Aus Open Draws - Winners, losers, picks and shocks

12:05Catherine Whitaker:The sensation.

12:06Matt Roberts:She's got a sensation. I still think that's good news. But equally, it could be a springboard. She could be coming in here without too much time to think about the pressure or talk to many media who are all hyping her up and she just carries on the form from Adelaide and on she goes.

12:27David Law:I do feel like if Mboko had not had that wrist injury last summer, I'd have been fascinated to see where she would have ended up, because the form was there and the raw materials of a game are there.

12:41Matt Roberts:She's got some strapping going on. And maybe she's going to be a player that's always got some kind of strapping on the go. Maybe that's not an alarming thing. We don't really have enough data points about her. But yeah, she's in an interesting spot, isn't she, just at this moment?

13:01Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, definitely. And that is an interesting round one against Emerson Jones. You know, like seeing Mboko, who I think for a lot of time in her career will have had the crowd on her side. You know, exciting youngster. That obviously really helped her in Canada last year. like just seeing her in that environment I think will be interesting just speaking of a couple of other people in this section we mentioned Raducanu she is getting tough Grand Sam draws really at the moment isn't she like she keeps losing to the biggest names in the sport if you think last year it was Sabalenka it was Sviontek it was Rabakina here she is probably gonna have to face Sabalenka again like just it doesn't feel like she's quite getting the luck of the draws at the moment.

13:41Matt Roberts:And it's particularly brutal because she's finally seeded. This is the first time she's been seeded at a slam in a while and it's still a bum draw.

13:50Catherine Whitaker:Okay, she's

13:51Matt Roberts:not facing Sabalenka in round two.

13:53Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, and it's okay to get there, I would say, if she's fit. And then the other name I would just circle is your gal, David, Clara Towson. Oh yeah. Well, because she's played Sabalenka tough in the past.

14:08Matt Roberts:David's done quite a bit of distancing himself from Clara Towson, I would say.

14:11David Law:Look, I have yet to see the Clara Towson that beat Jennifer Brady at that French Open when she dashed my dreams of Brady doing what I said she would do and reach the final all those years ago. She's had really good results. Look, she's the 14th seed. You know, this is a woman who's had results, but it's never really looked as spectacular as it did that day. Maybe a couple of times against Sabalenka, actually. That's it. That's kind of why I raised it. that she has a ball strike. You know, there aren't many players. One of the reasons I'm excited about Kostiuk is just, I know she got beaten fairly handily the other day, but some of the time in rallies, it looked like she could handle Sabalenka.

14:55David Law:And Towson looks like that against her. There's some players that, and for the most part, I'd probably include Raducanu in this, there are some players that look really good until they face a Sabalenka. Mukova had this last week. You suddenly run into this player who can just overwhelm you with her game. But there's some players who can stand up to it. Yeah, I've ended up with what looks like quite a boring quarterfinal lineup in terms of there are very few surprises, but really exciting in terms of the fact that the strength of women's tennis is such that if those all happened, I'd be delighted.

15:35David Law:You know, they'd be mouth-watering.

15:37Matt Roberts:Does that mean you've got Goff and Draver happening in that second quarter?

15:42David Law:Yeah, and actually when you look at Draver, I think it's quite a big call because her draw is not pleasant. I mean, Donna Vekic, first round. I know Vekic is not playing anything like what she has, but you don't really want her in the first round. This is somebody who's reached a grand slam semi-final. Maria Sakharie, potentially second round, who suddenly looks a bit like that player that was formidable a few years ago, certainly to a level. Diana Yastrzemska's a potential third-round opponent, and then maybe Alina Svitolina or Ababa. There's a barnstorm in first round between Kricičkova, Ababa or Kricičkova and Diana Schneider, with the potential winner of that going through to Mita and Alina Svitolina in round three.

16:28David Law:and they're all in Andreeva's last 16 section, aren't they? So that is a tough draw.

16:36Catherine Whitaker:So tough. And she's still going this week as well, as we record. She's just playing a lot to then come into this draw. I think that's a big ask for Mira Andreeva to make it all the way through there. Obviously, with the caveat that it looks tough on paper and it might not end up being all these players, but there's just so many of them that you feel like she's going to have to beat some good names. even to get to the quarterfinals.

17:00David Law:I just end up, I don't know how you two feel about it, I end up coming out on feeling, well, but she's still the best one. And so I think she will end up doing it.

17:12Matt Roberts:Asterisk Kraychikova there. Yes, true. I mean, Kraychikova's top level.

17:16David Law:Is a Wimbledon champion. Yeah. And a French champion. So that's fair. And you just never know. I accept that.

17:21Matt Roberts:I do not know where Kraychikova is sort of formal fitness-wise, really.

17:26Catherine Whitaker:I mean, she played, I thought she played well at the United Cup, but had the injury concerns. You know, it's a classic Kraychikov experience, really. I'd circle Svitolina from that little section, actually. Fun. Yeah. And just think, you know, we know typically that her matches against Russian players, there is a kind of even extra intensity. And you've got Schneider in there, you've got Andreeva. It could be a lot, those matches.

18:04Matt Roberts:Schneider played the Gazprom event, didn't she? What about the section just above it, the Coco Goff section, potential second round with Venus Williams, if Venus can come through Olga Danilovic in round one. Karolina Mukova, potential fourth round opponent for Goff, if Mukovo can come through a tricky early couple of rounds, Jacqueline Christian round one and most likely Alexandra Eala in round two. That would be great. That's a good little section.

18:37David Law:Emma Navarro potential round three for Mukovo in that area. But also on Goff, she might have to face Vondrusova.

18:47Matt Roberts:Or Hayley Baptiste.

18:48David Law:Or Hayley Baptiste. Those two play each other, Baptiste and Vondrusova. And there's Boethes Meniere, who's a very good player. So there's probably going to be some tough contests, and yet I'd still probably expect Goff to win them all.

19:02Matt Roberts:Because the best tennis I've seen Goff play in, well, certainly this year and for a while, is against the best opponent she's played this year and in a while, Iga Svantec. Like, I know it's such a cliche with Goff, but, you know, the biggest threat is herself, right? and the second serve that we saw last night, it's very hard to make Coco Gauff predictions, especially as we know she can play not particularly well and still win Grand Slams.

19:34David Law:Yeah, she lost to Badosa here last year, which is not a result I would have anticipated, and yet an example of a player with a big game and a big shot who can just make you run out of time. And there are players like that in this draw, but I still expect the pedigree of Goff to win. I think in terms of predictions, you've probably got to go with that.

20:00Matt Roberts:So do we all think we're getting Goff's Abelenka?

20:03Catherine Whitaker:Yeah. Yeah, sitting here right now, I would predict that.

20:07Matt Roberts:What about the other half of the draw, the more open half, I would say? I mean, Matt wouldn't because Amanda and him some overs in it.

20:17David Law:And I'd say the same.

20:20Matt Roberts:take it away

20:21David Law:yeah I mean I

20:23Catherine Whitaker:oh I like I like I like we've got written down there David I've just I've just seen it

20:27David Law:I've got her in the final yeah I mean it was it's a good draw isn't it it's and listen she had a bit of treatment in a match the other day she lost to Marta Kostiuk you know it's difficult to know exactly what you're going to get

20:41Matt Roberts:beat Daniel Medvedev though

20:42David Law:yeah in the one pointer but more of him later but But, yeah, Enes Samova, I think once she gets through sort of first rounds and she's got somebody I don't know very well, Simona Voltaire, I think maybe is how you pronounce the Swiss player's name. Voltaire. But that's who she got first round. Siniak of a potential second round. She's in a Sophia Kenin. I tell you what, imagine how intense that match is going to be. Sophia Kenin against Peyton Stearns in the first round.

21:17Catherine Whitaker:You've got Tatiana Maria lurking there. We saw what she did to Anissimova at Queen's. But I do think that was pretty grass-specific. Yeah, I think so.

21:24David Law:And also I don't think Anissimova is as good as she is now. She looks ready to me to go deep here.

21:35Catherine Whitaker:That's it. I was mostly looking at the first few rounds for Anissimova because I do think she needs to get herself into this season and into this tournament. like she's got to get going I think and then she can build up the momentum that we saw last year. She's that kind of player isn't she? I think so, yeah I really do. Having said that though you know the sort of quarter-finals semis I think could be pretty opponent specific here whether we're talking about this as a good draw or not because you know Jessica Pergoulo is her potential quarter-final opponent she's never beaten her she's 0-3 and okay she hasn't played a as she is now, but there's just something about that matchup that she's not enjoyed in the past.

22:21Catherine Whitaker:And then we saw what Rabatkinner did to her at the WTA finals, and suddenly it felt a bit like the Rabatkinner ball strike was overpowering the Anisimova ball strike. So if Rabatkinner's there in the latter stages, she's playing well, and that could be a problem. But I like the early rounds for Anisimova, And then if she were to face, for example, Svjantek, while she showed in the back half of last year with those two wins over her, that she's OK in that matchup. So, you know, I think you could make a case either way for the latter stages here, depending on who the opponent is.

22:58Matt Roberts:Both of those would be semi-finals, wouldn't they? Either Svjantek or Rabakina for Anisimova would be a semi-final with... I've got Svjantek through to the quarters to face I've written Rabakina slash Bencic.

23:13David Law:in that bottom quarter. And understandably so. I've ended up with Rabakina. I find it quite hard to pick against her other than against the very top players. I think Svantec, I tend to go with her most of the time and it's interesting she's actually in the section, I think fourth round section with Naomi Osaka is Svantec, which at the US Open I was definitely picking Osaka and I'm not doing that this time. I don't have the same degree of confidence in her that I had last summer.

23:51Matt Roberts:I've written Osaka slash Lees, which would be a fourth round match. Sorry. Second round. Sorry, second round. And sorry, the winner of that would potentially go on to face Shviontek in the fourth round. But yeah, Osaka Lees in the second round.

24:09Catherine Whitaker:Lees not easy against Castella.

24:11Matt Roberts:No, because Steyer's just a pest, isn't she?

24:15Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, basically.

24:19Matt Roberts:But yeah, I have gone with Shontek. If I was pressed to pick between Rabatkin and Bencic, I too would pick Rabatkin, I think the top level. That would be a big test of the new Bencic serve,

24:35Catherine Whitaker:I would suggest, against the Rabatkin return, just thinking about it as a match-up. I think it's a good draw for Sviante early here. Like I do like her route through to the quarters. You know, David's obviously flagged Asako, who leaps out. We've mentioned Lise, but other than that, I do like this for Sviante.

25:02Matt Roberts:Do you think the top section, not quarter, because Anisimova is in it, But the section above Anisimova, the Pegula Keys section, do you think that is potentially the most open? I realise Madison Keys is the defending champion and she's not at a bad start to the season, but she did get beaten by Victoria Mboko today. She's not in the form she was in last year. She did win Adelaide before Melbourne. Of course, none of us predicted she would have been in Melbourne.

25:31Catherine Whitaker:In hindsight, the signs were there.

25:33Matt Roberts:In hindsight, the signs were there, and she's not in that form right now. And I am always guilty of underestimating Jessica Pagula. Like, I do think she will reach that quarterfinal to face Madison Keyes. But it feels the most open section to me.

25:51David Law:To meet her in the fourth round? The Keyes-Pagula eighth feels to me the most open section.

26:02Matt Roberts:If there's going to be a shock quarterfinal.

26:04David Law:I pretty confidently wrote Pagula's name down to face Inissa Moura in the quarterfinals.

26:11Matt Roberts:So she would be beating Madison Keyes?

26:14David Law:Or at least come in through that section, whether she faces her or not. You've got Nayla Fernandes in there.

26:20Matt Roberts:But Fernandes has got my fantasy league pick, Janice Chen, in round one, who has not had a good start to the season.

26:27Catherine Whitaker:But that's a fun match. And that's, I was talking to David earlier, and that's kind of the point we made. There's a lot of those sort of round one matches in the women's draw, especially where, like, if you know, you know, there's a lot of fun matches between players like that. Like, they're not going to bring in the real casual fans, but Fernandes-Chen, given the way Chen's been rising and Fernandes is such a good watch, like, that's an exciting first round match, I think.

26:52Matt Roberts:Yeah, let's just whiz through a few of those just to mark people's cards for matches to look out for over the first few days. I mean, a lot of them we picked out already, but these are the ones that I've circled. Sabalenka against Sarah Rakitamanja Rajana. Look, I think Sabalenka is going to win that handily. But take a look at Rakitamanja Rajana because she is a really talented player. Like she's at the beginning of her curve for sure. But I think the raw materials are there. I watched her play at the United Cup in Perth. I think I've seen her play on the TV before that. But I really think she's a talent and it'd just be fun to see her on the big stage, I think.

27:36Matt Roberts:Mboko against Emerson Jones is obviously something to be very excited about. Mboko against a sensation, the sensation.

27:44David Law:And she's the sensation because she was literally called that on the front cover of Vogue.

27:50Matt Roberts:On the front cover of Australian Vogue. I mean, Australia was very excited about this girl. And look, she's a junior world number one. she's extremely talented I commentated on her in round one last year and she got taken to school by Elena Rabachner it was adult against child it was a total mismatch and she is small Emerson Jones that is just something she's going to have to contend with it doesn't mean she can't have success and she's definitely got something about her. And without question, she seems to come a long way in 12 months. But my goodness me, are Australia excited about this kid?

28:38David Law:Is that a bit early, to be going on the front cover of a magazine of that type?

28:43Matt Roberts:I was shocked to see her on the... I don't know... Magazines aren't what they were, are they? But, like, Vogue still carries a real cachet. I was surprised to see her on the front cover of Vogue I was surprised that she was getting publicity that mainstream like I understand why the tennis world in Australia is very excited about her she's junior world number one that's a big deal in Great Britain we'd be getting very excited if we had a prospect that promising but outside of the tennis world

29:22David Law:I mean it's pretty cool on one hand you could say Tennis is getting off the tennis sports pages And suddenly it's on the front cover of Vogue And if she's enjoying it then great But it also does set her up in a way for pressure I suppose More so coming into an event like this

29:43Matt Roberts:Yeah because the world is how it is I mean look at yeah of course if she fails to fulfil her talent the narrative will be probably forever now well you know too many endorsements too many appearances on the cover of Australian Vogue you know got distracted like we know how it is for women but I don't think that's a reason for her not to be doing it yeah I think it's cool I think how old is she 17 what 17 year old is turning down the chance to be on the cover of Vogue. Being called a sensation.

30:24Matt Roberts:Amazing. Other first rounds that I've picked out, this is still the top half of the draw. Hayley Baptiste against Malketa Vondroshova, assuming Vondroshova's fit. That's delicious. Karolina Mukova against Jacqueline Christian, I think is cool. Barbara Krejcikva against Diana Schneider. And, of course, Dona Vekic against Mira Andreeva.

30:45Catherine Whitaker:I've got one other star next to Putin's saver Hadash Meyer, just for drama.

30:52Matt Roberts:Okay.

30:52Catherine Whitaker:And the winner of that probably plays Kostiuk. It's just an intense section of the draw that I'm into it.

30:58Matt Roberts:Top half, Leila Fernandez and Janice Chen, which we've mentioned. Elaine Osterpenko against Rebecca Shramkova. Sevier Kenan against Peyton Stearns for an intensity off. Matt I know you're a big fan of Kaya Yuvan so I've circled her against Elena Rabatkin she does hit a nice ball Yuvan

31:18Catherine Whitaker:yes and you know she's on the comeback she took a break from the sport her father died I've just always liked Kaya Yuvan I just want good things for her really she speaks really impressively I think

31:34Matt Roberts:Elena Rabatkin around one is not good things

31:36Catherine Whitaker:it's not ideal it's not great for my fantasy team

31:40Matt Roberts:Teresa Valantova against Maya Joint.

31:43Catherine Whitaker:Mmm.

31:45Matt Roberts:I'm into that. And we have Bilinda Bencic against Katie Bolter. Katie Bolter, far from the player we've seen in the last couple of years, but zero pressure and gets to play as Aussie Katie.

32:00David Law:Tough draw for her, though, that, isn't it? Yeah. I mean, she was probably hoping to get a bit of momentum going and then suddenly you draw the most informed player in the world, pretty much.

32:10Matt Roberts:So Anna Kosteja against Ivelisse. Lyudmila Samsonova against Laura Siegmund. Hate myself for circling that, but there we are. Sonny Kartel against Anna Kalinskaya is the last one that I've circled. That's from the bottom section of the draw. OK, who do we have in the finals and who do we have winning?

32:33Catherine Whitaker:Sabalenka winning for me.

32:36Matt Roberts:Against?

32:38Catherine Whitaker:Anissimova. Although that would be three Grand South final losses in a row and I'm not sure any of us can cope with that.

32:45David Law:Well, we've done our brackets entirely independently and come up with exactly the same result.

32:55David Law:I don't know what that says. we spend a lot of time with each other. But that's exactly what I've got. Sabalenka beating Inisimova in the final.

33:05Matt Roberts:I didn't really get that far because we hadn't actually decided to do brackets. I thought I was being very diligent by writing names on my draw sheet.

33:10David Law:I had no intention of doing this and then I found myself doing it in a Roger Federer press conference.

33:16Matt Roberts:Look, I have Sabalenka in the final for sure. And I think probably regardless of who she plays, she'll be the favourite. but that was the case in New York and I found myself picking Amanda Renesimova anyway because I find her kind of irresistible.

33:34Catherine Whitaker:And look, I might be going against myself here because I do remember thinking last year if I see Gough Sabalenka again I need to remember what that match has looked like and it's not a case of Sabalenka can't beat Coco Gough she's got a number of wins against her but you know put put the pressure of a grand slam semi-final on the line and i know again i know sabalenka's beaten goff in that situation a couple of years ago but that french open was so impactful and like has sabalenka learned and grown from that like that's why i want to see it and right here right now i'm picking sabalenka to make it through but if we actually get there on the day i might suddenly think, God, remember what Goff does to Sabalenka and how do you hit through that?

34:28Catherine Whitaker:Sabalenka's got to play a pretty perfect match to win that, you know? And so that's what I'm really excited about.

34:34Matt Roberts:Amanda Onisimova hasn't played a Grand Slam final as a blonde yet.

34:39David Law:What a stat!

34:42Matt Roberts:She's staying blonde forever if she wins a slam as a blonde, isn't she? I would have thought. Maybe Matt Roberts will be too. We need it to happen here because Amanda Nismova has very helpfully posted on Instagram.

34:59Catherine Whitaker:Also thanks to Priscilla Hom, who's always involved. Always involved.

35:05Matt Roberts:She posted content from the salon, getting her hair dyed here in Melbourne. So we have a salon.

35:14Catherine Whitaker:It's the most authentic experience possible.

35:17Matt Roberts:Matt could go to the very same salon. It's quite near our apartment. Yeah, Matt's looked it up.

35:23David Law:Is it in our price range?

35:26Matt Roberts:I think we can fork out for... We are... David, we're in a creator lounge. Yeah. We are content creators. There is no better content.

35:36David Law:No. Although, you know, I also would be quite amused if you used that one that you bring with you to Evergrande Slam to do it yourself. I actually didn't bring it here. Oh, okay.

35:46Catherine Whitaker:Have to be the salon then. Yeah. Book it. Sunday morning in two weeks' time.

35:53Matt Roberts:Right, OK, that is it for the women's draw and that is it for part one. We'll be back in part two to talk about the men's draw and in part three to talk about Roger Federer, who winked at David Law today. But first, a word from our sponsors of this episode and every episode of the Tennis Podcast during the Australian Open. It is the magnificent Steve Fergal's international tennis tours, the premium hospitality and experience provider. That's never been said in a creator studio before, has it?

36:27Catherine Whitaker:It's what it was built for.

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36:45David Law:I know. I feel a bit bad choosing my favourites amongst the slams, but sorry, US Open, Australian Open and women. There it is.

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37:39Matt Roberts:That's tours, the number for tennis.com forward slash podcast. and the code is PARIS10. We'll see you there. Welcome back to part two of today's Draw Day Tennis Podcast where we turn our attention to the men's singles draw at the Australian Open. What are our headlines, David? Could it be a possible Sin Caraz final? No.

38:09David Law:It isn't on my draw. I really wasn't expecting that We should have led the pod with that

38:16Catherine Whitaker:There's your bloody headline Okay well expand

38:21Matt Roberts:Can you tell this wasn't planned for I'm genuinely so shook

38:25Catherine Whitaker:I'm so shook

38:26David Law:I mean again it was during the Roger Federer press conference I was listening to what he was saying And I did find it very interesting Have you got Grigor Dimitrov in the final

38:36Catherine Whitaker:Because he really talked up Grigor Dimitrov

38:38David Law:In my question to Roger that came up So more of that later. But no, I... Stop looking at me like that. It's a perfectly legitimate... It is, but please tell me. Have you got Flavio Gabali in the... No, I haven't.

38:54Matt Roberts:Well, look, to use...

38:55Catherine Whitaker:Is it Medvedev? You said more on him later.

38:57Matt Roberts:To use... Oh, my God, it's Medvedev. Oh, my God.

39:01Catherine Whitaker:He's back.

39:02David Law:Words from the traitors. Oh, which we all watch.

39:06Matt Roberts:It's the first time we've all watched the traitors in Melbourne together, and it was really special.

39:12Catherine Whitaker:And a word for the traitors. My sister texted me last night, are you more excited about the traitors or the draw? Which was a perfect question. Yeah. And I said the draw. Particularly now. But actually, turns out it was traitors.

39:25Matt Roberts:When we were watching the traitors, Matt said, God, the draw's going to have to be bloody good.

39:30David Law:Was it good enough?

39:31Matt Roberts:The traitors was more than an 8 out of 10.

39:33Catherine Whitaker:Oh, the traitors was more than 8 out of 10, yeah.

39:37Matt Roberts:Anyway.

39:38Catherine Whitaker:Anyway, back to this.

39:40David Law:Well, Dan, I'd have written your name, Dan. Oh, my God, what's happening?

39:48Catherine Whitaker:David, you've seen the Medvedev-Alkaraz matchup.

39:51David Law:Yeah.

39:52Catherine Whitaker:Is that going to happen? Do you think Medvedev's taking him out?

39:54David Law:Yeah, I do.

39:55Catherine Whitaker:US Open style? Yeah. Yeah. Wow. You've seen enough.

40:00Matt Roberts:You've gone big on Brisbane. I didn't plan this.

40:03David Law:I didn't come into the Australian Open thinking Medvedev's going to be in the final.

40:08Catherine Whitaker:Is this a Medvedev prediction or is it an Alcarez prediction?

40:12David Law:Both. It's the combination that leads to the conclusion. Because, I mean, look, I just went through the draw and ended up with Medvedev facing Zverev. Although I think I'm not that confident Zverev gets there. But overall, I think looking at his draw, I'd still end up with him there. I think Medvedev takes out Zverev because he always tends to beat him when it really matters and ends up playing Alcraz in the semis. And then I think you do get the one-class Ferreira factor coming in. And I think by then Medvedev is playing relentless tennis, just metronomic tennis. And you've got to beat the guy.

41:04David Law:And Alcraz is perfectly equipped and capable of doing it, as you said, we've seen it so many times. But he's never done it here. And look, I know that I said a few weeks ago that I'm picking Svantec and Alcraz to complete the career slam.

41:22Matt Roberts:He's actually picking neither. However,

41:25David Law:since then, Ferreiro's out. That is a major factor. Shriantek doesn't look convincing really by her standards and Sabalenka looks so convincing so that you know she's not even going to face Sabalenka in my draw because Nisimovar will win that match if they face each other but in the end David's been very convinced by what he's seen in Brisbane clearly in the end I've written your name down Daniel

41:58Catherine Whitaker:to reach the final and then have you got Medvedev losing another Australian Open final yes I have to Sinner I'm going to have to do a Medvedev's near misses AO relived in 10 years time

42:14Matt Roberts:Matt what have you got happening in the top half of the men's draw

42:17Catherine Whitaker:well I'm actually thrilled that David has has said what he said like I'm now I'm really really invested in in whether this ends up happening personally I've not seen enough from Medvedev to think that he's got a win over Alcaraz deep in a slam in him right now I take the point about Alcaraz and Ferreiro and that is an unknown about how much that is going to impact things it's like for me it's one of those things where maybe this is bad analysis but it's one of those things where I'll be probably mentioning it when it happens rather than predicting that it is going to totally throw Alcaraz off I just sort of think his level above the rest of the field is is so high that it I could see it potentially impacting him against Sinner in the final if we're talking about Alcaraz being a level below where he was but I still think given what we've seen over the last couple of years and the way he's distanced himself from someone like Medvedev it would have to be quite a dramatic drop in my mind for Alcaraz to lose that match to Medvedev.

43:30Catherine Whitaker:And I just don't really see that. I know Medvedev did beat him at that US Open, but generally Alcaraz has enjoyed that matchup and the ability to exploit the space that Medvedev leaves. Do you think we're getting that matchup? Do you think that will be the semi? I do actually. I actually do, yeah.

43:50Matt Roberts:So you've got Medvedev beating Zverev in the second quarter and Alcaraz beating, well, I've put Diminor slash Bublik slash Kabali.

43:58David Law:I've got Diminor finding his way through a very tricky draw. The same for you, Matt? But without much confidence.

44:08Catherine Whitaker:Yes, I think the same for me. I mean, obviously, you say a very tricky draw, Berrettini in the first round. I'm a bit worried about De Menor, which is potentially really silly

44:19Matt Roberts:because he's the guy that delivers. He is reliable.

44:23David Law:So what's made you feel like that?

44:27Matt Roberts:I don't think it necessarily suits him being the guy here. I think he's found ways to handle, done very well at handling it and is just a good enough tennis player that that ultimately is what is brought to bear. But I don't think a first round draw against Matteo Berrettini is what he needs at all. I think he will be nervous about that. Yeah, I agree with that. You know, this is a place that does road to the title graphics for Thanasy Kokonakis. Like, like...

45:01Catherine Whitaker:Yeah. What is it for Dimonor? Just AI with him holding the trophy.

45:05Matt Roberts:Right, right, exactly.

45:07David Law:Well, I mean, he's more or less discussed in the same breath as Zinner and Alcaraz here.

45:13Matt Roberts:Yeah. And look, he's an incredible player. And, you know, he's the sixth seed. If Great Britain had a sixth seed at Wimbledon, the BBC coverage would be talking about him in the same way. It might be a slightly different vibe, but, you know, because of how Brits are. but it'd be the same level of like jingoism I think but I think Matteo Berrettini in round one is potentially quite a problem for Dominoor like he's a better tennis player in the year 2026 but Berrettini shows up for big matches like I think Berrettini will look at that draw and go okay yeah if he's fully fit this is what I'm here for moments you know we saw his level at the end of

46:03David Law:last year in that Davis Cup. He was awesome. And we just haven't seen him in singles at big tournaments very often fully fit. Not for a long time. So if he is, without the pressure, like you say, Catherine, he can go into Australia, court he likes, no pressure and swing. Yeah.

46:23Matt Roberts:Big time. You know, he's the only player that's beaten Carlos Alcaraz in five sets and he did it here at the Australian Open. Okay, a few years ago. But I think he'll puff his chest out and rise to that. And I think that's close.

46:39David Law:Five-set classic all over it.

46:42Matt Roberts:Yeah.

46:42Catherine Whitaker:Yeah. He leads the head-to-head, Berrettini, 3-2. And I do remember a match of theirs at Wimbledon a couple of years ago where Berrettini really threw him around and won that handily. I know, obviously, grass, different situation. But I am backing De Menor just to come through.

47:00Matt Roberts:And I get that. He has earned people believing in his reliability.

47:07Catherine Whitaker:Yeah. And Berrettini did play very well at the end of last season.

47:10Matt Roberts:He didn't play anyone in Dimonor's class. What about new top tenner, Alexander Bublik? He's got a tough round one against Jenson Brooksby and Caballi in that section as well. Speaking of players that played well at the end of last season.

47:27David Law:Yeah, interesting. I mean I find Alexander Bublik forever fascinating as a tennis proposition apart from you know he's a bit out there and a number of other levels but as just a tennis prospect he's already massively exceeded what I ever thought he would do I think he's kind of done more than he ever thought he would do too if you go back a year and he was 80 in the world he's put it all together and suddenly he's a top 10 player and he's so dangerous and yet he could come and stuck in the first round because he's that kind of guy. And Caballi, I'd love to see that match. I think that's a really good match on paper.

48:06David Law:I'd love to see it. That'd be a third round public Caballi. Super fast baseliner with electric ground strokes against this huge serving, mercurial, unpredictable presence. I want to see that.

48:20Catherine Whitaker:I'd also love to see Caballi-Diminol. I think that would be a fun match as well.

48:24Matt Roberts:would be a quarter final no fourth round yeah yeah it would be that this would be to likely face alcaraz in the in the quarter final and then obviously medvedev in the semis i was just gonna

48:37Catherine Whitaker:say with public i remember he obviously came in to wimbledon last year with suddenly people talking about him bit of hype and actually we picked up on it in his media day he was he was different he was chippy and i think the pressure was even if he said he wasn't feeling it you could tell he was a different person and he he lost in round one here the situation's a bit different in that i don't think people are talking about him in quite the same way they were at wimbledon because obviously there he'd just beaten yannick sinner on grass but here the thing is he's just got to the top 10 and he's made no secret of how pleased he was he said literally that was his year goal he's done it already and sometimes that can just lead to a little bit of a drop off for players when they do accomplish the thing they've been chasing and yeah as David said he's just he's very tough to read public and I I really do find him tricky like I don't right here right now I wouldn't say he plays Alcaraz in the quarterfinals I don't I don't specifically pick someone to beat him I just sort of think could have cumulatively I'm not sure I trust him over that many rounds over five sets.

49:52Matt Roberts:No, I share the same concerns about Biblick. I would be shocked if he has the same season now this year that he had last year. I think psychologically he's quite a similar character to Kyrgios. I don't think he is going to enjoy any kind of target on his back at all. I think he wants to be an outsider, an underdog, a disruptor.

50:17David Law:And actually, I think one of the things that is really tough when you break into the top 10 is your ranking kind of does stop going up unless you do incredible things, really incredible things. It's just the nature of the elite level where the air is thinner and there are fewer opportunities. And then you've got to get used to that mentality. And I suspect he might have a few bad ones and start dropping.

50:42Matt Roberts:Just staying with this half for a moment longer and dropping to the second quarter, how confident are we in Zverev last year's finalist and third seed making the quarterfinals to face what we all think is probably going to be Daniel Medvedev?

51:03David Law:Well, I'm not that confident because, I mean, he's due to face Gabriel Diallo in the first round, who's as big as him, even taller, in fact, six foot eight, huge serve. Diallo isn't in the sort of form that he was a year, sort of six months ago, but he's exactly the type of profile for a tennis player that could cause Zverev real problems. because he goes for his shots. He's a huge ball striker. He's a huge server. He can stay with Zverev without too much difficulty on serve if he's playing well. And then it can bring nerves and tightness into matters. And, you know, I mean, Zverev has only played two matches, I think, so far this year.

51:54David Law:He played an exhibition the other night. And something Andy Roddick mentioned the other day is that he spoke to Zverev and that they share a preference for having a lot of matches going into a Grand Slam, proper matches, not Alcaraz, Sinner, exhibition-type things. And, well, Zverev hasn't had that. And he also really didn't end the year that well. And he's lost to Joanna Garland. If it gets tight, think of the players that beat Zverev last year, like Rindiknesh. I mean, there were 16 of them. But I'm talking about the ground slams. If you think of the players in the last couple of ground slams that beat him, Osheli Asim and Rindikinesh, people who just went for the shots and found them and got him tight and got him playing passively.

52:47I think Diallo, this might be his big chance.

52:50David Law:I don't know what sort of fitness shape he's in. It could be Alexey Popperin in the second round, who's another big ball striker, but he's in terrible form. He hasn't won a match since the US Open. And he also doesn't beat Zverev when they play one another. So it's not a good draw for Zverev, I don't think, in those first couple of rounds. But, you know, he could have Sarundalo in round four or Rublev, players that have had success against him. But I still think, on balance, I'd have to put him in the quarterfinals as my expectation. But I don't say that with confidence.

53:28Matt Roberts:There's also the element for Zverev of knowing how much of a hit his ranking will take if he doesn't get close to defending his final points from last year. It's not a ranking entirely propped up by those final points because there is such a gap between Sinner and Alkraus and everybody else. But it would take a big hit. He would start to tumble.

53:53Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, absolutely. And I see this draw for Zverev as potentially having a cumulative effect. You know, like he's never been a really efficient winner at Grand Slams, just getting the job done straightforwardly. He often ends up with a lot of matches and time on court in his legs. And I think we've seen slams where that has taken its toll on him. And I wouldn't be surprised if that sort of thing happens again, you know, if he ends up facing Medvedev in the quarterfinals. and yet he's had to battle through a couple of long matches already. And even if he were to get through Medvedev, I think that could be a lot.

54:33Catherine Whitaker:And then how much has he got in the tank for Alcoa? You know, I just think that's been the sort of pattern for Zverev over the years at these Grand Slams. And yeah, there are a lot of dangerous players who could take them out themselves. But I think it's more of a pack effect on Zverev that I see here. I do think Felix at the very bottom, I know we've all written Medvedev through to that quarterfinal. Like, you know, I think since the US Open last year, Orjali Asim's been kind of playing top five tennis. The only thing is a lot of that has been in his favourable conditions, indoors. I'm interested to see whether he can bring it.

55:13Catherine Whitaker:And Medvedev-Orjali Asim is the match here they played a few years ago. I think that's one of the best matches Orjali Asim's ever played. and they lost it, but he was bloody good that day. And that would be a very intriguing fourth round.

55:29Matt Roberts:There's also Lernotian. Of course, yes. Now, he would have to beat Felix Auger, Eliassime, in round three. But if he did, it would be a potential fourth round opponent for Medvedev.

55:43Catherine Whitaker:I do want to see that, yeah.

55:46David Law:Just looking at the... Let's say Zverev does end up in the quarterfinals. If it's not Medvedev, it could well be Ojeeliosin, who's beaten him twice in a row. It could even be Rindeknes, who beat him twice late last year. I don't think that'll be the case, by the way. I don't think Rindeknes is likely to back up last year.

56:04Matt Roberts:Not even the Rindeknes guy is backing Rindeknes. No, I enjoy watching him, but I don't see him repeating last year. OK, on to the second, the bottom half of the draw. I feel like I need to ask you now, David, have you got Yannick Sinner coming through this? Have you done something insane? No.

56:30David Law:I've got him very much, very, very emphatically in the final.

56:34Matt Roberts:Do you know, he came to that draw ceremony today, brought the Norman Brooks trophy on, had a little chat with Todd Woodbridge and then went on his way. And we were sitting on the second row, you know, just a few metres away. And it struck me even more so today seeing him from up close, the same thing that struck me last night, watching him in the one point slam, even though he faltered to hand the win to Jordan Smith. And from the footage I saw of the exhibition he played in Seoul and all of the associated, you know, lovely content from him and Carlos Alcaraz arriving together on their private jet.

57:20Matt Roberts:Like, how much more swagger he has about him than a year ago and before. Even though a year ago he was world number one. He's the world number two now. There was actually a really fun clip from last night, a moment from last night, when Yannick Sinner was introduced as the world number one and he immediately turned to Carlos Alcaraz because I think Carlos Alcaraz was distracted and he alerted him like, oh, he's just introduced me as the world number one. It was a great reaction from Alcaraz. I'm sure you've seen it online. If you haven't, look it up. It's fun. But yeah, he's world number two right now.

57:58Matt Roberts:He was world number one a year ago. And look, part of this I think is just like, time and comfort levels with being at the top of the game like it's inevitable that you would get more comfortable and assured and confident with your place in the world the more time you spend there but I also think it makes you realize like of course I mean of course but how affected he was by everything that was hanging over him a year ago and we talked about that at the time and since didn't we and yet we also talked about how remarkably well he dealt with it and how unaffected he seemed to be be by it but i think it's incredibly clear like his body language

58:46Catherine Whitaker:is so so different yeah he's really swaggering around now that's it i think we mostly talked about how well he was dealing with it from a very pure tennis results perspective you know he was He was dominant during that period. And yet, yeah, when you see him on the stage and how relaxed he was. He does have real charisma in those settings. It's different to Al Karaz's, but it's absolutely there. You can tell that he's a star. And, yeah, he just gives you so much confidence, doesn't he?

59:26David Law:He looks happy with where he is in life right now and comfortable in his own skin.

59:32Matt Roberts:And it's a good draw, isn't it? I know Fonseca's in there, but I'm not sure Fonseca's even going to play, let alone play well, given everything we're hearing about his fitness situation. He's got Hugo Gaston in round one, a potential fourth round with Karen Hashinov or unexpectedly 22nd seed Luciano Darderi. that was my biggest shot from the draw who on earth is Luciano Darderi and how is he 22

1:00:01David Law:in the world? Do you know it would be quite interesting just because I can't remember seeing it, you may tell me they've played a million times but I'd be quite interested to see if he played Pesci Pericard and just tried to and if Pesci Pericard he's won multiple matches this year already without breaking serve and just got it into tie breaks and won the tie breaks.

1:00:26Matt Roberts:I predict, David, that he will break serve in round one. Pesci Pericard.

1:00:32David Law:Yeah, he's playing against Sebastian Baez, who has come out of the year hot.

1:00:38Matt Roberts:He's been incredible. I watched his matches at the United Cup in Perth. He's been absolutely incredible, but he was getting a serve broken a lot. That's his, even the best Sebastian Baez isn't holding serve very much.

1:00:50David Law:Pesci Pericard and Sinner have never played one another. So I'd just be, you know, he was in bad form a year ago as Pesci Pericard. I saw him lose to Gaumont Fies here. And look, I know we've pointed out his deficiencies on return of serve. He did break the other day in a match he won. It does feel like quite an event. But the fact is his serve is so good now and his volleys are good and all the rest of it that he's getting into so many of these type ofers. I'd just, fascinated to see that. I think that might happen, you know.

1:01:24Matt Roberts:I would be really unfascinated by Pesci Perica. Like, Sin and Pesci Perica. Oh, I'm sure it'd be a terrible

1:01:31David Law:match.

1:01:32Matt Roberts:I'm not trying to pretend it'll be

1:01:33David Law:a great match, but I'm talking about threat levels.

1:01:36Matt Roberts:Right, okay, interesting.

1:01:37Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, like, I still think as much as we can rib and Pesci Perica for those return stats, like, that serve is a problem for players, and it's, you know, it's the Isna thing, it's the Opelka thing. It is just a test. And there were times when the top players would play Isna and they'd come through, they'd figure out a way. But he was a more threatening name than a lot of people just because of that singular weapon and how he does test you in tie breaks.

1:02:09Matt Roberts:But then do you remember how worried we were about Alcaraz playing Opelka in round one in New York?

1:02:16David Law:He's way better than Opelka. but I take your point. I mean, he is. I think he is the sort of player whose serve really goes with his physicality. I mean, he's six foot eight, he's a huge guy, and he serves even bigger than that. But it wasn't working for long periods last year in the way that he needed it to. Now, I mean, he's just started the year really strongly.

1:02:42Catherine Whitaker:I have a question for you, Catherine. Would you rather see a fourth round of Yannick Sinner versus Giovanni and Pesci Perikar or Yannick Sinner versus Karen Hakchanov.

1:02:53Matt Roberts:Oof.

1:02:56Matt Roberts:Novelty value, Pesci, Perikar maybe. I mean, I like watching Yannick Sinner because I like his tennis, but neither of those. I'm not rushing out for either of those. I'll be browsing other options. Yeah, I mean, other potential quarterfinal opponents for Yannick Sinner. On seedings, it's Ben Shelton. I have massive concerns about his shoulder, particularly in best of five.

1:03:24Catherine Whitaker:I mean, even that matchup. I know Shelton got an early win against Sinner, but Sinner has...

1:03:29Matt Roberts:Oh, I'm talking about Shelton getting there.

1:03:30Catherine Whitaker:Right, OK, yeah. I mean, even in the matchup, Sinner has absolutely dominated that.

1:03:35Matt Roberts:Oh, it hasn't even occurred to me that Sinner's not reaching the final.

1:03:38Catherine Whitaker:No, me neither. Me neither. We spent like 10 minutes talking about Giovanni and Pester Perry car.

1:03:44Matt Roberts:Trying to inject some tension into this half of the draw.

1:03:46David Law:I could imagine on the day that Sinner is certainly in the semifinals, assuming he gets there, that the hardest match that he has faced was Pesci Perikard. Looking at that draw, I could imagine that being the case.

1:04:03Matt Roberts:So who do you think he will face in the semifinals? I've got Djokovic. Who's coming through the third quarter?

1:04:07David Law:I've got Djokovic. And I mean, look, I know that Djokovic has reportedly got a neck problem. And I don't necessarily have confidence that Djokovic physically can make it through that far. But he's also Novak Djokovic, who's won more than anybody else ever has in men's tennis. And he's also, he's got most of the field terrified of him.

1:04:32Matt Roberts:And he's in a section where there's nobody else particularly obvious to go for.

1:04:36Catherine Whitaker:He's in a section where a lot of the other names also have fitness concerns. and I'm backing Novak Djokovic to deal with those fitness concerns the best because we've just seen it so many times. The other two big names in that section being Taylor Fritz, who I don't think is in a sort of acute injury situation. But I think it's there, absolutely. And we saw that he was diminished, really, at the United Cup. He didn't play his best stuff. And then we've got Mazzetti, who retired from an exhibition the other day. And that was a new injury. It was the elbow that seemed to be concerning him in Hong Kong.

1:05:16Catherine Whitaker:And that wasn't the elbow. I mean, I know, you know, I'm sure it was mostly a precaution. But I don't know, like you do look at that section and you do sort of think Djokovic should be the most likely one to come through it still.

1:05:30Matt Roberts:Or Hubert Hercatch. Well. I mean, tough round one. Hubert Hercatch against Zizou Burgs. But...

1:05:39Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, that's got a star next to it on my draw.

1:05:41Matt Roberts:On the basis of United Cup form, and obviously continuation of that is by no means a given, you've got to have a couple of eyes on Hubert Hurkac, I think.

1:05:53David Law:He has been really surprisingly good considering what he's had to deal with physically, what, six, seven months out after knee surgery. I just think best-of-five set tennis is going to catch up with him quite soon.

1:06:07Catherine Whitaker:You've also got Jakub Mensik in there, who obviously has a win over Novak Djokovic in a big match. Not a Grand Slam match, but a Masters 1000 final.

1:06:17Matt Roberts:Stefanos Tsitsipas is in there and we're not even mentioning him.

1:06:21Catherine Whitaker:So many one-handed backhands in that section. Muzeti, Dimitrov, Tsitsipas and Wawrinka are all very close to each other in the draw. They all came out there, the one-handers.

1:06:33Matt Roberts:Let's mock some cards for good round ones I've circled, maybe I was desperate But I've circled Tristan's cool hat Against Corotan Mute Right there with you Just because Mute against a sensation That should be your vibe

1:06:52David Law:Yeah, I want to see Mute winding up the locals here Yeah, that's good stuff

1:06:58Matt Roberts:I've got Bublik against Brooksby circled I've got Berrettini, De Menor, obviously, Zverev, Diallo, as David was pointing out. I mean, I agree with everything you've said about Diallo and Zverev, David. And yet, I also know Diallo lost to Andrea Vavisori in singles this week. And I think that's embarrassing.

1:07:21David Law:I don't disagree with that. I just think...

1:07:24Catherine Whitaker:He wasn't the only one.

1:07:25Matt Roberts:No, Raphael Collignon also did. And he's got Mazzetti first round. And somebody else lost him as well. three singles wins

1:07:33Catherine Whitaker:straight above us

1:07:34David Law:it's like he puts a spell on these opponents but I mean I haven't seen Dialla play for a while and I don't know what sort of shape he's in all the rest of it I just know that when I have watched him I've thought crikey he carries himself with real confidence and looks like he believes he's going to go and beat anybody he plays whether or not that's realistic or not he has this self-assured look about him so yeah I hope he brings it. It would be interesting.

1:08:04Matt Roberts:Arnaldi Rublev, potentially interesting if Arnaldi's fit. He's got a connection to Australia, I think, Arnaldi, hasn't he? Might get a lot of support. Mazzetti Collignon, as I said, Collignon had that breakout run at the US Open, didn't he? And played well in the Davis Cup finals. He's a good player, although, as we said, did lead to Andre Vavasori in singles. We have Dimitrov against Mahatch. Who can retire first?

1:08:34Catherine Whitaker:Unfortunately, that is the first thought I had. But he's flying, Mahatch.

1:08:40Matt Roberts:Did Mahatch have a good win today?

1:08:41Catherine Whitaker:He did. He beat Munar. Straight set into the semis.

1:08:43Matt Roberts:OK. I've done a lacklustre circle around Mensik, Karenyu Buster.

1:08:52Catherine Whitaker:You do you, Catherine.

1:08:55Matt Roberts:I didn't. Why have you done that? I didn't. I was grasping. There aren't many circles on the men's draw.

1:09:01Catherine Whitaker:I think, you know, just a match I'm interested in is whether Wawrinko can get a win.

1:09:07Matt Roberts:Yeah, absolutely.

1:09:09Catherine Whitaker:Against Gerrard. That would be a moment.

1:09:10David Law:I was going to say, I actually think whether he gets a win or not, he's actually got an opponent who's going to at least let him play. Yes. Not just make life miserable for him. If he'd have played Pesci Perikov, for instance, he just doesn't have any rallies to play and make anybody gasp. which against Gerrard he will.

1:09:29Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, yeah. I think that's a good point.

1:09:31David Law:John Kane for that match?

1:09:33Matt Roberts:Do you think?

1:09:36David Law:Sure. Yeah, that'd be fine. I think you could put him on... I'm not saying what I want.

1:09:42Catherine Whitaker:I wouldn't put him on Rod Laverina. It feels like what they would do.

1:09:44David Law:Yeah, I think that is. I think they might put him on the second court. I think he could play there. I think he could play Keirina and all of these courts would be a vibe. I think he should go on one of the three main courts. I think Rod Laver would be too big, but one of the other two. I think John Kane.

1:09:59Matt Roberts:Yeah, I think that's a good show. It's kind of the people's, like there was quite a grassroots movement for him to get a wild card, wasn't there? It feels like he would really create an atmos out there.

1:10:09Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, and I just think obviously David's injected great intrigue and life into the men's draw, but that is the kind of moment that we're looking for in the first week, right? A Stan getting a moment, that will power us through the first few days on the men's side.

1:10:26Matt Roberts:Who knows? Nakashima van der Zanschel could provide those vibes too. You just never know. Her catch, Zizou Berg's, I think is a corking first round. That is good. And Ben Shelton against Ugo Ember. I know Ugo Ember has barely won matches recently. I don't really know why. I think his ranking should be way higher than it is. But, you know, that's a handful for Ben Shelton. Ben Shelton's shoulder isn't quite right. He's playing this week, isn't he, Shelton?

1:11:00Catherine Whitaker:And just that section is interesting as well. Like the winner of that could face Gael Monfils, who again is a vibe. But then there's also Manorino, like Shelton Manorino. Think how good that's been.

1:11:13Matt Roberts:Yeah, there's Vachero. And then there's Vachero, who I am interested in. This is our first Grand Slam since Shanghai. It's our first Grand Slam paying attention to Vachero.

1:11:24Catherine Whitaker:Qualifier slash lucky loser.

1:11:26David Law:That seems very fitting.

1:11:30Matt Roberts:So, yeah, that's the end of my circling for the men's draw. Any other ones to propose?

1:11:38Catherine Whitaker:I've taught myself and David's helped me. I'm quite into Impessi Perry car buyers now.

1:11:44David Law:I mean, what is the height difference there? You're talking six foot eight against, I mean, what is he?

1:11:51Matt Roberts:Five six, five seven.

1:11:53Catherine Whitaker:Five five, five six. I reckon they'll, I don't think they, on the ATP, they never call anyone below 5 '6", I feel like. I don't think, you know, on the ATP bio, 5 '6", is like their small person limit.

1:12:05Matt Roberts:David's looking it up. I am, yeah. While David does that, we'll take a break and we'll be back in part three with the big bombshell height news and with some Roger Federer chat. Welcome back to part three of today's tennis podcast. What is, David, the height difference between Giovanni and Pesci Perikar and Sebastian Byers?

1:12:25David Law:It is a foot and an inch because he's listed at a very generous five foot seven.

1:12:31Catherine Whitaker:It's always generous.

1:12:33David Law:I stood next to that guy. He is one meter seventy and Pesci Perikar is two meters and one, according to this. I think he's a bit taller than that, personally. But yes. Big chap.

1:12:51Matt Roberts:Can't believe he's bumped Roger Federer down from the lead item in part three. Because Roger Federer came to a press conference today. There was that moment, wasn't there, when the announcement came through. Roger Federer is on his way to the main press conference room. And it was... It was fun. It was really fun. We knew he was coming. We knew he was here. He's going to be playing this exhibition opening ceremony event on Saturday night with Agassi and Hewitt and Pat Rafter and Crowded House. Unclear if they're participating in the tennis element.

1:13:29Catherine Whitaker:Hopefully they're playing bangers, as David said earlier. I love it when David says bangers. Bangers and duffers. Yeah, me too. Duffers.

1:13:37Matt Roberts:Do you think it's going to be just a couple of songs or do you think it's a full set?

1:13:44Catherine Whitaker:well I think there's also potentially somewhere in between I definitely don't think it's a full set you know hour and a half type thing um I can now play for an hour yeah okay we'll get the big one but we'll get the biggies yeah okay um so yeah he's playing that on on Saturday and he's here

1:14:03Matt Roberts:you know he's here for the tournament isn't he I assume they're seeing they're paying him you know He'll be doing loads of sponsor things. It's his first time back at the Australian Open since retiring. And of course, he never played. His retirement came out of the blue a little bit. He didn't do any kind of farewell. So the opening question in this press conference from the moderator, Todd Woodbridge, was this is kind of hello and goodbye all at the same time. That was after he'd walked in and immediately clocked David and winked at him, which was a really, really great moment. I always, I really, I bristle and roll my eyes at the way people get about Roger Federer.

1:14:46Matt Roberts:You know, there was a round of applause at the end of the press conference, which made me want to rip off my accreditation. I knew that would have annoyed you. Distance myself from the media, like absolutely embarrassing. but then I'm sat next to David I'm wink adjacent and suddenly I get it I'm like oh where's my wink just to be in the orbit of this guy yeah so it was a great little moment

1:15:16David Law:he remembers his pep talks

1:15:18Matt Roberts:he does I can see it in his eye he really does and the other first thing he said was I'm a little bit nervous to be back here like facing the media in this way because he hasn't for so long and it's not a normal thing to do to to sit at a desk in in a theatre style arena with spotlights you know dimmed lighting and spotlights and face a barrage of questions albeit from people that are going to applaud you out of the room and people used to give you pep talks and lifts but wasn't a barrage was it no but like it's not a normal thing to do it's just something tennis players get used to doing because they're doing it all the time and I kind of believed him that he was a little bit nervous

1:16:06David Law:I mean he handles things so lightly I think that was something Mario Carillo once said about him the way how lightly he carries his work you know and and walks around the place and and it carries his greatness in that wonderfully light way. And he enjoys a lot of it. He always used to enjoy talking to the media. I don't think that has changed, but I think it's a bit like going on holiday for several weeks and then going back to work. And it all feels a bit clunky and a bit weird. And you just need to get back into the rhythm and routine of it all. And he hasn't done this for years, really, certainly at a tennis tournament.

1:16:49David Law:And he's coming in. he knows there's a lot of attention and and he loves it um but he kind of wants to feel as self-assured as he used to i think in some ways knowing that he's actually got to go out and perform to us and he doesn't want he doesn't want him to be rubbish he wants to be good he wants to make people think oh it's that guy i remember um and and and feel the things they always used to feel and and frankly they do because he is still him but but he's also human i do think he was

1:17:18Matt Roberts:are probably a bit anxious just very slightly anxious yeah yeah while also being just spectacularly relaxed and at ease and happy like he was asked a question like is you find it if you found retirement easier or harder than you thought and he was like way easier than i thought like yeah roger federer in being relaxed and happy with life shocker like he's he's so fine isn't Roger Federer he managed to bust the myth that Craig Tidey invented the one point format. He was dollied up a question about whether he liked the one point slam and he was like I was out to dinner so I didn't watch it. Didn't watch it but I've played that before.

1:18:03Matt Roberts:Yeah he said I watched the highlights on he said my phone was blowing up about it so I watched all the highlights on. It sounds like he's a real one for falling down YouTube rabbit holes doesn't it? He said I watched all the highlights when I came back and he was he was like yeah i know how hard the one point format can be i've i've played it

1:18:21David Law:lots before i've played it at weddings yeah what sort of weddings is roger federer going to ones where people go roger federer's here imagine if we could play one point against him oh let's do it

1:18:32Matt Roberts:yeah and where there just happens to be a tennis court yeah those aren't the weddings i'm going to um and uh david the best answer of course if the press conference was to your question oh

1:18:44David Law:I mean it was interesting I thought I don't know what I was curious to see what you thought I asked him having had the opportunity to to be a part of of great rivalries now witnessing one with Sinner and Alcraz do you find yourself imagining what your game would look like against

1:19:07Catherine Whitaker:them and what what are you seeing um subtext because you do yeah absolutely i do and i i i

1:19:17David Law:quite liked how emphatic he views himself as alcaraz in the rivalry and i mean he actually ended up naming dimitrov as as the example that made him think like that because he was at the Dimitrov Sinner match where we all remember the traumatic facial expression that he had when

1:19:39Matt Roberts:Dimitrov got injured.

1:19:43Catherine Whitaker:I thought that was a classic bit of Federer humble brag talking about watching what Dimitrov was doing to Sinner.

1:19:52David Law:Yeah, I mean, because if he could do that. He was kind of like, suddenly I was

1:19:55Catherine Whitaker:like, oh, that's how I would have played it and that's how I would have done.

1:20:00Matt Roberts:That's how I'd have gone two sets of love up on him at Wimbledon.

1:20:02Catherine Whitaker:Right. And then just, you know, clinically went on the first.

1:20:04Matt Roberts:Except I wouldn't have got injured.

1:20:07Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, I really enjoyed that. But you're right. Like he clearly massively respects Sinner's game and, you know, is so impressed with what he's doing. But he's drawn to Alcaraz because he does see some of himself in him in terms of that instinct to always, he said, play tennis on our terms. and when to hit the drop shot and all that sort of thing. And I talk about it in terms of these players being able to move on to the ball. And I've said that before. Federer is the best I've ever seen at that. Picking up on a short ball and just taking it early, coming forward. And Alcaraz is also absolutely brilliant at that.

1:20:51Catherine Whitaker:And there is a similarity there, a similarity in mindset. And yeah, I'm not surprised that Federer is an Alcaraz guy.

1:20:58Matt Roberts:Yeah. And Alcaraz is a Federer guy. Of course there's a connection there with Nadal. But spiritually, he's always made it clear that he's a Federer guy, really. They relate to one another the most. And I do just want, maybe this is a real stretch, and I don't know how long Federer's scheduled to stay around for. but we know that Al Karaz's interactions with Federer at the Labour Cup in 2024 were very impactful on him. We know that from the documentary he did and that he was then asked about subsequently and he did expand on the advice that Roger Federer gave him about viewing his career in five-year sections.

1:21:50Matt Roberts:I do just wonder if given that connection between them Federer being here I'm not for a moment suggesting he's going to sort of be a beyond the court be a Ferreiro surrogate but I think the presence of Roger Federer has an has a positive impact on Carlos Alcaraz and he is here he's not usually at slams I don't know I I wonder if that's a thing for Alcaraz well I definitely think

1:22:16David Law:like Federer used to do, they want to impress the great champions. They want to show off a little bit. Look what I can do. Federer used to do it in front of his heroes.

1:22:29Matt Roberts:But I mean, I agree with that point, but I'm thinking more behind the scenes. Whether they could have just a couple of chats.

1:22:37David Law:Well, the other thing is, I think that is true. And I also think Federer was a contemporary of Ferreiro. and I do think that the new balls please generation yeah Al Krause is going to miss that I think first slam of real note without the guy I think he I think he's a bit like Federer in that he just sort of seems to sail through tennis life and enjoy it all but you can't tell me that somebody who's been that significant in his life and in his career isn't going to be missed.

1:23:18Matt Roberts:You've just made me realise that I forgot to check with you both who you think is winning the Australian Open.

1:23:23David Law:Yannick Sinner.

1:23:23Matt Roberts:I'm assuming, David, given who you've got in the final, you've got Yannick Sinner winning it.

1:23:30David Law:I'm not going to row back on what I've said, but I could easily, easily be absolutely ridiculously wrong and that Alcaraz is in that final. But would you be going for Sinner regardless? I still think now, given the situation with Ferreira, I think that that tips it in Sinner's favour. I do.

1:23:49Matt Roberts:Matt?

1:23:51Catherine Whitaker:Yes, right here, right now, we'd go Sinner. I mean, the other thing I would say is the last two slams, I've changed my mind during the slam. You're allowed. And again, this is a bit of a Rochevedere humble brag. But at Wimbledon, I thought Alcraz before the tournament. Seeing what I saw, I changed to Sinner. and then at the US Open I thought Sinner pre-tournament with the hard court but seeing what we saw ended up going for Alcarez. So I do think we've got to see how the matches play out and we've got to take stuff from the room.

1:24:21Matt Roberts:Especially given neither of them have played a warm-up event. We've got nothing.

1:24:24Catherine Whitaker:So I'm mostly going on, I still think Sinner on hard court's here. He's a two-time defending champion. The Alcarez, bit of instability with Ferreira not being here. To me that is all pointing Sinner. but let's see how it goes.

1:24:36David Law:If Al Kraz came out looking like he did at the US Open and he shaved that hair off. Well, shave it off for a start. I told you he should have that as his grand slam thing.

1:24:46Matt Roberts:Medvedev has a haircut and David predicts he'll reach the Australian Open final.

1:24:50David Law:I think it's good for these guys. You know, but the emphatic manner with which he was handling business at the US Open and hitting the ball. If he comes out looking like, he will do spectacular things for sure. but that was different. If he comes out as that version then I may be singing a different tune.

1:25:11Matt Roberts:He's got a sensation in round one. Oh, Garaz.

1:25:14David Law:Adam Walton.

1:25:15Matt Roberts:Adam Walton. Good luck, Adam.

1:25:18Catherine Whitaker:I heard on Australian radio earlier I like Adam Walton's draw. Yeah, it turned out to be an ironic gag.

1:25:26Matt Roberts:Thank goodness. It's quite good. Because that person would have had to have their accreditation ripped from them. Okay, that's it for our draw show. a bumper.

1:25:36Catherine Whitaker:It's a good draw day, isn't it? It's a good draw day. It's been great.

1:25:39Matt Roberts:Yeah, it has been good. And now I'm looking at a picture of Gus and she's so gorgeous and it's different. We've got a... Renee has sent us multiple pictures of Gus with I think more to come. Oh, we've got a Dropbox folder.

1:25:53Catherine Whitaker:Which we very much appreciate.

1:25:55Matt Roberts:And in fact, this one is a sort of... It's a diptych with yesterday's photo. It's a sort of continuation. So I'll post them on our Instagram as a two-parter. Goodness me, she's beautiful. So hello, Gus. Hello to our mascots, Bodie, Maisie and Roger. To our executive producers, Greg, Chris and Jeff. And to our shout-outs, Matt.

1:26:16Catherine Whitaker:We have Andrew Wilhelm from Denver, Colorado. Hi, Andrew. Hello, Andrew. Andrew says, my husband is named Andy. Of course, like Roddick and Murray. Some favourites to watch lately are Lerna Tien, Lorenzo Mazzetti, Karolina Mukova and Jasmine Paolini. Andrew and Andy have taste, I would say. Those are, yeah, great picks. Our Cavalier King Charles Waffles couldn't care less about any of it. Yeah, that's relatable.

1:26:47David Law:Andrew, like the former Wimbledon referee, Andrew Jarrett.

1:26:50Matt Roberts:Very good. I've been at a few dinners with him. Oh. Yeah, like your lunches with John Blom.

1:26:59Matt Roberts:a couple called Andrew and Andy I bet they get a lot of tired

1:27:03David Law:gags so I won't

1:27:05Matt Roberts:I won't confront them with another one but that's fun thank you Andrew

1:27:10Catherine Whitaker:we've also got Rob Becker from New York right Rob

1:27:14Matt Roberts:hello Rob what a tennis name

1:27:16Catherine Whitaker:and actually Rob like this is incredible like Roger Federer says I've played in the one point slam precursor back when the USTA had a nationwide tournament for amateurs to get a spot in the US Open qualies.

1:27:32David Law:The US Open is claiming it!

1:27:35Catherine Whitaker:We've been missold, the one-point slam.

1:27:38Matt Roberts:It wasn't Craig Diley's idea. Craig was court-side when Rob was playing his one-pointer. I thought you were going to say that Rob was at the same wedding that Roger Federer's been at. Rob, I know we should be more imaginative, but your surname's Becca. Like, come on. Like Benjamin. Oh, David. Ended on Dragosy's career, didn't he, Benjamin Becker?

1:28:01Catherine Whitaker:Sorry, I'm just reading chapter on verse now on Rob's one-point slam experience. Lost promptly on an outside court at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre. But depending on the luck of the draw, some people got to play on grandstand and other show courts.

1:28:17David Law:Rob could be another B. Becker, couldn't he? Because Rob's a rob. Bob.

1:28:25Matt Roberts:Thanks Rob And finally we have

1:28:29Catherine Whitaker:Bobby Connor and Luke Murray Connors and Murray This is

1:28:37Matt Roberts:This is a crazy set of

1:28:39Catherine Whitaker:Yeah we've really started With the bar high for the Australian Open Bobby Connor Bobby Connor and Luke Murray From New Jersey And they say We all love and play tennis at Mendham Golf and Tennis Club and attend the US Open every year on the last Thursday of qualifying during Fan Week.

1:29:01David Law:Good choice.

1:29:02Catherine Whitaker:We love Tommy Paul, Lorenzo Mazzetti, Irina Sabalenka and Jesse Pagula. And we root for Newcastle United in the Premier League. You were doing so well, Bobby, Connor and Luke.

1:29:13David Law:You didn't need to ruin it. Yeah, they dashed Matt's Fulham EFL Cup hopes. yeah

1:29:20Catherine Whitaker:we've lost twice to Newcastle this season I went to one of them

1:29:24Matt Roberts:with one more fixture to come yeah we won't hold it against you Bobby Connor and Luke Murray should we is there a tennis Luke Jensen yes

1:29:35David Law:very good

1:29:36Matt Roberts:Bobby Riggs and Connor McNamara

1:29:43David Law:that's a commentator from football has he ever done tennis not to my knowledge

1:29:48Matt Roberts:I took a swing.

1:29:50David Law:Yeah, it's a good try.

1:29:51Matt Roberts:Yeah, sports. Surely we can have Connors. Yeah.

1:29:54Catherine Whitaker:Conor Story.

1:29:55David Law:There we go. Conor Nyland, the Irish tennis player. There we go. That's even better. You wrote that great book.

1:30:04Matt Roberts:A triumph, David. Conor, Bobby, Luke, Rob.

1:30:13Catherine Whitaker:Andrew, Andy.

1:30:14Matt Roberts:And Andrew and Andy. Thank you ever so much. for being friends of the tennis podcast if you'd like to become a friend and get access to all of our bonus content ad free listening Hannah's column The Barge our community platform all that jazz then the link is in our show notes as is the link to subscribe to our newsletter which is daily during the Grand Slams and has all sorts of excellent content in it including Matt's stat the newsletter is the only place to get full access to the Matt Roberts Mind Palace and that is reason enough to subscribe folks We are part of the Athletic Podcast Network.

1:30:49Matt Roberts:It is fun being in Melbourne. We'll be back tomorrow for more after Media Day. Speak to you then.