PODCASTS FROM CINCINNATI: CHATS w/ WTA COACHES, TEA FROM THE SITE, TOURNAMENT ANALYSIS

Episodes 132, 133, and 134 of The Body Serve Tennis Podcast: available on iTunes, podbean.com, and all podcast apps

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#132: Rogers Cup Wrap, Sascha Bajin Chat

Here in Cincinnati, we had the chance to sit down with Sascha Bajin, Naomi Osaka's coach and the former long-time hitting partner of Serena Williams. Sascha talks about his playful relationship with Naomi, his approach to coaching, and his recent social media tribulations. We're also recapping the Rogers Cup, which was highlighted by an incredible giant-killing run by Stefanos Tsitsipas and a superb women's final between Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens. 
2:00 Catching up with Rogers Cup results: all about Stefanos
7:30 Denis & Sascha Z ruffle a few feathers - we attempt to move past the knee-jerk reaction
17:00 Rafa's run to the Rogers Cup title
19:30 Simona and Sloane put on a great show in Montreal women's final
26:00 Anything to say about the shot clock? Not really
29:00 Our conversation with Sascha Bajin, coach of Naomi Osaka
37:00 Sascha's trials and tribulations on social media: "I've been getting in so much trouble on Twitter"

​#133: Getting the Conversation Started: Creating a Safe Space to Come Out in Men’s Tennis

You might have read what Roger Federer had to say about why there hasn't been an openly gay male tennis player in on the ATP Tour. Now, hear his words, along with those of Kevin Anderson, as both speak on what can be a tricky and challenging issue. Plus, our chat with Nick McCarvel about the upcoming event he's hosting (in partnership with No Challenges Remaining) to kick-start the conversation of "being queer and out in pro tennis," featuring the out retired player Brian Vahaly.

1:00 Talking about LGBTQ issues in tennis - why now?
6:25 Roger Federer speaks on the possibility of a male player coming out on the ATP Tour
14:20 Kevin Anderson expands on his previously stated support for LGBT athletes, and why he was compelled to speak in the first place
​18:00 What are some of the barriers for an ATP player coming out?
24:50 Our chat with Nick McCarvel, host of the upcoming Open Playbook event with Brian Vahaly in NYC
 
Open Playbook: Being Queer and Out in Pro Tennis - at Housing Works Bookstore, Soho, NY on August 23
Event benefits Housing Works and New York Junior Tennis & Learning

#134: Kiki-ing Down the Door in Cincy

The bad news: our time in Cincinnati has come to an end. The good news: we're back with another episode to recap an event that produced a stellar title run by Kiki Bertens and a full-circle performance from Novak Djokovic. After recapping the finals, we rehash some of the notable matches we saw over the past week and regale you with some stories/observations from around the grounds. We also pondered a few questions: is Stan back? Is Milos being usurped and replaced in Canadian media? Do fans really care about Nick Kyrgios' "antics?"

2:30 Kiki Bertens takes out four top 10 players to win Cincinnati
11:30 Simona Halep and Darren Cahill audio: looking at Simona's evolution as a player and Darren's as a coach
17:00 Serena-Petra in Round 2 ... the tantalizing rivalry that never really was
24:00 Djokovic beats Federer to complete his Masters set: MasterBlaster
31:35 Other men's matches: Stanley vs. Roger, battle of Canadian no. 1s, Milos Raonic and Denis Shapovalov
36:45 The undeniable star power of Nick Kyrgios
41:55 Thanks to USTA Midwest for the USTA Pride Event at the Western & Southern Open
44:00 Stories from around the grounds: ball thievery, Alexis Ohanian flying under the radar, watching Coric & Fuscovics
52:35 Marin Cilic provides your moment of zen