This week we profile someone that never became world number one or captured a Grand Slam, but accomplished something no other player has . David Nalbandian defied explanation, until you saw what he could do on the court when everything was just ‘right.’ We saw that happen in 2007 at the Madrid Open when he became the first and only person to beat Nadal, Djokovic and Federer at the same tournament.

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By 2015 Andy Murray was no longer a tough luck loser when it came to Grand Slams, but the Australian Open title remained elusive. In his fourth attempt to win the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, Novak Djokovic once again stood in Murray’s way. The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath joins us this week to relive the 2015 Australian Open Men’s final.

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Despite grim predictions the Adria Tour went ahead as planned and in its wake the Tennis world has been left reeling. Novak Djokovic, the tour’s frontman, along with Grigor Dimitrov and Borna Coric tested positive for COVID-19, putting resumption of the 2020 season in doubt. This week Simon and Devang unpack a tumultuous week.

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Canadian tennis is in good hands thanks to a trio of young stars. One has already won a grand slam, but this week we’re taking a look back at the moment when Bianca Andreescu, Felix Auger Aliassime, and Denis Shapovalov announced their arrival on the tennis scene.

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It’s not their most famous match, but when looking back on the Federer-Safin rivalry, this second set tiebreak must be chronicled. This week Open Era heads to 2004 and the Tennis Masters cup semifinal in Houston. Federer was finishing off a simply dominant season and Safin laid the groundwork for one more slam run. That combination created an incredible moment.

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The French Open may happen at some point this year but it must be said, we’re missing the Parisian clay right now. This week we head back to 2003 and the classic semifinal between Serena Williams and Justine Henin. Serena was on a 33-match winning streak at the slams but it was not meant to be on this day in what was an extraordinary contest. You don’t get a moniker like ‘The Hand Match’ for nothing.

A note from Simon and Devang: Black Lives Matter. Inhumane police brutality that is perpetuated by a culture of white supremacy must end. We fully support those protesting for change around the world.

Below are links to organizations that are fighting against racial injustice in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Educating ourselves is one of many steps we must take together. If you are able, please consider making a donation. Thank you.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bail_funds_george_floyd
https://www.gofundme.com/f/cggys2-justice-for-regis
https://www.chatelaine.com/living/books/5-books-black-in-canada/
https://blacklivesmatter.ca/donate/
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
https://www.change.org/p/suspend-uk-export-of-tear-gas-rubber-bullets-and-riot-shields-to-usa
https://www.gofundme.com/f/black-minds-matter-uk

10,000 tennis fans packed Centre Court on a Monday to watch two men battle for a prize that had eluded them in the past. Patrick Rafter had come close in 2000, losing to Pete Sampras in the final. Goran Ivanišević’s date with destiny at Wimbledon was a long time coming. He had lost in the final three times prior to that July day in 2001, where a legion of rabid Aussie fans and Goran devotees gathered for an unforgettable afternoon.

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Sure we remember the epic 2009 Australian Open final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but that wasn’t the best match of the tournament. Fernando Verdasco gave Nadal everything he could for five hours and 14 minutes, but it wasn’t enough. Racquet Magazine’s Giri Nathan joins us this week to relive a RLA masterpiece.

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The actions of Gunter Parche changed the sport of tennis for ever on April 30, 1993. Monica Seles was on track to smash the record books until Parche, a Steffi Graf superfan, stabbed Seles during a changeover at the Hamburg tournament. Graf and Seles were lodged in a rivalry that was on track to redefine the sport. Seles remarkably came all the way back, meeting her great rival once again in the 1995 US Open Final.

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In 1997 it was the end for Andre Agassi. A failed drug test coupled with injuries and the disintegration of his marriage saw the American plummet to 141 in the world rankings. And then, Agassi did something remarkable. This week on the Open Era Podcast, we revisit the 1999 French Open final and Agassi’s date with destiny.

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