No Qualifier Needed

Cincinnati lost its stars early but still brought us a wickedly good weekend, with comeback kids Borna Coric and Caroline Garcia taking the titles. We talk new shoulder (Borna), new confidence (Caro), new professionalism (Stef?), and the resurgent Petra and Madison. We take a stab at the ball controversy and how it speaks to a larger battle in tennis governance. The second part of this episode features an interview with author and illustrator Tom Humberstone, whose gorgeous graphic novel Suzanne hits bookstores in September. Suzanne Lenglen was one of the very first sporting superstars; Tom tells Suzanne’s story with specificity, avoiding comparisons with today’s greats, exploring what made her so compelling and how the well worn cliches about her fail to do justice to her life and accomplishments.  

3:30 OG NextGen kid Borna Coric is back in the conversation, wins Cincinnati with his new serve (and new shoulder)

14:30 Iga, Ons, Serena out early? No problem - Petra, Caro, and Madison are getting butts in seats

21:20 Tennis ball controversy: Iga Swiatek vs. Wilson Regular Duty

27:00 Whom does it serve to tweet about someone skipping a press conference? (Check the replies, that’s who)

30:05 Jonathan’s preferred Serena match-up and Vika’s slightly anticlimactic announcement

35:10 Interview with Tom Humberstone, author of Suzanne and Body Serve illustrator!

47:45 Translating the unique visual spectacle of Lenglen to the page 

55:15 How to balance “legacy” while honoring a person’s specific life experiences

59:20 Lenglen forced the skeptical press to respect women’s sport