In this episode, we break down a chaotic and thrilling 24 hours of tennis from Australia. From the United Cup in Perth to the Brisbane International, we cover the epic battles, the unexpected upsets, and one of the weirdest rule enforcements we've seen in years. Plus, we preview tomorrow’s must-watch clashes.

Episode Highlights:

United Cup: Switzerland vs. Italy

1. Belinda Bencic puts on a clinic against Jasmine Paolini (6-4, 6-3).
2. Stan Wawrinka vs. Flavio Cobolli: An instant classic (6-4, 6-7, 7-6) defined by a bizarre "hindrance" moment where Cobolli lost a point for a ball falling out of his pocket. We explain the rule!
3. Mixed Doubles Decider: Switzerland holds their nerve to snatch the tie (7-5, 4-6, 10-7).

United Cup: Great Britain vs. Japan

1. Billy Harris anchors the team with a solid win over Mochizuki (7-6, 6-3).
2. Naomi Osaka tested early but powers past late replacement Katie Swan (7-6, 6-1).
3. Decider: GBR clinches the tie in a tight mixed doubles finish (7-5, 4-6, 10-7).

United Cup: Czech Republic vs. Norway

1. Jakub Mensik delivers the upset of the day, stunning Casper Ruud in straight sets (7-5, 7-6).
2. Barbora Krejcikova keeps it professional against Malene Helgo, handling business (6-4, 6-3).

Brisbane International Action

1. The Special Ks are Back: Kyrgios and Kokkinakis blow the roof off Pat Rafter Arena, taking down the top seeds Ebden & Ram in a match tie-break (7-5, 4-6, 10-8).
2. Aussie Fortunes: Ajla Tomljanovic shines (6-1, 6-3) while Daria Kasatkina falls in a heartbreaker to Potapova.
3. Frances Tiafoe cruises past Vukic (6-2, 6-2).

Match Previews & Predictions

1. Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Zizou Bergs: Can Felix hold his nerve?
2. Alex de Minaur vs. Jakub Mensik: The Demon needs to bounce back against the giant-killing Czech.
3. France’s Last Stand: Rinderknech vs. Cobolli and Paolini vs. Jeanjean.
4. Mertens vs. Mboko & Krejcikova vs. Joint: Experience meets youth.

We are waking up to a different landscape in Perth! After Sebastian Baez stuns Taylor Fritz in the "Upset of the Year," we unpack whether Team USA is showing cracks or just had a bad day. plus, we break down Alexander Zverev’s wild "game of two halves" against Griekspoor.

Then, we look ahead to a massive Day 4. Is a rotated Team USA walking into a trap against Spain? And in the late match, we explain why the rankings in Greece vs. Great Britain are lying to you—and why Emma Raducanu might just be the favorite against Maria Sakkari.

Finally, we head east to preview the Brisbane International with our flags firmly planted for Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina.

Run of Show:

1. The "Perth Surprise": dissecting Baez’s takedown of Taylor Fritz.
2. Germany vs. Netherlands: Zverev survives a scare to deliver a bagel.
3. USA vs. Spain Preview: The "B-Team" Trap. Why a Fritz-to-McDonald swap could flip this tie on its head.
4. Greece vs. Great Britain: The "Billy Harris" factor and why Raducanu owns the psychological edge over Sakkari (4-0 H2H!).
5. Brisbane International: Why we are banking on a Medvedev resurgence and why Rybakina is our pick to go all the way.
6. Fan Question: Is the "Spain Upset" a real danger, or are we overthinking it?

Mentioned in this Episode:

1. United Cup Group A & E Scenarios
2. Sebastian Baez vs. Taylor Fritz
3. Alexander Zverev vs. Tallon Griekspoor
4. Emma Raducanu vs. Maria Sakkari H2H
5. Elena Rybakina’s form

Episode Title: United Cup Day 3: The "Savage" Truth About Osaka, ZZZ’s Masterclass & Raducanu vs. Naomi Preview

Episode Description: Welcome back to Talkn Tennis! On today’s episode, Chris unpacks the absolute chaos from Day 2 of the United Cup and looks ahead to a stacked Day 3 lineup. We eat humble pie on the Zizou Bergs prediction, break down the "dark arts" in the China vs. Belgium doubles thriller, and give Stan Wawrinka his flowers after a vintage performance in the Perth heat.

Plus, we don't hold back on Team Japan’s disastrous start and Naomi Osaka’s concerning body language. Then, we dive into the crystal ball for Day 3, including the "Battle of the Brands" between Raducanu and Osaka, and why we’re doubling down on Zhang Zhizhen to upset Captain Canada.

In this episode:

1. The Mea Culpa: Owning the failed Zizou Bergs tip & why he choked.
2. China vs. Belgium: 187km/h forehands, toilet break tactics, and the Sydney crowd.
3. Stan the Man: How Wawrinka stole one from France (and saved my prediction record).
4. The Osaka Problem: A raw look at Japan’s collapse and Naomi’s attitude.
5. Day 3 Previews:
6. The Heavyweights: Zverev vs. Griekspoor.
7. The "Furniture": Why Victoria "Moko" Mboko is the real deal.
8. The Upset Alert: Can "Red-Hot" Zhang take down Felix Auger-Aliassime?
9. Van Life: The Billy Harris story & GB’s chaotic lineup changes.
10. Main Event: Raducanu vs. Osaka — The "I hope they both lose" match?
11. Italy vs. Swiss: Can a tired Stan survive Cobolli’s youth?

Connect with us: Follow the show on X for live reactions and more predictions: @TalknTennis

2nd January

Hello everybody and welcome back to Talkn Tennis —I’m your host Chris who will be bringing you Day 2’s preview of the United cup. If this is your first time here, congratulations, you’ve already made a better decision than most tennis media this time of year.

For the regulars, you know the drill: proper tennis chat, informed opinions, and zero interest in playing it safe. For the newcomers, this is where we break things down without the bullshit — we look at who’s actually in form, where the pressure sits, and what to watch before the matches even start.

Today’s episode continues our United Cup daily coverage, focusing on Day Two — team construction, strengths and weak links, and the context that actually matters. Before we dig in we will look at some of the matches that have been completed.

Host (Chris): "Alright, let's talk about the opening session in Perth, and man, it was a literal furnace out there. 36 degrees on the court, the ball was flying like a projectile, and we had a classic baseline war between Sebastian Baez and Jaume Munar.

Now, I'll be the first to admit—I had confidence in the Argentine to maybe snag a set, but I didn't think he’d take Munar out in straight sets on a hard court. But the 170cm powerhouse proved me wrong. He played absolutely fabulous tennis.

If you look at the stat sheet, there wasn't much daylight between them, but this was a match decided by the 'big points.' We saw so many games go to Deuce, and that’s where Baez really showed his teeth. His composure was rock solid.

Tactically, he was solid out there. He stayed patient in the long rallies, but he was intentionally pulling Munar out of his comfort zone. He kept directing these short, wide groundstrokes to Munar’s forehand, opening up the court and then—this was the clincher—he actually came to the net to finish. You don't always see that kind of transition from Baez, but he showed incredible hands at the net to close out those points.

Munar fought, but Baez just had that extra gear of confidence today. Argentina takes a 1-0 lead, and Baez looks like he’s ready for a big summer."

Score: 6-4, 5-7, 6-0

Host (Chris): "If you want to talk about mental toughness and the absolute chaos of tennis momentum, look no further than the clash between Solana Sierra and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Sierra walked away with the win, but man, did she take the scenic route to get there. The first two sets were a total dogfight. We saw massive momentum shifts where neither player seemed to want to keep a lead. Sierra actually looked like she had this wrapped up in straight sets—she was up 5-2 in the second and cruising.

But then, the wheels hit a bit of a wobble. Bouzas Maneiro showed that Spanish grit we always talk about; she clawed her way back from the brink, rattled off five straight games, and snatched that second set 7-5. At that point, you’re thinking Sierra is mentally cooked. She had the match in her hands and let it slip.

But then... the third set happened. And it wasn't just a win; it was a demolition.

Whatever happened in that break between sets, Sierra wiped the slate clean. She came out and handed Bouzas Maneiro a 'hidden bagel'—6-0 in the third. Sierra’s power from the baseline just became too much. She stopped the unforced errors that let the Spaniard back in during the second, and she absolutely bullied her way to the finish line.

The stats show a story of two halves: a messy, nervous battle for the first two hours, followed by a total clinical takeover by the Argentine in the third. It’s a massive result

Hello everybody and welcome back to Talkn Tennis — the only tennis podcast you need to be listening to if you want informed and unbiased opinions.

My name’s Chris, I’ll be your host for this special run of episodes covering tennis down under, and I’m kicking things off by unpacking Day 1 of the United Cup — who’s playing, who should win, and who might already be regretting their off-season.

We’re officially back in Australian summer mode — heat, crowds, national pride, and players stepping straight into meaningful matches before the Australian Open even begins.

Today’s episode is all about the United Cup — and despite the name, this isn’t some brand-new gimmick. Mixed-team international tennis has been around for decades.

Before the United Cup, we had the Hopman Cup — a tournament Australians know well. The idea was the same: men and women competing together, countries represented, and bragging rights on the line. The difference now? The United Cup runs on a much bigger scale, features deeper teams, and — crucially — offers ATP and WTA ranking points, which means players actually show up and actually care. A maximum of 500 points is offered. For example, a group-stage match win is worth 55 points if you beat a top-10 opponent, but is worth 45 points for beating an 11-20 ranked player, and decreases per ranking bracket.

So while the branding’s new, the concept isn’t. This is team tennis with consequences — and in my opinion, it’s one of the better ways to launch the season before Melbourne Park opens its doors.

So let’s get into it — the matchups, the pressure points, and the predictions that will absolutely be used against me tomorrow if they don’t land.

If you’re new to it — or you’ve watched it but never fully understood how it works — here’s the simple version.

The United Cup is an international mixed-team tournament, played right here in Australia, where countries compete using both their male and female players.

Think Davis Cup meets Billie Jean King Cup… but combined, faster, louder, and way more entertaining for fans.

It’s not just an exhibition either — this thing counts for ATP and WTA ranking points, which means players are taking it seriously. You’re seeing top-level tennis before the Australian Open even begins.

Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Each tie is played nation vs nation
2. A tie consists of:
3. 
   
4. One men’s singles match
5. One women’s singles match
6. One mixed doubles match
7. 
   
8. First team to win two matches takes the tie

The mixed doubles is often the decider — and honestly, that’s where the chaos and entertainment really kick in.

Different styles, big personalities, pressure moments… it’s unreal viewing.

Teams progress through a group stage, then into knockout rounds, all building towards the final — usually with the Australian Open buzz already humming in the...

1. Intro

Hello everybody and welcome to Talkn Tennis. The only tennis podcast you need to be listening to to get all your tennis headlines, results and well informed unbiased opinions. Don't forget to follow us on X @TalknTennis to get all of our unfiltered opinions. I'm your host, they call me Adam the Animal and I'm joined by my two partners in crime: firstly the man who has made history by becoming the first person to retire from tennis to take on a full-time job as a volleyball coach, its Chrisy P, how are you Chris. Secondly the man whose playing days were cut short prematurely leaving him with a tennis career made up of more knee surgeries than tennis trophies its Vargos, how are you Adrian.

1. Life Updates
2. Headlines

Vera Zvonareva Falls Short in Comeback Final: The 41-year-old Russian's fairytale run at the ITF W100 in Dubai ended in the final on Sunday losing to 20 -year-old Croatian rising star Petra Marčinko in straight sets (3-6, 3-6). Another comeback on the cards with reports last week that Serena Williams had re-entered the doping testing pool, which immediately sparked speculation about a potential 2026 return to tennis. However, the legend was quick to shut down those rumors, issuing a statement on X denying any plans to return to professional competition.

The ATP tennis awards were handed out this week Carlos Alcaraz & Andrey Rublev Win ATP Awards. Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award: Carlos Alcaraz (his second time winning). Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award: Andrey Rublev, honored for his foundation work. Doubles Players Request Denied Around 100 doubles players had a request to the ATP to self-fund and manage their own Instagram account was denied by the ATP. The players offered to self-fund the initiative.

• Vera Zvonareva Falls Short in Comeback Final: The 41-year-old Russian's fairytale run at the ITF W100 in Dubai ended in the final on Sunday. She lost to 20-year-old Croatian rising star Petra Marčinko in straight sets (3-6, 3-6). Despite the loss, it was Zvonareva's first singles final in five years

• Speaking of comebacks, Serena Williams "Comeback" Rumors Swirl and Fade. Last week, reports emerged that Serena Williams had re-entered the doping testing pool, which immediately sparked speculation about a potential 2026 return to tennis. However, the legend was quick to shut down those rumors, issuing a statement on X denying any plans to return to professional competition. Under tennis anti-doping rules, a retired player must make themselves available for testing for six months before they're allowed to compete in a professional tournament.

• Doubles Players Request Denied Around 100 doubles players had a request to the ATP to self-fund and manage their own Instagram account was denied by the ATP. The players offered to self-fund the initiative, with pledges of around $2,000 per player to hire professional social media managers and content creators to run the page, rather than asking the ATP for money. The story gained traction after Calvin Betton (coach of Wimbledon doubles champion Henry Patten) revealed the details during an appearance on the Chip & Charge tennis podcast. He expressed frustration that the ATP seemingly has "zero marketing for doubles" and is solely focused on the Sinner vs. Alcaraz rivalry, yet blocked the players' attempt to fill that gap themselves.

• Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship

Welcome back to another episode of Talkn Tennis, the only tennis podcast you need if you want the latest news, results and unfiltered opinions straight from three blokes who care way too much about this sport. Adam “The Animal” kicks off the show alongside his co-hosts: Chrissy P, the former childhood tennis prodigy whose rise and fall mirrored a Hollywood child star, and Mr. Vargos himself, Adrian, a man whose love for tennis has been corrupted by an even deeper love for Cevapi. As always, listeners are reminded to follow the chaos on X/Twitter at @TalknTennis.

The boys start with a quick life update, as Chris breaks down his Grand Final weekend and all its emotional highs and lows, while Adrian weighs in on the eternal question: when do teachers mentally check out in Term 4? Once the personal stories settle, it’s straight into the tennis, because while the year might be ending, the season certainly isn’t. The show dives into a full breakdown of the upcoming Next Gen Finals, returning to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from December 17th to 21st. Adam explains the unique nature of the event, how it doubles as the ATP’s testing ground for fast-paced rule changes, and how it has already produced champions like Alcaraz, Sinner, Tsitsipas and Medjedovic. The 2025 field is locked in, headlined by Masters 1000 winner Jakub Menšík, rising American Learner Tien, powerful Croatian Dino Prizmić and a strong supporting cast of Landaluce, Kjær and Basavareddy. The future of men’s tennis looks electric and the boys break it all down.

From there, attention shifts to James Duckworth, who continues to torment the youth by walking away with prize money that probably should have gone to Japanese and Australian teenagers just trying to make rent. That rolls naturally into the newly announced Australian Open wildcards, with Duckworth securing the men’s spot after climbing back inside the top 90, and 17-year-old Emerson Jones earning the women’s wildcard on the back of her strong local results. The team also acknowledges the wildcard playoff winners out of China—Bu Yunchaokete on the men’s side and Zarina Diyas for the women.

The episode then shifts into a spirited debate about the Best Player to Never Win a Slam, sparked by Greg Rusedski’s argument that Marcelo Ríos deserves the crown over Alexander Zverev. The boys unpack the contrasting cases: Ríos, the dazzling, injury-plagued genius who became the only man in the Open Era to reach No. 1 without a Slam, versus Zverev, the statistical powerhouse with Masters titles, ATP Finals victories and an Olympic gold but three heartbreaking Slam final losses. Other fan favourites like Berdych, Ferrer, Tsonga and Nalbandian are tossed in for comparison as the debate heats up, with the hosts making their own picks and predictions.

To finish, the episode descends into glorious chaos with the Battle of the Spuds Quiz, a Hall-of-Fame-style trivia showdown highlighting some of tennis’ most iconic wheels, grinders and nearly-men. The competition ramps up with “Who Am I?” rounds worth double, triple or even quadruple points depending on how badly someone is losing.

Another episode of lively debate, sharp analysis and questionable humour from the Talkn Tennis crew—served fresh and loud. If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to subscribe and follow along on X/Twitter @TalknTennis for more daily tennis takes.

1. 🎾 Are you ready to serve up some tennis knowledge?

In this week's episode of Talkin' Tennis, we dive into the thrilling climax of the Davis Cup finals! 🌟

Key takeaway: The passion and intensity of the matches remind us why we love the game.

What's your favorite moment from the finals? Comment below!

#TennisTalk #DavisCup #TennisLife #SportsPodcast #GameSetMatch #TennisLovers #PodcastRecommendations

2. 🤔 Did you know that even the best players have to deal with tough teammates?

This week, we share a story about a dramatic committee meeting that left one player sidelined! 😲

Insight: Team dynamics can make or break your game—what's your experience been?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

#TennisDrama #Teamwork #SportsStories #TennisPodcast #AthleteLife #TennisCommunity #ListenNow

3. 🎉 It's not just about the game; it's about the friendships we build along the way!

In our latest episode, we discuss the ups and downs of playing with friends and rivals alike.

Takeaway: Every match teaches us something valuable!

What life lesson has tennis taught you? Drop a comment!

#TennisFriends #SportsLife #Podcast #TennisFamily #LifeLessons #TennisJourney #Community

4. 🎤 Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes of a tennis club?

Join us as we unravel the drama that unfolded in our local league this week! 😅

Key insight: Understanding club politics can be as challenging as the game itself.

Have you faced any sports drama? We'd love to hear your stories!

#TennisClub #SportsPolitics #PodcastLife #TennisFam #DramaAlert #TennisAdventures #JoinTheConversation

5. 🌍 Tennis isn't just a sport; it's a community!

In this episode, we talk about the importance of support from teammates, even in tough times. ❤️

Key takeaway: A strong support system can elevate your game.

Who do you lean on in your sports journey? Tag them below!

#TennisCommunity #SupportSystem #SportsPodcast #TeamSpirit #TennisLife #AthleteSupport #Inspire