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Talking Tennis

John Silk

Interviews, news and anaylsis of all things tennis with host John Silk and a team of experts, coaches, players and former players

  • 788 episodes
  • Updated Tuesday

Episodes788

  • June 1 · 55 min

    Last Ball Drops | French Open Daily | Swiatek out | Fonseca beats Ruud | Zverev, Andreeva cruise

    🎾 LAST BALL DROPS | FRENCH OPEN DAILY 🇫🇷 The drama keeps coming at Roland-Garros. ❌ Four-time champion Iga Świątek is OUT, ending her remarkable reign in Paris. 🔥 Teenage sensation João Fonseca delivered the biggest statement of his young career, taking down Casper Ruud in a breakthrough victory. 💪 Business as usual for Alexander Zverev and Mirra Andreeva, who both cruised into the quarter-finals with commanding performances. 🎙️ On today's Last Ball Drops, we break down: • What Świątek's exit means for the women's draw • Fonseca's arrival on the Grand Slam stage • Zverev's title credentials • And why Andreeva continues to look like a serious contender 🎧 Listen on Apple or Spotify or watch now on YouTube and catch up on all the key stories from French Open with @brennermorton & @fergus_sjourno #FrenchOpen #RolandGarros #Tennis #IgaSwiatek #JoaoFonseca #CasperRuud #AlexanderZverev #MirraAndreeva #GrandSlam #LastBallDrops #TennisPodcast #ParisTennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 29 · 1 hr 16 min

    Last Ball Drops | French Open Daily | Sinner Out | Djokovic, Ruud or Zverev Favourite?

    A dramatic day at Roland-Garros sees Jannik Sinner’s French Open campaign come to an end, leaving the men’s draw wide open. In this episode of Last Ball Drops, we break down what Sinner’s exit means for the tournament, assess the title credentials of Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev, and debate who now stands as the favourite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires. We also review the key matches from today’s action, analyse the shifting dynamics in the draw, and look ahead to the biggest storylines still to come in Paris. Who has the edge on the clay? Can Djokovic add another Grand Slam to his collection, or is this finally the moment for Ruud or Zverev? Join us for your daily French Open roundup, expert analysis and plenty of tennis debate. 🎾 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 27 · 1 hr 29 min

    Last Ball Drops: French Open Daily Review | Rybakina out | Kostyuk and Mensik survive | Fonseca wins to set up Djokovic clash

    A chaotic day in Paris delivered one of the tournament’s biggest shocks so far as Elena Rybakina crashed out of Roland-Garros in dramatic fashion. We break down Yuliia Starodubtseva’s stunning comeback, the brutal heatwave conditions impacting players across the grounds, and how Marta Kostyuk battled through to keep the Ukrainian charge alive. Jakub Mensik survives an absolute clay-court war — and nearly collapses afterward — while João Fonseca continues his breakout run to book a blockbuster showdown with Novak Djokovic. We also cover Swiatek’s steady progress, more five-set madness in the men’s draw, and the growing conversation around player safety in the Paris heat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 23 · 1 hr 19 min

    WTA Weekly French Open Preview | Swiatek seeks 5th Roland Garros crown | Gauff hopes to retain title

    WTA Weekly French Open Preview | Swiatek Seeks Fifth Roland Garros Crown | Gauff Aims to Defend Her Title The clay-court Grand Slam season reaches its peak as Roland Garros gets underway in Paris. This week, we break down the women's singles draw, the biggest contenders, and the storylines that could define the 2026 French Open. Can Iga Świątek rediscover her best form on her favorite surface and capture a fifth Roland Garros title? The former champion remains one of the most dangerous players on clay despite a challenging season, and Paris could be the perfect stage for another deep run. Meanwhile, defending champion Coco Gauff returns looking to repeat last year's triumph and add another major trophy to her growing collection. After another strong clay-court campaign, the American arrives in Paris full of confidence and eager to prove she can thrive under the pressure of defending a Grand Slam title. We also assess the chances of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the ever-dangerous Elena Rybakina, rising star Mirra Andreeva, and in-form Elina Svitolina as a stacked women's field prepares for two weeks of battles on the Paris clay. Join us as we preview the draw, predict potential blockbuster matchups, identify dark horses, and reveal our picks for who will be lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on championship weekend. 🎾 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 21 · 2 hr 2 min

    French Open Draw LIVE: Who will Eala get in Round 1? In which half will Djokovic fall? Swiatek route to title number 5 revealed

    The Roland Garros draw is out and we went LIVE to break down every major storyline from Paris! Who will Filipino sensation Alex Eala face in the opening round, and does she have a path to make a deep run? Which half of the men's draw will Novak Djokovic land in, and what could his route look like as he chases another Grand Slam title? On the women's side, we reveal the full pathway for four-time champion Iga Swiatek as she targets an incredible fifth Roland Garros crown. Swiatek opens against Emerson Jones and could face a quarterfinal showdown with Elina Svitolina, while Djokovic has been handed a potentially challenging section of the draw that could see a Round 4 matchup with recent Rome finalist Casper Ruud. We'll also examine the prospects for top contenders including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and the rest of the field, highlighting the toughest first-round matchups, possible blockbuster clashes, and the biggest winners and losers from the draw ceremony. Join us live as we react in real time, answer your questions, and map out the road to the 2026 French Open titles. Who got the dream draw? Who faces danger from day one? Let's dive in. 🎾 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 19 · 38 min

    Brenner & John's ATP French Open Power Rankings: Fonseca makes cut? Zverev, Djokovic or Ruud ar 2?

    Brenner and John break down their ATP French Open Power Rankings ahead of Roland Garros — and the debate gets heated fast. Does teenage sensation João Fonseca deserve a spot in the top contenders? Who really belongs behind overwhelming favourite Jannik Sinner — Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, or clay specialist Casper Ruud? The guys debate recent form, draw dynamics, clay-court trends, and which dark horses could shake up Paris. Plus: sleeper picks, early upset alerts, and players neither host trusts despite the ranking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 18 · 1 hr

    WTA Weekly: After Rome title, can Svitolina take the final step at Roland Garros? Swiatek, Rybakina, Gauff & Sabalenka all have doubts ahead of the French Open after falling short at the Italian Open

    In this week’s WTA Weekly, Anne-Marie Batson joins Nick Carter as the pair break down Elina Svitolina’s stunning run to the Italian Open title and ask the big question ahead of French Open — can she finally go all the way at Roland Garros? We also examine the growing uncertainty surrounding the top contenders after a turbulent week in Rome. Iga Swiatek looked vulnerable on her favourite surface, Elena Rybakina struggled for consistency, Coco Gauff failed to capitalise on key opportunities, and Aryna Sabalenka arrives in Paris with questions still hanging over her clay-court form. With the women’s draw feeling more open than ever, we discuss who has momentum, who has concerns, and which players could shake up the tournament over the next two weeks in Paris. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 17 · 1 hr 7 min

    ATP Weekly: Jannik Sinner makes history with Rome title, but is he more vulnerable at Roland Garros? Plus, one half of the French Open draw is going to be crazy | Hamburg & Geneva previews

    On this week’s ATP Weekly, we break down Jannik Sinner’s historic title run at the Italian Open — and ask the big question heading into French Open: despite the trophy, has Rome actually exposed a few vulnerabilities in the world No.1’s game on clay? We also dive into the brutal projected Roland Garros draw, where one half could become an absolute minefield packed with contenders, rivalries, and potential blockbuster clashes from the very first week. Plus, we preview the final ATP stops before Paris at the Hamburg Open and Geneva Open, looking at the key names, dangerous floaters, and players searching for momentum before the second Slam of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 17 · 32 min

    WTA Strasbourg Draw Preview: Eala gets a qualifier | Possible Czech matchup next | Raducanu is back!

    In this episode, we break down the WTA Strasbourg draw and spotlight Alexandra Eala’s opening matchup against a qualifier as she looks to build momentum heading into Roland Garros. We also examine the potential second-round clash with a dangerous Czech opponent and what it could mean for Eala’s chances in the tournament. Plus, Emma Raducanu is back in action — we discuss her return, current form, and what fans can expect from her clay-court campaign. Tune in for draw analysis, key storylines, and all the latest from Strasbourg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 14 · 12 min

    Coco Gauff vs Elina Svitolina | Italian Open Final 2026 | WTA Rome | Preview & Prediction

    In this episode, we preview a blockbuster showdown at the 2026 Italian Open as Coco Gauff takes on Elina Svitolina in the WTA Rome final. We break down the key tactical battles, recent form, head-to-head history, and how the slow clay courts in Rome could shape the match. Can Gauff’s elite athleticism and heavy topspin overwhelm Svitolina’s defensive consistency and counterpunching? Or will the experienced Ukrainian find a way to disrupt the rhythm and claim another big clay-court title? We also discuss what this final means heading into Roland Garros, the biggest pressure points for both players, and give our full match prediction, including scoreline picks and X-factors to watch. If you’re following the WTA season or looking ahead to the French Open, this is the perfect preview before championship Sunday in Rome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 10 · 1 hr 7 min

    Rome latest: Eala pushes Rybakina | Swiatek crushes Cocciaretto to set up Osaka clash | Fonseca fans controversy rumbles on | Jodar sensation - How far can he go?

    In Rome, the clay-court drama keeps escalating. Teenage sensation Alexandra Eala pushed Elena Rybakina far more than many thought, while Iga Swiatek powered past Elisabetta Cocciaretto in ruthless fashion to set up a blockbuster clash with Naomi Osaka. We break down what Eala’s form means, whether Swiatek is rediscovering her unstoppable prowess, and why the Osaka matchup suddenly feels must-watch. Elsewhere, the noise around João Fonseca’s passionate fanbase continues to stir debate across the tournament grounds, and Spanish rising star Rafa Jodar is turning heads with another fearless run. Is this the week he announces himself to the tennis world at large? Join us for all the latest stories, analysis, and talking points from the Italian Open in Rome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices