1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Before we begin, a reminder to please rate and review 2 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:06,480 Speaker 1: our show. It helps new listeners discover us and grow 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: the program. On this episode of Sports Illustrated Weekly, one 4 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: of the biggest events in tennis is upon us, but 5 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: it will look significantly different this year due to international events. 6 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:23,079 Speaker 1: A s I senior writer John Worthheim joins us to 7 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: discuss this year's Wimbledon, the reaction to Russian athletes being 8 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: banned from the event, Serena Williams playing much more. I'm 9 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: your host, John Gonzalez from Sports Illustrated and I Heart Radio. 10 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 1: This is Sports Illustrated Weekly. John Wortheim, Welcome back to 11 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 1: Sports Illustrator Weekly. Wimbledon is upon us. We had to 12 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:50,720 Speaker 1: bring you on your our tennis expert. Let's start with 13 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:53,160 Speaker 1: who's in. We learned that Venus Williams will not be there, 14 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: but Serena Williams will play. Serena, Dude, tell us how 15 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: it feels to be back at Wimbledon. It feels good 16 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:06,320 Speaker 1: to be back at Wimbledon, A little surreal sitting here again. 17 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: It's like, didn't I just do this? But it's nice 18 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: to be here. What would you consider as a success 19 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 1: for your personally here and Wimblton. You know the answer 20 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 1: to that. Come on, now, you guys know the answer 21 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 1: to that. So I have high goals, but also I 22 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 1: don't know. We'll see she's a goat. She's almost forty 23 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: one years old. She hasn't played since Wimbledon last year 24 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:46,119 Speaker 1: when she indentured herself in her first match. But it's it, yeah, 25 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: I think I wrote, you know, so it's like the 26 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: first upset of the tournament and we haven't hit a 27 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: ball yet. Is Serena Williams deciding to give this a go? 28 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 1: We'll see what happens here. I mean, I think the 29 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 1: various outcomes are are vast, but it's a win for 30 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: a tournament that she's this year, especially that she's in 31 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: the draw. It's surprised a lot of people. It surprised me. 32 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 1: Did you think she played? We sort of are working 33 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:09,919 Speaker 1: on the assumption that's all about the major. So if 34 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 1: she is going to play, it's gonna be one of 35 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 1: four events. She's not hanging around at age forty, so 36 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 1: she can play in the you know, the Duluth Open, 37 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: Wimlan is the major that she has the best chance 38 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: of winning. But there hadn't been a whole lot of 39 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: indication that she was gearing up for this. You see 40 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:28,239 Speaker 1: her on social media, we see her at award shows, 41 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 1: we see her at Gallas. We we don't see a 42 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 1: lot of her even practicing on the tennis court. So, um, 43 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 1: I would say mild surprise, but I also would say 44 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:38,520 Speaker 1: this is very on brand for an athlete who from 45 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 1: the beginning has done things her way. We had this 46 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: great matt at the French Open final Ego Sfontec, who 47 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: you know hasn't lost since like nineteen seventy four. Um, 48 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 1: it really it's it's February, but it's it's it's a 49 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 1: long winning streak against Coco Goth and Ego Sheeant is 50 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: a French Open champion again over Coco gom in her 51 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 1: first Grand Slam final. The first of all, I wanted 52 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 1: to congressionate you because you're doing amazing job. I can 53 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 1: see that every month. You know you're progressing at the 54 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 1: time basically, and when I was your age, I hit 55 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: my first year and I had no idea what I'm doing. 56 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 1: So their combined age is less than Serena Williams. Wow, 57 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: that's depressing. Is a woman who's almost forty one. Is 58 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:29,079 Speaker 1: she going to win her twenty four major at Wimbledon, 59 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: not having played for a year statistically unlikely that again, 60 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 1: bone Yards are filled with people who have underestimated Serena Williaves. 61 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: She's ranked twelve hundred and six, so she will not 62 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 1: be a seated player at this year's event. I don't 63 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 1: think she's gonna win, but I think this could be 64 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 1: a very nice capstone to a peerless career. The very 65 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: first time we had you on this program, we talked 66 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 1: about Tom Brady playing well at an advanced age. I 67 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: feel like this is a comedy theme for you. Yeah, 68 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 1: it's a theme for you and I to discuss. So 69 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: in that same vein, I'm rude for Serena unranked forty 70 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: one would make a fantastic story. She's playing now and 71 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: it's always fun to watch her play. Somebody who's also 72 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 1: fun to watch play who will not be there on 73 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: the women's side, Naomi Osaka or Achilles still isn't right. 74 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: This is a big blow for the tournament. During the 75 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:16,160 Speaker 1: French Open when it was in now you know, Wimbledon 76 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: wasn't going to have ranking points. The tours were sort 77 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 1: of having their battle over the Russian band of Naomi Asaka. 78 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: It was unclear if this was sort of off the 79 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 1: cuff or if this was strategic, but she sort of said, look, 80 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:28,479 Speaker 1: wimbled is going to feel like an exhibition. I don't 81 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 1: know if I'm going to play. It's kind of like 82 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: I don't want to say pointless, no pun intended, but 83 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 1: like like I I'm the type of player that gets 84 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: motivated by like seeing my ranking go up or like 85 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,919 Speaker 1: you know, stuff like that. So I think the intention 86 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 1: is really good, but the execution is kind of all 87 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: over the place. Naomi Asaka has never had great success 88 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:57,800 Speaker 1: at Wimbledon. She's won the US Open twice, she's won 89 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: the Australian Open twice, and she hasn't been to the 90 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: latter rounds of the other two majors, so there wasn't 91 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 1: much of a track record. But she is this global star, 92 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:09,480 Speaker 1: and again this year, more than any other, Wimbledon can 93 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 1: use all the stars that it can. I would say, 94 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:15,599 Speaker 1: Serena playing is a bigger upset than Naomi Osaka not playing. 95 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 1: I'm glad that you mentioned that Osaka called it an 96 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:20,040 Speaker 1: exhibition because of all the players who won't be there, 97 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:21,799 Speaker 1: which is a turn. By the way that Andy Murray 98 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 1: took umbradge with and it's not just because of the 99 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: regular medical withdraws. A lot of sports and governing bodies 100 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:31,839 Speaker 1: have banned Russian athletes from competing following the invasion of Ukraine. 101 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: Wimbledon has done the same thing. Here John tell us 102 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 1: about Wimbledon's decision regarding Russian and Belarussian athletes and the 103 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: thinking behind it. What's become clear since this announcement in 104 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: April was that this was really done at the behest 105 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 1: of the British government Boris Johnson administration. This is an 106 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 1: administration that's that's taken. It's its licks for you know, 107 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: a lot of hits for a lot of things London 108 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:55,719 Speaker 1: grad Yeah, exactly, it's um it's been a rough few months, 109 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: especially on this that there's been this perception that London 110 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:00,840 Speaker 1: has been a safe harbor for Russia olig arts and 111 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:04,239 Speaker 1: that sort of the UK needed to have a tougher stance. 112 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 1: We saw at the Australian Open in January what happens 113 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 1: when a tennis event is it odds with the government 114 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 1: and the absolute fiasco that can come out of that. 115 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 1: So I think with that as a backdrop, Wimbledon did 116 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,719 Speaker 1: not push back when the British government said, listen, we'd 117 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 1: really rather not have Russians and Belarussians here. We don't 118 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:23,920 Speaker 1: want to be used as propaganda. We can't even guarantee 119 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: that they'll be allowed entry into the country, and Wimbledon 120 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:30,599 Speaker 1: either adopted the stance, rolled over, played nice with the 121 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:32,679 Speaker 1: government however you want to frame it. But the upshot 122 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: is that Russian players and Belarussian players are not allowed 123 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: at Wimbledon this year. And I think you know we've 124 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:39,719 Speaker 1: seen this right and in figure skating and World Cup 125 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:43,920 Speaker 1: and in Eurovision for that matter, but they haven't been individual, 126 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 1: independent contractors. This is not a Russian delegation. It's a 127 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 1: player that happens to have been born in Russian. So 128 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: to band these Russian players has really been a pretty 129 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:54,599 Speaker 1: bold movement. Has not gone over well with the players, 130 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 1: but it's not gone over so not well that they 131 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 1: have boycotted. He'll notice in every just about every eligible 132 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 1: player has sort of said I don't like this, but 133 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 1: it doesn't quite hit the threshold of my not actually 134 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: wanting to play your event and cash your generous checks. 135 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: And I think we will to knew this when they 136 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:13,559 Speaker 1: enacted this band look the players are gonna be upset, 137 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: We're gonna get a little blowback, but it's not like 138 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: they're not gonna come. And that's basically exactly what what's 139 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 1: happened as a result of this John They're missing the 140 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: world number one on the men's side at Vitev, and 141 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 1: then the number eight rube Lev, and then on the 142 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: women's side number six Sablanca. Does a saka have a point? 143 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: Is it closer to an exhibition? It's still Weimbledon. It's 144 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 1: still this towering event that pays a lot of prize money. 145 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:45,000 Speaker 1: There's still gonna be a trophy, and there's no asterisk. 146 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: In a few years from now, we're just gonna remember 147 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 1: who won. But by freezing ranking points, the defending champion 148 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 1: is no vay Djokovic. He's the number one player in 149 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 1: the world, or he was the number one player in 150 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: the world. With those ranking points coming off, a Russian 151 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 1: player was elevated to number one. Talking about unintended consequences, 152 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: when Russian sports fans tune into Wimbledon and hey, there's 153 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 1: no Russian players in the draw, how is that being 154 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 1: mediated within Russia? Is there any sort of backlash against 155 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 1: Putin and his regime, this invasion that started in February, 156 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: because here we are months later and we don't have 157 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: a resolution there. But our athletes are being banned from 158 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 1: prestigious events or is this persecution complex that Putin is 159 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:30,360 Speaker 1: very good at. Hey, look this just goes to show 160 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,479 Speaker 1: the West houses bias against us. Look how they discriminate 161 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: against our sportsmen and sports women. Tom's I'm set. We're 162 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 1: sitting here talking about the geopolitical angle and who isn't there, 163 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 1: but it's sort of obscures some really fun stories and 164 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: you mentioned one of them earlier egos Via Tech from Poland, 165 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 1: who's writing a thirty five match wind streak including the 166 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 1: French Open. John, how well is she playing right now? 167 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:05,320 Speaker 1: And why are we not talking more about hers? Beyonte 168 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 1: takes the title into Hall with the most exquisite performance. 169 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:17,719 Speaker 1: When she plays like this, she is unstoppable. There's no 170 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,079 Speaker 1: reason that she is not this a list celebrity. I 171 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 1: mean she she just won the freend Joe Bin. She 172 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: hasn't lost. In February. She became number one when as 173 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 1: Party retired abruptly, and there was just thinking, well, you know, 174 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 1: she's she's next in line. And this was gerald Ford 175 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:34,320 Speaker 1: becoming president. It was sort of by default, and she's 176 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 1: absolutely owned that she has not lost a match. It's 177 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:41,960 Speaker 1: becoming number one sensational. She on Tech continues her incredible 178 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:46,439 Speaker 1: run doing stood Garden Room and grund garrols that I 179 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 1: realized that maybe I am in the right place right now. 180 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 1: For sure. The next cho is to stay here. She's 181 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:56,680 Speaker 1: been too good, too often. It's almost too much to comprehend. 182 00:09:57,679 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 1: But it's another Sunday triump put a sensational incustry on ten. 183 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: Hopefully it's gonna be a good show. I'll tell you 184 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: a quick story. She played the French Open with a 185 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 1: Ukrainian flag on her ball cap and I had to 186 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: do one of these post match interviews and she walks 187 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 1: off the court while they're setting up. I said, you 188 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: are Are you cool if I ask you about the 189 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: pin on your hat the Ukrainian flag? Said? She said, 190 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 1: absolutely so she she walks off the court. She's won 191 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: a tennis match, and twenty seconds later she's talking about 192 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: politics and sovereign nations and being from Poland, she's particularly 193 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:37,200 Speaker 1: impacted and refugees. I want to do, you know, everything 194 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 1: to support Ukrainians because also Polanda's a country we're really 195 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 1: supportive and we're welcoming them. So I tried to read 196 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 1: a lot and I tried to be aware of what's 197 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: going on. She's wonderful, and not just as a tennis player. 198 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: If she were to win the Wimbledon and back this up, 199 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:55,160 Speaker 1: and she's a former junior champion, she's ranked number one, 200 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,760 Speaker 1: she's a favorite. I mean, you know, odds are pretty good. 201 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:00,240 Speaker 1: If she was the French Open in Wimbledon, I think 202 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:02,959 Speaker 1: we will be forced to reckon with IgA and um. 203 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:04,839 Speaker 1: I think that's a real treat for everyone because we 204 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:10,719 Speaker 1: should be talking about her more somebody else that I'm 205 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: interested in talking to you about. John Rafael Nadal says 206 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 1: he wants to play. Won the French Open. It was 207 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 1: his twenty second Grand Slam. He's also traveling with his doctor, 208 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 1: who gave him daily injections to manage the paint. What 209 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 1: do you make of this whole situation? How's he doing 210 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 1: to expect that he'll play? How well he will he play? 211 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: What's the deal? He called a press conference on Friday, 212 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 1: and everyone was trying to speculate what this was about, 213 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:36,319 Speaker 1: and it was either, hey, there's a new energy drink 214 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 1: that sponsors me, or you know, my wife is pregnant, 215 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 1: which does seem to have been the cave, or you know, 216 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 1: I'm I'm thirty six years old. It's been a great career, 217 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: the pains too great. People would say, Okay, that's about right. 218 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:50,280 Speaker 1: And if people said, you know what, you've won the 219 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: first two legs of the Grand Slam, You've already won Wimbledon. 220 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 1: You know you've won wimbled In multiple times in the past, 221 00:11:56,840 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 1: you could win wimbled It again. That that seems reasonable too. 222 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 1: So enjoying to play on grass after such a long 223 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:06,840 Speaker 1: time always a challenge, the transition, but the main thing 224 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 1: for me to keep enjoying my work, my day by 225 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 1: day play intense. We used to say about Federer, he 226 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 1: was sort of the belt and hold up the pants 227 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: of tennis, and the Dolls kind of taken that over. 228 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,280 Speaker 1: And for him it's partially about the tennis, but I 229 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 1: think he also understands he's kind of playing this seldier 230 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 1: statesman role late in his career and is really kind 231 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 1: of founded to his liking. So by bottom line, he'll 232 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:28,599 Speaker 1: play Wilblton, who knows. I mean, his foot seems to 233 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:34,079 Speaker 1: be disintegrating. I mean, this is really a chronic degenerative syndrome. 234 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,400 Speaker 1: That's awfully concerning. He's kind of gone into dirt no 235 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:41,280 Speaker 1: whitsky territory about running around with my kids one day. 236 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 1: I have been always very very open, but I mean, 237 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 1: we cand not be talking about my foot every single day, 238 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 1: because you know, we've already get the most important thing 239 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 1: that these things. He says he's gonna play, I mean 240 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 1: in theory, and I don't know if this is to 241 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:55,040 Speaker 1: be the case. I mean that the conventional wisdom is 242 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 1: Grass is going to be generous on his feet. He 243 00:12:57,440 --> 00:12:59,840 Speaker 1: sort of glide around, which isn't really the case. But 244 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: if that's what he wants to convince himself, bless him. 245 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: He could win the tournament. He could lose in the 246 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:06,959 Speaker 1: first round and say I'm in too much pain. It's 247 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,640 Speaker 1: been a great career. I retire, and neither would be 248 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 1: particularly surprising. Past is past, and sport and life goes 249 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 1: so quick. So I am not a big fan of 250 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:26,719 Speaker 1: keep living on the things that you achieved, because the 251 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: sport don't give you that that that time too to 252 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,439 Speaker 1: keep thinking on the things that happened. But is something 253 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:37,360 Speaker 1: that already happened is something that going to be in 254 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 1: my museum for for the rest of my life. So 255 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: that's something that makes me feel out of it, of course, 256 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 1: But now he is a moment to keep going. Well 257 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: we ever see Roger Federer play another Wimbledon, that's a 258 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 1: great question. We talked about Serena Williams at age forty, 259 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: that is the same age as Fetterer. He too, stop 260 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 1: played since last Women. He much more direct than Serena. 261 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:04,959 Speaker 1: Adamantly wants to play. He's posting videos, He's targeted a 262 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: return date. I think he would love to play Wimbledon 263 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 1: one more time. For the first thirty five years of 264 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 1: his career, we always talked about he's so durable, he's 265 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: so graceful. He never gets hurt, he doesn't sweat, And 266 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 1: the last four or five years have really been physically challenging, 267 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: this knee injury. He just hasn't been able to get 268 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:26,960 Speaker 1: this knee right. Multiple surgeries, multiple rehab stands. I mean 269 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 1: the eligibility age for the Seniors Tour where they let 270 00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: the ball kids hit with the racket and they played 271 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: Derrick guitar and there, you know. I mean, it's the 272 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 1: eligibility age for that is thirty five. Feder is almost 273 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 1: six years into the seniors tennis one. It's a big number. 274 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 1: But I think in a perfect world he comes back 275 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: next year for one last Wimbledon, and he's been pretty 276 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: adamant that he wants to resume. He doesn't want to retire. 277 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 1: He wants to try and give this thing one more 278 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 1: go and God bless him. All right, One more for 279 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: you on the aging athletes with injuries from because that's 280 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 1: our favorite topic. UK favorite. Andy Murray playing in the 281 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 1: tournament at age thirty five with an artificial hip. I 282 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: did not know that he had an artificial hip. That 283 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 1: sounds like a serious thing. John McEnroe says he can 284 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 1: be a contender. Is John McEnroe just wishing and hoping here? 285 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,680 Speaker 1: Does Andy Murray actually have a shot? Are we sure 286 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 1: John mcnrow not speaking about John mcrow himself when he 287 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: says he can be a contender? Um, yeah, I mean 288 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 1: Andy Murray was going, you're right, he he does have 289 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 1: a metal hip. Not that Andy Murray is necessarily standing 290 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 1: in the same line as the rest of us at 291 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 1: the airport, but this this sets off metal detectors and 292 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 1: he has to explain things you know, I've got titanium 293 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: in my hip. A week ago I would have said 294 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: outside contender. He now has this abdominal injury which is um, 295 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 1: nothing to do with the hip, but just a really 296 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 1: untimely injury. I think there is a big difference between 297 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 1: best of three set matches and best of five set matches. 298 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 1: Best of three set matches, I think Andy Murray would 299 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 1: be very dangerous. The notion of him, with all he's 300 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:01,120 Speaker 1: been through and now on top of everything else it's 301 00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: abdominal injury. Winning twenty one sets of tennis in two 302 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:08,920 Speaker 1: weeks is um, that's a big ask, as we say. 303 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 1: Then again, he's one Wimbledon multiple times before, which is 304 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,400 Speaker 1: something only two other guys in the draw I have. 305 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 1: Santa Hill have a huge boost from the crowd. I mean, 306 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 1: there there was a time I am so old I 307 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 1: remember when. I mean there was a time when Andy 308 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 1: Murray was sort of this polarizing figure in the UK 309 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: and they would mock him from mumbling and too bad. 310 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 1: He's not more charismatic Andy Murray's. I mean, you know, 311 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 1: he's he's he's been knighted, he's a universally beloved now 312 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: he's very funny he's a father, he's a socially conscience 313 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: I mean, he's he's everything we want in an athlete. 314 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 1: Will be a huge crowd favorite, he'll play on center 315 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 1: court every time, but I just don't know it physically, 316 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: even with his history and even with rabid fans support. 317 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: If yeah, I think if he were to make it 318 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 1: to the second week, that would be a huge trial. 319 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 1: I think I showed that there was still good tennis 320 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:00,200 Speaker 1: left in me. I mean I beat guy in the 321 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 1: top five in the world and neck and neck with 322 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,919 Speaker 1: Barrett and was one of the best grasscore players in 323 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: the world. Yeah, I know that the tennis is in there. 324 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 1: I just need to bring it out. We already know 325 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 1: who your women's favorite is. Who's your favorite on the 326 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 1: men's side. Oh? Man, my favorite on the men's side, 327 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:23,040 Speaker 1: I I'm tempted to say Djokovic, the defending champion, you know. 328 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:27,080 Speaker 1: Of course, very pleased and happy to be back at 329 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 1: the tournament that was always my childhood dream tournament, the 330 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:31,919 Speaker 1: one that I always wanted to win. So, of course, 331 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:36,159 Speaker 1: wonderful memories from from last three editions of Wimbledon for me. 332 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 1: Hopefully I can continue that run, who very quietly has 333 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 1: sort of done to Wimbledon in the last ten years, 334 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 1: what Roger Federer did to Wimbledon two thousand three to 335 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,640 Speaker 1: two thousand twelve, which is run through the field. Nadal's 336 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:52,359 Speaker 1: obviously having won the previous two majors. He's in the mix. 337 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:54,920 Speaker 1: Matyo Barttini, who got to the finals last year, is 338 00:17:54,960 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 1: suddenly healthy. Djokovic will be the favorite, he's the number 339 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 1: one seed. Just to go off the board and have 340 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 1: a spirited, minor upset. Pick I will take our young Canadian, 341 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:11,920 Speaker 1: our neighbor to the north, Felix o j Aliassim of Canada, 342 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 1: just to make things different. Someone else we've talked about 343 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:23,840 Speaker 1: before on this podcast is Carlos Alcarez of Spain. He's 344 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:26,679 Speaker 1: the teenager, he's the flavor of the month. His career 345 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:29,679 Speaker 1: track record at Wimbledon is one and one, so we 346 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:32,719 Speaker 1: don't have a lot of data points, but he's been 347 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,640 Speaker 1: a spectacular player. There's no reason why his game can't 348 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 1: translate to grass. He was much ballyhooed at the French 349 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: Open and did himself proud. I mean he got to 350 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:43,160 Speaker 1: the second week and sort of did what people expected 351 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 1: him to do, came up a little bit short, but 352 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:48,720 Speaker 1: reached the quarterfinals and we will see if he can 353 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:53,199 Speaker 1: do better at Wimbledon. There is so much going on 354 00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:55,440 Speaker 1: at Wimbledon. We're really excited about this. You're on your 355 00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:57,439 Speaker 1: way over there. You can read him on say dot com, 356 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: watch him on sixty minutes. He's the undisputed SI weekly 357 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 1: Grand Slam champion. John Wortheim, Thank you for this. Thanks John, 358 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 1: thanks for listening. And a reminder to please rate and 359 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 1: review our show. It helps people find us. Sports Illustrated 360 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 1: Weekly is a production of Sports Illustrated and I Heart Radio. 361 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:22,240 Speaker 1: For more podcasts from I Heart Radio, visit the I 362 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:25,239 Speaker 1: Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your 363 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,160 Speaker 1: favorite shows. And for more of Sports Illustrated It's best 364 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:32,399 Speaker 1: stories and podcasts, visit SI dot com. This episode of 365 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 1: Sports Illustrated Weekly was produced by Jessica Yarmoski, Jordan Rizzieri, 366 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: and Isaac Lee, who was also our sound engineer. Our 367 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 1: senior producer is Dan Bloom. Our executive producers are Scott 368 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:46,920 Speaker 1: Brody and me John Gonzalez. Our theme song is by 369 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 1: Nolan Schneider. If you've stuck around this long, we leave 370 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 1: you with this. Our resident tennis expert, Dan Bloom has 371 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 1: forty seven bury in the Weed tennis related questions for you, 372 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,439 Speaker 1: so this shouldn't take longer than two or three hours. 373 00:20:03,359 --> 00:20:03,399 Speaker 1: M