Nothing Major

The power is back in Madrid, just in time for a new episode of Nothing Major! Sam, Stevie, John, and Jack break down the latest results from Madrid, and discuss the power outage that has put the tournament on hold. They dive into the sport’s biggest headlines: the growing pains of fully electronic officiating, Alexander Zverev’s phone incident, and Naomi Osaka’s surprising decision to enter a Challenger event. Plus, with the NFL Draft wrapped up, the boys hold their own draft, picking their ultimate under-20 tennis dream team. And after Sam’s amateur challenge idea sparked a buzz, the debate continues: who would actually come out on top? 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Madrid Tournament 00:37 Power Outage and Electronic Line Calling Issues 01:57 Player Reactions to Line Calling Controversies 03:13 Discussion on ATP Umpires and Their Roles 05:45 Unexpected Delays and Player Experiences 06:26 NFL Draft and Tennis Player Draft Picks 08:05 Novak Djokovic's Recent Struggles 18:00 Women's Tournament Highlights and Predictions 19:19 Big Name Players in Challengers 21:16 Navigating Tournament Pressure 22:34 Madrid Predictions: Men's and Women's Winners 24:53 Debating Tennis Mustaches 25:53 Doubles Challenge: Pros vs. Amateurs 31:02 Top Challenger Tournaments 32:45 Trivia Time: Masters Series Semifinals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Madrid Open underway, John, Jack, Sam, and Stevie are back to share their favorite memories, and some honest takes on the Spanish 1000 tournament. From the not-so-fancy venue, to the lost magic of the blue clay, to the challenges of finding dinner in a city that eats at midnight. Tennis' favorite host and reporter Blair Henley, crashes the pod with a surprise segment featuring some unbelievable photos from the gang's high school days. Sam attempts to pitch a new pod segment, the boys discuss the best clay court traits and is launching a Hot Coach Bracket a good idea? 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:41 John's Birthday 03:17 Special Guest: Blair Henley 08:13 Prom Stories 19:29 Madrid Tournament Experiences 24:26 Discussing the Blue Clay Experiment 25:11 Funny and Memorable Moments in Madrid 31:24 Overrated, Underrated, and Properly Rated Tourist Attractions in Europe 40:36 Fan Questions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The guys kick off the show recapping the most significant results from last week. Is Zverev back after winning on home soil? Could Rune’s victory over Alcaraz make him a week-in, week-out threat moving forward? And does Ostapenko’s dominant week in Stuttgart make her a Roland Garros contender? They then delve into the ITIA’s odd clarification on the tennis doping control policy and reminisce about their not-so-enjoyable experiences of being watched in the locker room by drug testers during their post-loss showers. Finally, they conclude with their predictions for this week’s Madrid tournament. Can the guys maintain their impressive streak of incorrect picks? 00:00 – Intro and Episode Setup 01:22 – Jack’s Vietnam Pickleball Tour Recap 03:23 – Jack’s Travel Horror Story and WrestleMania Banter 05:05 – Barcelona Recap: Rune Beats Alcaraz 09:45 – Is Zverev Back? Munich Title Discussion 13:47 – Ben Shelton’s Clay Court Run 17:05 – American Players and Clay Court Reputation 20:10 – Stuttgart WTA Recap: Ostapenko’s Win Over Swiatek 25:50 – Can Ostapenko Win the French Open? 30:28 – ITIA Shower Rule Controversy and Doping Stories 37:23 – Madrid Masters Predictions and Draw Talk 43:00 – Website Plug + Trivia Intro 44:21 – Trivia: Who Beat Fed, Rafa, and Novak at Madrid?

This week, the guys go full clay-mode with some hard truths about life on the dirt. They draft their current top clay-court players, revisit the narrative that Americans can’t hang on the surface, and share some painfully honest personal stories - including Steve Johnson’s worst-ever loss on clay winning two games in a five set match. The boys then turn to the Nothing Major mailbag and give insight into life on the ATP Tour, including how coaches are compensated and laundry disasters on the road. 00:00 - Intro: Mailbag, Clay Draft, and Clay Court Losses 00:30 - Jack Sock Still in Vietnam 01:00 - Tennis and Clinics with Sam, John, and Steve 03:00 - Clay Court Snake Draft Begins 06:00 - Draft Recap and Bad Clay Court Team for Jack Sock 09:00 - Steve Johnson’s Worst Clay Court Losses 13:00 - French Open Horror Stories 16:00 - Fan Mailbag: How Are Coaches Paid? 20:00 - Tennis Laundry Stories and Roger Federer Mystique 23:30 - Does Djokovic Have a Slam Chance in 2024? 25:50 - Tournament Hotel and Coach Expense Stories 30:00 - Tips for Submitting Mailbag Questions 30:40 - Fan Roast: German Indoor Tennis Court Vibes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carlos Alcaraz shines with an impressive win in Monte Carlo, raising questions about his favorite status for the French Open. Novak Djokovic and Alex Zverev's surprising early exits spark panic among fans. The intense pressure on athletes like Rory McIlroy at the Masters is mirrored in tennis, highlighting the emotional stakes. There's exciting speculation about Roger Federer's potential return and Ben Shelton's viral doubles moment adds drama. The dynamics of clay season promise thrilling stories ahead!

Reilly Opelka, known as the NextGen Servebot, joins to share insights on injury recovery and the fashionable side of court play. He offers a controversial opinion on doubles and engages in a rapid-fire Hot Seat round. The crew reminisces about the Monte Carlo tournament’s blend of luxury and unpredictability, spices it up with a trivia challenge, and reflects on the challenges American players face on clay. Hilarity ensues as they confess to their lack of knowledge on tennis history while navigating supercars and memorable moments.

The discussion kicks off with Jenson Brooksby's surprising victory in Houston, exploring his unique approach and challenges. The hosts celebrate Jessie Pegula's first clay title while debating the role of nutritionists in sports. A lively quiz on Gen Z slang lightens the mood and adds humor. Candid insights from top players reveal the pressures of the game as they predict outcomes for the upcoming European clay swing. The conversation reflects on the evolution of tennis, with a focus on both men's and women's achievements.

Reilly Opelka, an American professional tennis player known for his impressive height and serve, joins to unveil the secrets of being a 'Servebot.' He shares amusing tales of life on tour, including the struggles of traveling in Europe as a tall athlete. The conversation gets quirky with a debate on armpit hair and nostalgia surrounding the Houston tournament's vibrant atmosphere. Additionally, Opelka reflects on the mental pressures of competition and plays a fun game, 'Bot or Not,' adding a light-hearted twist to the serious world of tennis.

This week, the spotlight is on 19-year-old Jakub Mensik and his stunning rise in Miami—could he be the future of tennis? Aryna Sabalenka's blossoming confidence is discussed, marking her as a formidable force on the tour. As anticipation builds for the Houston clay-court action, the hosts explore the challenges American male players face in winning titles, contrasting it with the success of their female counterparts. Plus, there's light-hearted banter over clay court achievements and personal experiences in transitioning to European tournaments.

Dive into the chaos of the Miami Open as the hosts tackle listener questions about this 'fifth Slam.' Celebrate a decade of a quirky DM that sparked a love story, complete with personal anecdotes and hilarious reflections on online flirting. Discover riveting moments from past Miami Opens, plus insights into Thomas Berdych's career overshadowed by the 'Big Three.' Enjoy lively banter on awkward player introductions and the unique experiences that shape competitive spirits in this vibrant tennis tournament!