Monday Match Analysis

Australian Nick Kyrgios faced Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open, in front of a wild crowd inside John Cain Arena in Melbourne. Find out how the end of the 4th set was a turning point in the match, and what awaits Dominic Thiem in round three. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

We've waited longer than usual (in more ways than one), but the Australian Open preview is here. Gill Gross breaks down the draw quarter-by-quarter: quarterfinal predictions, dark horses, upset alerts and popcorn matchups. Top-seeded Novak Djokovic seeks his 9th Australian Open title, in a quarter with Alexander Zverev, occasional kryptonite Stan Wawrinka, and big-serving Milos Raonic. Dominic Thiem looks to back up last year's run at the final with another strong showing, as Pablo Carreno Busta and Diego Schwartzman loom in his quarter. Russians Daniil Medvedev (4) and Andrey Rublev (7) come off an ATP Cup victory, and are now paired in the same quarter in the bottom half of the draw. Finally, Rafael Nadal seeks major #21, hoping his back holds up against the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini in his quarter. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

The inaugural ATP Cup gave us some of the best matches and moments of 2020. Now we run it back, as tour-level tennis resumes with a 12-team field in Melbourne. Gill creates a special formula to power rank the teams and project the tournament. The stat of the week powered by DB4 Tennis explores the Big 3's quest for the double grand slam. Finally, notes from a documentary on Andrey Rublev (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNcEsVbhIx8&t=1222s), Rafael Nadal's interview with CNN (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBuqsuy4Qdc) and Blair Henley's interview with Stefanos Tsitsipas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TAp-3bLltY&t=1s). SPOILER ALERT: scroll down to see the ATP Cup singles rosters, complete with my grades. (ranking, ranking) {tier+tier= team grade} Group A Djokovic-Lajovic (1,20) {1,5- 6} Zverev-Struff (7,16) {2,4- 6} Shapovalov-Raonic (10,11) {3,3- 6} Group B Nadal-RBA (4,8) {1,2- 3} Tsitsipas-Pervolorakis (6,24) {2,6- 8} De Minaur-Milman (12,19) {3,5- 8} Group C Thiem-Novak (3,23) {1,6- 7} Bettertini-Fognini (13,15) {4,4- 8} Monfils-Paire (14,21) {4,5- 9} Group D Medvedev-Rublev (2,5) {1,2- 3} Schwartzman-Pella (9,17) {3,5- 8} Nishikori-Nishioka (18,22) {5,5- 10} Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

Gill answers your tennis comments, including: did Novak Djokovic get unfairly targeted after sending suggestions to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, will players be unable to reach a high level of play during Australian Open 2021, who are Djokovic's biggest threats, does the quarantine favor older or younger players, what's the prettiest one-handed backhand of all time, why Medvedev is next up on grass, should Roger Federer play the clay court season, would 2008 French Open Rafael Nadal win or lose to the 2020 French Open version, which slam final result would I change, how can future events learn from Australia, 2021 prediction for Ugo Humbert, how can the ATP Cup be fixed and is there a place for Davis Cup, what is the point of the ATP player council if any, what is Sebi Korda's ceiling and much much more. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

Controversy has struck the Australian Open, as well over 50 players are affected by positive tests on their charter flights to Australia, resulting in mandated 14-day quarantines in their hotel rooms. Warring perspectives have emerged; some taking the side of disgruntled players and others defending Tennis Australia and the Victorian government, while chiding players for their attitudes. I argue for both sides. The debacle has also exposed the communication issues that exist in tennis. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Serena Williams, Naoimi Osaka and Simona Halep are quarantining in Adelaide (South Australia), clearly benefitting from favorable conditions. In the DB4 Tennis Stat of the Week, a fascinating WTA trend has emerged at Slams over the last five years. Finally, I react to Hubert Hurkacz's triumph at Delray Beach, and Australian Open qualifiers, including Carlos Alcaraz and Bernard Tomic. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

It's time to predict the ATP Top 10 for 2021. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer look to continue to fend off the fast-improving younger generation. The aforementioned crop of players--- Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev--- seek a breakthrough. Dominic Thiem has already ascended into the elite tier, but perhaps he can go higher. All the projections are here, in my top 10 prediction. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

A New Years interview edition of MMA with Jon Wertheim of Tennis Channel, Sports Illustrated and 60 Minutes. We discuss what we learned about dealing with tennis during the pandemic in 2020, why tennis politics has been left unchanged this offseason, how the upcoming Australian Open will be held, bold predictions for 2021 including an first-time slam winner and Roger Federer's retirement, the future of analytics in tennis, and interviewing Jerry Seinfeld. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

Gill responds to your comments, including: why is Dominic Thiem upset prone, will Andrey Rublev continue to ascend, which Big 3 member had the best "worst year", who are some ATP players primed for a big 2021, who is the comeback player of the year favorite, expectations for Carlos Alcaraz, does Roger Federer still have one slam left, who is most likely to resurface as a contender between Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro, is Djokovic's post-hiatus form concerning, best volleyer on tour, is the ATP cup fair, Felix Auger Aliassime vs. Jannik Sinner on potential, how similar are Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, why wouldn't I want tennis to go back to the 80's or 90's, what happened to Gael Monfils, how have tennis tactics changed in the last five years, is Rafael Nadal more likely to win another Wimbledon/Aussie or Novak Djokovic the French? Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

On a special holiday edition of Monday Match Analysis, I'm joined by Cracked Racquets editor and host Alex Gruskin to assemble an offseason wish list for the ATP's top ten, heading into 2021. 2:31 - Novak Djokovic 8:22 - Rafael Nadal 15:05 - Dominic Thiem 22:55 - Daniil Medvedev 28:32 - Roger Federer 35:45 - Stefanos Tsitsipas 39:43 - Alexander Zverev 44:53 - Andrey Rublev 48:45 - Diego Schwartzman & Mateo Berretini 51:30 - Gael Monfils 52:06 - Jannik Sinner 53:34 - Nick Kyrgios 54:33 - American Tennis 57:10 - Kei Nishikori & Lost-Gen 59:00 - Monday Match Analysis Interview Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed tennis's most basic aesthetics. From the death of ballperson towel-handling to electronic line calling (Hawk-Eye Live), to the absence of crowds. I chat with Blair Henley, a freelance host and writer who's on-site at many of the biggest ATP and WTA events each year, about how these changes affect the competition, and how some could be permanent. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support