Asia Swing

00:00:09
Speaker 1: All right, hi everybody, and welcome to the Renee Stubbs Tennis Podcast. We have a even better guest today. We told Caitlin you know what, Caitlyn, you went to Italy. You have a day off. Actually the reason she's not here is because she has to get a kid from school. And so we have an even better guest. We have Eliza Westcoat. Am I saying that right? Waistcoat?

00:00:29
Speaker 2: Yeah?

00:00:29
Speaker 1: Yeah, okay, I nailed it. Eliza. If anyone out there in the tennis world follows tennis, they know Eliza because she does a great a great I mean your Instagram, feed, your TikTok, feed your also Eliza, I've had you on I had you on my Amazon show last year, and it's great to have you on the pod this week because we've got a lot to talk about. So thanks for coming on.

00:00:50
Speaker 2: Mate, Oh thanks so much for having me. It's an absolute pleasure.

00:00:54
Speaker 1: All right, Well, let's get into it because we've got so much to talk about, and you know we can waffle the two of us, so so let's get into it. Let's start. I want to start first of all, because we didn't get a chance to talk about the sinner Alcoraz final from not that long ago. You, of course watched it, like all of us did. We were at I think Caitlin and I did the podcast maybe a day or two before the final, and I was so pumped for this final. And what is it about these two that is so bloody great to watch? They're just two great guys. The tennis is unbelievable. What were your thoughts about that final?

00:01:28
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's sort of reminiscent of those early days when Federer and Nadal Raverry was heating up, and even though there were rivals, their relationship between one another was just so amicable and like relatable in some ways and also unique in sport to see competitive people have a positive relationship with one another. But I think just the level of tennis for tennis fans has just been such a pleasure to watch, and the speed that they can generate off of the ball and the creativity that they come up with the alias from the very first point is just it's I'm in awe when I'm watching the two of them.

00:02:06
Speaker 1: Yeah, I had that conversation the other day. I was talking to some friends that went to the US Open first for the first time, and they're more involved in basketball, and I said to them, you guys don't understand how good this tennis is. Like for someone like me who's been sitting and watching professional tennis, is someone who played professionally. I watched these players now and I am in absolute or like I'm I do the oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, ah oh watching the match like me, I'm like, I cannot get over how good the tennis is. The surprising thing for me was three love up in the third set tiebreak Sinner and two kind of i'd say, throwing shit against the wall. Al Chirez. He just sort of went for it. He started rushing into the net, playing a lot more aggressive. He got a little bit lucky on one or two shots, but overall it was surprising when you when when Sinner got up three love in the third set tiebreak, you thought, oh, he's gonna win another tiebreak. He is eighteen and one in the last nineteen tie breaks. So for him, if you had said to me at three love too mini breaks, he's losing this set, I would be like, no chance. I mean, were you shocked that that ended up happening.

00:03:13
Speaker 2: I want to say I am, because, as you say, the record is what it is. But then it's it's al Karaz and the magic that he's able to bring. And I think there's two shots where he's kind of volleying in no man's land in dead space. I mean, nobody can pull that off, and the just the handskills, the brave nature of that shot choice, and just the fact that he has so much confidence to be able to execute that. It's you can't defend against that. There's nothing Sinner can can do. He didn't play a bad few points there. It was just outrageous shot making from Alcaraz and just to see that audacities only, yeah, amazing.

00:03:52
Speaker 1: Yeah, he has that amazing touch at the net with a half folly and he hit two of those half follies that were just extraordinary really, and I mean the fact that Sinner even got them back was pretty amazing. I think Sinner would be upset. And it's my rule change that I want to make in tennis of taking away the let cord because at three Love he hit a great serve out wide and no one heard it, and the umpires like called the let because you know the net machine goes off. But I mean that that could have been for Love hard to imagine that he loses probably from there. But yeah, so that's my rule change people. Let's get rid of the let cords because that's what happens more often than a dead net cord on a serve is a great serve that's called just by the net machine, but overall a great tournament. And wasn't it nice to see them, you know at the nant as you already talked about Alaah. It's like how nice they are to one another in the respect and we clearly know what's going on again with Sinner. What are your thoughts on that? Because Caitlin and I have talked about it a lot. Now Wide is looking at whatever, you know, three independent more judges looking at him. What are your thoughts on it overall?

00:04:53
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, at this point it feels like a little bit of a political game between the kind of governing bodies and the organizations and rather than it having to do with something specifically with Sinner, and it appears to be kind of like a due diligence process where WADA doesn't you know, want to be seen as an organization that will overlook things like this or get undermined by a governing body that's quote unquote underneath them. So to me, it seems like it's all just kind of part of the process, and I hope that it's resolved quickly. I don't wish for a long and drawn out process here, and hopefully some kind of transparency in more conversations around how these processes can be more fair for everybody in the future and kind of you know, I hope everybody gets a similar process to.

00:05:40
Speaker 3: What Sinner experience.

00:05:41
Speaker 2: That seemed like it went the right way, and hopefully it gets resolved quickly with water.

00:05:47
Speaker 1: Yeah, and as we talked about last week, Caitlin and I, some ways I wish we didn't know about any of them until they were either found guilty or not. It's kind of a process. It's a little difficult, but anyway, we're to be continued as they say, Okay, so let's talk about the ladies, because the ladies put on quite a show. And good for Coco Gough. What an effort all week. I mean, she was coming back from the death, it felt like in almost every match this week, and she showed why we as pundits also love her because look, there is still the double faults going on. She's double folding still out the wazoo. It's clearly a process that's going on. I see you looking at a grip every time she goes to serve. Now, maybe they're working on that. I don't know. I haven't had that conversation with her, but just the fact that there were times that where she wasn't playing great, but she finds a way because she doesn't quit. And I think that's something that so many young players can learn from. Just because you're not playing at your best doesn't mean that you still can't win the match. And she proved in the semifinals. I mean, she's down a set in four one. I want to get to that match before I talked to about the final, and I just feel like Bedoza, I don't know about you, but I feel like Bedoza lacks that like real killer instinct, like that where she gets up and I just felt like there were a couple of times where she started playing a little passive and Coco kind of stepped up. She had so many opportunities to win that set match easily, and I just feel like she's always looking at her box. She's always like quite a bit unsure of herself, and you know, I started getting a bit passive and then Coco turned it on. But I just something inside of her. I feel like she just lacks that real dogged determination sometimes. And look, she's won some great matches. I don't want to say that she's not a great player, but there's that little X factor that I feel like she's missing right now, even though she's had a great year and a great comeback from injuries. What do you think about that match in particular before we get to the final.

00:07:41
Speaker 2: Yeah, perhaps it is kind of that last like one percent that's that's missing. I mean, I feel like the comeback has really been more in the second half of this year. I think she was still struggling a lot the first half of the year, and it seems like she's now got a couple of matches under her belt, but again, not kind of been in these situations for a little bit of and that kind of self doubt can creep in. Obviously I've not been there or experienced that, but just having played sports at a competitive level, when you're coming back from an injury, some of that conversation in your head is maybe louder than you would like it to be, and it feels like as you say, she kind of lacks that killer instinct when it comes towards the end.

00:08:18
Speaker 3: I mean, I remember watching the match she played against.

00:08:20
Speaker 2: Gabriella Russ at the US Open, where she showed some really good fight there and it was really tight and a couple of breaks back and forth and then a tiebreak and she came out on top of there really successfully.

00:08:31
Speaker 1: But do you think do you think that's do you think that's not sort of interrupted? Do you think that's also because she knows that she's supposed to win that match as opposed to you know that. I mean the effort against Pergula was kind of weird. That second set up five what was at five to one, and then didn't even run for the drop shot on match point, like it was she sort of mentally switches off, I feel, and in this match against Coco line, yeah, so I just that's what I mean. I just want to see like like swear or get pissed off when she's losing or something. It's almost like she was trying to keep herself together. It was a weird dynamic out there. I don't know. And Coco always looks the same. And I loved when Coco won, kept winning the game to stay in the set. In the second set, she kept saying come on. You know. She was like come on, and I was like, Yeah, that's the difference. She's letting you know that she still wants to win.

00:09:23
Speaker 2: Yeah, and she's ready to fight and she's gonna you know, she's going to do it to the very end. And I think that's something that's unique about Coco, that's special about her that you know, separates her as a Grand Slam winner versus somebody who's who's not been there in one titles like that. I think just the tenacity to continue to play, and as you say, even when she doesn't have her biggest weapons with her or the best tennis with her at that time, that she's not going to go away and makes that clear to the opponent. And it felt like Badusa was like there was too much going on in her head. There was a final on the line, there's this big opportunity, and it overwhelmed.

00:09:59
Speaker 3: Her in the end.

00:09:59
Speaker 1: Yeah, totally. Someone who didn't get overwhelmed certainly through the tournament was Movehova. I mean, I am you guys all know how much I love her. I mean, her game is like if I could coach someone, Oh my god, I would kill to coach her, just because she just does everything that I she That's how I played. She just twenty times better than me, you know what I mean, Like I just wish I had that power from the back of the court. But her mind, the way she sort of plays is sort of how I sort of played the game. And I just I think she's so good. And in the final. Before we get to the final though, because I've got thoughts on the final, I just thought her win against Sabalenka, It's amazing how people don't talk about matchups enough in tennis. We do, but it's amazing how mentally she gets up against Sablenca and her game it suits playing against Sabalenca. Sure, you know what your what did you think about her efforts against Sablenka and then just getting through to the final and what she's been through the last six months has been incredible.

00:10:55
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, just watching her at the US Open again, I was reminded what a wonderful player she is and how great she is for the women's tour. I mean, there's nobody else that serves and bollies as regularly as she does that gets into the net, that has the touch and the feel and just like the beauty in her strokes. I mean, I remember watching with my dad and he was like, wow, I've you know, I've never seen her play, and what an amazing talent she is. She's my new favorite, and she very quickly wins people over because of that, and I think, yeah, she has the game style to bother somebody like Sabolenka, who you know, would rather hit through you from the back of the court and not necessarily finish off at the net, which she is getting better at. And she's added more variety, which I think has served her really well this part of the year. But she certainly brings out those weaknesses and I think can make someone like Sableanca very nervous, you know, given that she's willing to come in off of a return of Stuve and just impose herself straight away, and it's distressing and like overwhelming for someone who's used to dictating the points. So I think it works really well against and then of course we'll talk about in the final how Poko isn't necessarily the best matchup for her and causes heart some issues.

00:12:06
Speaker 1: Yeah, it's funny how I think that Muhova loves the ball hit hard at her and flat. And as a person who came into the net a lot, I would much prefer someone hitting absolutely shit out of the ball at me. I'm like, great, bring it on, because I'm going to cut the angle, going to give you no time to recover for that next shot and volley into the open court, or volley behind you frankly, or hit a touch shot because you're behind the baseline. So being a person that comes into the net, you want someone to hit the ball hard at you. You know, people at home are probably seeing, Oh, I don't like the ball hit at me hard. No, trust me. If you get the ball and take it in front and you cut the angle, it's the easiest one to hit. It's the ones that have the spin on it and the ones that have a little bit of soft touches. And that's where Coco actually because she has that forehand, she can spin it up high, she can get it to the feet, and of course she has that backhand which she can hit pretty much anywhere, and she lobs off the forehand as well, so it's a little bit more unpredictable where she's going to go the ball with Sabalanca is more predictable and for somebody who comes into the net. That's why Muhova plays against Sabalanca so well and struggles a little bit with Coco.

00:13:09
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that's a great explanation. You know, when the ball's coming at you hard, you almost have no time to think. It's your reactions and getting in front of the ball and using your speed and touch to put them in a vulnerable position. But it's like when you have more time to think and you're seeing the ball for longer and it's not really in your strike zone as Coco would give you, then it takes part of that weapon away. And I also think Coco's experience playing doubles must help her in this type of matchup. Not sure what you think, but you know, getting used to people being at the net and sort of being willing to scramble at the back, having the touch and feel to hit a lob to go for passing shots, or knowing to hit at the feet where those kind of vulnerabilities are. I would assume that that must help her in some degree, whereas Sabeleanka's you know, not got that experience under her belt.

00:13:53
Speaker 1: No, well, I mean, Sabolenka's also one Grand slams, but she won them by hitting the crap out of the ball and allowing Mertens to be the one that was, you know, making the move at the net. So there's all little things in tennis that people have to understand there, and matchups are one of them. One of the things that I think, and I don't know what you thought, but one of the things that I thought that I think that Carolina can do against Coco is because first of all, Coco played the best match I've seen her play in a long time, because she was barely making errors and she was not double folding a lot at all. And I think one of the reasons is that Mukhova did not attack the second serve enough, and by that I mean sometimes run around your backhand and just crush a foehand sometimes. And I thought at a set, and I think it was four to three first point, that first point, Coco got a little you could tell that she was starting to think about the final, winning the match, and Carolina played a great point. She came in and Coco hit an incredible shot to win the point. But I thought that that was an opportunity for her. But one thing that I think that Mukhova needed to do more is hit or slice backhand more and get Coco in uncomfortable situations on her backhand, like short to the backhand, long and aggressive with the slice down the line to the forehand. Then you're going to get a high ball. And the thing is that Carolina's backhand is not great above her shoulders, which is why Coco was hurting her with the high ball to the forehand from the forehand. So there are little match up things that you can do differently. And if I'm mohover, I'm slicing more and I'm not afraid to go to the backhand, because there was a couple of balls that she missed just because she was trying to hit it to the forehand. And sometimes you still got to hit your best shots, you know, and take your forehand inside out, don't always go to the forehand. So there's little things and she just looks, he looks confused, and that's not where she's at her best tennis.

00:15:37
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think sometimes it can be a distraction when an opponent has like an obvious weakness that you're trying to target and maybe going after that takes away some of your strengths. And you know, her backhand cross court is great, and there's no reason why she can't get in a backhand to back hand rally with Coco and look for an opportunity to run around it, hit the forehand or as you say, hit the slice down the line and try and pick on the vulnerability in that way.

00:16:02
Speaker 3: I would totally agree.

00:16:03
Speaker 2: I think she didn't, yeah, necessarily execute on her best tennis because she was distracted by trying to unravel Coco's weakness, which you know, on a good day for Coco is not going to cause her to lose a match. Of course, there's errors, but it's not that much of a weakness on a day to day basis where just exploiting that is going to win you the match.

00:16:25
Speaker 1: Yeah, And I just think, you know, you just talked about it, you know, when you're talking about watching it with your dad, about how she's got these beautiful shots and this creativity, and I feel like her creativity sort of gets lost playing against Coco. But there are ways to get around that and be a little bit more like an ash party when you're playing those matches a little bit more slice and go for your forehand down the line. You don't always have to hit a cross court to the weakness because when you come into the net and she knows this, you come in on the forehand down the line or inside out to the back end. Yes, Coco's quick, Yes, her back in is unbelievable, but you still have to open up the forehand by coming into the back end. And so there are little things and I'm sure I don't know why, but you know, she hasn't kind of figured that out. But besides that, how happy are we to see both of those two in the final. Coco winning is great for tennis and Mukhova being she should be inside the top ten, hopefully in the next six months. She's now top thirty. I believe she just made it back into the top thirty. But what an effort from her, like risk surgery like six months ago, back inside the top thirty, pushing these top players. I mean, I'd like them both so and they're both such nice, such nice people.

00:17:33
Speaker 3: Yeah.

00:17:33
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's like almost an immediate resurgence from Muhova. She only had a couple of tournaments back and then all of a sudden, she's, you know, really playing high level tennis. I wonder if she's surprised herself a little bit, but I mean getting back inside the top thirty. She's now going to be seated for the Australian even that puts her in such a good position for twenty twenty five and hopefully she can have a healthy year. I think that's the biggest thing that we've got our fingers crossed for for her is just having a complete seat and being able to play her best tennessee around. And I think that, you know, when we talk about kind of the cast of characters of the WTA and who we have and what we're paying attention to, I think it's really important that these names stay relevant, that you know, Coco's and Master's one thousand winner this year, that she's able to kind of follow up on big title hunting and puts herself in contention for these trophies, because yeah, we want we want the game to be competitive, and they think it's what makes women's tennis so unique is the depth of the field and the fact that they could be a winner from anywhere.

00:18:32
Speaker 1: Yeah, exactly. Now we're going to get to the eagers and all that sort of stuff and what's going on with them in our questions, Eliza, because we do answer our fans questions, so we're going to get to those. So we're going to talk about Eager then, but before we get to sort of our questions, because we've got so many today that we've got to get to them early. First of all, on your Instagram TikTok page, you've got some great videos. Let's talk about the men losing their mother minds. Okay, okay, Zvere. First of all, Vera's blaming the umpires now for his losses at Grand Slam Finals. I mean, dude, what are you talking about. Did you see the match live? Were you watching it or did you just see stuff on socials?

00:19:13
Speaker 3: No, I woke up at five am this morning.

00:19:16
Speaker 1: And she's a true fan, this girl, she's a true fan.

00:19:21
Speaker 2: So managed to turn it on. And yeah, he was complaining in the first set. He thought he had a bad call on on a double bounce, which he was actually wrong about, and that caused him to have a classic temper tantrum that we see from Zvere. You know, played over ninety matches and what am I doing running around while you sit there?

00:19:39
Speaker 3: And I just sort of thought.

00:19:41
Speaker 1: No, dude, you're making like twenty million dollars a year. Fuck off. I would say that if I was the umpire.

00:19:48
Speaker 2: I'm like, I think you're fine, Like, yeah, it's just the winging and the moaning from him.

00:19:54
Speaker 3: It's it's so consistent throughout his career. It's it's funny at this point and to sit.

00:20:00
Speaker 2: There and say, you know, you're the reason why I've lost Grand Slam finals.

00:20:03
Speaker 3: I think it's such a nugget into.

00:20:08
Speaker 1: What a great point, Yeah, what a great point. If I'd walk on the court with him in a Grand Slam final, I'll be like, hey, don't forget those umpires. You know, are they going to screw you?

00:20:17
Speaker 3: They'll get you. I mean, it's such victim mentality.

00:20:20
Speaker 2: It reminds me of that episode in Breakpoint where he talked about you know Medvedev and I'll come, it's going to get him, and you know that Medvedev was the one who had all the problems.

00:20:31
Speaker 3: And you just sort of.

00:20:32
Speaker 2: Continue to have these seeds throughout Zareeb's career where you sort of think, take the responsibility on yourself, like you are responsible for these losses, these matches that haven't gone your way. You had opportunities, certainly this year at the French Open, and you can't tell me that the umpire, you know, robbed you so badly that you lost the slam final. And I think it's it's why he probably will never they're not winning one.

00:21:01
Speaker 1: You're making a good point then, I mean, and if he doesn't, will we be upset? I don't think so. Okay, So speaking of someone who doesn't usually lose his mind with the umpires, is usually pretty nice guy on the court, sometimes gets a little bit heated, but not his Francis Tiafo. Now yeah, okay, So I have two thoughts on this. And you know that I'm usually an umpire basher because just that's how I was as a player as well. So I'm not usually on the side of the umpires on this one. I'm gonna go a bit fifty to fifty. First of all, Francis was wrong. Okay, we all know he wasn't throwing the ball toss up to you to serve. He was never in intention to throw the ball toss up. But give me a fucking break, umpire. It is five all in the third set tie break, and the guy is clearly at the line about to serve maybe with the second over. Okay, I know everyone's gonna be like, no rules are rules? Are they? Because let me tell you why a rule is not a rule before I let Eliza take over here. You, as an umpire, get to decide when you push the button, okay, to start the clock. I see it all the time at the US Open. Don't even start the clock until the players at the towel. Okay, So don't tell me there's a blanket statement of twenty five seconds or twenty seconds in between points, because that is horseshit. Okay, it is when the umpire chooses to push the button. So you cannot tell me that. You also don't have the discretion to be like, you know what, I'm going to start this one a little bit later. Eh, he's at the line, he's clearly about to serve. It's one second. Is it really gonna matter? It's five all in the third set tiebreak, A first serve is unbelievably important at that point, and you took that away from him. So let me tell you something. If I'm Francis, I'm also really fucking angry. Okay, Now what he did after the match by saying, you're by swearing at the umpire the way he did and going after him not appropriate. He he apologized, He wrote a really sincere and I know Francis very well well he would have meant that because he would have felt really badly because, let me tell you something, his mum would have been the first one to say, Francis, that was not a good thing. But I can understand why he was angry and that could have cost him the match because if he hits a first serve and wins the point, he has match point. Instead he has to second serve. It was an incredible point and he lost it. So I would have been I would have been ropeable as well. But the so what he'd said was wrong, But how the umpire handled that, I don't give a shit. You can tweet at me all you want and tell me that Renee rules are rules, but you have the discretion there as an umpire to not be a complete I didn't even want to say the word, but you had the discretion there to not open your mouth and let that match go on. And his opponent would not have said a word, trust me, at that moment. All right, your turn, because you're English and you're going to be nicer than me, but I am not happy about it.

00:23:53
Speaker 3: Well, it's so challenging because it is subjective.

00:23:56
Speaker 2: You know, we saw Carlos Alkaaz complaining about same thing, that automatic and how he basically had no time to go through his routine. Now, I do think so France has got the warning earlier in the match as well and lost his first serve because he said he was coughing, and I think as unfair. Like I agree with you, it's like there's discretion is all of these things. But I think Frances probably could have recognized like this umpire is like there's no leniency here right, like it already happened to me once I've already got the time violation, once I've already lost the first serve once, like, let's not push it, especially at five ball in the tiebreak, to like leave the possibility of that type of distraction or that type of call coming in. I think it's maybe just like a mental lapse from Tierfa or sort of not recognizing that hey if he if he didn't give you the extra time because you coughed the first time around, and now you you know, blatantly throw the toss up, which is not a task.

00:24:54
Speaker 3: It was kind of clear where the umpire was going and like what.

00:24:56
Speaker 2: His mood was was gonna be there, So I think he had an opportunity to recognize it a little bit ahead of time and sort of make better decisions. But having said that, you know, it's a grueling.

00:25:08
Speaker 3: Stage of the match. They're playing at night, it's.

00:25:11
Speaker 1: It's five people there, there's literally twenty five people there.

00:25:14
Speaker 3: Yeah, there's no reason to call it that tight.

00:25:17
Speaker 2: I also, I also don't get the impression that the players themselves, unless it's egregious like that person's taking ten twenty more seconds than they need. I don't think players are feeling upset by like, okay's an extra couple seconds here. They just want to play good tennis or you know, play and execute at five all on the tiebreak. So it just seemed like an unnecessary involvement from the umpire. And there's been instances like that peppered throughout the whole season. So yeah, the lack of consistency amongst the tournaments and when the shot clock is started or not, I think is what makes this issue contentious. But agreed, Francis will probably see all the posts on social media and be pretty embarrassed by the outbursts, but we all know, you know, you snap sometimes it's sport like these things happen, and I'm sure he'll see his apologies and move on from it.

00:26:10
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean I read his apology. It sounded very sincere. But I mean, you know, you're out there almost three hours, it's hot, it's five people watching, you know, you just if five or you understand you're getting to line. He obviously knew because that's way through the ball in there, But come, like, just have just a little bit of an idea what it's like to be out there as a player. And yeahs, does Francis take a long time between points? No? Not usually, same as al Crez. I mean that one that was given to Alcrez was absolutely ridiculous as well, Like give me a break. So you know, just as a former player, I know what it's like and sometimes you just want to just climb up the umpire chair and just do a Zverev on them.

00:26:51
Speaker 2: You know, the rules are just yeah, as you say, it feels like the umpire doesn't understand what it's like to be there to get but.

00:26:58
Speaker 1: It also I'm not kidding you, I really watched doing the US Open when they would start the timer. So I'm like, it's it's up to you anyway when you start the timer, have a little bit of an idea of discretion at five all and the third set time break, maybe give the guy curdistic.

00:27:22
Speaker 2: That's all that umpire. You know, he was having fun implementing the rules. Renee some some some of them are like that, And yeah, it's I don't think it adds to the to the value of the game at all.

00:27:33
Speaker 1: That's the That's exactly right. That's the best line that we could say. That does not add to the to the greatness of this game. That subtracts from it. And you took away an opportunity there for whoever it was. I think not Francis because I'm friends with him, not not Alcarez because I love him, or the That's just dumb. That's just a dumb decision. All right, Well we'll get off of that one. Speaking of people that have kind of made some dumb mistakes, let's let's not take away from the fact that the men aren't the only one. Magdalinette saying what she said being in Wuhan, Listen, what are you doing you know, and then she you know, tried to apologize just don't do it in the first place, But DOZ are the coach putting the photo up? What are you guys doing? Like, come, You've got to have better sense than this to go into a country and to essentially, you know, make fun of the country you're in, the people that you know. It's bad enough you're doing it in public, but to put it out on a social media what are you doing?

00:28:31
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's really ignorant and sort of like raises this question of like does the WT like have to educate you before you come out to these countries and you know, represent women's tennis as a larger, you know game, it's not just yourself as an individual. And I think it's it's really poor. I think the apologies were like, oh, I didn't know, I didn't know.

00:28:52
Speaker 1: I didn't know I was offending somebody.

00:28:54
Speaker 3: What are you kidding by that?

00:28:56
Speaker 2: It's like, it's it's pretty clear. You know, we're all on the internet, we know these things. And it felt like like childish, you know, high school kind of behavior.

00:29:07
Speaker 3: And yeah, I.

00:29:08
Speaker 2: Really expect better from the both of them, but you know, I don't know what their culture is or kind of how they grew up and saw Asia or China and what their experiences are like.

00:29:19
Speaker 3: But to me, and you know, growing up in the UK and the US, I feel like.

00:29:22
Speaker 2: This is such basic knowledge and as you say, just to put it out on the internet shamelessly and then try to like backtrack, you sort of think, yeah, I hope they learn a lesson in terms of what their filter is for stuff getting posted online.

00:29:36
Speaker 1: In the future, girls would be more like Cocoa Gov. Okay, I mean this twenty year old was she twenty one yet? It's just you know, the ultimate in class. The way she spoke about Muhova in the final about how you know it's great to have a there, just Coco Gov is just the epitome of just knowing how to do things right at such a young age. She is just a credit to sport. And you know, I don't think I don't know if I said it enough, but what she did and winning that tournament with you know, the breakup with coach Gilbert and then hiring a new person who seems very quiet and down to earth, I think is probably more her, more her vibe. I don't know, because she's pretty you know, She's a really kind of just good kid, and I think she takes everything really to heart. And look, she even says stuff even after when she wins finals. Listen, I read what you say about me, and it's just all receipts. So anyway, all right, let's let's also a little shout out to my buddy who lost today. But Isla tom Lanovitch winning a tournament after what she's gone through with her own injuries with her knee. Spoke to her at the US Open, and you know, she's still like a little bit doubtful about her movement and stuff. But that way to go Eiler.

00:30:51
Speaker 3: Yes, yeah, Hong Kong one twenty five.

00:30:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, I agree, you know, another kind of one twenty five tasle under her belt. I think it's really awesome to see her kind of continue to fight, keep competing.

00:31:04
Speaker 3: And that was a tough draw.

00:31:05
Speaker 2: You know, there were good players in the mix there and I don't think I would have picked her to win this week, So it was great to kind of to see her story and her continue to keep fighting at a good level.

00:31:15
Speaker 1: Yeah. I mean, we just we love, we love Eiler, and you know, she's gone through a lot of injuries and her doubting. Doubting herself was something that was really tough for her, So it was just nice to see her sort of come through and winning that tournament. So I was really really pleased to see Ila win that one. But listen, let's get to some questions, because you can help me answer some of these. But I put it out a couple of days ago, so we've got we've got a bunch one. Karen Gainey was very upset because she thought she'd missed the pod by getting me this question. So she would like to know the difference between fast versus slow hard courts isn't concrete question mark. I would think whether plays a factor as well. How's the back? I don't know, Eliza, if you heard, but I fell down my stairs quite significantly, and Karen, thanks for asking. Back's doing much better, Okay. So the difference between fast and slow hard courts, it's essentially just the mixture that's put into the into the hard court. You know, whether how much they put sand, how much sand do they put in it? So you'll hear a player say, oh, that's for example, Cincinnati was like an ice drink, and if you looked at it, it looks shiny, and when it's shiny, as a player, you go holy shit. Like when I saw shine, I was licking my lips. I was so happy. Because it's the faster the court is, the shiner it gets, and the more grit more sand in it makes it slower Indian Wells, for example, because of the desert. It doesn't help either, because I'm sure when they're laying that court there's so much shit gone in the air the sand ends up in the mixture. So that's the difference between fast and hard court. All right, I guess, I guess perhaps the answer that one, Eliza, here's another one from tomorrow. Do you know or think wit Korowski will be right back to coaching someone or will he take a break? I'll give that one to you, Eliza.

00:33:08
Speaker 3: Wit Keowski.

00:33:09
Speaker 1: Yeah, Thomas, I didn't know he went by wit.

00:33:19
Speaker 3: I think.

00:33:21
Speaker 2: I wouldn't be surprised if he takes a little bit of a break. I mean, the coaching mary.

00:33:25
Speaker 1: Around is so we call it the carousel.

00:33:29
Speaker 2: The carousel, especially on the WT tour, it never fails to surprise me. The kind of coach stealing that goes on. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes a little bit of a break. I mean, it seems like they had such a unique relationship, and in terms of like how that team functioned and the seriousness of Eager Treonte's camp and kind of how they conduct each other, I don't get the impression that there's many girls on the tour who are like that and want that type of environment, which is why I also think it's interesting to talk about who will be Eager's coach because it's such an intense atmosphere that they seem to create.

00:34:06
Speaker 3: So I wonder if.

00:34:07
Speaker 2: He, you know, will kind of be on the lookout for a similar type of player who's looking for that level of intensity, or whether he would switch things up. But I wouldn't be surprised if he sits on the sidelines for a little bit.

00:34:20
Speaker 1: What do you think, Well, we'll see. You know, we've spoken about it coaching carousel. If you're a man, you'll get a job in a week. If you're a woman, start begging, Okay, So I don't know, we'll see. Would you can well, as somebody who's asked me in these questions, if I'm going to coach Eager and I am not going to coach Eager. If she called me to coach her, I would be very happy to do it, But I do think that she needs someone as a little bit a little bit more fun, to be honest, a little bit more relaxing. People probably think I'm a very intense coach. I'm not. I think the most important thing for a coach is actually to understand your player is to actually understand their personality. If they are a person that likes to be quiet and not be told too much, then you have to adhere to that. If you want if you feel like they need to get up a little bit more, you've got to get them up. You've got to know what their optimum is. And so a great coach is understanding that and not just going in with your ideas. That's what's key. All right, all right? Pole asked, would you consider to coach a promising young player not exactly a contemporary superstar of top ten, like living the process with growing from nothing or is it too much work time, not financially viable for both parties? Well, pol Yeah, of course I would consider working with somebody not a superstar or not in the top ten, top hundred. But yes, it I cost money, So that's how much money are you going to give me? And I'm not going to do it for peanuts. I have rent to pay in New York, So you know, those are certainly conditions that we have. All right, let's get to Willie G. This one's for you, allis. I'll lask you this one. Are there any science writers of voice as you recommend, who have experience covering Italy eagle doping in sports? I feel like every time a new athlete is implicated, there are so many varying opinions it's hard to know which voice to trust. Great question, Willie G. All Right, Eliza, what do you think of that one?

00:36:12
Speaker 3: That's a tough question.

00:36:13
Speaker 2: And I usually refer to the athletic and Matthew Futtterman for the.

00:36:20
Speaker 1: Men, Matt Fotamon.

00:36:21
Speaker 2: Yeah, that type of coverage that is a little bit more kind of impartial and just like dissects what the hearing like outcome or the key's outcome.

00:36:33
Speaker 3: Has actually been.

00:36:35
Speaker 2: So for me, I guess I don't know, like a scientific writer, like someone who kind of gets that, but I think also that knowledge would probably go over my head anyway.

00:36:43
Speaker 3: I looked for someone who can kind of help me digest.

00:36:46
Speaker 1: That's why we rely on Caitlin, because you know, she's bringing back steroids from Italy and we're I'm going to put them on my shoulder. I'm gonna put them on my body, and I'm gonna make a comeback at fifty four at least drain open. I'm just kidding all the difference, Yeah, exactly, All right. Stephen Kennedy asks, do you think that too many of their WTA players spend too much time on groundstrokes, returns and non half time in the serve. Can only think of Bakina Plishkova, Samsonova, Mukhova with nice serves. Now that Barty and Serena are gone, all right, Stephen, First of all, I agree with you. I think that not enough players on tour or juniors, and I think it starts with juniors. So all the coaches out there, make sure your player at thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, the really developing years, make sure that they have a good service motion. Now break it down now. For example, Coco Goff's service motion and her forehand should have been broken down more as a kid, Now, how bloody good is she considering her technical flaws? On her serve, this motion and her grip and her forehand. How good is she? So if you have to take a year off at fourteen to break that down, do it. Do it, absolutely do it, And it doesn't I don't care how small you are. People like, well, she's short as Mampaulini short. She has a beautiful service motion. My old doubles partner Lisa Raymond had a was five to five beautiful service motion and she could pop it in at about one twelve, you know, and Ash Barty's a perfect example. Ash was maybe five seven maybe beautiful service motion. So don't allow your kid, no matter who you're working with, to have bad technique as a as a young junior, because it's only going to get more it's only going to get worse as you get older, and it's only going to get more picked on. So I think they've spend too much time on groundstrokes. You can spend tons of time on ground strokes. Just make sure you're doing the same amount on your volleys and you serve, because that's when you're going to be a great player, when you get all of that really good. Because guess what, bad technique breaks down under pressure and we see it all the time. All right, I answered that one. All right, Jay Rube who always writes to us before indoor season starts, what are differences from outdoor hard court to indoors to consider? Thanks? What do you think on that one?

00:39:02
Speaker 3: Whether you claim it?

00:39:04
Speaker 1: Yeah? Yeah, what are the differences from outdoor hard court to indoors to consider? It's usually speed? Yeah, Usually the speed of the court indoors tends to be a bit quicker, although you can slow it down to depends on how you lay the court down. All right, Stephen Kennedy ass again. I also was wondering does TA make a huge profit like Wimbledon and the money goes straight to funding a lot of Australian players seems to be a lot of Aussies around at the moment. Do you generally receive a lot of funding? Do you know anything on that?

00:39:33
Speaker 3: I don't know. That's not my special all right.

00:39:35
Speaker 1: Well then I guess I got to answer this one as well. Yeah. Basically, the reason why the Brits and the Aussies and you know, the Americans get a lot of funding is because they make a lot of money at their Grand Slams. And so now why are they're more Aussies doing better are there? Because I don't think they are, but but yeah, they get to, you know, be able to fund their players a lot better than some player from to Jikistan or something like that because they have the money. So there you go. All right, do you think Steven you're getting I'm going to have to skip over you, Stephen, because you've asked a lot of questions. Christine Christian Monteney Munteney. I'm sorry, I just really fucked that up. What do you think about Samona Hallup's matches from the WTA one twenty five Hong Kong? Thank you? Now, I'm sure you watched some of them, so what are your thoughts?

00:40:25
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I think it's she she came back a little earlier than she had expected to with the knee injury. I think she originally was only going to play the two fifty. Then she came back a bit earlier for one twenty five. So I'm not sure where she was with her like fitness journey, but great to see her battle in one match, come you know, play three tough sets, and we saw glimpses of og Hallap in that in that match in terms of how she's able to execute and play her tennis, But to me, it would always be a doubt against you know, Blenkov's who's been on tour all season and has had some good wins. To string two matches back to back when you when you've not played and he done us really for a long time, I think that was always going to be a tough ask. And yeah, I know people are split on you know, on her and her story, but for me, I think she was a player that I watched a lot growing up and enjoyed her game and kind of what she brought to the table.

00:41:17
Speaker 3: So I'm hopeful that she's.

00:41:19
Speaker 2: Able to string a couple of matches together and have a good season in twenty twenty five, But it also wouldn't be surprised if she sort of has a goodbye season and it doesn't have a lot left in her legs. I reckon this amount of time off must be really hard to navigate a comeback from yep, But just ultimately happy for her that she's getting a chance to play.

00:41:40
Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree, We'll see. I guess we'll see what happens next year, all right, Vamos Rougher asked Rebackina what's going on with her? Will she come back? She's such a great player and so young, surely she won't be a one slam wonder too. Why is no one cringing about playing in China? Again? Well, I certain players like one net they are, especially women. Will Saudi Arabia be the end to ethical pro tennis? I'm going to give that to you wise Saudi question. Well, let's talk Rebekna first, and what do you think was going on there? And just the cringiness of playing in China, I guess, and then Saudi Arabia.

00:42:24
Speaker 2: Yeah, So the Rebeccna question is really troublesome. I'm worried for her. I think not just from like the string of injuries and illnesses that we've seen all year, but this sort of quiet letting go of Vukov and perhaps being removed from the WT coaching list and why that might have happened, and some stories kind of coming out from native journalists about him, you know, being quite an aggressive presence and that kind of sucking the love out of tennis for Rebeccna.

00:42:56
Speaker 3: I see that she seems to be spending some time with family and friends.

00:43:00
Speaker 2: And kind of taking a bit of a break, and I heard today that maybe she's looking for a temporary solution until the end of the year, just to kind of finish things out.

00:43:08
Speaker 3: But it's hard to get a sense of, like, you know, how much of this is the.

00:43:12
Speaker 2: Physical aspect and everything she's got going on with injuries and illness, and how much is like kind of behind the scenes more of a potentially sad personal story that's that's going on. So I think it's a fan concerned and just really hope that she's able to make a return this year and play some good tennis and enjoy herself.

00:43:31
Speaker 1: Well, just to let you know I'm available, Yeah, because I would. She's a great player and a really great girl, and I just everybody knows how I felt about her previous coach. I don't need to even need to go into it. If you listen to my pod, you know, okay, monkey Bread, who's the best? All around?

00:43:50
Speaker 3: Adela didn't answer. We didn't ask oh.

00:43:52
Speaker 1: Yes, yeah, yeah, what do you think about going to Saudi? Seeh I know, sorry, so many questions in one Well, there.

00:43:57
Speaker 2: Was a question on Cringe about playing in China, and I do think the question of whereas PUNKSHUEI is still relevant and they think we can still beat that drum in terms of you know, could she present a trophy, could she be present, could she just like be around? Could we know that she's okay. I think that whole situation is just feels like a nounanswered question. And we made, you know, big statements and big gestures and that financially impacted the WTA, and now it feels like now we're not talking about it at all. So I think it could be cringe from that perspective. And then, as you alluded to, it's like Wuhan and everything in the news about the potential lab leak.

00:44:38
Speaker 3: And is that where coronavirus came from? So I mean there's so many like.

00:44:42
Speaker 2: Topics here that need to be sensitively handled, and it feels like we're just not talking about them at all.

00:44:48
Speaker 1: Yeah, I know, it's crazy, Yeah, Saudi. I mean, people know how I feel about that. So there you go. All right, let's let's look at this jpeg. Hits flat who always writes to us, looks like a lot of WTA play stat the same hotel in Beijing. Is accommodation usually discounted for players? How does paying for accommodation usually work for players and teams. Also saw your courtside on TV at the Liberty Aces game. But go links. Okay, well, firstly, go Liberty. Second of all, yes, So what happens is players enter the tournament. If they're in the main draw or qualifying, they get free accommodation for a certain amount of days. If they stay in the tournament, they get that hotel paid for throughout the whole time. If they lose, they get a day or two paid for as well, because you can't just kick them out. But yes, the tournament. While you're in the tournament, you do get accommodation paid for. You have to pay for your coach though. There are some tournaments that pay for both player and coach, but that is rare. It is usually only the player that gets the tournament to pay for their accommodation. In that singles and double So there you go. Okay, here we go, ray Pod. What's with all the coach swaps? Would female coaches be better? What do you think, Eliza?

00:46:01
Speaker 2: As someone who's played sports, I always had female coaches growing up and I appreciate having that, and even now as someone who trains, I look for a female trainer. I just think there's an understanding and a connection between women and our bodies and how we function and kind of what's going on in our cycles and everything else, and it's something that men can try to understand but inherently don't. And I just would love to see more opportunities for women at the top level of the game when it comes to coaching, and it's why I always root for the players who.

00:46:36
Speaker 3: Have female coaches as well.

00:46:40
Speaker 2: Had a great win today, so I always, you know, trying to trying to cheer them on and show that women are capable of coaching at a high level. And I think probably that the hardest barriers across will be getting a man to have a female coach. Obviously we had Andy Murray with Maresmo, but that seems to be an even harder hurdle to cross. But I think first and foremost just looking at you know, the WTA toor doing more to help women get into the coaching game.

00:47:06
Speaker 1: I agree, Yes, no comment from me, because I've made enough. Okay, here's a great question from Lauren S. What do you think we're both going to answer this one? What do you think about singles players in doubles after Bodoz and Mahova Withdrew Krummacheva said singles players don't care about doubles, but several analysts have noticed singles players bring more attention to doubles. Should there be rules for these types of withdrawals? Okay, first of all, Lauren, I think I may have answered this question when it was put out on Twitter, and my reaction was just beat them. Yeah, if you're going to play doubles, Okay. So I'm going to get a little bit of a rant going here, because everybody knows. Listen, I played singles up until I was thirty years of age, and then I concentrated only on doubles because I was getting a lot of injuries and it was hurting my doubles actually, because then I was getting wasn't able to actually play doubles. So I was in sammi's and finals of doubles tournaments and I couldn't make the qualifying of the next tournament because I had to make money. So for me, I had to win doubles tournaments to make money to keep going, right, you have to. You don't just travel and play on the tennis tour, you know, on the goodness of people paying for your shit. You gotta win money, right, Yes, they pay for your hotels. If you're in the main draw. You've got to be in the main drawer. And then you've got to get there. They're not paying for you to get there. You gotta pay for the coach. Yeah, and your coach and your trainer and blah blah blah. So you know these doubles players that say, well, you know these singles players they beat me and then they pulled out, Well, then win beat them. The only thing I can say, you guys are lucky playing these days. And I'm gonna get some players that are gonna give you so much shit about this. But you're playing doubles only, and you can't beat these singles players. You shouldn't be playing. And if you lose to them, it's because you're not as good as them. Okay, when I was playing, I'm having to play Bloody Venus and Serena Amalie Moresmo. Uh, you know, Kim Kleisters, Lindsay Davenport, my Tina Navradlov. I mean we were playing the best singles players in the world. If you look at my Grand Slam doubles finals, I mean everyone I played was probably top ten and singles I Stuga Yama, Kim kleisters by Tina Hingis, Mary Pierce, Torzia Kim Po. These are all other than Kim Poe. I believe everyone I played against was a top ten, if not a top one, in the world singles player. So you guys should appreciate the fact that you don't have to play against the great singles players these days because they make so much money in singles, they're not even playing doubles, and when they do, they usually win the fucking Grand Slams, like Saba Lenka and these players. So as far as I'm concerned, if you cannot beat them, then don't play. If they pull out in the next draw, in the next round, it sucks. Yeah, it's happened to me as well. But guess what, they won the match. They get to choose what they want to do, So if you want to, if you want a bitch about it, then get better your thoughts.

00:49:52
Speaker 3: I love that they don't make them like you anymore. Rennee, I I think I am ninety nine agreement.

00:50:01
Speaker 2: I think the only thing I would add is if singles players are entering the draw, there should be a level of commitment there to a great tenue play. I think it's a shame both, you know, for the next round, for the fans you want to watch, for everybody involved, if you're not seriously entering this tournament to try to win it. And I understand that, you know, at Grand Slams and stuff, maybe there's mixed doubles pairings or things that are for a little bit of fun, but I also think it can be disrespectful towards you know, professionals who are doing their best and you're kind of coming in and not taking the opportunity seriously. And I, yeah, the only answer is to beat them, but I would hope you know, I think with Bidosa it was like there's kind of been a consistent thread of her doing this where she enters, plays, wins around, and then with draws, and that I don't like to see.

00:50:52
Speaker 1: I don't think that that is I'm in agreement with you on that. The difference in my day is the top players would usually it right to the end unless they truly had a little bit of an injury and they were in singles and doubles. But you know, we had multiple players that were number one and singles and doubles, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Cleisters, Martina Hingis, Martina Navlova, a lot of people, and people are like, well, you know, the tennis is more difficult now. Yes, it's more physical in a lot of ways. But I do agree if you're going to enter the tournament, then play it out. But again, don't winge if you lose to them. If you lose, you're out. You have no rights to tell anyone else what to do. So that's my round on that. And as I said, if you're playing doubles only, then you better figure out a way to beat them because if you can't, you're just not as good. So stop whining about it, all right, all right, all right, right? Stalin Lobo, Ken, Paula Bados and alex Verev winn a Grand Slam soon.

00:51:46
Speaker 3: I'm going to say no on both of them.

00:51:49
Speaker 1: Fair Yeah.

00:51:50
Speaker 2: I think for Zverev, I mean don't think he plays the aggressive tennis that you would need to play in order to grab the title with both hands and win it.

00:52:01
Speaker 3: I think he's far too passive.

00:52:02
Speaker 2: I think Federer put it well during the Laver Cup in terms of his criticism on rival constructive feedback there and with Badosa, I mean I think, Yeah, it's been such a long time now since she was world number two, the top ten has changed a lot. There's so much variety and fire power within the top five even, and I'm just not convinced from what I've seen so far over the last six months that she has the physical stamina to last second matches. Yeah, that little ledge, firepower to sorry the yeah, as you say, the hutzpa to get it done when the going gets tough.

00:52:44
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, she has the game, but I think she needs to get a bit quicker around the court. And for me, it's more about that X factor that digging in the Coca Golf has. You know, the Eagish Fiantex has, the Sablenca have, the Rabakina has, you know those that you've got to have that little All right, We're going to answer a couple more because we got so many sent to us and everyone that I didn't get to answer your questions. I will answer them back to you on the X Okay, So so don't don't worry, all right, Why this is La Mike? I like this question. Why isn't Martina considered the greatest female tennis player? Her whole body of work is insane. Singles, doubles, mixed slams fifty nine, Serena thirty nine. Okay, well, I don't like to compare Serena and Martina as far as all of that sort of stuff, because Serena, you know, it's Martina would probably be the first to say that she Serena did have a little bit more competition. It was a bit easier for Martina to get through in those you know, tournaments and win singles. But if you've had listened to me, I did say even this year at Wimbledon, when we were doing the Jason and I were doing the doubles or mixed doubles final, I said that because we showed Martina on the TV. I said, Martina to me is the greatest tennis player of all time when it comes to her entire body of work. La Mike, So, I agree with you, but I hate comparing greatness because they're great in their own rights. And when you think about the fact that Serena never lost a doubles Grand Slam final, I think it was fourteen to zero. Trust me, I was one of those victims. It's like, it's just phenomenal you know, STEFFI barely played doubles. She played from time to time one of Wembledon doubles title. So I just hate comparing greatness as far as I'm concerned. They're all great in their own rights. But yes, my Tina for me and singles, doubles and mix is probably the greatest of all time. You don't need to answer that question. All right, Let's do one more. Um, let's see. Let's see, let's go to one that was asked of me today, actually because I like this one. It's from Jpeg again because Jpeg asked some fun questions. In your opinion, do you think it's harder to win a Grand Slam or stay in the top ten? Now, it depends on how long you're talking about inside the top ten. What are your thoughts on that?

00:54:50
Speaker 3: Oh, such a good question.

00:54:52
Speaker 1: It is a good question.

00:54:53
Speaker 2: Maria Sakari immediately comes to mind because she was inside the top ten for many, many years without have ever having a good Grand Slam run.

00:55:02
Speaker 1: Yep, And it just makes you've already answered the question.

00:55:07
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's I think it's way harder to win a Grand.

00:55:10
Speaker 1: Slam, yeah than Yeah, listen, it's very rare. That we have an Emma Ratakanu situation happened that is a lightning and a bottle situation with her and fully deserved a win from her to win ten matches to win a Grand Slam. So if anyone says that the one hit wonder and she's so lucky, there's no such thing as luck in winning a Grand Slam. It is, in my opinion, very difficult to win a Grand Slam. It is also very difficult to stay inside of the top ten for a number of years. So Maria Sakari did a great job in that she came very close and probably should have won the French Open the year that Barbara kujik of A one that was where I think she fucked up. And also against Radakanu when Radakanu won the US Open, that was her semi final victory over her. So anyway, all right, I'm going to answer all of those other questions either today on the X or maybe in the next pod that I do. But for this one, Eliza, is anything else that you would like people to know about the upcoming tournaments, what you're enjoying. I know that you liked Cocoa Goth's outfits. They're doing great. New Balance is doing really good with her.

00:56:17
Speaker 3: They are doing really good with her.

00:56:18
Speaker 2: It's awesome to see that she also seems to have some involvement with the New Balance brand.

00:56:23
Speaker 1: I love that it's an American Eagle, like she's yeah.

00:56:27
Speaker 2: She's doing great. She has a signature shoe line. No other active female player has a signature shoe line. And I would absolutely love it if Tommy Paul would wear the cg ones.

00:56:38
Speaker 3: That would make me so happy.

00:56:39
Speaker 2: I'd love to see a guy wearing Coco's shoes. I think that would be my ultimate triumph for the year.

00:56:45
Speaker 1: Well, I have to say, and I was watching her in the final the other day. I was like, oh, those those shoes are freeing cool. That whole outfit was cool, and she posted it on her Instagram. I love the little interaction between her and Carlos Alcarez after they did their little thing in Beijing and then they both won the tournament and they said, let's do this again. And I mean, they're both so great for the game, just amazing competitors, amazingly fun. I think if one thing that Mukhova can learn from is that she's pretty quiet person. Carolina and she's a little bit unsure of her own talents and ability, just because I've had so many conversations with her about it. But I would love to see her get a little bit more sort of like fired up and like, you know, have a bit of fun. I think that she might even be a better Yeah.

00:57:29
Speaker 2: I didn't know that, because I think online she comes across as someone who's like really cool, really at ease with themselves, Like her play looks so effortless. I wouldn't have thought that she would kind of have those doubts about her own ability.

00:57:44
Speaker 1: So it's always the quiet ones usually are a little bit. But yeah, I'd love to see her get a little bit more fired up. But anyway, all right, well, Eliza, I appreciate you coming on the show today. I'm just going to add towards the end here, I am very excited about my New York Liberty. Everyone knows how much I love the WNBA, and I am there on Thursday night. And for people that don't know, my very good friend Sandy Brondelo is the coach of the Liberty. She is the Australian national coach of the basketball team, and we have known each other over thirty years. We went to the austrain Institute of Sport together. She was on a basketball scholarship. I was on a tennis scholarship. So the fact that she lives in New York and coaches this team, I am fully. I was on the team charter flight back from Vegas. I am in Thursday night. We don't know who they play because tonight is the playoff game between Game five of Connecticut versus the Minnesota Links. As everyone's already heard from me, I'm barracking for the Liberty, so it's going to be a great It's on ESPN on Thursday night. But tonight is also ESPN's Game five. Are you into the WNBA? Are you watching it at all?

00:58:46
Speaker 3: I'm getting in?

00:58:47
Speaker 1: Am I getting you into it?

00:58:49
Speaker 2: Your posts are helping me stay informed and knowledgeable about the WNBA.

00:58:54
Speaker 3: I wish I grew up with basketball.

00:58:56
Speaker 1: I didn't. You can do it, but.

00:58:57
Speaker 2: Commonwealth girls, I'm a netball girl to follow my England Vitality roses who did really well over the weekend and they won their little trophy or their cup.

00:59:08
Speaker 3: So I still plugged into the netball game. And of course, growing up in the UK, what was your position? I was a golf shoot. I had a good Oh.

00:59:17
Speaker 1: I was center. See, I was the poast.

00:59:19
Speaker 2: You like to run.

00:59:21
Speaker 1: I like to run, and I like to be in control of the ball most of the time. And then I gave it to someone like you to say you better score. Now, I'm just kidding.

00:59:28
Speaker 3: That was great at that job.

00:59:29
Speaker 2: I would love to find a netball rec league in the US and bring the sport here, because if you guys don't know netball, you should look it up on YouTube.

00:59:38
Speaker 3: There's some It's a great sport and a lot of fun to play.

00:59:41
Speaker 1: It is a great sport, and you are right, and there's a lot of fun to play. And I loved growing up playing it so and it helped my tennis because it's great footwork and quick, quick reaction, so that helped me at the net But anyway, all right, Eliza, thanks for joining me today. Everyone, thanks for your questions. We just love that you interact with us. As I said, the ones that I didn't get to answer, I will answer on in on the on the Ald Socials until next week. Thanks for joining me and Eliza today and catch her because trust me when I tell you, spell spell your name so everyone can find you.

01:00:10
Speaker 3: On the internet, the may handle is It's Eliza as well.

01:00:14
Speaker 1: There you go, it's Eliza's weld. Follow her and she's a lot of fun to follow and she really does critique all the shitty outfits on the tennis tour. So for now, thanks for joining us today everyone. We'll see you next week. Baye