Today Mert Ertunga joins host Chris Oddo to break down some of the more significant improvements that we witnessed in 2020.
Mert is a former Davis Cup player and Captain for Turkey, and also a former NCAA coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has a keen eye for the intricacies of the sport and offers many insights on players who made strides in 2020.

Players discussed:
Jennifer Brady
Ons Jabeur
Fiona Ferro
Iga Swiatek
Elena Rybakina
Nadia Podoroska
Denis Shapovalov
Andrey Rublev
Ugo Humbert
Jannik Sinner
Follow Mert's blog at http://www.mertovstennisdesk.com/ and follow him on Twitter here:
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Mert Ertunga on the Most Improved Players of 2020

Hosted by Chris Oddo and Produced by Tennis Now and Tennis Express, the Lucky Letcord Podcast gives you in-depth analysis and insights from the ATP and WTA Tours.

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This week on the Lucky Letcord Podcast Richard Pagliaro joins Chris Oddo to break down the March Madness known as the Sunshine Double. 
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Breaking Down Indian Wells and Miami and Looking Forward to Clay

Andrey Rublev was defaulted in today's Dubai semifinal, causing us to revisit memories of David Nalbandian at Queen's Club in 2012 and Novak Djokovic at the US Open in 2020. What went wrong? Whose fault was the default? What could have been done differently?

WE talk about this and more in today's podcast, as we venture beyond Dubai to discuss upcoming events at Indian Wells in Miami.

Items discussed:

Who's hot? Who's not?

When will Andy Murray retire?

Rafa and Nole back at Indian Wells, will it be the last time they both come together?

Jakub Mensik... how good is this kid?

Osaka and Wozniacki comebacks, what is the upside?

And so much more!
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Rublev Boils Over in Dubai and Indian Wells is Here!

Richard Pagliaro and Erik Gudris join host Chris Oddo to recap the 2024 Australian Open.
We commence with a brief convo of late night finishes in Melbourne. Can anything be done to limit the damage of players staying on court until after 3 AM at the majors?
Then we proceed into a breakdown of a player who was impacted by such madness - Daniil Medvedev. What can the Russian do to get over the hump at the majors, and how can he get through a Slam with more fuel in his tank. Medvedev famously spent 24:17 on court, a new record for time on court at a major, and dropped a two sets to love lead in the final as the fatigue set in.
Of course we move to Jannik Sinner next. What makes him special and what does his title run mean for the shape of the ATP season? Does he have a shot at No.1? What, specifically, made his performance a cut above the rest of the field, and is it repeatable?
On to the women, we talk about the wild chaos in the top half of the women's draw? Is it a sign of cracks in the armor of the top players, or yet another indication of the supreme depth of the WTA Tour?
Then, to Aryna Sabalenka and her breathtaking, unblemished run to the title. What can we say about her that hasn't already been said? A few things, it turns out.
Finally we look at China's Zheng Qinwen and what made her run to the final special. Yes, she didn't take out a Top 50 player en route to the final, and that is rare, but that doesn't mean she isn't deserving.
And finally, a list of things that made the fortnight special. Things that may have been lost in the blur of a final weekend that captivated us and gave us tunnel vision. Remember Arthur Cazaux? Rohan Bopanna? Hsieh Su-Wei? We do...
Thanks for listening!
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Sinner Sails, Sabalenka Storms! 2024 AO in Review

In today's edition of the Lucky Letcord Podcast Richard Pagliaro and Erik Gudris join host Chris Oddo to preview the 2024 Australian Open.

Topics discussed: 


Nole's push for a 25th major and an 11th at Melbourne Park.

The four corners of the men's draw, and why Alcaraz could face a difficult path to the final weekend. 

Sinner's progress against Djokovic in 2023. 

The return of Naomi Osaka and what we might see from the four-time Slam champion at this year's AO.

Coco Gauff and her chances of backing up her US Open breakthrough. 

The solid state of the WTA's Top 4. 

The next American man to win a major? Who? What? When? Where? 


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AO 2024 Preview: 25 for Nole? Osaka Back in the Slam Game

2023 - what a year for tennis? And a wild one as well...
Richard Pagliaro and Erik Gudris stop by to help us relive the glory of the tennis season that was, covering the big sweeping storylines as well as some of the subtle trends that emerged.
We start with a deep discussion of our key moments, followed by a deep dive into Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, our 2023 players of the year, before veering into a closer look at the brewing Sinner v Alcaraz rivalry and what we can expect from it - and from those rising talents - in 2024.
We also talk about the players who can present a challenge to Iga Swiatek in 2024 and the state of the WTA Tour with regard to leadership, and finance.
There's also a section on our favorite Grand Slam finals of 2024, as well as some chatter about the next American man to win a major!
Thanks for listening and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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Mert Ertunga on the Most Improved Players of 2020

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