Post-Aussie Open blues? We’ve got you covered. The guys break down the indoor season in the US and Europe, covering why some players skip the brutal Rotterdam field and how the new ATP 500 in Dallas is making waves. Meanwhile, John looks back on his brutal decision to ditch Memphis for the Rio Golden Swing with Jack—cramps, regrets, and a missed Super Bowl included.
Then, it’s time for the Davis Cup snake draft—who builds the ultimate US squad? And, of course, we settle the age-old debate: Who’s the hottest guy on tour? Tommy Paul? Berrettini (but only in pants)? We’re making it official with an 8-man knockout draw to let the people decide!
Also, Steve and Sam finally face off in the most anticipated pickleball showdown of the year. Spoiler: One of them nearly dies. Oh, and speaking of near-death experiences—turns out Sam is not the guy you want dog-sitting. Just ask John’s (miraculously still alive) pup.
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00:00 Welcome to Nothing Major!
01:33 Hard pass on European indoor tournaments
02:44 Carlitos’ strategy for Rotterdam
05:22 Steve’s guide to picking the right tournaments
07:12 John’s Golden Swing horror story
11:25 Home Sweet Home: Playing in the U.S.
15:55 How Sam almost killed John’s dog
18:47 Ranking the hottest guys on Tour
21:41 Davis Cup’s unexpected MMA moments
25:14 Tension, trash talk, and (almost) punches
29:51 US Davis Cup Snake Draft showdown
34:08 The Ultimate Pickleball Challenge—Final results
41:38 Wrapping up with Nothing Major Trivia!
41 Comments
Wow. Thanks again for another great pod. Seriously. This is such a refreshing alternative to the sound bite, cliched, vapid crap available on TC. The insights from behind the scenes are both INCREDIBLY educational and helpful for me and my sons coming up. The way the whole tennis machine works is a mystery that it shouldn’t be if we want to grow the sport beyond its heyday and you guys are at the forefront of pulling back the curtain in a healthy, positive manner,
There’s ZERO question that Andrea Pellegrino is the hottest player on tour. He plays mostly challengers, but he blows the rest of the players out of the water in the looks department
As a gay man, going only by looks, Ben Shelton is super hot, way hotter than Tommy Paul. Holger Rune is hot (probably the hottest currently) , Borna Coric is hot. Berrittini, Dimitrov, Ruud are very very handsome but not necessarily hot.
Jack’s partner Vasek Pospisil is easily one of the most good looking and hot guy, that guy has both looks and hotness.
You are all straight confusing good looks or handsomeness with hotness. Just as not all beautiful women are necessarily hot, not all handsome men are necessarily hot.
Ben Shelton is hot af again going purely by looks. Steve is super cute.
Why are you all depriving us from doubles Pickleball with all four of y’all? How has this not happened yet!?!
Great talk as usually. Keep going! Please, try to invite Marat Safin to your Pod. He might jump in. It would be interesting chat.
Gill gross ( non tennis player ) guest on show. He has a tennis channel on YouTube
Trivia question for you guys!
(Ps love the pod)
Since 2005 can you name the 11 players who have made only one appearance in a final? (Mens singles slam) barring there are obviously some players whos careers are not over!
Love a shoutout to my tennis buds who are also bug fans.
Dave Beau Eric.
Question for you guys.
If you could create a frankestein player, with the best shot from each if you, like Jacks FH and movement, Steves BH slice, Jonhs Serve, Sams pro pickelball dink hand for dropshots etc….what would that player look like, and would it have a Slam to its name in the Big3 era?
I absolutely love this format. You guys really know how to tell a story. I'ts magic listening to you speak of your undividual tennis experiences. Not only is this fun but I've learned so much more about tennis just listening to your conversations. There is nothing better than hearing what actual tennis players speak about things we had no idea of the realities. A big applause to you all.
Both of these tournaments have already ended…
Sam outa nowhere, hottest guy on tour
This podcast is so awesome. I listen to it while I work and the stories are sooo good. I wonder what would happen if Sam joined Ons team as a hitting partner and played mixed doubles with her! Is that a thing in mixed doubles?
Hey Casper Rudd for hot man field ….. how could you leave him out !!!!!
May I loop in some names of non-major winners that I would love for you to talk to?
Philip Kohlschreiber
Alexandr Dolgopolov
Marcos Baghdatis
Robin Söderling
Igor Andreev
For the tennis pros out there, come on the program! C’mon! 😂
Tommy for the win! ❤
Ask Trevor Noah to come on the pod as a non-tennis player… he was part of the world record match with the biggest live attended audience alongside Federer Nadal and Bill Gates
Thought Stevie would mention Nick Kyrgios as his on-court run-in. I remembered that US Open clip lmao. I love both players and don't blame Stevie for being tired of the "circus."
Jiri Prochazka
Awesome stuff as always gentlemen. One thought I had about Carlitos' decision to play rotterdam, think he is trying to really build up some confidence on hard courts, specifically indoor, to really try and match sinner on that surface. Disagree with big John, Carlos is clearly better on clay compared to indoor hard. Still brilliant player all around though.
Would love to see Nalbandian on the pod, think that would be an interesting conversation. Cheers!
I don't know if Sam has spoken about it on the pod yet but I'd like Sam to share his experience of losing to James Ward in Davis Cup.
Did he feel like he let Jim Courier down, as Jim had a face like thunder during and post that much?
Strange that this podcast was released yesterday yet it was recorded over a week ago.
Get Brian Shelton on. Amy Lundy is a fun sports journo. Blair Henley. Steve Kerr. Jason Isaac.
Steve, that paddle is hot. I would try a middle of the road paddle like the Gearbox Control Integra. That is my 2 cents as a tennis player who plays pickleball.
Please try to get Michael Kosta on. He's hilarious and a former tennis player (he would say himself😁).
Or Mads Mikkelsen, who loves tennis as well.
Last 3 could be Pete Hegseth, Bill Maher and Kristi Noem.
Dimitrov has to be no. 1 for 🔥-ness. Tall, stunning smile, best 6 pack on tour, most beautiful game on tour & winner of Sportsmanship Award (very 🔥). You guys are not good judges of other guys' 🔥ness!
Invite Rodrick and Wertheim! 😉
Medvedev please!!!! on this podcast!
best podcast ever! haha
Fun to hear about your experiences @ some of these different tournaments… In your opinion, what is the most underrated tournament throughout the season?
Tommy Paul and Grigor Dimitrov are the hottest guys on tour.
❤
Love you guys!
I anticipate each new episode. Love the banter😄🙏
Lmao! Did my boy Berrettini so dirty with this take
This podcast is making my fridays. Abslolutely love it. Cheers from Portugal.
Sam just jumping in with Tommy being the hottest guy on tour and then just rattling off some names and the other lads jumping in going on about the hot guys on tour 😂
Absolute brilliance
Love you guys
Regarding hottest player: I work in the fashion industry, and can tell you that Zverev has a total fashion/model face. He has super symmetrical features, blue almond shaped eyes, high cheekbones and generally sublime bone structure. He also has a great body: broad shoulders, narrow waist and long limbs.
Matteo has that rugged Latino-ish handsome look and is super attractive.
Jack Draper is overrated imo. Looks like a nice British football fan down the pub when he is not dolled up and photoshopped for a magazine.
Tommy Paul looks all american frat boy-ish, if that is your thing: go for it.
Uh grigor??!??!
One of the best episodes, awesome as always. I miss so much John and Jack on the tour, always were two of my favourite players, sad i couldnt see them live as they never came to Portugal. Also wanted to watch his matches on the golden swing but cant find the highlights
Get Shapo on the pod
Love the pod! What's you guys' reaction to the US Open's decision to hold the mixed doubles event separately over two days before the main draw singles and doubles events, and in a shortened format in 2025?