Monday Match Analysis

Gill Gross is joined by hall-of-famer and tennis.com writer Steve Flink to discuss the 2021 Australian Open. Topics include Novak Djokovic's impressively dominant win over Daniil Medvedev in the final, his improved serving and his tribulations fighting through an abdominal injury en route to his 9th Aussie crown. Plus, what Daniil Medvedev needs to do to take the next step in majors, takeaways from Stefanos Tsitsipas's win over Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinal, Aslan Karatsev's long-term prospects, the abundance of AO injuries and the turbulent lead-up to the tournament. Finally, they discuss the incoming return of 20-time major champion Roger Federer. Flink's latest book is Pete Sampras: Greatness Revisited. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in Sunday's Australian Open final. The 2021 AO title is Djokovic's 18th major and 9th Aussie crown. Gill Gross breaks down the reasons a highly anticipated clash turned into a tennis tutorial from the world number one. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Novak Djokovic is one match away from major #18 and Australian Open #9, but he'll have to go through Daniil Medvedev, on a 21-match win streak, after his straight set win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinal. Gill Gross breaks down the keys to the 2021 AO final and offers a prediction. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4:42 Novak Djokovic vs. Alexander Zverev 14:33 Grigor Dimitrov vs. Aslan Karatsev 22:24 DB4 Stat of the Week 25:17 Daniil Medvedev vs. Andrey Rublev 32:48 Rafael Nadal vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas. Despite an astronomical number of abdominal injuries, eight men remain at the 2021 Australian Open. Top-seed Novak Djokovic will have to go through Alexander Zverev, for a chance at his 9th title in Melbourne. In a surprise QF, Grigor Dimitrov will face 27-year old Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev. Two more Russians, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev will square off for the first time since their US Open quarterfinal. Finally, Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas will do battle for the second time in Australia. Gill also gives his thoughts on round of 16 exits: Dominic Thiem, Fabio Fognini, Milos Raonic and Felix Auger Aliassime. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Australian Nick Kyrgios faced Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open, in front of a wild crowd inside John Cain Arena in Melbourne. Find out how the end of the 4th set was a turning point in the match, and what awaits Dominic Thiem in round three. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We've waited longer than usual (in more ways than one), but the Australian Open preview is here. Gill Gross breaks down the draw quarter-by-quarter: quarterfinal predictions, dark horses, upset alerts and popcorn matchups. Top-seeded Novak Djokovic seeks his 9th Australian Open title, in a quarter with Alexander Zverev, occasional kryptonite Stan Wawrinka, and big-serving Milos Raonic. Dominic Thiem looks to back up last year's run at the final with another strong showing, as Pablo Carreno Busta and Diego Schwartzman loom in his quarter. Russians Daniil Medvedev (4) and Andrey Rublev (7) come off an ATP Cup victory, and are now paired in the same quarter in the bottom half of the draw. Finally, Rafael Nadal seeks major #21, hoping his back holds up against the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini in his quarter. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The inaugural ATP Cup gave us some of the best matches and moments of 2020. Now we run it back, as tour-level tennis resumes with a 12-team field in Melbourne. Gill creates a special formula to power rank the teams and project the tournament. The stat of the week powered by DB4 Tennis explores the Big 3's quest for the double grand slam. Finally, notes from a documentary on Andrey Rublev (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNcEsVbhIx8&t=1222s), Rafael Nadal's interview with CNN (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBuqsuy4Qdc) and Blair Henley's interview with Stefanos Tsitsipas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TAp-3bLltY&t=1s). SPOILER ALERT: scroll down to see the ATP Cup singles rosters, complete with my grades. (ranking, ranking) {tier+tier= team grade} Group A Djokovic-Lajovic (1,20) {1,5- 6} Zverev-Struff (7,16) {2,4- 6} Shapovalov-Raonic (10,11) {3,3- 6} Group B Nadal-RBA (4,8) {1,2- 3} Tsitsipas-Pervolorakis (6,24) {2,6- 8} De Minaur-Milman (12,19) {3,5- 8} Group C Thiem-Novak (3,23) {1,6- 7} Bettertini-Fognini (13,15) {4,4- 8} Monfils-Paire (14,21) {4,5- 9} Group D Medvedev-Rublev (2,5) {1,2- 3} Schwartzman-Pella (9,17) {3,5- 8} Nishikori-Nishioka (18,22) {5,5- 10} Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gill answers your tennis comments, including: did Novak Djokovic get unfairly targeted after sending suggestions to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, will players be unable to reach a high level of play during Australian Open 2021, who are Djokovic's biggest threats, does the quarantine favor older or younger players, what's the prettiest one-handed backhand of all time, why Medvedev is next up on grass, should Roger Federer play the clay court season, would 2008 French Open Rafael Nadal win or lose to the 2020 French Open version, which slam final result would I change, how can future events learn from Australia, 2021 prediction for Ugo Humbert, how can the ATP Cup be fixed and is there a place for Davis Cup, what is the point of the ATP player council if any, what is Sebi Korda's ceiling and much much more. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Controversy has struck the Australian Open, as well over 50 players are affected by positive tests on their charter flights to Australia, resulting in mandated 14-day quarantines in their hotel rooms. Warring perspectives have emerged; some taking the side of disgruntled players and others defending Tennis Australia and the Victorian government, while chiding players for their attitudes. I argue for both sides. The debacle has also exposed the communication issues that exist in tennis. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Serena Williams, Naoimi Osaka and Simona Halep are quarantining in Adelaide (South Australia), clearly benefitting from favorable conditions. In the DB4 Tennis Stat of the Week, a fascinating WTA trend has emerged at Slams over the last five years. Finally, I react to Hubert Hurkacz's triumph at Delray Beach, and Australian Open qualifiers, including Carlos Alcaraz and Bernard Tomic. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's time to predict the ATP Top 10 for 2021. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer look to continue to fend off the fast-improving younger generation. The aforementioned crop of players--- Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev--- seek a breakthrough. Dominic Thiem has already ascended into the elite tier, but perhaps he can go higher. All the projections are here, in my top 10 prediction. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support IG: https://www.instagram.com/gillgross_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gill.gross24/7 Tennis Community on Tribe: https://tribechat.com/gillTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/Gill_GrossThe Draw newsletter, your one-stop-shop for the best tennis content on the internet every week: https://www.thedraw.tennis/subscribeBecome a member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvERpLl9dXH09fuNdbyiLQQ/joinEvans Brothers Coffee Roasters, the Official Coffee Of Monday Match Analysis... use code GILLGROSS25 for 25% off your first order: https://evansbrotherscoffee.com/collections/coffeeAUDIO PODCAST FEEDSSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c3VXnLDVVgLfZuGk3yxIF?si=AQy9oRlZTACoGr5XS3s_ygItunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/monday-match-analysis/id1432259450?mt=2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.