Tennis Now's Podcast

In today's edition of the Lucy Letcord Podcast we ring in the new year by getting pumped up for the 2019 Australian Open! Richard Pagliaro, Tennis Now's Editor joins the show to talk about several burning topics including: 1. Naomi Osaka's tennis and Naomi Osaka's mind 2. Aryna Sabalenka's brilliant run in Shenzhen 3. Speaking of Osaka and Sabalenka, which player is going to have the better season? 4. The women's game is deep, but which players standout among the early favorites for Slam glory in Melbourne (hint: Kerber) 5. Novak Djokovic is the Aussie Open favorite, but do we think less of his chances after he suffered a loss to Roberto Bautista Agut in Doha? 6. Roger Federer was brilliant at Hopman Cup and he's also a six-time champion in Melbourne. What are his chances of taking the title? 7. Kei Nishikori finally cracked the duck in Brisbane by snapping his three year title drought--does this make him a legit contender in Melbourne. 8. Hopman Cup was once again the perfect way to ring in the tenn

This week on the Lucky Letcord Podcast we chat with rising American Mackie McDonald. The former NCAA singles and doubles champion made a massive mark on the ATP Tour in 2018, rising 100 spots in the rankings to finish at 76 in the world. After qualifying for the Australian Open and winning his first Grand Slam main draw match, McDonald would press on and turns heads at Wimbledon, where he reached the second week. ***The interview begins at 2:30*** 3:52 McDonald on what changed for him in 2018. 4:25 We asked the 23-year-old about what it was like to face the best players that the sport has to offer, and what ranking goal he has set for 2019. Other topics discussed: 5:45 Are there some things that work in college and challengers that don’t cut it at ATP level? 7:00 How the run in Australia was a spark for the whole campaign. 7:45 How does a higher ranking change the way he will plan for 2019? 8:48 How big was making the second week of Wimbledon for his confidence, and why is he a natural fit for grass?

In this week's edition of the Lucky Letcord Podcast, Tennis Now editor Richard Pagliaro joins the show to discuss the week that was in tennis. We break down the Paris Masters which featured a breakthrough Masters 1000 title from 22-year-old Russian Karen Khachanov. Richard thinks this big man is destined for greatness not unlike his Paris predecessor Marat Safin and maybe even more. We also discuss the brilliant semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. What does it say about the state of one of tennis's greatest rivalries and what does it tell us about Roger Fededer's hopes of reclaiming glory at the majors in 2019? We also wonder about Djokovic in the present? Did he simply hit the wall in Paris and will be back, as menacing as ever, to rule the World Tour Finals next week in London? Other topics discussed: The improved form of Dominic Thiem on hardcourts will certainly help him get his ranking higher in the future, but is he a future No.1? Kei Nishikori has been brilliant all season--

It's semi-final time at the WTA Finals in Singapore and we're chatting with veteran tennis journalist Ros Satar of Britwatch Sports. Ros joins the Lucky Letcord from Singapore, where she is covering the 5th and final Singapore edition of the WTA Finals. We break down the week that was in Singapore, and chat about what went wrong for those who didn't reach the semis. Other topics discussed: Caroline Wozniacki's rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and how the Dane could be a big inspiration in 2019. Naomi Osaka's wild ride, how it ended and what she might do next. Angelique Kerber: A great season ends without a coach? Of course, we preview today's blockbuster semifinal matchups between Elina Svitolina and Kiki Bertens and Sloane Stephens and Karolina Pliskova. Finally Ros tells us who is going to win the whole darn thing! Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Lucky Letcord Podcast Tennis Now's Editor joins Chris Oddo to talk about an amazing week in tennis. We actually didn't plan to do a podcast this week, but so many amazing achievements went down we felt it was only right. We discuss: 1. The incredible titles of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kyle Edmund and Karen Khachanov and what that means for each going forward? 2. What are the upsides of the aforementioned players and which player will reach the Top 10 first? 3.Which of the three will be No.1, if any? 4. We also discuss the first four Days of the WTA Finals and take a crack at picking a winner. Don't laugh, we don't claim to be smart. 5. We finish with a discussion of Daria Kasatkina. She's won a big title in Moscow and now resides in the Top 10--can she go higher and is she ready to win a Slam NOW? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Lucky Letcord Podcast Tennis Now's editor Richard Pagliaro joins to help us debate the WTA's year-end awards. 1. Player of the Year Halep/Wozniacki/Kerber/Osaka/Kvitova 2. Doubles Team of the Year 3. Most Improved 4. Best Newcomer 5. Comeback Player of the year Then we dive into a discussion of Novak Djokovic's amazing performance at Shanghai, asking: 1. Is he going to finish the year No.1? 2. How long is this run going to continue? 3. What is it about him that makes him such a force? We also discuss our picks for coach of the year, making mention of many significant coaching contributions in 2018, and of course, leaving a few out (sorry Jan Dewitt!) And finally -- what should we make of Roger Federer's performance in Shanghai and what can we expect from the Swiss now that Novak Djokovic has returned to dominance? Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's edition of the Lucky Letcord Podcast we dial up 14-year-old Coco Gauff, who is currently off training at the Patrick Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, to discuss her new feature on Whistle Sports, called "No Days Off." Gauff is the reigning Roland Garros Girls' Singles champion, and she's the youngest to win that title in 25 years. She's also the youngest U.S. Open Girls' Singles finalist in history. We caught up with the Florida-born world traveler to discuss her blossoming career, what it's been like to compete at the pro level and how Patrick Mouratoglou and his academy have impacted her career. We also discuss her family and how they are helping her achieve her dreams, what she plans to for the rest of the year and how she feels about being labeled as the next Serena Williams so young. The interview begins at the 2:00 mark of the podcast. Before you listen, jump over to Whistle Sports and watch the seven-minute video for the series "No Days Off." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEhvQJ_OlD

Today on the Lucky Letcord Podcast Tennis Now's Editor Richard Pagliaro joins to talk about the stellar achievement of Naomi Osaka, who becomes the first Grand Slam champion in Japanese tennis history by defeating Serena Williams in a final that was--unfortunately--marred by controversy. We discuss: 1. It's vitally important to start with the real star of the day -- her name is Naomi Osaka. 2. Should Carlos Ramos have been more flexible and issued a soft warning to Serena Williams. 3. Serena's complex relationship with the U.S. Open -- why? 4. What was it like being there--Richard gives the scoop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Lucky Letcord Podcast we take a peek inside the inner workings of the 2018 U.S. Open as we chat with tournament host and presenter Blair Henley to find out: What's it like to talk to champion's moments after some of their greatest achievement? How in the heck do you manage to get all those player name's pronounced correctly? Who is that strange dancing lady on Granstand? What have been Blair's favorite moments of this year's tournament? Is it really THAT HOT IN NYC? How is the business end of the Open shaping up and what do the men's semifinals look like? How should Roger Federer announce his retirement to the world? Yeah, we discussed a lot! Thanks to Blair for making herself available! Follow her on Twitter @BlairHenley! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Lucky Letcord Podcast we wonder out loud... Has Roger Federer lost the fire in the belly? Is Rafael Nadal's rough draw going to catch up with him when he meets Del Potro? What does Dominic Thiem's breakout U.S. Open say about his future on hardcourts? There's a roof over tonight's Women's semifinals? Huh? Can Naomi Osaka stay hot and run the table in NYC? Will Serena Williams still be winning majors when she's 46? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today at LLC Pod we break down Day 7. Empty Promises from Nick Kyrgios what needs to be done? How about Alexander Zverev and Elina Svitolina, what do they need to do to breakthrough? How good is Dominic Thiem on hardcourts now and will it be good enough to compete with three-time USOpen champ Nadal? Sloane Stephens title defense = on track in NYC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Lucky Let we look at the similarities between the comebacks of Victoria Azarenka and Stan Wawrinka, who both fell today in straight sets. Of course we look back at Serena Williams victory over her sister Venus. We talk a bit about how Serena's Quarter of Death has now become, well, less deadly. We give a nod to Rafa and Sloane, the defending champs who both came through today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Lucky Letcord Podcast the venerable Steve Flink joins us moments after Angelique Kerber's 6-3, 6-3 victory over Serena Williams in the Wimbledon Ladies' Singles final. We talk about the importance of Kerber's victory, how she got it done, and what went wrong for Serena as well as where she might go from here. We also preview Sunday's men's singles final, which features a rejuvanated Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson. Of course we debate the topic that has been on everybody's mind since Day 11 brought us a 6 hour, 36 minute semifinal that tossed the final weekend's scheduling into disarray. Should we or shouldn't we go to a fifth-set breaker at all majors? Steve weighs in on that and the bizarre twist to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's semifinal, which was played over two days and under a roof despite bright sunny skies on Saturday at Wimbledon. As, always, thanks for listening, and please, if you like the podcast, please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes. Thanks -- the manag

In today's episode of the Lucky Letcord Podcast we look at the domination of American women at the Championships. Americans have won 57 Ladies' Singles titles at Wimbledon, 21 more than the next closest nation, and the Williams sisters have dominated the lawns of the All England Club like no other duo since 2000, winning 12 of the 18 Ladies' Singles titles at SW19. Serena will bid for her eighth Wimbledon title on Saturday against Germany's Angelique Kerber, and we preview what could be an historic day for Williams while also looking at two American future stars, Cori "Coco" Gauff and Claire Liu. Thanks for listening and enjoy Day 11 of the Championships! As always, a rate and review fo the podcast would be helpful. Thanks -- the management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Lucky Letcord Podcast we are joined by Wimbledon Channel Presenter Nick McCarvel.  Nick is a rising tennis journalist that works for all four of the majors as well as many other tennis tournaments and outlets. He can currently be found fom now until the end of the Wimbledon fortnight on the Wimbledon Channel.  Follow the Wimbledon Channel on Twitter here Today we discussed Nick's beginnings as a tennis journalist, from his first New York Times byline, which came at Wimbledon in 2009 (oops) and discuss his transition from behind the scenes covering the Grand Slam beat as a USA Today contributor to his current role behind the camera.  We discuss the art of the interview and Nick's philosophy on putting the athlete first.  We discuss the one interview that Nick would most like to conduct.  And, of course, WE BREAK DOWN DAY 8!!!! It's women's quarterfinals day at Wimbledon and we're all pretty darn excited about it.  Thanks to Nick for joining us and thanks to all our listeners.  Visit the Wimbledon

In today's edition of the Lucky Letcord Podcast sponsored by Tennis Express we preview Wimbledon's manic Monday with the venerable Steve Flink. Steve was inducted into the International Hall of Fame in 2017 for his intrepid work as a tennis journalism and he is attending Wimbledon for the 42nd consecutive year. Topics discussed: The chaotic first week on the women's side, in which an unprecedented number of seeds failed to reach the second week. The rise of Serena Williams, through the chaos. The intrigue on the bottom half of the men's singles draw where Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro are all jockeying for position to reach the final. We also hear from: Daria Kasatkina on her amazing success returning serve in week one. Kasatkina also weighs in on the seeds scattering (hint: she doesn't care) Karen Khachanov talks about how he adapts his game for grass as he prepares to face Novak Djokovic in the round of 16. Jelena Ostapenko talks about bouncing back from a difficu

Australian Tennis Journalist Matt Trollope (@MattyAT) joins the podcast to discuss a massive Day 6 at Wimbledon for the Aussie stars. Topics discussed include: Thoughts on the struggles of Top 10 seeds on the women's side at Wimbledon. A take on rise of 19-year-old Alex de Minaur. The role of Lleyton Hewitt in de Minaur's development and Hewitt's overall effect on Australian tennis. The play of Nick Kyrgios with a look-ahead to his clash with Kei Nishikori. A nod to undercovered and steadily improving Matthew Ebden. What can we expect from Ash Barty on Day 6? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Lucky Letcord Podcast we break down the unprecedented carnage that seeds have seen in the first two rounds at Wimbledon. We chat briefly with Stefanos Tsitsipas about the "dive heard 'round Wimbledon." We ask Dominiki Cibulkova why she serves like she's 10-feet tall at Wimbledon. Denis Shapovalov talks about wanting to win at Wimbledon too much. We say farewell to Frenchman Julien Benneteau after his final singles match at Wimbledon and ask him about his memories and what's next. Thanks for listening -- please rate and review on iTunes if you like the show! --the Management Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Lucky Let Cord Podcast we hear from Denis Shapovalov ahead of his second-round tilt with Benoit Paire and discuss Caroline Wozniacki's comments about Ekaterina Makarova after the Dane was knocked out of Wimbledon on Day 3. We also briefly dig into Serena Williams serving and sense of humor, and hear a take from Roger Federer on the anniversary of his epic 2008 Wimbledon final with a man named Rafa. Thanks for listening! Please rate and review on Itunes and tell your friends... -- the management Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We break down a frantic Day 1 of Wimbledon, hearing from Denis Shapovalov about his Day 2 matchup with Jeremy Chardy, and getting a lesson in match point saved history from Agnieszka Radwanska. We also discuss Roger Federer's Mega Uniqlo deal and Stefanos Tsitsipas' first Wimbledon win. Now we must sleep! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices