US Open Day 6: Serena & Venus return in doubles as Alcaraz sweeps into week 2

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1:00Thank you. Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to tennisweekly with Joel Kim and Chris. On today's US Open, day six catch up. Alcaraz Cruz is a set up of pool and counter. Saba Lenka strolls into round three as Pagula survives. And William's sisters are defeated in their return to Ponsumenoes. Chris, today is the fifth of September. And we are here to catch up on the US Open, day six at tennisweekly HQ. Carlos Alcaraz is through once again in consumer fashion into week two. And him and his undershirt, I will say, we will be getting into that Saba Lenka as well over Racky Mover, setting up a fascinating Taylor Townsend show down in round four. The William's sisters also return to the US Open. Their first time there since 2022,

2:03we'll be talking about that in the second half as well as looking ahead today. Seven where Yala Mania is set to take over Arthur Ash in the night session against either Yovic, definitely looking forward to that. And I'm definitely excited to ask for your predictions on that, Chris, later. We're also going to be talking about tennis influences because that has been a hot talking point across the week. And yes, Chris, we've got a lot to talk about. And you are here. We're recording slightly later than usual because you just had to stay up and watch the serena Venus doubles match. I did. And it's one of those things where when you're watching it, it's so exciting. And then when there were five love up, I thought, this is it. It's all about the lack of revenge over my joint is happening. I know my joint really down. We talked about it being the bogey woman. Is she the new Harmony Town? Yes, the new Harmony Town. That is quite the acculate. But yes, I'm not as fresh. I did watch some serena, did watch some of Ben as well.

3:04So it was a very late one for me, but I'm still very excited to talk about it, even if serena Venus weren't excited to talk about it afterwards. Well, no, I mean, we'll be getting on to that in a second because they did refuse to do press commitments afterwards. Were they out of line? Were we going to be discussing that in the second half? And yeah, it was another late late session, night session on Ash, because I think Ben Shelton finished it like 205 local times. So yeah, it's definitely a late ticket. So yeah, but let's start with Carlos Alcras because he is through six, three, six, four, six, one, against Wu of China, a very easy victory. Well, easy, I guess, in terms of the school line, perhaps a bit closer than that suggests, but yeah, Carlos Alcras into week two hasn't, has only dropped one set, Chris. I mean, was this very much more of the same for Alcras? How would you, is there anything to shout about with this performance?

4:06I think you just be very pleased to be getting through pretty comfortably. The matches haven't been too long. Everything's looking good. You never really know how you're going to be when you get back into competition. So as far as I'd say, he couldn't really be happy with this. The stats are great. The numbers are pretty good. A few more unforced errors, maybe than he would have liked, but his opponent did miss a lot. So apart from that, it's an A grade still. I haven't changed my result. I'm very much kind of thinking that he's going to continue. Yeah, I mean, I was looking at his run last year, and it's very, I mean, apart from that first set, blip against Jaime Farrier, it's been very, very similar, actually, eerily similar. I've been impressed with how consistent he has been just coming straight back to the tour. And we know sometimes he struggles early on in Grand Slams, thinking about Wimbledon last year, US Open here a couple years ago when he went out in round two. So certainly, I've been very impressed with the consistency that he has brought. But there was one thing that did surprise me, Chris,

5:08and that was the undershirt that he debuted. He's been chopping and changing, I feel, his outfits so far this tournament, including the fan week as well. And he decided to add an undershirt to his outfit for this match. Was this a suggestion, perhaps, that he was a little bit self-conscious, perhaps self-aware of freeing the nipple, and he needed to do something about it? I think he believes he's freed enough nipple to last the whole tournament at this point. He was asked about it and pressed afterwards, and he said basically that he'd seen too much of his nipples lately. And I think we all have as well. So I'm celebrating this, but I did think you called this job because you said he was quite self-conscious in his last match. He kept looking down at his top. So yeah, it's almost like, I'm a little bit surprised you did something about it, but also at the same time, not really. And I always wonder with these things, like whether, is it a bad omen, basically,

6:11to change your outfit, kind of mid-tornament? But you said that was... But the bad for business, I was thinking, Joel, I mean... Yes. I'm thinking for Nike. I mean, maybe they'll sell more undershirts now, as well as the main vest that he's wearing. Do you think that was it, Nike, like, you need to sell us the undershirt now? I think they've already sold out, actually. So they need something else to sell. But I mean, he was more focused at times. So maybe that did let him kind of do the talking with the tennis. Yeah, indeed. I mean, I feel like the kind of the over shirt that he is wearing, it's now just going to be called the nipple shirt. The Nike nipple shirt. Like a sense of notoriety to it that perhaps I think is probably going to boost sales, right, if anything. Yeah, probably, but I mean, he's three outfits in. I'm pretty sure they've all sold out. What else can he add to the outfit? Maybe he'll swap the color of the undershirt. I mean, Joel, you're double layering today. I am actually standing with Carlos Alcras today. And for anyone watching on video, yes, I do have a little under vest going on. I'm just showing it on camera now.

7:12So I am standing. I am standing with Carlos Alcras. I mean, he's got Tommy Paul next. He's got quite a healthy head to head against Tommy Paul's leads it six, two. Do you feel like this is where the tournament begins in earnest for Alcras? Do you sense any issues that Paul could bring Alcras as well? I think Paul helps Alcras play really well. They're contestive always been quite high quality. I've seen them play a few times live as well. It's a great matchup. It's really exciting. The brand of tennis, they bring out each other. But I don't think it's going to be as hard as maybe we would have thought at this stage coming in, cold for Alcras. I still think he's going to come through this pretty comfortably now. I think Tommy Paul did kind of event that loss against Boobler. I think he's getting some form going. I think in America and at the US Open is always dangerous. And yeah, you're right. It will be the first test. But having said that, I mean, it doesn't really feel like it's going to be a test.

8:13Interesting. Yeah, I think Tommy Paul has to make the most of the Alcras serve. I think there were times during his match in round three against Wu that it was coming under a lot of pressure. And Alcras was doing well to kind of dig himself out of kind of mini, I say, crisis points during games, particularly in that second set. So certainly, I think there is opportunity for Paul. But at the same time, yeah, it will be interesting to see if he can make the most of it. I mean, he came through against Alexander Bubliq. Perhaps thankful and maybe a little relieved that there was a bit of a capitulation from Bubliq from two sets to one up. I mean, they played each other here last year in round three and Paul got the revenge over Bubliq. But in five sets. So yeah, we'll have to see how he gets on against Alcras. I mean, just a couple of other matches as well on the men's sections to talk about. Medvedev through in straight sets yet again. And also a resurgence, Stefano Cisipas continuing on from that great win against Arthur Feece

9:19earlier on in the competition defeated Le Hèchka. I mean, Chris, are we in 2020, 2021 talking about Medvedev just easing through into the second week of a Grand Slam Cisipas as well, bringing out some incredible form really out of nowhere. I mean, he's into the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in over two years. Yeah, what do you make of this kind of resurgent players from the past? What has led to this, particularly as well, for Cisipas? Well, I mean, Cisipas is 28. I think we forget how good he was when he was very young. It must be to do with Moratogalu and the fact that they are working together to change. Working wonders. It's working wonders. The change up and no dad is well in the play box as well. Dad's staying away. It's no longer a family affair in that respect. And, you know, he looked so good in those last three sets against Le Hèchka. I mean, six, one, two, six, one sets. That's not the level he's been playing for a lot of this year. So I don't think Shelton's going to have it all his own way.

10:22I think that could be a really good match. And I actually think that Cisipas has absolutely nothing to lose. I think he is so relaxed out there. He's not panicking. And I just think it's a great to see because with Medvedev as well, I mean, you never know what you're going to get with these two. And I think that's a grand slam. We've sort of seen that Cisipas hasn't been winning, but Medvedev has been winning on the tour, but he hasn't been winning at Grand Slam. So it's nice to see him at this stage, but I do think that both of them, they do need a big break. I think they need a big result. And I think it would be interesting to see who can go the furthest, but maybe we've got two excited with the next gen, Joel. Maybe it's back to, is it old gen kind of gen? I mean, it does feel like a bit of a response there. And I do think it, I do think we're a toglue is having a big impact on Cisipas. I mean, I was looking at his, his grand slam record overall. Typically, he has been really good in the first two grand slams of the year, but come Wimbledon and the US open. It's a bit of a, yeah, it's not been as good. And actually, yeah.

11:22And actually going into this tournament, he was only one seven lost eight overall in his career at the US Open, so it just shows I think the impact that Muratoglu has made. So yeah, certainly, certainly two players to look out for. And maybe yeah, there's, there's life in the, I don't want to say the old guard, but there's life in the old gen. The now gen, just just generation now, I quite like that. I mean, looking at the women's action from the day session, arena, Sabelanka also through against Rackymover 6364. Bit better for Rackymover, it must be said, compared to last time they played in Paris, where I think she just won one game. But yeah, another kind of good win for Sabelanka, particularly on serve. She won as almost as many points with her second serve as her first serve, so good serving performance there. But Chris, I just want to cut straight to it. There was a moment in this match. Too love, 30 love in the first set when Sabelanka actually

12:23halted the match because she could smell weed on the tennis court. And she said it was overpowering and it led her to basically kind of stop the moment. And afterwards she said, I don't know if it was coming from the crowd or from the outside because the wind blows it into the stadium. But she said, I just hope they're going to be a bit more aware of that stuff talking to the organizers. I mean, this has been kind of an ongoing theme this tournament. Other players have spoken about this issue, Katie Boulter, Adrian Manorino. But it's quite, it's quite worrying when it's got Sabelanka and on a show court as well. Yeah, this isn't like the park where Katie Boulter had said that kind of the smoke was coming in from. People are enjoying a bit of weed on court. And I mean, it is legal. You are able to smoke if you're over 21 years or older. But it's not in the US open, not in these sort of tournament areas.

13:26It's not allowed. So I think it's very strange that that would cause such a problem because it's such a big stadium. But I guess it's one of those things where people are very sensitive to smell of it. Is she allowed to stop for this? Like, I don't really know what the umpire can do. No one was ejected or found to be smoking weed. But I don't know, you know, we've, there's been talk about kind of the noise levels. And a part of me is like, you just have to get on with it. You know, crowd isn't part of like hindrance, for example. Do you feel like, you know, Sabelanka should have just been able to get on with it? Yeah, you can't really let it bother you. And she's still one very comfortably. But it is, it's very strange and it's not something you normally can, you know, pause a match for, but you can always go and ask the umpire something, as long as it's reasonable and you won't get any trouble for it. But I mean, nothing really is going to happen in the whole of our thrash. You're not going to find the person confiscated. Like the weed pen. No, it's not going to happen, is it?

14:27I am a visaging now, perhaps the only thing that they can do is and this would, you just would not get this at Wimbledon. Could you get the umpires announced before matches? Can you please refrain from smoking weed of the tennis court? Yeah, from hitting the only thing you could do. But as you said, it's not permitted in the grounds, but it is legal for adults in New York. So it does wafting from Corona Park, which surrounds the tournament. That is the, that is the context and the situation they're in. I mean, she's got Taylor Townsend next. So that will be your interesting one. It's been excited. You did call Taylor as well. I did. And she's been looking great. She had that little wobble against Schneider, but came through in three. And I think she's going to be so motivated after what happened last year against Critchiekever. And you know, I think she'll, I think she'll relish this opportunity. You know, I think she'll look at kind of some of the recent results from Savileenka and think that she is vulnerable, you know, maybe not necessarily there for the taking,

15:33but certainly opportunities. I mean, just on Savileenka, she's now reached 16 consecutive Grand Slam second week. So again, a model of consistency, but not necessarily domination. It's, it's a good number. I think it's one of those things where someone tells you, you think that's great, but she wants Grand Slam titles. So for her, it's probably not that big a deal. But I guess, I mean, who knows what's going to happen because with Taylor, she might stop her making the quarterfinals. I just think she's going to be so pumped up. And I think Savileenka will respond in one of two ways either she'll get in her head or it will really fire her up as well. So I think she's probably going to go further than the fourth round Savileenka. And I'm thinking the more that she's playing, the more I'm convinced that she can win the title. Well, talking about a couple of other Americans, Jess Capigula through against Layla Fernandez in three sets. And we also had Emma Navarro dispatch Carolina Mukiver. So yeah, a couple of great wins for Pagula and particularly for Navarro.

16:33I mean, very quickly talking about Pagula Chris. I mean, she won in three sets, one six six four six three complete opposite, I feel, to her first couple of matches here at the US Open. I've been singing her praises about her serve being a real weapon, getting her lots of three points. I mean, it just completely deserted her in the first set against Fernandez only landed 31% in. But at the same time, is there an argument to say with Pagula that actually, even when the weapons aren't working, she's finding ways to win and she did that against Fernandez? Yeah, she's a player that you really have to beat. She doesn't like beat herself. I think sometimes she can make some mistakes, but it does require a certain level from your opponent. I think she's got such a solid game. She technically very sound. So it is also unusual when she is off the boil like this. And I was thinking after everything, all the hype again, if she were to go out, it would

17:34be a real shame because she is competing for the world number one ranking. You know, that is what's on the line. And she said that she wants to win a Grand Slam to get that ranking. But so often we've seen her kind of fall a little bit too early at slams, I think, and not quite reach the potential. So if this is the one bad match you have during a Grand Slam, it's probably quite good to happen now. And she was able to kind of rectify it and kind of continue on in the tournament. Yeah, it will be interesting to keep an eye on that, sir, because the opportunities that were there for Fernandez, I was watching this. I mean, she was only three out of 11 on break points one. And I genuinely think that Fernandez could have won this in straight sets. I do think there was, I do think there was opportunity there. So yeah, Pagula lives to fight another day. And as I mentioned, Navarro coming through against Mukavar, I don't think we both expected this to happen. I think we were both, I thought, what was it? We thought there was going to be a collision course. Svitterlina and Mukavar was what I was hoping for. And an expectation versus reality situation.

18:37Yeah, definitely did not see this coming. Mukavar had her in the final. I'm glad I didn't predict her to win because everyone knows my predictions have been going up, I mean, apporably badly. So hopefully Coco Gough went suffer the same fate. She's the only finalist, Joel, that I have who's still in the competition. So I do apologise if that means goes wrong there. And just finally a word on Serrana Kaseya, because she came through in straight sets against Jasmine Palini six three, six three, six three. Still, this is meant to be her final grand slam, potentially off her career. And I was just kind of thinking about, you know, a lot of people talking about Venus Williams being like, just please stop, you know, don't take anymore wild cards. Just leave the singles court. And there is a polymy with Kaseya, I'm kind of like, it would be great for her to continue. But actually, the more I'm kind of thinking about it is like, no when to quit and quit when you're on top because that doesn't always happen on the tour.

19:37And I mean, this would be a great way to bow out. I mean, into the second week again of a grand slam, I mean, she's just playing incredible tennis again. She is. And no one's really talking about her. She's kind of gone completely under the radar. I mean, she's up to number 15 in the live rankings, number 11 in the race. She's had a career high already of number 17, you know, in her final few tournaments of the year. I mean, that's so impressive. And I would love it if she just had a great year bowed out on top and just said, this was my last chance that I wanted to play this way. And this is why I played this well is because I've known these are my final opportunities. And I think so often when you have another season, you know, she's 36. I'm sure there are other things in life that she wants to do. But it really has given her the focus to do as well as she can this year. So I'm very pleased to see it. I think she's very well loved and it's so interesting seeing the generations that are going out and younger generation coming through because I mean, if you look at, you know, David Yoberch, she's 18, 200, 36 and they're very close in the rankings together.

20:40So she's doing it for the oldies like us Joel. Right. We're going to take a quick break now. Do join us in the second half where we will be discussing the night session matches from day six of the US Open, including the return of the Williams sisters at the US Open, the rise of tennis influencers. And we look ahead to day seven where the battle of the up and coming teams, Alexandra Eala versus either Yoberch headlines the night session on ash. So do not go anywhere. Welcome back to the tennis weekly podcast and it's time now to look back on the night session action. But before we do Chris, we do need to talk about the rise of influencers at the US Open because it's been a big talking point over the last week or so. There've been various videos online showing influencers influencing at the US Open.

21:43Getting the ring light out. Haven't they? Yeah, influencing on core, influencing during matches and it's really kind of brought up this debate on influencers and tennis etiquette and basically kind of calling out influencers saying they are not living up to the kind of the tennis etiquette that is expected at events. Players have weighed in like Naomi Osaka who said, if you're coming to a sporting event, you have to respect it. It's basic courtesy to inform yourself about the sport and its etiquette. Where do you stand on the issue of influencers and the US Open? They obviously have an official program and they've expanded that this year with 100 influencers being invited by the tournament content creatives. But I think what we're also seeing is influencers coming in through the back door in more secretive,

22:45arguably shady methods. But where do you stand on this issue? Do you think it's as big of an issue as the media and fans, general fans are suggesting? No, I think it's probably okay, isn't it? I think a lot of people love to hate on influencers. I think it's very popular to hate on influencers, but I don't think you can pinpoint them as the reason why the US Open is more unruly than it has been before. If anything, I think if they are going and they are representing brands, then there is more focus on their behaviour and needing to be appropriate. So I don't think it's a huge problem in that way. I mean, 100 influencers across the entire US Open, I'm not sure that that's going to cause too many problems from the official program. I probably think from our perspective having worked media at slams before, there is this sort of tension sometimes between the fact that the access might be better for influencers than the press because of the fact that they have followers and they can grow the sport and they can get more eyes, more bumps on seats on tennis.

23:47So I think sometimes there is like a red carpet that's rolled out to those influencers and it is almost like a category above everyone else and they might not have the tennis credentials to back it up. So I do understand why there can be frustrations and I also think that the frustration comes from people who are going and they've got this sort of lanyard or whatever they haven't had to pay for their seat and the seat prices are very expensive. So if you're a proper fan, you see them almost as directly taking away from the fan group and the fan seats that should be available but it doesn't really work like that. I mean if these influencers aren't going, it doesn't mean that you get their seat. That seat is never going to be available for the general public in that way. So I think probably it's more tennis etiquette do you think that people walking around during points and filming TikToks during a point I saw that that's not a good form but I don't think it's a huge problem. Yeah, I think for me like influencers happy to see them at events. I think they have a role to play whether you like them or low them.

24:50I certainly think that they can shine a light on the sport in different way and grow audiences. Even at events like Grand Slam where I'm sure there are going to be people out there who think this event doesn't need any extra publicity. It already sells out. But I actually think that the kind of influence is kind of shares, put a different angle in the spin that can bring more eyeballs to the sport. I think we need more eyeballs. It's kind of a question because we talk about how much it's growing and I guess maybe that's also the problem it presents is that it brings in new audiences which I think is positive. I mean Cocoa Gough's all that as a positive but at the same time how much bigger a contentist get would be the question and does it just make it even harder for anyone to get in because you're competing with people who don't have any knowledge about tennis whatsoever but it's become an entertainment event to be at as opposed to like a sporting contest. I think that's the interesting thing. I think all the Grand Slam's, you know, they're always looking kind of commercially at their event and it does feel like they're tracing it more as entertainment as opposed to

25:54a sporting contest. You know, we see the fan week, you know, becoming three week events and I think because of that naturally you bring in different influences that don't necessarily have a sporting knowledgeable background or tennis background and maybe yeah, it's great. You know, for me it's still growing the sport in different ways but I would say in terms of the tennis etiquette, I don't necessarily think that's a tennis influencer thing. I just think that's a US Open crowd thing. I mean we spoke about the the weed situation in the first half. That can't be the influences can it? No, I mean we talked about the noise levels as well in our first that the decibels it is reaching. You know, Manorino likened the tournament to a zoo. I think it is a zoo. Yeah, yeah, I just think it's not necessarily if we're talking about kind of etiquette, I think it's just something that all fans need to be aware of. I think it's easy to put influences as the punching bag for that. But actually I think it's everyone who goes and I think that's really hard to manage with

26:56it as big as as big as as big as the US. Exactly. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, the day session, night session, asses what, 20,000? So many people. How do you do it? Can you do it? Yeah, and I think also some some things are a bit too, you know, fusty. Some of the rules that have existed in the past, I think sometimes people do need to relax them and some institutions have to change in order to be more accommodating to people. And I think there are positive changes. I mean, I don't like, you know, feet on seats. I don't like people walking about during points, you know, having conversations when, you know, serenableiums is on court. I'm thinking be quiet. You're amongst greatness. And I think that's a frustration that I have at the same time. That is what Arthur Ash is about. It's constantly. I know. That's literally is. So it's almost like if you have a problem with it, you just have a problem with the tournament. It's always like that. That's the tension I have is that this is what makes the US open. What makes it different from from the other grand slams, the, it's a free for all. The holo balloon that goes on around it.

27:57Yeah, that loud. It's in your face, you know, exactly. So that's the balance I think that needs to be played with. So yeah, we'll have to see how things get on. I think there's also an element of jealousy, Joel, I was going to say from some of these things. I mean, I'd love to go to the LeCosta box at Roland Garros, but we just haven't got an invite. Yeah, maybe that's why I just hope we don't get situations. And I'm, I'm really worried we're going to get it is like the men's final. It's match point. And we've got an influencer with a ring light on row three behind the extra flip. Yeah. Yeah. I wonder what the rules are on filming. I think that's also something that came up and the final thing will be. I think some influencers are allowed to post content. And then obviously if you're media, you have to get the broadcast or the rights to do that. And so like loophole's there that mean that they can put out content that paid for broad casters can't. So I think, you know, it's a way to get around things as well. So I think it's some rules could be in place for everyone.

29:00And a reminder of those wouldn't be too much of a problem with it, Joel, especially before the men's final, as you say. That's very true. That is very true. Lister, let us know what do you think about the influencer situation at the US Open? We're going to move moving on though to talking about some doubles, Chris, because we had a prime time box office doubles, the Williams sisters returning Serena and Venus to the US Open. But it did not end in victory. It actually ended in a dramatic defeat to my joint and Chan Ho, Chang Ching in round one. They were five love up in the final set, tie break, lost it, 10, 7, three hours and two minutes. This truly was blockbuster, but what did you make of the match and the performances of Serena and Venus? I mean, it was a great contest. It was so exciting and what a great platform for women's doubles. I mean, a night session match. I do think for the tournament though, when you put on a women's doubles first, you don't

30:02think it's going to take three hours. Yes. And neither did I when I was watching it. I thought I would be sleeping. I was not sleeping. But it was highly entertaining. I think there's a lot of hope for Serena and Venus in terms of their performance. I mean, they are very competitive. Venus was also pretty competitive in her singles match against Canon. So it's a shame that Venus didn't get one of the wins because she was so close to winning both of them or not winning but taking a sat. And I think that's where you do feel like, oh, this wasn't the script. The script isn't that my joint beats Serena twice, you know, but I don't think they're playing necessarily for just winning matches. I think this was a moment we didn't get it at Wimbledon. And I mean, I've got goosebumps with them walking onto court. You know, Serena's jacket with the titles that she's won, you know, the matching, the matching bags. It's just at the end of the day, it's two sisters that love playing tennis and they just happen to be some of the bigger stars and the court they're playing in. You know, it's not competent in a, you know, a public court. It's the US Open. It's Arthur Ash and it's the night session.

31:03So it's a hugely significant thing. But at the same time, it's not the Serena Venus of old, of course. And one thing that did happen was they didn't do press commitments after the match. A lot of fans kind of put into it together with a dramatic loss from a winning position. And then, yeah, not like not turning up to do press and, you know, almost kind of surprising in the sense that they were, they were wild cards. You know, they've been in theory, they've been invited here by the organizers to play. They don't show up to do their press commitments. Do you have any issue with that? Do you feel like they were out of line or do you think that was fair enough? I mean, we've seen this time and time again. I think with Williamson's as a press conference is we've been there and experienced it. But what did you, what did you make of that? Well, they're not afraid of a fine, are they? I think they've got enough money to get fired. I actually don't know. I mean, they should be, I think, based on the rules. By the letter of the law, yeah. Yeah, unless the tournament decides to kind of wave that. But I mean, they couldn't kind of do what they want.

32:05I think Venus is always quite consistently. If she's had a tough loss and she doesn't want to do press, she doesn't do it. You know, she won't turn up and she has taken the hit in the past. I think there's a lot of media obligations and with Serena and Venus and where they're at. Those questions are not going to be the most enjoyable for them to answer. You know, it's going to be the same questions where we'll be seeing you next. This is the last time you've played when you're evolving away, you know, and they don't tell you anything. They're not going to answer those questions. They're very good at, you know, not telling you something if they don't want to, you know, they're very seasoned when it comes to that. So it could have been a bit of a non-event, but at the same time, you know, know about Jokovic isn't skipping a press conference unless he absolutely has to. And Serena did, she did skip one of Wimbledon. She was injured. She did kind of reveal the extent of that injury at Wimbledon. So I, I do think you should, you know, it's a commitment, but at the same time, I do understand why if you have that profile, and you don't really want to go into the room and ask, answer,

33:06silly questions, you know? Okay. Well, okay. I'm going to have to ask them one of the silly questions that I'm sure never to be would have been asked to Serena William. Did you see Carlos Algras is nipple top? Did you do it distraction with the mixed doubles? Yeah. Well, on, on commentary, Caroline was Niaqi said that she believes Serena wants to return to singles next year. So I wanted to ask you what do you think the future holds for Serena Williams? Because it's obviously the final grand slam of the year. Do you think we'll see her again on the tennis court this season? Or what do you think the future holds for her? I mean, that's a very interesting insight because they are besties. Caroline and Serena, they always have been very close. Based on Serena practicing singles at the US Open with various players. I mean, she practiced with, I think, Layla Fernandez, and she was playing singles points and she looked really good. I think she is going to play singles again. I don't know this season.

34:07Oh, that's a tough one. I'm trying to think if there are any tournaments that are closer to home for her. I can't see her playing the Asian Swing. I can't as well. Or the Luxembourg ladies, Joel. Oh, now that would be Box Office. That would be Box Office. But next year, I think this whole year only makes sense if there's something else because this can't be it. It's what probably what I'd say. So if they did skip the press conference, is that also because they didn't want to have to answer those sorts of questions because you don't Caroline's put her foot in it? But what do you think? I think there must be more and there must be singles. I think so. I think so. I'm going to, okay, I want one word answers on this. Do you think we will see Serena Williams play singles at the Australian Open next year? Yes. Okay. And do you think we'll see Serena and Venus Williams play doubles at the Australian Open next year? Yes, I do. Okay. I do. I think it's going to be another year of Serena and Venus on tour.

35:10Okay. I probably think Venus is going to try and play the singles as well. Okay. All right. Okay, final bonus question then. Do you think we'll see Venus Williams play singles at the Australian Open? Yeah, I do. Like everything. Like, mixed doubles. If they can enter a Grand Slam, they're going to be playing it. Okay. Okay. Right. Let's talk about some of the singles matches that happened in the night session. In the night, Shelton. We could call it that. Ben Shelton and Francis TFO are both through Ben Shelton overcoming another tricky test against Dennis Schapavallov in four sets. Very high level, actually, I would say, from Schapavallov finished past 2am local time, faces Cisipastnex, quick thoughts, Chris, on the two American Shelton and TFO. They look good. Yeah, I watched some of them Shelton have watched a few of his matches now. And he's very pumped up. He's very focused, super dialed in. And I think this is the best he's looked at a slam this year. I think he's really enjoying playing at home

36:10and he's had some great results here. So I was impressed with how he came through here. And I mean, very lucky it didn't go later because this could be one of the latest finishes. They've ever had if it went to five sets. I mean, it's getting to the point now where the night session needs to be like an afternoon session because I know 2am doesn't seem that extreme given the day session hour earlier. Yeah, I think bringing it forward. We always say this, right, with Wimbledon with everything. If there's a curve, it's a tennis tournament, you shouldn't be playing tennis at 2am. So he's handling that well. And I think, yeah, I'm excited. And I'm just pleased that the Americans who had form coming in are actually playing well in TFO. I would love him to do something special here. So much talent, such an amazing story and such like a well-liked guy. So I'm still backing TFO. If I could pick an American to win the title, I would love it to be TFO. Yeah, it'll be interesting to see. Yeah, who's going to be the last American male standing?

37:11I mean, let's look at the order of play for day 7 because Chris Zverev is given yet again that final slot on the match. Not sleeping. Night session, yeah. Does he like it? Does he just like saying, I don't know, but um, it's the penalty, isn't it, for being number one seed? It's the punishment. Yeah, we've got, uh, Yovic versus Iala headlining that night session 7pm, first on Fritz and Goff in the day session. And then we have Anisimovah, Kuboli, Asaka and and Mensik Chien on Louis Armstrong. Once again, Eagashion Teth, not on Ash or Armstrong, but is out on Grandstand. Anis to Grandstand once again. And no, I'm not even the first. Grandstand. Not even the first match either, second, second on. But um, just just quickly on Iala versus Yovic. I mean, Iala Mania is coming to Arthur Ash. What do you make of this match up?

38:11Because they've already played each other twice this season. They've not necessarily been that close in terms of contests. They played at Queens and at Roland Garros. So Clay, grass, and now they're completing the set on the hard courts. I think it will be a moment more than it will be necessarily the highest quality. I think for Yovic, it's a huge amount. It's a huge slot. Whereas I think that for Iala, like her whole tournament and year is building up towards these big moments. And she handles the pressure really well. I think it's going to be great. I mean, I'm very excited for it. And I know I shouldn't be thinking ahead because you never know what could happen. But I mean, this could become like the Iala slot. Couldn't it? Because if Cocoa Goff wins and they end up playing each other, I mean, that's going to be a night match. And that's going to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament. And we could be bigger than, you know, ratings, bananas. It really will be. So I think I'm looking forward to that one. I'm also really looking forward to Chinwin-Jang, Madison Keys. I think both of them have a really good opportunity

39:13to do something where they haven't necessarily had that much form. And Jangs had a tough time. One thing I did want to ask you, Joel, do you think that Zvaira is going to do that celebration again where he just whipped off his top instantly? Do you think he thought Carlos Alcaro's was getting all of the attention? Was it pre-planned? I don't know, but he needs to keep his top on. He needs to keep his top on. We are the cover-up podcast cover-up. I don't think it warranted that celebration. Lentin' that, Hallease. Yeah. From the top seed. It looked a bit big, cool to see. Grandslam champion this season. I don't think it necessarily warranted it. I mean, he is set to face zero players in the ATP top 21 on route to the semifinals. So I think, you know, I don't necessarily think that celebration is lying. Imagine what he'd do if he did beat a top player, though, in the shorts are coming off as well. Probably. So maybe we will have to watch. So yeah, we will see. I'm going to put you on the spot, though. Yovic Iala, what's your prediction?

40:13Winner and number of sets. I think it's going to be Iala in three. I am going to say Iala in two. I think Iala Mania is continuing. I'm not just saying that. She's looking really good. Yeah. And I think she's looked better. I think she's looked better than Yovic. This tournament so far. Has got a bit more form as well. I think on the hard courts post Wimbledon. So yeah, we will have to see. We're going to wrap up, though, our US Open day six catch up here at tennis weekly HQ. We hope you enjoyed the ride with us. Remember to subscribe so you don't miss a moment of action from flashing meadows where we are producing daily episodes across the fortnight. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, and all your favorite podcasts and platforms out there. And if you love what you're hearing, be sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify as well as hit that like and subscribe button on YouTube.

41:32So, we'll be back tomorrow for our US Open day seven catch up. But until then, this goodbye from Chris. Goodbye. And this goodbye from me. Thanks for listening and we'll catch you next time on tennis weekly.