Control the Controllables

This week Dan is joined by ATP pro Zach Svajda, fresh off a stunning run to the last 16 of Roland Garros 2026.
There he beat the heat, the occasion and a host of higher ranked players before falling to eventual finalist Flavio Cobolli in a fourth set tie break. Currently ranked 69 in the world with a career high of 62, Zach is 23 and only just getting started.
This is a genuinely special and emotional conversation. Zach opens up about the unconventional path that got him to top level tennis, from using a full size racket at age two to taking nearly five years away from junior tournaments, busting a host of tennis development myths along the way.
Zach also reflects movingly on the loss of his father to cancer and how that continues to shape why he plays.
Key talking points:
Zach's remarkable Roland Garros run to the last 16 despite his lack of clay court experience.
What it felt like inside the locker room in Paris the day Sinner went out.
The unconventional development path set by his father
Zach talks about the impact of the passing of his father and how he carries his memory and lessons with him on court.
He tells us what is was like playing Novak Djokovic on Arthur Ashe at the US Open.
His relationship with younger brother Trevor, a rising college star, and the prospect of the two one day facing off on tour.

A brilliant and honest conversation with a player on the rise. Make sure to give this one a listen.
Read full shownotes here.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
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Follow Zach on Instagram: @zachsvadja
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Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.
TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.

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Our Roland Garros 2026 Review Show is here!
What a fortnight in Paris it´s been, with two new Grand Slam Champions in Sascha Zverev & Mirra Andreeva.
Host Dan Kiernan is joined by Denmark Davis Cup Captain Freddie Nielsen and GB doubles coach Calvin Betton to look back on a quite extraordinary French Open.
Calvin joins us fresh from coaching Henry Patten and Harri Heliövaara to their third Grand Slam final and their first ever world number one ranking in men's doubles, so there is plenty to get stuck into from the off.
Key talking points:
Henry and Harry reach the Roland Garros final and claim the world number 1 ranking, with Calvin giving an honest account of what went wrong on the day.
Sinner's shock exit and whether it was truly an upset, or the inevitable result of an overcrowded schedule catching up with him.
Fonseca versus Djokovic and whether Roland Garros 2026 was the moment a future Grand Slam champion announced himself on the biggest stage.
Zverev wins his first Grand Slam but the panel debate whether men's tennis is currently lacking variety and real tactical depth.
Mirra Andreeva wins the women's title age 19, plus the remarkable story of qualifier Maja Chwalinska reaching the final.
The Italian tennis culture, Roland Garros and electronic line calling, plus a few strong opinions on how the tournament is run.

On to the grass!
This episode is brought to you by Novellus Finance
Connect with us:
Instagram: ctc.podcast
Website: www.controlthecontrollables.co.uk

Watch the full video version over on the Control the Controllables YouTube Channel
Mentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.
TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.

TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose.

Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete

Our CTC Live series continues from Roland Garros 2026! Host Dan Kiernan is joined by broadcaster Candy Reid and performance analyst Mike James to round up an extraordinary first week at the French Open.
From Fonseca's stunning comeback against Djokovic to Sinner's shock exit in the heat, the drama has been non-stop. Dan also gives us a first-hand account of being at the tournament with his players, including a brilliant moment with Landaluce after his 5hr 58 minute epic.
This is the place to go for a round-up of Roland Garros action from a coach's perspective.
Key talking points:
Jannik Sinner's shock exit to Cerundolo in the heat, with Mike noting odds of 12,500 to 1 on that result, and Candy raising an interesting theory about redheads and the MC1R gene explaining Sinner's struggles in extreme temperatures.
Fonseca's extraordinary comeback from two sets down to beat Novak Djokovic, with Dan sharing what it was like to witness that match in person sitting next to the Fonseca family, and the panel debating whether it was Novak's Roland Garros farewell.
Rafael Jodar continuing his run and the unprecedented state of the men's draw, with no former Grand Slam champion remaining in the last 16 for the first time since 1968.
The injury crisis gripping the tournament?
Marta Kostyuk beating Iga Swiatek and her remarkable mindset, with Mike sharing a powerful insight about her playing on the same day she received a photo of her family home being destroyed back in Ukraine.
The Vallejo umpire controversy, with the panel giving a balanced take and calling for the matter to be put to rest following his apology.

Each CTC Live episode streams on YouTube during the fortnight. Search Control the Controllables Podcast and follow our Instagram and Twitter for the latest live times!
Chapters 00:00 Welcome and tournament atmosphere from Paris
04:00 Sinner's exit, Hada's rise and the unprecedented men's draw
08:00 Fonseca vs Djokovic, a match for the ages
14:00 The injury crisis and the roof court debate
22:00 Marta Kostyuk's mindset and win over Swiatek
32:00 Women's draw quarter final preview
40:00 Sabalenka vs Osaka preview and what to expect
43:00 The Vallejo controversy

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Thank you everyone for listening!

Follow @ctc.podcast on Instagram to be the first to know when we are going live from Paris throughout the fortnight!

Watch the full video version over on the Control the Controllables YouTube channel.

Listen to Dan and guest Freddie Nielsen chat through all the action from Day 4 & 5 at Roland Garros, including the shock departure of Jannik Sinner.
They analyse what went wrong for Sinner, key upcoming matches, and who they think could now lift the trophy.
Key Topics
Yannick Sinner's unexpected exit and the implications for men's singles
With the men´s draw wide open, anyone from Felix to Zverev or Cerundolo could take the title
Heat, mental fatigue, and injuries are influencing player performances more than ever
Doubles draw controversies and rule changes affecting participation
Emerging young talents and dark horses in the tournament

Connect with us!
Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.com
Email us: ctc.podcast@sototennis.com

This episode is sponsored by Novellus Finance: https://www.novellusfinance.com/uk/

Our CTC Live series is back for Roland Garros 2026, bringing you first-hand updates from the courts of Paris!

Sponsored by Novellus Finance: https://novellusfinance.com/uk/

In this episode, Dan is joined by Calvin Betton, a 2 time Grand Slam-winning coach, live from the tournament, to break down the action from the first three days. They cover the extraordinary heat gripping Paris, the big seeds falling, integrity questions around the doubles draw, and some brilliant stories from inside the locker room and beyond.
This is the place to go for a quick round-up of Roland Garros action from a coach's perspective.

Key talking points:
Temperatures hitting 37 degrees Celsius in Paris and how the courts are staying surprisingly slow despite the heat, thanks to Roland Garros's unique watering and salting process.
Big names out early, including Taylor Fritz, Medvedev and Bublik, plus Jessica Pegula going out to Kim Birrell on day three.
The doubles draw integrity debate, with six first-round withdrawals and singles players pocketing prize money without hitting a ball.
The Serena Williams comeback rumours, with Calvin giving a frank take on wildcards, integrity and whether the sport should be rolling out the red carpet.
A brilliant exclusive Gael Monfils story from a five-a-side football game at the National Tennis Centre.
French youngster Kwame, born in 2009, is impressing on his Roland Garros debut and drawing comparisons to a young Wayne Rooney.

Each CTC Live episode streams on YouTube during the fortnight. Search Control the Controllables Podcast and follow our Instagram and Twitter for the latest live times!

Chapters
00:00 Welcome, the Paris heat and court conditions
06:30 Integrity in the doubles draw and prize money controversy
15:00 Serena Williams comeback rumours and the wildcard debate
22:00 Bublik's behaviour and a Medvedev tribute
30:00 Monfils, Wawrinka and the end of an era
36:00 French youngster Kwame and the next generation 40:00 Can anyone stop Sinner? The men's and women's draws were reviewed

Follow @ctc.podcast on Instagram to be the first to know when we are going live from Paris throughout the fortnight!

Watch the full video version over here: https://www.youtube.com/@ctc.podcast.

YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast

Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.c...

Email us: ctc.podcast@sototennis.com