Bring back the US Open Series! The summer hard court swing continues on its confusing cadence. We spent a few nights at the National Bank Open in Toronto – James unwittingly sat in Iga Swiatek Country and witnessed her return to form (ok, I’ve already said too much). The other biggest stories in tennis these days are: Alex Eala, Rafa Jodar, injuries, and the innumerable opinions on the Williams sisters. Should Venus ******? Should Serena take that wild card? I don’t know man, I’m just trying to enjoy the waning days of summer . Finally, Nick Kyrgios got ahead of the story and announced that he’d tested positive for cocaine in Mallorca, which is a substance of abuse under WADA guidelines. This means if it’s in-competition: very very bad; out of competition: meh.

1:10 Our visit to the Canadian Open in Toronto

9:05 A few more ball kid photoshoots should do the trick

12:25 Jannik out, Carlos in as injuries derail the North American hot boy summer

18:45 Was the Serena comeback always a lark and we all just took it too seriously?

24:20 Checking in on Cincinnati

29:05 Kyrgios and cocaine: looking for empathy, not always finding it

45:00 Funny like I’m a clown? Like I amuse you?

47:10 Kingston, Jamaica has a Challenger event!

One of us is heading to New York for the 2026 US Open as we speak. On our preview episode, we talk about the first real fight for the women’s #1 ranking in a while; the surging Gauff, Swiatek, and Pegula; the absolute state of the men’s draw without Jannik and with a questionable Alcaraz; and those poised for huge breakthroughs if things shake out right (Fils? Eala?). We discuss the wild card snub and later non-snub of Stan Wawrinka. Later, some reflections on the mixed doubles exhibition – fun ‘til it wasn’t – and the joy of seeing Muchova and Mensik win and the extroversion twins Carlos and Serena hang out together.

1:30 Coco & Arthur take Cincinnati

7:50 The race for #1 and other WTA storylines

10:35 Women’s draw

24:05 Wild cards are not meritocratic (and they’re not supposed to be)

30:10 Men’s draw: Carlos is back, Jannik is not

42:05 The mixed doubles exhibition

51:10 The Roger Federer Laser Light Show

54:30 Remembering Dolly Parton

We're clocking back in for August, the month of two bloated Masters 1000 events; Eala-mania hits DC and Toronto while Montreal is rocked by high-profile withdrawals and general floppery. Next, we break down the full decision on Marketa Vondrousova’s refusal case, and let's just say she didn't give her lawyers much to work with. Let's not even mention the infamous text (we will). Next, we look at the fallout of the WTA gender testing announcement, then finish up with a day that will live in infamy: corn rows and fishnets and a demonic photoshoot, oh my.

3:40 We're in Toronto, but also not

16:15 Eala-mania in DC, plus Los Cabos & Memphis

28:10 Breaking down the Vondrousova decision so you don't have to read it (unless you’re an enthusiast like me)

39:55 Not the Italian Greyhound catching strays

47:45 Checking back in on the WTA gender testing fallout

60:35 A cursed trifecta