DROP-SHOT

In this episode I sit down with Haleh Emrani, the visionary founder behind TennisPAL. With a background as an electrical engineer, Haleh has worked in the tech industry since 1991, but her passion for community-building and tennis led her to create TennisPAL—a unique platform connecting tennis enthusiasts around the world. Growing up in Iran, Haleh faced challenges as a young woman wanting to play sports, yet her love for tennis stayed strong, inspiring her to build an inclusive app for players everywhere. Haleh also holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern History from UCLA and is an active philanthropist, supporting cultural and educational causes.

This episode was brought to you by TennisPAL, a tennis community where members can find and connect with other like-minded tennis pals using the app. Download the TennisPAL app to book games and play, teach or learn tennis. Read or exchange related news, information, and original content. Learn more here: ⁠https://tennispal.com/dropshot

In a thrilling 2024 China Open final, Carlos Alcaraz edged past Jannik Sinner in a dramatic 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory to claim his fourth title of the year. The three-hour, 21-minute battle saw Alcaraz fight back from early deficits, including an impressive comeback in the final-set tie-break where he won seven straight points from 0/3 down. This win marked Alcaraz’s third consecutive victory over Sinner this year, extending his lead in their head-to-head rivalry to 6-4. With this triumph, Alcaraz became the first player to win ATP 500 titles on all three surfaces—hard, clay, and grass—in the same season.

We also highlight Coco Gauff’s commanding performance at the China Open, where she secured her second title of the season by defeating Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3. At 20 years old, Gauff became the youngest China Open champion in 14 years and maintained her perfect record in hard-court finals, improving her overall finals record to 8-1. This victory bolsters her chances of qualifying for the WTA Finals, solidifying her position as one of the top players on the tour.

This episode was brought to you by TennisPAL, a tennis community where members can find and connect with other like-minded tennis pals using the app. Download the TennisPAL app to book games and play, teach or learn tennis. Read or exchange related news, information, and original content. Learn more here: https://tennispal.com/dropshot

In today’s episode our guest Stefano Tognazzi takes the reins of the podcast and guides us through a day in the life of the 2024 Wimbledon championship. In this edition of the tournament Carlos Alcaraz confirmed as the men’s singles champion after a straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic. The Spanish star had looked set for a stress-free triumph but passed up two match points in the 10th game of the third set, before going on to clinch a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 victory. Djokovic was subdued during the opening two sets, in which the Spaniard sparkled. A break down in the third set, the Serb rallied to take it to a tie-break, which Alcaraz won to retain the title he won last year.

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In today’s episode our guest Stefano Tognazzi takes the reins of the podcast and guides us through a day in the life of the 2024 Wimbledon championship. In this edition of the tournament Barbora Krejcikova became the women’s singles champion after a hard-fought victory over Jasmine Paolini. The Czech star saw out a dramatic 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win to clinch her second Grand Slam title.

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In today’s episode our guest Stefano Tognazzi takes the reins of the podcast and guides us through a day in the life of the 2024 Queen’s Club Championship. In this edition of the tournament Tommy Paul outgunned Lorenzo Musetti to win the biggest title of his career. Paul became the first American winner of the prestigious pre-Wimbledon tournament since Sam Querrey in 2010 and joined a glittering group of former champions from across the pond including John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras. Tommy Paul, who knocked out Britain's Jack Draper in the quarter-finals, said: "It means everything".

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With today’s guest Stefano Tognazzi we comment on how Carlos Alcaraz is the new king of Roland-Garros. The 21-year-old Spaniard became the youngest man to win a major across all three tennis surfaces, claiming the French Open singles crown on Sunday (9 June). Alcaraz joins Spanish compatriot Rafael Nadal as the only man to win a Roland-Garros title under the age of 22 since the year 2000.

In the meantime, WTA number one Iga Świątek successfully defended her French Open title for the third year in a row beating debutante Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-1 at Roland Garros 2024 on Saturday (8 June). Swiatek came into the clash as the overwhelming favourite having won all four of her previous Grand Slam finals. Clinching her fourth French Open title, Swiatek moved within three of all-time record holder Chris Evert of the United States. 2000.

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In this episode of Drop-Shot, we dive into Luca Guadagnino's latest film, "Challengers," a steamy exploration of lust, power plays, and tennis. Join me and my fellow tennis enthusiast Nicole, as we discuss Zendaya's captivating performance as Tashi, the intricate dynamics between the characters, and the film's unique blend of romance and competition. We'll unpack the thrilling plot, the use of music to heighten tension, and the film's bold portrayal of the intersection between sport and desire. Tune in for an engaging conversation that goes beyond the baseline of this sensational new tennis drama.

With today’s guest Stefano Tognazzi, we comment on how Alexander Zverev becomes an ATP Masters 1000 champion for the sixth time. The German moved past first-time Masters 1000 finalist Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia to win the title in Rome for a second time. Zverev will climb to No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday, with his Rome title the biggest he has earned since he suffered a catastrophic ankle injury in the Roland Garros semi-finals in 2022. Prior to Sunday, the 27-year-old’s most recent Masters 1000 triumph came in Cincinnati in 2021, while he also lifted the Nitto ATP Finals trophy in the same season.

Meanwhile, on the WTA side… If Iga Swiatek can keep up her form, it’s hard to imagine anyone preventing her from winning a fourth French Open title. The top-ranked Swiatek dominated in her latest meeting with No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, winning the Italian Open final 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday to earn her third trophy on Rome’s red clay. Swiatek didn’t drop a set at the Foro Italico and extended her tour winning streak to 12 matches. In the semifinals, she was almost as dominant in a 6-4, 6-3 win over No. 3 Coco Gauff. Roland Garros starts next weekend and Swiatek will be aiming for a third straight title in Paris and fourth overall.

Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open singles titles, and is one of only two men to win all four majors and Olympic gold. From his early days wielding a racket in Mallorca to his record-breaking achievements on the world stage, we'll explore the triumphs, challenges, and defining moments that have shaped Nadal's legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Get ready for insightful commentary, captivating anecdotes, and a deeper understanding of what makes the "King of Clay" a true icon in the world of tennis.

With today’s guest Stefano Tognazzi, we comment on how Iga Świątek defeated the defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final, 7–5, 4–6, 7–6 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2024 Madrid Open. She saved three championship points en route to her ninth WTA 1000 and 20th career WTA Tour title. By winning the title, Świątek completed a career sweep of all the European clay court events at WTA 500 level and above; she was just the second woman, after Maria Sharapova, to achieve this feat.

Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev clinched the Madrid Open in three sets, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 on Sunday in the men’s final of the Madrid Open. Rublev, who suffered from illness during the tournament, reversed a disappointing first set in which he seemed pale and unconfident to win two sets and take his second career Masters 1000 title in impression fashion.

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