Cal & Ross share bold predictions for the tennis world in 2026. The chat includes wild and speculative ideas such as Holger Rune launching a paid subscription service, a potential boxing match between Patrick Mouratoglou and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, plus the tamer idea of 8 different slam winners across the men's and women's game.

Share your own wild predictions, we want to know!

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Ross and Cal make their predictions for the upcoming tennis season, focusing on the Majors - Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

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Who will emerge as the third top player in men's tennis, alongside Sinner and Alcaraz?

Summary

Ross & Cal discuss the athleticism of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Joao Fonseca, weighing their potential against the backdrop of media hype and actual performance. The conversation highlights the nuances of talent recognition in tennis and the impact of media narratives on player perception.

Takeaways

• The discussion centres around identifying a potential third top player in men's tennis.
• Cal believes Felix Auger-Aliassime is the most athletic player on tour.
• Ross challenges Cal's claim about Felix's athleticism compared to Sinner and Alcaraz.
• The conversation touches on the importance of performance consistency in tennis.
• Media hype can sometimes overshadow genuine talent and potential.
• Joao Fonseca is also mentioned as a contender for the third spot.
• The debate emphasizes the subjective nature of talent evaluation in sports.
• Winning Grand Slams is crucial for establishing oneself as a top player.
• Listeners are encouraged to share their opinions on who will break through.
• The conversation reflects the dynamic nature of tennis and its evolving landscape.

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Is 'Off-Court Coaching' IN or OUT?

Summary

Hosts Cal and Ross P engage in a lively debate about the newly legalised off-court coaching in tennis. They discuss the implications of this change, the visibility of coaching during matches, and the impact on players and the sport as a whole. Both hosts share their perspectives, with Cal advocating for the benefits of coaching while Ross expresses some reservations. The conversation culminates in a consensus on the potential of off-court coaching to enhance the game.

Takeaways

• Off-court coaching is now legal in tennis as of January 2025.
• Cal is a strong advocate for off-court coaching, believing it enhances player performance.
• Ross is more skeptical, citing concerns about its implementation and visibility.
• The hosts discuss the lack of criticism faced by tennis coaches compared to other sports.
• They express a desire to hear more from coaches during matches to understand their strategies.
• Cal argues that the best players should have access to the best coaches, as is the case in other sports.
• Ross acknowledges the traditional view of tennis as a one-on-one sport without external help.
• Both hosts agree that seeing coaching interactions can add excitement to matches.

Is Off-Court Coaching in or out for you?

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PREMIERE EPISODE: THE TENNIS TRIBUNAL

The Loosely Strung team have changed it up - Welcome to The Tennis Tribunal. We debate tennis, you judge.

Summary

Hosts Cal and Ross debate the upcoming exhibition match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka, exploring the implications of the unique rules and format. They express skepticism about the event's value to tennis, questioning the motivations behind it and its potential impact on the sport's image.

Takeaways

• The exhibition match features unique rules, including a smaller court for Sabalenka.
• Cal and Ross are skeptical about the event's value to tennis.
• The match is seen as a marketing stunt rather than a serious competition.
• There are concerns about the implications for gender equality in sports.
• The hosts question the decision-making of Sabalenka's PR team.
• Kyrgios's lack of recent competitive play raises doubts about the match's legitimacy.
• The event could attract viewers but may not benefit the sport long-term.
• The hosts believe the match is a lose-lose situation for both players.
• There is a desire for more integration between ATP and WTA events.

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Cal, Skinny, Gary & Ross P debate and rank the ATP Masters Series events in the first Loosely Strung episode in-person since 2023, aswell as discuss Sinner's doping scandal and what crazy surface a potential 5th Slam could be played on.

Chapters

00:00 Intro/Catch Up

07:49 Theme

08:22 Sinner Doping Case

12:38 If there was a 5th Slam, what surface?

16:06 Masters Ranking Debate

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Recent Grand Slam Performance

03:31 Men's Tennis: A Dull Grand Slam Experience

06:36 Women's Tennis: A Thrilling Contrast

09:27 Recent Controversies in Tennis: The Davis Cup Brawls

12:31 Tennis Rivalries and On-Court Aggression

17:49 Introduction and Context

18:31 Fights in Tennis: A Unique Perspective

20:30 Memorable On-Court Incidents

22:28 The Competitive Spirit in Tennis

24:24 Tennis Etiquette and Gamesmanship

27:21 Reflections on Past Matches

30:20 Closing Thoughts and Future Discussions

32:09 LS Outro

Talking Points

00:00 Introduction and Predictions for the Australian Open

02:48 Young Talent Shines at the Australian Open

05:36 Djokovic's Dominance and Mentality

08:46 Aura and Intimidation in Tennis

11:36 Daniel Collins and the Current Tennis Scene

14:22 Atmosphere and Experience at the Australian Open

16:20 Viral Moments in Tennis

17:37 Rising Stars: Badosa and Sabalenka

19:06 Doping Controversies in Tennis

20:48 Racket Journeys: Personal Experiences

28:35 The Quest for the Perfect Racket

33:17 LS Outro

Summary

In this lively podcast episode, the hosts discuss their predictions for the Australian Open, highlighting the rise of young talent in tennis, particularly players like Sinner and Alcaraz. They delve into the thrilling match between Djokovic and Alcaraz, exploring the psychological aspects of competition and the intimidation factor in tennis. The conversation also touches on the controversial figure of Danielle Collins in women's tennis and the vibrant atmosphere at the Australian Open. Finally, the hosts share their personal experiences with different tennis rackets, reflecting on their journeys and preferences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Fitness Banter

07:15 Section 1 (Sinner's Quarter)

10:10 Section 2 (Sinner's Quarter)

12:20 Section 3 (Fritz's Quarter)

16:48 Section 4 (Fritz's Quarter)

20:08 Section 5 (Alcaraz's Quarter)

23:38 Section 6 (Alcaraz's Quarter)

26:00 Section 7 (Zverev's Quarter)

27:45 Section 8 (Zverev's Quarter)

29:28 Quarterfinal Matchups and Predictions

32:40 Final Predictions and Potential Upsets

37:04 Outsider Picks and Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the Loosely Strung Tennis Podcast, the hosts engage in lively banter about fitness levels, particularly in comparison to Nick Kyrgios. They discuss recent matches, player performances, and the impact of the college system on player development. The conversation shifts to predictions for the Australian Open, analyzing various players' chances and discussing the dynamics of the draw. The hosts express their thoughts on Kyrgios' controversial presence in the tournament and reflect on the importance of grit and determination in tennis. As they make their predictions for the quarterfinals and finals, they emphasize the excitement surrounding potential matchups, particularly involving players like Sinner, Djokovic, and Alcaraz.

Chapters

00:00 New Year Greetings and Podcast Introduction

02:26 Reflections on the United Cup and Player Performances

06:11 Upcoming Australian Open and Player Predictions

09:50 Qualifying Rounds and Their Importance

11:37 Deodorant Debate and Personal Insights

11:43 Unusual Flavours and Opinions

14:35 Ranking Teenage Tennis Achievements

27:34 Future Plans and Community Engagement

29:07 LS Outro

In this episode, the hosts celebrate the New Year and discuss various tennis highlights, including the United Cup and player performances. They delve into the Australian Open qualifying rounds, share personal reflections, and rank significant teenage tennis achievements. The conversation also touches on controversial opinions regarding players and the impact of media on athletes.

There's also some random nonsense in there for you to enjoy, as per.