyone.

Thanks for listening!

(Note: this week’s episode is about 60 minutes long; in some browsers the audio player may display a different length. Sorry about that!)

Click to listen, subscribe on iTunes, or use our feed to get updates on your favorite podcast software.