Tennis with an Accent

Former World No. 3 Brian Gottfried joins us as this week’s podcast guest, taking us back through an extraordinary tennis career that saw him reach the highest levels of the game and capture an impressive 25 ATP singles titles. In this fascinating and insightful conversation, Gottfried revisits his early roots, recalling a time when he had to choose between baseball and tennis as a young man. He then takes us into the vibrant Florida tennis scene, where he honed his skills and laid the foundations for a stellar professional career. Gottfried was part of a remarkable generation of American tennis players that included Harold Solomon, Roscoe Tanner and Jimmy Connors. Together, they helped shape a memorable era in the sport. For fans who remember those times, this episode offers a wonderful trip down memory lane. For younger listeners, it is an opportunity to discover the journey of a player who made his mark on the international tennis stage. Join us as we relive the Brian Gottfried story, revisiting the people, places and moments that shaped his remarkable career.I can also make this more nostalgic and conversational, with a stronger emphasis on the golden era of American tennis, if that better suits your podcast’s style.

One of the ultimate debates among sports fans is how to measure greatness across eras. How do we compare the careers and achievements of players who never competed in the same generation? Chances are, we’ve all been part of this conversation at some point. In today’s episode, we bring together an exceptional panel featuring former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, Hall of Fame tennis journalist Steve Flink, and WTA coach Mert Ertunga to explore the criteria used to evaluate greatness across generations. How do we weigh Grand Slam titles, longevity, peak performance, consistency, and the level of competition? What factors should matter most when comparing players from different eras? We put the panel’s framework to the test as we examine the careers of modern greats and legendary champions, including John McEnroe, Boris Becker, and Andy Murray, among others. Tune in for an insightful discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on one of tennis’s most enduring debates. Check out Pat Cash's new book -http://unfktennis.com/ Check out Steve Flink's new book -https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6QWD1BT?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Lew Hoad is considered one of the all-time greats of tennis. Those who saw him play—including many of his peers—considered him the best they ever saw. In the latest episode of the pod, we try to recreate the mythical Aussie legend. To unpack an exercise like this, you need the right crowd—and we have exactly that. Tennis historian Richard Evans and Aussie great John Alexander join TWAA hosts Saqib Ali and Skip Schwarzman for an incredibly rich discussion about Hoad’s talent, fitness, playing style, and backstory. It’s packed with details, detours, and anecdotes that bring one of tennis’s most fascinating legends back to life.

The recently concluded US Open takes center stage as host Matt Zemek is joined by TWAA analyst Andrew Burton and renowned tennis historian Steve Flink for an in-depth look at the tournament’s biggest storylines. The panel breaks down championship runs from Elena Rybakina and Alexander Zverev, both of whom leave New York with their second Grand Slam titles of the year. What made their victories possible, and what do these results mean for the evolving landscape of men’s and women’s tennis? The conversation also examines several of the tournament’s other key players, including Ben Shelton, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Carlos Alcaraz. From breakthrough performances and championship pressure to the bigger picture of the 2026 tennis season, Matt, Andrew, and Steve offer expert analysis and historical perspective on an event packed with compelling storylines.

Hall of Fame tennis writer Steve Flink returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book, The Immortals of American Tennis. Across a career spanning more than five decades, Flink has witnessed multiple generations of tennis history from the closest vantage point. In his new book, he profiles many of the greatest figures in American tennis, including Arthur Ashe, Pete Sampras, Bill Tilden, Chris Evert, and Serena and Venus Williams, along with several other legendary champions. In this episode, Flink explains the criteria behind his selections, discusses some of the notable omissions, and reflects on what separates the truly immortal players from the rest. The conversation also explores the evolution of American tennis and the lasting impact these icons have had on the sport. Whether you’re a lifelong tennis enthusiast or simply interested in the game’s rich history, The Immortals of American Tennis offers a compelling look at the athletes who shaped the American legacy in tennis.If you’d like, I can also make these show notes more SEO-friendly or tailor them to a more conversational podcast style.

This week, we’re joined by Marco Trungelliti, one of Argentina’s most resilient and inspiring tennis professionals, for an incredibly honest and candid conversation. Marco reflects on the highs and lows of life on the professional tour, sharing the challenges, sacrifices, and defining moments that have shaped his remarkable career. He talks about his Argentine roots, why the longer format of tennis has always suited his game, and the mindset required to compete at the highest level. His longtime association with coach Albert Portas is also a focus of this interview as Marco has transformed his career on Portas's watch. We also explore the turning point that led Marco to reset his goals, rediscover his love for the sport, and produce some of the best tennis of his career. Now, at 36 years old, he has broken back into the ATP Top 100, proving that perseverance, perspective, and passion can be just as important as talent.

Linda Noskova and Jannik Sinner are Wimbledon champions. Noskova captured her first title at the All England Club after overcoming Karolina Muchova, while Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev to add another Grand Slam trophy to his growing collection. Both finals delivered high-quality tennis and showcased the resilience of four outstanding competitors. On this episode of The Tennis with an Accent Podcast (TWAA), host Matt Zemek is joined by Andrew Burton, Skip Schwarzman, and Mert Ertunga to break down Championship Weekend at Wimbledon. The panel analyzes both singles finals, discusses the defining moments of the tournament, and explores the biggest storylines shaping the ATP and WTA Tours heading into the North American hard-court swing.

We’re kicking off a brand-new series on the podcast: Barstool Conversations at TWAA. In our inaugural episode, we dive into The Championships, Wimbledon, with a panel that brings together perspectives from across the tennis world. Joining the conversation are Steve Flink (media), Gene Mayer (former player), and Skip Schwarzmann (fans), each offering a unique lens on one of the sport’s most iconic events. Together, they explore Wimbledon’s enduring prestige in tennis’s evolving landscape, discuss whether it’s time to move beyond historical traditions such as grass-court seedings, and examine how the tournament continues to balance heritage with the modern game. The result is a lively, thoughtful conversation that blends insight, experience, and passion, offering a well-rounded perspective on some of tennis’s most enduring and evergreen topics.

TWAA regulars Coach Mert Ertunga and Andrew Burton join host Matt Zemek to preview The Championships, Wimbledon. The panel agrees that the women’s draw features a broader group of genuine title contenders, while the men’s event appears more concentrated at the top. Mert and Andrew take a deep dive into both draws, breaking down their favorites, dark horses, and dangerous floaters capable of making surprise runs as in Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka among others. The conversation also covers the return of Serena Williams, one of the tournament’s biggest storylines, and what her presence could mean for the fortnight. Rounding out the episode, the panel highlights the must-watch first-round popcorn matches, potential upsets, and the key storylines to follow as Wimbledon gets underway.

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash is this week’s podcast guest. Cash returns to the show to relive some of his greatest victories and most painful defeats along with the overall arc of his career. A tennis career is about more than wins and losses—it also involves training methods, overcoming chronic injuries, and making significant lifestyle sacrifices. During the mid-1980s, Cash transformed himself into a physical powerhouse by changing his nutrition and becoming one of the first tennis players to embrace weight training. He also discusses his decision to hire a sports psychologist, a relatively uncommon move at the time. In an extremely candid conversation, Cash reflects on the expectations placed on Australian tennis players and explains how their careers are often judged by two measures: Wimbledon and the Davis Cup.