Tennis Unfiltered

The best French Open first week ever? 02.06.2026 1h 8min

Calvin Betton and James Gray are in Paris, while George Bellshaw holds the fort in London (while dodging celebrating Arsenal fans). Serena Williams confirms her comeback to tennis and will play doubles with Victoria Mboko at Queen's next week Jannik Sinner suffers one of the biggest shocks in French Open history as cramp and fatigue beats him (and Juan Manuel Cerundolo) Novak Djokovic is beaten for just the second time ever from two sets up, smoked off the court by Joao Fonseca in a compelling five-setter in the heat of Chatrier Iga Swiatek's return to form comes to an end with a shock defeat to Marta Kostyuk that she blames on being "tense" on the court Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff are also early casualties to leave the draw relatively open in the second week For daily podcast updates from the grand slams, join the TUSCers on our Patreon channel for just £3.60 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did the players' 15-minute protest really work? 26.05.2026 45min

Are you a TUSCer? For ad-free listening, daily grand slam podcasts and group chats with the hosts, join the Tennis Unfiltered Supporters Club for just £3.60 for the first month, just tap the link here: https://www.patreon.com/tennisunfiltered https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/tennis-rich-players-french-open-prize-money-4434620 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

French Open preview: Draw analysis as Djokovic and Swiatek get tricky assignments 23.05.2026 1h 11min

Are you a TUSCer? For ad-free listening, daily grand slam podcasts and group chats with the lads, join the Tennis Unfiltered Supporters Club for just £3.60 for the first month, just tap the link here: https://www.patreon.com/tennisunfiltered And if you want to play Fantasy Tennis Unfiltered for FREE, then you can enter here before 1pm BST on Sunday: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gBnATXVxgHeKD-Ihek5woFg0RciA9SaXXiBhHvVjMJE The basic concept is simple: predict the quarter-finalists. Do that successfully, and play your captaincy chip right, and you'll win! You must pick one player from each section of the draw, and hope that they go as far as possible - as well as nominating a men's captain and a women's captain. (To help you, the players are presented as they are in the draw, so you know who plays who!) SCORING Players are split into four categories: Top Seed (a top 8 seed), Minor Seeds (9-32 seeds), Unseeded (self-explanatory) and Bolter (a wildcard or a qualifier). Unlike previous years, you do not HAVE to pick any qualifier or wildcards - but they will score points more quickly if you do pick a successful one. Top Seed - 10 points per win Minor Seed - 15 points per win Unseeded - 20 points per win Bolter - 30 points per win The overall tournament winner also receives a bonus of 20 points. CAPTAINS You must select a captain in the men's and the women's draw. Captains will score double points. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sinner's history in Rome, the impressive Svitolina and two big British coaching hires 19.05.2026 1h 11min

Are you a TUSCer yet? Join the Tennis Unfiltered Supporters Club, just £3.60 for the first month. Sign up ON BROWSER for the best price and offer: https://www.patreon.com/tennisunfiltered You can then use the Patreon app to connect the podcast to your existing podcast app. **** Calvin Betton, James Gray and George Bellshaw are here to look back on Rome and start thinking about Roland Garros favourites... - Jannik Sinner became only the second man to win every single Masters event since it was introduced in 1990, joining Novak Djokovic in extremely rarefied air - Can anyone stop Sinner? Probably not, but his own body might betray him... as Daniil Medvedev nearly found out - Alexander Zverev will be No 2 in Paris but was unhappy with court in Rome, blaming the clay for his defeat to Luciano Darderi - Elina Svitolina won arguably the biggest title of her career, beating Coco Gauff after already knocking off Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina to claim the title - Svitolina is now the first Ukrainian player to win 20 WTA titles PLUS... - Andy Murray is back in a coaching box after agreeing to work with Jack Draper for the grass-court season, including Wimbledon - Emma Raducanu has re-hired Andrew Richardson, the man who guided her to the 2021 US Open title, to coach her nearly five years after letting him go NEWS - Andy Murray is to coach Jack Draper over the course of the grass court season “I am very grateful for everything Jamie Delgado has done for me over these past six months. “He is a world class coach and a great man. “In the interim, I will continue to be supported by the excellent team at the LTA, with the addition of Andy Murray, who will be supporting me throughout the grass court season.” - In other coaching news, Emma Raducanu has announced she is back with Andrew Richardson, the man who coached her to US Open glory five years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No form Novak, Sinner winners and a looming boycott dispute 12.05.2026 1h 2min

Calvin Betton calls in from Rome (and a rather echo-y Airbnb) to join George Bellshaw and James Gray for another look back at a week of news leading up to the French Open - and to break some exciting podcast news! We are launching Patreon channel because we want to bring you even more unfiltered content throughout the year - that means daily podcasts from every grand slam, bonus premium content every other week, group chats with all three of us, the chance to help shape the podcast, and loads more. But that’s not easy - by launching a Patreon, it will give us more time to spend putting together great podcasts, making sure we have a presence at every slam, and going deeper on the sport we all love than we ever have before. Sign up for just £3 for the first month at https://www.patreon.com/tennisunfiltered and join The Tennis Unfiltered Supporters Club. In the meantime, here is this week's free podcast: - Novak Djokovic returns to Rome but it is in vain as he is beaten in three sets by Dino Prizmic... - ...and the 24-time grand slam champion admits battling physical issues is "a new reality" for him at the age of 38 - Jannik Sinner is on the verge of breaking one of Djokovic's records as his Masters 1000 winning streak extends into the 30s - can anyone stop him? - Aryna Sabalenka's Roland Garros favourite tag is under threat after another shock defeat, this time to the retiring Sorana Cirstea - ...so who is in line to take favouritism to Paris? - And there's a dispute brewing between the top players and the tennis authorities with Sabalenka, Sinner and Gauff all among those threatening a boycott of a grand slam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hola, Rafa Sinner? One surprise Madrid winner and one... not so much 05.05.2026 1h 9min

James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw are all back around the microphones to discuss another week of tennis news - and as we always say, what a week! Here's what they talked about - Jannik Sinner crushed his pigeon Alexander Zverev in the men's final to claim a fifth straight Masters title - Eight years after breaking through as a 15-year-old, Marta Kostyuk finally won the biggest title of her career and then of course failed to shake hands with her Russian opponent Mirra Andreeva - Calvin had to coach both sides of semi-final but the match was marred by a horrific warm-up injury... - ...but Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara did at least win the title a day later to sweeten the pill a little - Kei Nishikori announces his retirement (and it's not fake news this time) - Jack Draper is out of the French Open with a new injury - Novak Djokovic is back in Rome And so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who will Jannik Sinner beat in the French Open final? 28.04.2026 1h 7min

Calvin Betton is in Madrid, George Bellshaw is in recovery again and James Gray is in a dark, lonely Pembrokeshire car park. They discussed... - Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the French Open, and perhaps beyond, with an ongoing wrist injury - Jannik Sinner is now a 70 per cent favourite to win Roland Garros, but who is his closest challenger? Alexander Zverev can't beat him, Novak Djokovic isn't fit... the lads assess the challengers - Rafa Jodar is on a breakout run and beat fellow young gun Joao Fonseca - might he join the Possibles in Paris? - Has a sickness bug ruined our chances of understanding the WTA power rankings at Madrid? - Venus Williams has lost 10 (TEN) singles matches in a row but is still getting wildcards - The players are torn over electronic line-calling after a number of marks appeared to differ from the call made by Hawk-Eye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Fils comeback, Shelton powers through, Rybakina on form and Jamie Murray retires 21.04.2026 1h 12min

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are all back around a microphone - in different parts of London but nevertheless all in London, yet nowhere near organised enough to get in the same room together. This week, they are talking about... Arthur Fils's comeback arc Ben Shelton's ability to power through slow care The apparent invincibility of Elena Rybakina Jamie Murray's retirement Marketa Vondrousova's fight to clear her name An injury epidemic in Madrid And underarm serves! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sinner pegs back Alcaraz, Medvedev's meltdown, and a cupset Down Under 14.04.2026 1h 5min

Every Tuesday at 6pm, another hour of tennis news, reviews and opinions drops from James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw. This week they discussed... Jannik Sinner wins his first major clay-court title by beating Carlos Alcaraz in a wind-swept Monte Carlo final Has Sinner finally cracked the last surface on which he has not won a slam? What does Alcaraz have to do to arrest his slump in their head-to-head battle? Daniil Medvedev produced one of the all-time meltdowns in Monaco, beaten 6-0, 6-0 by Matteo Berrettini and marmalising a racket on court Valentin Vacherot reached the semi-final of his home tournament and said he would rather win that than a grand slam! Mika Stojsavljevic and Harriet Dart led Great Britain to an unlikely Billie Jean King Cup victory over Australia And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The coaching roundabout, (almost) a Marrakesh miracle and a no holds barred Q&A 07.04.2026 1h 17min

Calvin Betton, George Bellshaw and James Gray are back to look back at a week of 250s and answer your questions on the tennis world. Here are the big stories they discussed in this week's episode... Wim Fisette has "broken his silence" after splitting with Iga Swiatek in a "tell-all" (well, not quite all) interview but in the meantime... ...Swiatek has a new coach, picking up Emma Raducanu cast-off Francisco Roig... ...who was on trial with Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard and didn't even mention that he was leaving to the Frenchman... ...who in turn has hired Greg Rusedski! They also talk about a title for Rafael Jodar (denying Marco Trungelliti a historic win), the colour of the clay in Houston, and answer your questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Miami review: The Sinner-Sabalenka double double 31.03.2026 1h 15min

Calvin Betton is on R&R in NYC but he is not MIA - he's bang up to speed to join James Gray in south London and George Bellshaw back from Benidorm for another Tennis Unfiltered podcast. They discussed most things that happened in tennis over the last week, including... - Jannik Sinner ended Jiri Lehecka's rather charmed run to the Miami final with a brutal serving performance to complete the 'Sunshine Double', the eighth man to complete the feat - Sinner has also now won three Masters titles in a row WITHOUT DROPPING A SET... no one had ever even won two in a row - Aryna Sabalenka also doubled up, winning Miami after Indian Wells, in an entertaining final win over Coco Gauff. She is only the fifth woman to win it, joining an elite club of Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek. - Arthur Fils is most certainly back, winning the match of the tournament against Tommy Paul - Amanda Anisimova splits with her coach Hendrik Vleeshouwers - David Goffin announces he is retiring - The WTA are done with Finals in Saudi Arabia And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alcaraz is stunned by Korda and Swiatek sacks coach in dramatic Miami first week 24.03.2026 1h 25min

Calvin Betton gives us the lowdown on court conditions in Miami... while George Bellshaw updates us on his "internet box". James Gray, as usual, is just trying to hold everyone together. They discussed... - Joao Fonseca faced Carlos Alcaraz a week after playing Jannik Sinner, but how much will he learn from his own Sunshine Double? - Alcaraz won but was them stunned by Sebastian Korda, a Florida native excelling on home soil once again. Is this his moment to arrive again in the top 10? - Iga Swiatek was beaten by Magda Linette, a shocking defeat with some tortured quotes afterwards... - ...and then sacked her coach Wim Fisette mid-podcast - Pat Cash is pitching for a job at Tennis Australia - Wimbledon is introducing video review for the first time And more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Indian Wells review: Sinner dominates, but is this the return of Medvedev? 17.03.2026 1h 18min

Calvin Betton is on training camp in North Carolina, George Bellshaw is dragging himself through Ironman regimes and James Gray is, well, still here. They're back to talk all about tennis from the last seven days, which included the end of Indian Wells, a whole host of withdrawals from Miami and another glimpse of the new structure of the tennis tour post-Saudi spend. Jannik Sinner won his first Indian Wells title, finally ending Daniil Medvedev's winning run... ...but is the Russian, who is now back in the top 10, ready to become the third guy in men's tennis? Jack Draper is back to winning ways, beating Novak Djokovic en route the quarter-finals... ...but was he unfairly "hindered" by a hindrance call in his last eight defeat? Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka slogged it out in the women's final... ...and while Sabalenka won to ding-dong the head-to-head back in her favour, is it really a match-up that helps the women's game? That and SO much more... LINKS Charlie Eccleshare and Matt Futterman on the new tennis tour: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7106736/2026/03/12/tennis-atp-calendar-tournaments-saudi-arabia-buybacks/ THAT hindrance call: https://x.com/TennisTV/status/2032299932947005764 An interview with Eugenie Bouchard: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2026/03/16/eugenie-bouchard-interview-i-understand-raducanu-pressure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The greed of Indian Wells, a rare Gauff injury and more fallout from the Middle East 10.03.2026 1h 25min

George Bellshaw is back from India and reclaims his seat, Calvin Betton is still in California and James Gray is holding them all together. They discussed... - A new ticketing system at Indian Wells has turned one of tennis's better courts into a ghost town - There's a rare injury retirement, only the second of her career for Coco Gauff - Naomi Osaka is dressing to impress - Venus Williams's return to Indian Wells ends in a bad-tempered rant at tournament staff - Calvin reveals how Henry and Harri finally got out of Dubai, but not in time to play Indian Wells - Emma Raducanu talks about trying to get back to her natural game - but then gets hammered by Amanda Anisimova in the third round Do go read Harri's blog: https://www.harriheliovaara.fi/2026/03/03/tilannepaivitys-dubaista-vol-2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside the chaos in Dubai as Iranian air strikes leave players stranded 03.03.2026 1h 6min

Calvin Betton gives us the inside scoop on what life in Dubai is like right now with Henry Patten, Harri Heliovaara and Boris Chernov all stuck in the United Arab Emirates, where at time of recording the airspace remains closed until further notice as a result of Iranian air strikes. And with George Bellshaw away, Ben Rothenberg of Bounces (https://www.benrothenberg.com/) fills in as our resident red head, while James Gray anchors as usual. They discussed.. - The chaos in Dubai where no one seems to have a good way out of the city - Harri and Henry winning the doubles title with explosions in the background - Daniil Medvedev finally ends the curse by winning a repeat title, but with an asterisk after Tallon Griekspoor pulls out injured - WTA Austin introduces a "Rage Room" for private racket smashes, but no one knows if Taylor Townsend used it after losing to Peyton Stearns in the final - Taylor Fritz says the Dunlop ball at Indian Wells is going to get very slow indeed - And finally, Jack Draper's haircut Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 'perfect' Alcaraz, Pegula finally wins one and it's Gauff vs her coach 25.02.2026 1h 24min

Calvin Betton is perfectly safe in Acapulco, James Gray is finally home and George Bellshaw is about to head off to India - but for now at least two of the Tennis Unfiltered gang are in the same timezone. Here are the stories they're talking about this week... - Carlos Alcaraz only needed 50 minutes to beat Arthur Fils and claim the 26th title of his young career in Doha - It extends his ranking lead over Jannik Sinner, after he came unstuck against Jakub Mensik in the quarter-finals - Jessica Pegula finally converted one of her semi-final appearances into a title, winning in Dubai (and proving Calvin right) - She beat Elina Svitolina, who spent three hours eliminating Coco Gauff, who in turn seems to be falling out of love with her biomechanics coach - Alexandra Eala keeps selling tickets - The WTA are forming a 13-player council to fix the schedule - Emma Raducanu has signed for Uniqlo (See James's story here: ⁠https://inews.co.uk/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-nike-uniqlo-4255160⁠) And SO much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What even IS a mandatory? 17.02.2026 1h 2min

Calvin Betton is in Delray, James Gray is in Bormio and George Bellshaw is our northern (London) star, constant and unchanging. They're back round at the microphone to talk about the last week of tennis... - Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka pull out of the mandatory Dubai tournament... - ...and the tournament director calls them out on it! - Victoria Mboko beats Elena Rybakina en route to the Doha final... but then loses to Karolina Muchova - Destinee Aiava announces her shock retirement with a massive FU to the tennis establishment - No meat in Acapulco - Serena Williams officially reinstated - A great run for Jack Pinnington Jones ...and SO much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coachless Raducanu's run, Boulter's title and digging into PTPA and Tiley plans to fix tennis 10.02.2026 1h 12min

Calvin Betton is back from Turkey, James Gray is now up in the mountains and George Bellshaw still doesn't really know what a pun is. They discussed... - Katie Boulter winning the title in Ostrava, claiming her fourth career WTA win - Emma Raducanu made the final in Cluj but was then battered by Sorana Cirstea... - ...is she fit enough? Does she need a coach? What now? - The PTPA's $1bn plans for tennis are scrutinised... - ...as are Craig Tiley's wild and wacky ideas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australian Open review: Alcaraz vs McEnroe and Sabalenka's Achilles heel 03.02.2026 1h 6min

The Australian Open 2026 is in the books. Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina are our two singles champions, and we have ANOTHER British doubles champion and everyone can take a deep breath (for a bit). ATP Tour coach Calvin Betton, The i Paper sports news editor James Gray and tennis broadcaster and writer George Bellshaw are here to look back at it all. They discussed... - Is Novak Djokovic a genuine contender in other slams this year or will this prove to be his last hurrah? - Which slams with Carlos Alcaraz win this year and is the calendar year grand slam achievable? - Has Aryna Sabalenka got a problem in finals? - Will Elena Rybakina wait another four years to go from two majors to three? - How will we remember the 2026 Australian Open? And SO much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australian Open, Day 15: Dejected Djokovic downed at the last 01.02.2026 21min

Calvin Betton returns, albeit from Turkey, to join George Bellshaw and James Gray to look back at the Australian Open men's final - Was Novak Djokovic's gameplan the right one? - How did Carlos Alcaraz turn it around? - Was Djokovic injured? Will he ever come back as an active player? All that and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices