17 Burst results for "Hugo Gaston"
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"Where we have WTA in Toronto and ATP in Montreal and I love this format. I love these tandem events and them switching every year. Love, love, love. So what have we got in Toronto? We've got a top quarter which features all of the following players. Eager shonte Leila Fernández, Belinda bench, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and garbine muguruza all in one quarter. 31 slams. Jeez. And it was 33 because Azarenka was in there as well, but she's had her Visa declined and has had to pull out of the tournament, but she was in that section as well. Unbelievable. You've got kanepi against a soccer with the winner to face muguruza in other sections of the draw. You've got the defending champion, Camilla, Georgie, to face emirate Kano in round one. The second seed she gets a buy through to round two faces the winner of Venus Williams, who's got Jill teichmann in the first round, Sloane Stephens against Sofia kenin, when interface Maria thackeray, bug Bora kuche against Carolina Priscilla winner to probably face Amanda Anderson mova, Daria Kazakh keener against Bianca and rescue winner to face either Garcia or corneille and rescues in the Andy Murray spot, isn't she if not being seeded at these events and just in desperate need of a good draw, I think. That's really tough for her. Elena were back in her Marie bush cover in the round in round one with the winner to probably face coco Goff. At the top seed, of course, other seeds in her half Zachary, jabur muguruza, conservator, as I said, the second siege she's in there with sabalenka, but dosa and pagola it's a big yes please to everything going on in Toronto. It looks wonderful when you lay it all out like that. I mean, I could not move for about 12 hours a day. Just watching all of those matches. Well, you have to juggle your schedule, David, because Montreal is not looking too shabby either. No big three members there and Novak Djokovic was unable to acquire an exemption to travel to Canada so we draw the date we drew the day before the draw, Rafael Nadal withdrew a couple of days before the draw he put out a social media post explaining that he had hoped to feel fit and ready to play Montreal, but he just needs that bit of extra time. I took that statement at face value that he still feels like he will get there for the U.S. open, fitness wise, but it's obviously not ideal for Rafael Nadal not to not be playing in Canada somewhere where he traditionally does have a great record and he is somebody that traditionally needs to play himself into form. He doesn't tend to hit the ground running in the same way that Novak Djokovic does. But there is no cause for alarm. I don't think in that statement. No, it didn't feel like it to me, and I don't know. I mean, I don't want to try and play doctor where I've got no medical background, but at the same time, just the when he pulled out of Wimbledon, it didn't feel to me like the U.S. open is in jeopardy. At the time. And I would imagine he would be quite conservative with how he approaches it. And I think that these players now they're at the point where they don't feel like they have to play all the lead up events in order to be competitive at the U.S. open. Best of 5 set matches, he will back himself, that if he's physically right, he can be a threat at that tournament still. So what have we got in Montreal? We have top seed Daniel Medvedev who could very well face Nick curios in round number two. He's got to get past Sebastian bayers. We got Dennis sharper valor against Alex de minor round one that matches later on this evening when a probably to face Grigor Dimitrov, Shapovalov, by the way, can't buy a win. My goodness me. And that's a tough first round draw for him. He is on an absolute shocker of a runner form, so we could desperately do with a win over Aleister manor, but that'll be tough. Alejandro de vidovich for keener against Diego Schwartzman round one will rink against rusev Ori. With the winner to face her catch, Hugo Gaston against Jack Draper that much later on this evening winner to face sits a pass Andy Murray Taylor Fritz that matches tonight as well with the winner probably to face Francis tiafoe, alcaraz is the second seed. Did you see the footage of his practice with Yannick sinner? Oh yes. Oh, that is a rivalry that I am increasingly excited about. And from the footage of their practice, I feel like they might be excited about it as well. But they like each other, don't they? I think that they really rate each other and they yeah, they're probably do get a buzz out of. I mean, I haven't seen this footage. I'm going to send you a link, David, because there is one point that they play that is set to a buzz. It's extraordinary. Our graz ends up flat on his back. Sounds a bit like me and solly also. And then they hug, you know, there's a real sort of game meets game vibe. About these two. Yeah, it's really cool.
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"Pretty vile. And I find it quite sad because he is somebody I think has gone through tough times, Nick curios, and has suffered himself in all sorts of situations. And doesn't appear to have any empathy for anybody else, though, who might be suffering, maybe as a result of his own behavior. What about actually thinking about the consequences of what you're doing rather than just judging him like that? I found that really quite sad. Yeah, look, I mean, as usual, there was some sense in nicus press conference. He had a few good points. There was also some absolute nonsense and some unpleasantness. All is to say that he thinks he can definitely win Wimbledon. I like that he's saying that. I really like that he's saying that. And he thinks the only reason he hasn't won grandsons so far is because he doesn't like travel. That was, that was the note that we ended the circus on. So Nick kyrgios moves on to round four of Wimbledon, where he will face Brandon nakashima. I kind of want to say good draw, because I think it is a good draw, but actually, I mean, he's playing well. And there's a match that curious is supposed to win. So there's a different pressure. Yeah, absolutely. So curious, nakashima, in round four, staying with the men's round four matches Rafael Nadal through, finally a straight set of for Rafael Nadal, as if he knew something was going down on court one of thought I've got to grab some attention here and introduce some accidental aggro. Into the mix. And then swiftly apologized for it. Yes, because for so long it was such a contrast, he had this to use the word again circus going on on number one court and Nadal just ruthlessly and efficiently beating Lorenzo sonego kind of just to perfectly illustrate why he's the guy with 22 grand Sam titles, despite all the talent that's on display as well on court one. And then yes, there was this weird moment where, well, firstly, the max was stopped at four two in the third set and they then put the roof on. And Nadal was really upset about this. It was a weird decision because they kept playing on court one. I mean, it was getting dark. But it wasn't now or never, dull. That's strange timing, isn't it? Yeah. It's not a change of ends. Sonic was really pressing for them to put the roof on. Whereas Nadal, I think, was thinking, I can finish this match without the roof, probably. And then he was also, it seemed that he was annoyed at some of sonic's grunting, which was kind of extended granting in the hindrance territory. And yeah, he beckoned him over to the net and spoke to him about it. And then there was quite a lot of tension between the two players for the rest of the match, and then the handshake, which we should say, the hand shape between curios and surpass was missed. By the TV cameras, I think everyone was just waiting for it on the extra care for the handshake. Literally here for the handshake. It was brisk, folks. And then the Nadal sonic go handshake ended up being quite lengthy. You know, they spoke at the net for about a minute or so Nadal really sort of earnestly trying to explain what his position. And then yeah, he said in his interview that he was speaking to him in a nice way. He didn't mean to bother someone ago. I didn't mean to offend him. He was also about the spicy end to the match, and he said, no, it's spicy. It wasn't as spicy. And then in his press conference, he used the platform to say that he was wrong. He said, I shouldn't have called someone go to the net, you know, I think he was saying if he had a problem, he probably should have just spoken to the umpire about it. He apologized again. He said he's spoken to sonic and the locker room, drawn a line under it. But yeah, it was really unexpected from Nadal. I didn't see this. So I don't know the sounds that sonic was making. But just from hearing it, makes me think, well, that's a bit rich because Nadal's grunt. It's about the timing, though, is not about volume or tone. It's about timing, I believe, with the delayed one. Do you remember that match we watched you gone long? With the Hugo Gaston and was it to minor? Was it Hugo Gaston and Alex deminer? Where Hugo Gaston developed a grunt for one point. Yes. Did he? But mid mid, he started the grunt as the ball was passing the net. It had absolutely nothing to do with contact with the tennis ball anyway. All that is probably secondary, really, to the fact that Nadal played a lot better tonight. He's been shaky, vulnerable in the first two rounds. He was a lot more like it today. A lot more aggressive finishing points at the net. I think he made a big step. But it is next for Rafael Nadal. He bit Richard Gasquet, didn't he? He did. I still can't quite believe we should gaskets in the draw. He's just tennis player, David. David, do you watch annexed him in nor defeat to plucky your classic plucky Brit? Liam Brady three straight sets earlier on today you were in the commentary booth with John McEnroe and Todd woodbridge. We thought you probably really enjoyed the last three games of this match in commentary. Yeah, they were fun because that was the really competitive bit. And brodie extending domino breaking him back. And the most interesting, I'd never commentated with John McEnroe before..
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"Other tournaments that took place over the last week, Saturn Bosch on the WTA side, ekaterina Alexandra BT are in a sava lenca, 7 5 6 love in the final, and I'll just stay with the other WTA events here in Valencia, the one 25 K. Who we remember pushing yugoslavian tech so closely at Roland Garros. She won the title in Valencia in three sets, so could win for her, Dan Evans beat Jordan Thompson 6 four 6 four to win the men's challenger title on grass. And I'm going to hand you over to Matt to tell us all about the world number 205. Who won the men's title in serto gambos. Catherine breathes sigh of relief. Because Matt, his name is his name is Tim van right over. And on Monday, we had the same number of ATP tour wins as Tim. And he has now won an ATP tour title. He got his first ever win on the ATP tour on Tuesday in this tournament. He was a wild card. He was quite an unexpected wildcard. And he's gone all the way and one the tournament. And I say he's an unexpected wild card because, you know, he's Dutch, so he got a wild card into service home event, but he's not exactly been knocking on the door, or I don't think we should feel bad for not having heard of him, for example. He lost he lost in surbiton qualifiers last week. To a guy called Otto Vernon from Finland a Otto, yeah. Yeah, you know? So he'd never be in the top 80 player before, and he's beaten four of them consecutively to win the title. Hugo Gaston Taylor Fritz, Felix auger alias seem, and then daniil Medvedev, who on Monday will be the new world number one, he beat him 6 four 6 one in the final. And mehmed have said afterwards. You destroy to become world number one. Yeah. Poor Medvedev's not a good time whenever he's become world number one. And honestly, I mean, I genuinely think it's the most improbable ATP title that I can remember. There may have been others, but it is wild. You know, I've laid out there the background is tennis was good. His tennis was really good. He's got a single handed backhand. Nice slice looks comfortable on the grass, big serve. Easy power, you know, I think he sort of surprises you. It's quite deceptive. It doesn't look like he's taking big swipes at the ball, but the ball pops off his racket. Quite comfortable coming forward. And just really poised. He won a final set tie break against auger seam. He was in the lead against Medford ever and it never looked like he was going to falter and really it's just how old is he man? Is he an up and comer? No. He's 20, he's 25. Is this like when we discovered that Ryan peniston is 26. It's exactly like that. I thought it was 17. He played his first ATP match back in 2016. He was a lucky loser in Winston Salem, and he hadn't played another one until this week. 6 years. He hasn't won a challenger title. As I said, it's not like he's been on the cusp of this. Medvedev, I think knew him from the juniors. I think he was quite a good junior. He's around Medvedev's age and, you know, I think Medvedev sort of recognized him from the juniors, but was kind of like all of us. Where have you been? Have you been? And has he been anywhere? Like, is there some ridiculous backstory about how he went to work at woolworth's for a few years or something? No. Or is it just he hasn't been very good? And now he's got quite good all of a sudden. He's bikinis the Aslan karate serve of 2022. Yeah, it's a little bit of pandemic in the middle. And as that corrects have at least ended 2020 winning a lot on the challenge tour and suddenly he was able to transfer it. This is, as I said, literally come from nowhere. And I think the feeling is, you know, he was playing the best tennis he's ever played, and whether he'll actually be able to sustain it is another question altogether. But what an amazing story. I mean, just extraordinary. Absolutely extraordinary. Is this a springboard matte for van Wright hoven or is he destined to be the answer to a quiz question at the end of the year? Please don't do that. What was his name? Come on. Well, David and I definitely aren't qualified to confide to answer it. So it's nothing. Well, have a go though. One off? You've just picked up his game. Yeah, but what's happened for 5 years? I mean, there's got to be a reason. There's got to be a reason. Okay, well, we'll click that, Catherine. So, you know, he's on the, he's on the block. That's good. Okay. Well, I'm looking forward to watching him play. I need to see the highlights that final. Let's have a quick look at the tournaments that are taking place over the next week before we get into some news because there has been quite a bit of it. First of all, queens, which sees Casper Ruud as the top seed Carlos sauerkraut was supposed to be playing the event he's pulled out. So rude is playing against Ryan peniston, the aforementioned. Taylor Fritz against Jack Draper is a first round, as is Marin Cilic against Liam broady. The bottom half looks pretty packed. It's got Cameron norrie against Grigor Dimitrov, Denis Shapovalov, Tommy Paul, Francis tiafoe, Stan Wawrinka, Murray, if he's fit against Lorenzo sonego and Dan Evans against Matteo baritone, which is a heck of a first round, really, but that was the tournament last year where I realized just how formidable baritone is service because got chance to stand right adjacent to the baseline court level and feel that serve coming down at Andy Murray and the one of the all time returners of the sport just unable to do anything with it. The brute force of the thing was just genuinely shocking. You felt the hammer. Yeah, I felt the hammer. I really did. But Catherine, you got to speak to a number of players today who aside from I can't remember you told us about earlier. Francis tiafoe, that's right. Who else, you know, did you speak to and have submit to tell? Well, it was a lovely sunny day at queens today and on the eve of the tournament the grass is just looking so lush and beautiful and green, isn't it? Everyone was just delighted to be there and very relaxed and happy. But do you know who I want to be, whose shoes I would very happily step into for an indefinite period of time. Marin Cilic. Oh yeah. He was a ray of sunshine today, honestly, he's just this doctor that's told him he's got the body of a 25 I asked him about it and his face just the grins spread pretty much wrapped 360 around his head..
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"Thinking because it just wasn't none of it was panning out how he had planned. But yeah, it was a frustrating watch from alcaraz. Yeah, and look, I think alcaraz will learn from this and I think ultimately it will end up being an experience he will use, you know, think about the way he used that experience against Hugo Gaston at the end of last season in Paris. That was quite a scarring experience or moment you would have thought where he lost his lead and the crowd was all against him. You know, you felt like they could there could be some sort of hangover from that for a few months and he just come out this season seemingly toughened by it. So I think in the long run this will be a good experience for our careers, but from various point of view, this was the Grand Slam performance that I feel like we've been waiting years for. I mean, it's the first time he's beaten a top ten player at a Grand Slam. He was previously Owen 11 against them and yeah, I do think in those last couple of sets, our crew has played well and stuck with him. Played with him and I didn't think this performance was going to come, to be honest. I've certainly not in this match. I kind of thought we knew who's where I was as a Grand Slam player. The difficult thing for him is he's, you know, it's only the quarterfinals. He's still got to do it again against Rafael Nadal if he is to take that next step. Here's one for you. Is Alexander zverev as he made this stride and beaten this top ten player, because he's on probation. And because he can't afford to throw his racket and lose his temper. And hold it together. Has that given him a poise that is enabling him to actually get the best out of himself now? Well, the next one will ask him. Yeah. I'm not sure how that'll go, but we'll ask him. Yeah. It's just interesting because he hasn't pushed the boundaries of that probation. Since he's had this situation in February, and I did think, you know, he's somebody who's so tightly wound up and he usually just explodes, doesn't he? And the racket goes and he'll say what everybody thinks. What he just he hasn't even come close to doing that since then. And he can't afford to, but he also hasn't done it. So I just I wonder whether actually this is in some really weird way has ended up aiding his attempts at becoming the best player he can be. That also incidentally is evidence that hot headed tempers in the heat of the moment can be controlled. With. Rules and measures and consequences. Talking about all this all these other acts of tempestuous headed racket abuse and all the rest of it in dangering members of the crowd and court furniture and all the rest of it. This does make the consequences stiff enough and it works. Look, we'll have plenty time to previews whereof against Nadal. That's in.
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"But he would be to play her catch her couch would have to be set to pass. That would be the quarterfinal her catch. It's a pass. Her catch hasn't lost Soviet at this point. And he's looking pretty good, isn't he? I mean, I know he played golf and Gotham wasn't a 100% fit today, but she hasn't done this here. I think it is that he does look pretty good until he plays someone better. I think that is sort of her catches thing. If anybody else would like to propose another thing. You did beat Medvedev at Wimbledon this year last year, didn't he? But and he's had his Miami run, but I know what you mean. I don't necessarily trust her catch to sustain that level against the best players. Her catch will likely play caspar rude next to his currently a set and a break up on Lorenzo, sonic ago, stiff Stefano sits a pass will play the winner of tonight's match between holger and Hugo Gaston, which is going up against the football. Down at the bottom of the drawer, daniil Medvedev faces Marin Cilic now who ended Gil Simon's French Open career today and was the only participant in his episode of this is your life. In comparison to tsonga, that was like a sort of a single rather than a double album, wasn't it? It was over in a blink. And possibly a relief for some viewers. I think they really wanted him to lose in the first round on Simon Mathieu, so there wasn't the sort of direct visual. You know, it was the exact same quote, the weather was the same. It was all in the same place. It was just shitter. It was the same trophy, little trophy thing, which is really classy. It's a little cross section of the court that they give them with the clay and top dressing on top and then goodness knows what geology is beneath that. My dad's going to text me now and he listens to this and tells me exactly tell me exactly what geology is beneath it. That's a really nice touch, Emily meres movie was there. It was all lovely and had there not been the direct comparison three days ago of everyone Joe for Tonga's ever met coming out with custom made t-shirts with his face on. It would have felt lovely today. But nobody had any t-shirts, which you'll see mom's face on. I think songa said a dangerous precedent now because he's a very, very fine player, but you've got one slam so now we get one of these, the big three big four. When they're going to retire, they have to go bigger than Jo Wilfried tsonga, doesn't have to book an entire section of court time for the interviews and the send off. I mean, there's an argument to say that roger fenter invented an entire tournament to enable that he could have the perfect send off. Well, the labor cup. Yeah. That's going to go on for ten years. So he could do it. I think that's going to be playing when he's 50. The Simon max was obviously, it was no contest, but the fact that it followed corneille meant that there was a period in the day there where French players on chatre lost 21 games in a row..
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"A tweet from Ben Rothenberg reporting that she had a panic attack. She says she had a panic attack. During the third set, if that match would have been, which is awful. And I wish the men had it well, but she's good. Yeah, she is, and I was reading up on her. She moved to Barcelona a couple of years ago to base herself there and train on clay, and it seems to have done wonders for her career because, you know, in the last couple of years, you know, she's only very young, it's the sort of time in her career where she would be expecting to make progress, but she really has. She's climbed a lot in the rankings in the last couple of years. There was a story about doing COVID times where she didn't want to go on planes. So she drove around Europe in her car to tournaments and matches rather than flying. And yeah, she's good. She's got a really nice game fluid ground strokes, really nice movement, hits the ball pretty hard as well. She's used to work with Carlos Rodriguez when she was much younger. So she's definitely one to watch. But yeah, Halep. Fail for her, you know, she really she really can not catch a break and it's a real shame. Drunk plays the winner of the match currently on court that will cover in part two between lise Cornelius, which absolutely LOL at this scoreline corneille first set 6 love oster Panko currently three love and serving. Watching that back. And also as we come to you Cola with a mini break in the fourth set tiebreak. Seem to be out of date tennis news for you. Just quickly to wrap up in part one Casper Ruud, marches on, he beat Emil ruis ofori in the all Nordic battle. He plays Lorenzo sonic go next and holger rune marches on as well. He'll play Hugo Gaston. Oh, I want to watch that. Please put it on long then again. And then I can go. I think Gaston might be at the stage now where he's requesting long then. What do you think? You were in London today. It's a.
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"Was being described very widely as an ex prodigy, which I think is one of the most brutal labels that is possible to have. I was sure she was a prodigy, just a long, long time ago. Yeah, thus ex prodigy, apparently. Age 12, she was nicknamed the Mozart of tennis, a female Richard Gasquet at her coach at the time Nicholas piotrovsky said of her around the age of 12. I only had it for a year, but it was like being in a washing machine that year was amazing. The pressure, the stress, the expectations, you're already signing contracts with Nike and with Babylon as soon as you went to a place, it was a fairground phenomenon. There was really incredible expectation around her. That's a 12 year old. She then dislocated her tell us three times in her adolescence. And decided to go and study in the U.S., continued playing tennis, I think, got a tennis scholarship, but she obtained a bachelor's degree in sociology, a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in wealth investment finance. Wow. Before deciding to give tennis another crack. That's brilliant. And she said in her press conference that she's come back here. She's 26 years old now. And she thought, well, I was really good at tennis 14, you know, when I was 14 or 15, why wouldn't I still be good now? You know, tennis was always my thing. I'm going to give it another go. And it's pretty amazing story actually. And David, I'm interested because I didn't get to watch that match, Catherine and I were watching powder but also, was she like? I didn't watch the rallies that kind of closely, but the bits that I got to see. She felt very instinctive. I mean, I know it's a stereotype, but a lot of French players are instinctive players. Hugo Gaston and players like this, you know, they have the foundations of the game and then they go with the flow, whatever that is. What really struck me is in the final game. I had a horrible feeling for it because here she is 6 two 5 one up. And you could start to think that this could all go horribly wrong for it because you could see a Titan. There were nerves. She did stiffen, she did lose a couple of points that she'd been winning earlier. And then she just got on with it and won the match. Now, please give her was kind of helping her out because she was struggling so much. And I feel for her because she didn't look well, and she's had a terrible time. She broke her arm, didn't she? In that incident earlier on in the year or in the last year. But you still have to get over the line when you've never done this before. What I did see as well though is that she got a fantastic college record of loads and loads and loads of match wins, and whilst it can not compare in any way in terms of conditions to this. At least she's got an experience of winning a heck of a lot of matches. And they say winning becomes a habit. Yeah. It was a really inspiring watch to be honest. And I think the crowd really bought into it. I think that they kind of probably a bit like me. This starts seeing this player and probably start Googling it and finding out all what's her story then. Why have I never heard of her before? And it was lovely, really, to see somebody come out of nowhere, 26 years of age. Has obviously had a lot going on in her life and yet detours, which are really uplifting detours, but then come back to tennis. I wonder if Carolina plaska knew who she was. There was a video going round after her first round performance, which she won. Against.
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"But it definitely will happen. It was great. Yeah, I really like go go go. Well, there was a tricky match today against. Alison van noy vank, who Hannah reminded us had success at this tournament before he might not think that that sort of volley game sometimes chip game likes to come forward would work on clay, but it has for her. So yeah, that was a good win for golf. And I went to a press conference just to check there was no drama with why she's not playing doubles with Katie mcnally, who is normally her partner. They're both in the tournament. They're playing with different partners, Goff is playing with Jessica pagu. Happy to report that we will be seeing gough and mcnally together again. They haven't fallen out or anything. Exactly. She's just playing with just Jessica pagu for the clay. Matt went in search of agro and found numb. Victoria Azarenka will play Jill teichmann in round number three. That's tricky for Azarenka. I think Teigen is a force on clay. Leila Fernández was comfortable today against Katarina cine archivist. She now faces Belinda bencic, who beat Bianca andreescu fairly comfortably today. There was a bit of a rally from Andrew scuba in the second set. It looked like it was going to be two and one at one stage, but there was a real fight back from andreescu, but but frankly, it was a disappointing match. It came on after this very 5 setter on chateau. There was absolutely no crowd for it. It looked like a COVID tennis match, and it was such a shame. It deserved more bench probably would have won regardless of the atmosphere, she was very, very good today. You know, she's one of her first title on clay. This season, she definitely looks more comfortable than she ever has before, but I'm Jessica was really gutted after that. I think she felt good coming into this tournament and, you know, I think she's realistic about her comeback. She wasn't expecting to win the thing, but I think she, you know, she wanted a bit more. She started these matches too slowly. That's two in a row. She's having to find some miracle, really. And I just think she just needs to keep going. Needs to play, not get injured, just keep on playing as long as she's feeling happy enough in herself. She'll get there. Yeah, I agree. And I desperately want her to Sloan Stephens one again today. Are you at that point? The one that you are well, I'm very deliberately didn't pick her today, even though I thought maybe, because I've just, I've gone to the world too many times. Are we going to hear if Sloane Stephens plays her best tennis? I still win this. I do think that. I just don't think she'll play it another 5 times. No. I don't trust her anymore. This is a person speaking of having because you've been burned. I'm a damaged damaged person. She'll play Diane parry in random number three, who backed up a big win over Barbara critique of her. Could she give incidentally today announced that she woke up the morning after her defeat with a fever and she's she's tested positive for COVID and she's had to pull up the doubles which of course she was also defending champion. It's just what a rotten few months for bob or a critique of it is all really tough so we really wish how well and just one last note from today it's still on Angelique Kerber one again. Yeah I'm feeling a bit more than it might be on than I was a couple of days ago. I mean, she did beat a woman who was channeling her in a bank. She had a mummified leg. How did she? Yes. Alexandra sastro bitch. That's a good contest. And look, I know we're sort of joking about it still being on, but I'm also sort of believing it. We're also talking about Sloane Stephens, all I would say is that's the side of the drawer to be on. Because it's on for everybody. It's kind of on for everyone. I was looking today the 6 highest ranked players in that side of the draw are all out quickly cover saccharine jabour muguruza and RADA khanu have all gone and it's day four and yet you've still got Kerber. You've still got and this I'm over. There's so many, you've still got Stevens, you know, still got take men gough Azarenka was still a lot of players in there, but crucially, English film text not there. And I just think that gives everyone a lift and a chance in that. There are two in the men's and the women's two definite sides of the draw that you want to be on. Look, I think that's it for year round up of day four. We will press on with more round two matches tomorrow Medvedev starts things on Philippe chatrier against Las luge Caroline Garcia against Madison keys, and then one for the American and French fans, I think Gilles Simon against Steve Johnson. And then the night session is a women's match. Long lend tomorrow is where you'll find power but dosa against kaya yu van, I think that's tricky for bodos. I don't know why yuvaan hasn't had better results, but she can play. She was Strasburg finally this last week. Yeah, yeah, I think that's tricky. Hugo Gaston back in action on longland. Oh, I'm going to be there for that. Point of viewing makes her first starting on a long lens against Alison risk and several sit to pass against Z kolar. I don't know what the Z stands for I'll say you're about to spell his name. No, he's in the Czech Republic in his first name is zenik. Okay. A bit like she dancing I think it's fairly clear that I've never heard of it. He beat Luca puyi, I think. In some of the big win, that is not great. Lucas. Action tiafoe against Goffin Halep in action over there and Andre Rublev, rude against Ruth of warrior on court for team, the all Nordic clash can we call that? Well, I've done it. We're back in a hurt catch, sabalenka, it's all happening tomorrow. Shelby Rogers against Daniel Collins, that could be fun. And I think somewhere on the schedule tomorrow is Putin savory against Georgie. I think that could be. Oh yeah. I think that can be a riot tomorrow. At some point tomorrow David, going to find out on the schedule right now. Can I video it? Yeah, sounds pretty good. We have our mascots, our tournament mascot is Cooper, the lovely, lovely cat, hello Cooper. My mascot is Carter. We score points at over Sebastian corda, David's is Darwin. Right, Darwin, I'd also like to say hello to Lisa in general, I met today. They're very nice. People who were wearing tennis podcast t-shirts. I like they had to clarify. They were people during the mascot section of the podcast. But Darwin, you're my only mascot. Okay, well then can I say hello to my dad who's good at tennis related injury? Okay. At the moment, if we're doing that, get well soon, mister Whitaker. Get well seen dad. Matt, you've got dearly departed Gerald the cat. Is there anyone additional that you'd like to give a shout out to? See, one and only chance. Harry Styles, we had success today. We did. We got Harry Styles tickets well done us..
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"That match, you know, peak songer. Coming out with completely, you know, as drawers get, he's not facing Nadal or Djokovic. And it felt it felt it had a strange feel about it right through. It looked like he was on his own in the stadium as though he'd been maybe forced to play the match in his dreams and his dreams are of a deserted pandemic type situation in the chateau region no one's dreams are a deserted pandemic type of situation. Yeah. So yeah, I mean, that's the only match that I look back on. I mean, maybe there are others, but that's the one that immediately comes to mind and stands out. Other than that, he had a weakness. He had the backhand, which was a weakness. And the big four picked on it. And could exploit it. I felt. And actually, that's what kind of turned the match for rude because he kept on making this silly decision to run around his backhand and hit inside in forehands, opening up the whole of the cross court forehand for tsonga. And then finally, he figured it out. Oh, I've just got to go the other way. Pick on that back end. But just as a final point about tsonga, he's always brought me joy. Watching him, you know, whether it's just the awe of when he's on. And or just a look in his eyes when he celebrate in victory or he's engaging with the crowd. I think a lot of him. He was a show. And he had the iconic celebration which you found yourself waiting for. I was sort of waiting for it today, but then realized that was the only Potter's shoulder out. The only hit we didn't get on the real on the rail today, but my goodness what a career and what a man and be interesting to see what he does next, won't it. So that was on shattering. It delayed paladin Fiona farrow coming out. They had to come out to a completely empty stadium, really felt for them both. I mean, almost sort of 2013, French Open semifinal vibes, poor Fiona pharaoh. You felt like, you know, that much had been scheduled there and at that time, you know, to get the crowd behind Fiona Ferro and she didn't get that and look, she's a shadow of the player that she briefly was during pandemic tennis. I saw a few games at that. There weren't many games to watch panda but also crushed her, but she was missing by a lot really, really missing. And it felt to me that also was pulling a margins in today. I wondered how she'd handle the situation she'd found herself in a feeling a bit anxious and not feeling really that good recently. Well, it seems that she just thought, okay, well, I'm just going to hit the ball really hard, try and get my rhythm, but down the middle, more or less, and it will work straight. Good match up for her today. I think good match to just find her feet and avoid a first round banana skin. I want to head over to long Len next for a match that we all watched a portion of together. Because I think it all ties in with the whole crowd thing, French player thing where it definitely ties in with all of that. We watched the final set in half of Hugo Gaston beating Alex domino a match that went to a deciding set ten point tie break. I think it's the first of those. In French Open history. I think I haven't heard of it. No, I think it's ever involved in a couple of days ago. Yes. Did he win it? No. No, he did not. I can't remember who. Did not win this week. Okay. Well, anyway, one of the first we were lucky enough to be there. And it was one of those, it was one of those moments when you were in it and feeling it, feeling the atmosphere and witnessing it. I remember thinking, well, obviously we're going to lead the podcast with this. Obviously, obviously this is the biggest thing happening in that moment, it feels all consuming and the biggest thing that's happening in the world and has ever happened in the world. But of course, it's just Hugo Gaston winning around the French Open against a bloke that doesn't particularly like playing on clay and it probably won't mean anything in the bigger picture and it's just all about the moment. Yeah, and that's what I love about this place. It's what I love about the French Open it elevates matches the on paper anywhere else wouldn't be that big a deal. You know, there'd be nice matches, there'd be good tennis and all the rest of it, but I'm in love with this place and this atmosphere. I could sit in those press seats near the court on long lane, all day, quite happily and not move. Especially when the French players are in action. The crowd is the best tennis crowd I've had. Access to. And I know it's only just happening now, but it's like it all the time. Every time there's a French player playing, especially they raised their level because of them. And the crowd and rise to them. I mean, I was so gutted when I had to leave that match because I had to go and do my job on BBC Radio, but you two were left with it, and yeah, I daresay, the end was great. There was an under arm surf, David. Oh, dear. There was an under. Oh, dear. Not amazing. He lost the game. He won the point. He was break point down at 6 5 in the 5th. This is Gaston, obviously. Yeah, so of course he thought now's the time of an underarm serve. He's an inexplicable tennis player. I mean, when we arrived. The first shot he hit was a tweener. Yeah. When we arrived, the first shot we saw him hit was a treat and I thought. What are you doing? Oh, you're not a running backwards back to the net forced wiener. Nick curios. It was because he hadn't moved his feet after he'd served. Can't be bothered to get out of the world. He tanked that full set, didn't he? He lost it. And then he went three love down in the 5th. He lost 9 games in a row in the fourth and 5th set and won the match. I mean, that doesn't feel that surprising when you watch him. He feels like he feels like he's sort of managing the 5 sets in his own way. Oh, totally, he was doing that. Yeah, he was managing energy levels enormously. I think, well, he was very cross with the crowd. Was he? Yeah, he said he thought they crossed the line, cheering his double faults as they were. Yeah, I mean, they were. They were cheering his double foot. Didn't these errors? There was one important double fort where they where they roared like a goal had been scored and I did think if I'm deminer. I'm fuming. And there was a moment where he was stepping up to serve and the crowd will August and they would just quietening down and just as he was about to start his motion, someone shouted. Quite close to the court, I don't know if Alex deminer speaks in our French to understand, but someone shouted on his she knew, which means you in our House. Wow. Which is wow. That is so hostile. That is. I hope he didn't, I hope he didn't understand that, but it was..
The Passing Shot Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Passing Shot Tennis Podcast
"Kim today is the 24th of May, and we are here to catch up on round one at the French Open at passing shot headquarters. It's been a lovely, last few days at Roland Garros. I love the Sunday start. I was a little bit hungover, so it was just great to just stroll downstairs, lie on my sofa and just watch some watch some Grand Slam tennis and it's been a great start. We've been had some we've had some shocks, particularly in the women's side. It's great to see rapha back as well. And of course Kim, we've got Hugo Gaston delighting the local crowd after the bittersweet ceremony of Jo Wilfried tsonga against Casper Ruud, his final match. Now firmly in retirement, but he did give it a good go, didn't he? He did. But I mean, aside from songa, losing, and obviously saying goodbye, we've been a pretty good day for French players, which we will get on to later. But yeah, I'm pleased Gaston was able to come through that. He lost like 9 games on the trot in this match with Alex de menor and saw him break his racket into and I was thinking oh dear, but yeah, he came through entertaining the locals again. I'll always remember him in 2020 when he I think beat Stan and then came close with Dominic team. So yeah, always always up for a bit of Hugo Gaston we also got the, I feel like what is courtesy now Benoit paire 24 double faults in his match against Ilya ivashka. I really enjoyed that he did that and then as soon as that happened and he lost he was back out to chatrier to wish his friend tsonga along with lots of other kind of glittering kind of French players Gasquet was there. You'll see one was there as well who was also retiring so it was a real kind of emotional moment which we will get onto. There has also been big developments outside of the French Open that we need to catch up on first Kim. We are going to get obviously to your collector set and predictions as well. But we've got to start with Wimbledon ranking points. They're not going to be there and that's going to be on the ATP and WTA tours. They've both decided to strip ranking points from Wimbledon this year and it's been quite fascinating to see what the reactions are of various players on social media after their matches as well. I feel like some of these round one matches were very, very quick, 40 minutes for maybe for women's matches or straight three sets, regulation job for the men and it was actually more like, okay, well are they going to say their press conference about ranking points and the fact that there's not going to be any at Wimbledon? Yeah, we haven't had too much controversy from the French Open so far. So it certainly Wimbledon is filling that gap nicely. Unfortunately, yeah, I think we were wondering if this would actually be a decision that would be taken, but it has been and yeah, no one is going to be allowed to gain any ranking points from Wimbledon this year on the ATP or WTA side. And it's also going to be the case that ranking points from 2021 will drop off. So it's not even like they're freezing the points. They're going to lose everything that they had. So Novak Djokovic is despite the fact he's probably going to win it again. He will lose 2000 points. Yeah, so he's really been affected quite a lot. I think it's almost probably like very likely he will lose the number one ranking already. So it does make a mockery, I think, of the ranking system when it changes something like whose world number one and the weeks someone might be reigning for when through no fault of their own in this case, they are just losing points. I mean, I understand why the ATP and WTA have done it, but I think they should probably have maybe frozen the points rather than letting them drop off. I mean, especially Kim, because if that does happen, if this does happen and Novak Djokovic, as you said, would lose the world number one ranking. He could lose it to a Russian. He could lose it to Daniel later. A bit Mickey Mouse, a bit of a circus, you know, I think we've kind of sort of expected it over the years. We've seen these sorts of things kind of play out and I think, again, kind of fundamentally Wimbledon and the tours have very different kind of stances on the war at the moment between Russia and Ukraine and it felt like in the ATP and WTA. They sort of, I think, conceded on the tour events in the UK because there will be ranking points there, but they just felt at the Grand Slam at Wimbledon. It was a complete non starter and it's interesting to see it feels like the players are almost this kind of collateral in the middle and that's where I think you're seeing lots of frustration. I was actually surprised a little bit that Novak Djokovic wasn't kind of a little bit more angry about how many points he's going to defend because we've seen other players a little bit less reserved, for example, martan future which he got to the quarterfinals last year. And he is a very good player, but because he's losing ranking points, he's going to be outside the top hundred, which doesn't seem that doesn't seem particularly fair. Denis Shapovalov as well, obviously he had a good run at Wimbledon last year. He's not particularly happy about it. So it's interesting to see how it feels like the players, I feel like the reaction has been more negative than positive. There have been a few players who have backed the decision, Sloane Stephens, understandably. She's on the WTA player council. She said, I think the decision that was taken was the correct one. So you can see there's people on both sides of the argument, but I think at the moment, I think the big question is, what does this mean in terms of availability? Who's going to play? There's already doubts about Naomi Osaka. There's a big, you know, it's going to be very interesting because these players are going to have to make this decision at some point..
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"My mouth tastes very sour. I think it's clear it was within the rules. That's a, that's an oversight and the rules. I think that I would expect to be a changed as brilliantly explained in the podcast. That's obviously a hangover from the previous format that is left this little loophole. So it's within the rules. Therefore, it's not officially cheating, but for me that's semantics. It's just delayed the label that you put on it. They didn't officially cheat. And I'm not questioning public chunk of his knee injury. I'm talking about the timing here. And we will never categorically know or be able to prove it seems that the timing was engineered with that rule in mind. It is possible that it wasn't, however, that seems like the significantly less likely scenario to me. So everything I say here is obviously caveat with that assumption. But yeah, I think it was wrong. I think it was wrong and dastardly and assuming that's what happened a clearly deceitful manipulation of the rules for unfair gain and it makes me feel really sad and sour. I completely sympathize with the Swiss team. I know there will be people out there that say it's within the rules that you can't be expected as sports people to not take advantage of every possible outlet available to you to win within the rules. And you shouldn't be you shouldn't be judged partially so long as you're obeying those rules for me, I think it's fine to take a moral judgment on things rules or no rules. And I think morally, that's not right. It's not right. And yeah, I think it's a really sad way to end something. But then maybe that's why I'm not an elite athlete because I wouldn't be prepared to do absolutely anything to win. Maybe that's not why I'm not an archery gold medalist. And maybe that's a sporting mindset that I'll never understand. You know, I do accept that. I it's clear that there was no rule broken. And for some and that will sit differently for some people than to others. But for me, that's semantics really, and it was wrong. Okay. Yeah, it was ahead of the week. And quite a while to end it. And I mean, what did you think listening to the actual show and the press conferences themselves? Because Russia did defend themselves, but I didn't feel like I was, it took such a long time. We didn't even include the audio of them trying to get to the point where they said when they'd submitted the requirement for a change. But in terms of just a just an experience of listening to those press conferences, it's quite something. Oh, you're kind of heart pounding. It was really really exhilarating stuff. Obviously, brilliantly conducted conducted by Matt and edited and covered in brilliantly explained by as well quite a complicated situation. You both absolutely triumphed. Yeah, I mean, the Russians, the Russians said, in the press conference, didn't they that it was when public chunk of a practice that morning that it became clear that she wasn't able to play? Well, asthmatic explained, you know, he checked what time they were down to practice, and that was not within the hour before the match. So unless something highly unusual happened, they kind of have stitched themselves up with that admission, I think. And it would be highly unusual for a practice to be in the hour immediately before a match or a tie. So yeah, goodness me, drama, though. Oh yeah. So I loved the exhilaration in mat voice. The drama maker just love it. That was Matt was that GIF in real life. Amazing. So anyway, the tour moves on to this week and this week is quite hard to follow in terms of what's going on because there's an awful lot. Let me just run you through very quickly where we stand for this week on the tennis circuit because lintz begins today. That's a WTA two 50 event that Emera okano is the top seed in. Stockholm on the ATP tour begins today Andy Murray's in that and it's a very, very strong field. The next gen finals starts I think today or tomorrow. In Milan, okay. And that's got a field of Carlos alcaraz, Seb corder Lorenzo musetti, Brandon nakashima, one Manuel serum dolore. Sebastian bayez. Is that right? Yeah. Because I've got nothing on him. I think he's quite I think he's one that's been on the challenger circuit and is qualified by virtue of that. I think it's okay for us to not know anything about him as well. I just want to be able to pronounce it right because I'm sure it's not return between the two. He's an Argentine, so I'm going with Beth. I don't know. South American Spanish, they don't do the. Oh, great. There was meeting, and I got some massive triumph. Right. I don't know if that holds across the board for even the end of a name. Anyway, we will clarify. Let's interrupt Matt family events in front. Not scar run. And also known as holgar own. And Hugo Gaston, those are your players in the next gen finals in Milan that starts tomorrow. And so that's already as it is, really, isn't it? Two tour events, plus a next gen finals, and then the WTA finals this year starts this week, but on a Wednesday. So it's all happening and then so that will get halfway through and then the ACP finals will start next Sunday. So we've got we've got a lot going on this week. I'm telling you. And we're going to be bringing you some podcasts in order to cover and keep across it all. Let's just go through these events first of all though. Radical is an interesting one isn't she? This is her final event of the year. She is the top seed gotta buy in the first round, faces either wangs in you or Katarina kosler in her first match in round two. And she did a press conference yesterday and talked about her coaching situation, said that she does have somebody in mind it looks like it's pretty far advanced and that she's expecting, well, that she's going to have somebody in her corner for the Australian open, but not this week. She said, I'm going to basically on my own in terms of a coach. I think she's got the physio with her the fitness trainer. But she actually said, I think it's really good for me to be able to be here on my own for this little period. Quite interesting that she didn't reveal the name when she was asked, who is this coach? She wasn't prepared to reveal who it was yet. But she's got somebody, but it's not going to be appears, Esteban carriel, who was on trial with her over the last couple of weeks from what we understand, but yesterday we received a note that Esteban kuril, who previously you may remember worked with Jahan konta in her breakthrough years and is recently also been with Katie swan the British player. He's now been announced on a trial with Andy Murray. Which is quite amusing, isn't it? Yes. With a view to being a permanent part of his team next year, we are told..
The Passing Shot Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Passing Shot Tennis Podcast
"It's actually just going to nullify the sabalenka power game. And maybe it favors someone like a Zachary, for example, who I think is a lot kind of more has maybe a little bit more dimension to the game a little bit more variety and can just sort of war of attrition style when matches on slow courts. So I don't know. There's a lot of there's a lot of ifs and maybes and buts and yeah, I'm not sure I'm not sure where it's going to go. Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Maria Zachary won won this event because, you know, she's the first time obviously here and she hasn't actually won a title this season. But I just sometimes with this event, you do get a rogue winner because they all deserve to be there. But someone who perhaps will have a big tournament like a week of their life and then, you know, they perhaps won't do much else or this will be like the biggest victory. I'm just thinking about to end Switzerland one this event and we'll see a great great week and you beat your fellow top players in the top 8. But yeah, it's a shame, obviously bharti and Osaka are not there. But we do have a fantastic lineup and the call I think is going to be quite a slow court. It's a higher altitude. So it probably won't favor like the push covers of the world so much. Perhaps that's going to help, you know, perhaps someone like a muguruza or badosa and, you know, in Spain, have got, you know, two players there, which is great. So I feel like even bedou so she does like a slower surface, isn't she? So perhaps she's gonna be a dark horse as well. You know, she won Indian world, why can't she win this? Yeah, yeah, I agree. It's really open. I mean, you've got as well as kind of two Spaniards. You got your two check players in critique, but also hasn't won a title this season. So I wouldn't be surprised if she went and you know, I won this. I mean, she is probably the most experienced player. And it might come down to experience playing being able to play the big points, play the big matches. I certainly think that, you know, when she is on form, she can be very, very hard to very, very hard to beat. And again, she might be a player to watch out for. We just don't know, I think until we see those first that that first match or see other group stages kind of stand up. But yeah, it'll be interesting to see. I think the players scheduled to start, I think, on Wednesday, the draw is midnight UK time tonight. We've also got the doubles Kim as well. And again, another reason I'm not sure about how could she have this going to do? Because critique of it is in the doubles as well, with signac. They are the number one ranked team. So the fact that she's going to be doing double duty at the end of season 5s, that is quite cool. There's probably a little bit of a claim to fame, but at the same time, it's going to be very, very tiring for her no doubt playing lots and lots of tennis after again, a long season where she just again just looks very low on energy at the Billie Jean King cup. Yeah, absolutely. And I mean, I know you'll be supporting Sam Stosur in the double, so you ain't blind. Yeah, it's a lot of tennis. She's played, perhaps it is kind of catching up with her now. But having said that, her and signia have been the standout doubles pairing, really, of the year, them and I am inhibitor. So I wouldn't be surprised if they, you know, just focus all out, this one last week at the end and they have a nice rest in December afterwards. But we await we await this coming draw in this coming week with great expectations. And as we do for the next gen finals, Joel, which are also, well, not also initially. They are in Italy. Italy, obviously you've got both of the tool finals for the men, which is, you know, they're just hogging all of these events. How rude. But it's got a great lineup, this event. We got alcaraz, nakashima, sarin dolo. And that is, I think Juan Manuel Manuel sandell, yeah. Not the other one. Holgar rune, they're in group a, and then we've got Seb called Lorenzo masetti, is it Sebastian Baez? I personally wasn't that okay with Sebastian Baez, but he's there. And Hugo Gaston in Group B yeah, very, very exciting group of players. We have unfortunately no Yannick sinner. No Felix ogier alia seem. And I was a little disappointed. No jettison Brooks Brooks beat either. They've all kind of withdrawn through injury and oh, sorry, but brooksby has withdrawn through injury. I know sinner and oge aliasing are playing Stockholm this week. I don't know if sinner's going as an alternate to the end of season finals. But yeah, for the next gen, it feels like yeah, alcaraz certainly is going to be the favorite. I think quarter as well as that very memorable where I'm not Wimbledon earlier in the season. I'm not really expecting much from the South Americans on indoor hard courts. I saw there, their records. They just feels like they just played right at the moment on clay in South America, the challenger circuit. So I'm not sure how well adapted they are going to be to playing on an indoor hard. I think whole grain also could be quite a dark horse along with Hugo gas on. I think ruins just one his fourth challenger title of the year and obviously Gaston had that memorable run in Paris. So there's a few players certainly inform at the moment. And I think, yeah, ours is probably the one you're looking at thinking, given his wins against top ten opponents. And he beat Yannick sinner in Paris, I think. So you sent me I would install him as the favorite, it would be interesting to see actually how he bounces back from that capitulation really in Paris against Gaston and whether there are any kind of hangovers from that because he is still quite young, still quite fragile and he would do really well, I think to kind of block that out of his mind to just focus on his tennis, but you know, don't know if that's going to happen. Yeah, I mean, I do feel that corner and alcor as the standout favorites. I'd also throw nakashima in with that because he's had a great summer, although more so in America itself. But, you know, what I love about this event, it does throw up some, you know, young new talent and you know, I feel like we know some of these boats fairly well, apart from perhaps Sebastian barriers, but be good to get to see more of him. The main thing really from this tournament is that they are using it as a test bed for new rules and enhancements, perhaps that they may introduce further down the line onto the actual tool. We've got a kind of some of the key changes which the first one shorter warmups. So we're only getting one minute for the warmup instead of four minutes. So, you know, straight out onto court one minute off you go start. Courtside coaching, they're opening up coaching from the sidelines. You don't need headsets, so I guess that's going to be a lot more open and obvious. They are doing limited medical timeouts, only one player per match..
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"Family events in fact. Not scar run. And also known as hulka roon. And Hugo Gaston, those are your players in the next gen finals in Milan that starts tomorrow. And so that's already as it is, really, isn't it? Two tour events, plus a next gen finals, and then the WTA finals this year starts this week, but on a Wednesday. So it's all happening. And then so that will get halfway through and then the ACP finals will start next Sunday. So we've got we've got a lot going on this week. I'm telling you. And we're going to be bringing you some podcasts in order to cover and keep across it all. Let's just go through these events first of all though. Radican is an interesting one isn't she? This is her final event of the year. She is the top seed, gotta buy in the first round, faces either wangs in you or Katarina kosler in her first match in round two. And she did a press conference yesterday and talked about her coaching situation, said that she does have somebody in mind. It looks like it's pretty far advanced and that she's expecting, well, that she's going to have somebody in her corner for the Australian open, but not this week. She said, I'm going to basically on my own in terms of a coach. I think she's got the physio with her the fitness trainer. But she actually said, I think it's really good for me to be able to be here on my own for this little period. Quite interesting that she didn't reveal the name when she was asked, who is this coach? She wasn't prepared to reveal who it was yet. But she's got somebody, but it's not going to be appears Esteban carriel, who was on trial with her over the last couple of weeks from what we understand. But yesterday we received a node that Esteban corel who previously you may remember worked with yanner contour in her breakthrough years and is recently also been with Katie swan the British player. He's now been announced on a trial with Andy Murray. Which is quite amusing, isn't it? Yes. With a view to being a permanent part of his team next year, we are told. We've got a lot of time for him. I don't know him personally, but just the manner in which he conducts himself and seeing him do the on court coaching with Joe conter back in the day. I always like the way he came across. And people speak very well of him. But the coaching carousel never ceases to just entertain and I mean it's fascinating, isn't it? But this year, it seems to be taking up even another stage and even earlier. Yes, season hasn't even finished yet. I mean, I love in my mind the scenario that played out with Esteban Carell was trialing Andy Murray and emirati Khan who at the same time and, you know, like the bachelor got to choose. Got to choose at the end. I mean, obviously that's not what happened. But I like the idea that it is. I'm desperate to know who this coach that I'm radically has got lined up. I completely understand and respect her not saying because she lifts her fingertip at the moment and it's carnage so she wants to see to have managed that announcement in the impact that that announcement will have on that coach because suddenly there'll be a friend that coach won't they they're going to be getting calls and fielding calls and all the rest of it. So I understand her not sort of just casually saying, oh, it's this person, and then that person's life completely changing. But I am desperate to know who it is. And also really hoping she mentioned the Australian open. I hope I really hope they'll be with her for the off season before that as well. I can't I don't see why they wouldn't be. It's just that she didn't explicitly mention that yesterday, but that's certainly what I hope, yeah. Stockholm, I mentioned is a strong draw. And Andy Murray has got Victor de rossovich of Norway across on David. You can't say, oh, it's a really strong draw, and then lists somebody who clearly neither of us have ever heard of. Okay, there are really strong draw in Stockholm is led by Yannick sinner who is a potential round two opponent of Andy Murray after Victor Doris of Norway qualifier. And also in the draw is Phoenix earlier, seam. Dennis Shapovalov, Dan Evans, Taylor Fritz, Alexander bublik, Francis TFO and by the way, Leo Borg was a wild card in the first round, beaten by Tommy Paul, 6 four 6 two with Bjorn Borg in the crowd watching. It's interesting that they still have a really good draw in Stockholm because a lot of people signed up, you know, you heard catches, you know, they all signed up in anticipation of the race to tyrann still being live this week. And that would have been that would have been brilliant for Stockholm obviously if they were the event at which that was decided. So I'm pleased with them as an event that they've still maintained a good field in spite of the fact that that was all decided in Paris last week. Yes. So we'll watch that with interest. The next gen finals incidentally has some new rules. I mean, at what point are they going to run out of new rules to try out? But the existing rules that they have already got or have already used in the past are going to be there again. So first to four game sets and best of 5 set matches, no add scoring, free fan movement, live electronic line calling, which it's interesting, isn't it? There's a couple of these that we just now take for granted. There is live electronic line calling everywhere. And two years ago, when that was first tried, it was this. Listen to that weird sad. And where are all the people? The shot clock is going to be there. Yeah, I know, shot clocks everywhere. And yet it was appearing for the first time. This event, video review and towel racks. The idea of bulkheads bringing over towels. I mean, yeah, I think the next gen finals has really achieved its goal initially of trying out things that have ended up becoming relevant in competition..
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"What was your take on the Paris crowd over the course of the week? Because the starkness of the difference between last year's closed doors, Paris. And this felt like it was a defiant we're back reaction from that crowd. They were so into it. They were so loving it and they had to go Gaston going all the way to the semis and they were just getting behind them. But the match that he played against Carlos alcaraz when our craft was leading the second set 5 love. And I got that match on mute because mat and I were recording a podcast at the time. And I watched the scores ticking over and him coming back to 5 all, and then I turned it on after we'd finished recording at 6 5 and they were singing la Marcia's, and it was just electric. And it was really moving, I found listening to them sing and I thought this is going to stay with me. Subsequently heard from people who'd watched the whole set that alcarez they felt had been baited and was being intimidated by the crowd. And I just wanted what your thoughts were. Was that over the line? In general, I think the crowds this week were unreal, unreal, the best tennis crowds I've seen and heard since since crowds returned and probably for a long time before the pandemic as well. You're right, there was a defiance both a defiance and a joy to it and of course you gave Gaston's significance throughout the call of the week amplified amplified all of that. And the fact that it was an indoor tournament quite literally amplified all of that and the fact that Paris last year was one of the toughest watches without a crowd. It was bleak without a crowd, even guy the tournament directory acknowledged that this year that last year was blooming tough. I can't even remember it. No, it was, yeah. I guess I didn't want to. Yeah. So the crowds were extraordinary. I had frequent goosebumps and I don't think there's anything better than a French crowd spontaneously singing la marseillaise. So I'm going to find it difficult to criticize the crowd during that match against Carlos alcaraz. I think it's I think it's borderline. I think I think that that will hurt algorithms for a long time. He did look in a day's really as he left the court, but he also did collapse mentally. So he's never had any Davis Cup experience, for example, has he that might of course prepared him for something like that to be to go from playing the start of your professional career with no crowds to within the space of the year because his trajectory has been so upward to then end up in a situation like that. We all the heavy favorite to win. And you're in a winning position and it all collapses around you. I don't think the crowd crossed the line, but I'm a little bit biased because because la marseillaise and I do think I do think alcohols will be okay in the end and it will make him a better player. But that doesn't mean that I didn't desperately feel for him in the moment. Hugo Gaston though Catherine. I mean, he is all you could ask for in a talismanic playing in your home country kind of player. The look of him, I mean, he's tiny, and he's just able to. He's a foot shorter than you, David. And he just he's able to just discombobulate opponents who are strapping big people and he can knock him off the court and he can angle them and he can drop shot them and it's just he's everything and I know this is a maybe a harsh stereotype, but it is everything that a French crowd would love is need. Oh, if French tennis had a little factory to produce the IE deal, tennis player one that doesn't conform in a very in a very French we're going to do things our own way kind of way. Who does things, you know, their own sweet way, I don't need to be 6 foot two. I don't need to have big weapons because I've got the best drop shot in tennis, yeah, you would probably you would probably end up with Hugo Gaston. Yeah, I don't know if he can play tennis outside of France. I really don't know. The only two times I've ever really watched him play tennis at the French Open when he reached the fourth round and in Paris this week. So maybe he's a Parisian specialist. Well, I'm the same. I mean, he has had results that have sort of gradually built his ranking recently, but there have been lower rung events and certainly nothing that we've really had on our mainstream TV screens. And I really hope there is more to come from him. I hope he's able to introduce himself to other audiences because crowds, I think no matter where he goes, if he's able to deliver and competes and take these guys on, people are going to love this guy. I mean, you can imagine the Wimbledon crowd and the Australian open crowd. He's probably already being signed up for the champions tour, isn't he? Contract for 15 years from now. Would you like to be the new Mansour army? Yes, you would. Okay, great. And in the absence of that, just because of his age, he's in the next gen finals this week, which is younger than I thought. He was. Yeah, only 21. I didn't realize that either. So that means we have our Turing ATP finals field set the singles qualifiers for the event that starts on Sunday. Our Djokovic Medvedev zverev, who was dismantled by Medvedev 6 two 6 two, sits a pass, although there are question marks over his fitness, was it a knee problem he had? I think it was, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, and then there's Rublev, bertini, her catch, and Casper Ruud, so that means that Yannick sinner and Cameron nori have just missed out sinner is playing in the next gen finals as well this week. No he's not. Oh, he's pulled out, has he? Yes, I believe he's pulled up because he'll be first alternate. Of course. For the ATP finals, and there is a question mark over Stefano sits a pass. Yeah. So, yeah. And I know nori's going as an alternate as well. So, you know, you never know whether he might be required at some point. But yeah, it's a field that is interesting. I mean, I think I don't think all of it is going to produce hunding a tennis matches, but there's quite a quite a few players that I think are quite similar. But still, you know, it's going to be intriguing, some of the storylines in there, and it all starts next Sunday, Catherine will be presenting on Prime Video. We'll be bringing tennis podcasts to you, probably every other day, I think. After each group stage set of matches have been complete and then up to the final weekend. The doubles is a bit interesting at the moment. And the title in Paris was worn by Michael Venus and Tim putts who defeated Pierre Hugo bear and Nicola mahu 6 three 6 7 11 9, I think in the final set tiebreak..
The Mini-Break
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Mini-Break
"Move and find for hands on a clay-court special super super special. It's easy to get excited about him and again you know. What's so exciting. Is it just feels. He's only going to continue to develop physically. You can tell still looks like a boy. And yet he's able to move his feet swell so much pace in the heaviness of that forehand and then of course the variety he plays with a backhand sides ability to hit the dropshot thinks think he swings through that ball a little bit better than we expect as. Well i mean. Carlos authorizes the real deal and again we need to see him prove it on the quicker surfaces but is there any reason to think thus far that he's not going to be good on a hardcourt that the slow courts of indian wells or the scene of the us. Open these not going to have success. I don't think so. And so certainly carlos alvarez a guide to circle as he now inside the top sixty should get into whatever events he wants to play youngest guy inside the top sixty eighteen years old up to number fifty five a new career high. He wins his first title brandon. Nakashima a young american who i want to see. We've forgotten about but you know given the rise of cordite given jensen brooks fees. Run here in twenty twenty one nakashima. I don't wanna say has fallen out of the picture. But he's kind of in the back seat now and he shouldn't be because he makes his first. Atp finals this past week now up to a new career high is brandon nakashima up to number one fifteen after he finals in los kabo skits wins over is ner thomson A win over sampler win over compatriot. Jj wolf as well. You look for brand nakashima now over these last fifty two weeks. Thirty seven and twenty four overall but it qualifies for wimbledon. For the first time he makes a couple of atp level. Quarter-finals goes over to europe. Plays a full clay court season a full grass court season because of course if you want to sustain yourself in the top fifty you've got to be able to do it across multiple services that's what nakashima trying to establish as a player and you have to respect that development path but again throw in the mix. I think he's going to be fifty guy for a damn long time so solid on off of both wings and no. He's not an elite athlete. But athleticism's never gonna be a problem. No he doesn't have elite weapons but he's never gonna beat himself competes so well continues to get better at the little things whether it's serve location whether it's power on the serve whether it's his skills as a failure. In britain axiom is only going to improve. And i think as floor already as a top one hundred guy for quite a bit of time so again. That's another nexgen. Atp two point our eurekahedge gotta the talented nineteen year. Old from the czech republic wins his first challenger title this past week. He's a guy we talked about on the mini break. Podcast last week but again you look at the race right now the nexgen. Atp standings race to milan top guys. The field right now would be center. Faa korda forgot to talk about lorenzo musumeci. Another absolute stud you've got carlos alcatraz in the mix then jensen brooks be one man walser and dolo. We saw win a title earlier this season on the clay courts. And then you know again. Talented young lefty hugo gaston made a final this past week before getting knocked out by casper route. Nine th would be nakashima after that. You have clay court challenge superstar sebastian bias after that former world junior number-one holkar rooney. Those are ten really really talented players under the age of twenty one right now so as excited as we are about the next gen nexgen. Atp two-point there's a reason we wrote about it on the website. There's a reason we did a podcast series on it this past offseason. They are guys to watch and they're not waiting. They're ready to make their moves now. One of the biggest storylines summer. How will the next gen. Atp two point. Oh compete. i like i imagine. Many of you are super excited to see it. This episode is brought to you by is progress is great. Isn't it people listening to music on record players than tapes and cds and now you can stream music and podcasts. When technology moves forward you move with it like with wise the modern way to move money. Internationally it's smarter and simpler. They use new technologies. So when you send spend or convert money with wise you get a better exchange rate with lower fees and over thirty percent of transfers arrive in less time than it takes to listen to this right now join over ten million people and businesses and try wise for free at wise dot com slash podcast. How nice was it to have the return of american challengers back in our lives last week. Of course it is always great to have the best tennis broadcaster in the business. Mike -cation in our ears put beyond. That was that perfect. Nexus in kerry of things. We love here at cracked rackets. You have former and current college tennis stars competing on the pro tour you have nexgen town looking to solidify themselves on the atp tour. You have veterans who are looking to re solidify themselves regain top one fifty one twenty top one hundred status all of those things we love to monitor here at crack racquets all in one event. Hopefully all of your listeners were able to tune in breast assured if you weren't we've got the lexington challenger this week as well so many familiar faces a really fun one for us crack racquets nerds. Here we've got liam drexel number one player in college tennis in twenty twenty one taking on a sending american talent. Jensen brooks be that match destined if i take the over in any match in terms of time encore. I've actually going to be four hours. It may be like a two and to match but it's going to be four hours. I promise you that is a super fun. But of course you look at last week's resulting carry i shadow to mitchell. Krueger wins the second challenger title his career. I since twenty nine thousand nine. He's a guy who was so consistently been ranked in that one seventy five to two twenty. Five range will with this title. He's up to number one seventy five at should allow him for sure to get into. Us open qualifying but hopefully beyond the list in places like atlanta and the various hardcore events will see throughout the summer. Just be on. The qualifying lists are being the mix there and then certainly again given the competition to play these challenge events given the lack of their lack of availability. He should be able to get into whatever he wants to play at the challenger level. But you know he's the epitome of consistency. Now twenty seven years old now. This season krueger. A guy who just physically sinners prime and he's able to make matches so his doesn't matter if it's an hour and a half to four hours on court. He is going to be able to stand. The test was able to do that multiple times this week dating back. He's done a mini break in the third set breaker his very first match to will bloomberg goes from that to winning the title. A few bloomberg fan shows how close will is but be speaks to again the skill of mitchell krueger. And just you know his consistency. You also have big run from guy. Stefan kozlov who old me would have bet the house on or i guess on tenure. Because at that point you would have been six but like fourteen year old me would the house. That stefan causes can be the top player in the world sunday. He makes his first challenger quarterfinal since ann arbor twenty twenty he also which is the semi final. This event. couple of three-set wins along the way. Great to see him healthy consistent playing fired up in good tennis. of course you look elsewhere. Good runs from guys like govan nanda the former ucla stand out recently turned pro first. Challenger quarterfinal semifinal. I shelter win for him this past week as well. And it's just again to see. Those guys compete to see the sam references that kvass riches the chris eubanks of the world back on home soil the christian. Harrison's jack socks alexis galanos. that's what we love here at crack rackets and again we're going to have the opportunity to see. All of them compete again this week in lexington mitchell krueger goes from the winners circle to date with number two seed Gennaro olivieri who beat last week on his way to the title. Got play again first round here this week in lexington you look elsewhere. You're top seed here at this. As i mentioned jensen brooks be taken on liam drexel. You've got number two seed here. As i mentioned olivieri number three seed gonna be maxed crusty. Four-seat swaran who was also finalists. Last semifinals rum. Remond thon both great weeks in carrying you look elsewhere. You've got guys like to stanichev and again nanda back in action. Roberto said mikhail tour regard tons of fun former college tennis. All throughout the draw should be really really fun. Event one of many on the calendar but again our goal hair crack rackets to provide all of you. We've twenty four seven tennis.
The Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Tennis Podcast
"If the fahim. Obviously this game was whether aiming to peak. I mean losing in the first round is not. I mean knots ministers. I realize this is really niche. That the title double specialists but That's a massive upset. Massive massive lost like a really really olympic result. That it's yeah. We'll see in the nation i've already yeah already filled with them. Then there's been some massive news elsewhere on the regulatory that we should just bring you up to date with. Because catherine whitaker and myself of both had victories in the predictions because Oh yes. I suppose i should also tell you about the first time title. Winds for a camera norie and Call us alcaraz. Which led to those prediction wins. But the point that we won a really what matter catherine on spill honest katherine glorious sort of eighteen hours when my prediction was correct before my thunder stolen yup delighted and i got more points than you did as well. So i've i've had a knit gained ten on you which i'm delighted about tyrod lot more effort into describing how he ever -tated. I am by that anyway in her face is is a picture right now. I can tell you cameron. Nor is the person that katherine said would win the title in las cabras and giving he'd never wanna talk before despite having all these finals. It's quite good pick. I've got to say catherine say well done. Forty five points didn't drop a set all wait long and in fact he just swept everybody aside. He was really good matt. And i've heard some people say they chose that noise decision to not play. The olympics paid off and yet the stood apart me thinking he could have been doing this the olympics. He yeah i think for him. It will have paid off. I think the reason. He's not played. The olympics was because he may be felt like he could get this first title and get that monkey off his back and he could improve his ranking and he and he's done both of those things. I think he has certainly accomplished what he set out to achieve by not going into the olympics. I think he views it as long term preparation for the rest of his american season It's up to twelve in the race camera. Nari is having just an incredible yet. I mean we're looking at most likely a top twenty player next year cameron nari and for him to be doing that with his game. Just everything about his attitude and his approach tennis and his desire to ring everything out of what he's got he is. He's a credit. He's he's the supplier that everyone coming through should be looking at and replicating. What he's doing. It's it's it's really impressive. Ensure in my the insurance feels like threat. But maybe if she's a zoo high be there but they show the wto has the atp should have z. Everyone should have z. Is great idea. Just put it the finals. Yes we've discussed. I rise my moment of massive triumph was the victory of six sixty six to richard gasquet in the mag final which is a tournament that means a lot to me having gone there for the first time in nineteen ninety eight green communications manager and i met my wife two years later whilst carrying out the same job. It's a lovely place real holiday destination and on subject playing matches late at night in order to avoid the heat. They start matches in at five. Pm which is famous cabalists. I think most splendid. I have to say Another chap who just stop kombi stopped. Frankly on clay is casper route. Who i think is a couple of titles in as many weeks isn't it. He's won the shot titled beaten. Hugo gaston and i mean it's not that biggest surprise because he feels the messiah the next one in in the clay-court steaks and and give he's playing these tournaments that are not that deep in terms of draws he's just mopping up the winds so well done to him gracious surrogate. I was pleased to see. Ugo gaston get to the final know. I found him really thrilling. Wrote on garrels last year when he beat marinko and push team to five sets. And he's i think he's taking him a little while to build on that but he but he did that this week at a good win against christine green and he's just gonna lovely game lovely of likud sense and craft and i think clay's probably the surface which brings that out so please see him dome. Well yeah me to a great story on the circuit as well. We're danielle collins winning her first title. The palermo final. She beat elena gabriela reuss who had been twelve match winning streak Great little bit of insight from somebody one of our listeners. Who watched this match sam. Who's at amy arrogate house on twitter. Always a really good contributor on twitter. I think and sameh said watched collins reuss good contest loads of drama rough-looking injury that collins showed zero sympathy for and then they both referenced previous agro from hamburg and their speeches great fund worth watching the highlights. Reuss can go. Far has a top fifty game and top. Ten charisma now. That is a good report saying google. I've seen the pitches if danielle collins with her trophy employment and they just love she's beaming. I haven't quite competed fight that she hasn't won a title. Before you knew grand slam semi-finalist each Seem they have Yeah not accounts for her sheer joy. In those days the lovely really yeah beatty joyful and also given everything we know from simon brixton with her earlier this year about the the awful struggles. She's had with dimitrios this which in. Oh she has managed to continue playing despite and and having great success so fantastic to say so that brings to a close this edition of the tennis. Podcast we're going to be back again on thursday and thereafter daily until the end of the olympics. Because things are gonna get really hot and heavy from quarterfinals. Onwards would loads and loads of exciting matches to look forward to. So we're going to be coming to you daily from thursday. We have had a win this week. Roque so. I'm sure you're proud of me. I'm proud of you. Catherine's delighted with zeus scarcer. Muscles not talking to mattress christine. Green debacle Billie jean i haven't seen site sign of billie jean in this edition of the podcast. So jane king. I dunno what she's uptake catherine anything she's unholiday and calm will remember the having. Just you get a time. She's yeah she's in ecstasy. Okay well our executive producer. Chris l. but lee this week. He's also our weekly mascot owner and i'm looking at lovely picture of his two cats. Oh is it highly. They friends they look friendly. Being friends is katharine off the to ransom. We're going to post this on our social media and our newsletter which you can subscribe to if you click on the lincoln your shown on your phone strand after listening to this. How how do we pronounce the names of these two cats matt..
The Passing Shot Tennis Podcast
"hugo gaston" Discussed on The Passing Shot Tennis Podcast
"You know i'm sure he would have wanted to cap it off with the title. Because he's not gonna get many he's probably gonna feel like he's not gonna get many of those opportunities Left left in the left in the in his locker. So i think that was probably his his kind of motivation but certainly with alcatraz and the expectation on him a goal threat one calls for is is mental. He would have been feeling like i'm ready. I want to break free. I'm ready to break through in being on a clay cool wet. He seen his best results in him. Really kind of feel i. It was it was probably he was expecting to happen. Maybe not necessarily this tournament but you know some of the payers that he beat on reached the final just very very very impressive. he beat try new. Vich the quarters and then remorse manolas in the in the semi so he's facing some very very good players and yet he's he's one to watch the few cha. I'm still a bit like is he. Just clay clay court. Billy i will keep going back to when we watch wimbledon amended saying to you. He's just playing. He's just playing golf course like keiko southfield like this. You know semi with fulltime time and being able to adapt to the different court services but right now yeah very very tough place to be on the clay court. I feel like he needs to see phone up on containing him. Be like helped me adapt to seven. But obviously tony's or working with faa but essentially. He needs to kind of go through that and learned conquer the other services. But you know. Let's give him his job. He's just becoming the youngest ever well. Youngest level champion since i think nishikori back in like two thousand eight so we'll let enjoy this movement first before we Bombarded with with school schools. One player as well. He was doing very very nice. Lena also having a fantastic year as is cam nori. I'm and that's cuss burrito. He's wadden back to back. Titles now he won the gestalt tournaments in switzerland off the back of winning baastad in sweden. Now the to told him think we get the names mixed up sometime. Say cash route score on the base And yeah he won against you guessed on in the final a very comfortable win. Six three six two This is his the title of the season. He is another pie. That is kind of making hay while everyone else is in turkey on because he's a you know i'm baseball. What the moment and especially on a clay-court This is his best surface and he really showed his excellent defense and great movement around the courts in the week because he had again ask mostly very comfortable matches. Bar- barring the he jumped in his semifinal. Because we were talking about this drool last week behind this already. Strong door really strong draw. Chaparrals velos there but easter you've got christian garin as well and they. They lost all ready early on two players. the were much much lower ranked them so. I really felt that we've rude. It was as long as he kind of winning. Match by match the you know. The drill was opening up for him. And the you know the momentum that he's bringing the number of matches he has one he again is another player who is just been. He's just been impeccable. I think on the on the clay the season and was really really impressive and me was a little bit of a surprise to see him. Come up against. Hugo gaston Frogs in in the final credits him because we all about his i think his variety it is particularly his his dropshots that he can. I think really really kind of helped him. When he's playing klay quotas he liked to maybe stay ten feet behind the baseline or whatever I think in that match in the final against the route because he is able to be aggressive. Gaston really was able to get into a rhythm. Think in the match the point and when whenever it just i just say route and enabled him to to settle and again. I think it was just a very very impressive business as usual performance from to come through and you will be another player who just got wishes..