Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast

Anastasia is back from Delray Beach and has thoughts. A lot of them. This week, we get into why February might just be the best month on the tennis calendar, what it was actually like on the ground at the Delray Beach Open, and why the draw felt more like a 500 than a 250. We also break down Jessica Pegula winning Dubai, the WTA’s new Tour Architecture Council, the debate around getting rid of 250-level events, and whether anyone can actually stop Carlos Alcaraz right now. Plus: player clips from Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, and Coleman Wong on tour life, 250s, and representing Hong Kong on the pro circuit. And we have an update on what the OFF SEASON cast is up to as the US spring swing kicks off.

Links:
Off Season Ep 3 - https://youtu.be/K77vLeZhyho?si=Cwx2jn7oeG6Gl4Kn
Ground Pass Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com/
Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop
Ground Pass Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/GroundPassPodcast

Chapters:
00:00 Technical Difficulties and Weather Woes
01:59 Delray Beach Tournament Overview
09:52 The Future of 250 Tournaments
24:39 Dubai Tournament Highlights
29:38 The WTA rethinking their schedule
33:20 Jessica Pegula's Consistency and Victory
38:11 The Impact of Alex Eala on Tennis
42:32 Doha: Sinner searching, Alcaraz unstoppable
48:46 Goran Ivanisevic is back
51:07 February: The Best Month for Tennis
56:17 Upcoming Tournaments and Player Highlights
01:03:05 Outro

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Anastasia is on the road in Florida after covering the Dallas Open in person and she is breaking down what made it such a great “small tournament, big tennis” week. We talk atmosphere, access, and why Dallas felt like a stadium-within-a-stadium event. Then we jump to Doha where Karolina Muchova wins the title, Victoria Mboko breaks into the Top 10, and Mirra Andreeva’s poise keeps leveling up. Plus, Qinwen Zheng returns, Rotterdam and Buenos Aires check-ins, Destanee Aiava’s retirement post, and a packed “what’s next” slate led by Dubai, Doha (men), Rio, and a seriously stacked Delray field. Players of the Fortnight: Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jack Pinnington Jones.

Links:
Off Season Ep 3 - https://youtu.be/K77vLeZhyho?si=Cwx2jn7oeG6Gl4Kn
Ground Pass Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com/
Bryan Shelton Interview - https://youtu.be/U1IOObky2UE?si=KogAEfpDK4rcMMIR
Destanee Aiava instagram post - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUu-THaE6KR/?igsh=MThrdTFqa3ZmcHN2Nw==

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:24 Dallas Open Experience
16:44 Doha: The feel good Tournament
29:42 Tournament Updates: Rotterdam and Buenos Aires
34:16 Destanee Aiava retires at 26
38:14 Upcoming Tournaments: Dubai and Delray Beach Preview
49:15 Players of the Fortnight: Rising Stars in Focus
53:52 Outro

We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com
Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com
Email us at - [email protected]

Follow us for daily updates on Social:
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast
X: https://x.com/groundpasspod

Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about

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Anastasia is on the ground in Dallas for her first Dallas Open, kicking off the season’s first mini-pod from a hotel room after a long travel day. She recaps a busy post–Australian Open week across the tours, from Emma Raducanu’s return to a final in Cluj-Napoca and Katie Boulter’s title in Ostrava, to Sara Bejlek’s breakthrough WTA 500 win in Abu Dhabi. On the ATP side, Felix Auger-Aliassime stays red hot indoors by defending his Montpellier crown, plus a quick Davis Cup check-in and what’s next with Doha and the February swing. Finally, it’s an OFF SEASON roundup week, with Hailey Baptiste surging in Abu Dhabi, Ethan Quinn delivering in his first Davis Cup appearance, and Colton Smith defending his Challenger title.

Links:
Off Season Ep 1: https://youtu.be/0U3F4CfUsh0?si=YA0OxZ7OKP_9rUKF
Off Season Ep 2: https://youtu.be/XwysI8QBSgk?si=Yr2b6fmxsM8qwk2t

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:47 Dallas Open Coverage Begins
03:56 WTA Highlights: Brits Shine
09:06 ATP Insights: Indoor Kings and Davis Cup
13:31 Off-Season Athletes Making Waves
17:55 Upcoming Tournaments and Events
21:48 Merchandise Updates and Community Engagement

We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com
Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com
Email us at - [email protected]

Follow us for daily updates on Social:
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast
X: https://x.com/groundpasspod

Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about
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We made it through 15 days of Melbourne and the finals delivered. Elena Rybakina outlasts Aryna Sabalenka in a fire-and-ice classic to claim her second Slam. Then Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to complete the Career Grand Slam at 22. We also shout out Tokito Oda, celebrate doubles champs Neal Skupski and Chris Harrison, talk “Player of the Fortnight,” and look ahead to what’s next on tour.

Links:
Off Season YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OffSeasondoc

Chapters:
00:00 Sweater Talk and Introduction
00:38 Historic Australian Open Review
02:21 Women's Final: Elena Rybakina's Triumph
17:38 Men's Final: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic
32:22 Tournament Reflections and Fan Experience
43:54 Other Tournament News
51:31 Coming up next on Tour
56:46 Player of the Fortnight

We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com
Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com
Email us at - [email protected]

Follow us for daily updates on Social:
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast
X: https://x.com/groundpasspod

Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about

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We finally gets the semi-finals we were waiting for. We break down Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic, including the cramping debate, the breakpoint chaos, and what it all means for a historic final. Plus, quick hits on Aryna Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina, Elena Rybakina vs Jessica Pegula, the doubles and wheelchair finals, and a few tournaments we are tracking beyond Melbourne. Also, last call for the Ground Pass sweatsuit drop.

Links:
Ground Pass Sweatsuits: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop/p/us-summer-swing-heavyweight-tee-2025-sfkbw-cz6zw-amx89
Off Season YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OffSeasondoc

Chapters:
00:00 Australian Open Semi-Finals Recap
04:07 Women's Semi-Finals Overview
13:38 Men's Semi-Finals Highlights
19:49 Djokovic vs. Sinner: A Clash of Generations
23:50 Historic Final: Alcaraz vs. Djokovic
28:20 Doubles and Wheelchair Events Overview
34:14 Other Tournaments happening
37:03 Outro

We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com
Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com
Email us at - [email protected]

Follow us for daily updates on Social:
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass
Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast
X: https://x.com/groundpasspod

Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.