The Body Serve

The Body Serve Tennis Podcast

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

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

300 episodes
Updated Tuesday
Explicit

Episodes300

Newest first

Aug 13, 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
Daddy Lessons
Since we last spoke, the entire Olympic tennis tournament and the Canadian Open came and went. Our coverage isn’t comprehensive but more of a riff on the most interesting bits to us. We devote a good chunk of time to the tennis world’s incursions into the “gender controversy” involving Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif, including ugly, often defamatory statements by tennis legends and one current player (the latter being the only one to retract). We bounce over to Canada for some disjointed thoughts on the National Bank Open and finally touch on the end of an era, the dissolution of the stormy Stefanos-Apostolos working relationship. 01:15 The Jamaican Olympic tragedy 11:00 Tennis at the Olympics: Novak, Zheng, Nadalcaraz 23:00 The myth of the badly behaved American trio (it's not a trio) 33:25 Andy Murray’s last dance 34:54 Tennis covers itself in shame during the Imane Khelif “gender controversy” 51:35 Policing women’s bodies is not liberation, it’s more of the same 56:25 Random Canadian Open thoughts 67:30 Shapovalov defaulted 70:35 Stef and Dad break up
Jul 27, 2024 · 55 min
GOATs on a Boat (Cheek to Cheek)
We’re celebrating our 350th episode - thanks to all of you for sticking around and pushing us forward for all these years! On this episode, we’re sharing thoughts on the Olympics opening ceremony and the spotlight on tennis royalty; the Olympics tennis draws, rocked by withdrawals and the unique Olympic qualification rules; and the post-Wimbledon clay/grass season. Rafa reached the Bastad final plus, in Hamburg, Arthur Fils matched That Guy’s energy, saved 21/22 break points, and snatched the title in front of a hostile crowd (and opponent). 0:30 A milestone! 3:15 Back on clay: Shnaider’s very good year, Rafa plays a few epics in Bastad 9:40 Newport and the ATP’s hygiene problem 19:10 Hamburg: underarm serves and the tears of a clown 26:50 Tennis Channel debuts a Zverev brother podcast … because why wouldn’t they 28:55 Update from Halep, but where is the CAS report? 31:30 Olympics opening ceremony: Booty siblings together again! 45:00 Olympic tennis: retirement fatigue + late withdrawals are wreaking havoc on the already weird draws
Jul 15, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min
I Love Good News! Wimbledon Wrap
So rarely does a championship weekend feel this great. The widely adored Babs Krejcikova has done it again, this time winning the Wimbledon title amidst an injury-plagued year. It’s her 12th major title across all disciplines. Carlos Alcaraz is now the youngest male Channel Slam winner, sweeping past 7-time champion Djokovic in a rematch of last year’s final. In more good news, Taylor Townsend claims her first major title and Sinikova and Hsieh add to their impressive resumes. Plus, we chat about some extraneous stuff, as usual, like Medvedev’s near-default, Djokovic’s lecture to the crowd, and the “4 the girls” controversy. 2:55 This time, the tougher roads resulted in titles 7:40 Babs is a big match player 24:00 The men’s tournament: where’s the rest of the field? 26:50 Men’s final: all Carlos 37:25 Fritz, Riddle, and That Guy: 4 the girls? 44:55 I know all the tricks 53:15 Medvedev narrowly avoids a default in the semis 56:50 Doubles: Townsend is now a Slam winner! Siniakova & Hsieh add to their historic hauls
Jul 8, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
Eternal Sunshine of the Astonished Mind
We made it to Middle Sunday at Wimbledon! (Well, not all of us.) The bottom half of the women’s draw is guaranteed to see a surprising finalist; in the top half, slightly more order prevails, even after the dismissals of Swiatek and Jabeur. The men’s draw is proceeding mostly as expected on the top half, while the bottom has seen the rapid rise of Perricard, the precarious state of Djokovic's repaired knee, and a slightly spicy beef between Taylor Fritz and Arthur Rinderknech. We also witnessed the last of Andy Murray at Wimbledon, featuring a moving tribute, a singles withdrawal, and mother Judy getting into a self-inflicted internet scrape. 1:00 Early upsets set up a very interesting and unexpected women’s bottom half 10:10 Navarro knocks out Gauff 18:55 Iga and Ons out within 20 minutes of each other 29:50 The return of Caroline Wozniacki, Esq. 35:50 Andy Murray’s last dance at Wimbledon 41:10 AstonishGate 47:25 Stefanos was just here for the *filmmaking*, not the tradwife content 50:40 Have a nice flight home 53:25 Men’s results: top half going to form, bottom's a little messy
Jun 29, 2024 · 58 min
Wimbledon Sister
The year's third major is upon us as we face the first Williams-less Wimbledon in 28 years <sob>. Novak is back from knee surgery and sheltered from world #1 Sinner and defending champion Alcaraz, who share a balanced but tricky top half. Iga’s draw has done her no favors, but some of the grass stalwarts are questionable, including Rybakina, Vondrousova, and the injured Sabalenka. And buckle up, because early on we’ll be treated to the Your Behavior Is Terrible classic, featuring Steve Carell and Lil’ Wayne’s favorite tennis player. 0:35 The end of the Williams Wimbledon Era 3:20 This week’s results: Dasha, Shnaider, Tabilo, T. Fritz 9:20 Injury updates: Andy Murray intent on playing, Sabalenka dealing with shoulder problem 20:00 Men’s draw: Sinner’s tough draw, a potential Paul Rudd matchup 32:15 Men’s bottom half: Djokovic, Hubert, de Minaur + a messy third quarter 39:35 Women's draw: Iga in peril or does the draw not matter? 50:15 Women’s bottom half hinges on Sabalenka’s health
Jun 24, 2024 · 49 min
This Is Going to Ruin the Tour
Grass season is well underway -- almost over, actually -- and we’ve got British players coming out of hibernation, a tennis power couple winning again, the new ATP #1 switching surfaces with ease, and basically all the top WTA grass contenders out with injury or illness in Berlin. Elsewhere, Carlos is unhappy with the ATP’s latest rule experiment and a commentator is unhappy with a problem he just made up. We also cover Tsitsipas’ bizarre tradwife posting and the Olympic qualifications; and finally, it wouldn’t be a Slam without wild card drama. 1:55 Grass titlists: Draper, tennis’ actual power couple, and another birthday humiliation 7:10 FOMO in Berlin until all those retirements … 12:30 Castle’s totally unprovoked rant on pronunciation 14:10 Why are you messing with the shot clock rules during an actual tournament? 17:40 Unfortunately yes, we’re still talking about wild cards 22:20 A bunch of Americans say thank you, next to Olympics 29:25 Andy Murray not out yet 34:00 Tsitsipas shares weird tradwife fantasy 41:45 Thoughts on the Federer documentary
Jun 11, 2024 · 1 hr 11 min
Waiting to Exhale
Iga Swiatek further cements her position as the highly feared queen of Roland Garros and Carlos Alcaraz completes a “Surface Slam” amid injury problems and less than ideal preparation. The years-long ordeal surrounding domestic violence allegations and criminal charges against Zverev has been resolved, at least legally, but the tennis community will continue to reckon with its comprehensive failure in their handling of it. We’ve also got doubles news, WTA CEO announcement, and more takeaways from the tournament like umpire headcams (did they get headcam premium pay?). 2:50 Alcaraz wins his first French title, that other guy loses another Slam final up 2 sets to 1 8:05 Zverev assault case has been settled 13:40 The sport has utterly failed in its handling of domestic violence 22:15 Carlos & Jannik in ascendance, Novak out with meniscus tear 32:55 Iga thoroughly dominates the field post-Naomi 41:20 Coco Gauff wins her first Slam doubles title - and Siniakova her 8th! 45:45 WTA announces a new CEO 47:00 Tournament et ceteras: first up, the umpire head cams 49:05 The Djokovic/Jockovic vowel shift 53:30 Danielle Collins addresses the incredulity about her impending retirement 61:10 PTPA announces additional funds raised for its commercial arm, Winners Alliance
Jun 3, 2024 · 1 hr 21 min
Teetotaled at Roland Garros
It’s been a rainy slog through the first week of Roland Garros. The weather has wreaked chaos on scheduling, the tournament banned alcohol on Philippe Chatrier because the fans didn’t know how to act, and the night session has no women (but who would want it anyway?). We analyze the draw as it stands and take you through the highlights and lowlights: Rafa may or may not have played his last match here, Swiatek-Osaka put on a clinic, Djokovic’s fire got lit at 2am on a Sunday, and Dimitrov completed his collection of Slam quarterfinals. 1:55 Did Rafa play his last match at Roland Garros? Not 100% 7:05 Zverev goes to court for intimate partner violence, his colleagues remain (at best) indifferent 12:35 Musetti awakens the Djokovic beast 21:15 Rublev is upset as his on-court behavior gets worse 27:00 Looking ahead to the men’s quarters 32:20 Iga & Naomi throw in a classic, Naomi’s performance inspires optimism 42:35 Upsets: Sakkari, Collins, Ostapenko 46:50 Looking ahead to the women’s quarters 60:25 Rybakina vs the press: the brief journey from drama to indifference 68:00 Nonstop rain + weird scheduling = misery 72:50 Roland Garros enters its Prohibition era
May 25, 2024 · 55 min
We Are In Paris
Roland Garros approaches, and the women's draw has a heavy favorite in Iga Swiatek plus a few major contenders. In contrast, the men's tour seems in a temporary state of disarray, as Djokovic enters without momentum and Sinner and Alcaraz are dealing with injuries. What's worse, the 14-time champion, the (possibly) retiring Rafa Nadal, draws a man who starts his domestic violence trial days after their match. As usual, no predictions here but lots of chatter about this clay season and who's primed to show out. And what's a major without a little wild card drama? 0:50 Wild card drama is constant but a good chance to talk about maternity leave policy 9:00 Rafa draws That Guy 13:15 Men’s draw analysis: what to expect from Djokovic and the walking wounded? 21:20 Men’s draw: the tricky third quarter 28:05 Women's draw: it's Iga's world 35:40 Women’s draw bottom half: opportunity knocks 47:00 Fedal goes mountaineering
May 14, 2024 · 43 min
Watergate
Halfway through Rome and it’s all peritonsillar abscesses and water bottles knocking down GOATs and Italian stars retiring and fleeing their home country amidst myriad legal problems. You know, the usual. 0:35 Andrey does not have angina 3:25 Djokovic gets hit in the head by a falling water bottle 9:45 Camila Giorgi retired and lamming it 18:55 Rafa says there’s a tiny, tiny chance this isn’t the end 23:35 Qinwen says no to drama 25:30 More retirement talk: Dominic and Diego 31:45 So how does one qualify for the Olympics? 38:35 How will we know if the extended Masters tournaments are successful?
May 6, 2024 · 1 hr 30 min
Doing The Best I Can With What I GOT
Madrid stretched nearly two weeks and few of the top men survived without injury. Felix Auger-Aliassime landed in the final after three walkovers/retirements but it was a very ill Andrey Rublev who snatched the title. Iga Swiatek won Madrid for the first time (be scared). Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur provided lots of food for thought -- in very different ways -- on women’s sports and continuing inequities. Plus, we’re bringing you our thoughts on Luca Guadagnino’s long awaited queer tennis drama Challengers (aka the crowning of Zendaya as a true movie star), and we answer some listener questions! 1:40 Women save the day (after Aryna steps in it) 14:30 More of Madrid women’s draw shining bright 18:25 Ons Jabeur makes a statement about women’s sports + Feliciano Lopez’s change of tone 25:30 Never stay for your farewell ceremony 30:00 Shirtgate: the height of idgaf-ness 36:35 Men’s draw ravaged by injuries but Andrey overcomes 45:55 Cornet is retiring, Tsitsidosa is breaking up 47:50 Our thoughts on Challengers 65:15 What’s the first thing you’d change if you were in charge of the WTA/ATP merger? 73:45 Players who’ve taken us on journeys of like and dislike (or apathy or indifference or standom, etc.) …
Apr 22, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
Whatever Happens
It’s time to play catch-up with the early results of the European clay swing: Tsitsipas wins his 3rd Monte Carlo title, Casper takes revenge the following week in Barcelona, and Elena Rybakina slays Iga in Stuttgart for her third title of the year. We also talk about Rafa’s return to tennis in Barcelona and Holger Rune’s commitment to remaining messy on social media even after signing with IMG. In off-court stuff: Muguruza retires, the WTA announces their year-end championships in Saudi Arabia, Keith Lee comes to Toronto (yes, there are one or two sneaks). We finish the episode with our thoughts on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter, the “country” record that smashes genre and takes us to school. 2:50 Stef takes his 3rd MC title + a Holger Rune dramatic reading 9:05 What happen-ed in Barcelona happen-ed: Rafa’s return, Casper’s triumph 18:55 Rybakina drives off with Stuttgart title (or will once she gets her license) 22:25 Sloane back in the winner’s circle 27:30 Live your life: Garbiñe Muguruza ends her HoF career 32:55 Saudi Arabia announcement + becoming an LGBTQ poster child 39:45 Pop culture et ceteras: Challengers, Keith Lee in Toronto, Mariah in Vegas 54:20 Cowboy Carter!
Apr 9, 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
Charleston Renaiissance
We've just returned from an amazing experience at the Credit One Charleston Open, a tournament that's been hugely important to women's tennis and continues to be a favorite among players and fans. We do our best to place Charleston in the context of its host city's complex history and explore the tournament’s role in helping to develop women's tennis. Danielle Collins was unquestionably the main attraction of the tournament -- winning her second straight title with the loss of one set. We also chat about watching TBS faves Dasha Kasatkina and Taylor Townsend, Vika Azarenka, Jessie Pegula, and Sloane Stephens on the unique Har-Tru green clay. Plus, some tips on attending and our review of the signature cocktail. 00:52 We <3 the Charleston Open (and this is not spon con!) 06:09 A little history of the Family Circle Cup, a hugely important women’s tournament 11:44 Reckoning with the history of Charleston, South Carolina 19:06 Our impressions of green clay and other tournament etcs 28:28 Players and moments that stood out for us 42:34 Just like Miami, Danielle was the standard 49:46 James is never beating the stalker allegations 52:15 First Serve vs Honey Deuce 57:18 What does tennis IQ mean and who has it? 62:03 Other results while we were in the Lowcountry
Apr 1, 2024 · 1 hr
Miami Requiiem
Danielle Collins, you will always be famous. The 30-year-old charisma machine – she of 2 NCAA titles and an unorthodox journey through tennis – wins her biggest title in the final year of her career. On the men’s side, everybody’s fave Grigor Dimitrov beat three top 10 players but fell against the final one, the near-unbeatable Jannik Sinner. Plus, we have more tales from our time at the Miami Open, including one particularly impassioned rant and the key to why Casper Ruud is not beating the Karen allegations. 03:30 Danielle Collins, the woman you are 09:48 She’s still retiring, so stop asking 15:24 Jannik Sinner is the best (*right now) 18:25 Brother Grigor 24:53 Watching Andy Murray + his devastating injury 29:30 Not an impromptu quiz! 31:17 A nightmare on site … 42:40 What’s the tournament director there for if not to field complaints? 47:43 Extras: Thiem injury, Leylah, Novak-Goran split 53:21 The USTA sexual abuse case will go to jury trial + the failed attempt to bar Pam Shriver from testifying
Mar 22, 2024 · 44 min
The Bees Are Back In Town
For the first time, we’re coming to you from Miami Gardens, Florida! Before recapping Indian Wells, we share our first impressions of the Miami Open site and some of the tennis we got to see early on: Halep’s first match back from her suspension, Azarenka-Stearns (with an appearance by early Berry Gordy’s son RedFoo), Ostapenko lighting up Court 1, and more. Alcaraz defends his Indian Wells title -- snapping a title-less stretch going back to Wimbledon -- and Iga regains her title while losing a mere handful of games. Later on, we talk about the competing proposals that aim to overhaul mostly everything about tennis (Premier vs. PIF). 0:35 Miami Open: Penko-Siegemund, Vika-Peyton (and why RedFoo is here) 9:35 Simona’s return and Woz’s take heard round the world: “It wasn’t a clearance” 18:48 Minding Our Own Business 22:20 Belatedly wrapping Indian Wells 27:07 Non-problematic beef 29:41 Unnecessary beef 32:28 Miss Beswick strikes again 35:28:Tennis headed for fundamental change: Premier Tour vs. Saudi PIF bid
Mar 12, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Contaminated With Questions
On March 5, the Court of Arbitration for Sport rendered its decision on the Simona Halep appeal: the doping was not intentional and the suspension was reduced to 9 months, time long since served. It’s the welcome end to a saga that has dragged on and shaken trust in the sport’s anti-doping institutions. But, we’re left with ever more questions: Why were the conclusions of the ITIA and CAS so starkly different? What of the biological passport results? What took so long? Why are tennis players often so successful at CAS? Aside from the Halep news, we talk about the early happenings at Indian Wells, the cancellation of Netflix’s Break Point, the ATP's annual awkward International Women’s Day video, and more. 01:40 CAS accepts Simona’s contamination defense and throws out biological passport charge 07:50 Why are the conclusions of ITIA and CAS so vastly different? 15:00 Comparisons to Sharapova, the question of “innocence” 25:00 So where are the “real” dopers? 35:30 Indian Wells: withdrawals, Sinner’s win streak, Kerber-Woz revival 45:15 Break Point is over: what went wrong? 50:40 Ruby amends his apology, thanks to Sofya Tartakova 51:50 A (very) slight improvement in the ATP’s Women’s Day video!
Mar 5, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
You Cannot Be Serious
Rublev’s default from Dubai generated tons of discourse this week, and we devote quite a bit of time to it: the facts, the question of proportionality (of both Rublev’s actions and the umpire’s decision), and why player reactions aren’t the final word. We also recap the end of the lead-up to Indian Wells, with several players showing off the best tennis of their lives. Plus, Murray’s retirement talk; the ATP’s partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund; and the suspension of a low-ranked player for cannabis and how WADA decides to ban a substance. 2:15 Quick results recap: de Minaur, Boulter, Yuan, Humbert, Baez 8:30 The Rublev Default 13:10 The Act of (non)Contrition 25:35 Proportionality, in a few senses 34:45 Andy Murray talks about the end 38:40 #TheNetflixSlam: it was a bit tacky and very American, but overall a huge win for the sport 46:00 ATP partners with PIF 50:55 A 2-year suspension for weed? Also an opportunity for some nerdy anti-doping discussion
Feb 27, 2024 · 44 min
Pills and Potions
February concludes with another first-time winner at the WTA 1000 level, Jordan Thompson winning 3 matches in one night to double in Los Cabos, and a bunch of hatchers and snatchers in Doha and Rio. We're also talking about the Coco-umpire incident in Dubai, Holger Rune rehiring Patrick Mouratoglou but retaining his reckless social media brand, and the quagmire of ethics breaches with the influx of betting companies into tennis institutions. 1:40 Jasmine Paolini wins Dubai + Kalinskaya’s fantastic run 7:40 Thompson wins Los Cabos singles and doubles 12:05 Hatching and snatching in South America 17:50 Andy Murray wins his 500th hard court match 21:15 Coco vs. an obstinate (and wrong) umpire 27:25 Holger is back with Patrick: how to fail up in tennis 37:50 James Blake sanctioned under the sport’s betting sponsorship rules; but why can tournaments and other institutions have betting sponsors?
Feb 20, 2024 · 53 min
RIP OHB
We're catching up with the tennis tours as they wind through Transylvania, South America, the US, and the Middle East. Iga Swiatek threepeats in Doha, Rybakina racks up more wins, Pliskova surges, and Sinner wins his first tournament off becoming a Slam winner. Meanwhile, Ostapenko still hasn't lost a match to anyone but Azarenka. We've got updates on the high profile doping suspensions: Brooksby gets some clemency from the ITIA, and Halep pleads her case to the CAS and sues the supplement company (hey, Scarborough!). Plus: the last one-hander in the top 10 goes out, and major coaching shakeups at a strange time of the season. 3:20 Iga threepeats in Doha 8:00 The state of Naomi’s return from mat leave 16:45 Rybakina wins Abu Dhabi, Kasatkina slams the scheduling 19:30 Penko and the aborted racquet shake 24:30 Sinner keeps winning, other men’s results 31:40 The death of the one-handed backhand 36:30 Doping updates: Brooksby’s suspension reduced, Simona Halep makes her case at CAS and sues the supplement company 41:20 Coaching breakups: Sakkari and Tom Hill; Holger and everybody
Feb 6, 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
Fuming: February Mailbag
The Body Serve is back with what’s become a February tradition, an off-topic mailbag/pop culture episode. Fair warning to Sw*fties to proceed with caution through a few of the early segments (timestamps below). As we all switch modes from Australian Open to the global February tennis schedule, we offer our highlights and the broader themes raised by the Grammys with a massive dose of deja vu; we answer your questions, both tennis-related and not; we take on the idea of “tarnishing” a legacy by continuing to play past your prime; and chat randomly about the Naomi memoir, We Are the World, and The Traitors (spoilers abound). 1:00 Grammys: the Swift of it all 10:00 The broader problem: the Grammys’ failure to recognize Black women 21:20 Sone actual highlights from the Grammys 30:15 Memoirs 41:25 Will tennis ever change its schedule due to climate change? 43:50 Who will be the next first-time Slam winners? 46:05 Why do they keep protecting that guy? The sunk cost fallacy 48:45 Traitors: spoilers ahead for all versions 55:45 Best-of-5 for women + court speeds 61:00 Ideal tennis dinner guests, the evolution of tennis kits 65:05 Andy Murray and the idea of “tarnishing” one’s legacy