Ben and Tumaini Carayol dust off the NCR machine to bring you a look at the 2023 French Open women's and men's draws, breaking down the contenders and darkhorses while touching on several of the big stories of the past few months while the show has been on hiatus (Relatedly, Ben's forthcoming book on Naomi Osaka is now available for pre-order!)
Can Iga Swiatek reestablish her dominance on the women's side at her favorite tournament? How clear a favorite is Carlos Alcaraz on the men's side?
Before that, we start with a discussion of two notable absences: Rafael Nadal, the 14-time champion who hasn't played in months due to a persistent psoas injury, and Simona Halep, a former champion and #1 who has taken an increasingly vocal and outspoken stance as she tries to rally support against anti-doping authorities following her positive test for a blood doping agent last year.
We also discuss the extended formats of the Madrid and Rome Masters 1000 events, changes which have been poorly received across the board.
Thanks for listening! Bon voyage, bonne chance, bonne nuit!
Episode 277a: 2020 French Open Day 1 - The British Are...Leaving
Episode 276: Draw Me Like One of Your French Opens, 2020
Episode 275b: Original 9 - Kristy Pigeon
Episode 275a: Original 9 - 50th Anniversary Approaches
Episode 274: In a Roomy Rome
Episode 273o: 2020 U.S. Open Day 14 - Under Pressure, Thiem Outlasts Zverev
Episode 273n: 2020 U.S. Open Day 13 - Naomi Osaka's Statement Win
Episode 273m: 2020 U.S. Open Day 12 - Zverev & Thiem are Last Men Standing
Episode 273l: U.S. Open Day 11 - Azarenka & Osaka Win Semifinal Showstoppers
Episode 273k: 2020 U.S. Open Day 10 - Mary Carillo and the Final Fours
Episode 273j: 2020 U.S. Open Day 9 - Pam Shriver's Distance Learning
Episode 273i: 2020 U.S. Open Day 8 - Quarterfinals!
Episode 273h: 2020 U.S. Open Day 7 - Djokovic Defaulted; NextGen Get Slam Chance
Episode 273g: 2020 U.S. Open Day 6 - French Fracas (The Paire 11)
Episode 273f: 2020 U.S. Open Day 5 - The Mystery Files and Shelby Rogers
Episode 273e: 2020 U.S.Open Day 4 - In Order to Form a More Perfect Union
Episode 273d: 2020 U.S. Open Day 3 - Wild Women's Wednesday
Episode 273c: 2020 U.S. Open Day 2 - Tsvetana Pironkova Finishes Her Question
Episode 273b: 2020 U.S. Open Day 1: Bubble Trouble
Episode 273a: 2020 U.S. Open Day 0 - Blair Henley, Inside the Bubble
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