This week calls for a break in our normal programming to talk about how the coronavirus pandemic has brought life, and tennis, to a screeching halt. First, co-host Irina Falconi talks about how her comeback is on pause, as she adjusts to the WTA's announcement of no tournaments until May 2 (and the ITF shutting down until April 20). Falconi thinks those dates are wishful thinking, but is staying positive and busy in her at-home gym, as her training facility at the USTA National Campus shuttered its doors. We then catch up with Tennis Channel producer Kyle MacLelland to find out what it was like working on-site at Indian Wells when the event was called off. He interviewed dozens of players even after the news broke, and shares what the atmosphere was like, and how past champions Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu handled it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The TENNIS.com Podcast

A special episode on the coronavirus upending life and the tours

"Some were going to be great no matter what we did, but we try to treat all the players that come through with the idea: Look at your game now and where do you want to go?" USTA national coach Richard Ashby joins the TENNIS.com Podcast from the Lake Nona, Fla. studio with Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi. Now 17 years into his career as a coach, Ashby has worked with most of America's young female talent, targeting players in the Under-14 category. His resume includes court time with Sloane Stephens, Amanda Anisimova, Sofia Kenin and Coco Vandeweghe, to name just a few. Ashby talks about his experience running Player Development camps—one of which Falconi attended alongside Madison Brengle and Alison Riske. He explains what it's like working with young stars, who he's keeping a close eye on, and how he sees college tennis as a pathway to the pro tour. Watch TENNIS.com Podcast episodes on YouTube and Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Ashby on working with America's young talent

"You’ve got to have everything. That’s not easy. We’ve picked the toughest sport in the world to be professionals at. It is the toughest sport in the world without a doubt.”  Pat Cash joins the show this week, catching up with co-hosts Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi while he was in Delray Beach. The Australian is currently working with fast-rising American teenager Brandon Nakashima. Cash is working as a consultant, hoping to help a few pro players on tour. He's got plenty of wisdom to share having been ranked as high as No. 4, won Wimbledon in 1987, and appeared in two Australian Open finals. The esteemed coach has previously worked with Greg Rusedski, Mark Philippoussis, CoCo Vandeweghe and Alexei Popyrin. He shares what he looks for in a new pupil, what stands out to him about Nakashima and how he operates as a coach. He also reveals the inspiration behind his famous checkered bandana, his off-court interests and how he lost his passport on his way to the U.S. last month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pat Cash on what he looks for in a new player

“Being Top 100, it’s such a grind physically on tour sometimes, you don’t really need to be a better player you just need to play more tournaments feeling better.” Brian Baker joins the TENNIS.com Podcast this week with co-hosts Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi. The trio met up while in Lake Nona, Fla. at the USTA National Campus, where Baker is a national men’s coach.  Baker took his talents to the pro tour as a teenager in 2002. He would reach as high as No. 52 in the world, and won two doubles ATP titles in 2017. But the 34-year-old might be most well-known for his injury setbacks. His struggles began back in 2005 with a wrist injury. A torn MCL at Wimbledon—at the start of a qualifying match against Novak Djokovic—became the catalyst for more problems that would keep him off the tour for six years. He’s had 15 surgeries in total, dealing with wrist, knee, back, elbow and hip injuries.  He made multiple memorable comebacks including in 2011 and 2016, which resulted in two huge career highlights: reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2012 and earning a spot on the Rio Olympic team in 2016. Watch TENNIS.com Podcast episodes on YouTube and Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Baker on dealing with the physical grind of the tour

"I think me and Coco have a good time and we like to separate that. We still are young, we’re still kids, we like to have fun, and not always think about tennis 24/7... We were making TikToks in the locker room in Australia." This week, the TENNIS.com Podcast features American teenager Caty McNally. Co-host Nina Pantic sat down with the 18-year-old and her coach Kevin O’Neill while they were in Midland, Mich. for the ITF W100. Though the Ohio resident didn’t defend her title there this year, she did reach the quarterfinals.  McNally has risen quietly behind her doubles partner Coco Gauff (the teens won two titles in 2019 and reached the Australian Open quarterfinals). McNally shares what it’s like being partners and friends with Gauff, and explains the inspirations behind their celebratory dances. She also goes into detail abut their obsession with Tik Tok, and how find ways to have fun on tour.  Doubles has helped round out McNally’s game, and her coach O’Neill is more than supportive of her desire to play both. While ranked inside the Top 40 in doubles, McNally has made waves in singles too, taking a set of Serena Williams at the 2019 US Open and reaching the semifinals in Washington, while achieving a career-high ranking of No. 105.  Stick around after the interview to hear an update from co-host Irina Falconi as she continues her comeback season. She gives a behind-the-scenes rundown of the unexpected finale in Midland, where Anhelina Kalinina withdrew from the title match against Shelby Rogers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caty McNally on finding ways to have fun while rising up the ranks

"If I start something I want to finish it and I want to say, 'Look I gave it my all.' And I don't think I was ready to stop. At the end of the day, I do love competing and giving myself a chance—I don't want to look back and say I didn't do that." TENNIS.com Podcast co-hosts Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi caught up with Jamie Loeb at the W100 ITF in Midland, Mich., where she reached the semifinals of both singles and doubles.  The 24-year-old New York native spent two years at the University of North Carolina, and won the NCAA singles title in 2015. She was awarded the $100,000 Oracle grant last year, but the pro tour hasn't been an upwards-only trajectory for her. The world No. 279 reflects on a tough 2019 that saw injury and lack of confidence hinder both her mindset and results.  Despite her ranking dip (she was No. 132 in 2018) and not enjoying being on court, she won the W25 ITF in Dallas in October. It marked her eighth career ITF trophy and first since 2017, and signaled the start of a career turnaround.  She talks about her college experience, relocating to Lake Nona, Fla., teaming up with Jermaine Jenkins (who has worked with Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams) and just how far she's willing to go to see Cardi B perform.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Loeb on not letting results define her

"It's great tennis. However, it's so much more than tennis. We have dining from all over the area. We have concerts. We have free events. There's just so much going on." The TENNIS.com Podcast's Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi are in Midland, Mich. this week at the ITF W100 Dow Tennis Classic. They sit down with tournament director Talaya Schilb to talk all things Midland, and also recap the Australian Open.  Schilb is a first-time tournament director, but she's not new to the Greater Midland Tennis Center, having worked there since 2004. She explains what makes the week so special as the community rallies around the players, providing housing, sponsorship support and attending the matches by the hundreds. The Australian Open just wrapped and Falconi gives the lowdown on what it was like to be in Melbourne for qualifying when the air quality was at its worst. The co-hosts also break down what is so unique about Sofia Kenin's fighting spirit, if touching an umpire's shoe is really that serious, and why Ashleigh Barty brought her baby niece into press.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talaya Schilb on what brings pro players to Michigan in the winter

"I think that it does come from reps and that confidence is one thing that’s essential in a performance business, which this is. And I think that confidence is the one thing in life you can’t fake." This week's TENNIS.com Podcast episode features Brett Haber, a decorated broadcaster with over three decades of experience and stories to share. Nina Pantic sat down with Haber in Los Angeles ahead of the 2020 season. Haber is the voice and face you see regularly on Tennis Channel, covering all of the action alongside the greatest legends in the game. But how did he get that coveted seat? It all began for him as a teenager on NBC's "Main Street" in 1986. Since then, he's anchored ESPN's "SportsCenter",  won 17 regional Emmy awards, emceed the Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony and hosted the Olympics on NBC.  His love for tennis started young, and Haber recalls sneaking into the Jimmy Connors' famous 1991 win over Aaron Krickstein at the US Open. He shares the challenges of both getting into broadcasting and getting good at it, and the importance of doing reps, watching yourself on film and having confidence.  Watch TENNIS.com Podcast episodes on YouTube and Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Haber on having confidence in the TV business

"I love it. I still keep all my credentials and I get excited when I get my credential and I think, wow, yeah, they’re paying me this time." As writer Joel Drucker heads to Melbourne for his 12th Australian Open, he joins Nina Pantic to preview the first Grand Slam of the year, and dive into his recent TENNIS Magazine cover story about Roger Federer.  The 59-year-old author of two books is entering his fifth decade of covering the game. He shares his tips and tricks to reporting, including how he found out that Ken Rosewall writes a handwritten letter to Federer ahead of every Australian Open. Drucker talks about his experiences interviewing Federer, including a memorable Indian Wells encounter.  A preview of the Happy Slam wouldn't be complete without discussion of the Big Three, as well as defending champion Naomi Osaka. Australian favorite Alex de Minaur pulled out, but Nick Kyrgios and Ashleigh Barty are two homegrown stars poised to make an impact this fortnight. To donate to the American Red Cross for the Australian bushfire relief effort, go to redcross.org/tennischannel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Drucker on Roger Federer and the 2020 Australian Open

"When I was playing juniors last year it was all Grand Slams and nice tournaments. Now it’s going to be that grind day in, day out, every week, so I’m looking forward to that." This week's TENNIS.com Podcast features Emilio Nava, a rising American teenager. He joined Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi in the USTA National Campus studio during the off-season. The 18-year-old reached the junior Australian Open and US Open finals in 2019, ending the year as the No. 5 junior in the world. Now he's turning his attention to the pro tour with a ranking of No. 940, and shares what it's like to commit to the transition.  The teenager talks about how he got into tennis, why he idolizes David Ferrer, his move out of the USTA dorms, his yoga skills, and a lot more.  Nava is part of a tennis-playing family: his mom represented Mexico in the 1988 Olympics, his older brother Eduardo plays for Wake Forest and his cousin is ATP pro Ernesto Escobedo. He gives credit to his family for his competitive spirit and love for the game.  Watch the TENNIS.com Podcast episodes on YouTube and Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emilio Nava on making the leap from the juniors to the pros

"My memories are about: conflict and how I resolved those conflicts on the court, off the court, relationships that I built, the fun times in the hotels messing around, and friendships that I didn’t enter into the business thinking that I would leave with." This week's TENNIS.com Podcast episode features Todd Martin, a former world No. 4 and current CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Martin won eight ATP titles and appeared in two Grand Slam finals, but he cherishes the relationships and off-court memories the most. The American was a late bloomer, turning pro after two years at Northwestern, but he found his place amidst the Top 10 and as president of the ATP Council.  The 49-year-old thought he knew exactly what he wanted to do after retiring in 2006, but coaching was not the right fit despite working with the likes of Mardy Fish and Novak Djokovic. Instead, Martin jumped into business for himself, but couldn't refuse an offer from the Hall of Fame in 2014.  There's a lot in store for the Hall of Fame in 2020 and beyond, and Martin has the inside scoop on what it's like to work at the tennis' most precious museum. Martin explains how the inductees are decided, ahead of the Class of 2020 being announced on Jan. 28 (the candidates are Goran Ivanisevic, Conchita Martinez, Jonas Bjorkman and Sergi Bruguera). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Todd Martin on preserving and promoting the game

"I can never want it more than the athlete, like it starts and ends there. If they're a pro [with] all these opportunities that they have, which I envy a lot, the life of a pro athlete is pretty incredible. But I can't want it more than them." The 2020 season of the TENNIS.com Podcast kicks off with USTA strength and conditioning coach Craig Acker.  Based in Lake Nona, Fla. at the home of American tennis, Acker works with players of all ages and levels. He played an integral role in helping CiCi Bellis get back on the court after her four arm surgeries, and worked with Reilly Opelka well before he made his way to the Top 40.  He tells us about his day-to-day life in the gym at the USTA National Campus, and the rewards and challenges of working out for a living. His job requires a lot of attention to detail with each player having different needs and goals. He gives us his opinion on tennis players doing Olympic weight lifting, and the importance of having a full team to help an injured player properly recover. And how much of his job involves yelling at players to run faster or lift more? Luckily for Acker, he works with an inspired group of players that don't need to be pushed to work hard.  Watch the TENNIS.com Podcast episodes on YouTube and Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig Acker on working out the top talent at the USTA National Campus

"I was doing physical therapy and trying to get range of motion back in my knee, and that was probably one of the most painful things that I’ve been through. I was like, why am I doing this to myself?" While working on her return to the tour, Samantha Crawford joins the TENNIS.com Podcast with Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla.  The 24-year-old American cracked the Top 100 in 2016, the same year she reached the semifinals of Brisbane as a qualifier. Before that breakthrough, she gained global recognition by winning the junior US Open in 2012, and turned pro while still a teenager.  But knee injuries have plagued her since the age of 12, and in 2017, she had to step away from her playing career due to recurring left knee pain. She would end up needing a double cartilage replacement, totaling four left knee surgeries, and is only just easing back into hitting. On top of that, she's not eligible for a protected ranking (she'll explain why).  It hasn't been all bad though as Crawford is using her free time to pursue a college degree, and has had the strong support of the USTA, her family and friends, and her dog, Lola. Watch the TENNIS.com Podcast episodes on YouTube and Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Crawford on getting back on court in 2020

“The pros and the cons of having so many great American players is OK you have a great pool of players to pull from but you can’t take them all. And so I would say when people ask me what the toughest part of the job is, that is it." U.S. Fed Cup captain Kathy Rinaldi sits down for an in-depth chat with Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla. She captained the U.S. team to Fed Cup victory in 2017, and the final in 2018, and will lead the team in Tokyo in 2020. Rinaldi covers all the ins and outs of her job, from spending time on court to making team selections to adapting to Fed Cup's 2020 changes.  Before transitioning to coaching, she reached as high as No. 7 in the world, winning three WTA titles and reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1985. The 52-year-old knows a thing or two about prodigies, having been the youngest player to win a Wimbledon match in 1981. She also knows what it's like to be a new mother on tour, relating to today's super moms like Serena Williams.  She's risen steadily in her roles at the USTA, and was named the Head of Women's Tennis in 2018. Throughout her coaching career, she has worked with almost every American female player including Sloane Stephens, Sofia Kenin, Madison Keys, CoCo Vandeweghe, Alison Riske and many more.  Watch TENNIS.com Podcast episodes on YouTube and Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fed Cup captain Kathy Rinaldi on leading Team USA

"At the end of the year you think back at some of the weeks that maybe you weren’t all there mentally...and you just squander some opportunities. It gets to you; it really, really gets to you. It's something you don’t really expect." Chris Eubanks joins the TENNIS.com Podcast this week with Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi at the USTA National Campus studio in Lake Nona, Fla. Just a few years into his pro career, the 23-year-old has made some splashes including the quarterfinals of Atlanta in 2017, winning an ATP Challenger in 2018, and achieving a career-high ranking of No. 147 in April. Now ranked just outside of the Top 200, this off-season Eubanks is doing everything he can for a big 2020 after learning some tough lessons during his sophomore season. The 6'7" American first tasted success at Georgia Tech, where he peaked at No. 4 in the nation. He turned pro after his junior year—a difficult decision he talks candidly about. The Atlanta native had already gotten a glimpse of ATP life from his good friend Donald Young, and is pals with Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, who dared challenge his basketball skills.  Eubanks has shared the practice court with a few of the sport's greatest legends including Roger Federer and Serena Williams. He's got a painful story to share from his time on court with Federer, and an intense description of what training with Serena is like. Watch TENNIS.com Podcast episodes on YouTube and Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Eubanks on learning sophomore season lessons

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The TENNIS.com Podcast

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