Upsets, Gucci, and Doubt: Rome Week One

Upsets, Gucci, and Doubt: Rome Week One

Author: Anastasia Folorunso, Nick Carter May 11, 2026 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 struggling three weeks before Roland Garros. Sabalenka looks beatable for the first time in a while, Iga might be back, and the WTA field has gotten very wide open very fast. Plus housekeeping on the last day of spring merch pre-orders, our McCarran Park screening dates for Roland Garros and Wimbledon, an Off Season check-in, and our Players of the Fortnight.


Links:




Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Housekeeping

05:32 Two Week Masters are OUT

10:03 The State of the ATP Tour

17:58 Novak Djokovic's Return and Future Prospects

21:11 Janik Sinner's Dominance and Historical Context

25:53 The WTA Landscape: Surprises and Uncertainties

31:30 Retirement Announcements and Their Impact on Performance

34:06 Paolini out of the top 10

39:31 TNT is back for Roland Garros Coverage in the US & UK

44:50 Catching up with the Off Season

49:16 What’s coming up next on tour

52:20 Highlighting Players of the Fortnight

57:11 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
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