In short
“Tennis Podcast Meets” (Australian Open 2026 eve/lead-up) features five interviews with players and one-point slam finalist Joanna Garland, mixing comebacks, breakthrough stories, injury rehab, and reflections on recent events.
Guests (backgrounds)
- Grigor Dimitrov: returning from a long injury layoff; discusses flow-state tennis and a new coach choice (Xavier).
- Jasmine Paolini: Italian WTA player; one-point slam participant; talks about Italian team camaraderie and doubles partnership with Sara Errani.
- Teresa Valantova: Czech 18-year-old; first Australian Open main draw; aggressive baseline-to-net style; rehab/health and growth mindset.
- Taylor Fritz: American ATP player; focuses on knee/tendinopathy rehab, training intensity, and mentoring younger Americans.
- Joanna Garland: one-point slam finalist; Australian Open qualifying/Main draw experience; viral breakout after Rod Laver Arena.
Key claims & notable examples
- Dimitrov: Federer contacted him after Wimbledon Sinner match; Dimitrov describes rare “flow state” and Federer’s emotional impact.
- Paolini: one-point slam nerves; tactic was “put the ball in”; Italian friendships (Musetti, Berrettini) and Errani/Pizzorno roles.
- Valantova: big crowds help; Czech tennis pressure; aggressive “attack from baseline then net.”
- Fritz: needs health to “go all out” and train at intensity; rehab exercises; optimistic about US hard-court timing.
- Garland: calm during points; nerves mainly from interviews; qualified via chaotic court lineup; backhand vs Vera highlighted; missed final but gained major life experience.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOExpectations for the Interviews
0:45 to 3:47
Overview of the guests and the purpose of the interviews leading up to the Australian Open.
“And there's a real combination of all those things in the players that we've spoken to for today's show.”
Interview with Grigor Dimitrov
3:47 to 9:30
Grigor discusses his return to tennis, injuries, and the importance of mental strength.
“This was an interview that we did earlier on today.”
The Flow State Experience
9:30 to 13:14
Grigor shares insights on achieving a flow state during matches and coping with injury.
“And for example, that injury was the first time I experienced something like that and he had a major injury as well.”
Jasmine Paolini on the One-Point Slam
13:14 to 14:03
Jasmine reflects on her experience at the One-Point Slam and shares her thoughts.
“Like prior to that, I couldn't move at all.”
One-Point Slam Experience
14:03 to 17:25
Jasmine shares her thoughts on the excitement and nerves of the one-point slam event.
“Last time we saw you was the one-point slam.”
Team Dynamics in Italian Tennis
17:25 to 19:18
Jasmine talks about the camaraderie and friendships within the Italian tennis community.
“Yes, I think since we're playing doubles, I ask sometimes her advices, what do you think I have to improve on court and what do you think about my game?”
Adjusting to Australian Open
19:18 to 21:30
Jasmine reflects on her experiences and feelings about entering the Australian Open main draw.
“Yeah, last year Didn't go well The slams except Rolanga-Roz, but I could do better as well because I lost with match point.”
Setting Goals and Expectations
21:30 to 24:09
Discussion about Jasmine's goals for the season and her approach to setting expectations.
“I can say if there's more people, I'm playing better tennis.”
Inspiration from Czech Tennis Legends
24:09 to 26:45
Jasmine discusses the impact of Czech tennis history and players on her career.
“Yeah, of course it's amazing that we have that many players from Czech because we are so small country.”
Personal Journey and Family Influence
26:45 to 28:00
Jasmine shares her journey into tennis, family influence, and sibling relationship.
“time so yeah and then I was like I want to beat him and then it all started so.”
Show all 26 chapters
Sibling Perspective on Fame
28:00 to 29:20
Explore how a tennis player's relationship with their sibling remains grounded despite fame.
“So little brother how does he feel about his big sister being a famous tennis player?”
Injury Management and Rehabilitation
29:20 to 31:40
Learn about the process of rehabbing a tennis injury and returning to peak performance.
“I feel like the tennis level, how I'm hitting the ball and striking the ball is 100 % there.”
Mindset and Current Performance
31:40 to 34:30
Understand the importance of health and training intensity in achieving high-level tennis performance.
“So what's your mindset coming into the tournament this season?”
Generational Pride in American Tennis
34:30 to 37:00
Discuss the dynamics of young American tennis players and the sense of generational pride among established players.
“No, I mean, look, at some point, just age, at some point, it's not going to be me anymore.”
Experience after the One Point Slam
37:00 to 39:00
Reflect on the whirlwind experience and emotional aftermath of participating in a prestigious tennis event.
“Well Joanna Garland welcome to the tennis podcast you have been top of our interview request list for the past three days it's great to have you I imagine the last three days have been a bit of a whirlwind for you.”
Performance Insights on Rod Laver Arena
39:00 to 41:20
Gain insights into the mental preparation and tactics used during high-pressure matches on a big stage.
“It was, I think, just being around those players.”
The Qualifying Rounds of the One Point Slam
41:20 to 42:05
Discover the contrast between qualifying matches and main events, focusing on tactical approaches.
“of did because I was playing people that really, like, on paper I should beat.”
Reflecting on the Qualifying Experience
42:05 to 46:00
The speaker shares insights about their experience in the qualifying rounds and the one-point slam, including emotions, decisions, and interactions with opponents.
“How did you end up in that line-up on court six for the qualifying?”
Analyzing Key Shots and Matches
46:00 to 48:24
Discussion about specific shots and matches played during the event, particularly focusing on the significance of a standout backhand.
“And to break it down and slow it down, I think I saw a little bit of a space and thought, OK, he's not expecting this and just went for it.”
The Emotional Impact of Competition
48:24 to 52:58
The speaker reflects on the emotional highs and lows of competing, the significance of the experience, and the aftermath of the final match.
“oh it's got to be the one against Vero yeah it was so good we enjoyed it so is your backhand your favourite shot?”
Future Aspirations and Support Systems
52:58 to 56:00
Discussion about future tennis aspirations, the importance of support from family, and logistical challenges faced by players.
“We weren't really expecting me to go out so early.”
Navigating the Tennis Circuit
56:00 to 58:03
Learn about the logistical challenges faced by tennis players on tour.
“but I would love to go in with my dad, go and host something at the tennis club that he's at back home.”
Bridging the Ranking Gap
58:04 to 1:00:08
Explore the differences between players ranked in the top 100 and those just below.
“Like if I played Arena, she would just completely overpower me and blow me off the court.”
Financial Decisions in Tennis
1:00:09 to 1:02:33
Understand the financial pressures and career-altering decisions players make.
“Yes, I'd say financial stress is quite a thing amongst players, sort of my ranking and below.”
Life Skills Beyond the Court
1:02:34 to 1:04:28
Discover the life skills players develop while managing their careers.
“And that helps you improve your own game as well.”
Future Goals and Aspirations
1:04:29 to 1:05:18
Hear about upcoming tournaments and career goals of the player.
“You can talk about that, but I think in the end of the day, it all comes down to who's willing to put the work in.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:10Matt Roberts:Hello friends and welcome to the tennis podcast and the first edition of the tennis podcast meets for 2026. This, if you don't know, if you're new to being a friend of the pod, is a series where we do a collection of interviews on the eve of a Grand Slam and the few days leading up to a Grand Slam with people that we think will be of interest for various different reasons. Quite often it's talented up-and-coming players, a kind of get-to-know-you thing. Sometimes it's players that have been out with a big injury for a period of time and we want to see how they're doing. And there's a real combination of all those things in the players that we've spoken to for today's show.
0:52Matt Roberts:You are going to be hearing from Grigor Dimitrov, Jasmine Paolini, Teresa Valantova, Taylor Fritz and star of the one-point slam, Joanna Garland. We start with my conversation with Grigor Dimitrov, which I do need to put a little bit of a disclaimer on because, bear with me here, the recorder cut out a short way into the interview, or rather about six or seven minutes into the interview. We were coming towards the end. I noticed immediately and I very subtly shuffled my phone out of my pocket and started recording a voice note to capture the end of the interview. I hope you can appreciate that pivot, but I do apologise for the 30 seconds or so of lost content in the interim period.
1:43Matt Roberts:What I can tell you that he was talking about during that time was Roger Federer, and I'd asked him about the answer that Roger Federer had given on the previous day here at the Australian Open about watching Grigor Dimitrov's match against Yannick Sinner at Wimbledon last year and how watching that match he felt gave him the template for how he would have played against Yannick Senna because Grigor Dimitrov was playing so well. And you'll hear in the interview Grigor Dimitrov describe himself reaching a flow state during that match. It's a really interesting interview. And that answer that, unfortunately, you're not going to hear in his words, but he talked about how Roger Federer contacted him immediately after that match and what that meant to him.
2:27Matt Roberts:And the fact that Roger Federer had had the chance to speak to him here at the Australian Open the day before our interview, and that had meant a lot to him as well. So it wasn't necessarily what he said anyway. It was the misty-eyed Grigor Dimitrov look he had when he said it. So that's Grigor Dimitrov. They will then hear Matt's very vibesy, uplifting conversation with Jasmine Paolini. Then you'll hear me speaking to Czech 18-year-old Teresa Valantova, who, I mean, her interview speaks for itself, but she had an enormous grin on her face throughout. And she's somebody, it struck me, that is incredibly comfortable in the limelight, whilst also being very unassuming and very chilled and composed.
3:16But it's pretty clear that she doesn't mind the fact
3:19Matt Roberts:that she's got a sensation in round one here. She's going to be taking on my joint and I'm going to be watching that match. you'll then hear from Taylor Fritz that interview, it's not an interview it's a kind of, it's a huddle situation I went into a huddle with Matt Futterman and Ben Rothenberg and Tamani Carial from The Guardian and Doug Robson was there, a number of people I got a couple of questions in I had to fight for them I think you'll enjoy what you hear from that Taylor Fritz interview and I know for sure that you will enjoy what you hear from our final interview It is one point slam finalist, revelation of the Australian Open 2026, Joanna Garland, in conversation for half an hour with the three of us.
4:06Matt Roberts:This was an interview that we did earlier on today. We really didn't know what to expect from it. I told Joanna, who contacted us via Instagram when we tagged her on the night of the one point slam, saying, you'll always be famous, Joanna. she sent us a wave and I took the opportunity to set up the interview with the woman of the moment and I'd said to her just you know 10 minutes will be enough well we ended up talking for half an hour and I think we all could have talked to her for a lot longer and let me tell you we will be following Joanna Garland and her career and progress very closely from now on and wishing her the very best because goodness me she was lovely and intriguing and had a had quite a moving story to tell quite frankly and we hope you enjoy hearing that conversation as much as we enjoyed having it so that is who you're going to hear from over the course of the next hour or so it Tennis Podcast Meets Australian Open 2026 edition.
5:15Matt Roberts:Enjoy. Well, Grigor, great to see you back. I saw you right on the whiteboard over there when you've read the interviews. Very grateful. Does that sum up how you feel to be back here and back on tour? Yeah, absolutely. I think really often we forget a lot of what is happening and what is going on. I think for me, I've always been grateful and very happy with the way that I'm always able to come back and play and all that. But now it goes way beyond that. For me, it's been such a wonderful time away from the sport, which, of course, it can be interpreted very differently. Of course, I was very sad with the injury and what happened and how it happened and the moment that it happened, but it gave me so much more outside of the sport.
6:10And I really, yeah, I didn't spend another minute overthinking it. And I knew that I just had to do the right things in order for me to come back. And I think that's the case now.
6:21Matt Roberts:I mean, you've had other periods of injury in your career. Can you pinpoint what's different about this one, why it felt so different? Is it the stage you're at in your career now? Well, I think it's the first time also I'm away from the court for so long. I've never really stopped maybe I've skipped a tournament you know or two but I never skipped half a season and that was the first time in 18 years that I did that so yes it's definitely different it's new and and uncomfortable as well like I had to find a way of being very comfortable in the most uncomfortable situation I've ever been like put in especially when it comes to you know my body as an athlete you rely on that all the time every day and me not being able to come back like a week or two later or continue with my regular regime and the fitness and all that it was very unsettling very very unsettling but that's what I'm saying like after I had to find the positives in the things that was very negative and that was the injury itself do you feel fully fit now do you feel confident in your body yeah definitely I think this is that's that's why I'm here I think if if I had a slightest doubt in my in in my head or anybody in myself like I would not be I don't think I'll be competing and at that point also in my career there's like my my competition becomes very different it's not really the players anymore it's not you know it's not almost even it's even the titles so to speak you know what I mean so it's just more about it's me versus me and how I'm going to be able to manage myself to to get through those moments because I still believe I can do a lot of a lot of things in the sport now we see athletes at the later stage in their career being you know fitter than before mentally stronger than before using their experience into their advantage practicing less but more smart so all these things and I feel like I'm getting into that stage of my career and this can only make me feel you know excited because everything is there I know the game is there and of course if the body is there there's only one thing that of course is always on our way and that's our mind and how we're gonna put ourselves out there and I believe if all these things like line up even more for me and in the same time you never know new coach talk me through the decision to to have a new coach and to make that choice and why Xavier?
8:55Yeah, well, I mean I've known him for a really long time, I think Xavier is a very interesting person above all I've played against him I think two or three times, so it was I always liked, I think in a way his I think his demeanour and also the fact that he always spoke the way he felt and you know that being able to rely on your coach not only you know from a game point standpoint but being able to emotionally rely on him and also to someone that has been there and done that and has done the travel and being injured and all these things can bring a lot I think to the team not just to me but just to the whole environment and that's what I'm saying now I'm in a very different place and stage in my career so I'm always I'm actually I'm leaning more towards you know that type of let's say coaches that have gone through the experience and have, let's say, a little bit more experience than me in certain areas that is yet for me to experience.
10:02And for example, that injury was the first time I experienced something like that and he had a major injury as well. So it kind of puts you in a very safe space and safe environment and I think at that point I really need that.
10:16Matt Roberts:It sounds like you've found a way to make tremendous positive from the time away, which is great to hear. Can I ask how much you thought about being two sets of love up on Yannick Sinner at Wimbledon and what those thoughts sounded like in your head? During the match or after the match? Both.
10:40I think during the match there's nothing... I really have not much to say because I was just having a lot of fun. I was just having a lot of fun. And, you know, as an athlete, when you get to the flow state, there's nothing can take you out of it. And I don't know. I always say now, you never know. I would never know. I wish I would. I wish I would. I'm not going to lie. I wish I would if I had that chance, that opportunity to finish up the match. The problem was after. After was very tough. I think for the first two weeks, I had not really much time to think about it. because the rehab really took all my time and I made a decision with myself and as soon as I came out of the court I cried for two hours and I got up they helped me shower and I said from now on I begin to get ready so that was the right away I was already starting to prepare for for 2026 there was no no doubt no thing in my head but in the same time two weeks later was where like it really like it was i started thinking about it a lot more um which i didn't understand why because it happened like i i i'm an overthinker and i thought i would have thought about it like right
11:57Matt Roberts:after just finally i have to ask the the flow state how how rare is that like how many times in your career it's so rare it's so rare it's very rare i can almost count the matches that i've done And that to that extent, you know, and also even for any player, I think it's just it's such a I believe you can tap into it a lot more. But it takes a lot more work to get there. I always say in our in our sport in particular, it's so much more difficult to get to it every single day. Just because of the nature of the sport, you got to play every day. You need to sleep, like eat, rest. And you just don't have enough time to prepare mentally.
12:39even if we meditate and do all these things that puts us in certain you know headspace which i believe we all do um and of course also the discipline the work all that comes together but all of it when it gets like when it gets aligned oh the feeling is just i i would say best feeling in the world like there's no you experience a it's a nirvana feeling there's nothing else exists and the sound becomes you know like almost like poetry the movement everything that comes in into like so so smooth and i think you don't even think about it like it hits you like so so laid in and even especially when with my injury like when i when i got injured that I started feeling things hours later, like the pain wasn't there.
13:34Like prior to that, I couldn't move at all. But even like hours later, so when the pain like kicked in, when everything like weared off, it was, it was, I mean, truly one of the most spectacular, I think, experiences, like out-of-body experience you can have. And, and it's just you, you and the bone, nothing exists. You don't hear anything else other than what you want. And it's a, it's a special feeling. I believe it can be tapped again, but, As I said, it requires a lot of work and a lot more discipline.
14:03Matt Roberts:I hope you get to feel it again. Thank you. I sure will. I'll try my best. Thanks, Guido. Good luck. Easy, of course.
14:09Catherine Whitaker:Hi, Jasmine. Last time we saw you was the one-point slam. I'm just wondering what was your experience of that? I really liked it. To me, it was an amazing event. I don't know on the TV, but live was incredible. was something really new and also sharing you know those moments with with the top players was was great and I really liked to watch because was really a surprise I think for the first time you know and one point people that won many slams were shaking you know and we were talking what are you thinking to do what you think you are going to hit the ball or you think you are going to just put the ball inside.
14:59So everyone has had his own tactic, but it was really, really interesting and nice.
15:07Catherine Whitaker:What was your tactic? My tactic was to put the ball in. And then if I had the shot to hit, I would hit, but Kessler did before me. She played great. Yeah, she played great. She played great and I chose to return because it was better, but she served well and then she hit a good forehand, so unlucky. And you mentioned the nerves. What were your nerves? Were you feeling it different from normal matches? It's one point, so it's a match point for both, you know, so it's tough. And you don't want to miss the first shot. want to play at least because if you go there and you double fold it's not nice people are watching players are watching so but was was fun for this thing i think one of the things i really liked observing as you said was the interactions between the players on on the side and it's something we often see with especially i think the italians at all the team events you always have such good What's it like to be part of the Italian tennis at the moment?
16:19It's great. We are many players. We enjoy having fun together. I played the United Cup. It was a really nice day off the court, inside the court. It could go better but I think we really enjoy the week and it's great to start the season like that. But yeah, we are a big group and we like to chat together to play games sometimes and I think it's something healthy for the movement.
16:54Catherine Whitaker:Are there any particular friendships that you have within the Italian group? Many. Maybe the closer ones are the ones that I play United Cup, Coppoli, Vavassori but also Musetti we share also the same sponsor so it's nice to share this moment with them but Berrettini I know him since I'm like 8 years old so many but also like the other day Yannick waiting for the one point slam was great so we have great relationship with each other also with the girls of course and obviously you have a great rapport with Sara, Irani and I think you've sort of made your partnership with her this year even more official.
17:42Catherine Whitaker:Can you just sort of talk about that? Yes, I think since we're playing doubles, I ask sometimes her advices, what do you think I have to improve on court and what do you think about my game? And it started like that. We started to talk about tennis and I feel that she's very good at understanding the game. So also the last year she was helping me a lot and I thought it was a good partnership her and Pizzorno to have in my team. And yeah, it's great. Hopefully we are going to have a great season. So you're saying Sara looks after the tactics of matches and opponents a little bit? Yes, more this part and Pizzorno more the technical part.
18:40So it's great that they are good in two different things, you know. So I can have both of them and it's great the partnership. Also between them, it's good, so I like it.
18:55Catherine Whitaker:Have you ever thought about hitting an underarm serve like Sara? No No No Honestly no And just thinking about last year Obviously Another great season for you Winning Rome and reaching the WTA finals again If you reflect on your slam results Was that something where you maybe Hope for a little more And what are your hopes for this year? Yeah, last year Didn't go well The slams except Rolanga-Roz, but I could do better as well because I lost with match point. Hopefully this year I'm going to play better those kind of tournaments. It's the goal for every tennis player to play good the slams. So we'll see.
19:45I don't want to put on myself too many expectations because then you step on court nervous, too much nervous. but of course the slams are important. We cannot say no.
20:00Catherine Whitaker:Thank you so much. This is Catherine from the Tennis Podcast.
20:05Matt Roberts:Very nice to meet you. How are you? Thanks for doing this. Look, we probably have a lot of very similar questions to Matt over there because I think a lot of the tennis world kind of wants to get to know you. We know all about your talent. You know, broke into the top 100 over the course of the last year and yet you're still having new experiences, right? This is your first time in the Australian Open main draw. Yeah. How are you finding it all? Yeah, I find it all good, I think I can say. I'm really, really glad that I had the chance to get through and, yeah, that I'm here in the main draw. It was always a dream, so, yeah, I'm just trying my best all the day and, yeah, I'm just really glad that I'm here and I'll play against Aussie so I can play on big court hopefully and a lot of fans, I know they will be cheering to her.
21:02But yeah, I play also French Open against French girls so I think it can be worse than there. But yeah, I'm just really excited and yeah, I'll do everything to get a win.
21:19Matt Roberts:Do you like those big moments and big experiences, the big stage, a lot of crowd, does that suit your personality? Yeah, I like big crowds, big girls. Yeah, I like it. I can say if there's more people, I'm playing better tennis. So yeah, it helps every time, hopefully. Do you mind if they're cheering against you? Yeah, I'm good. I'm prepared for it. So yeah, I'm just looking forward. Talk me through the last 12 months. What have been your favorite experiences? Have you had a chance to process what's happened over the last 12 months in terms of your change in status in the game? Yeah, I think, I don't know if I process that, but yeah, I'm just happy.
22:15And hopefully it's going to be more and more new things. so yeah. Are you a goal setter? Do you set goals for the season? Yeah, but not like not a specific goal like I don't know. Can you share some of your 20-26 goals? Of course to be healthy this is the first thing and then yeah just improving my game trying to trying to win as matches as I can and yeah be some of the best tennis players in the world and just improving my game because I think if I will improve my game to be healthy and then working on the details I can say I can play on the top level so hopefully I'm going to go up and up rankings and everything will go fine
23:11Matt Roberts:How would you describe your game? Your style of playing? I think I'll describe myself that I'm an aggressive player. I attacked from the baseline and then coming to the net just to finish the shots there. But I think I'm awkward. I think I can play everything, also slices, sometimes high balls, but not that often. But yeah, the more things, the aggressive ones. What's it like being from a tennis nation like Czechia and having so many great players come before you? I guess there are tremendous positives to that, but pressure maybe as well. People just expect Czech players, particularly females, to do certain things in the game.
24:11Yeah, of course it's amazing that we have that many players from Czech because we are so small country. And we have so many good tennis players or so normal athletes. So yeah, I think it's really good that we have so many players. But also it's tough to get on the top and just to be the best one in Czechia. It's so tough. But it's also good that we can sometimes practice together. is really good. Also, we are sharing, sometimes, yeah, we can see the legends of Kvitova and Strytsova, Shafarova, all those women, they can give us some advices, also everything. We saw them when we were little in the TV, so we were like, that we want to be like them, so hopefully there's going to be one day that we're going to be like them, and yeah, it's just, I think it's all the motivation that, yeah, it gave us to
25:11Matt Roberts:Are there any Czech players that have been particularly inspiring for you or have given you any particularly important advice? I think if someone gave me some advice I kept it and it's really good if someone gives you advice to think about it and maybe try to put in your game or something like that So I'll just I'm just very grateful for it. And but I don't know, like they inspired me a lot. Also, they're inspiring me now. So like, yeah, Vondrošu a Marke, I'm playing with her doubles here. So yeah, she's inspiring me also now. So it's like I think everyone is just like they're they achieved something, something a lot.
26:02and you're just keeping it from hurtings.
26:08Matt Roberts:Can you remember the first time you decided you wanted to be a tennis player? Oh, no. I was a little. Has it always been tennis for you? No, I played a lot of sports before when I was little, but the tennis stuck with me the most, I think I can say. it got my heart and yeah I just yeah I loved it from the first from the first time because my dad's also a tennis player so I used to go for a walk with my mom to get to see him on the court and every single time so yeah and then I was like I want to beat him and then it all started so. Do you remember the first time you beat your dad? Actually I don't this is a pretty the question I'm asking a lot, but I think it was maybe around age, I don't know, 13, 14, something like that.
27:08But I remember one match that I beat him, but I don't know when it was. How did he take it? Oh, he didn't take it good, because he lost for the first time. So I was just like yelling and just like jumping that I won finally. and I was like, I went to my mom and I was like, oh, my mom, I beat my dad. So, yeah, it was like a lot of joy and, yeah, but he had, yeah, he's okay, like not with that. But he's always like, no, she didn't beat me and it was like that, that. It's like. Do your family travel with you? Sometimes my dad, but not that often because they're working. and I also have little brothers so they're not taking care of it but they're with him so yeah
28:01Matt Roberts:siblings? So little brother how does he feel about his big sister being a famous tennis player? He doesn't know that it's like I'm for him just a big sister for him as always and I'm protecting him yeah and it's I don't know also like I don't think that I'm like too famous or like something that I think there's many many players that I famous more than me so just for him I'm like a big sis and yeah just having fun talking about the life what's going on, what's going on at school and everything so yeah. Teresa we love to watch you play have a great Australian Open and we wish you well. Thank you so much Thank you.
29:20I feel like the tennis level, how I'm hitting the ball and striking the ball is 100 % there. A lot of people think they hear injury and they think you just take time off to get an injury better. If anyone wants to look up what you do to rehab a tendinopathy, it's actually a ton of specific exercises to strengthen it. I laid the base for that as soon as the season ended. in the off season. And, you know, at this point I'm only like two months, a little less two months into the program, which can take, you know, anywhere from like three to four months. So I am seeing the improvement by just consistently every single day doing the, the work that needs to be done.
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30:09But obviously playing as well, playing on it is fine, but overstressing it is, is not good. So, you know, I trust my physio. I think my physio is one of the best physios in the world. And he says that he thinks there's a really good chance that I can play while still being able to rehab and strengthen. And then hopefully by the time the U.S. hard courts are over, we'll have a very clear answer of, like, by then I'll know. Yeah, by then I should know if, okay, it's a lot better and what we're doing is fine. Or, you know, let's just shut this down for another month and make sure I'm totally good.
30:46It was killing me after the first match of the United Cup, and it was absolutely killing me once I got to Australia. I couldn't believe how, I guess, good I felt giving it some rest during the offseason. It's insane how bad that flight made it feel so bad. But I played a really long match against Munar, and it wasn't awful. and you know I think the reoccurring thing over last year with the knee was I'd start bothering me I could play through it and then it would just get to a pain level where it's like I can't it's affecting me too much to play through and I didn't notice that in the match with Munar it got to a point where it started bothering me and then it kind of stayed at that point and then after the match it didn't feel like that awful uh which is new to me so I think I've really been seeing uh the benefits of all the the rehab and the work i've put in more so in the last like you know week to 10 days so uh you know i am i am optimistic how bad was your one point slam fomo the other night you know the way the way that i look at it is like i i almost never watch tennis on tv so if i'm if i'm gonna sit on the couch and watch it like as well i might as well just be there, you know?
32:12Like, it looked like a lot of fun. So, yeah, I'm sad I missed it. Next year? Yeah, I hope so. So what's your mindset coming into the tournament this season? For me, it's just I need to be healthy, I think, to play at the high level with the guys. Like, I need to be able to go all out. and I think at times my body has kind of stopped me from doing that. I can play through some injuries here and there and still have good results, but I think to really be at the highest level, I need to not only be healthy and go all out, I also need to be healthy enough to train to be able to maintain that level for two out of three sets, and that's something that I haven't been able to do in quite a while is train at the level and intensity that I want to because it's really tough on the body.
33:07So, you know, my goal is to be healthy and then really lay that groundwork so I can just be as strong and fit as possible for the majority of the year.
33:22Matt Roberts:What was the pain level when you were playing Carlos at the Lever Cup? That's the thing that was crazy. I was still dealing with the knee during that time, but for, I just remember for US Open and Labor Cup and Tokyo, my knee not really being that bad. It hurt after the matches and stuff, but that stretch, obviously I'm on anti-inflammatories and it's numbing the pain a lot, but I don't remember the knee really affecting me that badly those weeks. It was very fortunate for me.
34:02Catherine Whitaker:Can I ask you if you pay much attention to the young Americans coming up? A couple years ago, Ben Shelton said when I was the American number one for about a minute, Taylor came out really hot, and I think it meant something to him. There's this little crew with Lerner and Alex, and Ben obviously climbed up the rankings quite a bit. Do you pay attention to that? And is there generational pride at all with you and Francis and Tommy about sort of hanging on to? No, I mean, look, at some point, just age, at some point, it's not going to be me anymore. I don't really care. At the end of the day, I'm just trying to be the best I can be.
34:55I'd rather be the number three American and four in the world than the number one at ten in the world. So it's, you know, I root for all the guys always, you know, especially the young guys, especially the, I mean, guys that I'm friends with like Ben and Lerner and Mickelson. Lerner and Mickelson have been at Carson practicing with me for a long time when they were really young, and I always thought these guys were going to be really good players and I always talk to them and try to answer any questions that they ask me and help them as much as I possibly could. So I like seeing them succeed and like I said, it's a natural progression.
35:43I'm getting old.
35:44Catherine Whitaker:Oh, thank you. Sorry. How about one for Kat? You want to take one for Kat?
35:51Matt Roberts:Okay.
35:55Matt Roberts:I was going to say on the not watching tennis thing is that because like it stresses you out or you feel like you need to be able to switch off or do you not enjoy it so I do think I probably should watch more I watch when I'm scouting and I do say I watch a bit when I'm like at slams because it's just like it's always on like when I'm at when I'm on site and there's tennis on like I watch I see like an important point going on I look at the scores I see like oh it's a big point I'll watch but when I'm away I just I don't get a lot of free time so I prefer to do other stuff with my free time and I say I tell people I should watch more tennis because I think I have such a skewed idea of how good people are because I see all of my tennis on like Instagram and Twitter I see I see like all the highlights and all the crazy points so I just think people are like unbelievable because like my concept of tennis is just basically only seeing highlights so when I actually sit down and watch a match I see all the mistakes people are making and I'm like oh my god like I should watch more because it's like maybe everyone's not as good as I think they are.
37:02Matt Roberts:Well Joanna Garland welcome to the tennis podcast you have been top of our interview request list for the past three days it's great to have you I imagine the last three days have been a bit of a whirlwind for you. Yes, thank you for having me, really happy to be here and yeah it's been a crazy few days, probably the most crazy few days of my life. What was the moment like when you got your phone back after coming off the Rodlaver arena the other night, do you remember how many messages and missed calls you had? I didn't actually check too much because it had just blown up but that I think that that says
37:47Catherine Whitaker:how many messages I had yeah yeah we were looking at your Instagram refreshing and the follow account
37:53Matt Roberts:was going up and up yeah yeah any is it is it all been good experience the last three days are you trying to like soak it all in if they've been you know described to us some of the yeah some of what you've been through in the last in the last three days since that incredible night on Rod Laver arena? I've been struggling to to sleep especially the night coming back from from the event it's the the amount of positive support and feedback I've had is overwhelmingly nice it's so sweet when you run into someone and they're like oh I saw you play the one point slam oh we loved you you're amazing and it's just so sweet to hear that and I've met and got to speak with so many lovely people as a result of it which I'm really happy about that definitely tallies with
38:46David Law:with the sort of experience we had following it you know I mean to be quite honest with you we we turned up that night I didn't know too much about you really and I think a lot of people probably felt like that too and then as the as the night was going on I know you didn't win it but you were kind of the person that everybody that I knew was talking about because of the manner of the the matches you played the people you played and the performances you looked incredibly relaxed in terms of like how you were playing the matches how did how did you actually feel when you first went out onto Rod Laver Arena when I first went out I was trying not to shake.
39:26It was, I think, just being around those players. So the top ranked players got a bye in the first round. So I went out with, I think he was there, I think Nick was there. I was standing next to Nick and I was so nervous just being around them. And then walking out into Rod Laver was unreal. I was pretty nervous. The points actually weren't that nerve-wracking. I just didn't want to miss my serve but I was just so happy to be there I didn't mind whether I won my points or not what was nerve-wracking was having to speak in front of so many people and doing the interviews on court which is something that I'm not used to I'm used to playing points used to playing the tennis but not doing the interviews so that's what I was most nervous about I think everyone else was sort of more nervous about playing a bad point because you only get well it could be just one point right um but yeah it was I was just trying to soak it all in and really enjoy it and be as present as
40:29Catherine Whitaker:I could be I think that was kind of a really disarming thing about it wasn't it like you were for a lot of the people on the Rod Laver arena they probably didn't know who you were same way they didn't know who a lot of the amateurs were and then you were playing the incredible tennis and everyone was like wow like that that kind of contrast between not knowing how good you were and then seeing it in real time I think was really like special for people and I'm interested in your mindset because you kept saying on on the court that you were taking you know whether it be Zverev or Kyrgios when they made you serve you were taking that as oh maybe they're maybe they're a bit tight they're scared of missing their point and then you played the bold tennis is that is that definitely what you were feeling like okay I can take advantage of them maybe being scared to miss yeah I didn't really have any tactics going into the the points I played on Rod Laver, but playing in the qualifying for the one-point slam, I kind of did because I was playing people that really, like, on paper I should beat.
41:27Matt Roberts:Right. So I knew that no one was going to go for the ball at all. I think the only person that did was Nick. He missed his backhand return against me by not very much at all. And so those points I played in the qualifying, I thought, okay, if I can be a little bit more aggressive that's probably what's going to press them to miss. What happens a lot in my own matches is there's a big point and a point that feels like a point that I really need to win, like a match point or a break point and I'm not aggressive enough and as a result of not being aggressive enough the opponent doesn't miss. They don't make that forced error and in a situation like this I don't think people really are going to make too many unforced errors so I was telling myself to be semi-aggressive not aggressive enough to to just smack it and miss it but enough to put a little bit of pressure on I was out there for the the qualifying round the the day before the big night on Rod Laver arena and it was so different wasn't it out there yeah it was very different and actually we um the next day when we were arriving on site for the one point slam for the final we got stopped by marcos i don't know if that name rings a bell but we got stopped because he's a listener to the tennis podcast but he was the guy you beat yeah in round two the guy that that you won the toss elected to receive before you realized he was a lefty yes that's that's right yes yes yes i remember after after playing that point he told me well I hope you go all the way because it would be nice to say that I lost to the winner I think he's probably telling people you lost to the finalist I wouldn't worry about Marcos too much how so that the the qualifying round how that was that was so chaotic it was sort of a lineup of a ragtag bunch of you know you just didn't know who was gonna come out next whether it was going to be Pedro Martinez or, you know, bloke that they'd found out on, you know, the stands in court 12.
43:34Matt Roberts:How did you end up in that line-up on court six for the qualifying? So I had lost my qualies match around noon, around 12 o 'clock. Was feeling a bit down, really.
43:48David Law:This is your main draw Australian Open qualifying match. Yes, yes. This is what you actually came here for. This is what I came here for, yeah. Not the one-point slam, no. So I was feeling a bit down, had lunch with my best friend and her boyfriend and was discussing what we'd do later and now I'd lost. And they said, oh, we might stick around and watch the one point slam. And that's when it, so prior to having lunch, I ran into Lawrence, who was a tournament director at the tournament I played in Canberra previous week. And he was helping run the one point slam this week. He asked me, would you like to take part?
44:22and I said I will think about it because I'm not feeling that happy right now after my loss went to speak with my friends anyway they said they were going to watch it so okay maybe maybe I'll go play maybe it'll be a bit fun if I'm there I'll make it more entertaining for them went back to find Lawrence sort of at 2.28 2.29 and he had told me like come in before 2.30 to speak with me if you want to play so I said can I can I can I play and he said yeah sure you're in What a rock star.
44:53Matt Roberts:It was very last minute. Right on the deadline. Amazing. That is amazing. This is probably a horrible question, but would you swap your one-point slam results to get that for the qualifying? I've actually thought about it. It's difficult. It's a difficult question to answer. I think the two events are so different. I probably would have it's difficult I probably would have swapped qualifying for the main Australian Open over making the final run I'm not sure it's such a difficult one there's only one way to get to beat Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev back to back and that's in the one point slam that's very true and now looking back on it regardless of how I do in the rest of my tennis career this is something that's that's never going to be taken away from me and um i don't think any amount of like we're playing for one million dollars but any amount of money
46:00Catherine Whitaker:could take that experience away and and that's it like you've got to take something from this right because you know there's a guy that left with a kia and there was a guy that left with a million dollars and we were thinking oh we want joanna garland to leave with something but you are you are obviously taking a lot from this experience even if it's not something like tangible um yeah I'm so happy like like nothing could could ruin my spirits about this this is this is one of the best experiences I've ever had probably the best and um even if I didn't make the final just purely just walking out to Rod Laver and playing that first point I was so happy and that would have that would have made my year that would have made the rest of my tennis career yeah
46:43David Law:can I ask about your your backhand that you hit against Vera because we we have we are in the company of somebody who loves a backhand here on the tennis podcast Matt actually has a backhand list of players that he he really likes to watch their backhands right there's a there's five on there and and your backhand was so good on that particular moment that it even came up in conversation I was like this is a list worthy backhand really yes um just when you were playing that rally and he's you're going toe to toe with him and he's he's rallying away did you just was it sort of instinct to pull the trigger like that because I mean he he had no answer to that at all yeah it's it's kind of like when you're when you're playing an actual point you don't really make a thought as to what shot you're going to play you just do it you make this split second decision based on your experience and based on instinct.
47:37And to break it down and slow it down, I think I saw a little bit of a space and thought, OK, he's not expecting this and just went for it. It's actually a shot that I hit pretty well in my own matches. So yeah, I went for it and it obviously paid off.
47:58Matt Roberts:How many points did you win across the two qualifying rounds on the night? Was it eight, seven? I played two qualifying rounds on court six to get into the final stage of qualifying on Kia Arena the next morning. I won two more points to get onto Rod Laver. I think I won nine in total. Do you have a favourite of the nine? oh it's got to be the one against Vero yeah
48:32Catherine Whitaker:it was so good we enjoyed it so is your backhand your favourite shot? it is indeed generally I can tell
48:43Matt Roberts:it was very interesting on the night obviously you're a pro tennis player you're close to the world's top 100 you're unbelievably good at tennis you had only one serve just the same as Alexander Zverev only had one serve and Yannick Sinner only had one serve famously and yet kind of spiritually and in terms of what that prize would have meant to you you had a lot more in common with the amateurs on on the night would that be fair to say yes yeah and was that I don't know what was that like for you sort of mentally and emotionally I to be honest I was quite happy that I wasn't given two serves because it made me feel like I was part of the the pros that were taking part in the event um it didn't feel very fair when I had to play Sasha and then Nick and only get given one serve but it kind of made me feel because I didn't really feel in place when I first walked out onto court yeah did you feel who did you feel more at home with like the pros the ams yeah like yeah Where did you feel like you fit in kind of, you know, like one of those memes where you have to choose a table to sit at?
50:01Matt Roberts:Where did you feel most comfortable? Most comfortable with the AMs. I was chatting with them. I actually knew a couple of them. So I was chatting with them. And then so the celebs walked out with us at the start. Oh, yeah. I forgot about the celebs. So I was chatting to them a little bit. But I don't know. None of the pros knew who I was. I'd hit with Maria before. so she knew who I was. I don't think any of the others did. Everyone knows who you are now. Carlos said hi to me earlier. Can you believe it? Do you know I can believe it? Yeah, but wow. Everyone was tweeting about you and posting about you.
50:41Matt Roberts:Yeah, that must be so weird. It's very weird.
50:44Catherine Whitaker:So where did you pass Carlos? Just in the player area here? Yeah, I think he was walking out to practice and I was walking in from practice. He said, hey, Joanna.
50:53Matt Roberts:oh that's got to be good yeah
50:56David Law:one of the things that struck us as you play in these matches is that from the outside you looked totally unflustered by all of it and you were playing really solid tennis like that rally against Zverev then you get to the final and you play Jordan Smith and I suppose you're supposed to win that one right because he's the amateur did you did you feel more nerves in that match than in the others suddenly there's a million dollars on the line yeah so I've been asked this um by a couple of people like what happened because I've missed a backhand by miles which I've I don't think I've missed that far normally um I wasn't nervous playing the point actually if anything I was like oh I've got this now I'm playing an amateur maybe I wasn't wasn't serious enough playing the point I think I was actually a bit too relaxed I chose to serve which I looking back on I probably wouldn't have done but yeah I think I don't know I think the shot kind of like clipped the end of the his return clipped the end of the service line and in my head I'd already said okay I'm going to hit that down the line backhand again because that's my money shot when I'm playing my own matches and completely mistimed it and missed it wide but I think I was just so happy to be there like it really did not matter to me that much whether I won the point or not like I said before we went to play the final point there are already three winners here and yeah that I wasn't nervous no
52:37Matt Roberts:and yet it feels pretty brutal that you've given your contribution to that event you know it's not often you get to a final of something and you leave with nothing obviously positive experiences like have you been sort of promised anything or you know are you going to be able to get anything tangible out of this mixed doubles wildcard with Jordan Smith would watch yeah that would get the crowds in I'm sure that would but no I think so much has come from this so many positives more than I could ever imagine and I'm just so grateful for the opportunity I've had the amount of luck that was on my side to be able to take part and play all those points and get to the final Craig has kindly let me stay on site and practice which is nice because I've got quite a big gap between losing first-round qualies in my next tournament.
53:38We weren't really expecting me to go out so early. But I'm sure a lot of positives will come from it. I did have my little sad moment over the money, and I spoke to my coach and my mum about it.
53:52David Law:When was that, and what sort of prompted it? Is there something that you've missed out on in a way because of not having that money? Yeah, after all the chaos and it was 2am and I'd finally sort of calmed down in my room, about to go to bed, I called my mum because I was thinking of her and seeing her on the other side of the phone made me tear up. I was like, sorry mum, because this really could have changed our lives as a family.
54:25yeah they don't my parents don't have it easy and obviously being being a tennis player that
54:30Matt Roberts:hasn't made it top 100 yet sorry sorry take a moment take a moment
54:43no and my mom was like what what on earth are you apologizing for like this is this is amazing we are so happy they didn't even know I was playing I didn't tell anyone because it was like a busy day like when you finish your matches there's a lot that you have to do like you have to recover you have to eat I was trying to sort out my logistics as to where I was going to train where I was going to go the next week didn't tell anyone I was playing and I didn't expect myself to make it onto Rod Laver I had to be I can't remember what his name was I played him in the like the third qualifying point he was a pro he lost in qualies the same day as me was it the vallejo chap i can't remember so he lost in on court six he lost in the official event so the actual australian open um okay so i wasn't expecting to beat him i didn't yeah i didn't tell anyone i was um playing the one point slam so no one had like tuned in i think someone must have tuned into the and then called my mum saying, hey, look, it's Joanna.
55:44Because I didn't tell anyone I was playing.
55:47Catherine Whitaker:That's absolutely amazing. Wow. Has she watched it back? They watched it. Yeah. She's received an overwhelming amount of messages and they're all thrilled for me. And it would, not to like steal the idea, but I would love to go in with my dad, go and host something at the tennis club that he's at back home. Similar. I think everyone would love it. I'd love to watch that.
56:09David Law:Yeah. Yeah. Wow. One of the things you said is Craig Tyler, the tournament director, has allowed you to stay here to practice while you work out, well, before you go to your next tournament. And that's one of the things, isn't it? You have to plan all this stuff. If you lose at this round, you'd have to work out where am I going to be before the next tournament. It's a lot going on for a tennis player. And I imagine logistics are part of your job, really, aren't they? particularly at the ranking you're at and as you try to make your way in this sport but is is this helpful at all in in terms of imagining that you're not that far away that you're 130 something in the world you know it's it's it's there yeah i i still the best moment of my life up to now was besides seeing my little brothers born and all that um qualifying for rolling my first slam um and i you know top 100 is still my near goal and it's it's kind of like the known as the official sorry unofficial you've made it to pro tennis goal um so that's that's what i've got in sight and not just i i yeah i played canberra the week before coming here i did pretty well it won the event um that's pretty well that's pretty well you're downplaying that yeah um i had a tough round tough first round loss here um it's and i think playing this event has it's it's it's put me in touch with some some people that i wouldn't have been able to get in touch with and um it's given me an insight to what things could be like if i if i what you'd called made it on tour um and it's got me very driven to keep working hard and keep my head down and try to to play the main event here one day yeah and what do you see as like the biggest
58:13Catherine Whitaker:gaps let's say between you and people who are ranked around 75 80 because like when we're watching it doesn't feel like there's that big a difference between players in that ranking bracket it okay you've got the very top players who you know absolutely class and but then there's a lot of players who you feel like there's not that much of a big difference between is that is that how you see it as well and what is it in your own game and that you think can help you make make up that little gap i think it i think the gap varies between players because everyone's got a different playing style and there may be some players where their game style matches up better with mine as opposed to others.
58:56Like if I played Arena, she would just completely overpower me and blow me off the court. I think in general, the higher up the ranks you go, the bigger hitting the players are. And that's probably what I'd say that the main difference, to be honest, I don't know. I don't know if there's one thing or a couple of things that I can actually point out and say that's the gap between me and them. But based on my experience, What I feel like is they hit big, they serve well, they return well, they take care of the basics so well, they get that first strike in. And I'd say in general, everyone moves pretty well, everyone's pretty resilient mentally, they know what decisions to make on what points.
59:41That's what I personally feel like is the gap. I couldn't give you an accurate or an answer saying this is it, this is absolutely it. But based on my experience playing players inside the top 100, that's what I feel like it is and of course there's it's kind of there's a word that I'm
1:00:03Matt Roberts:grasping for and I can't quite I can't quite find it but sort of the higher you climb up the rankings the more money you're able to make the better you're able to invest in things that allow you to stay there right like full-time coach you know that everybody inside the world top 50-ish maybe is traveling with a whole team of people and that that advantages them in terms of staying there right you've kind of you're both trying to break in and you're kind of handicapped in in doing so right like if i yes does that make sense yes that does make sense yes yeah i don't that's not a question that's just me fumbling for for words but like i think a lot of people and this is this is a request we quite often get from listeners right to to get more of an insight into what it's like for players around your ranking that are constantly having to decide to decide what to invest in you know it's not just a given that you have a coach week in week out or a physio on hand that can make sure you you know injuries are taken care of or prevented And I'm guessing you're having to make constant, potentially career-altering decisions, sort of week in, week out, that a lot of people wouldn't even know about.
1:01:25Yes, I'd say financial stress is quite a thing amongst players, sort of my ranking and below. And from speaking with other players on the tour as well, that's I think that's kind of like the number the number is 100 where you're kind of okay but I don't think I think it's the same for everyone like the more the better you do on tour and the more resources you have you just keep reinvesting it whether that's adding someone to the team or employing a full-time fitness coach or a full-time physio you don't really I mean I'm not sure about other players but me i don't i try not to have anything left over i mean it's like really everything i earn uh from prize money or any funding that i'm given sponsorship certainly it just it gets reinvested straight away um and i don't want to look back at that when i finish playing and be like i could have done more um but yes yeah it's it's what you said is true sort of I think people say that once you get there, it's easier to stay there because you're earning more and you're exposed to those players.
1:02:43And that helps you improve your own game as well.
1:02:46David Law:Do you end up kind of learning certain skills in life that maybe if you were 50 in the world, you just wouldn't have to bother with? i.e. working out, being your own travel agent, sorting out all manner of things that perhaps the highest ranked players just pay somebody.
1:03:05Matt Roberts:Even things like, I'll name no names, but I worked with a former pro once in TV that had never ironed before. Did not know how to use an iron. I'm assuming you know how to use an iron. I would hope so. yeah no I do but I don't iron any clothes because the only clothes I have are tennis clothes but no I do know how to use an iron it's things like like a lot of the like I don't have like I don't have an agent I don't have people doing things for me I do I saw everything by myself I've always picked my own schedule but discussed it with my coach I actually my parents never travelled with me when I played ITF juniors.
1:03:48I was the one booking the flights myself and going on my own. So at what age were you starting to travel on your own? 13, 14. Wow, what was that like? Yeah, it was... I wasn't scared. I think my mum was scared, my dad wasn't. I had good fun playing juniors. Those were a great few years, actually, speaking of it now. But yeah, there are a lot of things. It's really just arranging stuff. booking flights, booking hotels. It's not too tricky. Maybe some of the financial stuff would be easier if someone was helping out with that. But in general, I think you can talk about money is quite a hot topic with tennis.
1:04:34You can talk about that, but I think in the end of the day, it all comes down to who's willing to put the work in. And I try and stand by that. Yeah.
1:04:44Catherine Whitaker:So what is next for you then? I've got a couple of tournaments. I've got a WTA challenge of like 125 in Manila and then the week after that Mumbai. Touch road, I stay fit and healthy. And then the next goal is to play Indian Wells and Miami qualifying. So if I do well in the upcoming two tournaments, I can play those.
1:05:09Matt Roberts:Johnna we will be following your career very closely and cheering you on thank you we wish you very well thanks so much for your time thank you
From the publisher
For our latest episode of Tennis Podcast Meets, Catherine has an emotional chat with Grigor Dimitrov as he comes back from injury, Matt speaks to Jasmine Paolini, Catherine gets introduced to Tereza Valentova, you’ll eavesdrop on a huddle with Taylor Fritz, and Joanna Garland, the breakout star of the One Point Slam, joins Catherine, David and Matt to discuss her experience of this whirlwind week.