Fantastic Tennis

It’s Wimbledon 2023 time! Not only do we get to discuss the lead-up grass court events this week, but we also try our very best to predict what is sure to be an “anything goes” type of tournament at the 3rd grand slam of the season. Fans know that headlines write themselves each year at Wimbledon and what better guest to have this week than a player who was the absolute talk of the 1999 Championships, where as a qualifier, she stormed through the draw and onto Center Court. Wimbledon semifinalist & former WTA world #18 Alexandra Stevenson joins the show this week to help breakdown one of the most bizarre events in grand slam history. Alexandra gives us the inside scoop on everything from - what was really going on off-court during the most important two weeks of her tennis career - how she handled the aftermath, and what really happens during some of those infamous rain delays. We also reminisce and hear fun stories from throughout her career about Steffi Graf, Jennifer Capriati and the G.O.A.T, Serena Williams. It’s a fantastic 90 minutes of Wimbledon talk, Alexandra and of course, some great insider stories. Come check out: Getting To Know….Alexandra Stevenson.

This week, we take a closer look at a career and a player that has had to deal with numerous stressful situations that most of us can't even imagine. WTA former world #21, from the Ukraine, Dayana Yastremska joins Fantastic Tennis this week and shares her thoughts on her life and career over the past few tough seasons on tour. From a war in her very own backyard, to overcoming doping allegations, to losing her grandfather, this 23 year old feels like she's already lived several lives and she sets the record straight about those dark moments in 2020 that almost cost her a WTA career. She also opens up and shows her playful side as she discusses her life off-court, music and what she really thinks of social media. Join host Jon Guerrica in this intriguing chat that is vulnerable, surprising, fun and always honest. There are a lot of moments to unpack here, so I hope you join us in getting to know....the fantastic, Dayana Yastremska.

We continue our focus on the art of doubles this week with the fantastic 2018 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champion, Nicole Melichar-Martinez. Nicole joins host, Jon Guerrica as they discuss 13 years of WTA tennis with 12 career doubles titles and (still) counting. We hear about the unconventional route that Nicole took to start her career, why her very first WTA title has such a special meaning to her and of course, a fairytale 2018 Wimbledon that saw Nicole make the finals of both doubles events and ultimately winning her 1st grand slam. You'll also learn about Nicole off-court and what her plans are to help promote the sport of doubles. It's an hour long chat with a player fresh off a fantastic semifinal appearance at the 2023 Miami Open. I hope you join us in getting to know....Nicole Melichar-Martinez.

The art of doubles is front and center this week as the Fantastic Tennis family is spotlighting one of the best doubles teams in the world over the next two weeks. We start today with our favorite fellow lefty, the fantastic....Ellen Perez. With already (5) WTA doubles titles and a career high doubles ranking of world #15, Australia's Ellen Perez is an exciting player that has grand slam glory on her radar this season. Now playing full time with partner, Nicole Melichar-Martinez, Ellen shares stories from her years on tour, why she went the college tennis route, why the Australian Open gives her the most anxiety during the year, as well as her thoughts as to how to make doubles more popular than ever. It's a fun chat with a player that has steadily made herself one of the most sought after and consistent partners in women's doubles today. If you love doubles, you'll love our show today.

Whether you started following her as Jarmila Gajdosova or as Jarka Wolfe, this talented Slovak-Australian was a top WTA player for over 16 years on the WTA Tour, and reached #25 in the world by beating the very best to get there. This week we celebrate not only her career, but also the 10 year anniversary of her amazing run to the 2013 Australian Open Mixed Doubles title with countrymen, Matthew Ebden. Our chat today is a vulnerable, honest and at times, emotional look at a career that was full of ups and downs. Jarmila shares with host, Jon Guerrica the struggles of starting a career as a young 14 year old and navigating the tricky waters of traveling the world solo. This episode is a brilliant look into the life of a player that had to deal with every day struggles, injuries and even the devastating loss of her mother. Grab a tissue as she tells the intense tale of how she was able to get through that 2013 event in Melbourne and leave as a grand slam champion. It's a special week on Fantastic Tennis. We hope you enjoy "Getting To Know....Jarmila Wolfe."

Today, Fantastic Tennis is honored to welcome the legend, the pioneer, the trailblazer, Rosie Casals to the show. Through nearly 4 decades of pro tennis, Rosie shares stories from a career that ultimately saw her win 12 grand slam doubles titles, 112 WTA doubles events and enter the Tennis Hall of Fame not once, but twice. Whether you’re a tennis fan that’s familiar with the history of the sport or not, you’ll be highly entertained with today’s history lesson. From tales from the start of the Open Era, to the epic Battle of the Sexes to the historic creation of the Original 9, today is a special day for tennis fans. Join us in getting to know....the fantastic, Rosie Casals.

This week, our guest is the most decorated WTA player to ever play for the country of Hungary. Former doubles world #1, Timea Babos joins Fantastic Tennis for an interesting look at a player that knows what it feels like to be on top of the women's game, and is doing all she can to get back there once again. As a junior phenom, she was just one match away from completing the coveted calendar grand slam in doubles during the 2010 season. She would continue to make a splash on the WTA Tour as well, having captured 3 career singles titles & 24 career doubles titles throughout her decade + long career . It would be her partnership with Frenchwoman, Kristina Mladenovic that would help place Timea among the greatest doubles players of her generation, as she's captured (4) grand slam titles (2 Australian Open & 2 French Open titles) as well as 3 WTA Championship titles. In July of 2018, her grand slam success would see her reach the pinnacle of tennis as she'd become world #1 in doubles. Timea speaks candidly about what's next for her and shared stories from her years on tour. We hope you join us in getting to know....the fantastic, Timea Babos.

Our guest this week joins us as she celebrates her 25th birthday from a WTA event in Granby, Canada. Having reached a career high ranking of world #69 last year after her impressive run to the 2021 US Open 3rd round, Greet Minnen talks with host Jon Guerrica about the pressures of tour life and having to defend vital ranking points from her milestone season. We discuss her 2022 success as well, as just this summer, she collected her first top 10 singles win by defeating former world #1 Garbine Muguruza, at the Wimbledon Championships. The pair also discuss her decision to share her journey as an open & proud gay woman in pro tennis and her thoughts on WTA & ATP Tour relations. Greet has a wonderful introspective personality and this is a rare in-depth interview, we get-to-know a player that typically shies away from the limelight. I hope you'll join us in getting to know, the fantastic Greet Minnen.

You’ll find very few players that frustrate and confuse their opponents by playing with two hands on both sides, like our guest this week, Catherine Harrison. Join us as we get to know a player that's officially coming off the biggest result of her pro tennis career by qualifying and making the 2nd round of her first grand slam at Wimbledon. Catherine shares stories from her transition from college tennis to the pro tour as well as how she's been able to balance and manage life on the WTA Tour in the #250 in the world. It's a fascinating look at a player that has never been as confident as she is today. Listen and get to know, the fantastic Catherine Harrison.

As we celebrate and watch the 2022 French Open this week, we're truly excited to welcome 2004 French Open Mixed Doubles Champion from France, Tatiana Golovin to discuss her fascinating life & playing career. Tatiana was an instant fan favorite as she burst onto the scene as a 16yo Nick Bollettieri prodigy, and would ultimately be named the 2004 WTA Newcomer of the Year after a highly successful season. As she continued to skyrocket up the WTA rankings (reaching world #12), many considered her a strong contender for future grand slam titles, especially after defeating several former world #1's to win her first career title at the 2007 Amelia Island event. A freak back injury ultimately sidelined our champion, and she'd spend the next 11 long years wondering what could've been. And in a crazy turn of events, she would mount a highly publicized 2019 comeback that was not meant for grand slam glory, but for her own peace-of-mind and the dream of saying goodbye to tennis on her own terms. This is a fascinating interview with a player who seized an opportunity to do things her own way. I hope you'll join us this week in getting to know....the fantastic, Tatiana Golovin. 

It’s always been a dream of mine to gather a huge group of my favorite tennis friends and spend a week in Indian Wells paradise….and this past week, it finally came true. In this episode we cover the fantastic Indian Wells Masters event, and we look forward to the always fun & sunny Miami Open. We also check in with a friend of the pod, former WTA top 20, Daria Saville as she talks about comeback to full time tennis as well as her masterful run this past week in the desert. Daria is always full of laughs and insight. There is so much fun to be had this week as we get to know….the sunshine double.

Our guest this week had an immediate rise up the WTA rankings when she made her first tour final at just 16 years old. Now ten years later, with a decade of experience under her belt, she continues to be a force in the tennis world, most recently her surprise run to her 3rd career WTA singles title in Courmayeur, Italy to cap off an extremely difficult year. It was a season of question marks as she was unable to compete for most of 2021 with a severe knee injury that required surgery....but who doesn't love a great 2022 WTA comeback? In this interview, Donna talks about her years on tour, her favorite matches, including her defeat of Maria Sharapova in her very last tour match. We discuss what's next for her, including her new candle & fragrance line, DNNA and we hear her thoughts on how social media has impacted her career, as well as how she likes to celebrate after big matches. You won't get a more raw look at a player that at just 25 has already had a successful career, including a top 20 ranking, wins over several former world #1's and a 2019 US Open Quarterfinal appearance. She has big plans to accomplish even more as she enters the next phase of her tennis journey. I hope you'll join us in getting to know....the fantastic Donna Vekic. 

At the 2012 Australian Open, Victoria Azarenka not only captured her first grand slam title and the attention of the tennis world, but she also became a national hero and the 21st player in the open era to achieve the #1 world ranking….not bad for a girl that came from meager beginnings in Belarus. Join host, Jon Guerrica, and Vika herself, as they take a fun look back at a successful career that continues to flourish at the top of the women’s game. Always outspoken, never afraid to be vulnerable and forever a legend, Vika shares some amazing stories from her life inside the tennis world that you’ve never heard before. This is a fascinating inside look at a future Tennis Hall of Fame inductee that continues to add to her legacy today. I hope you’ll join us in getting to know the always fantastic….Victoria Azarenka.

We kick off our 2nd season of Fantastic Tennis with a blockbuster episode featuring former WTA #1, tennis legend and icon, Chris Evert. In this hour long in-depth interview, Chris takes listeners through her catalogue of years on tour and shares never before heard stories from her legendary career. From her favorite moments with longtime rival Martina Navratilova, to her thoughts on her own career, even Chris Evert aficionados will be highly entertained with this fun look back at a player that helped transform not only women's tennis, but the sporting world. We even have a VERY special appearance by another WTA legend that stops by to surprise Chris and ask a few fun questions of her own. Join host Jon Guerrica as we get to know the fantastic….Chris Evert.

Our guest this week has a list of accomplishments so long, that we had to have a super-sized episode just to get through her amazing career highlights. With 11 grand slam titles, a combined 83 WTA titles and an Olympic bronze medal, Lisa Raymond is one of the most accomplished players from the past few decades....and as a nominee to the class of 2022 for the Tennis Hall of Fame, it's no wonder why she'll go down as one of the greatest doubles players in WTA history. Listen as Lisa shares amazing stories, like her experience from winning her first grand slam doubles title with Rennae Stubbs, as well as the significance to winning her last grand slam title at age 38 at the 2011 US Open. You'll also hear as Lisa shares her memories from a stellar singles career that took her all the way to the top #15 in the world and included wins over former #1's Martina Hingis, Venus Williams and Monica Seles. With a career that saw her win at least one doubles title from 1993 to 2012, (a historic span of 20 years), you'll find out what it takes to have the consistency and dedication of a true champion. We hope you'll join in getting to know, the fantastic....Lisa Raymond. 

If the 2021 season was a fairytale story, you’d certainly have Emma Raducanu as its young talented fair maiden ruling the land of barely 50% vaccinated tennis players, while legendary godparents Serena & Roger rest and waive majestically from atop their thrones. Our episode this week highlights each and every major topic from this jam-packed 2021 tennis year. It began with a mouse-filled quarantine in Melbourne, and each month, we’d continue to get interesting storyline after storyline: an unprecedented French Open, a return to the grass at Wimbledon, the crowning of a new star in New York, the quest for a calendar slam, the absence of two of the most bankable stars of the game, and the most baffling disappearance of a former #1 that’s now made major headlines around the world. Join host, Jon Guerrica as he’s joined by Myles David from the “Missing the Point with Myles David” podcast as well as two of the sports biggest fans, as we all get to know….the 2021 tennis season.

While the tennis world shifted its attention toward Novak Djokovic and his quest for the calendar slam at the 2021 US Open, our guest this week not only achieved this historic feat, but she went one step further as she became the first tennis player since 1988, and the very first in the sport of wheelchair tennis to achieve the "golden slam." Dutch wheelchair great, Diede de Groot is a living legend at 24 years old and is certainly a future Hall of Fame inductee. Come join the discussion as host Jon Guerrica gets to know the woman that has achieved 24 grand slam titles, the #1 ranking and the Tokyo Paralympic gold medal. Listen as we hear Diede's early beginnings in the sport, her thoughts on its evolution. and hear how she was ultimately able to manage and defeat the stress and pressure of the 2021 season and write her name in the history books. Our guest this week, is the fantastic Diede de Groot. 

There have been few players in tennis history as consistent and humble as our guest, Amy Frazier proved to be throughout her long career. With longevity comes records, such as the distinction of having spent 18 conservative years in the top 100 (the longest ever continuous span by a female player who wasn’t able to reach the top 10 - she made it to #13) OR having made 71 grand slam appearances - including 20 straight US Open events (a record before Venus Williams made this her latest achievement). Amy’s stellar career included 8 WTA titles, 30 wins against top 10 champions including: Navratilova, Henin, Hingis and Seles as well as being the official WTA trivia answer to the question “who was the last player to ever play legend, Steffi Graf before her sudden retirement?” Join host Jon Guerrica as we spotlight a career of a player that wasn’t fully recognized for what she was able to achieve during her amazing flat groundstroke striking career. This week, we get to know….the fantastic, Amy Frazier.

Our guest this week is celebrating not only her 18th year of playing professional tennis, but also her fantastic new autobiography "Transcendance: Diary of a Tennis Addict." In a career that spans two decades, 6 career WTA titles and almost 500 tour match wins, join host Jon Guerrica as we get to know this former French #1 like never before. Listen as we take an in-depth look at the start of her career, by winning the 2007 French Open junior title, to her biggest wins...namely her 2014 upset of Serena Williams in the 3rd round of Wimbledon, all the way to what's next for this tennis juggernaut. We hear her take on the highs and lows of WTA tennis and also the methods she's used to stay at the top of the game. This interview is so jam-packed with entertaining stories, that you'll be shouting "vamos" & "allez" while you listen from home. Join us for this fun look at a player that continues to entertain tennis fans with her gutsy, fiery, and feisty brand of tennis. Our guest this week, is the fantastic.... Alizé Cornet.

As we enter the 2nd week of the 2021 US Open, I can't help but think back to some of the classic quarterfinal matches in US Open history. One particular run stands out in my memory, as it made the entire tennis world BELIEVE that a spunky teenager from Marietta, Georgia could be the new Cinderella of American tennis. On the 10 year anniversary of her surprising run to the 2011 US Open Mixed Doubles title with partner, Jack Sock, we have the fantastic Melanie Oudin join the show this week to take a fun look back at a memorable career that would ultimately be cut short by injury. You'll hear stories that you've never heard before in this honest, and at times vulnerable look at how Melanie climbed all the way to the top #30 in the world. We'll even talk recent tennis and get Melanie's take on Serena Williams, Ash Barty & Naomi Osaka and find out what her biggest regret from her time on tour was. We start from the beginning and leave no stone unturned. We hope you'll join us in getting to know, Melanie Oudin. 

As we gear up for what will surely be an amazing US Open, I think back to all the legendary matches that New York has given us over the decades,  and one of the first that springs to mind is the 2005 James Blake vs Andre Agassi fifth set quarterfinal night match rumble. This week, we happily honor that match, but more importantly, the man behind the thunderous forehand and charming smile....the fantastic James Blake. Join host Jon Guerrica, James's brother, Chris Walker as well as James Riley Blake himself as they reminisce and dissect a career that saw him climb to #4 in the world, win 10 ATP singles titles and defeat legends like: Nadal, Federer & Agassi. We'll hear firsthand the importance of family and how a freak accident on a practice court in Rome changed James's life forever. Our 90-minute biography covers it all, from his years playing for Harvard, to his first experience with celebrity, to his thoughts on the Williams sisters and even a tutorial on how to beat Rafa Nadal. We'll also go through an astonishing resume of accomplishments you'll have to hear to believe, so if you need a bright spot to your day, we hope you join the conversation because you won't get much sunnier than the awe-inspiring, James Blake. 

For our 30th episode, we take a deep dive into a player's career that made the tennis world swoon for not only his dashing good looks, but also his fascinating two-hands off both sides approach to the game. In a career that saw him climb to #14 in the world, Jan-Michael Gambill was labeled as the new IT-factor in American men's tennis during the early 2000's. In this retrospective, we listen as Jan-Michael takes us through his stellar resume of ATP titles and wins over legends like, Agassi, Sampras, Courier and Federer. We'll also hear how he interestingly dealt with pressure, and what his thoughts were to being named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People.". This is a complete biography of a great champion that still stays active with coaching and with his stellar work on the Tennis Channel today. We hope you join the conversation and get to know....the fantastic, Jan-Michael Gambill. 

With career victories over Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova, Simona Halep and Serena Williams, our special guest this week is easily the pride and joy of Charleston, South Carolina tennis. Episode 29 takes an in-depth look at the fascinating career of American WTA world #40, Shelby Rogers. Join host, Jon Guerrica as well as one of Shelby's biggest fans as they review her stellar tennis resume, which includes: two grand slam quarterfinals, 16 wins against top 20 opponents and an exciting recent career-high ranking milestone. We also get to know Shelby off the court as we take a look into a tough 2018 season that saw Shelby contemplating the future of her tennis career as she rehabbed from a high risk knee surgery. The positivity from Shelby will absolutely brighten your mood after this listen. We hope you join the conversation, and get to know....the fantastic, Shelby Rogers. 

Our guest this week was told time and time again, that her small stature would never allow her to be a success on the WTA Tour.....and wow did she have the last laugh. The amazing, Dominika Cibulkova joins host, Jon Guerrica as well as one of Domi's biggest fans from throughout her career, as they discuss how she was able to defy the odds and climb all the way to #4 in the world. We talk Australian Open, WTA Championships, French Open, retirement, and of course, how to take a great elevator selfie. Dominika explains how she was able to thrive off of pressure throughout her career, and we dig deep and discuss some of her greatest victories that made this new mom such a fan favorite. POME! Come join this fun chat as we get to know, the fantastic....Dominika Cibulkova.

We start the second half of our season with an absolute legend of the sport, Lindsay Davenport. Writer, Radio & TV Commentator, LZ Granderson joins host, Jon Guerrica for this very special two-part walk down memory lane with our tennis icon. In our first hour, we'll get to hear stories that only Lindsay Davenport could share. From tales of Anna Kournikova hitting President Bush with an errant serve, or how Lindsay almost had a starring role on "CSI." You won't want to miss this amazing and hilarious first hour. We'll also take a closer look at her thoughts on current stars, Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic, as well as find out which current player most reminds her of herself. In our second, special bonus episode, we'll explore Lindsay's career from a fan perspective. We'll hear Olympic stories, why she never played Steffi Graf & John McEnroe in mixed doubles at Wimbledon, and we'll even hear how Lindsay celebrated on the day she became #1 player in the world. With 3x grand slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal and 55 career WTA titles, you won't want to miss a moment from the fantastic.....Lindsay Davenport.

It would be hard to imagine a world of professional women's tennis without the legendary, Pam Shriver. Beginning with her surprising run to the 1978 US Open finals, all the way to today, where we watch her from our living rooms, Pam has been a major part of the evolution of today's game. In this fascinating and fun interview with a 2002 Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, we'll take you to very start of her career and work our way forward. As one of the most opinionated players in recent memory, you'll find this career retrospective has no shortage of amazing stories and insight from her nearly 20 year playing career. Join host, Jon Guerrica as well as one of Pam's biggest fans, WTA Tournament Director, Joe Ceriello as we learn how Pam and fellow legend, Martina Navratilova quickly became one of the best doubles teams to ever play the game, as well as how a 1988 trip to Seoul, South Korea changed her life forever. We'll highlight her 22 grand slams, 21 WTA singles titles, becoming the #1 doubles player in the world, and hear what she hopes her legacy will be for the sport she's dedicated her life to. We know you'll have an absolute amazing time getting to know.... the fantastic, Pam Shriver.