Hailey's Breakthrough, Sinner's Streak, and Rome on Deck

Hailey's Breakthrough, Sinner's Streak, and Rome on Deck

Author: Anastasia Folorunso, Nick Carter May 5, 2026 Duration: 30:39

A mini pod to wrap Madrid and look ahead to Rome. We get into Hailey Baptiste's career-best run, Marta Kostyuk's unbeaten clay season (and the backflip we didn't know we needed), Mirra Andreeva's two finals, Townsend and Siniakova's doubles takeover, and the men's final that we, frankly, did not watch. Plus: why Alexander Blockx deserves more credit, the case for actually watching Next Gen, Ethan Quinn going full clay dog in Aix, and our spring merch is live (with a very limited Hailey Baptiste tee that drops out of the store May 11). Order of Play hits Substack right after.


Links:



Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:38 Merch Update

04:48 Breakthrough Performances: Hailey Baptiste and Others

11:48 Men's Final and Emerging Talents

24:24 Other Bits and Bobs

25:10 Rome Preview

29:41 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: 100

Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast
Podcast Episodes
It will be life changing for anyone who wins Roland Garros [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:09
The Finals are set between Mirra Andreeva and Maja Chwalinska & Alexandar Zverev and Flavio Cobolli. WE had such fun stories to get here.▶ Watch next: OFF SEASON, Episode 7 — https://youtu.be/DBEQ8JbqyMA?si=-B8rgYbIId5eG…
Roland Garros Week 1 Recap - Sinner, Gauff, Djokovic Out so who is in? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Mid way through Roland Garros 2026 and this one is already for the history books. The quarterfinals are set. Its anybodies tournament.▶ Watch next: OFF SEASON, Episode 7 — https://youtu.be/DBEQ8JbqyMA?si=-B8rgYbIId5eGxaI…
Upsets, Gucci, and Doubt: Rome Week One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:23
Nick is back from a birthday recharge in Wales and we're getting into Rome. Sinner is playing in all-black Gucci and closing in on the Career Masters at 24. Arthur Fils, Ben Shelton, Fonseca, and FAA are all out or strug…
Alcaraz Is Out, Madrid Gets Weird, and a New Roland Garros Champion? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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…