Tennis Channel Inside-In

Rafael Nadal's legendary career has come to an end, and Tennis Channel's own Paul Annacone joins the show to react to the final act in the Sspaniard's amazing career. Annacone puts Nadal's career achievements into perspective, discusses his competitive drive, and explains what it was like to coach Roger Federer against him. He also recaps Jannik Sinner's triumph at the ATP Finals, and recaps Taylor Fritz's breakthrough season that saw him finish at a career-high ranking of #4. And Annacone previews what is in store for the remaining teams at the Davis Cup, which features a highly talent and motivated United States roster.

And then joining the show is Michael Woodson, the coach of the Baylor men's tennis team and one of the leaders in the college game. Woodson chats about his unique and inspirational path to becoming one of the premier coaches in the country, and explains how he has created a culture of excellence at Baylor that goes well beyond the tennis courts. Baylor is the host site of the NCAA D1 Men's and Women's individual championships, and Woodson explains why the decision was made to move this event to the fall season, and why his home facilities are the perfect venue to hold such a prestigous event. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's always a marquee episode when Jim Courier returns to the show, and the Hall of Fame player turned A-list broadcaster brings his best yet again. Courier discusses all the action at the ATP Finals in Turin, and recaps the 2024 season which saw Jannik Sinner claim the two majors and the year-end No. 1 ranking. The commentator covers a variety of topics including how Alcaraz grew his game this year, why Alexander Zverev could be on the verge of a slam breakthrough, and the specifics areas that Taylor Fritz can continue to improve in his quest for more success. And Courier examines what the next move might be for Novak Djokovic, while paying tribute to the legendary career of Rafael Nadal on the eve of his final tournament.

And then Austin Krajicek returns to the podcast for a look back at his last year in the game, which saw him reach several enormous milestones. Krajicek dives into his Olympic run with doubles partner Rajeev Ram, which culminated in an Olympic Silver Medal for the Americans. He explains why playing against Nadal and Alcaraz at Roland Garros was a surreal experience, and describes his frame of mind as they were able to notch the victory. Krajicek gets into his physical and mental preparation, his goals for 2025 with Ram as his new tour partner, and why he's excited and ready to perform as a member of Team USA's Davis Cup roster in next week's final. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chanda Rubin returns to the show to recap all the action taking place at the WTA Finals, as the Top 8 women in the game battle it out in the final event of the season. Rubin discusses Aryna Sabalenka clinching the year-end No. 1 Ranking, and explains why Coco Gauff's big win over Iga Swiatek could do wonders for her confidence going forward. The play-by-play broadcaster all discusses Qinwen Zheng's growth, Elena Rybakina's form in her return to the court, and why she appreciates the way that Barbora Krejcikova plays. And Rubin also shares her thoughts on the Alexander Zverev winning the Paris Masters, and Novak Djokovic deciding not to compete in the ATP Finals.

And then Brad Stine, the coach of Tommy Paul and one of the sharpest tactical minds in the game makes his triumphant return to the podcast. Stine assesses Paul's 2024 season, and he explains why claiming three titles and battling the game's best players are huge steps in his progression. The coach weighs in on the importance of analytics in certain aspects, and states his case for grass being Paul's best surface. Stine also analyzes the current competition among American men, and lists a few goals for player and coach in 2025. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Rusedski returns to the podcast to discuss how Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz have taken control of the men's game, and what the rest of the ATP can do about it. Rusedski recaps his coverage of the "Six King Slam" in Saudi Arabia, predicts Novak Djokovic's future, and shares his lasting memories of Rafael Nadal. And the former Top-5 player analyzes the recent titles won by Jack Draper in Vienna and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Basel, before previewing the ATP Paris Indoor Masters taking place in Bercy.

And then Pam Shriver sits down for an in-person chat about her time coaching Donna Vekic, who had a Wimbledon semifinal appearance and an Olympic Silver Medal in 2024. Shriver previews the WTA Finals, with Aryna Sabalenka entering as the #1 player in the world and Iga Swiatek looking to find success with her new coach Wim Fissette. The Tennis Hall-Of-Famer examines how Americans Coco Gauff & Jessica Pegula will perform in Saudi Arabia, the power of Jasmine Paolini's positivity, and where doubles fits into the present day of tennis. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a star-studded episode of Inside-In, starting with Patrick McEnroe's return to the show. The prominent broadcaster recaps his seven year run at the Laver Cup as Team World vice captain, and discusses what he learned from watching the game's great players like Carlos Alcaraz up close. McEnroe also shares his thoughts on the legacy that Rafael Nadal leaves behind, Novak Djokovic's future in 2025 and beyond, and he lists a few players that could be contenders to win their first major title. And as the president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, McEnroe explains that there's a lot to be excited about in 2025 with some new renovations and a combined 125 pro event.

Then Coco Vandeweghe joins from the Tennis Channel Studios to discuss her blossoming broadcasting career and why she's trying to say the things she always wanted to hear as a fan & player. Vandeweghe reacts to Dominic Thiem's emotional last match in Vienna, Danielle Collins' decision to return in 2025, and Aryna Sabalenka reclaiming the World No. 1 Ranking. The former Top 10 player also assesses the playing field for the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, and states her case opposing on-court coaching.

And rounding out the show it's Gilles Cervara, who has coached Daniil Medvedev for the past seven seasons. Cervara explains his tennis origin story, how the partnership with Medvedev came to be, and what clicked in their relationship on and off the court that propelled the Russian to the world #1 ranking. The coach summarizes everything that went into that epic 2021 US Open title run, how he approaches scouting opponents, and so much more. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gill Gross returns to the podcast on the heels of Rafael Nadal's announcement that he will retire after next month's Davis Cup Final, for a wide-ranging conversation about the Spaniard's decision and legacy. Gross discusses the impact Nadal has made in the record books and off of the court, and breaks down how his ultimate rival Novak Djokovic looked in advancing to the Shanghai final. The broadcaster also recaps Jannik Sinner & Aryna Sabalenka collecting more trophies, the buzz that tense moments in tennis create, and which young men's players he's high on for the longterm.

And then Dean Goldfine joins the show for a discussion about his long and distinguished coaching career. Goldfine explains how he started his journey working with Mary Joe Fernandez, and why his partnership with Todd Martin produced so many outstanding moments. One of American tennis' best teachers, Goldfine reflects on his time with Andy Roddick, & his USTA high performance coaching tenure that helped guide young stars like Sebastian Korda & Ben Shelton to new heights. And Goldfine assesses the current landscape of tennis, and why the game continues to evolve and improve.

And rounding out this episode we have Mark Vellek, the tournament director for the MarketBeat Open in Sioux Falls. The event is the first time that pro tennis has come to South Dakota, and Vellek dives into the exciting week to come in his home state. The MarketBeat Open features a deep field that includes Chris Eubanks & Learner Tien, and is the first of four USTA Pro Circuit events that will go a long way into determining who wins the Australian Open Wild Card Challenge.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Knowles returns to the podcast to discuss why he got back in the coaching game, and how his partnership with Jessica Pegula culminated in a run to the US Open Final. Knowles also dives into all the storylines in the men's game, with Carlos Alcaraz finding his joy again during the Asian Swing, and Novak Djokovic returning to action in Shanghai. The former doubles #1 covers Daniil Medvedev's complaints about the tennis balls, Taylor Fritz's ability to compete, and more from the ATP.

And then Jacob Fearnley joins the show for an interview about the scorching hot start to his pro career, in which the TCU graduate has won three straight ATP Challenger events to earn a place in the Top 100. Fearnley shares some stories from his time at TCU, and reminisces on his matchup against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. The third highest ranked British player also chats about his friendship with Jack Draper, his interests off of the court, and what the next step in his blossoming career looks like.

The podcast concludes with another fun chat with Blair Henley, the emcee extraordinaire who is now one of the main voices that introduces players at the US Open. Henley recaps her summer in New York talking to the best players in the world, and reflects on her interview with the icon, Roger Federer. The announcer also breaks down Coco Gauff's triumph at the Beijing 1000 event, Karolina Muchova's exciting game, and the current strife on the men's game between the umpires and some prominent players. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The action is dazzling at the Asian Swing, and journalist Candy Reid joins this week's show from the China Open to dive into all the outstanding tennis. Reid recaps the tremendous men's final that saw Carlos Alcaraz defeat Jannik Sinner, and explains why this rivalry is is unmatched in the pro game. The veteran media member also discusses Sinner's state of mind as the WADA organization appeals the lifting of his suspension, and why the women's event is living up to the height. Reid reports on all the top female contenders in Beijing, from Aryna Sabalenka's sustained success, Coco Gauff's newfound confidence and Qinwen Zheng shining in her native land.

And then writer & podcast host Damian Kust reviews Arthur Fils' extraordinary run to the ATP 500 Title in Tokyo, and examines whether this Frenchman might truly contend at the top of the sport. Kust assesses the potential going forward for both Holger Rune & Ben Shelton, and discusses all the top storylines on the ATP Challanger Tour. He explains why Jacob Fearnley's dominance is unprecdented, why teenage American Learner Tien could be one to watch, and sheds more knowledge on what's at stake with many important Challanger events on tap. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Petchey kicks off this episode with his analysis of the Laver Cup, where he witnessed Team Europe reclaim the trophy in Berlin. Petchey assesses why the event remains one of the best spectacles on the tennis calendar, how it amplifies the doubles game, and why it's another example of how everything Roger Federer touches turns to gold. The commentator also disscusses the current happenings in the "Asian Swing" section of the season, with Marin Cilic & Jerry Shang claiming trophies, and an enormous combined event with many of the game's stars kicking off in Beijing.

And then Magnus Norman, one of the game's premier coaches of the 21st century joins the podcast for conversation about his life in tennis. Norman looks back at his playing career, which saw him reach a major final and #2 in the rankings before it was cut short by injuries. He explains why he chose to become a coach, working with Thomas Johnassen, Robin Soderling and Stan Wawrinka. The Swede recalls Soderling's historic win over Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, and how he worked with Wawrinka to find that killer instinct that propelled him to three major titles. And Norman reveals why he decided to found the "Good To Great Tennis Academy," the first of it's kind in Sweden.

Rounding out the show is Joel Drucker, a prominent writer with decades of experience covering the sport around the globe. Drucker discusses the generational shift at the top of the sport, and why there are always ebbs and flows in the pro game. The writer also examines the state of team events with the Davis & Laver Cups at center stage, and analyzes the pros and cons of mid-match coaching. Drucker is a member of the USTA Northern California Hall of Fame, and on the eve of that honor he professes why writing about tennis is the best job in the world. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

French tennis player and presenter Alize Lim returns to the show to discuss several intersting stories in the world of tennis, including Naomi Osaka's decision to making a coaching change. Lim examines the potential pairing between Osaka and coach Patrick Mouratoglou, and looks at world #1 Jannik Sinner's hiring of two former members of Novak Djokovic's team. She also covers a wide range of topics including Novak Djokovic's priorities, a few first time title winners on the WTA tour, the 2024 Laver Cup, and what the future holds for Rafael Nadal.

And then Lars Graff, former gold badge umpire & ATP supervisor joins the podcast for a chat about his career and current endeavor as tournament director for the China Open. Graff shares several stories from his umpiring career including that memorable Wimbledon final in 2009 between Andy Roddick & Roger Federer, and discusses the art of officiating in great detail. The tournament director explains how he assumed his role in Beijing, the passion for tennis in Asia, and why this year's event, which features most of the game's top players, is one you simply cannot afford to miss as a tennis fan. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices