Australian Open Is Here. Federer FOMO, One Point Slam, and the Matches We’re Watching

Australian Open Is Here. Federer FOMO, One Point Slam, and the Matches We’re Watching

Author: Anastasia Folorunso, Nick Carter January 18, 2026 Duration: 1:01:42

The Australian Open is officially underway and we are feeling the FOMO. We get into Federer taking over Melbourne, why the One Point Slam was the best pre-tournament idea in years, and what Aussie Open Fan Week says about where tennis is headed. Then we run through Adelaide, Auckland, and Hobart winners, the WTA Next Gen wave, how the draw works, the qualifiers we’re watching, and the first-round matchups we are circling. Plus: how we’re watching from home and what’s coming next from Ground Pass, including the OFF SEASON premiere on January 18 at 4 PM ET. - https://youtu.be/0U3F4CfUsh0?si=e0kDZH3qfxfaojX7


Links:


Chapters:

00:00 Intro - Welcome to the Australian Open

05:01 Recent Tournament Recap: Adelaide, Auckland & Hobart

10:10 Next Gen Players Making Waves

20:55 Looking back at the Australian Open Fan Week

32:13 Our Australian Open Preview

41:52 Spotlight on Qualifiers

47:27 Exciting Matches to Watch

52:26 How to Watch the Australian Open

54:53 Upcoming Projects and Wrap-Up


We have Merch!!! 


Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop 


💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️


Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com 

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com 

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com 


Follow us for daily updates on Social:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass 

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast 

X: https://x.com/groundpasspod


Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about 



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


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

Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Why the Charleston Open Feels Different [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:45
Anastasia is back from the Charleston Open with a full on-site recap of one of the most beloved stops on the WTA calendar. She breaks down Jessica Pegula’s title defense, Yulia Starodubtseva’s breakthrough run, and why C…
From Indian Wells to Miami. Inside the Sunshine Double [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:18
Anastasia checks in from the Miami Open after a whirlwind stretch through Indian Wells and the start of the Sunshine Double. In this mini-pod, she recaps what Indian Wells felt like on the ground, from ticketing issues a…
“Live” from Indian Wells its Ground Pass! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:06
“Live” from Indian Wells its Ground Pass!Join Anastasia and guest co-host Ian Mondul on the pod recorded from Tennis Paradise in the desert.Things we discuss:What the Tournament has been like so far and the changes this…
February Is the Best Month in Tennis (And We Can Prove It) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:51
Anastasia is back from Delray Beach and has thoughts. A lot of them. This week, we get into why February might just be the best month on the tennis calendar, what it was actually like on the ground at the Delray Beach Op…