Laver Cup Day 1 Recap: Alcaraz Returns & Team Europe Takes a 3-1 Lead

Fresh from Carlos Alcaraz inspiring Team Europe back to Laver Cup glory in London, we're back to unravel another busy week on the tour. Join Joel, Kim and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ as we dissect Europe's triumph, clinched on Day 3 by Alexander Zverev, and ask whether the 13-5 scoreline really reflected how close the contest was. Was Team World's selection strategy off the mark from captain Andre Agassi and did Europe's doubles dominance decide it? We also get stuck into the court speed debate, the Federer-Alcaraz bromance, celebrity spotting featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, and whether players can complain about scheduling before adding exhibitions and team events to an already packed calendar.Away from London, Czechia underlined their status as the leading nation in women’s tennis with a 12th Billie Jean King Cup title, whilst Leylah Fernandez rediscovered her best form in Singapore and Kimberly Birrell claimed a maiden WTA crown in Seoul. We debate Novak Djokovic's place on the newly unveiled Grand Slam Player Council, ask why the biggest stars aren't involved, and look ahead to Beijing where Elena Rybakina begins life as World No. 1 and Tokyo where Carlos Alcaraz is back with his first tour level appearance since Barcelona.SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and listener Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carlos Alcaraz puts on another show, saving two match points as Team Europe take a 7-5 lead at the Laver Cup! Join Joel and Kim at Tennis Weekly HQ as we catch up on a dramatic Day 2 in London, where every singles match delivered. Alcaraz produced another Laver Cup classic against Taylor Fritz in front of a spectating Roger Federer and Andy Murray, winning 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 to level the tie at 5-5. We also get stuck into Alex de Minaur’s incredible comeback against Alexander Zverev, his bizarre 4-0 record over him in team events, that chest bump celebration with captain Andre Agassi and why Zverev continues to struggle in Laver Cup singles. Plus, Learner Tien battled past Flavio Cobolli before Zverev and Casper Ruud put Europe back in front in the doubles - are Team World missing out on a true doubles lynchpin like they used to have with Jack Sock?We also debate why there isn’t a women’s Laver Cup and what that could look like, with the potential for Sabalenka and Swiatek teaming up for doubles and the sofa content they could generate! Plus, we look ahead to a huge final day, with three points on offer per match. Can Team Europe hold their nerve and regain the title?SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and listener Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CARLOS ALCARAZ IS BACK IN LONDON… and Team Europe are already in control! Europe lead 3-1 after a dramatic opening day at the Laver Cup. Join Joel and Kim at Tennis Weekly HQ as we get stuck into 'Mensikaraz' impressive doubles win over Taylor Fritz and Alexander Bublik. Following on from his US Open Mixed Doubles triumph, is Mensik becoming the best singles player in the world of doubles and should teams consider bringing in doubles specialists to give them an edge? We also debate Team World captain Andre Agassi’s decision to play Bublik in back-to-back singles and doubles, while late replacement Brandon Nakashima explains how he got the call up following US Open finalist Ben Shelton's withdrawal as he got Team World’s first point on the board — the Summer of Nakashima continues!Elsewhere, we ask the big question: why hasn’t Jannik Sinner played in the Laver Cup? Could we ever see the dream Alcaraz-Sinner doubles partnership, and what would that even look like? Plus, we look ahead to Day 2 action as Alcaraz takes on Taylor Fritz in singles and Alexander Zverev faces Alex de Minaur. Can Carlos lead Team Europe to another dominant day in London, or will Team World fight back?SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and listener Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the tennis news story of the year about to drop?! Is Carlos Alcaraz’s former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero about to coach Jannik Sinner in 2027?! In other news Holger Rune is BACK, Great Britain are through to the Davis Cup Final 8 and the USA have somehow crashed out! Join Joel and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ for our first post-US Open tour catch-up as we get stuck into Rune’s emotional return after 11 months out with an Achilles injury. Can the Dane get his career back on track, and could he cause some serious problems for Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner again? We also celebrate Great Britain reaching the Davis Cup Final 8 without Jack Draper or Cameron Norrie — could Arthur Fery lead the charge in Bologna? Meanwhile, Ben Shelton’s Davis Cup struggles continued as the USA suffered a shock defeat to Czechia. Should Shelton have played, and why does the US keep underperforming in this competition?Plus, we discuss Draper calling time on his season and Joe Salisbury’s retirement after a hugely successful career, while Iva Jovic defended her Guadalajara title in style and Kaitlin Quevedo claimed her first WTA title. We preview the Laver Cup as Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev headline Team Europe’s return to London. Can Team Europe reclaim the trophy, or will Team World continue their recent dominance?SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and listener Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US Open is over and it’s time in true Tennis Weekly fashion for the Tennis Weekly Wrap-Up Show! After two weeks of daily coverage of Flushing Meadows, Joel, Kim and Chris look back on a tournament packed with surprises, shocks and some predictions that have aged better than others. We revisit our pre-tournament picks for the men’s and women’s champions, including the now-infamous ‘Summer of Nakashima’ hype and our shocking lack of faith in Elena Rybakina, before handing out our US Open awards for Best Match, Biggest Upset, Biggest Surprise, One To Watch and Most Room For Improvement. Plus, there’s brand-new award categories for our favourite straight-sets match and best fashion fits - does Osaka make the cut?Then it’s time for our patented Peak, Pit and Pleasant Surprise scorecard, featuring everything from Zheng winning sets from 0-5 and an iconic $100 red chicken nugget box (with caviar!) to the joys of nocturnal tennis and the mysterious smell of weed around the grounds. We’ll also celebrate some unexpected British runs, discuss the battle for the women’s world No.1 ranking and reveal which players have caught our eye for what comes next. Add in a few bold predictions that went spectacularly wrong, some strong opinions and the usual Tennis Weekly chaos, and you’ve got the perfect way to close out the US Open!ONE MAAY ONE MAAY creates stylish display frames that turn your favourite tennis racket into wall art. Click the link to view and purchase from the ONE MAAY Grand Slam collection.SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and subscriber Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexander Zverev is a two-time Grand Slam champion! The German battled past home hope Ben Shelton in four sets to win the US Open and exorcise his demons from finishing runner-up to Dominic Thiem in the final six years ago. Join Joel and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ for our US Open Day 15 catch-up as we debate whether Zverev is now genuinely in the conversation with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, or simply the best of the rest without a statement win over either of them in a major. Plus, could he go one step further and complete the career Grand Slam, having already reached Australian Open and Wimbledon finals?For Ben Shelton, the wait for an American male Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick at the US Open 2003 goes on. Was this a valuable reality check for the 23-year-old, and what does he still need to add to his game to back-up his booming serve to win a major? We also debate whether his ‘panic’ play on the biggest points and lack of experience at this stage were deciding factors plus whether Shelton can give himself another shot at Grand Slam glory next season. Our Collect a Set champion is also revealed as we announce who is taking home the coveted Tennis Weekly Mug…SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and subscriber Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World No.1 AND US Open champion! Elena Rybakina completed a fairytale in New York, beating Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win her second Grand Slam title and finally reach the top of the rankings. Join Joel and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ for our US Open Day 14 catch-up as we celebrate an incredible turnaround for Rybakina, who was a major injury doubt before the tournament and is now one Roland Garros title away from completing the career Grand Slam. Could she really go on to dominate women’s tennis? For Sabalenka, there were yet more emotional scenes and racket smashes as she lost another big final and is now slamless for the first time since 2023. When will her Grand Slam trophy drought finally end, and what is it about Rybakina’s game that Sabalenka finds so difficult to solve?Away from the court, we discuss the worrying financial situation facing the WTA, with projected operating losses of $23 million in 2026. Is the tour struggling to capture the casual audience and market its biggest stars? We also celebrate Neal Skupski’s Grand Slam doubles triumph, Alfie Hewett’s wheelchair tennis heroics and look ahead to the men’s final between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton. Can Shelton become the first American male Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick in 2003?SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and subscriber Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Shelton is one win away from ending a 23-year wait for an American man to win a Grand Slam singles title! The 23-year-old battled past Frances Tiafoe in an all-American US Open semi-final to reach his first major final. Join Joel and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ for our US Open Day 13 catch-up as we get stuck into Shelton’s comeback from a set down, his serving brilliance and what Tiafoe needs to do to finally reach his first Grand Slam final. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev reached his third consecutive Grand Slam final with a straight-sets win over Karen Khachanov, but surprisingly low ticket prices for the match — less than the cost of a Honey Deuce! — raised questions about just how much star power Zverev actually brings to the court. We also debate Zverev’s extended ball-bouncing routine, with Khachanov clearly not impressed. We preview the blockbuster Zverev vs Shelton final, including whether Zverev’s dominance against left-handers could prove crucial, how he’ll handle the all-American crowd and whether his 1-4 Grand Slam final record will count against him. Plus, we celebrate doubles legend Katerina Siniakova completing the career Grand Slam with two different partners — Taylor Townsend and Barbora Krejcikova — and discuss the all-important finals-weekend entertainment announcement… including JoJo!SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and subscriber Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World No. 1 vs impending World No. 1. It doesn’t get much bigger than this! Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are set for a blockbuster US Open final after both battled through their semi-finals on Day 12. Join Kim and Chris at Tennis Weekly HQ as we look back on Rybakina backing up securing her first-ever World No. 1 ranking to be made official on Monday by battling past Coco Gauff to reach her first US Open final, while Sabalenka produced what Jessica Pegula called the best match she’s played all year to reach her fourth consecutive final in New York. Is this the perfect final for the US Open, and after their incredible Australian Open final earlier this year, will Sabalenk be able to serve up some revenge?We also get stuck into the semi-final performances themselves, with Rybakina recovering from a shaky start to get past Gauff and Sabalenka once again showing just how ridiculous her record is on hard courts of grand slams. With her 99-week reign at No. 1 now over, could winning the US Open be the perfect response from Sabalenka? And after reaching eight consecutive Grand Slam finals on hard courts, is she simply a different beast in New York? Plus, we preview the blockbuster Rybakina vs Sabalenka final, debate where it could be won and lost and make our final predictions.SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and subscriber Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elena Rybakina is the new women’s World No. 1 for the first time! Join Joel and Kim at Tennis Weekly HQ for our US Open Day 12 catch-up as we look back on her three-set victory over Qinwen Zheng and reflect on Rybakina finally reaching the top of the rankings after such a long wait. We also look back on Aryna Sabalenka’s incredible 99-week reign and what comes next for the two-time defending US Open champion. Coco Gauff battled back from a set down and saved two match points to reach another US Open semi-final against Rybakina. It was classic Coco — winning ugly, finding a way and somehow surviving when she looked to be on the brink. Did Mirra Andreeva miss her chance to close it out or did Coco come up clutch at the right moments?On the men’s side, Alexander Zverev continued his US Open run with a straight-sets win over Botic van de Zandschulp to reach his third semi-final at Flushing Meadows, where he’ll face Karen Khachanov after Alexander Blockx was forced to retire. Is Zverev now the favourite for the title? We also get stuck into Tennis Australia CEO Andrew Abdo’s comments about potentially shortening best-of-five matches and the Australian Open’s punchy response, before looking ahead to the women’s semi-finals and making our predictions.SUBSCRIBESign-up to Tennis Weekly: Ad-free + Extras to listen to ad-free episodes, enjoy monthly bonus podcasts, behind the scenes tournament content, member only quiz episodes and subscriber Q&A podcasts.SOCIALSFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, plus email the show [email protected] Tennis Weekly Merch through our Etsy store including limited edition designs by Krippa Design where all proceeds go towards the podcast so we can keep doing what we do!REVIEWS***Please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It really means a lot to us at HQ and helps make it easier for new listeners to discover us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.