Top Clay Court Storylines With Steve Weissman: Gauff and Swiatek Rev Up, Sabalenka and Djokovic Look Ahead and Sinner Seems Invincible
Steve Weissman joins the podcast to discuss all the drama in the pro tennis game, as the road to Roland Garros heats up. Weissman dives into Jannik Sinner's dominance as his aims to collect a fifth straight Masters title in 2026, and examines what it will take to knock him off his throne with rival Carlos Alcaraz sidelined. The Tennis Channel broadcaster explains why he's still confident in Aryna Sabalenka's clay court game after two early losses, and reminds everyone to watch out for Iga Swiatek as she continues her quest back to the top.
Weissman covers a ton of other topics including Novak Djokovic's quest for a 25th major, and why Coco Gauff's competitiveness sets her apart from the other best athletes in the world. The commentator reacts to Rafael Jodar's quick ascent to the Top 20, explains why Sorana Cirstea's run in Rome is so special, and recaps some of his favorite moments covering the game in 2026. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
13 May 2026, 10:00 am
31 minutes 20 seconds
USTA Committee Member Jessica McMillen on Growing The Game And Tennis' Place As The Healthiest Sport In The World
Jessica McMillen, a USTA Committee member and Business Development Director for The Capital Area Tennis Association joins the podcast to share her own personal story within the game. McMillen explains how she became involved with tennis, what ignited the passion for helping others, and why organizing and volunteering are as fulfilling as anything. The Texas native dives into a wide range of topics including growing the sport, helping to establish a successful WTA tour tournament in Austin, and why tennis is the healthiest sport of them all. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
8 May 2026, 10:00 am
44 minutes 41 seconds
Jill Craybas on Marta Kostyuk's Madrid Title, Jannik Sinner's Historic Dominance And More From The Clay
Jill Craybas returns to the podcast to recap another eventful tournament at the Madrid Masters, where Marta Kostyuk and Jannik Sinner reigned supreme. Craybas explains how Kostyuk was able to put everything together and win the biggest title of her career, and how her coach Sandra Zaniewska has forged a special bond with her player by allowing her to improve while staying true to herself. The broadcaster also dissects Sinner's historic run of five straight Masters Titles, and points out the areas of his game and makeup that enable the Italian to dominate the field.
Craybas also gives her thoughts on several other players who shined in Madrid, including finalist Mirra Andreeva, who showed her emotional side once again. The commentator dives into American Hailey Baptiste's breakout win over Aryna Sabalenka, and discusses where the World No. 1 goes from here. And Craybas analyzes Arthur Fils, Rafael Jodar and Alexander Blockx who all shined in Spain and are looking to keep rising up the ATP ranks. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
5 May 2026, 5:03 pm
37 minutes 44 seconds
Brian Teacher on His Path From SoCal To The Pros, Winning The Australian Open and Founding FullCourtTennis Ton Connect Players To World Class Coaches
He was a Top 10 Tennis player and won a major title, and is now giving back to the game with an innovative approach to coaching. Brian Teacher joins the podcast to discuss FullCourtTennis, the app that pairs world-class coaches with players of all levels, and provides comprehensive videos that analyze matches, drills and wings. Teacher explains how the formation came to be, the obstacles that prevent players from achieving their full potential. and the technology FullCourtTennis uses to unlock the very best in each tennis player.
Teacher also reflects on his upbringing in Southern California, and recalls his formative years at UCLA when it was the center of athletic excellence in America. He also breaks down the unlikely path he took to winning the 1980 Australian Open, the lessons he learned in his pro career, and the reasons why he transitioned into coaching, and took to it immediately. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
1 May 2026, 10:00 am
44 minutes 8 seconds
Pam Shriver on Alcaraz's Roland Garros Absence, The Depth of The Women's Game, and Developing a Performance Mindset
Pam Shriver joins the podcast for an in depth conversation about the state of the current game, and the latest chapter in her tennis life. The Hall of Famer reacts to the news that Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his Roland Garros title, and discusses the impact it will have on Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. Shriver also breaks down several rising talents including Arthur Fils and Rafael Jodar, and explains why American Ben Shelton is built for the long-haul with his father Bryan guiding his career.
Shriver also shares her thoughts on the WTA, and the ultra consistency of World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The commentator discusses Elena Rybakina's all-time great serve, Iga Swiatek's attempt to reset her clay court game, and Naomi Osaka's resurgence. And Shriver explains why becoming a volunteer college coach has been extremely fulfilling, as has her work for Yonex in their new "Mindset Performance Program." Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
28 April 2026, 10:00 am
40 minutes 54 seconds
David Witt on Breaking Into Coaching With Venus Williams and Working with Pegula, Tiafoe and Aleksandar Kovacevic
Tennis coach David Witt joins the podcast to discuss his long and unique journey in the game, and to explain how he broke into the coaching world and continues to make an impact with the very best players. Witt recounts his first interaction with Venus Williams and how he earned her trust as a hitting partner and then coach, and dives into his other coaching gigs with Americans Jessica Pegula and Frances Tiafoe. He dives into how he sets up clear communication with his players, what really goes into scheduling and scouting, and how the game has evolved over the years.
Witt also dives into his new partnership with American Aleksandar Kovacevic, and highlights the areas of his game that elite. The coach recounts Kovacevic's epic match vs his idol Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells. and weighs in on mid-match coaching in the present day. And Witt goes in depth about his two biggest off-court passions: The Jacksonville Jaguars and playing golf. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
24 April 2026, 10:00 am
47 minutes 23 seconds
An Injured Alcaraz, Fils and Shelton Take Titles and Rybakina Reigns In Stuttgart With Athletic Senior Writer Charlie Eccleshare
The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare joins the podcast for a wide-ranging topic of the pro game, and to discuss how he became one of the prominent journalists covering tennis. Eccleshare reacts to the news of Carlos Alcaraz's wrist injury and what it means for both the Spaniard and the ATP's top players who can make their move on the clay. The senior writer also recaps the titles won by Arthur Fils and Ben Shelton, and analyzes whether Joao Fonseca, Rafael Jodar or other young players can seize the moment on the dirt.
Eccleshare also weighs in on Elena Rybakina's victory in Stuttgart, and examines Aryna Sabalenka's schedule as she aims for her first Roland Garros title. The journalist discusses Iga Swiatek's potential to reclaim her throne in Paris, and gives out his list of contenders as clay season continues. And Eccleshare dives into several topics he's written extensively about, such as tennis player "wearables" and the validity of the underarm serve. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
22 April 2026, 6:12 pm
42 minutes 11 seconds
Paul Annacone On The Alcaraz/Sinner Era, Coaching Fritz, and The Future Stars of Tennis
Paul Annacone returns to the podcast for a lengthy conversation about where the pro game is in 2026, and the direction the sport is heading. Annacone assesses the start of the season and goes in depth about coaching Taylor Fritz through some unfortunate injuries, and why their dynamic continues too bring out the best in the player and the coach. The Tennis Channel broadcaster also weighs in on the dominance on display at the top of the men's game from Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and examines the edges they have physically and mentally over their contemporaries.
Annacone dives into several top storylines including Novak Djokovic's high level in 2026, the growth being shown by young stars Joao Fonseca and Arthur Fils, and how Learner Tien and other young Americans are pushing their countrymates to get better. The former Top 15 player also discusses the Sabalenka/Rybakina rivalry on the WTA, and the areas in which Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are great. And Annacone goes in depth about his work with the USTA's SoCal organization for junior tennis players, and shares his thoughts on the player he coached, Roger Federer, being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this summer. Hosted by Mitch Michals Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
17 April 2026, 7:00 am
42 minutes 54 seconds
Sinner Takes The Monte Carlo Title Over Alcaraz + Fonseca's Growth and Vacherot's Top 20 Debut With Nick Lester
Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the Monte Carlo Masters, and commentator Nick Lester joins the podcast to break down another chapter in this transcendent rivalry. Lester explains how Sinner dictated play, the areas where he's improved physically and tactically, and what led Alcaraz to come up short against his main adversary. The broadcaster also shares his thoughts on the future of this rivalry as the road to Roland Garros continues, and explains why they're the top two players in the world are pushing themselves to become even better and widen the gap with the rest of the tour.
Lester also dives into a wide-range of topics including Joao Fonseca's improvements in 2026, and the emergence of Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar as a player with serious potential. The broadcaster also examines the trajectories of Alexander Zverev who is still trying to gain ground on the top two players, and Valentin Vacherot who is reached the ATP's Top 20 for the first time. And Lester covers the WTA's biggest headlines as their clay season kicks off, which includes Mirra Andreeva winning in Linz and Iga Swiatek set to take the court for the first time in Stuttgart with her new coaching team. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
14 April 2026, 10:00 am
45 minutes 48 seconds
Joel Drucker on Nadal's Coaching Foray, Djokovic's 2026 Schedule, The Alcaraz/Sinner Rivalry and His New Endeavor at TennisPlayer.Net
Joel Drucker joins the podcast to discuss a wide-range of pro tennis topics and storylines, as the calendar switches to the red clay. Drucker gives his thoughts on Rafael Nadal's decision to work with Iga Swiatek, and examines why former some elite level players decide to enter the coaching world. The esteemed journalist also discusses the two rivalries at the top of the sport, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz still awaiting their first encounter in 2026, while Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina continue to play extraordinary matches against one another.
Drucker dives into a wide range of topics including a prediction of what Novak Djokovic's schedule might look like in 2026, and why Alexandra Eala's popularity is unlike anything he has seen in quite some time. The writer also discusses the challenges Americans face on clay courts, several players he enjoys watching, and his newest venture as editor of the innovative instructional website Tennisplayer.net. And you can receive an exclusive 15% discount with the promo code "inside-in15" on a yearly subscription at Tennisplayer.net, a deal too good to pass up. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
9 April 2026, 10:00 am
46 minutes 41 seconds
Tommy Paul Wins Houston, Pegula Goes Back-To-Back in Charleston And More Clay Court Tennis With Bradley Klahn
Bradley Klahn returns to the podcast to recap the first week of the clay season, where American Tommy Paul reigned supreme at the US Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston. Klahn breaks down how Paul was able to dig deep and overcome his heartbreak in Miami, and explains why the American has grown on and off the court. The commentator dives into Ben Shelton's character, Learner Tien's first go on the clay, and how Jessica Pegula was able to defend her Charleston Title as she aims for that first major championship.
Klahn also discusses Rafael Jodar's first title in Marrakech, where he defeated 36-year-old Marco Trungelliti, who made a historic debut in the Top 100. The former pro also weighs in on Francisco Roig leaving Giovanni MPetshi Perricard for Iga Swiatek, the ethics of coaching changes, and why working with Roig and Rafael Nadal could bring the Polish superstar back to the winner's circle. And Klahn previews the Monte Carlo Masters, where several talented players are aiming to prevent the first showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2026. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.