Nothing Major

Following a blockbuster week of tennis, Jack, John, Sam and Stevie discuss Rafael Nadal's farewell to the sport. The boys take a deep dive into the career of one of tennis’s all-time greats. From the quirks that made him iconic to their own personal stories—including Stevie shaving his moustache to avoid an iconic thrashing on clay and Isner’s hook up at the Rafa Nadal Academy.

The boys review Jannik Sinner’s ATP Finals triumph, his massive payday, and what it means for 2025. With fellow American Taylor Fritz reaching the final, the gang breakdown his 2024 season, reflecting on what made him stand out from their first memories of Taylor on Tour.

Plus, the gang answer the question: what is the most underrated accomplishment of Rafael Nadal's career?

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With the ATP Finals underway, Jack, John, Steve, and Sam discuss the end-of-year tournament featuring the top 8 men’s players in the world and review this year’s finalists.

Jack and John reflect on their personal experiences playing in the prestigious event, while Sam shares what it’s like to be an alternate at one of tennis’s biggest stages.

The crew dive into some early predictions for 2025, quiz Jack on the numerous times he’s struck an opponent with his forehand, and decide to debate the best cereals on the market.

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Jack, John, Sam, and Stevie dive back into the Major Mailbag to answer some of your best questions. The crew ranks the nine Masters 1000 events from best to worst and offers an insight into how tennis racket and clothing sponsorships really work. Plus, they tackle their toughest question yet: which streak of dominance is more impressive—Rafael Nadal on clay or Steve Johnson in college?

And with it being election week, the Nothing Major team holds their own important debate: If you were the Commissioner of Tennis, in charge of directing the future of the sport, what would your vision look like, and what changes would you propose?

(00:00) Intro

(00:36) Welcome and Guest Introductions

(00:55) Alcaraz Discussion

(01:58) Grand Slams vs. Masters 1000

(02:30) Jack Sock Joins the Podcast

(03:38) Jack's Pickleball Experience

(04:16) John's Support for Dallas Flash

(04:27) Fan Questions

(04:39) Ranking the Masters 1000 Events

(08:40) Why Indian Wells is a Favorite

(09:34) John's Machine Return Saga

(11:10) Should Catching a Ball Toss be a Fault?

(14:00) Clothing and Racket Sponsorship

(17:10) Novak and Sergio Tacchini Rumor

(19:09) Changing Rackets During Career

(21:05) Comparing Skills

(22:56) Steve College vs Rafa Clay winning streak

(27:02) Craziest Courts Experiences

(34:20) Trolling Steve + CVs

(37:09) The Best Commissioner of Tennis

(45:52) Outro

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For the first time, Jack, John, Sam, and Stevie welcome their coach, Craig Boynton, to the podcast! Having coached all four members of the Nothing Major crew, Craig shares some unforgettable stories—from almost stopping a match to introduce Sam Querrey to David Beckham, to how his bladder hasn’t been the same since witnessing the legendary Isner vs. Mahut Wimbledon marathon. Plus The boys put Coach Craig on the Hot Seat, hitting him with tough questions about his former players, including who was the hardest to coach.

As the ATP Tour heads to Paris, Jack reminisces about his memories in the City of Lights, while Sam reveals a bizarre reason for his aversion to the city.

And in the show’s wildest segment yet, Sam finally confronts his ultimate hater, face-to-face...

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The boys are back with a special guest: former World No. 8 and John’s favorite doubles partner, Diego Schwartzman. Diego opens up about his plans for retirement in 2025, reflecting on his journey to the top, sharing stories of his favorite matches, and the moments he’ll never forget on tour.

With Halloween around the corner, Jack, Sam, Stevie, and John exchange dad-life Halloween experiences before ranking the best and worst of the holiday's candy (candy corn).

Fresh off Saudi Arabia’s Six Kings Slam, the squad weighs in on the event, Sinner’s impressive run and it's jaw-dropping prize money. And in a pull from the Major Mailbag, a listener asks where each of the pod hosts would be ranked if they made a comeback on tour in 2025.

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With the news of Rafael Nadal's retirement, Jack, Sam, Stevie, and John reflect on the Spaniard's incredible legacy and share their memories on what it's like facing off against one of the GOATs.

The boys welcome fellow non-major winner, World No. 8 and 3-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud to the podcast. Casper discusses competing for a spot in this year's ATP Finals, playing against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in Grand Slam finals and THAT Netflix moment in the French Open tunnel. The boys quiz him on his Norwegian celebrity status, rate his favorite American fast food spots, and and hear why he’s glad he never became World No. 1, despite being just one point away.

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Jack, Sam, Stevie and John dive back into the Major Mailbag to answer your questions about the Asian Swing.

The boys reflect on their favorite memories from the Swing, reveal some of the best gifts they received from super fans, and discuss haggling at the Chinese markets.

John remembers a botched sponsor event with Roger Federer and Sam reveals how a glass table in Bangkok almost ended his tennis career.

(00:00) Intro

(00:59) Plunger Talk

(03:02) Johnsons and Querreys Play Date

(04:00) The Morgan Wallen Experience

(07:23) Snake Draft Poll Results

(10:18) Fan Questions: Asian Swing

(12:38) Getting a Rolex in Shanghai

(14:14) Ask Anything to Roger Federer

(15:56) A New Tournament in the Asian Swing?

(17:17) The Bangkok Near-Death Experience

(20:24) Roddick’s VIP Hotel Room

(21:18) Super Fans in Asia

(23:36) Nishikorimania

(25:57) Lucky-Loser vs. Federer

(27:17) Train Ride Experience with Nadal

(29:26) Sam’s Fraudulent First Class Ticket

(32:05) Favorite Asian Swing Memories

(35:55) Haggling in Chinese Markets

(38:34) The Fake Watch Confusion

(39:37) Outro

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Hollywood's Boris Kodjoe joins the podcast as this week's special guest. The former college tennis player turned actor and model quizzes the boys on everything from their superstitions, to what they might have done differently in their careers. Jack, Sam, Stevie, and John draft the best fall tournaments, with an absolute howler coming from the podcast's tallest host, and Boris uses his experience as one of the '50 Sexiest Men Alive' to rank the boys modeling potential.

Follow us on social at @nothingmajorpod

(00:00) Intro

(00:51) Jack’s Golf Experience

(02:33) Steve’s Update

(03:39) Sam's Bid on Mardy Fish’s Hit

(05:44) Fall Tournament Snake Draft Rules

(06:58) The Draft Begins

(10:30) Round 2 Picks

(12:19) The Worst Pick Ever

(15:06) Steve’s Dirty and Sweet Pick

(17:52) Round 2 Recap

(18:12) The Final Round Begins

(21:35) Prank Calls in Basel

(22:45) Jack Facing Federer in Switzerland

(23:33) Final Results

(25:05) Introducing Boris Kodjoe

(25:40) '50 Sexiest Men Alive' List

(26:22) Who’s the Best-Looking?

(27:52) The Naked Surprise

(30:06) Transition from Tennis to Modeling

(32:01) Best Tennis Celeb?

(33:00) Similarities Between Tennis and the Entertainment World

(35:16) Our Tennis Superstitions

(38:14) Game: Choose an NMP Member

(42:26) Boris Fixing Our Games

(44:32) The One Regret

(47:48) Controversial Final Question

(49:04) Outro

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As the tennis tour heads to Beijing and Tokyo, Jack, Sam, Stevie, and John discuss why they choose to play each tournament and what the experience is really like for the players. Stevie recounts his “worst trip ever” to the Great Wall of China, the gang takes a crack at guessing how much tennis fans would pay for a hit with Sam, and Jack admits he has no idea how tennis' ranking system works. With the season winding down, the boys make their predictions for the year-end finals. Plus, after receiving a desperate DM from a die-hard fan, they risk it all by inviting them onto the pod to ask whatever they want...

Follow us on social at @nothingmajorpod

(00:00) Intro

(00:32) Birthday Bet

(02:20) Wife’s Invasion

(04:00) Complaints About Balls and Courts

(05:03) The Price Is Right Moment

(07:58) Black Tie Debate and Hot Takes

(09:27) Choosing Between Beijing or Tokyo ATPs

(12:33) Why Steve Played in Tokyo

(13:42) Toughest Tournament

(15:53) Steve’s Horrible Experience in Beijing

(17:08) Worst Day at the Great Wall of China

(19:17) Is the Asian Swing Underrated?

(20:53) Beijing vs. Tokyo: Final Result

(21:29) Year-End Predictions

(21:41) Will Djokovic Miss the ATP Finals?

(23:50) Dark Horse to play the ATP Finals

(26:55) Will Fritz End the Season in the Top 5?

(30:13) Who Will Miss Out?

(31:12) Jack’s Ranking Confusion

(32:02) Fan Invasion

(33:46) Question for the Stallion

(35:33) Ranking Challenge

(36:41) How Jack Ended a Fan’s Career

(38:11) John Isner’s Fresh Air

(38:59) The Betrayal

(40:21) College Tennis: Yes or No?

(41:55) Jack’s Magic Run in Paris

(44:44) Trolling Sam

(45:40) Outro

(46:27) Random Player of the Week

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Fresh off an incredible run to the US Open final, the No. 1 American, Taylor Fritz, joins the podcast to share his thoughts on his first major final and life since then. Jack, Sam, Steve, and John quiz Taylor on who among them inspired him the most as a junior, and debate who’s more recognizable in public—Taylor or his girlfriend, Morgan.

Plus, it's Laver Cup weekend and the boys reflect on their experiences playing in the event, which pits Europe's best tennis players against Team World. John reveals why Chicago was his favorite Laver Cup venue and Jack shares what it was like to compete against and defeat Roger Federer in his final match and the whirlwind that followed.

(00:00) Intro

(00:39) The Napa Challenger

(02:14) The White Jacquet Prize

(05:45) Introducing Taylor Fritz

(06:17) Putting US Open in Perspective

(07:19) Biggest Moment

(08:56) Cheering for Sinner?

(10:42) Celebrities in the Crowd

(11:33) Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

(12:01) Looking on the Bright Side

(14:12) Preparation Before the US Open

(15:42) Brutal Post-Practice After US Open

(16:47) Celebrating and Gaming 12 Hours a Day

(18:48) Being Recognized

(19:59) Morgan vs. Taylor: Who’s More Famous?

(21:24) Sponsors in Player Boxes

(23:31) US Players Debate

(25:06) US Open 2024 vs. Indian Wells 2022

(26:19) Laver Cup Experiences

(27:14) Exhibition or Serious Event?

(30:39) The Most Electric Set That Never Happened

(32:25) Jack Makes John Look Bad

(33:21) The Villain in Federer’s Final Match

(36:42) Most Hate Ever

(37:44) Reaction to Hitting Roger

(38:25) Greatest Laver Cup History

(40:44) Favorite Laver Cup Venues

(42:41) Being Intimidated by Federer

(45:16) Would You Rather Game

(45:58) Taylor Owns the Group

(46:14) Fritz Makes Stevie Snap

(46:46) US Open vs. Australian Open

(47:26) Hypothetical US Open Final

(49:00) Putting Taylor on the Spot

(50:41) Best Shot to Steal?

(53:22) Laver Cup Expectations

(54:30) Name the Randomest Tennis Player

(55:50) Outro

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