Tennis with an Accent

Tennis TV commentator Nick Lester returns as the podcast guest this week to talk about the talent pool of the ATP. This conversation is aimed at some of the prime talents of the men's game that are looking to join the top tier of the sport - namely Jannik Sinner, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov. Lester shares his progress report on these payers and how their respective trajectories are shaping the conversation.

The episode also covers the rise of the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor who according to Lester is top 25 material. Enjoy the quick fast paced 25 minutes on a section of the ATP talent pool.

Nick Lester on twitter -https://twitter.com/nicklester

Saqib Ali on twitter -https://twitter.com/saqiba

Former top ten player Tim Mayotte returns to the podcast to discuss the resurgence of the men's game in America. Currently there are 15 American men in the top 100 of the ATP rankings. This depth of the talent pool of USTA is one of the breakout stories of the recently concluded Australian Open.

Andy Roddick was the last American male champion at a major. Are we approaching a time when an American male can actually win a major? Mayotte weighs in on the prospects of Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Sebastian Korda. Mayotte also emphasizes the importance of clay court prowess in modern tennis - which according to him is the gateway of success for a major win.

Conversation also takes stock of the some of the best young players of the world in Alcaraz, Tsitsipas and Rune among others.

Dimitar Labudovic is the podcast guest this week. Labudovic is the Billie Jean King Cup captain for Macedonia. He is also the full time coach of Lina Gjorcheska - who is the best player to come out of Macedonia.

In this episode Labudovic gets candid about his tennis journey as a former player and now coach. He talks openly about the challenges faced by professional players on he ITF tour.

Mert Ertunga joins host Matt Zemek to break down the championship weekend of Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic.

Mert took time off from his coaching duties to talk about the breakout performance of Sabalenka and the potential grand slam season for Djokovic.

Mert on twitter - @MertovsTDesk

Matt on twitter - @mzemek

Saqib on twitter - @saqiba

Matt Zemek is back on the podcast and joins Saqib Ali to kick off the 2023 season as we look ahead to the years first major. The episode takes a closer look at some of the leading names in both ATP and WTA sides of the draw. The first 45 minutes of the show focuses on the men's side especially with Djokovic returning to his most successful major after the vaccine and visa crisis last year.

The second half of the podcast looks at the women's draw with Swiatek as the tour defining standout player.

In the season's final episode we take a deep dive into the memory lane and relive the ATP decade of the 90's. This decade had a star studded cast of proven players like Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg who were joined by the newcomers likes of Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Andre Agassi. What transpired was a decade to remember with many great players and compelling rivalries.

Episode covers lot of ground by touching upon great players like Goran Ivanisevic, Thomas Muster, Pat Rafter and many others.

Podcast regulars Steve Flink and Mert Ertunga join the show to exchanges mental notes from three decades ago. It is a fun exercise for all tennis fans as we relive the 90's.

Steffi Graf vs Monica Seles is arguably one of the greatest rivalries in all of tennis. We revisit this iconic rivalry on the latest edition of the podcast with senior tennis writer Richard Evans and coach Mert Ertunga joining the show with host Saqib Ali.

We touch upon the entry points of both players for the guests and relive two of their masterpieces at Roland Garros. The conversation also touches upon other key player of that era especially Gabriela Sabatini and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.

Richard Evans on twitter - @Ringham7

Mert Ertunga on twitter - @mertovsTdesk

Saqib Ali on twitter - @saqiba

In this episode of the podcast host Saqib Ali gets a chance to speak with Aussie Roger Rasheed - arguably one of the most sort after names in the coaching business. Rasheed gets candid in this chat as he looks back at his time as the tour mentor for Lleyton Hewitt, Grigor Dimitrov and Gael Monfils. What was it like coaching against the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin. 

Rasheed also weighs in on the current crop of talent in the ATP zeroing on Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios among others. Brew a cup of coffee as Rasheed holds court!

Rasheed on twitter -https://twitter.com/roger_rasheed

Saqib on twitter - https://twitter.com/saqiba

In this episode of the podcast host Saqib Ali gets a chance to speak with Aussie Roger Rasheed - arguably one of the most sort after names in the coaching business. Rasheed gets candid in this chat as he looks back at his time as the tour mentor for Lleyton Hewitt, Grigor Dimitrov and Gael Monfils. What was it like coaching against the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin. 

Rasheed also weighs in on the current crop of talent in the ATP zeroing on Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios among others. Brew a cup of coffee as Rasheed holds court!

 

Rasheed on twitter -https://twitter.com/roger_rasheed

Saqib on twitter - https://twitter.com/saqiba

USTA development coach Dean Goldfine is the podcast guest this week. Goldfine is a well established coach whose former charges include the likes of Mary Joe Fernandez, Andy Roddick and Todd Martin.

As part of the USTA player development program Goldfine is currently working with the fast rising American Ben Shelton and Aleksandar Kovacevic. Prior to this association Goldfine had worked with the talented Sebi Korda. In this conversation host Saqib Ali explores the various components of tennis coaching at the pro level with coach Goldfine. It's one of the best possible downloads for tennis fans during the off season.