The Inside-In Tennis Podcast

Paul Annacone returns to the podcast for a lengthy conversation about where the pro game is in 2026, and the direction the sport is heading. Annacone assesses the start of the season and goes in depth about coaching Taylor Fritz through some unfortunate injuries, and why their dynamic continues too bring out the best in the player and the coach. The Tennis Channel broadcaster also weighs in on the dominance on display at the top of the men's game from Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and examines the edges they have physically and mentally over their contemporaries.

Annacone dives into several top storylines including Novak Djokovic's high level in 2026, the growth being shown by young stars Joao Fonseca and Arthur Fils, and how Learner Tien and other young Americans are pushing their countrymates to get better. The former Top 15 player also discusses the Sabalenka/Rybakina rivalry on the WTA, and the areas in which Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are great. And Annacone goes in depth about his work with the USTA's SoCal organization for junior tennis players, and shares his thoughts on the player he coached, Roger Federer, being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this summer. Hosted by Mitch Michals Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the Monte Carlo Masters, and commentator Nick Lester joins the podcast to break down another chapter in this transcendent rivalry. Lester explains how Sinner dictated play, the areas where he's improved physically and tactically, and what led Alcaraz to come up short against his main adversary. The broadcaster also shares his thoughts on the future of this rivalry as the road to Roland Garros continues, and explains why they're the top two players in the world are pushing themselves to become even better and widen the gap with the rest of the tour.

Lester also dives into a wide-range of topics including Joao Fonseca's improvements in 2026, and the emergence of Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar as a player with serious potential. The broadcaster also examines the trajectories of Alexander Zverev who is still trying to gain ground on the top two players, and Valentin Vacherot who is reached the ATP's Top 20 for the first time. And Lester covers the WTA's biggest headlines as their clay season kicks off, which includes Mirra Andreeva winning in Linz and Iga Swiatek set to take the court for the first time in Stuttgart with her new coaching team. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Joel Drucker joins the podcast to discuss a wide-range of pro tennis topics and storylines, as the calendar switches to the red clay. Drucker gives his thoughts on Rafael Nadal's decision to work with Iga Swiatek, and examines why former some elite level players decide to enter the coaching world. The esteemed journalist also discusses the two rivalries at the top of the sport, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz still awaiting their first encounter in 2026, while Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina continue to play extraordinary matches against one another.

Drucker dives into a wide range of topics including a prediction of what Novak Djokovic's schedule might look like in 2026, and why Alexandra Eala's popularity is unlike anything he has seen in quite some time. The writer also discusses the challenges Americans face on clay courts, several players he enjoys watching, and his newest venture as editor of the innovative instructional website Tennisplayer.net. And you can receive an exclusive 15% discount with the promo code "inside-in15" on a yearly subscription at Tennisplayer.net, a deal too good to pass up. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Bradley Klahn returns to the podcast to recap the first week of the clay season, where American Tommy Paul reigned supreme at the US Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston. Klahn breaks down how Paul was able to dig deep and overcome his heartbreak in Miami, and explains why the American has grown on and off the court. The commentator dives into Ben Shelton's character, Learner Tien's first go on the clay, and how Jessica Pegula was able to defend her Charleston Title as she aims for that first major championship.

Klahn also discusses Rafael Jodar's first title in Marrakech, where he defeated 36-year-old Marco Trungelliti, who made a historic debut in the Top 100. The former pro also weighs in on Francisco Roig leaving Giovanni MPetshi Perricard for Iga Swiatek, the ethics of coaching changes, and why working with Roig and Rafael Nadal could bring the Polish superstar back to the winner's circle. And Klahn previews the Monte Carlo Masters, where several talented players are aiming to prevent the first showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2026. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Mark Knowles joins the podcast to reflect on the Sunshine Double, and review the championship performances by both both Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner in Miami to add to their trophy collections. Knowles explains how Sabalenka has refined her game and embraced the top spot on the WTA, and commends Coco Gauff for competing her way to the final in South Beach. The Tennis Channel broadcaster points out what separated Jannik Sinner from the field in Miami, and breaks down the performances by finalist Jiri Lehecka, talented Frenchman Arthur Fils, and Alexander Zverev.

Knowles also discusses his tenure coaching Jessica Pegula, and goes in depth about how working alongside fellow coach and friend Mark Merklein has created an special team dynamic. The former doubles No. 1 reveals how Pegula consistently strives to improve beyond wins and losses, and goes in depth on several topics including the American's refined serve and the challenge of competing against Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. And Knowles explains the nuances of clay-court tennis as the season commences on the dirt with ATP action in Houston and the WTA event in Charleston. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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