Tennis Unfiltered

By Tennis Unfiltered

What's Tennis Unfiltered about?

Tennis Unfiltered is a weekly podcast where we try to make sense - tactical, ethical, emotional sense - of the tennis world. And we don't hold back.

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Tennis Unfiltered episodes:

04.23.2024
Djokovic out of Madrid, Raducanu on a roll, Muguruza retires and Calvin's Bucharest review
Calvin Betton and James Gray talk through the last seven days of tennis news while George Bellshaw recovers from food poisoning. (Get well soon, George!) Garbine Muguruza says she didn't miss "the discipline and the difficulty of the life" in her year...
04.17.2024
Tsitsipas bucks a trend to win Monte Carlo, Raducanu returns in fine form and umpiring woes
Calvin Betton calls in from Bucharest to chat with James Gray and George Bellshaw in London about... Calvin's team win another title! Stefanos Tsitsipas has now won Monte Carlo three times, more than Novak Djokovic even (although we all acknowledge he is...
04.09.2024
WTA confirm Saudi deal, Nadal out of another tournament, Danielle Collins on the charge + a first ATP title for Calvin!
Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are back behind the microphones to look at all the biggest stories of the week - and celebrate Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara's victory in Marrakesh. The WTA has confirmed that its biggest tournament,...
04.02.2024
Djokovic's coach split, Murray's ankle injury, Sinner is still rolling and Danielle Collins is NOT retiring
FACTCHECK FROM JAMES: I said I was watching Charleston on red clay. I was of course watching *Houston*, not Charleston. Houston = reddish brown clay, Charleston = still equals mucky grey-green. Apologies... Calvin Betton joins James Gray (inews.co.uk) and George Bellshaw...
03.27.2024
Andy Murray's up-and-down week in Miami, Halep's spat with Wozniacki and the best match-ups in tennis
George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton are back round the microphone to discuss Andy Murray picks up two valuable wins in Miami - but then tears two ligaments in his ankle while losing to Tomas Machac Simona Halep loses on return...
03.19.2024
Alcaraz back in the winners' circle, Swiatek dominates the desert, Federer complains about lack of variety
George Bellshaw, James Gray and Calvin Betton are back to talk about another week of tennis after the final of Indian Wells... Carlos Alcaraz won first title since June, beating Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev along the way -...
03.13.2024
EXTRA: Reaction as Saudi Arabia launches $2bn bid for tennis and slams respond with Premium Tour
EMERGENCY PODCAST with James Gray (inews.co.uk) and Calvin Betton (ATP tour coach) to talk about the alleged Saudi Arabian takeover of tennis, and the games reaction to it. We are indebted to Simon Briggs of the Telegraph, friend of the podcast,...
03.12.2024
Nadal quits Indian Wells, Halep’s ban reduced and why Netflix has cancelled tennis
James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton are back together to look back at a dramatic week off the court (and occasionally on it), discussing the following... Rafael Nadal pulls out of Indian Wells at the last minute, citing an injury...
03.05.2024
Rublev wins back $100k+ over DQ controversy, a review of 'The Netflix Slam' and another big Katie Boulter week
George Bellshaw returns to join James Gray (inews.co.uk) and Calvin Betton (ATP tennis coach) to discuss a controversial week on and off the court. Andrey Rublev was DQed for abuse of an official on Friday - but had his points and...
02.29.2024
The ups and downs of Andy Murray, Kalinskaya's (almost) dream run and why grass ain't grass like it used to be
Eleanor Crooks, the Press Association's tennis correspondent, joins James Gray and Calvin Betton (with George temporarily unavailable). They discussed... Andy Murray's first win of 2024 before losing to Jakub Mensik - and then coming back next week and beating Denis Shapovalov....
02.20.2024
Is Jannik Sinner unstoppable, Swiatek's Serena streak, the death of the single-hander and more!
Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray go through all the big tennis stories from the last seven days, including... Iga Swiatek becomes the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the same WTA title three years in a...
02.12.2024
Passport switching, Sabalenka's second serve, Osaka resurgent, Rybakina wins a title, Raducanu bagelled
It's the Middle East swing and James Gray, George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton are back home in the UK, picking the bones out of the action. They answered your questions too, including: What does British tennis get from players switching allegiance to...
02.08.2024
Q&A with Calvin and George on Sky Sports, surface changes and Davis Cup venues + Murray bites back and Raducanu shows promise
Thanks to everyone who voted for us in the Sports Podcast Awards. We came SECOND, a one-place improvement on last year, but still losing out to Dan Kiernan. We shall overcome! We're back as a trio this week, a little later...
01.31.2024
Australian Open review: How many slams will Sinner win? How much credit does Sabalenka deserve for obliterating a weak draw?
That's it! The Australian Open is in the books once and for all. Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are the champions (the first men and women's champion at any slam since the early 1990s to share the same first letter...
01.28.2024
Australian Open finals, day 14+15: Sinner's comeback and Sabalenka's Serena-like dominance
THANK YOU to everyone who voted for us in the Sports Podcast Awards. The results will be revealed later this year and we look forward to seeing the fruits of your endeavours. To review both singles finals, George Bellshaw in London...
01.27.2024
Australian Open, Day 13: Djokovic LOST?! Sinner reaches maiden final before Medvedev outlasts Zverev
VOTE FOR US. We have once again been short-listed for a Sports Podcast Award in the tennis category - but now we need YOU to help us win it. Time is running out as voting closes on January 28th. Vote...
01.26.2024
Australian Open, Day 12: Unstoppable Sabalenka and what's wrong with Gauff's serve?
VOTE FOR US. We have once again been short-listed for a Sports Podcast Award in the tennis category - but now we need YOU to help us win it. Time is running out as voting closes on January 28th. Vote...
01.24.2024
Australian Open, Day 11: Alcaraz is OUT, Zverev serves like a dream and Medvedev exhausts himself again
TIME IS RUNNING OUT - both existentially but also in terms of voting for us in the Sports Podcast Awards. Please do it, do it now: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ (Apologies for the sound issues here: Calvin's laptop charger got torched by Doha airport...
01.21.2024
Australian Open, Day 8: Calvin waves goodbye to Australia by having a run-in with security
Vote for us! Seriously. Please. We need your help. Badly. https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Calvin and James discuss... Calvin's overall impressions of the Australian Open - and a run-in with security Alex de Minaur, hot or not? (Tennis-wise...) Can Taylor Fritz stop Novak Djokovic? Previewing Alcaraz vs Kecmanovic,...
01.20.2024
Australian Open, Day 7: Calvin on Norrie, Novak and Nuno + Raducanu, meal-planning and more
Vote for us! https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Calvin and James discuss... Novak Djokovic finding his best form Cameron Norrie turning into peak Tim Henman Nuno Borges and Arthur Cazaux making shock runs to the fourth round Emma Raducanu trying to tag her opponent on match point Aryna Sabalenka or...
01.18.2024
RIP Mike Dickson
Mike Dickson, the Daily Mail's long-serving tennis correspondent, has died suddenly at the age of 59. Mike was in Melbourne covering the Australian Open for the Daily Mail with his usual gusto and good humour. But on Wednesday, we were given...
01.17.2024
Australian Open, Day 4: I found Calvin!
Vote for us! https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
01.16.2024
Australian Open, Day 3: Draper shows his guts, Raducanu is back and Swiatek is tested
VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ ** Tonight, James is joined by Eleanor Crooks of the Press Association to talk through the day's play. Here are the...
01.16.2024
Australian Open, Day 2: The end for Murray? + questions about war go unanswered, Nadal signs up with the Saudis
VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ *** By Press Association Andy Murray suffered only his second opening-round defeat at the Australian Open in 16 years on a sobering evening for...
01.15.2024
Australian Open, Day 1: Is Djokovic fully fit? + Prizmic arrives, Berrettini withdraws and Anisimova returns
VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ ** Novak Djokovic beat Dino Prizmic in four sets, the match of the day on the opening Sunday of the Australian...
01.13.2024
Inside the Australian Open with doubles star Henry Patten and coach Calvin Betton
VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Enter #FTU (Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered) for FREE: https://shorturl.at/krT37 Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a doubles player on...
01.13.2024
Australian Open preview: Draw analysis and predictions for winners and the Brits
VOTE FOR US, because time is running out to help us win best tennis podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ Enter #FTU (Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered) for FREE: https://shorturl.at/krT37 James Gray and George Bellshaw sit down to take the Australian Open draw...
01.09.2024
Tennis is back, Nadal is out and Djokovic is beaten - but what does it all MEAN?
VOTE FOR US in the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ We're back! Welcome to 2024 - where we hope we do not encounter as many technical issues as we did in the opening episode... Calvin Betton is (briefly) live from rainy Adelaide, James Gray...
01.01.2024
New Year's Day special: Getting to know Calvin Betton
VOTE FOR US in the Sports Podcast Awards: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-tennis-podcast/ As we take a two-week break over the festive season, James Gray turns the spotlight onto Calvin Betton, Tennis Unfiltered's resident tennis coach. Born in south Yorkshire in the 1970s, we talk about...
12.25.2023
Christmas special: Our mystery guest talks about his dream doubles partner, why he moved on from tennis and some world-class fence-sitting
It's Christmas so we are taking some time off, but we have recorded a couple of special episodes to keep you going in the festive period. This week, James turns the spotlight onto George Bellshaw, born in 1992 in Sutton Coldfield...
12.18.2023
Live from UTS Grand Final as Jack Draper wins half a million + the rest of your questions answered
Once more with feeling... for the last time this year, our Tennis Unfiltered crew get together for an hour of discussion, laughter and, occasionally, tennis. To help you navigate the last "live" episode (there will be two specials over Christmas and...
12.12.2023
Your questions answered on Federer and Djokovic's 'weak eras', the LTA, blisters, loads more + 2023 awards results revealed
If you have more questions for the pod, send them to [email protected] and we will try to get to them (along with all the others) next week. James Gray, George Bellshaw, Calvin Betton and you the listener vote on the 2023...
12.05.2023
The 2023 Tennis Unfiltered Awards: Voting opens for player of the year, moment of the year, doubles team and more
It's awards season! As 2023 comes to a close, James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw start to mull over who's hot and who is not after a dramatic 12 months. Maybe the more things change the more they stay...
11.28.2023
How Sinner led Italy to Davis Cup glory over Djokovic and the rest, BJK Cup draw and the Next Gen hits Saudi
George Bellshaw is still on holiday for one more week so former player turned now presenter, commentator and broadcaster Pippa Horn joins James Gray (inews.co.uk and i newspaper) and Calvin Betton (ATP coach) Italy win the Davis Cup final, powered by...
11.21.2023
Djokovic bosses the ATP World Tour Finals - can he now win the Davis Cup again?
Calvin Betton (coach of Henry Patten and Luke Johnson) and James Gray (inews.co.uk) are joined by Ben Lewis (Match Point Canada) subbing in for George Bellshaw to look back at the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin and ahead to...
11.14.2023
Why Murray and Lendl split, Djokovic and Swiatek seal year-end No 1 + your Qs on Mannarino, Billy Harris and rival podcasts
George Bellshaw delays his holiday to join James Gray and Calvin Betton to look through another full week of tennis news Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl have split for a third time Novak Djokovic's win over Holger Rune seals year-end world No...
11.07.2023
Novak Djokovic is chasing down Jimmy Connors, rethinking the Masters and more WTA madness
"He was like the Donald Trump of tennis!" Listen on to find out who Calvin Betton was talking about when he said this. Our resident tennis coach was in fine form with George Bellshaw (ex-Metro) and James Gray (inews.co.uk) watching...
10.31.2023
Andy Murray beaten by the Demon AGAIN, Toni Nadal says tennis players have gone soft and the WTA Finals is a mess
It's another weekly tennis round-up featuring tennis coach Calvin Betton, fresh off a German carpet, broadcaster and columnist George Bellshaw, fresh off a practice court, and James Gray (inews.co.uk) is on dog duty. They discussed: Another defeat for a downbeat Andy Murray...
10.24.2023
Why Raducanu's coaches 'can't keep up', Boris Becker is Rune's new man and the mystery of appearance fees
We have to start with an apology: James was hit by serious technical gremlins this week that mean his audio died just a few minutes into the podcast and we have had to rely on the emergency back-up. Hopefully it...
10.17.2023
Views on shoes, a load of balls, the underrated Hurkacz and the passive aggression of Federer-Nadal-Djokovic
Calvin Betton tunes in from Stockholm to join George Bellshaw and James Gray for another look back at the week that was in tennis. What it's like inside the 250 in Stockholm Why was Leylah Fernandez wearing basketball shoes? Does Eva Lys have...
10.09.2023
Jannik Sinner comes of age, Coco Gauff is back to square one and Stefanos Tsitsipas has his Dad back
James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw talk about all the biggest issues from tennis last week including... Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in consecutive matches to win the Beijing title and move to a career-high No 4...
10.02.2023
Tennis fans dressed as empty seats in China, Evans's take on limpy Sinner and Wim Fisette's contract
Calvin Betton (@calvbetton), George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) and James Gray (@JamesGraySport) discuss all the latest issues in tennis this week. Including... - How does a tennis coach work from home? - What can video analysis do for you? - Is Wim Fissette wrong to dump...
09.25.2023
What is the point of the Laver Cup?
George Bellshaw and Calvin Betton join James Gray to answer the big questions in the world of tennis this week, including: What is the point of the Laver Cup? Can it survive without Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and co? Wouldn't it be...
09.19.2023
Will Simona Halep ever come back from her doping ban?
James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw discuss all the latest news from the tennis world over the last seven days, including... - What Sky Sports said about YOUR feedback on their coverage of the US Open - The WTA make their...
09.11.2023
US Open review: Is Novak Djokovic just cashing in on the weakest era of all time?
Calvin Betton joins James Gray and (very briefly) George Bellshaw to look back at the US Open and answer as many of your questions as possible in an hour Why did Daniil Medvedev not change his return position? Is Novak Djokovic just...
09.10.2023
US Open day 14: Coco Gauff's brilliant US Open acceptance speech and three key battlegrounds in Djokovic vs Medvedev
George Bellshaw joins James Gray (inews.co.uk/i newspaper) to look back at Coco Gauff's maiden grand slam title and one last preview of the men's final Should we bother interviewing players after finals or just give them the microphone? What next for Coco...
09.09.2023
US Open finals weekend: THAT Djokovic celebration, Medvedev springs a surprise and predicting Gauff vs Sabalenka
It's US Open finals weekend! James Gray and George Bellshaw discuss... Two pantomime villains, one more willing than the other, in Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev How Carlos Alcaraz was unpicked by the 2021 US Open champion Whether Coco Gauff can handle the occasion What...
09.08.2023
US Open, day 12: The gameplan Ben Shelton needs to beat Novak Djokovic and why Alcaraz vs Medvedev is not a forgone conclusion
Calvin Betton and James Gray look back at the women's semi-finals and ahead to the men's on Friday night... What has Coco Gauff *actually* done with her forehand to add racket head speed? How Aryna Sabalenka became world No 1 The gameplan Ben...
09.07.2023
US Open semi-final predictions: Any upsets for Djokovic and Alcaraz? Destiny for Coco Gauff?
James Gray and George Bellshaw look back at the US Open quarter-finals and make their predictions for the semis Can anything, or anyone, stop Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz from reaching the final? What does Ben Shelton have to do to stop...
09.06.2023
US Open quarter-finals: Djokovic's angry outburst, Gauff becomes favourite and how Sabalenka became No 1
James Gray is joined by former player, now broadcaster and commentator Pippa Horn to talk about the latest US Open news including... Coco Gauff thrashes Jelena Ostapenko in just 67 minutes to cement her place as favourite for the title Karoline Muchova...

What's Tennis Unfiltered about?

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Tennis Unfiltered episodes:

Djokovic out of Madrid, Raducanu on a roll, Muguruza retires and Calvin's Bucharest review

Tsitsipas bucks a trend to win Monte Carlo, Raducanu returns in fine form and umpiring woes

WTA confirm Saudi deal, Nadal out of another tournament, Danielle Collins on the charge + a first ATP title for Calvin!

Djokovic's coach split, Murray's ankle injury, Sinner is still rolling and Danielle Collins is NOT retiring

Andy Murray's up-and-down week in Miami, Halep's spat with Wozniacki and the best match-ups in tennis

Alcaraz back in the winners' circle, Swiatek dominates the desert, Federer complains about lack of variety

EXTRA: Reaction as Saudi Arabia launches $2bn bid for tennis and slams respond with Premium Tour

Nadal quits Indian Wells, Halep’s ban reduced and why Netflix has cancelled tennis

Rublev wins back $100k+ over DQ controversy, a review of 'The Netflix Slam' and another big Katie Boulter week

The ups and downs of Andy Murray, Kalinskaya's (almost) dream run and why grass ain't grass like it used to be

Is Jannik Sinner unstoppable, Swiatek's Serena streak, the death of the single-hander and more!

Passport switching, Sabalenka's second serve, Osaka resurgent, Rybakina wins a title, Raducanu bagelled

Q&A with Calvin and George on Sky Sports, surface changes and Davis Cup venues + Murray bites back and Raducanu shows promise

Australian Open review: How many slams will Sinner win? How much credit does Sabalenka deserve for obliterating a weak draw?

Australian Open finals, day 14+15: Sinner's comeback and Sabalenka's Serena-like dominance

Australian Open, Day 13: Djokovic LOST?! Sinner reaches maiden final before Medvedev outlasts Zverev

Australian Open, Day 12: Unstoppable Sabalenka and what's wrong with Gauff's serve?

Australian Open, Day 11: Alcaraz is OUT, Zverev serves like a dream and Medvedev exhausts himself again

Australian Open, Day 8: Calvin waves goodbye to Australia by having a run-in with security

Australian Open, Day 7: Calvin on Norrie, Novak and Nuno + Raducanu, meal-planning and more

RIP Mike Dickson

Australian Open, Day 4: I found Calvin!

Australian Open, Day 3: Draper shows his guts, Raducanu is back and Swiatek is tested

Australian Open, Day 2: The end for Murray? + questions about war go unanswered, Nadal signs up with the Saudis

Australian Open, Day 1: Is Djokovic fully fit? + Prizmic arrives, Berrettini withdraws and Anisimova returns

Inside the Australian Open with doubles star Henry Patten and coach Calvin Betton

Australian Open preview: Draw analysis and predictions for winners and the Brits

Tennis is back, Nadal is out and Djokovic is beaten - but what does it all MEAN?

New Year's Day special: Getting to know Calvin Betton

Christmas special: Our mystery guest talks about his dream doubles partner, why he moved on from tennis and some world-class fence-sitting

Live from UTS Grand Final as Jack Draper wins half a million + the rest of your questions answered

Your questions answered on Federer and Djokovic's 'weak eras', the LTA, blisters, loads more + 2023 awards results revealed

The 2023 Tennis Unfiltered Awards: Voting opens for player of the year, moment of the year, doubles team and more

How Sinner led Italy to Davis Cup glory over Djokovic and the rest, BJK Cup draw and the Next Gen hits Saudi

Djokovic bosses the ATP World Tour Finals - can he now win the Davis Cup again?

Why Murray and Lendl split, Djokovic and Swiatek seal year-end No 1 + your Qs on Mannarino, Billy Harris and rival podcasts

Novak Djokovic is chasing down Jimmy Connors, rethinking the Masters and more WTA madness

Andy Murray beaten by the Demon AGAIN, Toni Nadal says tennis players have gone soft and the WTA Finals is a mess

Why Raducanu's coaches 'can't keep up', Boris Becker is Rune's new man and the mystery of appearance fees

Views on shoes, a load of balls, the underrated Hurkacz and the passive aggression of Federer-Nadal-Djokovic

Jannik Sinner comes of age, Coco Gauff is back to square one and Stefanos Tsitsipas has his Dad back

Tennis fans dressed as empty seats in China, Evans's take on limpy Sinner and Wim Fisette's contract

What is the point of the Laver Cup?

Will Simona Halep ever come back from her doping ban?

US Open review: Is Novak Djokovic just cashing in on the weakest era of all time?

US Open day 14: Coco Gauff's brilliant US Open acceptance speech and three key battlegrounds in Djokovic vs Medvedev

US Open finals weekend: THAT Djokovic celebration, Medvedev springs a surprise and predicting Gauff vs Sabalenka

US Open, day 12: The gameplan Ben Shelton needs to beat Novak Djokovic and why Alcaraz vs Medvedev is not a forgone conclusion

US Open semi-final predictions: Any upsets for Djokovic and Alcaraz? Destiny for Coco Gauff?

US Open quarter-finals: Djokovic's angry outburst, Gauff becomes favourite and how Sabalenka became No 1