August 22, 2023

A Djokovic-Alcaraz thriller, Gauff + Gilbert = success and a strange buzzing sound in Cincinnati

1 hour 17 minutes

This week's featured listener emails are

From Heather: "I found your discussion on the transgender issues in tennis really interesting but wonder why this is being treated as something new when in fact, the same issues occurred in the 1970s when Renee Richards tried to enter the US Open. I think that after various court cases, she did eventually win the right to compete there but I don’t remember anything else about her career other than she coached Martina Navratilova at some stage. It would be interesting to see if any of the issues people are concerned about at the moment were around when Renee Richards was fighting for her right to play and to see how and if, they were resolved. Love the podcast!"

Andy Lee asks: "As a spectator, I always try and sit opposite the umpire's chair. Why can't someone in 2023 come up with a solution that would give spectators a better view on the players bench side? E.g. a perspex chair or suspended chair umpire? I find it ridiculous that the view of a third of the court is still obstructed from a lower level!"

Got a question for the podcast? Email us on [email protected]

Meanwhile, this week James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw discussed...

Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz in another epic that lasted nearly four hours and which the Serb called "definitely one of the toughest matches I've ever played in my life, regardless what tournament, what category, what level, what player"

Djokovic also compared this to his rivalry with Nadal. Is Alcaraz-Djokovic perhaps even better?

Alcaraz laughed and joked with Djokovic afterwards, but how can he switch from friend to foe so effectively?

Coco Gauff wins the women’s title in Cincinnati, the biggest title of her career, not long after getting Brad Gilbert involved in her coaching team

Meanwhile, beaten semi-finalst Iga Swiatek says she has no fuel in the tank and needs to rest before the US Open

Juan Martin del Potro's potential comeback is over :(

A venue for the WTA Finals still not confirmed - nor the Next Gen Finals either

AND FINALLY