Tennis Has a Storytelling Problem (ft. Ryan Ng of Forty Love Studio)

Tennis Has a Storytelling Problem (ft. Ryan Ng of Forty Love Studio)

Author: Anastasia Folorunso, Nick Carter July 21, 2026 Duration: 47:28

Nobody becomes a tennis fan from a highlight reel. This week, Ryan Ng of 40 Love Studio joins Anastasia to talk about the storytelling gap in tennis: the quirky grassroots characters going uncaptured, the six years Ryan spent off the court after the yips took his forehand, and the almost-9-million-view video that started with a friend asking why tennis scoring has a point called love. Plus a quick spin through the week: Tsitsipas wins Gstaad and earns a Lost Boys list revisit, Bernard Tomic and his devoted Bernies, and the ATP's reported plan to shrink doubles, which raises the question this whole episode is about. Do you grow a sport by cutting the field, or by telling the story?


Links:



Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:35 A Quiet Tennis Week on Purpose

04:07 Tsitsipas wins a tournament

07:40 Bernard Tomic and his Fans

10:00 Tennis Wedding Week

11:34 The Tennis Royal Wedding - Tommy Paul and Paige Lorenze

13:19 The Other Weddings

14:30 Carlos Alcaraz at the World Cup

15:54 Interview with Ryan Ng of Forty Love Studio

39:57 The Importance of Storytelling in Tennis

44:04 Excitement for the DC Open

47:14 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans


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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

Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast
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