Ground Pass: A Tennis Podcast

The US Open 2026 is finally over and some of us are happy about that. Find out who in our US Open Recap.

Missed our other US Open Shows? Find them here - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZEVwWfsDIfA&si=kFbIKK47ljI2M01w

Elena Rybakina and Alexander Zverev are the US Open Champions no one saw coming and so ends the most unpredictable Grand Slam season. Anastasia and Nick are joined by Lucy, of Lucy Deuce, to look back at this US Open. Does Aryna Sabalenka have a problem? Did Ben Shelton have a chance at the title? Were the influencers really a problem? We answer all those questions and more.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Depth of the WTA Top Ten
03:52 Elena Rybakina wins twice and does Aryna Sabalenka have a problem?
19:31 Did Ben Shelton have a chance against Alexander Zverev?
30:43 A look back at all the slam winners of 2026
37:48 Review of the US Open on TV
51:01 The biggest stories from this US Open
51:31 The Influencers were not the problem
56:03 Nick solves the tennis 5 sets issue!
01:04:24 The US Open Tickets are too damn high
01:08:14 Outro

Links:
Shop the Ground Pass Hat - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop
Lucy Deuce - https://www.instagram.com/lucyydeuce?stkn=MWM2MGVrZDhsbjd1cA==

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About Us: Ground Pass is a tennis podcast for the rest of us. Hosted by Anastasia Folorunso and Nick Carter, it breaks down the pro tour for casual fans and anyone new to the sport, no jargon, no gatekeeping. From Grand Slam drama to the players you should know, we make tennis easy to follow and fun to obsess over.

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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Ben Shelton beat Frances Tiafoe and Alexander Zverev beat Karen Khachanov to set the men's final. Aryna Sabalenka went through Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina came through Coco Gauff to set the women's. Ian joins Anastasia to recap the quarterfinals and semifinals, including Shelton's 3:33 a.m. win over Carlos Alcaraz, Khachanov's run past Alexander Blockx, and Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen at the net. They also get into the walkouts, how much fans are told about the players on court, and both finals. Recorded before the women's and men's finals.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and episode overview
02:13 US Open atmosphere and player performances
04:14 Behind the scenes: industry events, brand activations, and media coverage
07:15 The first week and fan engagement
12:18 Quarterfinal recap and standout moments
20:15 Semifinal matchups and player form
30:15 Walkouts and match build-up
40:24 Fan knowledge and media representation
50:19 Final thoughts on the men's and women's finals

Links:
Shop the Ground Pass Hat - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/shop
Ojai Tennis Shop - https://theojai.net/merch/
UTR Next Gen account - https://www.instagram.com/utrnextgen/

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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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Qinwen Zheng came back from 5-0 down for the second straight match, Tiafoe remains undefeated on Armstrong, and the ticket market at the US Open is in free fall.

US Open Round 3 Recap: https://youtu.be/P0PYAjyTDbE?si=BlBESdwZntSxyx6e

Anastasia and Ian go through Round 4 at the US Open: Zheng's back to back comebacks, why the reigning Wimbledon champion still walks the grounds unnoticed, Sabalenka gets past Taylor Townsend, Mirra Andreeva's keeps her composure, Coco Gauff's looks like she is winning the US open, Emma Navarro's triumphant return, Frances Tiafoe's undefeated record on Louis Armstrong, Alex Michelsen's run, and Alexander Blockx as the last of the "Baby Gen" still in the draw. Then Anastasia reports from the grounds on the Labor Day weekend crowd and what tickets were actually selling for, before both quarterfinal previews.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
04:01 Qinwen Zheng is the Comeback Queen
09:03 Wimbledon Champion Linda Noskova still goes unnoticed
16:59 Sabalenka's uneventful match against Taylor Townsend
19:06 A composed Mirra Andreeva could be dangerous
22:34 Coco Gauff still looks good
24:49 Emma Navarro's Return and Personal Story
28:29 Frances Tiafoe undefeated on Louis Armstrong
33:03 Alex Michelsen is on a heater
35:34 Alexander Blockx the last baby gen standing
38:57 Labor Day Weekend Vibe and Ticket Market Insights
47:28 Women's Quarterfinals and Predictions
51:10 Men's Quarterfinals Preview and Key Matchups
53:43 Outro

Links

US Open Guide - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/us-open-guide
Linda Noskova Wimbledon Interviews: post Wimbledon 4th round - https://youtu.be/UayoDm-du6A?is=fCSd6Q0bfUlmFHLP post Wimbledon Semis round - https://youtu.be/UayoDm-du6A?is=fCSd6Q0bfUlmFHLP
Taylor Townsend’s walk out - https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc87nzHlKBG/?img_index=1&stkn=Y2Q3bWNzOXZtaTdj
Ground Pass Newsletter on Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com

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Want to Support Ground Pass - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/support

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

Where You can Find us Online:

Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com
Website - www.groundpasspodcast.com
Email - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

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
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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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Eala and Jović opened the Ashe night session while Naomi Osaka played Armstrong. We recap US Open round three from the grounds, on the worst day for the Americans.

▶ Round 2 Recap: https://youtu.be/9rBDwwJCLXw?si=3ELLEmErZaPO5uTW

Anastasia is joined in this episode by Ava Wallace of The Athletic and Blair Henley co-host of the Love All podcast and On Court Presenter at the US Open on the recap.

In this episode:

- The Ashe night session call: Eala vs Jović in the opening slot, Osaka on Armstrong
- Madison Keys in press after the Zheng comeback, and what she said about needing to change something.
- Taylor Townsend's post-match interview, the language that made it to air, and Townsend on coming in scared and defending a big points haul.
Townsend's fourth round preview and her fit plan for the walk-on.
- Taylor Fritz out, and the American men's drought question
- Tsitsipas and Medvedev, and finding form this late in the year.
- Alexander Blockx over Cobolli on Armstrong, from a set down.
- A doubles upset from a collegiate wildcard pair.
- Frances Tiafoe on Armstrong and where the real tennis fans sit.
- The night session ground pass sold only at the gate, and what we still need to confirm about it.

Chapters

00:00 Intro - Round 3 Recap from the grounds
01:44 Just watching Tennis
12:45 Blair Henley on Louis Armstrong vibes and Taylor Townsend
24:24 Ava Wallace on Madison Keys and Taylor Fritz
44:15 Hot Tip for Cheap US Open tickets
41:24 Alex Eala and Iva Jovic recap
44:44 Outro

Links

US Open Guide - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/us-open-guide
Taylor Townsend’s 4th round match look - https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dcdsjn4gVSE/?igsi=MWdlMTBhNng4aDAxMQ==
Ground Pass Newsletter on Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com

💬 Don’t forget to give us a leave is a 5 ⭐️ rating and drop us a comment

Want to Support Ground Pass - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/support

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

Where You can Find us Online:

Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com
Website - www.groundpasspodcast.com
Email - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

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

Links

US Open Guide - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/us-open-guide

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Round two recap with Ian Mondul. The influencer debate at Ashe, the prediction market partnership, Sabalenka's press conferences, and the outside courts.

Watch next: US Open Round One Recap → https://youtu.be/2HuFYysvopo?si=cNp4QuN-YnELAvKD

Anastasia and Ian Mondul recap round two at the US Open. They split on the influencer conversation coming out of the grounds, and land in the same place on the tournament's prediction market partnership. Also covered: Sabalenka's press conferences, the race for world number one, Gauff and Badosa, and why the outside courts are the best ticket on the grounds.

Chapters

00:30 Intro
09:20 US Open Round 2 Recap - Upsets on the Mens side
18:52 US Men have a great opportunity
25:10 Aryna Sabalenka is an edgy Tiger
30:59 Coco Guaff is a strong contender
33:10 Qinwen Zheng is back!
35:47 Stadium 17 brings the vibes
37:17 Around the Grounds of the US Open
37:53 Influencer US Open take over
49:28 The US Open gets into the prediction market
53:46 Apparel chat with Ian coming soon
56:50 Round 3 Matches to watch
01:03:43 Outro

Links

US Open Guide - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/us-open-guide

💬 Don’t forget to give us a leave is a 5 ⭐️ rating and drop us a comment

Want to Support Ground Pass - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/support

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

Where You can Find us Online:

Substack - https://groundpass.substack.com
Website - www.groundpasspodcast.com
Email - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

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.