Tennis Unfiltered

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With James away on honeymoon, Tom steps into the host’s chair alongside George Bellshaw to discuss what’s been happening across the tennis world this week, including...

Daniil Medvedev’s disqualification against Novak Djokovic

Djokovic setting a new record for the most consecutive opening-match wins at a single tournament

Alexander Zverev’s struggles against the world’s top players and whether he is a genuine future No.1

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina suffering early exits at the China Open

Sonay Kartal’s encouraging return from injury

Emma Navarro opening up about her health struggles and the physical and mental demands of life on tour

The latest development in Tara Moore’s legal case against the WTA

Tom will be back later this week with Calvin Betton, live from China, to discuss the Japan and China Open results, Kei Nishikori’s retirement, the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam and Jannik Sinner bringing his season to an early close.

Audio Edited by Joshua Harrison.
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PART ONE, LIVE FROM THE LAVER CUP

James Gray and George Bellshaw take in the atmosphere of the Laver Cup on Day 2, which featured arguably the best matches of the entire weekend. They also made up for lost time last week, when Iva Jovic's title in Mexico passed under the radar, as did a shock defeat for Alexander Eala.

PART TWO, WITH CALVIN BETTON

ATP tour coach Calvin Betton gives his assessment of the Laver Cup in London, including which player would make the best coach (and which one the worst!). He also chats with James about Luke Johnson's progress through the Chengdu draw, why Arthur Fils is in qualifiers and the formation of the Grand Slam Player Council.
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PART ONE, LIVE FROM THE COPPER BOX ARENA

James Gray and George Bellshaw headed to Great Britain vs Ecuador on Sunday to watch Henry Patten and Neal Skupski close out the tie, before Harry Wendelken made his Davis Cup debut.

They discussed the future of tennis's premier and most historic team tournament, why home and away ties really are still the best, and huge performances from Canada, South Korea and Austria in particular to book their place in the Final 8, due to take place in Bologna at the end of November.

PART TWO

Calvin Betton joins George and James to look back at the rest of this week's tennis news, including...

- Jack Draper reveals he will miss the rest of the year as he continues his recovering from a complicated arm injury

- Four-time grand slam doubles champion and former world No 1 Joe Salisbury has retired from tennis

- The WTA Finals will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina from 2027

- Juan Carlos Ferrero is coming back on tour next year... but won't confirm with whom!
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Now, on with the weekly podcast...

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CORRECTION: James erroneously claimed Elena Rybakina is based in Dubai. She has in fact lived in Slovakia for the last six years.

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Back together again! James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw assess the US Open 2026.

In order, they discussed...

- Calvin reveals Henry Patten and Luke Johnson's plans for the rest of the year

- Elena Rybakina confirms her status as the best player in the world, leaving Aryna Sabalenka playing catch-up

- Where next for Iga Swiatek? Another collapse, another apparent inability to turn the tide when it starts going against her.

- Was Serena Williams a positive impact on the tournament?

- Alexander Zverev wins another slam this year, but has only had to play one top-10 player across the 14 matches at the majors he won. Lucky or opportunist?

- Ben Shelton makes his "big breakthrough" with a first appearance in a grand slam final, but we have seen this film before...

- Carlos Alcaraz came back, but not as 100 per cent Carlos Alcaraz

And more!

LINKS

- US Open report cards with every top-10 seed graded on their performance: https://substack.com/home/post/p-215571457

- Open Tabs, James empties his imaginary notebook filled with all the spare thoughts you might have missed from the US Open: https://substack.com/home/post/p-215928948

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Today, Calvin and James discussed:

- Henry and Harri's continued success in the US Open men's doubles draw

- The Australian Open chief deciding it might be good to re-open the best-of-five debate in his first month in the job

- Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton finishing at 3.33am and whether players really care about late finishes

- Mirra Andreeva choking two match points against Coco Gauff, who won in three sets

- Elena Rybakina beating Zheng Qinwen and becoming world No 1

And later...

- It's Alexander Zverev's US Open to lose after he cruised into the last four against Botic van de Zandschulp

- And he will play Karen Khachanov after Alexander Blockx's body 'gave up'
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