Wimbledon Season!

Wimbledon Season!

Welcome to The Service Game, where serves start the story. I can’t believe we are entering our third Grand Slam of the year. Wimbledon is here! However, before we get into the draw, I recapped the news surrounding the tennis court this week. Emma Raducanu announced that she will be withdrawing from the tournament after reaching the Queen’s Club Championships a few weeks ago and suffering a stress fracture in her lower leg. Marketa Vondrousouva also posted a heartbreaking statement after receiving a four-year ban for refusing a doping test. On a more positive note, Karolina Muchova won the Bad Homburg tournament after her opponent, Naomi Osaka, withdrew after reaching her first-ever career grass court final! Listen to the episode to find out more star matchups in the first round of Wimbledon, such as who Serena Williams is playing in her singles comeback. I also talked about players who I anticipate making a splash at this year’s event. For example, despite Pegula’s unexpected loss at last year’s tournament, I think this will be her opportunity to shine. I also evaluated Djokovic’s chances and players like Arthur Fils and Jack Draper, who are hoping to make a successful comeback. Listen to find out more! Links mentioned: The Athletic Player’s Boycott Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7254991/2026/05/05/tennis-grand-slam-boycott-prize-money-sabalenka/ [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7254991/2026/05/05/tennis-grand-slam-boycott-prize-money-sabalenka/] Marketa Vondrousova Statement: Wimbledon Draw: https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/ladies-singles/1 [https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/ladies-singles/1] Wimbledon Website: https://www.wimbledon.com/ Subscribe to ⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]The Service Game [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame] on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. For extended analysis and written Second Serve content, check out Ivy’s ⁠Substack⁠ [https://theservicegame.substack.com/]. Subscribe wherever you’re listening, rate the show, and send in your ideas for Second Serve. 🎾 Thanks for listening—and let the serves begin! Produced with assistance from Radio CKUT CKUT Radio: https://ckut.ca/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theservicegame.substack.com [https://theservicegame.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Strawberries and cream season? - Berlin Open + Queens

Welcome to The Service Game, where serves start the story. Let’s recap one of the fastest turnarounds on the tennis tour. It feels like the chaotic Roland Garros has just ended, but we are merely a week away from Wimbledon. Despite being undoubtedly disappointed in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and the recent withdrawals of Lorenzo Musetti and Victoria Mboko, I believe we have to look for the positives—and there are a lot! Serena Williams is coming back! Listen to find out more about the news leading up to the first serve at Wimbledon! On the women’s side, we have seen lucky loser Donna Vekic claim the title at Queens. Vekic and finalist Emma Raducanu both reunited with their respective former coaches, hoping to climb to the heights they once reached. This week, we have seen Jessica Pegula beat an increasingly fragile Sabalenka, as well as welcomed the top 10 debut of the talented Czech Linda Noskova. Listen to more of my thoughts on both ends. On the men’s side, we saw Fritz’s continuous domination against Alexander Zverev. However, not all things on the tour are so consistent. Francisco Cerundolo has failed to win a single grass court match in two years since his title at Eastbourne in 2023. This week, however, he won a title at Queens, beating Tommy Paul in a thrilling three-hour final. With Wimbledon less than a week away, I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you guys! Links mentioned: Francisco Cerundolo vs. Tommy Paul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9trp1QUlXW8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9trp1QUlXW8] Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Frances Tiafoe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS_WGN4v30E [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS_WGN4v30E] Taylor Fritz vs. Alexander Zverev: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kgnoDNlk0c [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kgnoDNlk0c] Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il6cKvP4qAw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il6cKvP4qAw] Jessica Pegula vs. Linda Noskova: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKfC75_5ZCI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKfC75_5ZCI] John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9M-XwUhYH4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9M-XwUhYH4] John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut FULL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyGO0RU7aVk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyGO0RU7aVk] Subscribe to ⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]The Service Game [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame] on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. For extended analysis and written Second Serve content, check out Ivy’s ⁠Substack⁠ [https://theservicegame.substack.com/]. Subscribe wherever you’re listening, rate the show, and send in your ideas for Second Serve. 🎾 Thanks for listening—and let the serves begin! Produced with assistance from Radio CKUT CKUT Radio: https://ckut.ca/ [https://ckut.ca/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theservicegame.substack.com [https://theservicegame.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Chaotic Slam - Roland Garros 2026

Welcome to The Service Game, where serves start the story. Let’s recap one of the most chaotic Grand Slams I have ever witnessed. After the surprising exits of the top seeds on both the women’s and men’s sides, we welcomed new Grand Slam winners for both tours, as well as refreshing finalists that I will be looking out for in the future. Off the court, we saw Serena Williams’s return to the tour. The 23-time Grand Slam champion will make her comeback in the doubles draw, with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club Championship tournament this week. Listen more to find out my thoughts on this! On the court, I talked about what it means for Zverev to accomplish his dream of winning his first-ever Grand Slam, as well as her journey to get there. His finals opponent, Fabio Cobolli, also had an interesting and unique run leading up to his performance in the final. Listen to my breakdowns of both semifinals in this episode. On the women’s side, we saw 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva capture her first Grand Slam title after her meltdown here last year. Listen to find out how she has grown in just a few years, and also what this means for her finals opponent, qualifier Maja Chwalinska. Links mentioned: Serena Williams Return Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7339399/2026/06/07/serena-williams-tennis-comeback-queens-grass-wimbledon/ [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7339399/2026/06/07/serena-williams-tennis-comeback-queens-grass-wimbledon/] Alexander Zverev vs. Jakub Mensik: Alexander Zverev vs. Flavio Cobolli: Diana Shnaider vs. Maja Chwalinska: Diana Shnaider vs. Aryna Sabalenka: Mirra Andreeva vs. Marta Kostyuk: Marta Kostyuk vs. Elina Svitolina: Marta Kosyuk vs. Iga Swiatek: Mirra Andreeva vs. Maja Chwalinska: Subscribe to ⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]The Service Game [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame] on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. For extended analysis and written Second Serve content, check out Ivy’s ⁠Substack⁠ [https://theservicegame.substack.com/]. Subscribe wherever you’re listening, rate the show, and send in your ideas for Second Serve. 🎾 Thanks for listening—and let the serves begin! Produced with assistance from Radio CKUT CKUT Radio: https://ckut.ca/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theservicegame.substack.com [https://theservicegame.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

So hot in Paris - Roland Garros Week Two

Welcome to The Service Game, where serves start the story. The first week of Roland Garros has definitely delivered in its own way. It is the hottest I have ever seen Paris so far at this time of the year, and clearly, all the players agree. On the men’s side, we saw the world’s most predictable draw play out most unpredictably. Jannik Sinner, the world number one, is out, after leading two sets to love and five-one in the third. Novak Djokovic is out, after leading two sets to love against Brazilian youngster Joao Fonseca. Listen to learn more. On the women’s side, things are equally interesting. Iga Swiatek has always made it past the fourth round here in Paris. However, this year, Swiatek, Rybakina, and Gauff are all out. Gauff faced her defeat today after only serving three double faults against Anastasia Potapova. Who is gonna shine now? Listen to find out! Links mentioned: The Athletic Heat Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7315282/2026/05/28/jannik-sinner-tennis-heat-impact/ [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7315282/2026/05/28/jannik-sinner-tennis-heat-impact/] Jannik Sinner vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo: Novak Djokovic vs. Joao Fonseca: Yuliia Starodubtseva vs Elena Rybakina: Marta Kostyuk vs. Iga Swiatek: Coco Gauff vs. Anastasia Potapova: Naomi Osaka vs Iva Jovic: Subscribe to ⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]The Service Game [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame] on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. For extended analysis and written Second Serve content, check out Ivy’s ⁠Substack⁠ [https://theservicegame.substack.com/]. Subscribe wherever you’re listening, rate the show, and send in your ideas for Second Serve. 🎾 Thanks for listening—and let the serves begin! Produced with assistance from Radio CKUT CKUT Radio: https://ckut.ca/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theservicegame.substack.com [https://theservicegame.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Roland Garros Preview

Welcome to The Service Game, where serves start the story. It is finally time for the second Grand Slam of the year! As I begin my French Immersion Program in Quebec City, this year’s French Open carries a special meaning for me. It always feels like a ridiculously long time from Melbourne to Paris, but I know the wait is always worth it. Off the court, we saw the players’ collective action to “boycott” the tournament. Walking out of the Roland Garros press day after 15 minutes, it represents the amount of revenue allocated to them, on average, by the four Grand Slams. Compared to other U.S. Major leagues like the MLB, NBA, and the NHL, whose revenue allocation hovers around 50%, the players have a right to speak out. However, did it achieve the effect it wanted? Listen to the episode to find out. On the court, I talked about the competitiveness of the women’s draw this year. With numerous players coming to Paris in top form, the field is extra competitive. Despite being the first day of the tournament, the match between Hailey Baptiste and Barbora Krejčíková already stood out to me. I also predicted who would ultimately take the trophy home this year. On the men’s side, the field is significantly less competitive with the withdrawals of players like Alcaraz, Rune, Musetti, Draper, and, most recently, Fils; however, I am interested to see how Djokovic and Zverev will seize this opportunity. Links mentioned: The Athletic Tennis Prize Money Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6043299/2026/01/06/tennis-prize-money-grand-slams-revenue/ [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6043299/2026/01/06/tennis-prize-money-grand-slams-revenue/] Hailey Baptiste vs. Barbora Krejcikova: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvfADCKQTUs [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvfADCKQTUs] The Athletic RG Guide: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7301879/2026/05/23/french-open-2026-preview-favorites-upsets-players-to-watch/ [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7301879/2026/05/23/french-open-2026-preview-favorites-upsets-players-to-watch/] Roland Garros Official Site: https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/ [https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/] Subscribe to ⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]The Service Game [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame]⁠ [https://linktr.ee/theservicegame] on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. For extended analysis and written Second Serve content, check out Ivy’s ⁠Substack⁠ [https://theservicegame.substack.com/]. Subscribe wherever you’re listening, rate the show, and send in your ideas for Second Serve. 🎾 Thanks for listening—and let the serves begin! Produced with assistance from Radio CKUT CKUT Radio: https://ckut.ca/ [https://ckut.ca/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theservicegame.substack.com [https://theservicegame.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]