Miami Open recap, Sunshine Double storylines, and what beginners should know

Miami Open recap, Sunshine Double storylines, and what beginners should know

Author: Anastasia Folorunso, Nick Carter April 1, 2026 Duration: 1:15:38

After a month apart, we’re finally back together to catch up on everything that happened across the Miami Open. We talk through the tournament’s unique ground pass experience, why Miami feels so different from Indian Wells, and the players and storylines that defined the back half of the Sunshine Double.


We also answer a listener question about why men sometimes play best-of-three and sometimes best-of-five, break down what Miami is really like for fans on the grounds, and get into the biggest tennis themes of the week. That includes Aryna Sabalenka’s continued dominance, Jannik Sinner looking untouchable again, questions around Iga Swiatek after Miami, Arthur Fils making his case as part of the next big men’s tier, and a wave of rising teens making noise on both tours.


Plus, we preview Charleston, Houston, and the start of clay season, check in on the Off Season players, and give our Players of the Fortnight.


Links:



Chapters:

00:00 Reconnecting After a Break

01:49 Understanding Tennis Match Formats

07:53 The Miami Open Experience

11:43 Diversity and Atmosphere at the Miami Open

21:51 Charleston vs. Miami: A Ground Pass Comparison

29:39 The Tennis at the Miami Open

38:48 Carlos Alcaraz's Recent Struggles

40:30 Iga Swiatek's Press Conference Insights

47:42 The Rise of Young Tennis Stars

49:11 Is Arthur Fils the 3rd guy?

51:53 Tennis News - Madrid Open Practice Courts

55:27 The Need for Female Tournament Directors

01:01:21 Coming Up This Week in Tennis

01:07:00 Player of the Fortnight Highlights

01:14:27 Outro



We have Merch!!! And its on SALE!


Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/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
Team USA Davis Cup disappointment and a quiet tennis week [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
For the second year in a row Team USA has not made the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, even with top players Ben Shelton and Learner Tien on the team. Houston we have a problem.Missed our other US Open Recap? Find it here - ht…
US Open Round 4 - Comebacks, Armstrong, and the US Open Ticket Market [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:54
Qinwen Zheng came back from 5-0 down for the second straight match, Tiafoe remains undefeated on Armstrong, and the ticket market at the US Open is in free fall.US Open Round 3 Recap: https://youtu.be/P0PYAjyTDbE?si=BlBE…
US Open Round Three: Ashe, Armstrong, and Who Gets Moved [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:40
Eala and Jović opened the Ashe night session while Naomi Osaka played Armstrong. We recap US Open round three from the grounds, on the worst day for the Americans.▶ Round 2 Recap: https://youtu.be/9rBDwwJCLXw?si=3ELLEmEr…
Djokovic Is Out, Alcaraz Is Back (US Open First Round, On Site) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:50
Djokovic loses a first round at a major for the first time in twenty years, Alcaraz returns from a wrist injury, and Monfils wins on his fortieth birthday.A Look at the new Arthur Ashe: https://youtu.be/tn-V6veuRrY?si=Yh…
Cincinnati Made History, and the US Open is here [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:14
Two 1000s ran back to back with no gap, so this episode is a two-parter. We recorded it during the Cincinnati men's final, with the score running underneath us the whole time.Act one is Cincinnati. Arthur Fils and France…
The People Growing Tennis (with Christian of Christian's Court) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:45
Coco Gauff shouted out Christian's Court in a press conference this week, and that moment says a lot about who tennis lets in and who is actually growing it.Links:Send us a voice memo - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/…