Live from Wimbledon Day 9 - Sabalenka survives Siegemund, can Anisimova stop her?

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1:10Matt Roberts: Hello and welcome to the Tennis Podcast live from Wimbledon on night nine of the championships in our incredible position here, overlooking Court 18, where, mercifully, a Legends-Doubles match has just finished split seconds ago. I'm Catherine Ritigo. Alongside me, as always, David Law, Matt Roberts. It is a stunning summer's evening here at SW19. I texted the group at midday today saying I just had an excellent interaction with a dog coming through the gates here, and it was definitely going to be a great day. And I think I was right, David.

1:46David Law: Yeah, I think you were. It was beautiful weather, great crowds everywhere, people in a good mood. We had Mirandreva going out to support Conchita Martinez in her invitational doubles. And we had some good matches and, I mean, some incredible performances and some great shows of grit and courage. And I kind of feel like some good winners as well to really set up the next few days. Matt? some good winners who could you possibly be talking about you enjoying being brunette four more days i am but i'm i'm also hoping i'm not in a way

2:27Catherine Whitaker: i have to say also shout out katherine for your incredible uh invitational doubles confidence should i say that that match was not going past eight o 'clock yeah they'd been told

2:41Matt Roberts: to play till 8 o 'clock. Mansell Barami is 70 years old. They weren't playing past 8 o 'clock.

2:47David Law: And he knows what he's doing.

2:49Matt Roberts: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, they had a full court 18. They were lapping it up. It was brilliant. I know we've seen it all before and we're totally jaded and boring about it.

3:00David Law: They're still signing autographs now.

3:02Matt Roberts: Yeah, good on. There have been some good legends scenes today and we will be giving Mir Andrava and Conchita Martinez all the love that they deserve later on in the show. Don't you worry about that. I do feel like we should start with Irina Sabalenka and Laura Siegmund and the two hours, 44 minutes of Sabalenka's victory. 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, hauling herself over the finish line to make it through to the semifinals. And it was a haul, David. and a fantastically entertaining match.

3:41David Law: Yeah, it was. It was Laura Sigmund bringing everything she can bring and she was tactically so clever and her execution of those tactics as well in terms of just putting balls in horrible places, putting Sabalenka off balance and she did it continually throughout the match. You know, she mixed up sudden darting shots that rushed Sabalenka with drop shots and returns that were halfway up the court, dragging her in. You know, just stuff that Sabanenka clearly doesn't play against very often. And obviously, being on grass, you get to kind of make that sort of style a bit more effective than you would on a hard court, for instance.

4:23David Law: It just wouldn't have the effectiveness on there. And it really did look like she was going to lose at times in this match. There were moments when I really doubted. And then there were others when just her champions' quality came through. And I think, in particular, just a couple of points in the middle of the deciding set, which I think Laura Ziegman will be thinking about tonight when she's resting her head.

4:55Catherine Whitaker: Yeah, it was a fascinating match. there was definitely a part of me coming in that thought that Sabalenka might just stamp her authority on this match and kind of hit Siegmund off the court I thought that was a possibility coming in after 10 minutes I was like that is not happening she is not going to be able to win this match easily she went down a double break did Sabalenka right at the start of this match three love and siegman was doing all those things that david's just described perfectly and actually i thought the opening set i thought siegman played wonderfully well i thought she was brilliant you know i know we talk about kind of dark arts and that kind of stuff and there was some of that you know she was banging her shoes out as though she was on clay she was taking forever she was taking an extra racket to the back of the court and not using it she you know She was redoing her hair after points.

5:55Catherine Whitaker: All these sorts of things. She was late to return Sabalenka's serve. All these things were there. But actually, I thought her tennis was just sublime. And I thought she totally outplayed Sabalenka in that first set. A lovely mix of being aggressive, but also throwing in these slice shots and short shots and just messing Sabalenka up. I thought she was brilliant. Second set looked a lot more like how I thought the match could go. Sabalenka mostly in control of it she still had to fight and save a break point at 4-2 and did so with an incredible backpedalling smash that was a big moment I think in the match if Siegmund had got back in it there that second set could have been tighter the third set I have to say I thought was a bit of a mess on both sides I didn't think Siegmund was playing anywhere near as well in that final set as she had done at the start but she managed to stress Sabalenka out she took a 10 minute break after the second set Sigmund just disappeared but she came back and she just stressed Sabalenka out in that set and there was some massive moments at 3-1 Sigmund's upper break Sabalenka goes down love 15 and smashes the net with anger with her racket she is on the edge at this point I think Sigmund will regret that game the 3-1 game She should have been more clinical.

7:17Catherine Whitaker: There were some really poor misses there from her. But then Sabalenka got the break back. But then just a huge mess of a game. And Siegmund ends up 4-3 in front with a break. And honestly, I'm thinking, and Ander Nisimova was starting at this point. And I was like, I need to get out there to court one. But I can't leave this match. Irina Sabalenka might be about to lose. I cannot leave. and the tennis that Sabalenka played I thought in the last three games really really smart she suddenly started slicing her forehand and she said in her press conference that she'd been scared to do that because she didn't want to give Siegmund time on the ball great analysis from Sabalenka in that press conference but actually it was absolutely the right play Siegmund doesn't necessarily want time on the ball she wants you to just hit errors off her shots but if you can slice that ball back at her suddenly she's got to think and do something else with it and she came up with that shot right in the nick of time did Sabalenka trusted that her movement and her athleticism would cover the court if they ended up in some long rallies by the end and dug herself out and she was stressed today there was there were some similarities with the French Open final in terms of how much she was kind of hating the experience and yet she didn't get sort of horribly down on the experience.

8:41Catherine Whitaker: She fought through, came through it and ends up reaching a women's semi-final for the third straight time she's played this tournament. You know, she's had two absences in that period as well but she's back in the semis and you have to say is the favourite to win it from here but she had to pass this enormous, unique test.

9:04Matt Roberts: I couldn't believe the way she just found the tactic like that from breakdown in the third set. It was like, oh, a slice forehand. And kind of the humility of being prepared to do that for the biggest hitter in women's tennis to go, no, I'm not going to belt my enormous weapon of a forehand. I'm going to do something completely different. I'm going to admit that this slice and dice game that you're junking at me is actually pretty good. And I'm going to meet you with it. I thought that was really, really impressive from Sabalenka, who really wanted to distance herself from the term annoying game in association with Laura Siegman.

9:48There was actually quite an awkward on-call interview afterwards

9:52Matt Roberts: with Lee McKenzie, who I thought did a great job and asked really great questions. but Irina Sabalenka is so sensitive and wary of saying anything that could possibly remotely be construed as ungenerous or mean or unsporting towards her opponent that even the use of the term annoying game in the question Sabalenka was moonwalking away from that as awkwardly and quickly as she could. Irina, I'm going to say it for you, and I fully believe that Laura Siegman will take this as a compliment. It is the most annoying game in tennis. Like, Irina Sabalenka was so annoyed today. That is Laura Siegman's game plan, to annoy her opponents.

10:42Matt Roberts: She would take that as a compliment. And the fact that she kept her head, I thought, was amazing. And she said in press afterwards, I probably wouldn't have won that match if I didn't have the experience of the French Open final.

10:54David Law: Yeah, that doesn't surprise me that she feels like that and that it is a factor. It's kind of how I felt going into the Raducanu match and then coming out of the Raducanu match. I thought she's got over that hurdle now and actually she might end up better for all of this. And perseverance today was the absolute key. It's interesting, you know, Zygmunt is keen to say that this is just how I play. It's not about the opponent, it's about me. I don't believe that.

11:29Matt Roberts: But it's how she plays because of what it does to her opponents. Yeah, I definitely think it's... So those two things are not separate.

11:35David Law: I can't believe she's not aware of how it impacts her opponents.

11:39Matt Roberts: David, she's aware.

11:40David Law: Yeah. And look, it's in the rules. She bends them, she pushes them. Sometimes she goes over the line and she gets penalised.

11:49Matt Roberts: Did she get penalised enough today?

11:51Catherine Whitaker: She got a time violation. One time violation. Yeah, and I think that got... I think that got cheered.

11:59Matt Roberts: She was... There was one point where Rina Sabalenka was ready to serve, you know, in position at the baseline, looking up the other end, and Siegmund turned her back on her. Turned her back and strutted to the back of the court. I mean, how has Sabalenka managed to resist just serving anyway?

12:16David Law: Annabelle Croft said in commentary, on BBC Radio that it's she's a wind-up merchant, that's what she is she's on a wind-up and not only with her, with the time wasting, but also her game is so unconventional and good for her that she can make that work and almost get her to a Wimbledon semi-final absolutely extraordinary to think that she's done this I never thought it would be possible with her game in this era

12:46Matt Roberts: I love this match I absolutely loved it I just think it was two hours worth of enjoyable tennis match extended to two hours 44 with a load of faff she left the court for 10 minutes I went to get a coffee at the end of the second set because I absolutely knew yeah Laura Seagman was gonna leave for 10 minutes came back saw the scoreboard not moving thought yeah I know I know what's up

13:10Catherine Whitaker: here yeah and look I think you know definitely some umpires could could enforce the you know shot clock when Siegmund's serving stronger I definitely think everyone should be should be firmer on the delay of game when her opponent's serving that's the one that really annoys me because I you know that is kind of going against the rules you know speed of the serve and I think she pushes that and goes over the line there quite often. Just on the Sabalenka thing of really distancing herself from the word annoying, I totally understand why she's done that, but I do think it illustrates a point that we've kind of hinted at, that while I think Sabalenka was a bit out of order with some of her comments after the French Open final.

14:07Catherine Whitaker: Not about her own game. I have no real problem with sort of self-criticism. I didn't love it in the trophy ceremony. I didn't mind it at all in the press conference, but it was the little jabs at Goff that I didn't like. I thought they were over the line. But there is also a point that the reaction to that reaction was completely disproportionate, and I think it would be a great shame if Sabalenka feels completely unable to sort of speak her mind now as a result of what the reaction was to those comments. And given the way she's talked a little bit this tournament, it has felt like she's been a bit restrained.

14:49Catherine Whitaker: Oh, she has. I totally understand it so soon off the back of that. Hopefully with time it will kind of come back. And so I kind of think, you know, there's two things there. Like, yes, Sabalenka could have shown more grace to Coco Goff, But then she did apologise and she did own it. And it just really felt like that reaction has affected her. And I understand why it has, but it was way out of control, the way those comments became the entire talking point of that French Open final, particularly on those American talk shows.

15:21Matt Roberts: Yeah, when I saw that on-call interview, I wrote down in the notes, Sablenk is never going to say anything interesting ever again. Obviously, that's an exaggeration. She did give a brilliant press conference with some great analysis, but I share your concern about her hyper-sensitivity to saying anything about opposition. Now, that might go out the window if she loses. It will be interesting to see, but I do feel like she has... I really didn't like what she said after that French Open final. I really stand by all of our takes in the moment. Yeah, it was extremely critical. But I really feel very satisfied by the way she's owned it and continues to own it.

16:05Matt Roberts: This isn't a fluff apology she's done or a, you know, I apologise if I offended anybody. She really seems to get it and understand what was wrong. And I trust her to learn from this. And we do all need to move on and let her put it behind her for that reason. because I don't want her to be feeling like that. And it's no good for tennis because, you know, a bit of egginess. Bring it on. Just not taking 10 minutes between sets, please. There is a difference.

16:40David Law: I do wonder whether Sigmund will be thinking about the couple of points at 3-1 in that third set when she was, I think, up love 15. She played a great point and netted a volley. that would have put a love 30 then the next point she absolutely plays

16:57Catherine Whitaker: a master class of a point

16:58David Law: moving Sabalenka all over the place and has the killer shots finish it off that would have put a love 40 she missed it she's 30-15 down and Sabalenka held and I just thought that feels like a turning point I know it wasn't over there but yeah double break there

17:14Catherine Whitaker: would have been a would have been a real difference maker I think

17:18Matt Roberts: now at the time of Rina Sabalenka's press conference her semi-final opponent wasn't yet decided. Amanda Anisimova was, in fact, two match points up on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova midway through the press conference. Obviously, she didn't take either of those, ended up going to a nail-biting tiebreak. We'll come on to that. But obviously, she was asked about potential semi-final opponents in press and she said, look, neither of them slice, so I'm feeling good about it. which obviously isn't great news for Amanda Anisimova fans. I asked you at dinner, Matt, earlier while you were basking in post-Anisimova glow, what's Anisimova's slice like?

18:02Matt Roberts: Does she have one in the locker? Answer, not good.

18:06Catherine Whitaker: No, I'm always like, why have you done that when she hits a slice? You know, it so rarely for her feels like the right shot. What's the point? It's such a reduced in quality shot compared to her great ground strokes. I mean, we're going to talk more about it, but Anissimova somehow has to turn that into a baseline hitting contest. Because as great as Sabalenka is from the baseline, if it's just a baseline contest, I'm obviously deluded. But I truly believe Amanda Anissimova is the best in the world at that. Look at the players she's beaten. She's done it before. Well, look at the players she's beaten this year.

18:44Catherine Whitaker: Ostapenko, Aleksandr, Pavlyuchenkova, Azarenko, Kudomatova, Towson, Noskova, Jung. These are all big hitters. She can handle them. And that's what Sabalenka used to be. She used to be, you would say, just a big hitter. The problem I think that Anisimova's got is that Sabalenka has developed. Since Anisimova had all that early success against her, she is no longer just a big hitter. She's a brilliant mover. She's able to get angle on her shots and get Anisimova moving. She is able to throw in the odd slice, the odd drop shot, and some of that variety. And that, I think, in most of the last few meetings, particularly the one at Roland Garros, for example, just a few weeks ago, has been a little bit too much for Anissimova to handle.

19:30Catherine Whitaker: There have been moments in these matches where it's been a hitting contest and Anissimova's come out on top. But I think Sabalenka's just got so much in her game now that that head-to-head is a little bit misleading. It's not that Anissimova can't beat Sabalenka, but I think you look at that head-to-head and you think, wow, she might be the favourite. This is like a really good draw for her. It's turned, that head-to-head, and it's turned as Sabalenka has turned into the champion that she is. And despite my total belief in Amanda Nisimova's game, Sabalenka, make no mistake about it, starts as the favourite, and that's semi-final.

20:11Matt Roberts: How was your belief, your total belief in Amanda Nisimova's game going into the second set tie-break here after Amanda Anisimova had led 6-1-5-2, she'd served for the match. She'd also had two break points on the Pavlyuchenkova serve.

20:26Catherine Whitaker: Which were match points.

20:27Matt Roberts: Sorry, match points on the Pavlyuchenkova serve, 15-40. How were you feeling then?

20:33Catherine Whitaker: Not great. No, no, the match up to 6-1-5-3 was a total dud, really. Flat, not particularly high quality. Pavlyuchenkova was struggling with her arm I think today she was shaking out a lot stretching it out she just wasn't playing that well and Anissimova was was just better frankly and looked looked to be kind of coasting to victory but from that point onwards the the last half an hour or of this match utterly compelling as Anissimova got really quite tight and nervous and stressed

21:09Matt Roberts: we were tight and nervous and stressed about Matt David

21:13Catherine Whitaker: and the so there was the match points like she went for it on those shots she clipped the neck cord with four hands okay that can happen the ones that really got me was the was Pavlyuchenko serving 5-6 and Isomova got to love 30 so she's only two points away and then she just completely lost all range on her ground strokes missed I'm going to say it missed some back hands terribly Like, just completely miscued them.

21:41David Law: Routine backhand returns. Yes. From nothing served.

21:45Catherine Whitaker: That just weren't like the Anisimov backhand at all. And I thought, oh, God, like, she's really struggling here. And then, you know, when it went to a tie-break, she sort of sunk to her knees, and she was just clearly so stressed. And at that point, I really did think, wow, Pavly Shankova could absolutely nick this set and make it a third set. But the tie-break was just brilliant, wasn't it? It was unbelievable drama. Pavlyuchenkova was 6-3 up. Nisimova came back and got it to 6-all. And then at 8-all, Pavlyuchenkova nailed a forehand. Actually, I can't remember if it was a forehand or backhand, but a return up the line.

22:31Catherine Whitaker: And then Nisimova had to full stretch on the backhand side.

22:35David Law: They dig it out and just got over the net.

22:39Catherine Whitaker: Pavlikschenkova then came to the net to the Onisimova backhand and she rifled a winner cross-court past her. That still wasn't enough because still Pavlikschenkova came back at her and then it was only on her fourth match point that finally Amanda Onisimova got over the line. But I was so pleased for the court-won crowd that it became compelling in that sense because actually it had been a real damp squibber. match really for a quarterfinal but it became something that everyone could really get into

23:10Matt Roberts: and yeah it was it was amazing she she collapsed on her front yeah on the grass didn't she and then there was some absolutely adorable scenes with her nephew it turned out yeah jackson yeah very very cute child who took a little toddle around court one didn't he and it's his birthday on

23:30Catherine Whitaker: Women's semi-finals day.

23:33Matt Roberts: Matt was very worried when she went to pick up Jackson. Yeah, I was like,

23:37Catherine Whitaker: don't do your back.

23:39David Law: I thought you were going to be worried that she might drop him. But no, it's the back.

23:44Matt Roberts: Yeah, it was incredibly cute. It was. And a lovely moment for her. Obviously not her first Grand Slam semi-final, but this just feels, it feels like a new career. It feels like a different career for Anisimov than the one she had when she reached that first grand slam semi-final in Paris?

24:02Catherine Whitaker: Oh, well, she's a totally different person, isn't she? I mean, six years on, in that time, you know, you think she's lost her father, who was also her coach, incredibly involved with her tennis career. Pandemic? The pandemic. She's had a mental health break from the sport. She's described being around tennis tournaments as unbearable. Her ranking has dropped to such that she was losing in qualifying here last year, just 52 weeks ago. She's now back as a top 10, well, she's going to be a top 10 player for the first time after this tournament. This year, she's been playing the most consistent tennis of her career, the best tennis of her career, I would probably say as well.

24:47Catherine Whitaker: She's changed her team. There's a brilliant article by Matt Fatterman in The Athletic overnight interviewing Shady, her new physio, who came on only a few months ago. And just, I think, so important. She recognises that it's important for Anissimova to have a woman on her team because she understands Anissimova and what she's going through and she tailors her programme very specifically for Amanda Anissimova. She's noticed that she's got a kind of weakness on her left side. This is all in Matt Futterman's article. so specific exercises to help that side knowing when to practice and when not to practice improving all her core strength you know all this kind of thing everything is done now through the physio in a way that for a long time in her career it just that attention to detail clearly wasn't there and we're seeing the rewards in terms of how much better she's lasting in tournaments on tour how much better she's lasting in matches you know i've talked a lot about her resilience this year I think that goes hand in hand with feeling better on the court she's able to last longer in matches and bring her best level for longer and even today if she lost that second set having had all those match points I think Amanda Nissimo over a couple of years ago is just losing that third set public style I think today she would have fought and she would have very possibly still won it in three, that is the kind of improvements we're talking about there So a lot of work from her and her team over the last year.

26:26Catherine Whitaker: And yeah, here we are in the semis.

26:30Matt Roberts: What do we make of the fact that she seems to have dyed her hair extra brunette midway through the tournament? Is it a direct response to your pledge? What's going on there? Yeah, she made a TikTok which was just like, just can't stop going darker and darker. Yeah, it does.

26:49Catherine Whitaker: Look, it doesn't change. It doesn't change anything. I'm very aware of the fact, Matt Futterman was like, you're aware she's not blonde, right? Yes, I am aware.

26:58David Law: He's going to go more blonde when she's...

27:00Catherine Whitaker: Yes, exactly. Yes.

27:02Matt Roberts: We're talking full bleach. She's brunette now.

27:04Catherine Whitaker: I have brown hair. It would be a ridiculous thing for me to just go more brown. I mean, it's just not a thing. It's just not a thing. So, you know, it's the dyeing rather than the colour. I could just do nothing, but I've said it live on air now. so you're absolutely not doing I'm absolutely not doing nothing no I did I did you did I did

27:27Matt Roberts: do a human resources private check with Matt that he didn't feel railroaded into this and he was

27:31Catherine Whitaker: comfortable we're safe David maybe I used to do it anyway and he was railroaded that's fine I just wanted to make sure it's like when you put it from second to win the French Open isn't it you just got to go with it yeah yeah yeah the in the moment things are the best things it's like

27:48Matt Roberts: I watched that tie break just outside the main press conference room there because Sabalenka came in and then there was about a 10-minute gap before Taylor Fritz came into the main room. I suspect that's because Taylor Fritz was watching that tie break. He was delayed. So it was a lot of journalists standing in the communal area outside the media centre where there's lots of screens watching that tie break together. And Matt Futterman said she just needs difficult backhands that she has no time to think about. The more difficult and instinctive the backhand ran us him over, the more likely she is to make him win.

28:20David Law: And actually, I thought when she was 6-3 down in the tie brace, she just started to relax. Yeah. Because, oh, this set's gone.

28:27Catherine Whitaker: Yeah.

28:27David Law: Boom, boom, 6-5.

28:30Catherine Whitaker: And that was a feature of her match against Sabalenka at Roland Garros. She played her best tennis when she was down in the score that day. You know, she reeled off an incredible sequence of games to get the opening set back on track for her. and she kept denying Sabalenka match points, if you remember. She needs to figure out a way to do that from the start, do that when the score is level. And I do think, in some sense, personally I think she had a better chance of beating Siegmund. I know that the game style would have been difficult, but I'm sorry, Laura Siegmund in a Wimbledon semi-final, you are signing for that.

29:07Catherine Whitaker: I think that was who would have been better for her to get through to the final. however I think she's actually got a better chance of playing better against Sabalenka

29:17Matt Roberts: I'm not sure anyone's playing well against Laura Siegman you've just got to grit your teeth and get through it

29:21Catherine Whitaker: exactly it would have been stressful it would have been horrible and she might well have lost that way I think against Sabalenka if she does lose she's going to lose going for it and playing well letting it fly as David would say and that gives her a chance it's all we ask for chance.

29:41Matt Roberts: He looks misty-eyed.

29:43Catherine Whitaker: She's going to have to serve better. Under 50%, I think, today she was on the first serve. And actually, Savalinka's returns have not been great this tournament. No, I mean

29:53Matt Roberts: today they were ghastly.

29:55Catherine Whitaker: Maybe she should try the Siegmund 72 mile an hour first serve, because Savalinka was hating that for portions of the match. She kept on

30:03Matt Roberts: netting the return, didn't she? And she did it against Raducanu as well, on all those set

30:07Catherine Whitaker: points in the first set. So I always think again in that matchup Sabalenka serve and return has got the edge but she's going to have to I think they're both going to have to step it up Sabalenka on return and Nesimova on serve oh I can't wait can you tell?

30:24Matt Roberts: OK that's in two days time the other two women's quarterfinals tomorrow of course and then all of them come back and play the semis on Thursday so less recovery time for the women playing tomorrow although the same it'll be the same on both sides to the net.

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32:42Matt Roberts: Turning our attention to the men's quarterfinals from today, let's start with Carlos Alcaraz, David. 6-2, 6-3. 6-3 against Cameron Norrie, who, I mean, was he there? Like, was he on the court today? I didn't notice him. He tried his best, but he did not stand a chance today.

33:06David Law: And they were playing a different sport to one another. And that's not throwing shade at Cam Norrie. He did fine. But he was playing close to Ciner French Open final level Alcaraz at points in that match. And also serve bot from Queen's level Alcaraz. every time he got into a bit of strife boom, serve goes down I mean he lost three points on his first serve in the first set 17 out of 20 he won and that was whilst being love 40 down in his first service game and he just served his way out of that no trouble won the set 6-2 two breaks of serve everything was flowing he could have won a lot more easily on the scoreboard because he actually missed some opportunities and because he was clearly feeling so great, he was going for the most audacious power on a couple of shots that went flying long.

34:06You know, just shots that are just a bit silly.

34:09David Law: You know, you don't need to hit it quite that hard but he was just feeling it and so he was going for crazy stuff and his drop shots were just working to perfection. The number of times he left Norrie just, oh, I wasn't expecting that on his heels. it was a tough scene for Norrie. I mean, I also think that I'd have been very interested to have seen that match on court number one just to see if it was any different at all because it was almost, you took Norrie's favourite scene away and you gave Alcaraz his favourite scene and I would have just been interested to see if it made any difference at all to see the opposite.

34:54David Law: My guess is not. if Alcross plays like that. He just, the crowd never had a, you know, the crowd were trying to get behind the Brits and there were a couple of tennis podcast listeners right in front of me who were cheering Norrie, you know, British people who were cheering Norrie and it was so quiet and then there was massive appreciation for stuff that Alcross was doing. But he just, he just shot the door on that match so quickly.

35:19Catherine Whitaker: It's very interesting how the same thing has happened here has happened at Queen's, right? where first few rounds you're thinking, oh, the Alcoa's serve isn't looking very good, and he's incredibly vulnerable here on serve in the first few rounds. But at Queen's it was the Munar match, wasn't it? After that he then went out and practised his serve and he had it absolutely firing in the semifinals and final there. And here in the last two rounds, and particularly today, it's just gone up a level again. and it's kind of what we say about being able to move through the gears in a tournament and he seems to have unlocked that on his serve in this grass court season.

36:01Matt Roberts: It's like he needs to have a rock-bottom serve performance to knuckle down. He's a goals deadline player, isn't he? He gets better throughout a tournament, gets better throughout a match usually.

36:14David Law: More than ever it feels like you've got to get him early now, like Botec did. like Djokovic kind of got him fairly early I know quarterfinal but I think if he'd have got through that he might be unbeatable and look I know there's still a couple of matches to go but he's getting better

36:38Matt Roberts: Yeah there was an incredible moment for me when I was in the Taylor Fritz press conference earlier and Carlos Alcaraz was midway through his match against Cameron Norrie and I had it up on my phone just in my lap and Taylor Fritz was asked about his potential... Cameron Norrie. He was asked about his potential semi-final opponents. I mean, Alcaraz was a set and a break or maybe even two sets up at this point and he did the obligatory, well, I don't know who it is yet, but then he knew they wanted an Alcaraz quote, So he goes, but if it is Carlos, and he said, look, he's a great player, but the way I played in sets one and two today, he said the way I played in sets one and two today, I would back myself against anybody.

37:29Matt Roberts: and as he said that Carlos Alcaraz did something absolutely ridiculous on the court that absolutely nobody else on the planet could do and I thought anybody Taylor there's anybody and there's Carlos Alcaraz playing like this and look I love that he's talking like that Taylor Fritz you've got to it's definitely better than playing tennis with his son ahead of time I really like it But there is anybody and then there's Carlos Alcaraz playing like he did today.

38:03David Law: Yeah.

38:06Catherine Whitaker: Grounds will be closing in around 15 minutes. Please make your way to the exit gates and make sure you take all your belongings with you. We hope you've enjoyed your day here at Wimbledon and wish you a pleasant and safe journey home. Thank you.

38:25Matt Roberts: Where was I? He said, I just want to get the quote right, actually. He said, I know the way I played for two sets today. There's nothing anyone in the world can do.

38:34David Law: OK, well, I'm sorry. That's not true.

38:36Matt Roberts: Yeah.

38:36David Law: I get your point. And I was commentating on the match. I was in the corner of the court. I'm where the ball kid is, right, behind a glass. I can see how good this stuff is. And he is serving out of his mind, Taylor Fritz. But he's playing Karen Hashinov, who's a very, very good player, but who didn't really bring it in the first two sets I didn't think he played sort of standard Karen Hashinov level he needed to redline more than he was and Fritz played within himself he's better than Hashinov he's very similar but he's better his serve was hitting the spots and he was rolling through this match very very comfortably he was three love up within about eight minutes and look he was very good and if he plays like that he can absolutely stay with a good Alcaraz to a tie-break and he can probably win a couple of sets against Alcaraz if he's bad or if he's not his best I really think he could he could beat him if Alcaraz isn't there if Alcaraz is like he was earlier in the tournament there is a chance that he puts in a misfit performance and Fritz takes advantage but sorry Taylor if Alcaraz of today turns up Or Alcaraz, if the final last year turns up, you ain't winning.

39:58Catherine Whitaker: No, I tend to agree. I suppose the question is, is there anything that Fritz can do to make Alcaraz play poorly? Or is it entirely on Carlos Alcaraz?

40:12David Law: Absolutely. Look, players don't play well in isolation or play badly in isolation. It is impacted by your opponent. And Fritz is capable of serving really well and keeping scores close. And he's capable of hitting to a great length, which can stop you being creative. That will test Alcraz's patience and his ability to deliver on his own serve and to keep his own good length in order to create opportunities. But the same applies the other way. Taylor Fritz is saying nobody could live with me if I play like I did today. Yeah, but Karen Hatchinov was not asking you the questions that I think Carlos Alcaraz will ask you.

40:56David Law: So all of these things are factors into what will unfold on Friday. My guess is that Carlos Alcaraz will play bloody well and have too much for him.

41:09Matt Roberts: He says Graz can be an equaliser.

41:13David Law: Yeah, I mean, the other guy's quite good on it.

41:16Matt Roberts: and he said he was asked about the stress and the pressure of playing a Grand Slam semi-final and how much he wants this, he wants it so much and he said nothing can be more stressful than facing Francis Tiafoe in New York for a spot in the final

41:32David Law: and that's another thing you see when he played that was stressful, I get the point and he can probably feel freer than he did that night but I do remember after that match in the press conference he made a believe around me the way he spoke about playing Sinner. He said I like playing his game. And I look good for him that he talks himself out. I remember him coming up in the knock-up before that match and he was absolutely hitting haymakers and making you think he's really going to take it to him here. It didn't really happen. He just didn't play anywhere near as well as he wanted to. And part of that was because Yannick Sinner is already one of the greats and was able to handcuff him.

42:14Matt Roberts: I do think he is loosened up and slightly liberated by the fact that he's come through the draw that he's had. He's sort of been through both types of draw. He talked about discovering what his draw was while he was in Eastbourne. And he said he looked at him and went, that's brutal. And then, so then after having got through the brutal bit at the start, then it all massively opened up and all these seeds start falling. and he said, I feel like I handled both things really well. I kept my head when the draw opened up in a way that lots didn't and I fought through those incredibly tricky matches at the start.

42:53Matt Roberts: So he is a mental colossus these days, Taylor Frens.

42:57David Law: One other thing that did just strike me watching that match, even the first two sets, is any time they got into any sort of exchange around the net, he came off worse. Whether he did a drop shot, he did a few times he drew Hatchinov in with a drop shot, And they got into a little dink rally and Fritz kind of just, he just doesn't have hands. He just overhit into the tram lines, you know, when he went for his angled little paddle cross court. And this is against Karin Achenov. So if Alcraz is on it with his touch, he could find himself up there quite a bit. And I don't think he's going to like that.

43:34Catherine Whitaker: He did clear up in the press conference, I think, Catherine, what was going on with his feet.

43:39Matt Roberts: yes we were really worried about him in that third set weren't we he had treatment on his feet for what looked like blisters and his game really did drop off a cliff his his technical analysis of this match was first two sets everything went in third set nothing went in fourth set everything went in again um and he looked to be really hampered in the movement in that third set and he was like his feet were were in pain but he said it's not he gave a very detailed explanation about some sort of pad he wears on his feet and the pad slipped and he needed attention to that long story short very long story um i think it's fine don't think it's

44:21Catherine Whitaker: anything to worry about for future matches yeah but it was alarming for a bit i thought he was in a bad way i thought he was in a bad way i assumed he had bad blisters you know because he went down a break at the start of the fourth as well it really looked like it was getting away from him this match and he looked in discomfort when he was moving a strain on his face um and i thought i thought even then i thought okay well he's got the extra day off like if it is blisters hopefully be a lot better by by friday but sounds the way he's talking there like actually he should be

44:55Matt Roberts: totally fine yes come friday yeah i think so great always great to get close-up shots of

45:03David Law: tennis players feet though pretty gross aren't they tennis loves a close-up shot of feet

45:09Catherine Whitaker: nobody wants that when will they learn

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46:16Matt Roberts: OK, right, let's look ahead to tomorrow, shall we? The second quarterfinal day, we start on centre at 1.30 with Mira Andrava against Belinda Bencic, which gives me opportunity to talk more about the most wholesome thing you'll ever possibly see, other than Reggie's selfie with Roger Federer, which I'm still looking at on an hourly basis. Mira Andreva going out to support her coach Conchita Martinez with a beautiful, enormous handmade sign. If you're watching on the live stream now or watching us at all on YouTube, then you'll be able to see it here. If not, it's on our Instagram. It's everywhere online.

47:00Matt Roberts: Look it up because it will make your heart feel full. The sign reads, let's go Senorita Topspin. You are golden. unfortunately Martinez and Ruzeski did lose

47:15Catherine Whitaker: in straight sets I think

47:17Matt Roberts: in straight sets there's an incredible video which again I've shared on our Instagram of if Andreeva there courtside and Conchita goes over to her they have a lovely little interaction Greg Ruzeski's just in the background looking a little bit awkward like you're going to mention me on the sign? no? I'm just along for the ride am I? it was so lovely and I know she had this hat that Vicky's just showing as well with all these pins on it and I know it was just a bit of fun. I know we shouldn't deep it too much but the sisterhood of it all, I had so many emotions. I had a moment of true joy seeing her do that and the healthy, supportive, encouraging, fun, light vibe between them really did make my heart feel full and then I had a moment of sadness of like shit why does this feel so rare like why is there so little little of this in women's tennis women supporting other women and creating the joy of girlhood together like that should be everywhere more women more female coaches more female coaches and support staff physios like you were talking about with Amanda and Samova it is so important we should be seeing this everywhere I'm not sure I'm not sure it would always be as wholesome as mir andreva's particular brand she's special isn't she but i do i am

48:42David Law: hopeful that this will be something that other players will look at and think i want that i want that sort of relationship in my life and in my career there was that line from

48:54Matt Roberts: arena sabalenka in the indian world's final speech when arena sabalenka just lost to mir at Andreeva and she did the well done to you and your team which of course is just boilerplate stuff in speeches now, although she didn't do it in Paris.

49:14David Law: But she always will forever and ever now.

49:17Matt Roberts: She always will now. She did that in Indian Wells and she said it's so wonderful to see you and Conchita and the vibe you have and how healthy and I can't quite remember if she used the word like untoxic but she said and it was quite a sort of dark and profound thing to say she said I wish I'd had that when I was your age and just starting out on tour and we don't know specifically who she's talking about there you can look up you can look up who all her past coaches have been and all the various dramas that there have been but I did think there was something quite profound in that and that is going right in my folder of things to look at when I'm sad Reggie and Roger Mira and Conchita

50:12Catherine Whitaker: and I loved the illustrations on the sign as well, the little Uno cards in the corner

50:18Matt Roberts: because they play Uno together don't they

50:20Catherine Whitaker: yeah and she she was true to her word because there was a great interview on the on the BBC the other day where they interviewed Conchita Martinez and Mir Andreva together in the BBC studio.

50:35Matt Roberts: Lovely idea.

50:36Catherine Whitaker: And Andreva said, I'm going to go out and this is going to be my turn to do some coaching and my turn to get some revenge from the coaching box. Yeah, it's such a great vibe.

50:47Matt Roberts: And Greg Ruzedski's going to be along for the ride. Not quite understanding what's going on.

50:52Catherine Whitaker: It's round Robin, right?

50:54Matt Roberts: Yes, I think he gets another chance.

50:56Catherine Whitaker: we might get this again.

50:59Matt Roberts: Great.

50:59Catherine Whitaker: I saw it on the order of play. It said round Robin.

51:03Matt Roberts: Yeah. I think I should double check this with the club. I'll probably get a text after the show. I think there's prize money in the legends here. I think there are stakes. Certainly they have different categories, don't they? I think maybe in some categories.

51:17Catherine Whitaker: In the one that the Bryan brothers are in. They seem quite motivated. Probably going to dominate.

51:22David Law: You're saying the one that Barami's in the haven?

51:25Matt Roberts: Possibly not.

51:26Catherine Whitaker: The way he finished bang on 8pm was a little bit suspicious.

51:32Matt Roberts: It was giving champions to all. Right, Andreeva against Bencic. What percentage chance are we giving Belinda Bencic? I'm assuming we consider Andreeva the favourite here. So what percentage chance does Bencic have? I think a decent chance.

51:52Catherine Whitaker: I would say maybe I'd put this 65-35, something like that. I do think Andreeva's the favourite. I do think Benzic can, you know, can try and expose the forehand more than other players. You know, if she hits her backhand down the line into the Andreeva forehand, I would expect that to be an effective shot. You know, we don't entirely know that Andreeva necessarily will like perfectly handle the occasion. It's a big match. And, you know, like I know that the Lois-Boisson match was a very particular one-off experience. It's not going to be like that. But, you know, it's back in that kind of stage of a tournament again.

52:37Catherine Whitaker: And she did not handle that match well. And if there's a bit of adversity, I think there's still a little bit of a question mark. She can get derailed.

52:45Matt Roberts: There's a risk of it. Mentioning Lois-Boisson already feels like an episode of Tennis Relive. Do you know what I mean?

52:50David Law: like that's from a different year you're having sort of premonitions of a tennis relived in eight

52:55Matt Roberts: years time yeah absolutely i am yeah david what do you think ps people on the chat loving the

53:02Catherine Whitaker: return of the percentages we haven't got any choice really have we did you notice how i just

53:09Matt Roberts: got on with it yeah which really confirms my theory that it was actually your grumpiness about

53:13David Law: it yesterday was very much anisimova related yeah he's better now yeah um i quite like them um so

53:21Catherine Whitaker: Why was I grumpy about an Isamova yesterday?

53:23David Law: You were stressed. You were on edge. You thought it was all going to go wrong, so you didn't want to have to talk about it. In case you brought it on her.

53:31Catherine Whitaker: Right. Okay. Brought her defeat with your superstition. Maybe we could do it not on an Isamova days.

53:38David Law: Or maybe you could just get over yourself. Yes, David.

53:46David Law: So, I'm going similar to Matt. 65-35. I actually think it could be quite similar to the Navarro match because I think Navarro and Bencic do kind of similar things.

53:59Matt Roberts: Well, that was quite one-sided for Andreeva.

54:01David Law: No, I know it was. I think Bencic probably has a little more spite in her shots. She hits to hurt. But at the same time, I think that Andreeva does that and with more power. So I think Andreeva wins. But I am interested to see how she handles the occasion.

54:22Matt Roberts: OK, second on centre court tomorrow. Interesting. I don't think it was necessarily obvious which matches would go on centre and which would go on one tomorrow. Djokovic has got the centre court billing. Or rather, Flavio Caboli has got the centre court billing. Zero percent is my answer.

54:37Catherine Whitaker: I was sure that was on centre. Right. There's no way Djokovic. They're not putting Djokovic in case he loses on one.

54:45Matt Roberts: Yeah, fair.

54:45David Law: My son's announced himself as a cabali guy. I think he's going to have a tough day tomorrow. He's really into him.

54:53Matt Roberts: Well, that's great, isn't it? If he's getting the kids in. I do think today might be a tough day to become a cabali guy with what's ahead.

55:02David Law: Good guy to follow, though, as you go along. Yes. Because I think he's going to incrementally get better. But I think it might. I mean, I don't know whether my son will still be with him tomorrow after what happens.

55:11Catherine Whitaker: But we'll see.

55:12David Law: You're saying zero.

55:12Matt Roberts: I think unless Djokovic is compromised, zero. Maybe like 4%.

55:20Catherine Whitaker: Yeah, it's really small, isn't it?

55:21Matt Roberts: Yeah, extremely small.

55:23David Law: See, I think if Caballi could handle it... But that's such an if, isn't it? I know it is, but what I mean is his game, I think, and his speed and all those things. As I keep saying to you, one day Djokovic is going to get old out there. and if he comes out flat like you did against just imagine if Caballi like doesn't get overwhelmed and his 15 year age gap difference and super speed starts to hurt Djokovic I think that is not impossible I can't remember

55:59Catherine Whitaker: after which round it was but Djokovic said in his press conference that he'd had an exchange with Monfils where I think they'd both won on that day or something earlier in the tournament and they'd both said to each other pretty good day at the office today and it was kind of like knowing that when you're at that age like not every day is a good day at the office like and I think even for Novak Djokovic like his his tennis has been has been good you know really has but I do think like it's not it's not it's not a guarantee that it was 10 years ago that he just absolutely hits the ball sweetly and has a perfect day.

56:36Catherine Whitaker: You know, literally in the last round, he came out really poor against Alex Dimonor. He still won. He still came over.

56:42Matt Roberts: I could see that sort of match. Absolutely. I just don't think Caballi's winning it.

56:46Catherine Whitaker: I don't either.

56:46David Law: My feeling is if that happens, then Caballi's settled. You know, because the bigger danger is that he loses the first.

56:54Catherine Whitaker: He's still really flaky. And there also comes a moment where, like, can you close? No question about it.

56:59David Law: But that's a different conversation. You're not talking about him being anywhere near. closing are you no you're misunderstanding me

57:07Matt Roberts: David I'm talking about him winning I'm not talking about him playing I think the chances of him winning and getting over the line are close to zero if Djokovic is fit I could see five sets even I could really easily see four sets it's not about how competitive he can be or how stylish and lovely a player he is he's all of those things I just don't think he's getting over the finish line

57:32David Law: neither do I

57:38Matt Roberts: he played tennis with Stefan Djokovic four days ago

57:43David Law: DB's him I mean that'd be quite that'd be quite a bit beating two Djokovic's in one week

57:49Matt Roberts: you're next heading to court number one Igor Svjantek against Ljublis Amsonova does Ljublis Amsonova know as of now that she's facing Igor Svjantek tomorrow well

58:00David Law: she did say she said tomorrow evening is when this was yesterday. She's watching. Hello, Lomera. Ego. Yeah, Ego. What do you think?

58:11Matt Roberts: I have a strawberry pasta update.

58:15Catherine Whitaker: Oh, yeah.

58:16Matt Roberts: Shout out my friend Felicity, official medic of the tennis podcast, official medic at our live show.

58:23Catherine Whitaker: We love Felicity.

58:25Matt Roberts: She has made the strawberry pasta. Oh. She said anyone who likes strawberries and who likes pasta is lying if they say it's gross. or they're using bad yogurt. She says the quality of the yogurt, and she's a far yay gal.

58:40Catherine Whitaker: Me too.

58:41Matt Roberts: Yeah. The quality of the yogurt is essential. She also went into quite some detail about letting the pasta cool. That seems important. She said, in conclusion, Poland's been hiding a great dish.

58:54David Law: I can believe it.

58:56Matt Roberts: I am a little bit more on board now that I've learned that it is a dessert. It's like a rice pudding situation. It's a dessert using a savoury carb.

59:06Catherine Whitaker: Right. I'm still not rushing to make it myself,

59:11Matt Roberts: but I can get my head around it a little bit more. Okay, what percentage chance are we giving Lyudmila Samsonova against her mystery opponent? 30. I think that's quite high. I'm going 20.

59:26Catherine Whitaker: I feel like Samson... And again, this is going... I'm being a no-boy. I'm getting over myself because I also refuse to make Samsonova-based predictions. That's a rule I have in life. But I feel like she has a certain amount of chance in any match she plays Samsonova because her best tennis is ridiculously good in the way she just strikes the ball with power. And it doesn't really matter the score, doesn't really matter the opponent. she is playing that way and if it's landing in whoever she's playing is in big trouble so the way I'm looking at this is can she do that on that stage and I feel like the circumstances are there for her to not play like that and I think it's actually personally I would say it's more likely that this is quite one side in Sviontech's favour I think this could be like a sort of three and three sort of thing like a quite straightforward win for Sviantec.

1:00:32Catherine Whitaker: So I'm probably somewhere like 20-25 % for Samson. But I think she sort of starts every match with that because of how dangerous her top level is.

1:00:46Matt Roberts: Now I will give you the opportunity to opt out of the percentage game for the final singles match because it all depends on how Yannick Sinner is physically and we don't know. The last match on Court 1 tomorrow is Yannick Sinner against Ben Shelton. He said in his press conference after that horrific Grigor Dimitrov experience for everybody last night that he'd be having an MRI today. Obviously, he hasn't spoken to the press today, so we don't know the update. We do know that he cancelled his scheduled practice at a Rangi and instead practiced indoors.

1:01:21Catherine Whitaker: Yeah, and we also had some quotes from Darren Cahill on ESPN, I believe, saying, he'll be okay so I think he's going to play

1:01:33Matt Roberts: and just an interesting element to this that was picked up on in his press conference yesterday is he doesn't have a physio or a trainer here, he obviously has access to them, he said the ATP physios are great and they are, but there's a reason why players if they can afford it travel with their own there is a benefit to that and suffering an injury like this is... This is really not an ideal situation for him.

1:02:01David Law: No, you'd want this to be monitored and looked at all hours of the day and night, wouldn't you, between when it happened and tomorrow, and by somebody who really knows your physique and everything else. But, yeah, it is intriguing. It adds another layer of intrigue to what was already an interesting match to me because of how Shelton comes and approaches matches and what he brings. Well, maybe the question is, if Yannick Sinner is fully fit

1:02:32Matt Roberts: and that arm, elbow, whatever it is, is fine, what percentage chance do you give Shelton? About 35, 40, something like that. Wow, OK.

1:02:44Catherine Whitaker: I'd be lower than that.

1:02:46Matt Roberts: Yeah, me too.

1:02:47David Law: I feel like I don't find Sinner that convincing on grass, really. when he's playing the better players. I feel like he's still to prove it. But then I also did feel like that at the French Open until he got to the final. And then he proved it, and now I don't have those question marks.

1:03:07Catherine Whitaker: I think if Sinner's 100%, if that's what we're doing here, the gap between...

1:03:15Matt Roberts: Getting on board with the game.

1:03:17Catherine Whitaker: The gap between what Shelton has faced this tournament and Yannick Sinner is enormous. I think Shelton has done really well he's surpassed my expectations to get here to be honest considering the form he was in he's shown that he's a better player in slams but Sinner at his best doesn't really have any weaknesses, any big weaknesses that he can get at and yes Shelton's got his big serve and he can keep it close in the score but I just think if Sinner's at his best he will find the Shelton backhand You know, he will expose the little elements of Shelton's game, which are the reason that he's not ranked world number one and Yannick Sinner is.

1:04:01Catherine Whitaker: I just think, you know, we saw it last year here. And I think, yes, maybe Shelton's playing a bit better this year. But if Sinner's 100%, he's better than he was last year as well. And so if Sinner's 100%, I'd give Shelton 20 % chance. but actually he might be 100 % physically sinner but I'm not sure he's going to be 100 % just vibes wise I think the Dimitrov match I think may well have knocked him a little bit I think there might be it might remind me a little bit of remember Carlos Alcraz last year everyone was saying your arm's fine, hit the ball on the forehand but it was in his head and he wasn't hitting it I could imagine it being a bit of a distraction for him just a little bit a little bit that i could imagine us looking at sinner thinking he's he's a bit uncomfortable here um and that that changes things so i actually do think shelton's got more like the percentage that david's come out i think i i find it difficult

1:05:06David Law: to think of him as a hundred percent because of everything that went on because that was such a a nasty little fall and now he's had an mri and all the rest of it um so i suppose i'm couching it really it's just not

1:05:19Matt Roberts: ideal preparation though before Grand Slam quarterfinal is it even if the MRI is clear like being in an MRI machine is not what you want to be playing golf with Andy Murray apparently I also

1:05:29David Law: got two days

1:05:29Catherine Whitaker: to do that now

1:05:30David Law: it is only yesterday that we saw Dimitrov rattle him and it's easy to forget what was happening how he was outplaying him and I know Shelton's a different player but Shelton's giving me similar vibes in the way he is talking to how Dimitrov did a couple of days ago.

1:05:51Matt Roberts: He also loves Court 1, Ben Shelton, doesn't he?

1:05:53David Law: He does, yeah. He's got a Norrie thing going on with Court 1.

1:05:58Matt Roberts: Yeah, definitely. I mean, he says it's a real goal for him to keep winning so that he can graduate to centre. But as a vibe, he's really made Court 1 his own. Okay, interesting. Really excited about tomorrow. Provided Sinner is fit, I think tomorrow could be pretty great. we have a mascot for this episode that mascot is pixel oh what a sweetie a 14 year old cat who owner jeanette norris adopted from a rescue in new york city when she was just a tiny kitten she has a very particular set of skills that she uses to ensure she gets fed before sunrise oh my when she's not orchestrating elaborate wake-up calls pixel enjoys chasing her toy avocado Wow, sophisticated Playing catch or attempting to Getting belly rubs and snuggling with mum and dad And even though she's usually scared of the TV She won't hesitate to settle in with me To watch a Carlos Alcaraz match So Pixel is having a good fortnight She's absolutely adorable What a sort of delicate, graceful little thing she looks Sort of grey and white I love cats with dense white fur that you feel like you could just dive into like a polar bear.

1:07:15Matt Roberts: She's lovely. Thank you very much, Jeanette, for making Pixel today's mascot. Hello to our mascots, of course. Hello, Phoebe. Hello, Maisie. Hello, Roger. The only Roger on the roof tonight in spirit. No Roger over there getting a selfie with Reggie.

1:07:30Catherine Whitaker: He was out on the practice courts, Federer.

1:07:32Matt Roberts: Was he? With who?

1:07:34Catherine Whitaker: Don't know. Does it matter?

1:07:36Matt Roberts: Interestingly, Alcaraz hit with Ben Shelton this morning. I guess because he wanted a lefty.

1:07:41Catherine Whitaker: He needed a lefty, yeah.

1:07:43Matt Roberts: Quite a different game style, but a lefty nonetheless. There are no Norries, are there?

1:07:49Catherine Whitaker: His practice was a lot harder than his match.

1:07:55Matt Roberts: Hello to our top folks and executive producers Greg, Chris and Jeff. And Matt, let's have some shout outs.

1:08:01Catherine Whitaker: We have Stacey Patton in Dallas, Texas.

1:08:06Matt Roberts: Hello, Stacey. Like Henry Patton.

1:08:08Catherine Whitaker: Yes. Slightly different spelling, but great.

1:08:11David Law: Like Stacey Allister, the US Open tournament director.

1:08:15Matt Roberts: Yes.

1:08:15Catherine Whitaker: And Stacey says, I want to thank my friend Julie for telling me about your podcast in 2021.

1:08:21Matt Roberts: Oh.

1:08:22Catherine Whitaker: Good on you, Julie.

1:08:23Matt Roberts: That is lovely. Tennis podcast friendships are a very lovely thing. Yeah. How are we spelling Patton?

1:08:32Catherine Whitaker: P-A-T-T-O-N.

1:08:35Matt Roberts: Patton. Okay. yeah I'm going to have to go with Henry Patton for that yeah okay sorry Stacey I hope that's okay thank you very much

1:08:43Catherine Whitaker: thanks Stacey we've also got Chris Chew from New Haven Connecticut hi Chris

1:08:49Matt Roberts: Chris knows what I'm going to say doesn't he

1:08:51Catherine Whitaker: so I don't think you I think the people know what you're going to say we've driven through there

1:08:56Matt Roberts: I've attempted to go for a wee in a Dunkin Donuts near there and been unjustly turned away

1:09:06Catherine Whitaker: Chris says for various reasons I never got a tennis Chris in the previous shout out I think Matt's phone died once and it went very off script it does sound like something else might happen

1:09:16Matt Roberts: Evert

1:09:17Catherine Whitaker: exactly

1:09:19Matt Roberts: and Lewis Wilkinson

1:09:22Catherine Whitaker: Guccione

1:09:24Matt Roberts: Guccione you're absolutely

1:09:25Catherine Whitaker: overwhelmed with Chris's Chris we're making up for Eubanks Miss Banks Miss Banks Miss Endeavors

1:09:32David Law: has Guccione ever been mentioned in the same sentence as ever has Guccini

1:09:36Matt Roberts: ever been mentioned on this podcast before Bailey is coming up in the chat

1:09:42David Law: Chris Bailey who in 1993 had match point against Gorny Venisevic those were the days

1:09:49Matt Roberts: Chris I hope we've done you proud this time and finally

1:09:55Catherine Whitaker: we have Guillermo Guillermo del Angel we know Guillermo we do hi Guillermo

1:10:01Matt Roberts: great tennis name Guillermo

1:10:03Catherine Whitaker: Like Correa and Vilas. Yeah, absolutely. And last year, Guillermo changed his flight during a work trip to be able to make it to our London live show. What a legend.

1:10:15Matt Roberts: I think I remember meeting Guillermo. Yes, I think Guillermo might have met my dad or was introduced to me by my dad. I think David Whittaker was involved in that interaction.

1:10:27David Law: I don't doubt it.

1:10:28Matt Roberts: Guillermo, you're an absolute legend. And that's incredible. Thank you for doing that. And thank you for being a friend of the tennis podcast. I just have to say, somebody said in the chat, Chris O 'Connell, the original sensation.

1:10:43Catherine Whitaker: John Millman is the original sensation. Oh, really? Yeah, 100%. It was when he was about to play Roger Federer.

1:10:51David Law: When he reduced him to a sweaty miss.

1:10:53Catherine Whitaker: It was before. It was pre-match. He was hyping it up. The guy in the radio room.

1:10:57Matt Roberts: So he was right to call him a sensation. Yeah, he was right.

1:10:59Catherine Whitaker: John Millman is a sensation.

1:11:01Matt Roberts: So then was Chris O 'Connell the first player that we applied that term to after it was coined?

1:11:06Catherine Whitaker: I think that's right, yeah. But John Millman is the original.

1:11:10Matt Roberts: Fair enough. Stacey, Chris and Guillermo, thank you very much indeed for being friends of the Tennis Podcast. If you'd like to become a friend of the Tennis Podcast, then the link to do so is in our show notes, as, of course, is the link to subscribe to our free newsletter, which has all sorts of stuff in it, including Matt's daily stats. A teaser for today's.

1:11:34Catherine Whitaker: It's like an episode of Tennis Relived in stat form. It's incredible. I must say it's great. Shout out Robert.

1:11:42Matt Roberts: It takes you on a journey, David. You're in for an absolute treat.

1:11:47Catherine Whitaker: It's like an episode of Tennis Relived and Brooke Shields gets mentioned. Oh, can I have a preview?

1:11:54Matt Roberts: He does a good tease, does Matt Roberts. tomorrow is going to be a fun one we'll be back right here not before 8pm because that is when Mansour Barami finishes his matches on court 18 on the dot and we immediately switch our lights on and get going so we'll be here not before 8pm obviously if the matches on court one or centre court finish later than that then we'll come on pretty much straight after they finish but do subscribe to our YouTube channel and you can get an alert when we're going live and if you you subscribe to the newsletter you get an alert as well and we let you know on instagram too so do do just do all those things and uh you'll be covered on the tennis podcast front thank you ever so much for listening for watching us live if you did for joining in the chat if you did we are

1:12:42David Law: loving it it's gonna heat up from tomorrow no more cardies no well i don't know it can get

1:12:49Matt Roberts: chilly and it is still the united kingdom david that is true yeah uh come rain or shine we'll be back tomorrow. We hope you can join us. Thank you for listening. Thank you for watching. We'll see you and speak to you then.

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