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 307: Tokyo Takes a Toll (With Tumaini Carayol)
Episode 306: Checking Back in in the Capital
Episode 305: Ringing in the Olympic Tennis Draws (With Alex Gruskin)
Episode 304: Barty, Djokovic Win Wimbledon; Olympic Exodus
Episode 303d: Wimbledon's Second Week, With Tumaini Carayol
Episode 303c: Wimbledon, on the Last Middle Sunday
Episdoe 303b: Wimbledon Round 3: On Being Here, With Tumaini Carayol
Episode 303a: Wimbledon Round 1: Falling Stars (With Pam Shriver)
Episode 302: Quiet, Please - Wimbledon 2021 Draw
Episode 301i: French Open Day 15: Novak Djokovic the Inevitable
Episode 301h: French Open Day 14: Barbora Krejcikova Breaks In
Episode 301g: French Open: A Serbian Special (With Saša Ozmo)
Episode 301f: French Open Day 13: Djokovic Turns Back Nadal
Episode 301e: French Open Day 12: Speaking Greek Tennis (With Vicky Georgatou)
Episode 301d: French Open Day 11 - Women Open Up, Top Men March Onward (With Pam Shriver)
Episode 301c: French Open Day 10: Tsitsipas Beats Medvedev
Episode 301b: French Open Day 9: Quarterfinal Previews and Such
Episode 301a: French Open Day 8: Federer and Serena Age Out
Episode 300: This Is A Spartan! Maria Sakkari (French Open Day 7)
Episode 299k: French Open Day 6: Sorana Cirstea & Picks With Ricky
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