Mensik's breakout, Djokovic's demise, Sabalenka's statement and the coaching roundabout turns again
In this episode of Tennis Unfiltered, James Gray, George Bellshaw, and Calvin Betton discuss everything that has been going on in the world of tennis and more from coaching techniques and the Wimbledon dress code to scheduling and the recent Miami Open.
Jakub Mensik defeated Novak Djokovic, even though the Czech teenager almost withdrew from the tournament before his first-round match. Djokovic did not appear to be 100 per cent with a swelling under his right eye and trouble moving behind the baseline, but said Mensik deserved the win.
In the women's final, Aryna Sabalenka snapped her run of two straight defeats in finals (AO, IW) by beating Jessica Pegula to claim her first Miami title: she has now won three of the last four top-level American hard-court events, cementing her place as runaway world No 1.
Still somehow No 2, Iga Swiatek's challenges and mental resilience have been in the spotlight, targeted by an abusive member of the public in practice and then shocked by breakout star Alex Eala.
It was also a good week for Emma Raducanu and her temp coach Mark Petchey, a bad one for Alexander Zverev and a decent one for French tennis...
PLUS: Ongoing developments from the PTPA legal case and a new coach for Andrey Rublev that Calvin doesn't like
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1:36:51
Tennis civil war finally breaks out, Kyrgios is 'back' and a coachless Raducanu is on the charge
Calvin Betton calls in from Miami and Molly McElwee subs in for Barcelona with George Bellshaw on holiday.
The PTPA has finally broken cover on a legal battle with the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA across three different territories. The men's tour says it will not be cowed by the players union, but over the weekend the PTPA filed a motion with US judge asking “to prohibit all illegal contact with players by the ATP or any defendant or co-conspirator”. The ATP said it "refutes their assertions".
Nick Kyrgios wins his first match on tour since wrist surgery but is then beaten by Karen Khachanov
Francisco Comesana and Corentin Moutet both provide unusual entertainment https://www.instagram.com/p/DHeuH7RMkTr/?img_index=2&igsh=MTZjeWc2aGxtNHNoZQ==
Jacob Fearnley becomes British No 2
Emma Raducanu parts ways with her trial coach Vlado Platenik and then goes on her best run of the season with Mark Petchey in the box
Mirra Andreeva can't back up her Indian Wells title, beaten by Amanda Anisimova, but puts female coaches firmly in the spotlight
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1:39:07
Indian Wells review: Draper breaks through, Andreeva dominates the desert and Iga's sad slump
Presented by Calvin Betton, James Gray and George Bellshaw
Produced and edited by James Gray
At 23, Jack Draper secured his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating four top-15 players, including Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. This victory propelled him to a career-high world ranking of No 7.
Mirra Andreeva matched fellow Russian Maria Sharapova's record by achieving ten consecutive WTA match wins before turning 21, and actually made it 12 to secure her second consecutive 1000 title. Her Indian Wells triumph included a historic comeback against world No1 Aryna Sabalenka, elevating her to world No 6.
Iga Swiatek, one of Andreeva's victims, inadvertently returned a ball that nearly struck a ball boy, leading to immediate apologies and a social media statement expressing her regret. She also addressed public perceptions, highlighting the double standards female athletes often face regarding emotional expression on the court. https://www.instagram.com/p/DHTtfobClLE/?img_index=1
The WTA has had a rebrand... but Zheng Qinwen has not https://x.com/kostekcanu/status/1899718881171923033?s=46&t=Rhiq-18RZr7lX_TkDfCsvA
And SO much more...
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1:24:48
Another Raducanu trial, Kyrgios is injured and Botic spoils the party again
George Bellshaw and James Gray are stuck on this side of the Atlantic while Calvin Betton is sunning himself in Tennis Paradise: Indian Wells.
We delve into the mailbag for your emails on weird dreams, George's long-term hatred of Indian Wells, the let rule, and comments on coaching by Janko Tipsarevic
Emma Raducanu has another coach on trial
Nick Kyrgios managed just 1.5 sets on his comeback from injury, beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp...
...who then ruins the party for Novak Djokovic in tough conditions that he said were totally different
And there's a great run in IW for Sonay Kartal
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1:20:44
Feud with Roddick continues, VAR controversy and Pique's wild ideas
Calvin Betton (ATP tennis coach), George Bellshaw (writer and broadcaster) and James Gray (journalist) all gather round the microphone once again to discuss the biggest issues in tennis.
On the eve of "the fifth slam", there has been plenty of off-court controversy...
Calvin reacts to Andy Roddick's claim that Rohan Bopanna being a good person and helping other people "doesn't necessarily make doubles a use case" as well as insisting that "a singles player might have done the same or even more"
George breaks down the VAR controversy in Dubai where Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik clash over a "hindrance" video replay call
James posits a theory on Stefanos Tsitsipas's resurgence
Gerard Pique says he has more ideas on how to improve the sport because "tennis needs to evolve to adapt to the current speed and attract those young people who are tempted to watch many other things like HBO or Netflix"
Emma Navarro records a double-bagel victory in the Merida final while Jessica Pegula makes it two titles for the American women with victory in Austin
Tomas Machac serves his way to a maiden ATP title
And everyone gets ill in Acapulco
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