The French Connection: Jewell Loyd

00:00:00
Speaker 1: You have a Diana Tarassi story. I don't know we can beat the supe bird peel an Orange.

00:00:03
Speaker 2: Story, but I think it's going to be a little bit different this one.

00:00:07
Speaker 3: I just remember going to the lane and she just like clocks me, just like straight up.

00:00:12
Speaker 4: Like ooh, I'm like on the ground. I'm like, you know, like I don't believe.

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Speaker 3: I mean, it's played the hard ed block up I ever received my life.

00:00:19
Speaker 4: And she's like, hey, you look good.

00:00:24
Speaker 2: All right, everyone, welcome once again to the French Connection, brought to you by NBC Sports and Record, where we cover the French Open through the Olympics in Paris and of course everything in between. I am Renee Stubbs. That is Sam Kueri right over there, Sam, what an incredible couple of weeks we had at the French Open. Later on, of course, we are going to be joined by Juel Lloyd, two time w NBA champion, who's a huge tennis fan and a tennis playerself. But we're going to get to her very soon. But Sam, what do you think Men's Final? Let's just get straight into it. What a match, what a tournament, and Carlitos wins again.

00:01:02
Speaker 1: Yeah, you know what a five set win in the semis and a five set win in the finals. That's what you want for a final, you want five sets. Is an incredible match. I feel like Alcaraz came out, wins the first set, loses the second set, that third set there he's serving for it and kind of for the first time really all tournament. I felt like he kind of had like a ten minute mental lapse and kind of went away, but then got right back to it. Dominated the fourth set, dominated the fifth set. I felt a little bad for Zverev with that that second serve call. I don't know if you saw that, I would have ye put the match back at two all in the fifth. But at the end of the day, al Karaz was the better player, played incredible and you know he's a deserving, deserving French Open champion.

00:01:47
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think, look, we all, you know, as tennis pliers, feel sorry for that second serve call. But so many times stuff like that happens in tennis matches. You could go back maybe to the third set, maybe something happened there where he could have, you know, been up two sets to one, like things happen. Certainly a bad call, but also I don't know if you read my tweet, but I said, electronic line calling, Hello, where are you at the front do? And you know, I don't know about you, Sam, but people kind of come back at you like there's margin for error, la la la, and it's like, yeah, but guys, there's margin for error human eraror too. But the difference is and I feel with electronic line calling there's no argument. It's just like, that's the machines call, Get on with it. And I think if the call had come, for example, by a machine, there's no arguing that. So anyway, but let's not talk too much about that because as you said, I think the better player one and I think I might have said that Vera was going to make the final, Sam and lose in the final and get a little tight you did.

00:02:43
Speaker 1: I mean, look, that's a spot on call. You were all over it all week. But alchohorraz I mean the creativity and he really does have an all core game. You see him serving involing and big opportunities. You see him using the drop shot. He uses a high loopy, not to call it a moonball, but uses that to get short balls. He redirects backhands down the line. He can do everything, and I feel like he's just got a little more variety in his game than really every other male player out there right now.

00:03:10
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's phenomenal, particularly on play. I guess how many is he going to win throughout his career. Was a little bit concerning with the injury that he had com you know, he had the physio out of bunch. You could see that it was working on like his upper leg groin area, and certainly for someone who slides the way he doesn't play, there was a bit of a concern there were you a bit concerned that, oh, is he going to be able to like physically get through this match.

00:03:33
Speaker 1: I definitely was, especially with the history he's had with injuries over the past couple of years. But like you said, he had the physio out, they kind of worked on it and it seemed to make or have zero effect on his game. He really only got better after that, So, you know, hopefully now he's got he's got a week to you know, kind of take care of his body recover. We'll see. I think he's probably scheduled to play Queen's next. You know, if he's not one hundred percent, he can always take that week off, take the week off before. Wimble did have three weeks to get this body right. But all in all, his body held up well. And you see him move around. He's physical. He kind of moves around the court the way that like Djokovic is physical with this movement. Carlos is physical with this movement. So you know, we want him healthy to watch him play at that high level.

00:04:16
Speaker 2: Dude, the shot maybe of the tournament, the one handed flicker. Now, as somebody like you who had a two handed backhand, did you ever run over and hit a one handed flick backhand cross court and virtually one of the biggest points of the match, And the look that Zverev gave him like whatever, And then you see him apologize because it clipped the net. I don't know if everybody saw that point, but it was literally one of the best shots I've ever seen. I screamed so loud in my apartment. It was ridiculous. And then he says sorry because it clipped the net. But then the next movement is bubbles. I was like, I loved it that shot. Can you tell me have you ever hit a shot like that?

00:04:51
Speaker 1: Oh? No, I've never hit a shot. First of all, I can't even slide out to my left on clay. But I mean for a guy with it, he's got a two hand or like most of us, he goes over it and flicks a one handed back, you know, passing shot cross court. And yes, it clipped the net, but even if it didn't clip the net, the fact that he hit it so cleanly and so solid at such a great angle, and I believe that was to give him a love forty.

00:05:14
Speaker 2: Yeah, it gave him three huge and yeah, just the hit was huge.

00:05:18
Speaker 1: No, there's one thing hitting that in practice, but to hit it in the French Open, in the final and like this big moment is even just more incredible. So that was you know, he had the momentum at the time because that was kind of you know, what would put him over the edge. And at once he hit that, You're like, all right, this is his tournament at this point.

00:05:33
Speaker 2: Yeah, I was just like, good luck. Yeah, can't beat the guy with one hand, and good luck. Youngest player at the age of twenty one to one all the Grand Slams on different surfaces. He has not won the U Strain Open yet, but it is a hard court. He's won the US Open on hard court. He's now won Wimbledon last year over five sets on grass, and now he's won the French Open. He is the youngest to do that. Look at the names on this list, Sam, I mean, are we talking about arguably the next I mean, can he get to twenty? What's the deal?

00:06:05
Speaker 3: Like?

00:06:06
Speaker 2: This guy's phenomenal.

00:06:07
Speaker 1: It seems you know, if you go back five years, like, oh, someone else get to twenty, he'd be like, no, that's just too difficult, it's too difficult. But now all of a sudden, he's got three and he's twenty one, and he's got three on three different surfaces. So all that tells you is that every Slam for the next you know, he's twenty one, Let's say he plays till thirty five, So for the next fourteen years he's going to have the opportunity to win every Grand Slam he's in because you know he can do it. And so yeah, he does have a chance to get to those you know, the twenty number.

00:06:37
Speaker 2: I think, yeah, I mean I am the same. I mean, when people were talking about those numbers, I was like, no way, no one's ever going to do that. This was the most freak you know, two or three four three players we've ever seen in Roger, Raffer and Novak, But now we're starting to talk Carlos, au Karez, Sinner. I don't think. I don't know if Sinna's going to get to twenty just because he's not quite well. No, I don't even want to put him in not quite as versa.

00:06:58
Speaker 1: He's got to get to two before we talk about get twenty.

00:07:00
Speaker 2: That's right, that's right. But the semi final wasn't as you know it was. Everyone was complaining it wasn't as great as the US Open and the matches. I mean, come on, give these guys a break. You can't be perfect every single time they play. But I'm so looking forward to Sinner and Alcoris. I think Sinner's the favorite at Wimbledon, even though Carlos won it last year. He's definitely my favorite to win the US Open. Sinner. I just think the faster court helps him, and I think Wimbledon will be interesting to see if they play against each other. But thankfully they'll be number one and number two. But then you've got Novak, who's won at seven times, who's hanging around as well. So I don't know, but we'll get to Wimbledon in a second. What's the impact you think of Carlo of one Carlos Ferrera. For Carlos, because he wasn't in Australia, he tactically played a horrendous match against Verev. Everybody's talked about it, including myself, that he played the back end way too much in Australia and then he's finally figured out, oh that's right, the guy's got probably arguably the best back end of the game. Why am I playing it there? But just the influence of having the coach there to remind him to calm him down, and particularly one as experiences one Carlos, who also won the French Open himself.

00:08:03
Speaker 1: Right, it's it's massive, Like you said, one Carlos won the French Open. So just for Carlos al Karaz just being able to look up at that player in between points gives you a lot of confidence. And look, no one knows what one Carlos is doing with Carlos, you know, behind the scenes, how he's coaching it, but he's whatever he's doing, it's it's amazing. He's done a phenomenal job these last let's you know, call it four or five years, and I'm more impressed not so much with his with the game that Carlos's Alcaraz is playing, but just his his mindset. He kind of is like Rafa. You don't see you don't see him get overly high or overly low. He's locked in every point, he's he just acts like a true champion, kind of like we saw Rafa do. And so that's what I'm most impressed with. Like whatever one Carlos is doing to get into the mind of Carlos Alcaraz is really impressive because al Karaz is just locked in and acts like a champion at this young age of twenty one. Every point.

00:08:57
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's incredible. I mean, my last thing on Carlos is but he really is the mixture of all the three greats. He has the flexibility that you know, out reached, open stance, backhand passing shot down the line. He has the creativity of a Roger Federer, the you know, with the fancy like drop shots and the slice backhand, and he has that kind of like bull mentality of Rafa, and of course the Spanish personality, but he has kind of like the quirkiness and smiling sometimes, you know, Novak does the smile and then the you know, he's so he has a little bit of everyone in him and I am so here for it. I cannot wait to watch him play the next ten to fifteen, hopefully years he stays injury free. Somebody who has no problem winning the French Open and has now done it four times, which is unbelievable at her age, of course, is Eager Schiontek, who just crushed Jasmine Powerlina and a lot of people like, oh, it was a terrible final all that sort of but listen, you play who you play. We know she had that scare against Osaka. I mean Osaka was one point away from winning the match, could have been a very different situation. But as I also tweeted out, I thought she was going to crush everybody after that match against Osaka because we saw her cry after the match. Sam. I mean, you know what it's like to go in as overwhelming favorite against somebody and you know, you get pushed, and she, I think was so relieved after getting through that match and knowing how not lucky. I don't want to say that no one's lucky winning a match, but fortunate to get through a match the way she did there. I think she was just so relieved that she was like, all right, I'm good now. And of course all the big hitters and the bottom half of the draw loss rebark In, Sablenka to Andreeva to Paolini, because the matchup on clay is very different. These two players that they lost to are technically very good clay quarters. But for someone like eager to play another clay quarter, you better have some power. And unfortunately for Paulini, she was playing herself. She's just playing somebody way better.

00:10:50
Speaker 1: Way better, and you kind of had a little hope early. I think going into the match, everyone was like, he is going to crush, you know, crush Paolini. And then Pauline kind of holds that first game, and then Eagle and Paulini, i think holds again to go up to to one. You're like, all right, like you know what for a first time, we're in the French Open final here, like she's come to play. And then it was off to the races for egat six ' two six one after that, and you just there was nothing Jasmine could do. He goes just better on on on on the forehand side, on the backhand side, on the movement, and like you said, once she got through the match with Osaka, it was like almost like a weight had been lifted off her shoulder. You know, it was like, okay, I've got just I've got freedom. Now I'm I'm not not necessarily playing with house money because she's number one in the world and so dominant, but that felt like her test. She got through it, and then after that it gave her just like that extra bit of confidence and she rolled through the rest of the field just like you, just like you predicted after that match.

00:11:43
Speaker 2: I mean, you know, somebody's got to do it. Someone's gonna put themselves on the line. But on a serious note, three times in a row she wins this tournament. It's now the fourth time she's won it. But this is somebody who's dominating at this event. Chris Evitt of course holds the record at the French Open and has an amazing called at the French Open. But you start talking about egoshyon tech, Now how many French Opens can she win? I mean, you know, being number one seed, being having all of the pressure on her shoulder, coming in here, winning Madrid, winning in Rome, and when you look at the names that now she is on the list with Look at these players, I mean, these are the absolute greatest tennis players outside of Serena, who is not that great on the red clay, but certainly she won enough Grand Slam so I'm not going to give her a hard time. But look at the players that she has now joined at the French Open and this is this is the upper echelonce of tennis royalty.

00:12:38
Speaker 1: No, it's it's incredible. I mean and for her, like we were kind of talking about this off camera, what's harder getting to the top or stay at the top, And I think it's staying at the top. The fact that he has done this three years in a row, everyone's gunning for it's, you know, a testament to her. But I don't think it's crazy to say that, like she could have a look at ten French Opens, you know, absolutely, you think, but you know, it doesn't appear right now that she's got, you know, a competitor on this surface that's gonna be challenging her year and year out.

00:13:07
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, listen, if you go back to Rafa winning four or five, he's, oh, maybe he can get to nine, Like he's crazy. The guy has fourteen Okay, so is it which is so nuts? I mean, players don't win one tournament, let alone fourteen Grand Slams at one event. But I said last year when she won, I thought she could win ten French Opens and I look if she stays healthy. Look she's quirky, she's anxious, riddled and all that sort of stuff. I mean, it's over time it gets harder and harder to win, which is why we as pundits and next players are so respectful of what Roger, Rafa, Serena all these players do, because there is no question getting to the top is really hard, but staying there year after year is by far harder, There's no question about it. You have to keep up in your level, you have to keep you know, everyone's nipping at your heels and no one has any pressure when they play against she. So what she was able to do, I think getting through that match with Osaka, as you said, just lifted all the weight off her shoulders and she just played so freely after that, Paulini got to give her so much credit. I'm so happy for her. She's now inside the top ten. This is a player I saw play at A one twenty five in Prague like years ago, and I was like, this kid is so good, She's so happy. Wasn't she doing better? Do you see her maybe making it out a final of a Slam?

00:14:26
Speaker 1: Yeah? I hope so. I mean, look, she gained a lot of fans. She's a fun player to watch, She's got a smile on her face, she's she rips the ball, you know, not to mention she made the finals of the single, she made the finals of the doubles too. Kind of a little icing on the cake with that result as well. But you know, if she's going to make another final of a Slam, it's probably going to be the French Open. Her game seems to be suited for the clay. But you know, she's she's somewhat of a new name to the casual tennis fan, and I think I think a lot of people are going to be excited to watch her tournaments all over the world moving forward.

00:14:56
Speaker 2: Agree, all right, I got a good question for you, Sam, Who's going to win more Grand Slam titles? Between iagas Yon Tech and Carlos Ecorez.

00:15:04
Speaker 1: Ah, gosh, this is so difficult. I'm gonna go with IgA just because I don't think she has the competition that Carlos has or not, maybe not the competition, but she just seems so dominant. The gap between her and maybe Sabolenca and Coco just seems like a little too great right now, where Carlos does have like center on his heels, and it seems like Zverev may clip him one of these times. He's had some injuries. But you know, at the end of the day, like I can see them both getting fifteen or more. But I'm gonna go if if I had to pick right now, Ega is my answer.

00:15:39
Speaker 2: Ye, Well, that's I'm I'm I'm surprised only because I thought Alcarez We've just talked about how dominant he is on all surfaces. This guy queens at Wimbledon. He's one of the fast surfaces of the US Open, whereas Ega struggles a little bit more against the Rabacquinas, against the Sabalanca, against the Ostapenkos on our fast hard court. I mean, she can't beat Ostapenko on a hard court. It's like it's insane. But so I think she needs to adapt a little bit more on a faster hard court to multiply the Grand slams. Right the way Ratha was able to step up a little bit at Wembledeur and to not play so far deep in the court. The strain open changed a little bit, got a bit slower through the year. So I don't know, it's a great it's a great question and one we don't live or die by because it's not about us, but someone who does have a Grand Slam in singles and also now in doubles. Finally, because I think it was her third or fourth final in doubles was Coco Golf. You've got to give her a lot of credit. She came off of, you know, a difficult loss to the eager in the semi finals again with all the question marks if you're ever going to be eager, blah blah blah. But she turns up the Siniakova, who of course has been so dominant over the last couple of years in doubles with Babora Predjico Art they decided to have a break. Then she was playing with Storm Sanders from Australia and they were doing pretty well and then Storm, guess what, tore her achilles and so she plays first time with Coco Goff. They win the French Open. I mean How great is that for Coco to finally get that win because she's been in, as I said, a bunch of Grand Slam doubles finals to play with someone who's experience as Signyakova, who's also won so much. But it was nice, especially when they just dominated the whole tournament.

00:17:19
Speaker 1: Yeah, they crushed it in. In my opinion, Coco has been the best doubles player the last three years.

00:17:25
Speaker 2: Like you you know, seniaca of the mine have a little.

00:17:28
Speaker 1: I know, but you know, Coco is a singles player who is also playing doubles on the on the side a little bit, you know, she I don't think she necessarily practices doubles. It's a little bit like Jack sock Jack was never the number one ranked doubles player, but I think amongst the locker room and amongst the players, like Jack is the best player. I think Coco has a little bit of that kind of aura around her on the doubles court, we're like, you know what, Coco, Yes, she's a singles player, she's phenomenal at doubles, But like I think a lot of the girls, if you asked her like they would they would say Coco is the best doubles player. She's gotten incredible results with everyone she plays with her and Pegula, who had a great run for a couple of years. It was awesome to see her, you know, win win this and they dominated as a team. But I'm impressed with her doubles game, and I think, you know, if you win a Grand Slam in doubles, it's just going to help your confidence on the singles court. And hopefully this is some kind of booster her even more. You know, when she plays an Ego or sable Anka in those matches, hopefully she can gain a little confidence from these doubles wins.

00:18:25
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think. Look, I think what she did and what helped her was playing with somebody who had won so many doubles Grand Slams and as you know, Sam experience you can't buy it. And she had not won a doubles Grand Slam. Yes, you'd won a singles which Sneak had not done. But I think when you're on the court with somebody who's like calming you down, and she's won so much. But I'd say, Sue Chet mind have a little issue with you about best doubles player.

00:18:47
Speaker 1: I just feel like if Coco quit singles right now is like, I'm full time doubles. I'm giving her twenty five doubles Grand Slams.

00:18:56
Speaker 2: I love it. I love that you're I'd love that you you you were promoting that, and I love Can I just say, any young player out there, and any play coach out there, get your kids to play doubles. It only helps their singles game. And often actually Coco Son have done at the reverse. Usually a lot of players win doubles Grand Slams and then they go on to win singles Grand Slams. And there's been many in the past, particularly on the women's side, that have done that. I can think of many, many, many of them. Ash Barty comes to mind, of course, the most recent to have done that as a Ranker one mixed doubles before she won singles titles. Is the list is long, all right? So, Sam, is it way too early to preview hold hold on Wimbledon? I don't think so. So let's get to who's your favorite on both the men's and women's side, to where I'm gonna have.

00:19:42
Speaker 1: To catch I can't find my trophies right now.

00:19:46
Speaker 2: Listen, where's your Queens one? Because that's coming up soon. That's way bigger than this story.

00:19:50
Speaker 1: When I won Queens, they sent me the trophy was in like four hundred pieces. I sent it back to get a new one. They sent me another one. It was also cracked. So I have the Queens trophy, but it's cracked right now.

00:20:00
Speaker 2: No, yeah, but I have to do something about that. I mean it is large. So yeah, anyway, why to avoid the question.

00:20:06
Speaker 1: It's it's too early. Like we like we were predicting before the French Open with the man like we didn't really there was like twelve guys we thought we could win the French Open, and ultimately Carlos won it. But Wimbledon is even the grass results are even a little more obscure. So like, you know, look, Carlos and Center are probably two favorites. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's going to be a guy rank between like eight and fifteen that's gonna win Wimbledon this year.

00:20:33
Speaker 2: I it just agree to Dimitrov.

00:20:35
Speaker 1: Yeah, Dimitrov. You know, Taylor Fritz can hit through the courts. You know, maybe bublik hits first serves the entire tournament, never misses one. Like you just you just don't know on that men's side, but you know, I at least we're going to have a finalist. I think that's kind of between that eight and fifteen range in the rankings and on the women's side. Yeah, Like, look, IgA hasn't shown us what she can do on the grass yet. If Sabalanca is locked in, her balls are going to be She's I think we saw first round of the French Open, her average forehand speed was like a you know, one hundred and fifty miles an hour. If if those are dialed in at Wimbledon, she's gonna be tough to beat. So I'm gonna I'm gonna go with Sabalnka on the girl's side. Men's side, I'm kind of saying it's open.

00:21:18
Speaker 2: Well okay, Well from my standpoint, I think I'm going to go not on a limb because she's won it before. I'm going to go for a Rebeckina. I think that she has sort of struggled a bit this year with injuries, with sickness, all the things. And look, you could say Sablenca, you could saybur who's played in the finals the last two years. You'd certainly say eager. But I think as far as comfortability on grass and the big serve if she's healthy, I feel like Rebekina is the player to beat on grass, So I'm going to pick and then a Rebeckina. And on the on the men's side, I said before, I think Sinner is the favorite, but I have this weird I get these weird feelings, Sam, and I think that Carlos is going to win Wimbledon again, and I think Novak might have something to say about that. We forget about that guy who's won it seven times.

00:22:07
Speaker 1: Is he going to be able to play? I don't know.

00:22:08
Speaker 2: Oh no, he won't be able to play. This is right because if it's a miniscus tear six weeks, it's minimum. So yes, you are correct. Thank you for reminding me of that. So I'm going to say Alcarez and then I'm going to bookend the Grand Slams with Sinner winning the US Open. So I think Sinn is going to win the first and the last and Carlos is going to win the ones in between. So I'm going to say Carlos and the Rebarkna. You heard it here first everyone, And as far as Sam is concerned, you can pick anyone outside of Alcarez or Sinner.

00:22:35
Speaker 1: Yes, look, your French Open predictions were spot on, So if you're listening out there, go with Renes predictions because she's she's a great, a great French Open run.

00:22:44
Speaker 2: Yeah I got a bit lucky, but anyway, all right, guys, Well, we are so excited about our next guest, someone who knows tennis very well and you're going to hear all about it. Two time WNBA champion Duel Lloyd. She had a game last night and we're very pleased that she's going to get up for us and join us because she's on the West coast and so are you, Sam, So thanks for getting up early. All right, guys, more with jue Lloyd after the break. All Right, everyone has promised. We promised you the one and only two time w NBA champion and five time All Star, the Gold Mumber herself, Jewel Lloyd. Juell thanks so much for joining us. I know you had a game last night. You're up early on the West coach like Sam, so we really appreciate you joining us today. Thanks buddy.

00:23:29
Speaker 3: No, this is awesome. I couldn't say none of this. This is a must do, so I appreciate you guys having the on All.

00:23:35
Speaker 2: Right, well, let's get into it. Let's talk about your season. First of all, in the w NBA playing pretty well. Seattle Storm is certainly one of the teams to play for. They've had a storied just you know, franchised through the years, and I know that you're glad to be a part of that team. Tough one last night, you last but also you had a great win not that long ago against the reigning champion, the Aces. Just overall, how are you feeling about your season?

00:23:59
Speaker 4: You know, we're feeling good.

00:24:00
Speaker 3: It's always interesting when you have new teammates, right new season.

00:24:04
Speaker 4: I always say, like every season it's a new journey.

00:24:07
Speaker 3: Never you know, the same journey, never the same season, never the same teammates.

00:24:11
Speaker 4: Things evolve, and so that's what we're doing right now. We're evolving.

00:24:14
Speaker 3: We're still trying to take some time to get to know each other, still trying to figure out personnel sometimes or what people will like to do.

00:24:20
Speaker 4: But that's all new.

00:24:21
Speaker 3: Chaning camp was shorter this year because of the Olympic years, so we only work together for about two three weeks before season started, so that's not a lot of time to kind of rement people, But I was really good.

00:24:30
Speaker 4: We're where we're supposed to be.

00:24:32
Speaker 3: We know we're we're still building, so that's the point of getting better every day and that's what we're trying to do.

00:24:36
Speaker 1: That's awesome. Can you feel kind of like the WNB right now has a ton of energy, a ton of new rookies in the league. It seems like it's you know, you turn on ESPN stephen A, it's it's being talked about everywhere. Can you kind of feel that energy when you're when you're at your home games, away games, any game right now? Can you feel that new kind of like bump of energized like energy from the fan base when you're playing.

00:24:57
Speaker 3: One hundred percent? It's definitely an electric right now. I think in general, the women's sports is just taking on. I feel like that's where we're going and that's where we're seeing a lot of momentum, which is amazing. So for us, you know, I feel like every couple of years, as the generation that comes in and it kind of elements the game, that's we're.

00:25:11
Speaker 4: Definitencing that now. I think obviously now the NAO kind.

00:25:14
Speaker 3: Of helped the ship to college sports and people coming in with way more notability coming into the professional side. But there's definitely a movement and it's great to see because you obviously.

00:25:23
Speaker 4: Want to grow the game and that's what's happening right now.

00:25:26
Speaker 2: Yeah, so let's ask the you know, elephant in the room, the whatever you want to call it. Caitlin Clark, you were the number one draft pick as well back in your day, you had a lot of expectation on your shoulders. Just tell us the difficulties of coming into the pro league, the differences between playing college, being the outstanding player in college you go to the pros. Tell me what their first year is like, just so people can understand how difficult. And I have to say, Jill, as a season ticket holder now to WNBA games, I never realized how intense and physical women's bosketball is. I don't know if about you, Sam, if you've been to some w NBA games, but my god, like the physicality. So just tell us how hard that transition is.

00:26:08
Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, the best way I can explain it, and actually how I explained somebody should nep youw It's like if anyone in general goes to a new job, you're always kind of like what's going on.

00:26:17
Speaker 4: It takes the minutes to get your footing and take them minute to just realize what's going on. At the same time.

00:26:21
Speaker 3: For me, you know, I came to college, we're living in dorms for three years.

00:26:25
Speaker 4: Now, I'm living by myself on the West coast, just to.

00:26:27
Speaker 3: The northwest, have been an adult, had to figure out how to grocery shop, all these things on top of trying to learn new plays. My teammates, and my teammates at the time are older than me. They were, you know, the families and things.

00:26:37
Speaker 4: I'm like, I'm just.

00:26:38
Speaker 3: Playing video games by myself. There's definitely adjustment. You know, you're learning how to be an adult on top of learning how to be professional. It's not easy, and yes, like you said, it's the WBA is so physical and you realize this really is the best league in the world. You're playing against you know, Olympians, You're playing against the high most high level athletes all the time, and so it's not it's not it's not easy, and that's that's why it's the best in the world. And that's why it's it's so many lemony spots because it's so competitive every single night.

00:27:03
Speaker 4: But yeah, it's always an.

00:27:04
Speaker 3: Adjustment no matter how good you are, no matter if you're coming in from overseas, whatever it is. It just takes time because you're just coming from college, like you're learning a whole another life. You know, you're starting all over and the best thing to do is to rely on what you know is play basketball.

00:27:19
Speaker 4: The game is the same, so you rely on that the game will take you where you needs to go.

00:27:22
Speaker 3: And I think that's the biggest thing with all the rookies coming in. It's always just do as you do and let that take take you off store.

00:27:29
Speaker 1: That's awesome. Moving from basketball to tennis. We know you play some tennis, and I know you play some pickleball. Yeah, we're just saying there's a you're in Seattle, like I'm injured right now, but we were gonna have a big PILL tournament Sattle later this summer. It's it's been moved, but we'll have to get out of the court one of these days. But were you locked in the last two weeks watching the French Open.

00:27:48
Speaker 3: Always tennis is our family thing. I grew up playing tennis, so I know the game pretty well. And you know waking up in the morning, it's before you know, practice and our games was the best thing.

00:27:58
Speaker 4: I'm calling my dad like, get out, you know, it's his game was on and it's what we love to do and what we love to watch.

00:28:03
Speaker 3: So I've been locked in and there was some great tennis and some great storylines as well.

00:28:06
Speaker 2: Yeah, so tell me Joel, like your dad like the history of tennis. Why because some people might be listening to this and watching it, going wait, what tennis? You so give it the more of a background of how you got into it and your families love of it.

00:28:20
Speaker 4: Of course, my dad moved from Georgia to Chicago.

00:28:23
Speaker 3: His uncle and he did a hitting buddy, and my dad knew nothing about tennis and started to play. My dad played football and basketball, but tennis was something that was really exposed to him and his family. To his uncle was like you know here, gravel racket, just gonna play. So my dad was obviously really bad at the start.

00:28:40
Speaker 4: Eventually playing over years, he got really good and he hell in love with tennis.

00:28:43
Speaker 3: And when he had my brother and I, he implemented tennis into our lives and I grew up every day playing tennis.

00:28:50
Speaker 4: I was on the circuit going up in Chicago.

00:28:52
Speaker 3: I played for my high school team I play now still, but it was our family game. We played doubles all the time, my dad and I break my brother and my mom. And then I just fell in love with it.

00:29:03
Speaker 4: And I always say, you know, I I was taught the game.

00:29:05
Speaker 3: With tennis, and uh, I learned all the whys and why nots, and for basketball, was just good at it. So that's kind of the difference, and it just kind of looked at that way. But tennis is something that I love to do. I studied the game. I just you know, it was my first look, it was my first you know mentu sports and if people don't realize how amazing and difficult the sport is and uh so you know the ends and outs of it, as you guys both know, but it's such a great sport. It's such a mental game, and uh it's something that'd be I still, you know, UH just devour my my time into.

00:29:37
Speaker 1: Do you think playing tennis growing up has helped you in your w NBA career, like kind of having like the background with with the different sports, maybe the footwork, maybe the hand eye coordination, things like that.

00:29:48
Speaker 4: Uh, definitely. Uh, the footwork is it's huge.

00:29:51
Speaker 3: I don't think you understand how important your feet are where you're playing tennis, but also in basketball, a lot of it's balanced shifting momentum and weight and so knowing how to do that coming up screens, it's the same thing. I gotta be able to say a little the ground and use my shift and understand that.

00:30:05
Speaker 4: But a lot of it is mental.

00:30:07
Speaker 3: I think that's probably been the biggest ship, just understanding if I'm able to play tennis for five hours, four hours by myself as a child, you know, growing up just me and the ball, having this strategizing problem solved, it makes it a lot. I don't just say it totally easier to have four other people on the court with me to problem solve, but it's definitely a way off my bag. I don't feel the pressure all the time on myself, so I understand an early age that it's a mental game and challenging your braining different ways.

00:30:31
Speaker 4: It's allowed me to use that in basketball.

00:30:33
Speaker 2: Yeah, I love that. Certainly in tennis we don't have to body morey about getting buddy checked though. Yea, so that is the one I mean, I don't know, Julian maybe want to stick with tennis at least that someone's going to give you an elbow or like smack your arms down. Now I know why you guys wear the sleeves. I mean, so you guys get scratched all the time. I finally figured it out. It took me all the time. But let's get into the French. I know that you were watching. You were getting up early, which would have been tough for you on the West coast, buddy, But you know, were there any matches that you were just like, wow, like, this is why I love this sports so much. She's took me through some of the matches that you watch and some of the some of the people that really excite you when when you watch tennis.

00:31:10
Speaker 4: Yeah, I was super excited.

00:31:12
Speaker 3: I wish the mattress kind of later on, but IgA and Naomi was amazing to have that kind of start off, you know, it was it was just phenomenal tennis, you know, having you know name will come back and she's in a rhythm, and I think she's playing great right now. You know, I think that this match kind of give her a vision for where she could be coming to.

00:31:34
Speaker 4: The next major and things like that.

00:31:36
Speaker 3: But that game was unreal, just great hitting, great strategizing.

00:31:41
Speaker 4: It was just like a blow for blow, punch or punch. It was really good to see. And you know, we kind of talked a little bit, but he is a is a savage man.

00:31:51
Speaker 3: You know, she has another level I don't know, you know, and she just has this this gear and I think that actually challenged her to be better too. So I'm sure she's gonna look back at that match and see, Okay, can I do to improve here and there?

00:32:01
Speaker 4: But uh, you know that was that was great on that side. And you know, watching on.

00:32:06
Speaker 3: The men's side, you know, watching Carlos and Center, I love watching them play.

00:32:09
Speaker 4: I think we get great tennis every single time.

00:32:12
Speaker 3: It's a phenomenal to see young guys hitting the ball so fast. They're young, but they able to problem solve really, you know, by themselves really and have both creative size that are different, which is nice to see.

00:32:24
Speaker 4: But man, I I love I mean waking up early. I told you it was the best.

00:32:28
Speaker 3: It was given motivation to go to shoot around because I'm watching this getting and watching tennis and going to shoot aroun.

00:32:32
Speaker 4: I'm let's go guys. You know, they're like, are you so integest.

00:32:34
Speaker 3: And I'm like, I just watched the whole, you know, four hours of tennis before this, so it was a great warm up for me.

00:32:40
Speaker 1: That's awesome. Now, unfortunately there's no tennis tournaments in Seattle. I've always I've actually never been to Seattle. Been all over the world for twenty years playing tennis. It's like my number one place I want to go visit only the summertime.

00:32:50
Speaker 2: Sam, you got to go to the Seattle Tennis Club. I think it's exact night it's on Puget sounds off.

00:33:00
Speaker 1: I'm going up to Seattle this summer and play.

00:33:01
Speaker 3: Please.

00:33:02
Speaker 1: But have you ever been to live tennis? I know there's none in Seattle, but have you been to Indy Well's US Open? Any of the big tournaments? Yeah?

00:33:09
Speaker 3: So a couple of years ago I went to the US Open, which is phenomenal. We actually were in New York playing. We had some time off and so great. I made a you know, big thing on listening. I don't care, you know, I went to the theater already done this. I'm going to the tennis so, uh, that's why I've been there. I've also been to the Miami Open as well, So that was awesome. I had a really good time there.

00:33:30
Speaker 4: And I was actually in Miami to the Miami Pickball as.

00:33:33
Speaker 3: Well, so I was to play a little pig ball and this is some tennis. Uh So it was best of all the worlds for me. But my mom, look at that.

00:33:43
Speaker 4: There it is.

00:33:45
Speaker 1: We might need to play mixed doubles at a tournament.

00:33:46
Speaker 4: Next year, please. I would love to. I would love to.

00:33:50
Speaker 2: Don't do it. He's struggling. He's struggling.

00:33:54
Speaker 4: Listen, it's a bunch of teammates's you know, we got.

00:33:56
Speaker 3: What you told.

00:33:58
Speaker 1: Have I tore my achilles a couple months ago, so I'm gonna need a lot of lift up right now.

00:34:02
Speaker 4: If I got it, as long as you can take the three steps gets to the line, we could dominate there.

00:34:07
Speaker 3: So I'm already strategizing. But yeah, you know, it's my dream is to take my dad and go through all the all the opens, and that's kind of been our goal or our dream to do that. But I'm definitely always like tennis channel was always on.

00:34:22
Speaker 2: Well, I can tell you you and I spoke at the game here in New York. My seats were literally like I feel like I'm on the opposing team seats seat guys, which is kind of nice. But we did mention you are playing the Liberty during the US Open. I don't know if you've had something to do with the scheduling of Seattle Storms games in New York, but you certainly did that right. So hopefully we can get you out to the US Open. Maybe get you on ESPN to give you some, you know, some tips on what to do in the game. Would be fun. But let's get to the Olympics. My friend. Now, rumor has it, and I know it's not official, but rumor have it you might be back on the Olympic team. If that is the case, congratulations once again. What does it mean. I know it's not official, but I think you've been told. Just give me your thoughts on again going to the Olympics again in Paris for you.

00:35:14
Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I'm always the kind of getting from my dad where it's like that is official until it's official, right, So I try to get to geek until I hear from a source of self.

00:35:24
Speaker 2: Okay, I like to pretend. Let's just pretend hypothetically on the team.

00:35:28
Speaker 3: Yeah, hypothetically, I'm on the team.

00:35:31
Speaker 4: You know, it's it's pretty amazing, you know, playing basketball. And when I literally.

00:35:36
Speaker 3: Been quit playing tennis to focus on basketball, it was like, I have two goals to win a WA championship and winn a goal medal team. I've been able to do that, which is incredible and amazing. And you know, you set these goals and you sometimes you're I'm sure a long journey will happen.

00:35:52
Speaker 4: Could it happen?

00:35:53
Speaker 3: And then you get a call from USA, and you know, going to Tokyo was like what seriously, like I all this work and all this sacrifices finally paid off. And then you kind of get the urge say, how can you do again?

00:36:04
Speaker 4: What can I do to put myself in positions? It again?

00:36:06
Speaker 3: And I think I put myself in a graand position to to be on the team to go to Paris.

00:36:11
Speaker 4: And I've never been to Paris, so I'm excited to se that.

00:36:15
Speaker 2: And between you and Sam, do you guys travel? I mean, what's going on?

00:36:19
Speaker 4: It's unreal. I don't know. I've never been to Paris. I've been like, you know's to lose and everything else, but never Parish.

00:36:24
Speaker 3: But you know, to have the vision I'm going to be for your country, to do something you love and to represent your family and friends and.

00:36:32
Speaker 4: Your beliefs on a whole another global, uh stage.

00:36:36
Speaker 3: Is it's impressive, and it's just you know, you don't take this more for granted because.

00:36:40
Speaker 4: You never know, you know.

00:36:40
Speaker 2: And thankfully with the crowd, because yeah, obviously it was tough for you guys, and I must have made I mean, Sam and I've both been through the Olympics and we've never had to experience that with that crowd. That would have been really tough. So I'm glad all of you guys get to go back to Paris with a full crowd and the atmosphere is going to be completely different, for sure.

00:36:59
Speaker 4: For sure.

00:37:00
Speaker 1: Now there's so much talent in the w NBA right now. Is there one person you're looking forward to playing with most on that Olympic team that you're you know, not a teammate of Seattle, but someone else in the league that you don't normally get to play with that you're like, oh my gosh, yes, Like I'm gonna be on the court with this person for the duration of the games.

00:37:16
Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, the last couple of years, I've found really really close with Asia Wilson, and she's just phenomenal. She's a great person. Her family's amazing, and you know, you you look at her and she's you know, dominating right now with the ease, but that's just where she's peaking.

00:37:31
Speaker 4: And she's just do it with such such a grace and confidence level.

00:37:35
Speaker 3: And so playing with her, it's it's always amazing because for me, anytime you go to Olympics or go to you know, the national team training camps or around like Hall of Fame players, sometimes you don't understand.

00:37:44
Speaker 4: They're just like, oh, these are my friends, like these are my classmates whatever.

00:37:46
Speaker 3: But it's like, now you're around Hall of Fame players, You're around you know, the legs of the game who have shipped the game of basketball and changing in the basketball and so I look around, I'm like, this is awesome. Not just around these great people, so I'm going to ask them questions on how they do things, and you know, you going to be in a room with these people get maybe who knows.

00:38:01
Speaker 4: So I take full advantage of that.

00:38:03
Speaker 3: But playing with Asia, it's such a blessing because she's just another level.

00:38:07
Speaker 4: You know, and I learned so much from her, Like I said, she in.

00:38:10
Speaker 3: The confidence that has really ignited the nextion range of half this coming in to try to do that as well. So it's always cool to play with her and see see her and just watch their watch.

00:38:21
Speaker 4: It would be great.

00:38:23
Speaker 1: What country are you worried about going into the Olympics? We see on the men's game yet Luka, Doncic's got the joker. You've got a lot of European players on the men's side and the WNBA. You guys are so dominant. Haven't lost the game the Olympics in thirty years? What country or countries do you guys kind of have highlighted as like we're a little bit worried about about this group of ladies.

00:38:43
Speaker 4: Like I like you are like thy years no pressure, Yeah, I know, just like but like.

00:38:48
Speaker 1: Ten, no pressure, right, don't be the team to break the stream?

00:38:52
Speaker 4: I know, jeez, that would be crazy.

00:38:55
Speaker 3: No, Honestly, like every year you see the development of countries better and better. For there's development of players, coaches, strategy, just talent growth, things like that. And for us, a lot of US player receives so we know a lot of the people in other countries understand how they play things like that. But I mean, you know, every time we play you know, China, Bellowium, France, Australia. Right, Like a lot of the players do play in the league too, so we know kind of how the physicality is and things like that. But you can't take any team, you know lightly. All you need is one bad game, one bad quarter, and.

00:39:29
Speaker 4: Things change instantly.

00:39:30
Speaker 3: So for us, it's maintaining what we do, focusing on us and what our shrints are and playing USA basketball. That's kind of our mindset every time we go into camp, you know, we want to make sure we're playing USA basketball. We go to world qualification tournaments as always, how can we play USA basketball?

00:39:45
Speaker 4: Focus on us and let everything kind of want to place.

00:39:48
Speaker 2: Yeah, and all Seattle Storm player that you didn't get to play with because you're a lot younger than she is. Lauren Jackson coming back for Australia that's just crazy in and of itself.

00:40:00
Speaker 3: Lauren, Uh, she she's like top five for me, easily hand down what she's been able to do.

00:40:08
Speaker 4: How she does it coming back is dominating.

00:40:10
Speaker 3: You know, shooters always shoot, you know, she she's never lost her touch, you could see that. But she has his grit about her, and I think she's playing for more reasons than just basketball itself. She's inspiring so many people and so many they give a basketball Australia. She's doing so much to elevate that. And I told her like, anytime she needs help, like I am willing to come down there and help out whenever I can, because you know, she's done so much and it's only right.

00:40:31
Speaker 4: And she comes back.

00:40:32
Speaker 3: She's always so nice and gives me so much wisdom. So h yeah, her coming back is that's that's the storyline that people need to talk about more.

00:40:39
Speaker 2: Listen, Jill January Australian Open. I'm thinking ahead here, get you down there. She finally went to her first Australian Open at first tennis live match. Yeah exactly, So give me speaking of Lauren, speaking of teammates, H well, you didn't play with Lauren, but give me your best Suite Bird story.

00:40:58
Speaker 4: Best Superbirds.

00:41:00
Speaker 3: First time in Seattle growing up, first week before training camps, she's like, you know, come over, you know, like you know that don't wants be alone, like hang out, and I was like, first of all Stu Birds texting me. I'm still like shocked about that. Then she's asking me to come over. I'm like, like, what what do I wear?

00:41:15
Speaker 4: Like am I? I'm like nervous and I'm kind of panicking. And so we get over and she's like just talking to me. She's like, hey, like, how's how are things.

00:41:22
Speaker 3: I'm like, well, I just left college, so things are great, Like I don't know, like I'm fine, like how do I connect with I with soup? And now she's talking to me And before you know, there was a someone told me to I don't know if players gonna take care of you. You know, they're kind of grown, they have these their own lives and that that's kind of like in my head. She's over there like pilling me oranges, cutting me up a whole meal. She's like preparing all these things. I'm like, wow, this is like first class. Like she was like making me nails like it was crazy. So I sit down and we're just talking. And for me being a rookie, like having that first experience was like no way like superds in here, you know, sharing a meal with me, I'm barely talking, you know, nervous, and her way to kind of just break the eyes was amazing.

00:42:04
Speaker 4: And that's kind of transformed our relationship going forward because you knew that it was bigger than basketball for Sue.

00:42:09
Speaker 3: If you know anyone who knows Sue, it's you know, she's so nice, so genuine, No there's no fluff, and she just wants people to be to themselves all the time.

00:42:17
Speaker 4: And that allowed me to grow in the person I want to be.

00:42:19
Speaker 3: And I've always kind of shared that story with you know, my friends and family because people don't know Sue. They just see her as this icount what she is, but they don't know the person she really is in her heart. So that first week was like mind blowing for me. Allowed me kind of relaxed and have someone to confine and as a young kid coming into the league. So I always remember that, I'm like, man to Bill the Oranges, We're good. That's like you you know, it's yeah, Billain Oranges is hard in general, so for her to do that.

00:42:43
Speaker 4: It's amazing.

00:42:44
Speaker 2: So truly one of the nicest people will ever made a grade.

00:42:48
Speaker 1: Packing on that. On that Diana Tarassi, I think this is her fifth Olympics six you have a Diana Tarossi story. I don't know. We could beat the Sue Bird Peel an orange story, but I.

00:43:00
Speaker 2: Think it's gonna be a little bit different this one.

00:43:03
Speaker 1: Would she make you like a nice pilet mignon with a salad and.

00:43:07
Speaker 3: No, it's probably polling the elbow and gave me some water and so many you know, kick.

00:43:11
Speaker 4: Rocks with DT.

00:43:13
Speaker 3: Yeah, no, you know, first time probably honestly, probably the most welcome to the league moment.

00:43:17
Speaker 4: You know, before the game, she's like, oh, like, grants me here, like it's kind of high me up. I'm like, oh wow, Like DT is like my idol.

00:43:23
Speaker 3: You know, I grew up watching DT, so I have so much respect for her lit in the game, you know, kind of filling it out whatever.

00:43:30
Speaker 4: And I just remember going to the lane and she just like clocks me, just like straight up, like oh, I'm like on the ground. I'm like, you know, like unbelievable.

00:43:38
Speaker 3: Mean, it's probably the hard day's block I've probably ever received my life. And she's like, hey, you look good.

00:43:45
Speaker 4: I want off for it. I'm just like thanks, dis.

00:43:48
Speaker 3: I'm like literally like my shoulders hurting, like on my store. She's like, look good runs back on defense is a three time out. I'm like, all right, this this is this is awesome. This is perfect what I want to hear, you know, for my idol, just you taken, you know, no mercy.

00:44:03
Speaker 4: But me and DT have a great relationship and she's awesome and she's all competitive, you know.

00:44:06
Speaker 3: I think that's why she plays with so much joy, and that's why she's able to play for so long, because it's just a joy of the game. And we see that, you know, even with you know, the Novak right, he loves the game of tennis, like he understands that there's a purity to how they play. So yeah, DC is next level and she has intensity, but it's all above Oh my god.

00:44:25
Speaker 2: I think that's a great story talk about apples and oranges, which basically, by the way, DT and Super are best friend. So there you go on that front. But that's awesome. Also, it's important for people that haven't followed the w NBA that the storyline out there about Caitlyn Clark being you know, treated this way. This happens to all rookies. You just didn't see it back in the day because the cameras went on every single game the way they are now. I don't want to get into that with you, though, Joel, because we don't have enough.

00:44:51
Speaker 4: Time to talk about that sort of stuff.

00:44:52
Speaker 2: But is there a moment at the Olympics where you've been starstruck where you're like, oh my god, there's so and so.

00:45:01
Speaker 1: There's gonna be a non basketball player too.

00:45:04
Speaker 4: Yeah.

00:45:04
Speaker 3: Yeah, no, no, no basketball players respectually, but uh yeah.

00:45:09
Speaker 4: We were in the Olympics. Uh, you know, we had really the only time that we were really with everyone.

00:45:14
Speaker 3: Was opening ceremonies, So walking around and seeing them and we're all a kind of star shrug and you know.

00:45:20
Speaker 2: Yeah, because i'mlike us, you guys are special.

00:45:22
Speaker 4: You're in your I didn't see I didn't see all that.

00:45:27
Speaker 2: I'll say it.

00:45:28
Speaker 4: Yeah, No, honestly, I was.

00:45:32
Speaker 3: Really stoked to see uh Nija the skateboarder. I grew up skateboarding as well, and and so seeing I watched so many, so many uh you know, YouTube clips without all my friends. Uh, and so I was walking in and uh, you know, I was like, wait, that's not that's not like and so I that's the one picture where I definitely got because not people don't know that he's a skateboard growing up, and that kind of has a way just like relaxed me and understanding that so seeing him and knowing what he's done for the for the sport of skateboarding has elevated so much, and so seeing that was pretty awesome.

00:46:09
Speaker 2: I mean, you are just a jack of old Trians friend, you knew. Yeah, you should have your own documentary based on how talent you are in every spot. I'm just saying gold Mama.

00:46:18
Speaker 4: Hey, you know we're working on it.

00:46:19
Speaker 3: Maybe you guys could help me up with that, because I think I have some pretty cool stories.

00:46:23
Speaker 1: Now, this is one of those rare occurrences at the Olympics. We saw in twenty twelve they were in London and so the tennis was at Wimbledon. This year it's in Paris. We got the tennis and Roland girls, are you planning to go out and watch some tennis while you're at the Olympics if you get the time?

00:46:37
Speaker 3: Oh that was like number one. I was like, let's say regardless, you know, you know, if I'm on the team, my first request is can I get tennis tickets?

00:46:45
Speaker 4: Please?

00:46:46
Speaker 3: You know, I want I want to go, and uh, you know, if my family comes, you know, my dad's gonna be the first one trying to get there without a doubt. So that's the plan is to watch as much tennis as I can, because that's why why not?

00:46:58
Speaker 4: Right?

00:47:00
Speaker 3: Yeah?

00:47:00
Speaker 2: I mean we're all hoping that mister Ruffil Nadal gets another appearance at Roland Garrison. Of course what we saw with Carlos yesterday winning that, but the baton has been passed over it in Spanish tennis, so they're their favorites for the goal. But just real quick, is there a player that you would love to see live in Paris before we have to say goodbye to you?

00:47:19
Speaker 3: Jul Yeah, I mean we talked for hopefully the American tennis right Coco. I haven't seen her play, but I would love to watch, you know, if it's out there of Carlos and adult play doubles, I would love to watch that.

00:47:34
Speaker 2: All right, Well, Jill, we so appreciate you. We know that you were up late last night playing a game. We wish you all the best through the w NBA season. It'd be great to see you in the finals, maybe up against the Liberty. We can like go back and forth.

00:47:46
Speaker 4: You can throw stuff at me.

00:47:48
Speaker 2: But you're just an amazing talent. It's such a great teammate. We know how much everyone loves you. Out there, so good luck throughout the season and enjoy keep watching the tennis of course, Wimbledon coming up, and then back at the Olympia. We have a feeling you might be on the team. So congratulations by another selection of the Olympic team. Thanks buddy, Thank you guys, Thanks joll okay, so thanks so much to jull Lloyd. We wish her and the entire USA basketball team the best at the Olympics in Paris, which of course we will be there for and we can't wait for it. And a reminder, of course, the US Olympic and Paralympic team trial kick off on June fifteenth. Can't wait to see that as the best athletes in the country, of course, seek to make the toughest team in the world. Ahead of the Paris Games, catch the action on NBC and Peacock. Then the Paris Olympic Games of course begin July twenty six. We can't wait for.

00:48:39
Speaker 1: It, can't wait. And on our next show, we have the question for everyone. We're going to build your tennis Frankenstein, we want to know you're going to build the ultimate player, men's game, women's game. What's the best forehand, backhand serve Volley's mind game athleticism. Tweet your answers to us at MBC Sports, and we want to know how you can build the ten player.

00:49:01
Speaker 2: Yeah, and don't forget the drop shot. These days, I think.

00:49:03
Speaker 1: That's a shot through my player on one.

00:49:06
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think so. I think he's it seems like he's invented that shot again. But anyway, all right, guys, Well, thanks so much, not only to Jule Lloyd once again for joining us today. We can't wait to see you play the rest of the w NBA season of course through to the Olympics, and thank you everyone for joining us for the French connection. Brought to you by NBC Sports and Racket. Next episode is out at the end of June. We'll do a deep dive into Wimbledon. We'll see you then, see you, guys,