The Tennis Podcast 2026 - Who’s started well, and who hasn’t?
20 snips
Jan 5, 2026 The new tennis season kicks off with a buzz around the United Cup in Perth, featuring discussions on Team USA's concerns with Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff. The hosts celebrate standout performances from Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari, while debating Stan Wawrinka's potential wildcard for the Australian Open. Highlights include Iga Świątek's tactical adjustments against Eva Lys and Hubert Hurkacz's impressive return from injury. Novak Djokovic's split from the PTPA brings major governance discussion, alongside exciting forecasts for the season ahead.
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Confirm Late-Start Rules With Supervisors
- Tournament supervisors can agree to keep late starts under combined ATP/WTA rules but must both consent.
- Catherine Whitaker recommends checking with supervisors early rather than assuming a rule will auto-apply.
Season Feels Like Continuation
- The off-season barely changes tennis narratives because injuries and habits persist into the new year.
- Matt Roberts says the sport resumes with familiar storylines and late-night matches as if no break occurred.
Midnight Mixed Doubles Commentary
- Catherine described riffing on Petros Tsitsipas during a 1:30am dead-rubber mixed doubles match.
- She used the time to remind the tiny audience that Petros was once dubbed the hardest working man in tennis.