Who's Next in the New Big Three? Shelton and Fils Stake a Claim, Plus Rybakina's 2nd Porsche

Who's Next in the New Big Three? Shelton and Fils Stake a Claim, Plus Rybakina's 2nd Porsche

Author: Anastasia Folorunso, Nick Carter April 20, 2026 Duration: 42:53
Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast
SportsCultureEntertainmentNewsSocietySociety & CultureTennis

Nick is on his own for the mini pod this week while I'm off the grid, and there is a lot to get through. Rybakina picks up her second Porsche in Stuttgart after surviving a Leylah Fernandez match that nearly became the women's match of the year. Karolina Muchova finally gets Coco Gauff. Mirra Andreeva keeps rolling on indoor clay. Marta Kostyuk wins Rouen in an all-Ukrainian final alongside 19-year-old Veronika Podrez. Arthur Fils takes Barcelona as Alcaraz pulls out, and Ben Shelton wins on European clay in Munich. Plus what's happening with Marketa Vondrusova and a Madrid preview missing two of its biggest names.


Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:01 Stuttgart: A Premier WTA Event

04:31 Zeynep Somnez and Leylah Fernandez shine

09:26 Karolina Muchova's big win

16:59 Ruan WTA 250: New Faces and Rising Stars

19:27 Quick re-cap of Rouen

23:02 Injury Challenges for Alcaraz

25:03 The Impact of Player Withdrawals

26:17 No Novak Djokovic yet

27:38 Arthur Fils wins in Barcelona

29:04 Name to remember - Rafa Jodar

30:16 On to Munich - Fonseca takes steps forward

32:47 Ethan Quinn & Ben Shelton's Breakthrough on Clay

36:23 Off Court News

39:15 Madrid Open Preview

41:17 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

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