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Alcaraz Is Out, Madrid Gets Weird, and a New Roland Garros Champion?

Alcaraz Is Out, Madrid Gets Weird, and a New Roland Garros Champion?

Author: Anastasia Folorunso, Nick Carter April 28, 2026 Duration: 58:58
Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast
SportsCultureEntertainmentNewsSocietySociety & CultureTennis

Carlos Alcaraz is out of Rome and Roland Garros, and the men's draw in Madrid has cracked wide open. Anastasia and Nick break down what the wrist injury means for Paris, why Rafa Jodar and Daniel Merida are the names to know, and how Hailey Baptiste is quietly playing herself into a Roland Garros seed. Plus a new Sabalenka vs Osaka rematch, Naomi's Pucci scarf visor moment, the launch of Order of Play on Substack, a Jonas Wood tennis court art show in LA, and the question every player faces in a two-week 1000: what do you do when you lose early?

Player of the Fortnight picks (with a big assist from the comments): Veronica Podrez, Rafa Jodar, and Daniel Merida.


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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:28 Reading your comments

07:58 Carlos Alcaraz out for the rest of the Clay Season

15:50 Impromptu Quiz

20:07 Week 1 of Madrid Recap

22:52 ATP Recap

28:02 WTA Recap

33:00 Naomi Osaka's walk out kit

35:10 New Substack Newsletter post

39:52 What do players do when they lose early at 2 week Masters

45:46 Coming Up This Week in Tennis

50:40 Players of the Fortnight

58:08 Outro


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Join hosts Anastasia Folorunso and Nick Carter for Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast, a conversation that goes beyond the baseline. This isn't just a recap of scores; it's a deep dive into the narratives that shape the sport. Each episode offers analysis of the ATP and WTA tours, the unique pressures of the Grand Slams, and the journeys of emerging talents, all while exploring how tennis intersects with broader culture and society. We unpack the strategy behind the big wins and share the lesser-known stories that happen off the court, aiming to provide context whether you're a lifelong fan or just finding your footing. The discussion is informed, accessible, and driven by a genuine passion for the game's intricacies and its personalities. Tune in to this podcast for a perspective that treats tennis not just as a sequence of matches, but as a continuous, evolving story. You'll find the podcast naturally covers the athletic, human, and cultural dimensions that make the sport compelling, all from a courtside seat that brings you closer to the action and its meaning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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