Madrid review: Ruud edges out Draper, Sabalenka dominates and Swiatek spirals
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The lads are back together! For the first time in a couple of weeks, James Gray (The i Paper), Calvin Betton (ATP coach) and George Bellshaw (gun for hire) are all in the same (virtual) place at the same time - and it took some time to catch up. They discussed...
Jack Draper came within a set of a second Masters 1000 title in four attempts, but was eventually edged out by Casper Ruud in Madrid
Aryna Sabalenka stormed to the title once again while Iga Swiatek was knocked out by former pigeon Coco Gauff. What's wrong with the former world No 1?
Novak Djokovic has pulled out of Rome but Jannik Sinner certainly hasn't, the Italian making his first appearance this week since serving a three-month ban
Carlos Alcaraz says he prefers the one-week Masters events, as does Andy Murray
Alexander Bublik says tennis was easy five years ago and now it's hard. Frances Tiafoe and Alexander Zverev think so too.
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1:51:37
Inside the Madrid blackout + Purcell ban reaction
This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered
We got him! Calvin Betton finally has power again so can tell us all about why players were walking nearly two hours back to their hotels - and what he read to pass the time.
Plus, James and Calvin discuss the 18-month ban settled by Max Purcell after taking two 500ml intravenous infusions of vitamins, in contravention of the anti-doping rules. Read the full judgment here: fhttps://www.itia.tennis/media/q1hgr0kv/itia-decision-max-purcell-29425-redacted.pdf
Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit tide.co/savings.
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47:32
Djokovic, Raducanu and the lights are all going out in Madrid
This episode is sponsored by Tide. Visit tide.co/savings, and use the bonus code "tennisunfiltered" to support the podcast and get a great deal
Calvin Betton is stranded! The power cut in Spain means we are unable to contact our resident coach, so James Gray and George Bellshaw are taking up the mantle (or trying) in his absence.
They discussed...
Novak Djokovic was beaten in the second round of the Madrid Open 6-3, 6-4 by world No 44 Matteo Arnaldi, continuing a pattern that's becoming hard to ignore. Statistically, his win percentage this year has dipped below what Rafael Nadal managed in his injury-plagued, farewell-tour year.
Patrick Mouratoglou says Djokovic arrived on tour with an "average game". "Even today, at the end of his career, when you look at Rafa’s game, Roger’s game, Novak’s game, it’s incredible that Novak is the strongest of the three, the one who broke all the records. It shows that the most important thing is not in the tennis, in the racket."
Are Damir Dzumhur and Mattia Bellucci the greatest s**thouses of all-time
Emma Raducanu says she’s happy with an “informal” arrangement with Mark Petchey, who was coaching her at the Madrid Open.
And what IS a good record against top 20 players?
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1:22:29
Rune stuns Alcaraz, Zverev overcomes adversity, Iga's nemesis - and Calvin's a champion again
This episode is brought to you by Tide. If you're interested in one of their savings accounts for businesses - and supporting the podcast at the same time, please follow the link: http://tide.co/offers/tennisunfiltered
This week, Calvin is fresh off a Barcelona title, George is prepping for a big vegan night out and James has promised not to entertain any more soft drink chat... Instead, they talked about TENNIS. (Mostly.)
Luke Johnson and Sander Arends are the Barcelona champs after beating Britain's top pair in the doubles final
Carlos Alcaraz was beaten in the singles final by a resurgent Holger Rune
Serena Williams has been in the media after saying in an interview with Time that she would have got "20 years" if she had done what Jannik Sinner did. (Read the whole interview here: https://time.com/7277099/serena-williams-interview-time100-2025/)
Alexander Zverev is interrupted by a fan calling him a "wife-beater" - but still beats Ben Shelton to win the title in Munich on his birthday
Iga Swiatek STILL can't Jelena Ostapenko - and actually neither can Aryna Sabalenka
Harriet Dart causes global ripples with her "deodorant" comment
Elina Svitolina wins in Rouen
We have the first player born in 2008 to win an ATP tour match
And Aryna Sabalenka is in trouble on her phone
AND MORE!
Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit tide.co/savings.
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1:41:03
Alcaraz returns to the top, Djokovic loses the fire and the struggle to sell the BJK Cup
James Gray, Calvin Betton and George Bellshaw are back together again - but you might wish they weren't...
Here is an extended episode featuring:
Carlos Alcaraz's Monte Carlo win
The struggle to sell the Billie Jean King Cup
Why Novak Djokovic has lost the hunger
Ben Shelton's doubles beef
A home win in Monaco
PLUS
Some absolute first-rate nonsense about soft drinks, a terrible quiz performance and your emails answered as well.
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Ireland