Davis Cup Finals - Can Italy Threepeat without Sinner?

0:00David Law: As a small business owner, you're the CEO, the marketing team, and the customer service rep all at once. I was recently talking to a shop owner who told me their worst nightmare isn't a slow day, it's the vanishing act. It's that moment you're inches away from a deadline and the Wi-Fi just disappears. We've all felt that pit in our stomach when the connection flares up right when it matters most. Your business is only as strong as your connection. AT &T Business is the reliable provider built for that exact brand of hustle. so you can stay focused on the work that builds your legacy. Powered by AT &T Business.

0:34David Law: Built to work. Get AT &T Business at business.att.com.

0:42Matt Roberts: AI is only as powerful as the platform it's built into. That's why it's no surprise that more than 85 % of the Fortune 500 use the ServiceNow AI platform. While other platforms duct tape tools together, ServiceNow seamlessly unifies people, data, workflows and AI connecting every corner of your business. And with AI agents working together autonomously, anyone in any department can focus on the work that matters most. Learn how ServiceNow puts AI to work for people at servicenow.com. Hello, folks. This is Catherine from The Tennis Podcast. It is 11.30 at night here in London. We finished recording our Davis Cup finals preview pod a couple of hours ago.

1:28Matt Roberts: Nice early night for us. Got the upload done just moments ago. And what lands on all of our phones? But the news that Carlos Alcaraz, unfortunately, has had to withdraw from the Spanish team ahead of the Davis Cup finals. That news just broken by Angel García Munez on social media. as you can imagine Carlos Alcaraz did form quite a large part of our preview of the Davis Cup finals and that rather puts a different complexion on the week ahead David's already gone to bed Matt passes on to me that he would like to change his prediction to a Czechia victory all I can say is please bear in mind that obviously the news hadn't broken at the time that we recorded, I promise the show's still worth listening to, it's not entirely out of date There's still a very timeless rant from me about tennis players and suits that I assure you is completely unmissable.

2:27Matt Roberts: We'll be back on Thursday with our next show. And yeah, we'll hope to have all of the salient up to date information for you at the time of recording. So sorry about that. Al Karaz out. Here's the podcast.

2:54Matt Roberts: Well, hello and welcome to the Tennis Podcast. We are back less than 24 hours after we finished our last tennis podcast. We've had a whole day without tennis. We miss it. We're raring to go. David, live from Solihull, how are you doing?

3:11David Law: I spend so much time campaigning for the season to be shorter and a longer off-season. And in the last few hours, having sort of rebounded from the ATP finals, concluding and thinking, I'm never going to get into another one of these events, and now suddenly finding that I am into the Davis Cup finals, I've started to think, oh, no, I'm not looking forward to the off-season very much when there's no tennis. So, yes, it didn't take me long after that. Pretty good final, really, two sets between Sinner and Alkraus. But after that, I did think, oh, you know, no Sinner in this, no Alcaraz Sinner final.

3:48David Law: Am I really going to be that into it? And then I started to look at the lineup of the quarterfinals and remember what it's actually like when it gets going and thought, yeah, I am into this. So let's have it.

4:01Matt Roberts: David's going to be a UTS guy in December.

4:05David Law: He's going to miss tennis that much. live from Bologna Matt Roberts how you doing very well thank you I did wonder what I was doing

4:20Catherine Whitaker: when I was at Heathrow at 6 30 a.m in the dark this morning but it's bad when it's dark isn't

4:28Matt Roberts: it and you're in a travel situation and the sun hasn't come up yeah it's bad yeah you know the

4:33Catherine Whitaker: feeling but delighted to be here in Bologna uh yeah kind of got a spring in my step actually a new venue for these Davis Cup finals which I think sort of helps helps give the event a bit of fresh impetus and yeah I've had a nice day on site familiarizing myself with the venue and now back at the hotel talking to my favorite people for the podcast and raring to go for the first quarterfinal tomorrow.

5:00Matt Roberts: Viewers on YouTube being treated to a little glimpse of Matt's hotel room in Bologna looks looks very nice nice soft furnishings a little bit of low lighting. Yes. You happy?

5:12Catherine Whitaker: Well I got here and it wasn't ready so I had to dump my suitcase and then went straight to site and I've only literally just got back to the hotel so I've spent you know only about 10 minutes in the room uh but no it looks it looks pretty nice there's a slightly complex uh system which i'm a bit worried about in terms of uh do not disturb it's not a physical do not disturb sign you have to you have to press a button oh yeah oh very modern matt sexy modern hotel yeah although some people i've been working with saying it's not a great system and suddenly they find themselves with someone in their room unexpectedly.

5:57Matt Roberts: Oh, like our old Airbnb host that snuck in and didn't realise I was napping. Oh, Paris. On the subject of hotel rooms not being ready, this is bringing back a Champions Tour event I went to in Italy where my hotel room wasn't ready. And it had been a bad travel situation and I went to sleep on a sort of soft bench in the lobby and I got woken up by Thomas Enquist. So there we go.

6:30David Law: Just underlining your ability to sleep anywhere.

6:33Matt Roberts: Yep, yep. I was just right in front of the revolving doors, making my point. I thought the threat of a sort of dishevelled girl sleeping in their lobby might hurry them along with preparing my room. Tactical sleep. They were fine with it. They were like, that's worse for you than it is for us. Matt, your impressions, your day one impressions of, look, I know it's early days, but of the city, of the new venue for these Davis Cup finals. How have you found it all?

7:10Catherine Whitaker: yeah well i haven't uh seen much of the city yet at all i literally have just been to the hotel briefly and the site uh what i will say is that some colleagues i'm with here are a little disappointed about the slight lack of sort of branding all over the city you know when we were in malaga the last few years you knew the davis cup finals was going on you know there was posters everywhere and branding everywhere it doesn't quite seem like bologna has replicated that they did have an event in the town um yesterday i think that was a sort of welcome event where players walked along a carpet and posed for photos and i think there was a bit of sort of fanfare around that but otherwise it does feel a little bit more low-key um so that's something to sort of keep an eye on I suppose as the event starts whether that feeling will grow at all in the city and it's a pretty small city

8:11Matt Roberts: so you would hope that they will get

8:13Catherine Whitaker: behind it

8:14Matt Roberts: If that is the case that is a shame because that is one of the best things about a big event being held in a smaller place the way it feels like the biggest thing that's happening in that place Turin feels like that with the ATP finals the way they

8:32Catherine Whitaker: totally embrace it and lean into it but interesting um now bologna has been used as a city for the davis cup group stages uh when we had those in this new revamped davis cup bologna held group stages in 2022 2023 and 2024 however then it was played at the unipol arena but that was deemed not big enough for the finals and also Radiohead are playing the Unipole Arena I think four nights there this weekend and started this week so we're in a new venue so for anyone who did go to those Davis Cup finals in Bologna in 2022 to 2024 we're not there we're at a different venue in the Bologna Fiere, which is like a sort of massive exhibition centre in the kind of business-y district of Bologna.

9:36Catherine Whitaker: And there are basically a lot of vast buildings on this space and four of them are being used by the Davis Cup finals over this next week. The main stadium court is in what they call Pavilion 37. And there's a...

10:00Matt Roberts: That sounds like the title of a dystopian novel.

10:03Catherine Whitaker: It's giving Hunger Games, isn't it?

10:05Matt Roberts: Yeah, set in a dystopian future. Yeah. Where aliens have taken us over. Yeah. Yeah. Great.

10:16Catherine Whitaker: but there is already a temporary stadium there which is where the Virtus Bologna basketball team play and that is where the Davis Cup finals are being held they've slightly altered the seating arrangement to make it better for tennis viewing and all told there's going to be about 10 ,000 seats and I must say it looks pretty impressive I think I was lucky enough today to be able to go right courtside. And it's a different vibe to Malaga. Malaga was sort of quite steep. This is much more shallow, but the court is really surrounded by seats. And I think if it's going to be full, and I think ticket sales have been pretty good, we should get a pretty good noise inside that 10 ,000-seat arena.

11:11Matt Roberts: And this will be the venue for however long the finals are held in Bologna. I can't quite remember the length of the contract. It's not like once Radiohead are gone, they'll go back to the other venue. This is not a Radiohead specific situation.

11:27Catherine Whitaker: No, I think it's more to do with the fact that the other arena could host like a group stage, but it couldn't host the whole finals because the other thing that they've got, there's another pavilion next to pavilion 37 there's pavilion 36 and that's where the media center is it's where the press conferences are going to be and it's also where the teams have their locker rooms the gyms the practice courts and it's a massive massive building so it's a big site that we're on you know if i if i want to go from my seat in the media center to my seat on court you know it's a it's a 10 minute walk it's a commitment yeah so that's the kind of scale that we're talking about um but as i said the stadium looks good uh i think a lot of the tickets were actually bought by locals you know we sort of know how much italy likes its tennis especially at the moment but we're very hopeful as well that because we've got seven european nations here we're hopeful that there will be plenty of traveling support as well for the teams you know we don't have usa or canada or australia who obviously you know giants of the sport and real mainstays of davis cup and great davis cup nations but with the with the finals being held in europe as they have been for the last few years typically those nations have not had lots of support and their ties have felt maybe not quite traditionally Davis Cup.

13:01Catherine Whitaker: I think just with the spread of teams this year, because seven are from Europe and the other one is Argentina and I don't think Argentina has ever played a sporting event without having incredible support. I think there's a general feeling and hope that we should have some pretty good atmospheres this week inside that stadium.

13:23Matt Roberts: Okay. Sounds good. You went to some press conferences today. Who did you stumble upon?

13:33Catherine Whitaker: Well, I went to the Italian press conference to end the day. That was at 7 o 'clock local time, quite late for a press conference. I think the Italian team had been on site for quite a long time as well. They were quite weary, I would say. It wasn't the most dynamic press conference you've ever been in. but

13:55Matt Roberts: God and these are the last ones standing these are the least weary of all the Italian men right

14:03Catherine Whitaker: and look there's a big there was quite a lot of Italian journalists there I'm sure more will be coming over from Turin when Italy play which is on Wednesday but what I just thought was interesting about that press conference is how different the dynamic is without Yannick Sinner You know, Yannick Sinner so clearly the leader of that team over the past couple of years. And now without Lorenzo Mazzetti as well, there was a real like, who's going to step up here? Who is going to be the leader? And that question was...

14:38Matt Roberts: Did you think Berrettini?

14:39Catherine Whitaker: Well, it was put to Flavio Caballi. You know...

14:43Matt Roberts: I mean, the only clear answer for me is not Flavio Caballi.

14:49Catherine Whitaker: Flavio Caballi agrees.

14:51Matt Roberts: Right, yeah. He knows himself, I think.

14:55Catherine Whitaker: Despite being the highest ranked player, he just gives off an energy of little boy, really, does Caballi. And he said, I'm the highest ranked, but I'm the youngest. And he was very, very keen to sort of downplay any kind of leadership role. And he basically said, what I think is true, we're all pretty much level now. You know, he didn't reference Yannick Sinner, but I think he was, you know, he was sort of saying it basically in between the lines. Everyone has to be a leader in this team now. And I think you're right. Matteo Berrettini, given what he did last year in this competition, given his sort of general pedigree, I think he will probably be looking to step up.

15:40Catherine Whitaker: So it's just interesting. And it obviously means that the captain, Filippo Volandri, hasn't had to make too many decisions, really. I suppose he's had to pick his number two and he's had to put Sinner into the doubles. But he's known that Yannick Sinner is his number one and his go-to guy. It changes the role of the captain, I think, when you don't have such a sure bet. They've got Berrettini here, they've got Caboli, and they've got Sonnego, all who could play singles are all in slightly different patches of form, I would suggest. So he's got options there to play with. And the difference is they're playing Austria in their opening tie.

16:23Catherine Whitaker: And that is pretty much the kindest draw they could have got. And even without Sinner and Mazzetti, I think they're very, very heavy favourites in that one.

16:34Matt Roberts: That's the second quarterfinal. So that's Italy against Austria on Wednesday. Talk me through the Austrian team. Who have we got there? Filip Misalic is a name I'm pulling out.

16:48Catherine Whitaker: Yes.

16:49Matt Roberts: And I'm going to say Sebastian Ofner.

16:52Catherine Whitaker: No. No.

16:54Matt Roberts: Where's he from?

16:55Catherine Whitaker: They've got Yuri Rodionov and Filip Misalic as their two main singles players. Is Sebastian Ofner not Austrian? I think he is Austrian.

17:06Matt Roberts: Where is he at?

17:09Catherine Whitaker: he has not been part of this team

17:12Matt Roberts: if he's in the Maldives that's a joke we will inquire after Sebastian Ofner

17:22Catherine Whitaker: they are captained by Jurgen Meltzer and there's quite a nice link there because Meltzer beat Volandri who is the Italian captain to win his first ever ATP title back in Bucharest in 2006. So those two go back.

17:42Matt Roberts: Right wrist injury, Sebastian Ofner. He's off the hook.

17:47David Law: The mainstays, the guys who've got them to this position, if you look at the qualifying rounds that they played in January, February and then in September, are Rodionov and Neumeyer. and both of them won both of their singles rubbers. And, I mean, they beat some serious players as well. Nurmagic beat Vertanen, who we've obviously seen a lot of in the Davis Cup in time gone by, in a 4-0 win against Finland. And then they beat Hungary 3-2. And they beat Marijan and Fuchovic, respectively, did Rodinov and Nurmagic. I mean, those are good wins. And they were, like, proper close ones. They were 7-5 in the third and 7-6 in the third.

18:35David Law: So those were pretty dramatic scenes. And then they eventually had to go all the way to the fifth rubber. So they were 2-0 up. Then they lost the doubles. Then they lost the reverse singles. So it's 2-2. And then Rodionov beat Fuchovic 6-2, 6-1 to win the whole thing. And yet, David, they are heavy, heavy underdogs against Italy.

19:00Matt Roberts: Italy, even those heroics would be put in the shade by being able to pull off any kind of upset against Italy, let's be honest. I mean, there are two members of the Austrian team I fully haven't heard of, Lucas Meadler and Alexander Erler.

19:19Catherine Whitaker: Could we pick those two out of a line-up?

19:24Matt Roberts: Good luck to them is what I say. Good luck against Andrea Bavisori. But I do love that. It's heavy favourites to come through there.

19:34David Law: And they won their doubles. I mean, another epic against Finland, 4-6-7-6-7-6 in the doubles in the first round, the first qualifying round, did Erler and Miedler. But, you know, I'm fascinated by this. I mean, I knew Jürgen Meltzer a bit as a player. I remember he reached the Wimbledon boys' final the year after. he won the Wimbledon Boys final the year after Federer won it, so in 1999. And obviously he had such a long career as a player, and he always felt like that sort of underdog character, a little bit like Paul Harhouse, a little bit sort of the guy who ends up beating somebody that you really don't expect.

20:19David Law: I mean, he's the one who beat Djokovic, wasn't he, over five sets, wasn't it, from two sets to love down?

20:27Catherine Whitaker: he was the guy um pretty amazing French Open 2010 I think yeah I think he'll revel in that

20:35David Law: underdog sort of system but at the same time I mean just rankings wise they are up against it

20:42Catherine Whitaker: and if Italy do defend their title again they would become the first team to win three consecutive Davis Cup titles since the challenge round was abolished in 1971. Now, obviously, I think it is a slightly different and slightly less of an undertaking now to win the Davis Cup compared to what it was like in the old format where you would have to play all year long and home and away. It is different, but that would put into some perspective, I think this era of Italian tennis and dominance that we're in right now. And look, Sino and Mazzetti not being there definitely weakens them. But, you know, home crowds, often players play even better.

21:34Catherine Whitaker: And they're on quite a good side of the draw, really, I would say. So I do think they've got a hell of a shot of winning it for the third time in a row.

21:43Matt Roberts: We are always talking about the depth of Italian men's tennis, aren't we? I mean, they've obviously got Yannick Sinner at the top there, but, you know, we're always joking during Grand Slams that there are just Italians crawling out of the woodwork. I mean, this is a really interesting test of that depth. If they can win the Davis Cup without Sinner and Mazzetti, that's a heck of a statement about Italian men's tennis. And just incidentally, in terms of the interest in the number of locals that have bought tickets, did you see the viewing figures that have come out overnight for the final last night in Turin in Italy?

22:23Matt Roberts: I haven't got them in front of me in terms of concrete numbers, but my jaw did drop to the floor because, you know, TV doesn't get viewing figures anymore, does it? Nobody's watching linear TV all at the same time, with the exception being sport. But the numbers were similar to what the Italian football team get in major tournament matches. Something like 30 % of the population were watching Yannick Sinner against Carlos Alcaraz last night. And we were talking seriously mainstream sporting numbers here. It's mega. So that's Italy against Austria on Wednesday. We start tomorrow, Tuesday, with France against Belgium.

23:09Matt Roberts: Now here's a David Law coded team for you. France is it's Corentin Moutet. It's Arta Rindeknesh. It is Giovanni Mpesci Pericard, who's a late call up, Matt. He's the one that's come in for Ugo Mbair, is that right? So Rindekinesh Moutay Mpeshi Perikar, Benjamin Bonzi, who had a really fantastic middle part of the season, just kept on beating Daniel Medvedev, didn't he? And then in the year of our Lord 2025, Pierre Ougherbert. What a mixed bag of people that is.

23:50Catherine Whitaker: Well, imagine my shot when I walked past Richard Gasquet earlier. I was thinking, surely he's not playing in the year of our Lord 2025. five.

24:01Matt Roberts: Genuinely, is he just, why is he there? Is he a mascot?

24:04Catherine Whitaker: I think he must be part of the backroom team or something. He was all in his French track suit.

24:10Matt Roberts: Just can't give it up. David, how high are your hopes for Team France?

24:17David Law: Pretty high. I mean, they were the best dressed I thought at the suited and booted event that they went to that is all over the Davis Cup website. They've sort of, they've almost done like a a carousel of photos of each team lined up in their respective outfits. And I personally think that they are comfortable winners in the coolest outfit look. Not that I'm any great shakes when it comes to knowing about the fashion. But I do think Czechia with their sort of turtlenecks, I'm not so sure on that one. And then you've got Germany. you've only got the four players, including the captain, because Verov's not turned up yet.

25:03David Law: But France, I like the vibe of it. I mean, Rindy Kines has obviously had the season of his life. So has Moutet. They are not the most obvious selections. I think you've got used to these big names, really, from French tennis, whether it's Songa or... Yeah, I mean, Gasquet is an ever-present. You've got Monfils, players like this from years gone by. And I think in the first tie that played against Brazil in the qualifying, it was Fils, you know, and he was the main name. And then, of course, his injury has forced him out. But it's really quite impressive, I think, the way Mute and Rindeknes then stepped up, you know, and managed to kind of come through their tie against Croatia.

25:53David Law: in Croatia you know that's not easy to do then to Oziak in Croatia which would have been pretty pretty good atmosphere for Croatia they'd got um Marin Cilic playing for them at the time they'd got Mektic and Pavic in the doubles as well and and but France won all the singles you know they won they won the whole thing um they didn't even play the last one because they won it 3-1 Mute getting the the decisive win over Marin Cilic and I know Cilic isn't necessarily what he was and he may have been feeling it physically. But he is also a guy who beat Jack Draper at Wimbledon. And, you know, I think that that is a great effort for Moutet, who also beat the young lad Dino Prismic in the first rubber in that tie.

26:39David Law: So I'm a bit surprised at what a team player he appears to be at the moment, you know, because my sense has always been that France as a tennis nation, If you maybe would have spoken to some of the elder statesmen or the teammates, I'm not sure they would have thought that Mute was going to be their guy for a Davis Cup. But he is really bought in and he's shown that he is that guy. And he speaks well. When you hear him speak, he sounds really up for it and he sounds really proud to be part of it. And I guess maybe there's a maturing element to it. And I think that they're a cool team and I think that they'll be really into it.

27:23David Law: I mean, it's interesting that their captain is Paul-Henri Mathieu, who obviously we remember from the Davis Cup of that horror show against Mikhail Yuzhny when he was two sets to love up and he was multiple breaks up and he's about to win the Davis Cup. This is his redemption arc, David.

27:40Matt Roberts: Imagine his emotion if he manages to lead France to victory. Yeah, yeah. And I mean, quite a redemptive arc.

27:47David Law: I do think it's a good tie, though. Them against Belgium is a good time, and I think France on paper are favourites. But then so were Australia against Belgium. You know, talking about teams, that was the feature of the whole qualifying round in September was countries going away to really big nations that have won the Davis Cup lots of times, Australia, United States, Croatia, and beating these smaller teams in many cases, beating the big nation on their home soil. And, I mean, what Belgium did going to Australia to beat Dimonor, you know, that is seriously impressive. So I think we're in for a really interesting tie because Belgium have obviously got Zuzu Berg, who's done a lot of solid stuff over the last year or two.

28:44David Law: But then they've got the guy Collignon, who's just played absolutely out of his mind in that time and seems to be a real kind of frightening prospect for a lot of these teams.

28:58Matt Roberts: And Alexander Blocks, who we might not see play, but he's a name that is on people's radar as a talent for the future. He's 20 now, I think, but he was a very talented junior. He's in that transition phase, trying to transition from the juniors into the seniors. And they've got a good, solid doubles team that play together a lot, have the Belgians, Gilles and Vliegen. Just quickly, Matt, before we get your thoughts on this tie, David has teed me up to volunteer one of my potentially unpopular tennis opinions, which is I don't ever want to see tennis players in suits. At their wedding, they can wear a suit.

29:43Matt Roberts: Fine. I hate it. The ATP finals photo shoot. You've got all these young, cool, most of them, pop guys, a lot of them with fashion brand deals. And they're just there wearing a sort of corporate ill-fitting suit looking like they're in a uniform. It's so shit. Looking through the Davis Cup photos, you've got the carousel and you know you go through the teams the Spanish team I mean I bet Al Krause is glad he managed to swerve that photo shoot they all look like they're dressed as line judges and then you're scrolling along and then David Haggerty pops up and it looks like he's just wearing the same as the teams they should not be dressed like David Haggerty it's just let them look cool for God's sake

30:43David Law: I hate it actually

30:46Matt Roberts: controversially David think as much as I hate a turtleneck on a man generally I actually think that's the best look because it's a bit different it's not they don't look like they're about to offer me a glass of champagne

31:01Matt Roberts: which I would gladly accept from any of the Italian team. Matt, serious takes on this first quarterfinal.

31:13Catherine Whitaker: Well, David's outlined, you know, the respective teams and all of that really well. I think the thing that jumps out to me is how absent these two nations have been from the Davis Cup finals, You know, like they played a Davis Cup final against each other as recently as 2017 did France and Belgium. And yet I was there. And yet with the new format, they haven't really bought into it. You know, like I think they absolutely could have done better in this competition, but they have sulked a little bit at the change of format. And look, I think a lot of us understand where they're coming from, you know.

31:58Catherine Whitaker: but I think it has probably affected their performance. And what's interesting is now, you know, I think David's right. This sort of slightly new look team has maybe given France a bit of a fresh feeling and a bit of fresh impetus in this competition. And there's a sort of togetherness there. Plus, you've got Pierre-Huguer-Ber, who actually I thought spoke very well on the format today. he said the new format has been challenging for us in France I think especially for me because I felt like something a bit died in this competition but then he said I can say though that this year I felt something growing something that's a bit different from the past years and he's referencing there the fact that they had the two rounds of home and away you know it felt like they were in this competition on the road together like they used to be and he said I rediscovered the love a bit for the competition so he's he's kind of prepared to give this final eight a proper chance so i kind of liked that perspective there from herbert recognizing okay it's not what it was but there's still something something here and something to be enjoyed um and then you know as i said belgium they were led by david goffman for so many years weren't they in in in that period where they reached two finals, losing to Great Britain, of course, and France.

33:22Catherine Whitaker: You know, very impressive little period there for Belgium, but haven't had the same success. And now it is the likes of Collignon and Berg's who are going to try and get over the line for them. I think it's quite an open one, this. I think France would probably be slight favourites, but Collignon has a win over Kasperud this year. I think he can play up, and I think it's possible that he could get Belgium off to a good start and then, you know, suddenly win the Kanesh. It's all on him to keep France alive. I think they're two tight singles matches and then, you know, who knows for the doubles.

34:00Catherine Whitaker: So, yeah, I'm quite excited for that one to kick things off tomorrow.

34:04Matt Roberts: Yeah, me too. I think that's a fun tie to start with. My phone offered me an on this day in 2017 video yesterday and I clicked on it and it was La Marseillaise being sung around the stadium in Lille to open that Davis Cup final and it gave me chills. Incredible moment. So we'll get the Marseillaise tomorrow to kick off these Davis Cup finals. That is it for part one. Join us in part two and we'll chat about the second two quarterfinals.

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36:56Matt Roberts: Welcome back to part two of the tennis podcast. Moving on to Thursday, which is a double header. Pray for Matt Roberts on Thursday. It starts with Spain against Czechia. And now Spain, obviously captained by David Ferrer, led by Carlos Alcaraz. They also have Jaume Mouna, Pablo Carreña Busta, Pedro Martinez and Marcel Granoyes. and Team Czechia is led by Yuri Lahetschka. They have Jakub Mensik, Thomas Mahatch, Witka Priva and Adam Pavloszek who should be requesting a new photo on his Davis Cup website bio because I was shocked to click on his photo and discover he was 31. one.

37:47Matt Roberts: Talk us through this tie. I mean, look, it's so kind of, this is so all about Alcaraz, isn't it? But, yeah, talk us through it, Matt, who you expect to play. Is Thomas Mahatch going to get a match? Is Thomas Mahatch a Davis Cup guy? I mean,

38:09Catherine Whitaker: he has been In the past, he has been. He's played well for Czechia in the past. But I think what's interesting about the Czech team is that the dynamic of it has changed over the course of the season. Because I think at the start of the season, it would have been probably Lehekshko and Mahatsh as the two first-choice singles options. But Mensik, with the season he's had, certainly the first half of the season that he had, has kind of usurped Mahatsh, certainly in the rankings. and if they line up in rankings order, then it would be Le Hetschka and Mensik. And, you know, I think when they face a Spain with an Alcarez, there is perhaps a sort of tendency to maybe overthink things in that Czech camp.

38:53Catherine Whitaker: You know, you sort of think, oh, have we got an option to try and beat Carlos Alcarez? And therefore, do you think maybe Mensik's your best chance? Well, that means you have to play Mensik against Alcarez, which means you have to play Mahatschka, the number two. it means you have to leave Lehechka out altogether. And I think that's probably overthinking things. I think they should probably stick with Lehechka against Alcaraz, who, you know, he's got a win over Alcaraz, hasn't he? I know it was in Doha. It was a tight match at Queen's that they played. I thought Lehechka played well at the US Open against Alcaraz, but still, you know, still lost in straight sets.

39:27Catherine Whitaker: But I think you go Lehechka as your number one, and then you make a choice between Mensik and Mahaksh as your number two. And I would probably, you know, despite being at one time chief leader of the Thomas Mahatch Best Player in the World fan club, if I were Thomas Burdick, I would probably be leaning Jakub Mensik in this situation. Especially as he won the decisive match, didn't he, for them against the US. He won the fifth match there. You know, he's played with that pressure very recently in this competition. but great that Czechia have had their strong team the whole year you know all of these guys have made themselves available at every round and I think you know I spoke to Thomas Burdick in the press conference today and he he was pumped about that you know I think he really senses that there's a chance here for Czechia to win this competition again you know he he won it as a player and this is kind of the first time since then that they've got a group of players that you can really look at and think actually they could do some serious damage and are contenders to win this competition.

40:36Catherine Whitaker: So that's Czechia. For Spain, well, let me first of all say just as well that Alejandro Davidovic Fikina is not in the team because if he didn't like playing at 11am on tour earlier in the year, he would have had to have started at 10am on Thursday. So perhaps David Freire has played a really long game there and thought, nope, he's not a 10am guy. Therefore, he's not on the team at all. I think what's actually happened is some slightly, you know, a slight bit of in-team aggro, really. You know, I think Spain were expecting Alejandro Davidovic-Fekina to play in the previous round in that qualifier.

41:25Catherine Whitaker: And he didn't. And I think David Ferrer has wanted to reward the people that did play and what do you think of that what do you think of that captaincy is it

41:35Matt Roberts: letting cutting off your nose to spite your face letting your pride get in the way and of course

41:41Catherine Whitaker: it's not totally consistent because carlos alcaraz didn't play either right and he's and he's happy enough to bring him back in but you know there is a difference between carlos alcaraz and alejandro David Shikina. Like, should you be treating them in the same way?

41:58Matt Roberts: He'll be asleep, but fit.

42:00Catherine Whitaker: He said he was arriving in a van from Turin to Bologna, and he was not lying.

42:04Matt Roberts: Yes, if you're not...

42:05Catherine Whitaker: He literally did arrive in a van.

42:07Matt Roberts: He arrived in a van, got out of the van, did some adorable interaction with a baby, looked thrilled with life, like, we're so back.

42:15Catherine Whitaker: Yeah.

42:18Matt Roberts: um yeah what do we think of that decision from David Ferrer and the reasoning behind it David

42:25David Law: I do think from listening to Ferrer at least he he seemed to be making out that it had happened multiple times as well that he'd asked him to play and he'd sort of kind of let him down multiple times, which I think if that's the case, then I think I understand it. And there is a bit of X factor to Davidovic for Kina. I think he has a higher upside than probably than Jamey Mouna and all the other players that aren't Carlos Alcaraz on that team. So I can understand the temptation to just go with it anyway. But if he does, I think he probably gets on fine with all the other players. I've never noticed any issues with the other players generally when you've been out on the tour.

43:12David Law: That's not been my sense. But I think if they are all putting their hands up and Ferrer's pissed off with him for not doing so, I think you do risk disrupting things. And especially if there is, it sounds like there is real animosity between Ferrer and Davidovic Fikina just directly. and I can't remember anybody ever falling out with David Ferrer so that does feel like something that you probably do need to make a stand on at some point I mean I am when we get on to Germany I'm going to be quite interested to see what it's like with Zverev the way that he's sort of made out like it's not that big a deal and he's doing it for Struffy and he's doing it for the team which maybe that will get them over the line But he will probably, his competitive incidents will probably come out and he'll probably play well.

44:10David Law: But I do think team spirit matters. And what Thomas Burdick has said there about Czechia, I think it's a real thing. I think that that makes them greater than the sum of their parts because they've been in it since month one. I think that they are going to be a formidable prospect because of that, as well as their individual skill. So I back Ferrer on that one.

44:34Catherine Whitaker: And it's been an odd time, I think, for the Spanish Davis Cup team, because they've obviously hosted the Davis Cup finals for a number of years in a row. And they won the one in Madrid, didn't they, in 2019, when Rafael Nadal was incredible. and one of the most remarkable things I've personally ever witnessed was what Roberto Bautista Agu did that week, going back after the death of his father and coming back and playing a tie. It was incredibly moving and emotional and pretty extraordinary, really. So they had that success in 2019, but then they've had a series of slightly odd Davis Cups since then.

45:20Catherine Whitaker: There was one year they didn't qualify for the finals and then obviously last year they were playing the Davis Cup finals but what they were actually doing was a vehicle for Rafael Nadal's retirement and those two things overlapped to such an extent that they ended up losing in the quarterfinals even though they had Carlos Alcaraz on their team and now that period of hosting it is over they've lost that home advantage and now they're having to come here to Bologna and try and win it not on home turf. So I sort of think that might be helpful for them in that sense. There's just been a lot going on with the Spanish Davis Cup team over the last few years.

46:07Catherine Whitaker: It sounds like there still is, of course, with this whole Davidovich, Fikina, Ferrer situation. But it's very different to last year where it was all about Nadal. And I think this year Alcaraz coming in, OK, there's that little concern with his hamstring. He very much played it down in his press, didn't he? But he's in great form. You know, we saw the tennis he played. And I think it feels like they're primed to play better at the Davis Cup finals than they have done in recent years. But they've got a hell of a tie there against Czechia. I think Burdick is of the opinion that the winner of that goes on to win it.

46:45Catherine Whitaker: I think he's seeing that as a bit of a de facto final. He really backs his own team, but he knows Spain are strong with Alcaraz. And it's kind of a shame, really, that it is happening in the quarterfinals. But it's massive, that one, because they're both such strong sides.

47:03Matt Roberts: For what it's worth on Ferrer, I think either this is the right decision, but he shouldn't have had to make it, or I feel like there has to be some slightly questionable captaincy somewhere along the line. The fact that this decision has had to be made with Davidovich Fikina, even if it's the right one, the fact that Davidovich Fikina has been reluctant to play and he hasn't, but galvanising a team and getting them wanting to play for you is a big part of captaincy. That's true, yeah. And look, that probably comes from a place of just not having all that much confidence in Freire's decision making after last year.

47:48Matt Roberts: I do think he botched it last year. So I feel like he's got something to prove to me. I'm sure that's his main priority. Must prove Catherine Whittaker's assessment of me wrong. But yeah, I just feel like whether it's the creation of the situation or whether it's the decision itself to not select David Vichikina, Something there smacks of it just the leadership not being quite as good as it could be to me. Maybe that's maybe that's unfair.

48:23Catherine Whitaker: Just a very sort of minor, probably quite meaningless, but quite nice sort of little stat around this one is obviously we've got Ferrer and Burdick as our captains here, which is, you know, you think they were in such a similar position for so long, right? You know, just sort of unable to quite break through the big four's grip on the game and actually went eight and eight in their head-to-head against each other as players. So, you know, you could maybe see this as a little decider. Very similar careers, actually.

48:57Matt Roberts: One Grand Slam final each. Yeah.

49:00Catherine Whitaker: And like real maximizers, I think, as well. And I think it is interesting how many, you know, of that sort of age of player really have, you know, have gone on to become Davis Cup captains. You know, like I think, yes, this competition has probably lost something, but it does still retain the prestige in terms of people wanting to kind of give back to it, I think, and be part of the team again. You know, you've got Jürgen Meltzer, that generation who we've already mentioned as well. So, you know, I think that is quite nice, that kind of connection from previous successful teams onto this new one.

49:42Matt Roberts: The final quarterfinal, the last match to be played on Thursday. What time does this match start, Matt? So the first one starts at 10 a.m.

49:53Catherine Whitaker: And I believe this one's not before 5.

49:55Matt Roberts: Right. OK. It is Germany against Argentina. Germany led by Alexander Zverev. Said he'd never play the Davis Cup in this format, but the call of Struffy was just too strong. So Zverev, Struffy, that is Jelena Struff to you and I. Yannick Hanferman, Kevin Kravitz and Tim Putz, very strong team on paper. They take on Argentina, led by Francisco Sarundolo, Thomas Martínez-Javéry, Francisco Comissagne, Horatio Zabajos and Andres Molteni. How do we see this, David?

50:35David Law: Well, I do think Germany do look like a really strong team there on paper. And I would make them favourites for that one. I mean, we have had in the past trouble for Zverev with Sarundolo. He won their most recent one. I think it was a retirement in the end, but he won the first set of it. but he has had problems with him in the past but I do think that this is the surface on which he would most like to play him you know Zverev so I think he will be the favourite there Struff I know he goes on these incredible runs of not winning matches but he also can look like the most awesome player at times when he's on and I just think he's going to be better qualified than whoever Argentina put up really as a number two on that surface.

51:30David Law: So I think that they are real threats, actually, Germany. So I would pick them to win that one. I don't know what you two think.

51:41Matt Roberts: I do think this is a weird dynamic that Zverev has created by saying, sort of he's trying to have his cake and eat it, isn't he? He's saying, I'm here for the team, which should be galvanising. but he's also cleverly making out like I don't care that much you know I'm a hero I'm here for I'm here for you my comrades but I don't care that much personally and I'm not sure I mean look that might not actually end up being true once he gets out there in the field of battle and that might be a way of you know if you don't try you can't fail might be that kind of psychology but I do think that's a slightly odd unusual dynamic to have within a team what do you think Matt?

52:29Catherine Whitaker: Yes I agree yeah I mean his language around the Davis Cup is you know he doesn't mince his words you know he called some of it a waste of time and yet here he is playing. It is an odd dynamic for sure but he does make them stronger. I think that odd dynamic is offset by the quality he brings to the team and I think overall they are a stronger proposition with him here. It's interesting because Argentina have got two guys who could play the number two singles against, we expect, Struffy in Exavary and Comissania, both of who are quite tough to beat. Neither of those are absolute gimmies for Struffy.

53:19Catherine Whitaker: I'm just going to keep saying Struffy, I think, now. And I think the outcome of that could really influence the dynamic of Sarundalo against Verev. You know, if Sarundolo is 1-0 up for Argentina and can go for it a little bit against Zverev and swing with that forehand and try and get into Zverev's head. You know, I spoke to Sarundolo today in the press conference and I mentioned his record against Zverev. And he said, yes, there's something about my game which bothers him. He's very aware of that. He was quick to clarify, as you did, David, that surface-wise, his three wins have been on clay against Alexander Zverev.

54:03But I think a couple of them have been in Madrid, which are very good conditions for Alexander Zverev.

54:09Catherine Whitaker: He likes playing there. I know it's clay, but that's a good court. I mean, I think Zverev might even have called it his favourite court in the world, didn't he? The Madrid centre court. And yet, Sarundolo has beaten him there. Exactly. So I think there is something in the matchup there for Sarundolo. And I just think with a bit of momentum behind them as a team and maybe with what I expect to be sort of passionate support, I think we could see the best of Sarundolo. And if we don't see the best of Zverev, if there is a weird dynamic, I think he could have his hands full there against Sarundolo, even on an indoor hardcourt.

54:47So that's my case for Argentina, but they're going to have to play extremely well,

54:54Catherine Whitaker: because I do agree with David that Germany are favourites here.

54:57David Law: Interesting team selection, I think, ahead for Argentina, isn't it, for that number two position? Because Echeverry is your solid ball machine. Kamoshanyat... He's a bit flashier. Yeah, it depends which side of the bed he gets out of. I saw him beat Zverev earlier this year, and then he beat Art of Feast in Madrid when Feast was winning handily. And then suddenly, you know, he just starts turning it on, and he really gets the crowd growing. You know, he's one of those. I think the Italians could suddenly start getting into him if he played. So that would be quite interesting. And I kind of feel like his game might work against a big server in a way.

55:40David Law: just that hand-eyeball coordination and so forth but whether we all get the nod I mean it would be quite a risk I think

55:48Catherine Whitaker: and there is an interesting dynamic on the Argentinian team with those three singles guys Sarundalo, Comissania, Echeverry all extremely close in age I think all know each other and have known each other for a long time and then you've got the two older doubles guys in Zabayos and Molteni so there's kind of the two generations there and there's also a very different vibe between the three singles guys. They're quite different personalities. Francisco Sarundolo is very articulate and quite charming in a press conference. Echeverry is quite serious. And, well, in fact, very serious. And Comissania kind of is a bit like Caballi and is a bit playful, a bit boyish.

56:34Catherine Whitaker: He was messing with his microphone during the press conference. They had to tell him to stop doing that because the transcript was picking it up. But I think, kind of to David's point, he is more likely probably to provide a spark. He might have a shocker. I think you know what you're going to get from Echeverry. I think Echeverry is the safe pick. But Comissania is...

56:55David Law: He's got them there. He's got a couple of wins along the way in the qualifying. But, you know, if you're just picking somebody to razzle-dazzle a bit... Right.

57:05Matt Roberts: I think we all know which one we're not inviting to the party. that you've painted a real picture there, Matt. Love it. Okay, that is it for part two. Join us in part three for Punchy Predictions. AI is only as powerful as the platform it's built into. That's why it's no surprise that more than 85 % of the 14500 use the ServiceNow AI platform. While other platforms duct tape tools together, ServiceNow seamlessly unifies people, data, workflows and AI connecting every corner of your business. And with AI agents working together autonomously, anyone in any department can focus on the work that matters most.

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59:00Matt Roberts: Welcome back to part three of the Tennis Podcast, our Davis Cup preview show. I want predictions. I want them to be punchy, please. These quarterfinals, who's winning them, France or Belgium? France. Italy or Austria? Italy. Italy. So we've got France against Italy. Who's winning that?

59:22Catherine Whitaker: France. I'll go Italy.

59:28Matt Roberts: Okay, second set of quarterfinals, Spain against Czechia.

59:34Catherine Whitaker: I'm going Spain. Czechia.

59:38Matt Roberts: Germany against Argentina.

59:42Catherine Whitaker: Germany. Germany.

59:44Matt Roberts: Okay, so David, you've got Czechia, Germany. Who's winning that?

59:50David Law: Czechia. So you have a Czechia-France final.

59:58Matt Roberts: Matt, you have Spain against Germany. Who's winning that? Spain. So you have a Spain-Italy final. Who are your champions? David.

1:00:15David Law: I am really into this team dynamic of Czechia and their strength in depth. They've got three singles players and a doubles pairing from that singles combination that have got them there. They've been there all the way through and they went away to the United States and they were 2-1 down and they beat Fritz and Tiafoe to get over the line. I'm just hugely impressed with that. And I am going to go for them as the champions. And you've got this perennial question mark. Do you take the singles great Alcaraz in the first? Because, you know, it could be Spain that just knocked them out in the first one.

1:01:02David Law: They've got Alcaraz. Or do you go with the strong team? And, I mean, I just think they might edge it. They might just find a way. And I agree with Thomas Burdick. If they get through that, I think that they win it.

1:01:18Matt Roberts: Matt?

1:01:20Catherine Whitaker: Yes, I agree with Thomas Berlick, actually. I think the winner of the whole thing is coming from the Czechia-Spain tie. I just think I'm going with Alcaraz. I'm going with the big number one player.

1:01:35Matt Roberts: Who's winning the Davis Cup? Carlos Alcaraz.

1:01:38Catherine Whitaker: Yeah, basically, you know, in the same way that Yannick Sinner has won the Davis Cup in the last couple of years with some help. I think Alcaraz with some help. And I was really sold on just how much Alcaraz kept mentioning the Davis Cup during the ATP finals and how much he wanted it. I think he's going to bring it. And also, I have been quietly impressed with Munar this year. I think he is a good number two. I think he would be favorite. Maybe not favorite, but I think I would back Munar to win the number two matches, maybe apart from against Czechia. That is the tricky one.

1:02:15David Law: So what would they do in the doubles, Matt? What would, I mean, what do you think Spain are going to do?

1:02:19Catherine Whitaker: I think they'd probably go with what they tried last year and it didn't go that well, but Alcaraz and Granos, yes, I think they would probably pair together.

1:02:29Matt Roberts: That was bad though.

1:02:30Catherine Whitaker: But I think the circumstances of Nadal made that odd and they were up against, let's not forget, Wesley Koolhoff playing out of his mind on that day. I think with a bit different circumstances, I think they could be better.

1:02:46Matt Roberts: Made Alcaraz, fried him a bit. And Alcaraz is better this year.

1:02:51David Law: Yes. That's a factor, just generally.

1:02:54Matt Roberts: Still quite unproven in doubles, I would say. Yes, for sure. Alcaraz.

1:02:58David Law: I mean, last night I made the case for Italy in my sort of haven't really given this any thought yet moment. But when we were going through the team there, And in the absence of Sinner and Mazzetti, I just, and I think there's a lot of stock in what Volandri puts together. I think he seems like a really solid team captain. And I really think Berrettini is an important presence, regardless of how much he plays. But I do wonder whether they as a team will feel a little bit lost, you know, especially Caballi. As much as I love watching Kabali, I do think it could get to him, this.

1:03:42Matt Roberts: But then, Matt, you said that the presence of Sinner had its own complications. It hasn't always been plain sailing, Yannick Sinner's place in that team and dynamic he creates. like I don't quite know what the edge is but there has been the edge detected

1:04:08Catherine Whitaker: yeah not a negative edge I wouldn't say it's just serious you know when Sinner's around it's about winning and they absolutely knew that and I think you know they were talking a lot about

1:04:23Matt Roberts: maybe Kabali will like the slightly less serious

1:04:26Catherine Whitaker: yeah possibly edge you know the word Valandri kept using in the press conference was responsibility we feel a responsibility because we're playing at home and I just think without their two best players that is putting quite a lot on the team as I said, I've still got them in my final I do think they've certainly got enough to get through Austria I think if they were to play France that's a close tie but I think maybe they've got enough I think they're going to have a good tournament I guess I'm just not picking them to actually win it. I do think for Alcraz, I don't think this is, you know, front of his mind.

1:05:05Matt Roberts: And like, I wish this weren't something that were occurring to me. But, you know, Yannick Sinner is getting an extra week off that he's not. And, you know, Alcraz could be having this week off. He's choosing to play the Davis Cup. He cares about it. He's there of his own free will. He wants to play. but that equation, that decision might be different for him as it is for Anik Sinner if he's already ticked it off his list. You know, I do think it's probably better for the Davies Cup if Alcarez keeps on not winning it with Spain because he's more likely to keep showing up. Yeah.

1:05:43Catherine Whitaker: And there is also in the back of my mind, you know, David asked about doubles for Spain. You know, if the hamstring is a problem for Alcarez, if he has to play singles and doubles that's putting a lot on him for sure I guess I'm just assuming that in that position he won't be able to stop himself

1:06:01Matt Roberts: and you know if they're one all

1:06:03Catherine Whitaker: and he's just brought it back by winning the singles he's going to want to go out there and play doubles I would have thought yeah like a Labrador puppy what's your pick Catherine

1:06:20Matt Roberts: I think probably Spain, even though that is not, my head is saying, I mean, I'm obviously, I've got David Ferragh doubts, but then it's Carlos Alcaraz. I always pick Carlos Alcaraz. Our friend Itamar texted last night, but before the Sinner Alcaraz match saying, who are you picking? And I was like, well, obviously Sin is the favourite for this, but I just always pick Carlos Alcaraz. So I'm going to pick Carlos Alcaraz. But there's a part of me that wants to pick France because I think it would be the perfect mix of like an incredible story with the Paul-Henri Mathieu of it all, with what you said about Mouté David.

1:07:00Matt Roberts: I think he's a bit of a story of this year. And also just funny. Like great emotional story plus funny. plus Le Marseillais like I think that would be awesome

1:07:14Catherine Whitaker: that is a sweet spot but yeah I haven't gone through I haven't gone through five months of Spanish citizenship admin not to pitch Spain to win the Davis Cup so

1:07:26Matt Roberts: he's got an agenda folks you've disclosed your your bias we should do that up front really shouldn't we okay well we got a lot of pods coming up folks Our next one will be on Thursday after the quarterfinals are done and dusted. So Matt will have been up earlier than Alejandro Davidovic for Kina, getting to the stadium, watching both matches, reporting on them and then coming on the pod to talk about them. So pray for Matt.

1:07:58Catherine Whitaker: Well, it very much is apparently a pray for Matt. And this is a real get the violins out situation because apparently the media seats in the stadium are severely lacking in comfort. Very poor lumber support, Catherine, and very shallow. Like David would not fit in the seat, I think, is basically what we're dealing with here. So, yeah. Please pray for me.

1:08:31Matt Roberts: if I was there I'd be people I'd be not taking that well

1:08:38Catherine Whitaker: I did already say oh maybe I could maybe I could bring a cushion or something from the hotel learning from the best

1:08:48Matt Roberts: you've done many a walk to Roland Garros with a cushion that comment on you carrying a cushion under your arm yeah I can channel you you'll be having the last laugh when you're sat there with your lumbar support let me tell you it's worth it okay pray for Matt we'll be we'll be back to hear all about Matt's Lumber support on Thursday then we'll be back again on Saturday yeah Thursday Saturday Sunday Sunday is live after the Davis Cup final the official final match of the 2025 season don't forget you can keep up to date with the Davis Cup finals on the Davis Cup Instagram TikTok and X. You can sign up to the free official Davis Cup newsletter at daviscup.com and you can follow all the action on the newly updated World Cup of Tennis app which brings together the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup by GameBridge.

1:09:45Matt Roberts: Search World Cup of Tennis on the app store or play store to download for free and I can vouch for that because I did it earlier successfully. Hello to our mascots, Phoebe, Maisie and Roger. Hello to our top folks and executive producers, Greg, Chris and Geoff. Matt, can you do on location shout outs?

1:10:05Catherine Whitaker: I can. Yep. You can do everything, folks. Well, we have Vicky. The wonderful Vicky has prepared some shout outs for us. And we start with Alison Rowe from Wellington, New Zealand. hello Alison

1:10:23Matt Roberts: hi Alison like Alison what's her surname the umpire Hughes

1:10:30Catherine Whitaker: very good

1:10:32David Law: and Alison Risk and my sister hey there we go

1:10:38Matt Roberts: the big three

1:10:40Catherine Whitaker: and if we want to make it the big four like Alison Danzig who was a legendary tennis journalist I believe the first journalist inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame, someone I frequently read about while at the Women in Library.

1:10:56Matt Roberts: The first journalist inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame was a woman?

1:11:01Catherine Whitaker: No, it's a man called Alison.

1:11:06Matt Roberts: It's more likely that there'd be a man called Alison than the first journalist inducted would be a woman. Yeah, sorry, silly me. What do we know about Alison?

1:11:18Catherine Whitaker: Alison has It's been listening to the pod since 2015. So celebrating a 10-year anniversary.

1:11:27Matt Roberts: Congratulations, Alison. That's excellent. Just about when we sort of figured out what we were doing 2015, I would say. Good time to join us. And Wellington reminds me that every year I say I'm going to tick New Zealand off my list. And I don't. But I'm coming soon, Alison. New Zealand better be ready for me. thank you Alison

1:11:52Catherine Whitaker: next up we have Marjorie Marjorie Graven hello Marjorie we've met Marjorie I met Marjorie at the Australian Open the day after her previous shout out came out on the pod that was in 2024 I remember that

1:12:11Matt Roberts: so you'll see Marjorie tomorrow right

1:12:14Catherine Whitaker: that's the way this thing works and David also met Marjorie at the Australian Open I believe this year and apparently you had a chat read complain about the caught by the bar at Melbourne Park oh yeah that rings a bell so Marjorie is expecting Catherine in 2026

1:12:38Matt Roberts: yeah I'll be waiting for you Marjorie like my great aunt Marjorie to continue the family theme of these shout outs can't think of a tennis one there's no we'll go with my great aunt Marjorie

1:12:53Catherine Whitaker: and also Marjorie I don't know why I didn't lead with this really it's much more exciting than meeting David and me Marjorie was lucky enough to get a selfie with Pam at the US Open this year

1:13:10Matt Roberts: go on Marjorie good work Marjorie

1:13:12Catherine Whitaker: and Marjorie posted it on the barge Epic work.

1:13:16David Law: Just textbook.

1:13:18Matt Roberts: Marjorie sounds great, yeah. Thank you, Marjorie.

1:13:21Catherine Whitaker: And finally, we have Lars Graf. Hey! Right, Lars.

1:13:32David Law: Lars Graf. Umpire extraordinaire. Oh, bless him. Now the tournament director of Beijing, China Open.

1:13:42Matt Roberts: Bless him. Right, Lars. Oh,

1:13:47Catherine Whitaker: like Lars Graff, like Lars Graff, the umpire. Lars says, I've listened to all the podcasts since you started.

1:13:56Matt Roberts: Oh, my God. Good man, Lars. Yeah, he has a lot of time on planes, doesn't he, Lars, unimagining? So I love that. I love Lars's continued dedicated support of the podcast. It always gives me a chuckle. So Lars, thank you. Lars, Alison and Marjorie. Thank you for your support of the Tennis Podcast. We are part of the Athletic Podcast Network. We'll be back on Thursday. Thank you for listening or watching, however you've joined us. We'll speak to you then.

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