The People Growing Tennis (with Christian of Christian's Court)

The People Growing Tennis (with Christian of Christian's Court)

Author: Anastasia Folorunso, Nick Carter August 10, 2026 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:



Christian is in Toronto for the Canadian Open and he joins the podcast to give us the on the ground feels of the tournament in Toronto. Eala-mania is in full effect. The tournament is selling branded chicken adobo and the Filipino fans packed the stands bring the best vibes at a tennis tournament he has ever seen. We talk about Alex Eala’s run at the Canadian Open, Coco Gauff’s form and that moment in her press conference that has changed things for all of us new media creators in tennis. Anisimova coaching changes and Diana Schnaider and Naomi Osaka looking good.


On the men's side in Montreal: no Sinner, no Alcaraz, no Djokovic, and a real question about whether the two-week Masters format is worth what it's costing.


Plus a Ground Pass exclusive with Taylor Townsend on why she entered singles only in Canada, and a look at our conversation with Matt Futterman on why he called tennis The Cruelest Game.


The full Futterman interview is on Substack tomorrow: https://groundpass.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips


Chapters:

00:00 Welcome Christian's Court to the podcast

05:15 How the Canadian Open is structured

11:51 Alex Eala takes over Canada and their food court

17:17 Alex Eala keeps winning

29:19 Gauff, Anisimova, the rest of the WTA tour

44:56 The ATP in disarray, but is it really?

01:03:00 The WTA new Media deal


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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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