With the Sunshine Double behind us, it is now 100% full speed ahead to the red clay in Europe. In this episode, Joey discusses the intricacies of clay court tennis and what exactly about the court surface makes the sport so different. From the change in bounce to the slower speed, there are many factors that impact tactics, court positioning and confidence on clay.

A slight change of pace from our normal Open Stance Audio rythym, but that's what this podcast is all about!

Tennis media is a fascinating circle that our guest Nick McCarvel has seen from inside and out. Nick has reported for traditional outlets and worked for tournaments themselves in new media roles. Learn more about how the media landscape is changing in tennis and how you too can break through the noise.

Follow Nick on twitter: https://twitter.com/NickMcCarvel

Check out the Courtside podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/courtside-the-official-podcast-of-the-us-open/id1035006515?mt=2

In it's final year on Key Biscayne, the Miami Open held a certain level of nostalgia and an even higher level of uncertainly regarding the future of the tournament and if fans would make the drive out to Miami Gardens and Hard Rock Stadium in 2019 and beyond. The high energy, latino-centric crowd came out in droves to Crandon Park Tennis Center, where they witnessed Sloane Stephens and John Isner capture titles.

After an extended break from the daily podcast, we are back! Joey was on the road and on site in Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open, and gives some wrap-up thoughts on the 2018 tournament including title winners Juan Martin del Potro and Naomi Osaka as well as notes on the unique conditions players face in the desert. He discusses why Roger Federer's missed drop shots on match points are exactly what makes him great, and why Daria Kasatkina could be the best thing to happen to the WTA Tour.

We apologize for the off schedule folks, it's been a crazy few days for Joey and the Cliff Drysdale Tennis team! Tennis With The Stars took place March 6th and was a huge success. Andy Gerst, co-founder of Animus Tennis, joins Joey today to talk about the event, his company, college tennis and much more!

A quick Friday roundup in the tennis world as a few pieces of news came out over the last 24 hours. Rafael Nadal officially pulled out of Indian Wells and Miami with a lingering hip injury, while Novak Djokovic looks like he'll be making a trip to the desert to give it a go. Joey discusses both of those things in depth before giving a quick shoutout to Oracle for the incredible work they are doing at the lower levels of professional tennis.

Today's podcast is a full on preview of tennis' version of the "5th Major"; the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Joey gives his first hand experience and opinion on why the tournament is the best tennis event in the United States to attend, and how the desert conditions can change drastically between day and night sessions.

Finally, we look at a few of the major player storylines to watch.

Rafael Nadal pulled out of the 500 event in Acapulco on Tuesday at the last minute with the same hip/thigh injury he sustained at the Australian Open. Joey discusses why this is both surprising and not that concerning at the same time. Will Nadal play Indian Wells and Miami? Does this effect Roger Federer's schedule? Lots of questions answered on today's pod.

The ITF announced huge plans to overhaul Davis Cup starting in 2019, proposing an 18 team, 1 week event at a neutral site to be hosted in November. The tennis world has been abuzz(is that a word?) with reaction and opinion in the 24 hours following. Joey looks over some of the masses' reaction and gives a few opinions of his own.

Heading to Indian Wells next week? Check out: tenniswithstars.com

Today on Open Stance Audio we sit down with longtime Cliff Drysdale Tennis employee Frederico Goncalves, director of tennis at Crandon Park Tennis Center, home of the Miami Open. Freddy G talks his tennis upbringing, how he got into teaching, and the atmosphere of Crandon Park during the tournament and throughout the year. Freddy is a character and this podcast is one you don't want to miss!