The Body Serve

The Body Serve Tennis Podcast

Tennis podcast featuring casual, semi-respectable conversations about the ATP & WTA.

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300 episodes
Updated July 28
Explicit

Episodes300

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Mar 10, 2019 · 1 hr 18 min
Indian Well Actually
The calendar is ratcheting up - March brings the Sunshine Double, with all its excesses, star power, and crackling match-ups. Our IW ambivalence aside, this week has already given us the Vika-Serena reunion, Petra & Venus, and Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime achieving yet another first. We also cover the ATP governance drama, Martina's wheel-and-come-again on the trans athlete argument, and Osaka's strikingly perceptive words in The Undefeated. 2:30 The star power of Nick Kyrgios, when he wants it 14:20 Roger Federer joins the 100 club! Jimmy Connors is shaking 18:00 Naomi Osaka names Jermaine Jenkins head coach 21:30 Serena & Vika reignite their rivalry, and it doesn't disappoint 31:15 Felix Auger-Aliassime quietly, methodically gets his first top 10 win 37:30 An update on the ATP governance shake-up: Kermode is out, but who is in? 50:45 Martina Navratilova is back with another essay on trans women in sport ... but is it better? Taking on the straw man argument. 60:10 Genie Bouchard moves into film production - a rom-com classic is coming 64:10 Will Smith to play Richard Williams on screen 67:00 The fascinating, thoughtful Osaka interview from The Undefeated - her place in things
Feb 27, 2019 · 1 hr 13 min
TBS 150: Bend It Like Bencic
On the occasion of our Sesquicentennial, we thank all our listeners, both old and now, who have been along for the ride. We recap all the tennis news from the past two weeks and the winners on both tours: Bencic, Monfils, Opelka, Mertens, Cecchinato, Albot, Djere, Tstitsipas, and Van Uytvanck. We chat about the Osaka-Tsitsipas social media mess, as well as Naomi's words on her split with Sascha Bajin. Finally, we try to grapple with the mess that Martina Navratilova has gotten herself into. 03:26 Recapping a long list of winners the last fortnight 06:25 The dire Long Island Open gets a lift 13:52 Bend it like Bencic in Dubai, if you can! 20:14 Our Québécois fav busts out in Rio 27:44 Tsonga to miss Indian Wells due to Sickle Cell Trait 31:29 What in the hell was Stefanos thinking?! 36:47 Osaka talks Bajin breakup 45:18 Martina Navratilova and her controversial op-ed 68:55 Sometimes you need to call something by its name
Feb 13, 2019 · 1 hr 5 min
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
February can be a moment for tennis to catch its breath. But Fed Cup brought us some cracking match-ups, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga re-entered the top 200, and everyone's favorite maybe-catfish started and suspended a GoFundMe. Naomi Osaka stopped the world (momentarily) when she announced that her winning partnership with Sascha Bajin has ended. Plus, we finally catch up with the shakeups and infighting in the ATP Players' Council and Board of Directors. 1:20 Tsonga is back and he's spectacular (or; I will be your father figure) 5:45 Fed Cup blockbusters: Czech team loses at home, Ash-stralia takes out USA 13:30 The Darko saga continues - stop snitching and enjoy the drama, folks 21:45 Serena re-enters the top 10 23:35 Naomi Osaka shocks the tennis world by announcing split with Sascha Bajin 27:00 Maybe there's not actually any "there" there 40:00 Catching up with the ATP governance shakeup 54:45 Questions to consider moving forward: does the anti-Kermode wing reflect the views of most players? Is there a push for unionization among the rank and file? 57:00 Things we dislike (we disagree on that) and things we like (Netflix's One Day at a Time)
Jan 29, 2019 · 1 hr 22 min
Australian Open Finale: The Blessing, The Curse, The Manspreading
We're here to wrap the 2019 Australian Open: crowning a new WTA number 1 and watching Novak make history with his 15th major. Petra Kvitova came close to her first major off grass, Rafa Nadal stunned until he didn't, and the ATP Next Gen inched forward; while one member of the WTA Next Gen won 2 straight majors and took over the sport entirely. Stick around for a critique of "race science," the minefield of Naomi's racial identity, and why the locker room needs to remain private (oh hi, John McEnroe). 02:30 Naomi Osaka becoming the woman to beat 10:30 Petra! Don't call it a comeback! 17:00 The other women's late-stage women's matches: Pliskova's improved movement, Serena's loss 22:45 Why do y'all want us to drag Danielle Collins? 30:00 Men's final: Novak raises his level to neutralize Nadal's strengths 41:45 Other happenings on the men's side: Tsitsipas stared into the abyss and doesn't like what he sees 44:00 Stosur & Zhang win doubles title - Zhang's first major and Stosur's first Aussie 46:20 When what happens in the locker room doesn't stay in the locker room 49:00 Talking about black athletes with race pseudoscience 57:30 John McEnroe's naked obsession with Rafa's naked body ... wtf? 63:00 Men's tennis manspreading into women's tennis -- how microaggressions become a 50-year pattern 71:05 Naomi Osaka's fraught and contested racial identity
Jan 21, 2019 · 1 hr 7 min
Mid-Australian Open Check-In: It's Like BBQ Chicken
We're checking in midway through this Australian Open, marked by a few welcome breakouts but high quality match-ups on the horizon. This episode's title borrows from Frances Tiafoe's impromptu description of Amanda Anisimova's decimation of Aryna Sabalenka. We recap the matches, the controversies, the fashion, and the issue that won't die: mid-match coaching. 1:00 Andy Murray says goodbye ... for now ... maybe 5:30 Tsitsipas takes down 2-time defending champ Federer 8:40 Frances Tiafoe, an American many forgot 15:00 5 US women in the 4th round, and not who we thought 20:25 #HatchingandSnatching: Anisimova snatches the wig snatcher 25:45 Danielle Collins, a curious but certainly not boring figure 31:10 Serena storms through first few rounds 35:45 What's left in this draw: who is going to be the women's number one? Is RBA the real deal? 48:45 Walk walk fashion baby: Serena's romper; Rafa's sleeveless; and Nike rocks the classic black & white but misses with bunchy, ill-fitting skirts and shorts 54:00 Vika's revealing press conference 55:45 The "rules are rules" brigade created a monster: the double standard detectives 1:04:50 Get your G.E.M.S. life
Jan 12, 2019 · 1 hr 19 min
Australian Open Preview: Say It Ain't So, Andeh
It's not easy to say goodbye to Andrew Murray -- and we're not saying goodbye yet. But, we begin our Australian Open preview with a tribute to the authentic, generous, straight-to-the-point Scot who has changed our sport forever. It's not all doom and gloom: we also talk through this week's results and the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale, followed by an analysis of both the men's and women's draws. We conclude with an update on the ever-tempestuous ATP leadership battles; this time, the Board will vote on Kermode's future, and what a Board it is. 1:00 Appreciating Andy Murray: present tense only 18:00 Results from this week: Kvitova and Barty beat a boatload of AO contenders between them 21:45 The new Australian Open heat protocol: you down with AOHSS? 26:40 Women's draw - "dangerous floaters" and the Simona-Serena-Venus quarter of death 38:15 Women's bottom half - we disagree on whether the women's draw is lopsided 43:40 A diversion on Sloane Stephens and star power - the mainstream press isn't sure what to do with her 52:15 Men's draw: who could possibly stop Novak from getting to the final? 1:01:00 Men's bottom half is crowded af 1:03:30 ATP Board set to vote on Kermode's contract ... digging into the almighty mess that is men's tennis governance
Jan 7, 2019 · 1 hr 17 min
Season Five Premiere: Still Here
Welcome to our Season FIVE opener. Our brief offseason is over and week one of the 2019 season caught us off guard with SO MUCH action right off the bat. We recap the seven titlists who emerged from the first week of play before tackling some of the offseason happenings while we were away. We have a message for the fandoms, a few things we're keeping our eyes on for the season, as well as a few predictions. The episode wraps with a dip into our listener mailbag as we attempt to tackle your questions with a bit of (hopefully) levity. 02:59 Week one results: 7 champions crowned 22:45: #SaveHopmanCup and its unique place in the tennis landscape 29:40: Injury updates & Sveta's Insta prowess 32:37 AO super tiebreak rule change 36:50 To the left, to the left: Venus cleans house 39:23 This is who they are: ATP elects Stakhovsky AGAIN 41:08 Calling all fandoms: let Naomi be, sit there & eat your food 47:45 A few things we'll be keeping our eyes on in 2019 53:23 Our 2019 year-end top 10 picks & breakout/comeback candidates 60:46 Listener mailbag: thanks for all your submissions!
Dec 10, 2018 · 1 hr 21 min
Season 4 Finale: What the Boys Got up to in 2018
As our fourth cycle comes to a close, we recap the men's tour with its continued Big 3 dominance, Djokovic's herculean comeback, and NextGen banging on the door (well, more like politely ringing the doorbell). We look at the latest Gimelstob debacle as a mess that tennis governing bodies made for themselves, one that echoes MeToo stories across every industry, and which the sport continued to ignore and pave over until things blew up spectacularly. Finally, we finish with some levity: our TBSMoments awards, including feel-good moments, WTF moments, and most bizarre off-season story. 01:00 Who won the big titles this year? Is the Big 3 still a thing? Yep. 13:00 Rankings leaps and tumbles: NextGen isn't quite here yet, but they're really close 22:40 The Gimelstob Debacle: Tennis has a whole mess on its hands, much of its own making 33:30 Tennis governance and how conflicts of interest can rot an organization from the inside out 38:50 Why the resounding silence from the tennis world? 48:35 Other controversies: Novak sparks unionization rumors, Sandgren comes out as an Alt-Right dabbler, Darko gets exposed(?) 55:40 Retirements and comebacks 57:45 Our favorite and most impactful matches of the year 61:00 Jonathan takes a quiz on the ATP season - play along at home! 68:15 The #TBSMoments awards, starting with Denis Shapovavovavorlov, WTF moments, and wildest off-court story 72:00 Men being d---s ... as always, fertile ground on the ATP Tour 75:55 Finishing this season with Feel-Good Moment and the You Did THAT Moment
Dec 4, 2018 · 1 hr 20 min
WTA Moments of 2018
We consider a WTA season that was by turns tumultuous and gratifying, full of tedious controversies and long-awaited breakouts. This episode takes on the major themes of 2018, the title winners, the comebacks and retirements, a few surprising events that almost faded from memory, and our #TBSMoments. Oh, and as if 2018 wasn't annoying enough, take our WTA Quiz alongside James. 02:00 Who won what? Parity was the name of the game 13:10 How'd we do on predictions? Well, there's a reason we don't usually make them 17:00 Moving on up (and down) 23:45 Matches that stood out ... most of them feature Simona 27:40 #RememberTheTime 35:55 Moments that had people mad this year: Miami crowd, Pliskova lumberjack, the endless Serena controversies, Peng gets snitched upon 51:15 Your favorite comebacks of the year, and a few farewells 56:30 Quick update on WTA streaming and Tennis Channel 58:05 James takes a quiz on the WTA season! 68:00 Our #TBSMoments: first up, funniest moment of the year 72:00 WTF Moment: the Plisko-chop 75:10 The You DID THAT Moment and Feel-Good Moment
Nov 21, 2018 · 1 hr 1 min
Look At Us, We're Going The Distance
Y'all know by now we're a pair of Mariah stans, and we are HERE for her new album. We chat briefly about her tightly spun new effort at the top of the show, before segueing into the tennis action. Zverev and Tsitsipas won the ATP & Next Gen Finals respectively, two banner results for the future of the ATP. The meat and potatoes of this episode is a convo about conflicts of interests in tennis, precipitated by an interview given by Julien Benneteau. We finish with a new segment called, "Yes or MESS," before bidding adieu to Aga Radwanska and Lucie Safarova. 03:15 Going the distance: Zverev wins ATP Finals 13:47 Proceed with caution: On-court advertising boards 16:14 Thank you, next (gen): Tsitsipas runs the board in Milan 18:26 A No No: Federer & conflicts of interest 29:05 GTFO: We ain't buying it, Craig Tiley 40:00 Giving Me Life: Yes or MESS (New Segment!) 50:50 (No longer) With You: Coaching carousel continues 53:46 Portrait of a career: Farewell, Aga & Lucie
Nov 6, 2018 · 1 hr
Khachanov Hatches In Paris
It seems like we've been talking about the next generation of ATP players a lot recently, and Karen Khachanov keeps that trend going with a massive first Masters 1000 title in Paris. Elsewhere, the WTA officially ends its season with Ash Barty hoisting the trophy in Zhuhai. Although he was unable to keep his win streak going, Djokovic leaves Paris with the #1 ranking secured into 2019. We talk a bit about the upcoming ATP & #NextGen Finals, before finishing the episode with more news in the ongoing tennis culture crisis of ballkid abuse. 00:32 Khachanov rides momentum to dream week in Paris 04:09 Federer shows up and shows out vs Nole 08:01 Hats off to Ash Barty and her beautiful game 20:33 Luksika Kumkhum winning out loud 24:57 Rafa shuts it down, has ankle surgery? 27:42 Nole secures year-end #1 for a 5th time 31:55 What next for the Saudi exhibition? 34:28 James goes to bat for Isner at ATP finals 37:48 The #NextGenFinals sowing some good seeds 50:04 Yet again: THESE ARE CHILDREN!
Oct 30, 2018 · 1 hr 2 min
Undefeated, Undeniable, and Under Scrutiny
Elina Svitolina ran the table in Singapore to secure the biggest title of her career. Meanwhile, Sloane Stephens has shown -- to us and herself -- that her standing in the game cannot be denied. Other topics on offer this episode: Wozniacki reveals her arthritis diagnosis, Grigor's alarming hairline, the absurd Sampras "boring" debate, and the growing calls for Rafole to abandon their Saudi exhibition. Thanks as always for listening! 03:10 Svitolina reverses course, goes undefeated to win Singapore 09:55 Sloane makes herself undeniable 13:12 What next for Svitolina & the Year End Championships 20:05 9s across the board for Federer & other ATP results 29:01 Wozniacki's big, worrying news in Singapore 31:50 Long story very short: Grisha, where your follicles at?! 35:44 To play or not to play: A Saudi saga 47:41 The boring Sampras debate and considering him as tragic figure 53:08 Tennis Jesus shows Verdasco how to apologize 58:42 How NOT to do a Naomi Osaka costume: NO BLACKFACE
Oct 17, 2018 · 1 hr 2 min
Just Djoking: Novak's Purple Patch Continues
The 2018 tennis season is getting ready to pull into its final station, and we've got tales from a few of its last few stops. Nole's purple patch and Borna's full package headline the action in Shanghai. We also assess the state of the ATP's burgeoning #NextGen stars and posit who is poised to emerge as the real deals. It was a very successful Asian swing for some of the game's top Asian players; perhaps we are seeing tennis' heavy investment in Asia pay some dividends? Finally, enjoy a few TV recommendations and brace yourself for Jonathan's almighty rant on something he reaaaally dislikes. 00:32 Nole extends his purple patch in Shanghai 07:20 A circular, probably not-so-fair take on Zverev 14:55 Who of the #NextGen is MOST ready? 23:16 But, back to Borna Coric....he's got all of the packages 24:46 So, who's been doing the winning the last two weeks? 34:54 Where were you when I needed you? 37:37 The Asian players came to play during the Asian Swing 40:34 Etcs: Fighter girl Simona, Aga's apartments & poor Delpo 48:38 Things we like & one thing Jonathan REALLY dislikes
Oct 2, 2018 · 1 hr 17 min
So Disrespectful: Please Remember My Name
We've recharged our batteries after the draining U.S. Open just in time to catch up with the tennis happenings on the Asian Swing. Aryna Sabalenka continues her march to the top of women's tennis with her big win in Wuhan. We ruminate on what people mean when talking about being "the next Serena," before finally wading into the Davis Cup changes. Hopefully you'll find a bit of levity towards the end of the episode as we stick up for Sloane, torch Verdasco, and speculate on what makes Indian Wells such a fertile WTA stomping ground. 01:52 The Sabalenka train picks up serious steam 05:05 Tursunov provides great insights as Aryna's coach 13:28 What does it mean to be "the next Serena?" 19:31 Catching up on the winners since we've been gone 28:26 Davis Cup semis & new format 34:15 A healthy dose of skepticism at the Davis Cup changes 45:31 A big big tangent on policing black women in America 60:24 "F@#*ing bitch tried to hit me!" 66:49 Dear Fernando, they are LITERALLY children 68:58 A quick word on Naomi Osaka
Sep 10, 2018 · 1 hr 27 min
US Open Wrap: Multiple Things Are True *Oprah Shrug Gif*
There are so many things to talk about from the U.S. Open women's final, but chief among these is that Naomi Osaka bossed her way to a maiden Grand Slam title. We talk about just how awesome Naomi and her game were this past fortnight, before wading into the mess that was the drama in the championship match. We implore listeners to consider multiple things we think are true of this situation, instead of painting this as a black and white issue. We belatedly finish with Novak's 14th - and oh so impressive - Slam title, before revisiting the Pliskova saga and how it could have been avoided. 02:53 Naomi Osaka's star is born 10:33 So, we get to the final... 14:57 Looking at what happened with empathy 23:30 To coach or not to coach 29:42 Why questioning Serena's integrity cuts so deep 35:15 Rules are rules except when they're not 42:34 Serena claims unequal treatment, was it the right time? 46:14 What does it take for people to see blackness at play? 54:28 Where Serena and her team went wrong 66:32 Multiple things are true: to recap 70:40 Novak wins #14 and ATP etceteras 79:28 The Pliskova mess and how we could have avoided it
Sep 1, 2018 · 1 hr 19 min
(You Make Me Feel Like) The US Open Is Burning, Literally
The late, great Aretha Franklin -- a huge tennis fan -- provides the theme for our episode today, as we tackle the unusually wild first week of the US Open. First, we talk about the actual tennis, the upsets, and the 30th Williams-Williams showdown. Then, we tackle the mountain of extracurricular storylines: Alize Cornet's accidental (pending?) revolution, the fashions, Serena's tutu; and an extended meditation on Kyrgios, our expectations of athletes, and how Nick's personality seems to compel people to overstep their professional bounds. We finish with a very personal tribute to the Queen of Soul. 2:00 Something they can feel: New York brings the heat! 14:45 Ever changing times: early round upsets 20:10 Sisters are doing it for themselves: Williams Bowl XXX 25:40 Respect: the appalling Cornet code violation 32:15 Don't play that song: Catsuit correlation and causation 35:55 Great gowns, beautiful gowns: US Open fashions 42:35 Chain of fools: the men are at it again (Lahyani, Murray-Verdasco drama) 52:10 You better think: Chris Fowler needs some help 1:01:15 We say a little prayer that these boys leave Tsitsipas alone 1:07:50 Sail on silver girl: Our Aretha Franklin tribute
Aug 25, 2018 · 1 hr 12 min
The Good, the Bad, and the Tragic: US Open Preview f/ David Taylor and Kamau Murray
We sat down with the coaches of last year's US Open finalists, David Taylor (Keys) and Kamau Murray (Stephens). These very different coaches share their thoughts on navigating player personalities and what they see as the most important roles of a tennis coach. But first, we analyze the US Open draws: the stacked women's first quarter, which could see a Venus-Serena third round and a Simona-Serena fourth, but with much uncertainty for all. On the men's side, Nadal gets an easy-ish one, while Djokovic looms for Federer (or vice versa) in the quarters. We also take on FFT President Giudicelli's comments on Serena's catsuit, and why boycotting is not top of mind for us. 2:10 The tragic: the women's first quarter, which features 5 current or former no. 1s plus Kuznetsova 12:45 The good: Madison Keys' draw 21:15 Also good: defending champ Nadal gets a soft draw to the semis 32:50 The bad (depending on your position): Djokovic and Federer drawn to play in the quarters 38:10 Peng Shuai gets dinged by the Tennis Integrity Unit, Lendl joins the Zverev camp 42:50 French Federation president Giudicelli bans Serena's catsuit: the cultural battleground that is the black female body 51:30 Is this the least wide-open women's draw in a while? 56:20 Our interviews with David Taylor and Kamau Murray, coaches of last year's US Open finalists Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens 1:04:40 Kamau Murray's radical honesty
Aug 20, 2018 · 55 min
Kiki-ing Down The Door In Cincy
The bad news: our time in Cincinnati has come to an end. The good news: we're back with another episode to recap an event that produced a stellar title run by Kiki Bertens and a full-circle performance from Novak Djokovic. After recapping the finals, we rehash some of the notable matches we saw over the past week and regale you with some stories/observations from around the grounds. We also pondered a few questions: is Stan back? Is Milos being usurped and replaced in Canadian media? Do fans really care about Nick Kyrgios' "antics?" 2:30 Kiki Bertens takes out four top 10 players to win Cincinnati 11:30 Simona Halep and Darren Cahill audio: looking at Simona's evolution as a player and Darren's as a coach 17:00 Serena-Petra in Round 2 ... the tantalizing rivalry that never really was 24:00 Djokovic beats Federer to complete his Masters set: MasterBlaster 31:35 Other men's matches: Stanley vs. Roger, battle of Canadian no. 1s, Milos Raonic and Denis Shapovalov 36:45 The undeniable star power of Nick Kyrgios 41:55 Thanks to USTA Midwest for the USTA Pride Event at the Western & Southern Open 44:00 Stories from around the grounds: ball thievery, Alexis Ohanian flying under the radar, watching Coric & Fuscovics 52:35 Marin Cilic provides your moment of zen
Aug 16, 2018 · 39 min
Getting the Conversation Started: Creating a Safe Space to Come Out in Men's Tennis
You might have read what Roger Federer had to say about why there hasn't been an openly gay male tennis player in on the ATP Tour. Now, hear his words, along with those of Kevin Anderson, as both speak on what can be a tricky and challenging issue. Plus, our chat with Nick McCarvel about the upcoming event he's hosting (in partnership with No Challenges Remaining) to kick-start the conversation of "being queer and out in pro tennis," featuring the out retired player Brian Vahaly. 1:00 Talking about LGBTQ issues in tennis - why now? 6:25 Roger Federer speaks on the possibility of a male player coming out on the ATP Tour 14:20 Kevin Anderson expands on his previously stated support for LGBT athletes, and why he was compelled to speak in the first place 18:00 What are some of the barriers for an ATP player coming out? 24:50 Our chat with Nick McCarvel, host of the upcoming Open Playbook event with Brian Vahaly in NYC Open Playbook: Being Queer and Out in Pro Tennis - at Housing Works Bookstore, Soho, NY on August 23 Event benefits Housing Works and New York Junior Tennis & Learning
Aug 13, 2018 · 40 min
Rogers Cup Wrap, Sascha Bajin Chat
Here in Cincinnati, we had the chance to sit down with Sascha Bajin, Naomi Osaka's coach and the former long-time hitting partner of Serena Williams. Sascha talks about his playful relationship with Naomi, his approach to coaching, and his recent social media tribulations. We're also recapping the Rogers Cup, which was highlighted by an incredible giant-killing run by Stefanos Tsitsipas and a superb women's final between Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens. 2:00 Catching up with Rogers Cup results: all about Stefanos 7:30 Denis & Sascha Z ruffle a few feathers - we attempt to move past the knee-jerk reaction 17:00 Rafa's run to the Rogers Cup title 19:30 Simona and Sloane put on a great show in Montreal women's final 26:00 Anything to say about the shot clock? Not really 29:00 Our conversation with Sascha Bajin, coach of Naomi Osaka 37:00 Sascha's trials and tribulations on social media: "I've been getting in so much trouble on Twitter"