Live from Wimbledon Day 11 - Anisimova, Swiatek break new ground, how does Sabalenka rebound?

36:01When is she going to maybe move to the net? So her learning to make smart decisions late in these huge matches can improve. I saw it improve with Navratilova. You know, she was a player that really struggled dealing with pressure late in big matches until she won here for the first time in 78, and then she went on to win 18 total singles majors. I'm not saying Sabalinka's going to do that, but I see certain similarities in their physical nature, their power and their emotions can sometimes get the better of them. I was just going to say, obviously Sabalenka, she's got a history of not winning a lot of big matches.

36:45Her conversion rate isn't great. But actually, she's maybe been a little bit unlucky in terms of the players she's met in those matches this year. I'm thinking like there aren't that many ball strikers like Keyes and like Anissimova who do have that smooth power that can even rush her. And there's no one that defends like Coco Goff. Now, obviously, like these players are in the draw and she could run into them. But it does feel like a little, like it's been just one after the other of these sorts of players that can really trouble Sabalenka, But if she's going to win the major title, she's going to probably have to learn to deal with those players.

37:32But I think it has been interesting how the specific matchup seems to have actually favoured some of those players against San Belenco. Just finally on this one and on Amanda Anasimova before we move on to talk about Yigus Fiontek. Like, today's win for Anissa Mova and the fact that that now makes it four different American women in the last four major finals made me think about the incredible points you made, Pam, when you appeared on the podcast during the French Open. And obviously, you were talking in the context of Amelie Maresmo being a tremendous disappointment in terms of representing women's tennis and being a taliswoman for women's sport.

38:18But you talked about how in the US, women's sport has been uplifted and given an equal or close to equal platform. And I just want to make, you know, correlation isn't causation, but it doesn't feel totally accidental to me that there's suddenly this crop of incredible depth and women that have fantastic belief and have had inspiration before them that they all talk about. Coco Goff talks about Serena Williams, doesn't she? And all of them talk about the inspirations that they've had and seen on TV. Yeah, the lineage of great U.S. women champions in tennis is tremendous. And the impact of Billie Jean King and the movement towards the dialogue in women's tennis has been since the early 70s.

39:06We can be equal. We should strive for equality. We have power. We have agency. And I do think, you know, I mean, look, we had some lean times at times, but, I mean, look at the men. It's been since Roddick in 2003 at the Open. So I think it's quite incredible. Pagula must be kicking herself, though, being the one who didn't win it. But you think about that U.S. Open final. It was actually great quality. And I'm just so entertained by what's going on in women's tennis. Not so much from a, I mean, some from a U.S. standpoint, but just by this craziness of, we're going to have nine straight different Wimbledon champions.

39:47The fact that Svantec is started, seated eighth, ranked fourth because of her final in Bad Humberg, two in the race, could win her first Wimbledon. And then, I mean, all these stories are so rich. And then on the men's side, you know, we got great stuff going on as well, but it's the same people time and time again competing. Which one do you like? They complement each other. That's why this sport is distinctive on the world stage because we bring it together, both genders, and having just come from the mixed final, it's a gift, and other sports are trying to imitate tennis. Yes, Pam. Yes, Pam.

40:26Yes, Pam. Yes, Jam. I love the way you're, like, caressing Jam. I know. It's very lovely. No, it's like a stress ball. Yes, exactly. I forgot my, I've been having a pen and paper and I'm missing it right now, but I got jammed. You don't need it, Pam. Yes, I do. Second semifinal, Iga Svantec against Belinda Bencic. 6-2, 6-love, not much of a match. It was one of those matches, David, where Iga Svantec looks like she's on some sort of deadline, like she's in speed with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. I don't think that's a reference that Matt understands Have you seen that film? I have actually Yeah, on holiday with my parents Did you enjoy it?

41:11Yeah Good movie But you know what I mean If you have to stay on court for more than an hour and ten minutes or whatever it was You're going to explode That's what it felt like Like poor Belinda Bencic I think she was physically compromised today Perhaps overawed by the experience I think it's really tough that they played yesterday like the whole rhythm of the slam suddenly changes Schiontek's more used to that of course having been in this situation more I really felt for Bencic there but it was like she was thrown in a tumble dryer it felt like Yeah I think that's a good description and the other thing is that they've just come on court after this tumultuous two and a half hour epic that the crowd have needed a break from because it's so hot out there and look I realise that's the same for both players but it just feels like that stuff doesn't bother Iga Svantec.

42:04She comes out and she plays the ball and my word, there is no front runner in a match like her. The last few years, I mean, in fact, I don't think since Steffi Graf I've seen a player hit the front in a match and just keep going and make matches kind of, well, I don't want to say boring because she lights them up, but she makes them irrelevant as a competition. and the moment she gets into that mode, I'm not quite sure how you reel her back in. And her distribution looks good, her footwork looks right, she feels like she's got her margins right. I mean, what are you seeing that's different with her, Pam, on grass than previous years?

42:45Well, I think a lot of things have come in to make her play this well on grass this year. I think the fact that she lost before the final at Roland Garros started her mindset turning towards grass. We already mentioned earlier in the pod about all the matches she played in Bad Hamburg. So she was able to get here. And I do think the atmosphere of that club outside Hamburg, because I heard it from Donna last year, it's a very relaxed, perfect week if you want to play matches. But I'm trying to think of a comparison back in the States. It's, you know, maybe the way Connecticut sometimes in New Haven, like 10 years ago, if you wanted to play matches in a relaxed setting, and oftentimes they would go on and have really good U.S.

43:35Opens. I think that week was crucial for Sabalink to have some belief on the grass court. Look, she was a junior champion here, right? But I don't think she'd been able to, with all her success at Roland Garros, I don't think she'd been able to ever really start the grass court season with belief and on the right foot. And I do think Wim Fassett has had good experience with his players on a grass court. And it's not just the player having belief on grass. I know you need to have your coaches know the nuances of grass. And I think Fassett does. I remember when Igor Svontek was at her absolute best a year ago, a couple of years ago, a lot of players were kind of asked, what makes Svantec so good and I remember the word that kept coming up was intensity and I feel like that was that was what defined this match today because it was just relentless like she just came out playing great and Bancic as you said was struggling she had this hole cut in her shoe didn't she because of this toe injury that she's got and look Bancic was absolutely not at her best today but there's just no let up from Svantec and I think that has happened a bit at times in this year she's lost some of that that kind of intensity has maybe been replaced by a bit of stress on court quite frankly she's used that wording hasn't she i yeah lost intensity yeah um and it was there like she was just awesome in this you know her serve is she's cranking it up 117 118 miles an hour which seems pretty big to me for her a lot of return winners that word david uses distribution I think is a great one she's spreading the court really really well and yeah I think I think she's maybe more susceptible on the grass as well when it's early in in the tournament you know when she's not quite so sure on her footing when the ball's skidding through a little bit more like now she's playing at the back of the court on that on that very dry patch and I don't know it just feels like she's a lot more confident now with her movement as well and And, you know, I think of this tournament, I think her most susceptible match was probably McNally in the second round.

45:47And, you know, that was early in the tournament. But, yeah, absolutely. I also think the point, actually, that Matthew made to me earlier is that freshness, like, just mentally in terms of, like, she's not won as much during the clay court season. So she's actually, like, been off sometimes. you know if you think of these two week events now she's gone the last couple of years she's just been on and on winning and winning and winning like literally no breaks where she's kind of gone on the grass now and yes she was disappointment after Roland Garros of course there was but it also meant that she was I think a bit fresher far less far less sort of under the spotlight she was she was out of it a little bit more she went to Bad Homburg she found her form there and it's all just clicked and it was the Collins match where I thought she can win Wimbledon and I didn't know whether it was going to be this Wimbledon I still don't but I just really had a realization that Shontek can play on this surface and we've seen it in every match since then as well it was another one of those quite locked down press conferences from Shontek I get it she's got a final today to play in in two days time um but there were two very revealing lines there was one question I think from Eleanor Crooks of the Press Association have you surprised yourself with this run here and reaching the final she just said yes I've surprised myself like it was just perfect you know like no further detail needed like big time yeah and the final question actually I think from from Matt Futterman of The Athletic asking her to kind of pinpoint what she's actually enjoyed about playing with on grass not just sort of learn to tolerate or learn to deal with but actually learn to love or enjoy about playing on grass and she said there's no time to overthink you have to play on instinct a hundred percent the time's taken away and I think that is playing right into Sviontech's strength at the moment.

47:56Her shots look more compact to me. I think she had time to kind of get her grass court because listen if you come in with the same long shots through the whole clay court season you're not going to do well and I just look at her now and it just looks so in sync and I'm telling you this is we've seen other players in the past. Sampras struggled his first few times coming here, believe it or not. And he didn't feel confident. Agassi didn't even come over. There's actually been a lot of players that didn't understand grass. And then once they do, so look out world. Iga Sfriante can play on grass.

48:34Now Pam, you're clutching jam there. There was not one mention in today's press conference yet again of strawberry pasta. But I'm here to keep strawberry pasta alive. Oh wow, I'm hungry. Really? I have some. All right. I have some homemade strawberry pasta. It's incredible work. Let's pass it down. This is... Is this for all of us? This is macaron struscavkami. Oh, wow. Made by official medic of the tennis podcast, Felicity. I have forks. Do we have to eat it now? I think... I'll have it. I mean, I'm going to have some now. I think it would be a shame if you didn't give it a go, David. I quite like the look of it, actually.

49:20Can I have it with a blondie chaser? I mean, yes. Fork, David? Should I eat the blondies rather than the pasta? No, please eat the pasta, Matt. Significant work has gone into this. This hasn't been in the sun all day, has it? No, it came in a thermos. Okay. Lengths were gone to. I'm struggling to open it one-handed. Anybody?

49:44Thank you, Pam. You're welcome. I'm genuinely intrigued. I would like marks out of 10 I can give you a percentage Yes please I think it's horrible I really don't like cold pasta Have I ruined your best day ever?

50:06I'm not into that Yeah not for me That is not nice I mean I'm not judging it from a sort of Yeah don't want to yuck anyone's yum You know, if you like it, good luck to you. Do you like it, Pam? Did you say Pam or Jam? Pam's cracking on. I'm scoffing it. I'm starving. Do you want some more? Give Pam a blondie. Okay, can I have a percentage? Can I have marks out of ten? Six and a half. Oh. Six and a half says Pam. I mean three. Sorry about that. I'm not into that. Yeah, like two. If I was desperate, I'd have it. But I'm going to have a blondie. I quite like the pasta, the plain pasta. It's when the strawberry gets involved.

50:56You know, I've done more cooking this Wimbledon than I have ever. And I like combining things. And I can see why Ega likes it. I think Pam has a more sophisticated palate than us, probably. Okay. Great work, Catherine. Great work, Felicity. Yes, thank you, Felicity. for bringing them into our lives. For yulking everyone's yulking. Who's going to win the final?

51:24Well, I have to do a reset. I have to kind of look at a few things. The unpredictability of recent champions kind of points to Anna Samova. But when you go on paper and you look at somebody who's been perfect in major finals so far, it's hard to look away from Svantec so I think I would have to if I had to bet I'd go with Iga but I wouldn't be surprised at all if we had another stunner the 13th seed lucky number 13 and they look I know everyone's digging out this uh juniors footage of them playing in the junior Billie Jean King cup final and that's super fun but they haven't played on It's crazy.

52:07And that is a fascinating element to this final, isn't it? Matt, when was the last time that happened? Oh, even Matt doesn't know. He's working on it. I'm working on it. Okay. Well, I don't think Fernandes and Raducanu had played. I could be wrong, but it's like two really top players to have not met. They're the same age and have been around for five or six years. But, you know, Anastomoba had time off. They come from different regions. their favorite surface is different so by the time you deal with everything it can happen, it's like the luck of the draw if you remember at our live show in London a couple of weeks ago I actually like an hour before the show started realized I'd made an absolute mess of my first slide I do remember that which was a gag to do with recent Wimwilling Champions beating Veronica Kudomatova I thought it was in the first round but it turns out Kraychikova actually beat her I think in the or I think maybe Vondroszva beat her in the second round and Krejcikova beat her in the first round.

53:09So suddenly it was like, oh God, the slide's wrong. I'm going to have to come up with something else. Well, there's this weird thing that Igor Strzok beat Polina Gudematova in the first round. So actually it kind of has... You're trying to rescue that moment retrospectively. I'm trying to rescue that bit that was really, really bad. I think it's interesting that Svjantek has played some big hitters here, you know like she played collins she played towson she plays samsonova you know like she's been tested against that kind of game style i just don't think any of them do it as well as anisimova um

53:45i think i think sviontek final sviontek as well you know like so often in major finals she's played really really well she's had one tight one right against Mukova but otherwise she's been she's been pretty dominant in her major finals and the way she played today you've got to think she'll be able to get Anisimov moving and out of her strike zone but kind of logic was telling me that Sabalenka would beat keys in Australia as well and sometimes a player's just on a roll and there's just a bit of magic in the air. A bit of blonde magic. I think, look, Anissimova has to try and take big advantage of the Sviantek serve.

54:34I think Sviantek has served well this tournament, but that second serve I still think is a little bit vulnerable and if Anissimova can get in the rallies, get in the points that way, then she needs to kind of render Svantec's ability to move her redundant really by just taking charge I think. I think it's helpful for Anisimova that there's going to be a clear game plan and strategy I think and if she can execute it she's got a shot. I think Anisimova's team needs to remind how long it's been since she's won a tournament And how many times Svantec in the 13 months has looked like the best player going into, say, semis and finals.

55:20And something's happened. Today, obviously, Bencic was compromised. And I'm not sure we can really tell given how far Bencic's quality dropped from yesterday, the way she won in 6-6. So I just think you hang in there, you battle away, you hit your shots. and then just remember she hasn't won a tournament in 13 months. Is her first win going to be Wimbledon? Could be. It's one match away, but it's something to just keep in mind. Okay, we're going to have a quick look ahead to tomorrow and the men's singles semifinals, but first, but first Pam meets a blondie. Pam, we need your takes on the mixed doubles final.

56:07I'll do that. I'm not going away. I'm just having a piece of blondie. Well David, our mixed doubles connoisseur Yes You can give your takes on the mixed doubles final first While Pam eats a blondie Yeah, no problem at all Sam Verbeek and Katarina Siniarkova Beating Joe Salisbury and Luisa Stefani 7-6, 7-6, two tie-break sets Proving that Katarina Siniarkova and anyone Is the best team in the world I'm wondering whether that is the truth now Because they're a new pairing They are not experienced as a pairing And yet they just looked fantastic I mean, you know how much I love watching Stefani. And I thought that she and Salisbury were going to get the job done.

56:48And the first set was a tie break. Really, really close. Second set, Bacon, Siniarkova went ahead by a break and actually looked like they were just going to roll through that second set. And it was a break back. It became a really close encounter in the second set as well. Just a really good contest in an absolutely full stadium. It was just brilliant to see that there was an atmosphere and that, you know, Wimbledon does come out for the mixed doubles. I think that they I think they got the timing of this one right as well to put it after the two singles matches. I prefer that, to be honest, than sticking it before.

57:24Sometimes it's going to be quite interesting to see how the doubles over the next couple of days over the final weekend goes. I would imagine it will do pretty well. But I really enjoyed that personally as an occasion and a crowd turnout. And I mean, the quality looked good to me, Pam, but you'd know better than me. I was thoroughly entertained. I called the match back to the States with Jason Goodall. And I'll tell you where they played their best tennis. All of them was in the first set tie break. There was three of the last four points of that tie break. It was just your typical doubles, quick hands, little cat and mouse, like long exchanges.

58:02The lefty, Burbiku, I'd never seen before. play he's kind of new on the scene he had this charismatic infectious energy a couple of times Sinaiakova even though Sinaiakova excuse me is the best in the world she gets a little down and she got a little down when she dropped serve in the second set and it was her big lefty Dutch partner playing with her for the first time kind of lifted her back up her spirits and it was a great match we were kind of happy it was in straight sets though six and six was fine that There was no match tie-break at Wimbledon. We would have just been starting the pod. Will they get a US Open mixed doubles wild card?

58:44No, they're not. I don't think so. I think it's only last year's winner I think is going to get one. You don't think Sini Arcova, even if Sini Arcova kind of picked... Guessed. I mean, that's ridiculous. I'm sorry. If you win Wimbledon and you don't get an invitation when they've got literally the half of the field as wild cards, I mean again I'm looking forward to this event Because it's going to be fun And loads and loads of big names But if you don't have the Wimbledon champions in it Yeah but what if Sinjakova Would rather be playing singles the week before In the lead up tournament I don't know I guess with the money you're right She's going to want a wild card But they've got to draw the line 16 teams I think it's going to be kind of fascinating People are upset I get it It's worth a try At the Open They didn't have the slot.

59:33They haven't thought of this kind of thing with night sessions. They really don't have the time for the mixed doubles to stand out at all the way it can here. Are you okay with it being on the honour roll and them getting the same trophy that everyone came before them had? I think that's where, I don't want to put words in your mouth, David, but I think that's where you have any, not that this isn't going to be fun and engaging. I can't wait for it, but that's a joke. That is a joke for it to be on the same honour roll and to not even have the Wimbledon champions in it. As someone whose name is on honour rolls, are you okay with that?

1:00:10Whoever wins that ton of prize money on national TV, yes, it can go up on the honour board. Because you know what? You could see Alcaraz. Who's Alcaraz playing with? Help me. Oh, my God. I mean, that's not tomorrow. Emma Navarro, right? No. I'm going with Yannick Sinner. Yannick Sinner. Raducanu. Oh, that's right. That's right. I got the Emmas confused. And the Emmas have a couple of good partners. But can you imagine, like, go back at the last 25 years and see the names up on that honour board. And what would be wrong with having Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic? That'd be great if they went and beat the Wimbledon champions along the way.

1:00:48That'd be great. It's the format. They're not even allowed in it. It's the format that I have a big problem with. Like, I know they've already shortened, like, the mixed doubles format. You know, it's not the same as it used to be many years ago. So, like, where do you draw the line? Personally, I draw the line at sets of got to be to six, you know, for me. But then they wouldn't, the names wouldn't play if it wasn't a shorter format. It's, yeah. It's a conundrum. It is. That's my best word I've ever used in all my years on the podcast. It's a conundrum. Pam, we need more words from you because we need your mediocre scoop on Novak Djokovic's practice for our preview of tomorrow's men's semifinals.

1:01:31Well, I think everybody kind of the word traveled. He had originally booked one to three with two Wimbledon practice partners that they hire men who play futures or probably mostly futures level. So he was going to practice with two of them. Then he pushed the practice back three to 430. But then the practice partners, because I walked over there and got the scoop, they were notified on their group text that the practice partners were not needed anymore. Now, he could have still gone out with one of them on his team or one of his many coaches, feeds and balls. But it was a natural day off, right?

1:02:08He hurt himself. He needs to get treated. It's stinking hot today. Donna took a day off last year before a semi. Why can't Novak Djokovic? I mean, to me, it was always on the cards that he probably wouldn't practice. But everyone's trying to find him, but nobody saw him around here unless you all heard something. He loves a bit of drama, doesn't he? Just to keep us all guessing. But I think Pam's right. I just, my guess is, I mean, he is dialing it back in a lot now, isn't he? And how much he plays. I even remember the latter days of Ivan Lendl's career that the commentators would say that Lendl doesn't need to do training blocks anymore.

1:02:51He just needs to top his fitness up, you know. And I think Djokovic is in this stage where he'd rather be fresh. He'd rather be, you know, up for it the next day. And that day off, that's really interesting about Donna having that day off, I think, before her big match. and yeah, I mean look, I'm hopeful that that's what it is and that it's not, oh dear, that the fall caused an injury which of course is a possibility. First up, Centre Court 130 is Taylor Fritz against Carlos Alcaraz. Second up, Yannick Sinner against Novak Djokovic. What's happening in these matches? David, you go. Well, I think it's going to be Carlos Alcaraz against Novak Djokovic in the final.

1:03:35That's awesome. That would be unbelievable. So that means you think Djokovic is going to be pretty healthy tomorrow. Well, yeah. I mean, look, I'm assuming full health. If he's anything short of full health, he's not beating Yannick Sinner, unless Yannick Sinner is way short of full health. But I'm assuming they're both healthy enough to play a good level, and I just think Djokovic might well come out with one more all-timer. Well, I'm going to talk about the least talked about member of the four because he's from the United States, Taylor Fritz. I think Taylor did a great job after the clay court season.

1:04:13He was disappointed with Rowling Arrows. He went back to California. He went to Carson where the USTAs had their West Coast training camp. That's where both his coaches, Paul Anacone, who lives out there, was able to join in person at the pre-grass court season training block. It lasted a few days. that's where the reset started to happen. I talked to Paul. He's become a really good friend because he's kind of been a mentor in this combining the coach and commentating role and how to balance everything. And he gave me some insights. And then once Taylor got over here, of course, talk about someone who's played a ton of grass court matches.

1:04:49Nobody's played more. And he got through that tough first week. What a rough draw. So obviously he's fourth favorite. But at some point, a U.S. man is going to win a major again. I don't think it's going to be here, but this crop, it's going to come from this crop of guys. So that's Fritz, TFO, Sheldon. Tommy Paul, Sheldon. I think Ben Sheldon proved a lot this tournament. He likes big occasions. He's not afraid of – So you think one of them is winning a slam? I think either Fritz or Sheldon I would bet on, but I think Tommy Paul is getting injured a little bit too much. I think Francis, emotionally, I'm all in for Francis, but I just feel like Fritz and Shelton are the two most likely.

1:05:37You all right there? Did you get a bug? I got a bug. It's in my ear, no big deal.

1:05:45Do you want to play the percentage game, Pam? Even people that don't want to play are forced to play. Fritz, 30%. There we go. 30, 70. against Fritz. And then, I mean, I want to know how... I feel like it's really hard to go with the Djokovic thing until we know. Assuming he's okay from that fall, how do you see it? 45 % Djokovic. Slight underdog. David, Matt, anyone? Well, look, I understand that. I mean, 45 % is the logical number, I think, for Djokovic against Sinner right now. I just think that Djokovic is going to find something tomorrow, and I think he's going to rock Sinner to his shoelaces.

1:06:34And I think he's going to win. Percentage for Fritz? I'd agree with Pam. 30 sounds about right to me. I'd go a bit lower than that. How low? 25. Oh, you're picking over 5 %? You'd come at me for the percentage game, Pam. Hey, listen, I can think of 124 players on the men's side that would love to have 1 % chance tomorrow. You're the last four standing. The one I can relate to the most today that played on center court was Belinda Bencic. I lost one of my three semis 0-2 or 2-0 to Groff. It's a horrible feeling, but we know that with the men's serve and their big game, it's going to be close sets.

1:07:21I can't wait Me neither We'll be back tomorrow of course At the end of play to review all of it We have some shout outs Today and some mascots I can't wait These special folk Are going to get a Pam Shriver Shout out Mascot we have Rory Are you a Gilmore Girls fan No but I'm a Rory McIlroy fan Let's assume that Rory is a fan of all Rory's. Rory is named after Rory from the Gilmore Girls, which I watched for the first time last summer. And I know Mary Carrillo is a huge fan of. I was texting her. I was sort of live texting her while I was watching Gilmore Girls. I know I'm a late adopter, but what a show.

1:08:06So we have Rory and we have Douglas. Douglas is his pedigree name, as befits a Scottish dog. But in truth, he is known to all the world as Dobby. So we have Dobby and we have Rory. They're owned by Hamish Fraser and his wife Christy and this is a special surprise 50th birthday present for Christy. How lovely is that? They live in Sydney, Australia. Both dogs have just turned five. Rory is a boar doodle which is a border collie poodle cross and that's just like Christy's previous dog Jasper. She mostly just loves to be loved and can rarely be close enough to you just like Bo and me, Pam. It just got that visual.

1:08:54That's Pam's golden retriever that loves me a lot. She will bark loudly to protect us and the children and enjoys chasing her bull till she drops. Now, Dobby is a Westie, like the dog Hamish had as a child, which is lovely. Thanks to his sister Rory, Dob is a little more active than many Westies, but he still has a fierce independence streak and could be a somewhat grumpy Scotsman like his father. Hamish and Christy are coming to Wimbledon on Ladies Finals Day. Wow. As part of Christy's 50th birthday celebrations and would love to come and say hello. Please do, Hamish and Christy, come up to the roof.

1:09:34This is where we'll be. We'd love to say hello to you. And Christy's birthday is in two weeks' time, so at the time of writing this. So happy birthday for them. Hamish also said you did a shout-out for Paul Owen from Brisbane a month or so ago. and he's an old mate from when I lived up there. I used the shout out as a reason to reconnect with him. Hopefully a beer when he's in Sydney next. Look at all the people you help connect. It's awesome. Thanks Pam. Thanks Pam. It connected us to you. Yeah, without the pod. Yay Mary, right? Yeah, we'd not be sitting with you right now if it wasn't for the podcast.

1:10:11Hello Mary, if you're listening. We've got pictures here of Dobby and Rory and that's a good dog, isn't it? Oh my goodness. Wow. beautiful Hamish Christie please do come and see us hello to our mascots hello Phoebe hello Maisie hello Roger hello to our executive producers and top folks Greg, Chris and Jeff over to Matt for some shout outs while I finish my strawberry pasta quite like it we have Caroline from South Buckinghamshire oh do you know where that is Pam? it's just it's in the south

1:10:52Caroline Wozniacki Caroline Stahl Caroline Garcia Dollar Hyde Thank you We're flying Look at this It's four That's good It's enough isn't it Buckinghamshire's not Not far from here Thank you And Caroline's been listening Since 2016 Good work Caroline Pre-Matt Yep Can you imagine a time Pam Don't Matt was kind of on the scene He was around He was earning his stripes. You got PS and you got PM. Yeah. Thank you, Caroline. We've also got Sarah Yizer from Washington, D.C. Hello, Sarah. Like Sarah Rani. Like Sarah Saribas-Tormo. Very good. There's a British player, Sarah... Goma. There's another one, though.

1:11:40Borwell. People always do Goma. Sarah Fornishari, a tennis player from Washington, D.C., who's the tournament director, the first tournament I played in in the last, and she plays tennis every single day, so the two Sarahs are neighbours. What did we know about Sarah? Sarah says, I decided to try out to be a ball person for the City Open this year, and I got selected. Highlight of my life so far. Apologies to my wife, our wedding is a solid second. Start hydrating now. I'm desperate to go to Washington, D.C., and it feels silly to go not when the tournament's on, but also I think I might die a slow and thirsty death in the heat of Washington.

1:12:25Well, today felt a little late like that. And I think Anissa Mova's signed up to play. Has she? Although, if she's won Wimbledon, might be a withdrawal coming, who knows. Thank you, Sarah. And finally, we have Gautam Sharma, but this shout-out is for his wife, Paula. Gautam is from New Delhi. And Paula is from Malta. And Paula's birthday is on the 11th of July. Tomorrow. Which is tomorrow. Well, actually, it's in an hour and a half. And I believe Paula likes to listen to the pod in the morning. So she's going to get this shout out on her birthday. Paula, happy birthday. Wow, wow. And Paula Smith, really good doubles player back in my era.

1:13:10That's one Paula. Paula Bedosa. We would be Paula-less if you weren't here, Pam. I fear. Thank goodness for you Pam. Well Bedossa yeah. Happy birthday Paula. That is such a lovely thing for your husband to do for you. And Gautam says your show truly brings her joy. She learns a lot about the world of tennis from it. And I can't wait to see her face when she hear you guys talk about her. Gautam that is lovely. Paula it sounds like you got a good one there. And happy birthday. And the day after my oldest son turns 21. So happy birthday George. but that's not a shout out so we can't it's not a shout out because he doesn't listen does he Pam?

1:13:50not yet keep working on him I will Pam you're heading home tomorrow to celebrate said birthday we'll miss you thank you I miss you all it's great to start my Wimblin with a live show and it was great thanks for coming and I look forward to seeing the blonde tips that'd be something else full blonde you'll have to keep it for New York so that Pam gets to see it in person deal well maybe full blonde by yeah before Blonde yeah before Blonde come on let's go Pam thank you so much it's been an absolute treat to have you really has thank you all for watching and for listening we'll be back tomorrow after those men's singles semi-finals not before 7.30 sure not before 7.30 but as always look across our channels we'll let you know when we're going live best thing to do subscribe to the YouTube channel you can get an alert when we're going live But basically, as soon as those matches finish, check in.

1:14:47We'll be here going live in this incredible spot talking about tennis. What could be better? Folks, it's been a joy. Enjoy. Enjoy this. I'm bringing my hat hair. Enjoy Matt's brown hair for these few more hours. And we will see you and speak to you tomorrow.