Smooth Criminal
Admittedly, this hasn’t been our most productive October ever, but we’re here! First, we’re recapping two weeks of results, including a 12th title for Monfils, a first for Shelton, Mertens remaining the only ever winner of Monastir, and Zheng Qinwen triumphing shortly after coach Fissette dipped. Also: Holger Rune hires Boris Becker, recently released from prison and deported from the UK; the Cincinnati Masters will stay put; Craig Tiley promises something he can’t promise; and Naomi sells her likeness to Mark Zuckerberg. And what’s the deal with the lack of women on Tennis Channel and the WTA Board and Tournament Council?
0:30 Autumn fatigue, for players and podcasters alike
4:00 Monfils, Shelton, Fils, and Townsend make it a fantastic weekend for Black players
11:15 WTA results: Mertens, Siniakova, Korpatsch; Zheng wins Zhengzhou, Peggy wins one for mom
20:10 WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai gets underway with a stellar field
23:55 Holger Rune hires Boris Becker
26:55 Zumba instructor Garbiñe Muguruza isn’t thinking about tennis
31:15 Cincinnati will stay in Cincinnati after getting Ohio to put up enough taxpayer money
35:25 Craig Tiley announces Rafa Nadal’s appearance at the Aus Open and no one is more surprised than Rafa
44:10 Naomi Osaka and Candle Gender sell their likenesses to Meta
47:20 Diana Nyad changes her mind on trans inclusion (it relates to tennis, I swear)
55:35 Where are all the women on the WTA Board and the Tournament Council?