Nothing Major

The stage is set for blockbuster finale down under. In our Australian Open semifinal recap, Sam and Steve discuss Novak Djokovic’s unexpected withdrawal against Alexander Zverev, the bizarre boos from the home crowd during his exit and Jannik Sinner’s commanding win over Ben Shelton.

The boys dive into Aryna Sabalenka's comfortable win over Paula Badosa, and Madison Keys' impressive upset over World No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Can Keys capture her first major title, despite the haunting experience of an accidental midnight Facetime from Sam right after her semifinal win?

Plus, the team dives into the stakes of the ultimate pickleball showdown, answer some fan questions and offer their bold predictions for Sunday’s finals!

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(00:00) Intro

(01:30) Australian Open Men’s Semi-finals Breakdown

(01:40) Zverev vs. Djokovic: Novak Retires After One Set

(04:59) Why Did the Aussie Crowd Boo Djokovic?

(07:05) Sinner vs. Shelton: Jannik Advances to the Final

(12:17) The Australian Open Men’s Final: Sinner vs. Zverev

(13:16) Can Zverev Win His First Grand Slam?

(15:16) Predictions: Jannik or Sascha?

(16:18) Women’s Semi-finals: Sabalenka vs. Badosa

(17:18) Paula Badosa’s Remarkable Comeback

(18:24) Aryna Sabalenka’s Mentality Shift

(19:52) Keys vs. Swiatek: The Match of the Tournament

(20:16) Sam Accidentally FaceTimes Madison Keys

(22:14) Steve’s Take on Madison Keys

(25:42) Sabalenka vs. Keys: Women’s Final Preview

(29:12) Snake Draft Update: The Pickleball Showdown

(32:13) Fan Questions: Playing Day vs. Night Sessions in Australia

(33:45) How Do Players Receive Their Prize Money?

(35:05) Final Trivia Question

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As the Australian Open hits the business end of the tournament, Something Major is here to break down all the quarterfinal action from both the men’s and women’s draws.

On the men’s side, we kick off with Djokovic’s gritty win over Alcaraz before moving onto Shelton’s big-match energy, Zverev’s chances for a title and Jannik Sinner’s dominant performance over De Minaur. Is Sinner the favorite to win it all now? And can Zverev get his first Grand Slam win over Djokovic?

On the women’s side, we spotlight Sabalenka’s hard court dominance, Badosa’s surprising win over Coco, and Swiatek’s machine-like approach as she marches through the draw. Who is the current favorite? And can Madison Keys pull off the upset of the tournament with a semifinal showdown against Iga?

Last but not least, we close the show with a Snake Draft update (pickleball showdown pending!) and Aussie Open trivia.

(00:00) On today’s episode…

(00:47) The wet handshake reaction & what’s ahead

(02:06) Djokovic’s gritty win over Alcaraz

(07:12) Did Paul let his match vs. Zverev slip away?

(11:12) Can Zverev actually win?

(12:52) Shoutout: Moutet is Sam’s new favorite artist

(13:35) Shelton’s Slam-winning it-factor

(15:56) Sinner’s surreal moment

(18:18) Why Shelton isn’t afraid of Sinner

(20:32) Badosa’s big upset over Gauff

(23:02) Sabalenka’s rise: Australia’s new Queen?

(24:20) The friendship factor in high-stakes matches

(25:17) “Iga is a machine!”

(27:32) Tech controversies: Old-school vs. VAR

(30:34) Can Keys give Swiatek trouble?

(33:31) Semifinals predictions

(36:30) Snakedraft update & punishments!

(38:10) Fan shoutouts

(38:58) Goodbye & AusOpen trivia!

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As Week 2 of the Australian Open heats up, the boys break down the biggest storylines from the Round of 16 and preview each quarterfinal matchup. From the highly anticipated Djokovic vs. Alcaraz showdown to De Minaur’s game plan to upset Sinner, and the odds of an American man making the semifinals—there’s no shortage of storylines to unpack.

Can Novak Djokovic channel off court controversy into a competitive edge? And should Jannik Sinner fans be worried about his fitness heading into the business end of the tournament?

Plus, the Snake Draft drama intensifies as Sam and Steve brace for a potential last-place tie.

00:00 Introduction and Round Four Results

00:47 Pet Peeves in Tennis: The Hair Fixation

04:09 Upcoming Episodes and Special Guests

05:32 Novak Djokovic's Performance and Controversy

10:15 Quarterfinals Preview: Djokovic vs. Alcaraz

13:33 Quarterfinals Preview: Paul vs. Zverev

18:02 Quarterfinals Preview: Sinner vs. De Minaur

22:12 Analyzing Player Fitness and Matchups

23:33 Alex's Impressive Australian Open Record

24:46 Shelton vs. Sango: Quarterfinal Predictions

25:59 Shelton's Competitive Edge

28:01 The Music Side of Lorenzo Sango

29:31 American Players in the Final Eight

30:17 The High Stakes of the Snake Draft

33:28 Tennis Trivia: Yannick Sinner's RecordEpisode 4: Australian Open Quarterfinals Preview and Analysis

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While the tournament favorites continue to march through the draw, it’s the Americans who have been making noise down under. The boys discuss the impressive performances from Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien, while debating their chances to make even deeper runs in Melbourne.

We also get into Gael Monfils, stunning No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz with an inspired performance. Can the 38 year-old Frenchman keep the magic alive? Last but not least, we wrap the episode with our Round 4 predictions and revisit the heated Australian Open Snake Draft standings.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Updates

01:06 Pickleball and Friendly Banter

01:46 Top Tennis Players Analysis

04:20 Gael Monfils' Impressive Run

10:11 Young Tennis Talents on the Rise

15:51 Next Gen Stars and Future Predictions

17:12 Tennis Season Timing and Rankings Update

17:37 Snake Draft Standings and Predictions

18:53 Loser Punishments Discussion

21:07 Round Four Match Predictions

26:12 Aussie Open Trivia and Gossip Corner

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The Aussie Open is heating up, and so is Something Major! We keep our attention on the men's side of the draw where we break down the stand out performances and surprises in Round 2 as well as preview the biggest stories heading into Round 3. The boys also touch on the American men having success down under from Taylor Fritz’s dominant start to Learner Tien’s breakout performance against Medvedev.

Finally, a new leader emerges in our Nothing Major Snake Draft and the guys discuss a fan submitted penalty. Could we see one of our hosts lace them up again for a $25k Future Tournament?

(00:00) Welcome to Something Major!

(00:47) Shoutout to Learner Tien

(03:03) Struggling to Say “João”

(03:48) Steve Nails His Prediction

(04:05) Top Seeds Performance So Far

(06:26) Fritz’s Pre-Season Gains and Evolution

(09:48) Our Predictions… That Flopped

(10:36) Sam Gets Sad with João’s Loss

(10:54) Frances Early Exit

(11:15) Machac, Paul, and the Tiny Shorts Trend

(11:55) Spotting Potential Dark Horses

(12:59) Michelsen’s Chances vs. Khachanov

(14:19) Marcos Giron and Tennis’ High School Hall of Fame

(15:04) Snakedraft Recap

(17:13) YOUR Punishments Suggestions!

(18:33) Round 3 Predictions

(20:52) Tien Upsets Medvedev—What a Moment!

(21:48) Signing Off with AusOpen Trivia Fun

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The Australian Open is underway, and we’re doing Something Major—round by round recaps and previews from the men's side of the draw. For the next two weeks, we’re dropping episodes every other day, keeping you up to date with all the action Down Under.

In this episode, we spotlight the seeds that delivered, the unexpected exits, and the dark horses turning heads at Melbourne Park. From Joao Fonseca’s stunning upset over No. 9 seed Andrey Rublev to the stellar performances from the American contingent it's a first round recap in true Nothing Major style.

Plus, the guys revisit their Australian Open Snake Draft, which is already full of drama. Who’s leading the pack, and who’s regretting their picks? Will Nishikori’s clutch 5-setter save Stevie's team?

00:00 - Something Major is Here!

01:25 - Biggest Winner of Round 1

02:09 - Djokovic, Sinner, and Fritz Wins

03:47 - Tougher vs. Easier Round 1: What’s Better?

04:53 - Snakedraft Update

05:59 - Joao Fonseca’s Impressive Slam Debut

07:10 - What to Expect from Fonseca

10:05 - Michelsen Upsets Tsitsipas and Looks Ahead

12:44 - American Players in Round 1

15:10 - Playing Through Sickness

15:55 - Monfils Triumphs Over Perricard

17:25 - Medvedev’s Bizarre Match

19:23 - Paul vs. Nishikori: Predictions

21:14 - Assessing Opelka’s Chances

22:10 - Tiafoe vs. Fonseca: Round 3 Predictions

22:51 - American Players Who Could Go Far

23:35 - Farewell and AusOpen Trivia

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.