The Body Serve

Rafael Nadal continued his clay dominance with a second El Undécimo, this time in Barelona. We begin episode 121 with a look at some of the stats within his streak of 46 consecutive sets won on clay. Our #SeeWhatHadHappenedWas features Grigor Dimitrov's "as a man" moment in Barcelona, and we highlight (if you can call it that) some of the coaches who chimed in on social media last week. The episode wraps with a look at Serena's profile in the New York Times, and a Riverdale Daddy FMK.

 

00:35 46 problems but a set ain't one

04:39 Tsitsipas on the come up and disappointing Domi

10:27 Pliskova halts Vandeclay's Stuttgart surge

18:00 #SeeWhatHadHappenedWas: Grigor as a power top?

25:42 Coaches chiming in all over the place

29:02 Simona, THOSE Romanian men, and the responsibility of #1

35:02 Townsend and Eubanks doing big things

37:15 Taking stock of Maria, 12 months back from suspension

47:04 Serena's profile in the NYT

56:02 FMK: Riverdale Daddy Edition

After an injury-riddled start to 2018, Rafael Nadal returned to his best in Monte Carlo. The King Of Clay won the tournament for the 11th time, while Novak Djokovic made signs of progress in an encouraging three match stretch. Some tennis folks have gone "a step too far" and we give our takes on Jared Donaldson, the continued disregard for player safety, and Caroline Wozniacki's foot-in-mouth syndrome. We finish the episode with a typical pop culture diversion via a Grown-ish/Riverdale FMK.

 

03:53 Rafa masters Monte Carlo for the 11th time

10:56 Clay Kei is back and we're here for it

12:02 Other Monte Carlo assessments

17:24 The "inevitability" of Rafa on clay & not getting his due

23:06 A step too far: Jared Donaldson loses control

30:39 When tournaments give zero fucks about player safety

37:28 Fed Cup: Sloane secures the bag...and the tie

44:34 Many steps too far: Who are you, Darko Grncarov?!

48:08 Wozniacki still (rightfully) mad about Miami, steps in it

60:44 FMK - Grown-ish and Riverdale edition

 

@Hypotemuse wrote a piece on John Isner and why it's OK to push back on his politics. Give it a read!

 

Before the clay season kicks into gear, we're bringing you a mixed bag of topics: Madison Brengle alleging mistreatment at the hands of the WTA and anti-doping authorities; the controversy over the Davis Cup proposal seems to be heating up; Aussie favorite Casey Dellacqua retires from tennis; and we discuss the ways players create branded images and connect with fans outside of the traditional press. Stay tuned for our new segment on divas, the first of which celebrates our fave Mariah Carey.

 

4:15 Players' self-presentation through social media - how the relationship with traditional media has changed

13:20 Madison Brengle files suit against the WTA and ITF over anti-doping practices 24:05 ITF chief hits back over Davis Cup proposal amidst rumors of player discontent (h/t @markalannixon) 28:30 Does the Davis Cup overhaul pass the eye test? Just who will benefit? 33:00 Farewell to Casey Dellacqua, who retired from tennis this week 36:30 Jonathan takes a quiz on clay court tennis - take the quiz at home! 48:45 Our new segment Diva: our foundational diva, Mariah Carey, and her brave statement this week on her bipolar disorder