Wimbledon Preview 2026

Episode 288: Wimbledon Preview 2026

Dan (00:00)

Welcome to episode 288 of Control the Controllables. And it's Wimbledon time, and it's the chance for me to get the gang back together as we're gonna preview Wimbledon 2026. Now we have Freddie Nielsen, the ever-present on our preview shows, the Davis Cup captain of Denmark, and also the Wimbledon men's doubles champion back in.

twenty twelve. Then we've got Kieron Vorster, the Piers Morgan of the tennis world. Not afraid to share his opinions, and they are very valid opinions. He comes from absolutely years and years at the top level of the sport as a an S&C coach, but also a a dab hand as a tennis coach as well. He's been helping Dan Evans over the years. He's now helping Henry Searle, the young British player, Max Bassing.

You know, there's lots and lots of different players that he's worked with from Wayne Ferreira to TIm Henman over the years, and he is always great value. And we had lots to talk about in this show. You know, it's the the event starts in about 24 hours time and there's there's so much that is going on from retirements to comebacks to failed drug tests or missed doping tests.

That have led to that. And we're we're going to cover all of that today, as well as giving our dark horses are not so dark horses that you've got to look out for. And then, of course, picking our champions of Wimbledon 2026. So hope you enjoyed the show. before I do get started with today's show, just so you do know, it's a promise of mine that I'm gonna try and bring 14 live shows to you.

on YouTube, which will also go out the next day as podcasts from Wimbledon. You know, we're gonna really try and do that at 9PM UK time. Please do get involved. watch, let us know how we're doing. I'm sure we'll probably start a bit rubbish and hopefully get a bit better. You know, we got a nice structure, we're gonna have lots of great guests joining. so please do get involved in that as well. But now I'm gonna pass you over to our guests on the Wimbledon Preview 2026.

dan (02:28)

So a big welcome to our Wimbledon twenty twenty six preview panelists, Kieron Vorster,  Freddie Nielsen. How are you doing?

Kieron Vorster (02:36)

I'm Greg, how's everything down in Eastbourne?

dan (02:40)

Yeah, yeah, good. Being a been a nice week. What I know it's very British to talk about the weather, but it feels like that's all anybody seems to talk about. But it's either talking about the weather or asking if so if I want a cup of tea is kind of the two things that tend to happen. But Eastbourne I think's lovely lovely in this this setting actually. Being very little wind, blue skies, so so all good. And guys I'm gonna bring you in, but first I just wanna let everyone know that

9 p.m. UK time. It's a promise I'm gonna try and keep. We're gonna do we're gonna do a live show on YouTube each evening. Control the controllables Wimbledon specials. We're gonna be bringing on a different guest every night. We're gonna be reviewing the day, we're gonna be hearing Wimbledon stories. committing to 14 and 14 days is is not not an easy task, but I promise you I will try my best. So that's my little bit of advertisement for for that.

Kieron Vorster (03:15)

for the children.

dan (03:36)

But Vozi, we got we got Wimbledon a around the corner. You've been in the thick of it. it's in your kind of home hometown, you work in Wimbledon. what's what what you're thinking, what you're feeling,

the draws come out today. Let's get some conversations rolling.

Kieron Vorster (03:52)

Yeah, I mean there's a great vibe around the village You know, obviously my my my business is right in the heart by studios in the middle of the woman village, although we're in a basement, but we've got loads of players coming in loads of Agents coming in and some ATP staff. It was nice today. We I you know, I was working with Sayaka a Japanese player. We had Dan Evans in

getting some treatment, then we had Max Basingen getting some treatment, Henry Sewell getting some treatment. So it had a good vibe, members love having the players come in, you know, and feeling that support of what we do. And then obviously players, if I'm working with players that they love to follow just to see how they're progressing and stuff. yeah, you know, obviously with this weather, I mean, this weather is just amazing. It was fantastic, you know, to sit outside, you know, having a cup of tea or...

you know, a cool drink, you know, just shooting the breeze and having a cup of tea. Well, it's a bit too hot for that, having, you know, having, you know, having good chats and talking to Dan, talking about the plan, you know, with Henry Searle moving forward, that's quite energizing. So yeah, and then, and then obviously as we spoke, the draw came out, know, and then, you know, just obviously Max plays, Max Zucchi.

dan (04:45)

Cup of tea.

Kieron Vorster (05:08)

first round could qualify against the qualifier. Machizuki obviously won Junior Wimbledon think back in 2018. Max is a bit of a novice on the grass but he earned two stripes. He played exceptionally well through qualies. He lost in pre-qualies. He lost to Paul Job. Yeah, so he lost to Paul Job twice and he only got the wild card because Jay Clark and

dan (05:20)

And he lost in pre qualities, is that right? And then just so something became open.

Kieron Vorster (05:32)

pass got in so he got a wild card so he's actually lost in Wimbledon and he's now in the main draw. Yeah it's a cool story and well deserved. He's had 10 weeks off with a hamstring tendon injury which he did in China so well rewarded for the boy, worked really hard,

dan (05:37)

That's a cool that's a cool story. Cool story, yeah.

Kieron Vorster (05:55)

him so the whole thing just worked out great for him you know and obviously Henry had a tough two matches lost six and six second round but his opponent went on to qualify so you know on the whole yeah no complaints happy to be home after a week in Dublin which was fun but yeah all good mate

Fred (05:55)

Yeah.

Kieron Vorster (06:14)

Ready to rock and roll.

dan (06:15)

And

and and we're talking about Evil. I think obviously we're gonna jump into our picks and people to look out for and you know, as we always do. But I think it is a hot topic, you know, Dan Evans and Freddie to bring you in at this point. I know you played at a similar sort of time as well to to Dan Evans. He he has retired not officially yet. He's got he's in the doubles doubles at Wimbledon. He has been working, I believe, with Henry Searle. he's gonna go into the coaching world.

Let let us know a little bit about Dan Evans, Fred, and his career and and how do you see him then transitioning into being a a tour coach as well.

Fred (06:52)

I think he's gonna be phenomenal for a young guy because he has there's a lot over the years that's been spoken about his his attitude and I've I've not gonna judge too much on that. Some of it rightly so, some of it maybe not rightly so. But what's always gone under the radar for me with him is his mentality is top notch. When you when he goes on court, he always competes. He has a great mentality for

competing in the in the big picture but also on the court. He always thinks that that he can win, that he's there's something to to to be had in a game. He's very good at finding the weak side and and and seeing of of great positive attitude. and I think his mentality is for lack of better word, a little a little more old school in in a good way.

And I think it's very underrated because it's very easy to get caught up in the nice looking tennis. He's got a beautiful slice, great timing, comes in very very well rounded, but he constructs the points so well. And his mentality is fantastic when it comes to playing. And I'm sure whoever if it's Henry Searle now or whoever's gonna have him in the corner are gonna benefit. But at the same time I also think I think he's a from what I know, I'm he's a pretty pretty harsh

critic of himself and I I think he puts high demands on of himself and his com competitiveness and I would expect and and I mean this as a compliment that he has quite high expectations and of of the players he coach and and he expects a lot of of the right things. So I think he would be brilliant for any young guy to have in the corner.

dan (08:35)

He's not gonna coach someone he doesn't believe in, is he, Eva? You know?

Fred (08:38)

Yeah, he's yeah, he's he's he's I I d I don't think he's got time for for a job just for the sake of the job, you know. I I think he'll he'll be in it and I I think he's you know a of he kind of reminds me of a tennis equivalent of for just maybe exaggerated here, but a Roy Keane, you know, who's like who who just can't understand if the players don't have the right mentality or the

Kieron Vorster (08:38)

Fred.

Fred (09:05)

the right attitude in the match or willing to get down and do whatever's required. And he will expect that of the of of his players. And I think that's a great quality, especially in these days where maybe people tiptoe a little bit around their players. And I think there's so much value to be had. So if if a player can can deal with that, I think you have it's you have a real, real asset in your corner.

dan (09:28)

And and Vozi, Vozie, we I follow you on social media. You've been you've been quite active. you've been quite active over the last week or two. you know, with obviously Dan Evans coming out announcing his retirement, not coming out in that way, you know, that's I'm not I'm not judging it judging ever if he if he wants to come out in any any other way that people are thinking, but it is his retirement

his retirement a couple of weeks ago, and then, you know, the timing of it certainly from from the outside looked like that was leaning towards okay, Dan's been one of our great players of the last ten, fifteen years. He's done so much for for British tennis in in in in so many ways. You know, it it would seem right that he would then be getting wild cards in his kind of swan song. We see it with a lot of these players, they get them throughout the course of the year.

The question I wanna ask you, 'cause obviously you clearly disagree and you're you're you weren't overly happy with the decision that that was made to not give him a wild card. The question I would ask wanna ask you is

Do you think he deserved the wild card because this was going to be his final Wimbledon? If this wasn't his final Wimbledon, w should Dan Evans have got a wild card one and five since September twenty twenty five? Should he have received a wild card into the men's singles draw Wimbledon if it wasn't his last year?

Kieron Vorster (10:51)

So, first of all, wasn't critical on him not getting a wild card into Wimbledon. I was critical on how it was handled, him not getting a wild card into Queens and for him to receiving a voice note that he wasn't going to get one. I think he deserved more than that.

dan (11:00)

Okay.

Kieron Vorster (11:06)

the over phone conversations. Yeah, but then I've had a meeting with Leon and we've cleared the air over a number of things since then and there's been clarity. With regard the wildcard situation for Wimbledon, my understanding from when I spoke to Leon, Leon had a face-to-face meeting with Dan in April and told him in April that he was not going to be put forward

dan (11:07)

Okay, so the communication style from the from the LTA. Okay.

Okay.

Kieron Vorster (11:33)

for an LTA wildcard. But if they were going to go with just young people. And obviously this was before it became public that Dan was going to retire. But obviously said to Dan, by all means write to the wildcard committee and apply for a wildcard through the All England Club, which is what Dan did, very articulate...

dan (11:53)

All England Club.

Kieron Vorster (11:58)

letter was sent. So think it's sad that he never got one the main draw, based on it being his last Wimbledon. I think that his services to British tennis have been immense and he's put his body on the line on numerous occasions, which has been detriment to

his personal success as a tennis player and I can only relate to when we went to Asia for three weeks, know, he played that immense Davis Cup weekend where they beat France Then they made the final that was going to be a Malaga and then that ended Sunday night and then we left to Chengdu Monday night, got to Chengdu

1130 Tuesday night and he was sick as a Sick as a dog for that whole week. So that that whole tournament was a waste of time He took that into Beijing obviously Beijing lost first round to center like 6 6 from the third and then made third round of Shanghai and then had that epic with Alcaraz losing 4 and 6 6 and 4 So there has been compromises to his his personal success obviously

Most notably what he did in the Olympics, he sacrificed going to Washington to play with Andy, losing the 500 points. taking it on fact what you're saying, then obviously it doesn't look good for him to get a wild card. for what he's done and his services too, I think it's pretty tough he didn't get one. And then you can argue, did he deserve one more than Grigore?

In terms the All England Club being a club in the UK with services to British tennis, is that better served or better served giving one one of your best players in the last six to eight years? That's a question.

dan (13:50)

Yeah. No, but I look what

fr from my point of view, I absolutely think he should have got one. However, think the error for me, again, I'm on the outside, you're more on the inside. The error for me was the lateness of the announcement of the retirement. And I and and and I think I think if this was announced this was announced three months ago, which I'm led led to believe was already in his mind that that was gonna happen, then

Then I then I think there's a little bit more time to be able to get things put in place for that, you know, and that that's what it just seems, like I say, a little bit from the outside. I think it's a real shame. Obviously, it's going to be nice that he's playing doubles. And I think, you know, I think that'll be great. I think the British public should have their opportunity. And Dan Evans Dan Evans deserves this moment of of appreciation from.

From the British tennis public, you know, and I think, you know, that would have been a great thing to happen on the singles court. But I I hope that people absolutely get behind him in the doubles. I hope people come in their thousands to show their appreciation for him. You know, it's he's he's someone that and Freddie touched on it, you know, he's what, five foot eight, five foot nine, and he's had the career that he's had. You do not do that without a winner's mentality and an incredible.

incredible skill and and tactical nouse, you know, and I and I think, yeah, I I I hope that and I'm sure he will, he'll he'll pass that on to where it's Henry first. And he's he's someone that will always, I guess, challenge the standards and challenge the you know, you know, he's some he's a disruptor, right, Dan, in lots of ways. And that's and we need people like that in the world as well. And I think we've we've been very lucky to have him in British tennis.

Kieron Vorster (15:31)

his his tennis IQ is through the roof like the way he reads the game and you know, the way the way he sees things and and and then how he applies it in lifetime is ridiculous and and then the work ethic the work ethic that he brings on top of that is is incredible as well. I mean like he he's setting standards for for somebody who

dan (15:34)

Yes, yes.

Absolutely.

Kieron Vorster (15:57)

who will be appreciative of that.

dan (15:58)

Absolutely. And and talking of of tennis IQ, we've got Von Druseva. You know, I think that's now three of the last six female Wimbledon champions have all been banned for drugs. Somebody said to me the other day. Or or if we're talking, you know, drugs we've Von Drusova, but they've had they've had doping issues. four year ban Freddie. you know, the way that I don't know how much you've read into it.

the way the story seems to go is certainly from her side. I guess there's gonna be investigations, but she claims she felt that there was a robber coming into her house. you have your one hour time slot where the anti Dopom control can come to your house. she says it was outside of that hour, which I think is the crucial bit of information in this. If it was inside that hour, I don't think she has a leg to stand on on this.

Outside of the hour, she felt she was being robbed. However, when she's eventually gone outside, she has then gone ahead and signed a document to say she's refusing to take the test. So she obviously knew by that point that it was anti doping that were coming. it feels strong, it feels harsh. You know, we've had we've had some high profile issues over the last couple of years, and all of a sudden it's just like bam for four years. What's your what's your take on that?

Fred (17:17)

of all, I'm not in a bed anymore, which is nice to you, but there is a dude behind me snoring through the roof in this airport lounge. So if that's the sound coming through, I apologize. No, I think, like you said, this really is a really strange case to me because first of all, you said as well, the details are so important because if they were within the time, that's indibatable.

If it was outside the time, that's really problematic for so many reasons. And if she signed that she missed the test, it's also kind of like she's probably being put on the spot. I she probably needed a lawyer there to let her know what the consequences of this were. And I'm not sure she was a, she would have had the overview in that situation while being stressed to understand what she was signing under. And lastly, I think.

What's the president's for four years? mean, they say that it's, it's, have to be,

you have to be seen as if you failed a drug test, right? How many drug tests over the last many years have resulted in a four year ban to my, to the best of my recollection, not many. we're talking about a few that I have had months, maybe two years, maybe one and a half years, but I do not remember a first time offender.

getting four years. So I'm struggling a little bit with the presidents there. But besides that, it's so important the detail, right? Because I know Roddick spoke about this as well. It is pretty rough to wear about.

Kieron Vorster (18:55)

He got it wrong.

Fred (18:57)

but I just meant the detail of it that in the whereabouts you have an hour every day you have to be available for. And it's pretty rough. I would say luckily I was never good enough to be part of the whereabouts. So I was never, I never had to deal with this, but just knowing it's literally every day and they can be there every day. if you oversleep or if you decide to...

go to your parents' or something, they need to know and they can be there any time of day and they don't necessarily call you in advance or call you if they, if you gotta be, they might call you five minutes before your hour or something like that. So there is a lot of detail that goes into it. So if they were, they decide to go outside of that, I don't know what the rules are, but that seems like it's, changes the whole story a little bit, but it is a very strange case to me all around. think the,

Kieron Vorster (19:36)

because

Fred (19:48)

that there has to be a lot that we don't know because like I said, let's say everything played out the way ITF or the anti-doping agency says it did. Four years is still difficult for me to see.

Kieron Vorster (19:58)

The guidelines set by the ITAA and the World Anti-Terrorist Water. Athletes are required to be available for testing anytime, in any place with no advance notice. The required one hour daily whereabouts slot is simply a guarantee of availability, but surprise testing outside of that window is entirely permissible. There you go.

So what they're saying, so that's where Andy

got it so wrong, is that basically what they're saying is, when can you guarantee to be home? So most people will say, I'm guaranteed to be home between five and six a.m. But that is a guaranteed availability, but surprise testing outside the window is entirely permissible.

Fred (20:35)

So what you're saying is that they might have come to her house and she could have been in Germany and that would have been fine because it's not on her to be there at that time.

Kieron Vorster (20:43)

herein lies the problem. So if she said, available between 6 and 7 right? But they turned up at 10 a.m.

dan (20:44)

Yeah.

Kieron Vorster (20:51)

but she opened the door.

dan (20:53)

That's the problem. Lots l lots of players don't. The they've admitted it to me you know, they don't outside of their time.

Kieron Vorster (20:54)

That's the problem.

That's the problem. That's the problem. She's...

Fred (21:01)

And that's my point where she basically needs legal service in real time because she probably doesn't understand the consequences of what's going on at that moment because it's too complicated.

Kieron Vorster (21:11)

I actually don't think tennis

players know the I genuinely don't. I've given it 6 to 7 as my guaranteed time at home, but you come at 10am, I've opened the door, but it's not 6 to 7. No, you've opened the door, you now need to take the test.

Fred (21:16)

No, I agree with you. I agree.

dan (21:28)

why hasn't she taken the test? Come on, just just don't mean obviously moving forward no one's gonna make that mistake, you'd think. But that's like that is a that is a crazy thing to to sign a bit of paper and say I'm refusing to take it

Kieron Vorster (21:44)

she signed it saying she's refusing, which is a failed test.

dan (21:47)

Yeah.

Fred (21:48)

Yeah, you can see I didn't even know that. I haven't been in the whereabouts, but I've been in and around people that have been pretty affected by the whereabouts. So it is big, big deal.

Kieron Vorster (21:59)

it says

here in black and white, the baseline ban for refusing a is four years, which is the exact same maximum starting point as an intentional positive test. So before the social media guys go and girls go fucking mental on what it is, read the rules. Read the rules. It's not difficult.

dan (22:16)

Yeah.

So she's done four years.

Kieron Vorster (22:19)

And

a player can only deny or delay a test if they have compelling justifications such as medical emergency, attending the funeral of a close relative or the labour of a partner. However, tribunals require exceptional high bar to accept these excuses. If you're an athlete, you can review your precise rights, required locations and responsibilities, ITA presence and that. So the ITA get a of abuse, the athletes sign up to this.

Fred (22:21)

and

Kieron Vorster (22:44)

They sign up to this. It's don't go, it's so harsh. It's four years, you sign up to it

Fred (22:50)

obviously

we're not talking about missing an airplane here or having to pay extra $50 for a bag. It's your life, right? You better be honored.

Kieron Vorster (22:54)

Correct.

It's your career. Yeah, 100 % for

it. Sympathy is very zero for me right now.

dan (23:04)

And what do you have any sympathy, Vozzy, for players that are we're still talking about media boycotts and prize money. Wimbledon have put their prize me up prize money up twenty percent. where's your where's your stance on that? Are are players right to be pushing for more?

Kieron Vorster (23:19)

so my stance on that is, it's, it's, said, because they'll have a projected, they'll have a projection on gross turnover. So if they have a projection on gross turnover of say 800 million, right? And you're paying, let's say you're paying 60 million in price money as a percentage, it's really low. So.

You're playing on words. You're playing on, we've increased it by 20 % and the prize money pulls now 63 million. But what is that based on the gross turnover? Because Simon Jordan trying to be a smart ass, no, but Simon Jordan trying to be a smart ass on Talksport, God love him, but he was talking about, well, they made 100 million profit and they've given them 50 million in prize money. So they've given 50%.

dan (23:44)

Yes.

Well, they're not showing that.

Kieron Vorster (24:04)

If that's the stance you're gonna take, Simon Jordan, you would wait till, actually we're not paying you prize money, till we know what our profit is, and then once we know our profit is, we pay you prize money. That's ludicrous. It makes no sense. So you're giving prize money based on what your gross turnover is, and it's set into your gross turnover. Prize money is part of a tournament's expense. Right? So basically,

dan (24:25)

Yeah. Well it's it's the talent, yeah, absolutely.

Kieron Vorster (24:30)

They should be looking at not just Wimbledon but all of them. It's like if we were projected to 800 million turnover, 20 % of 800 million is 160 million.

Right? Not one taunt, not one slam is paying that.

dan (24:50)

No, and I know that the issue the issue and why the players are going because I heard Mark Petchi actually talking about this earlier in the year as well, where he said, Why are the players going after the Grand Slams? They should be talking to the ATP WTA. But the Grand Slams is where the big, big money's been made in our sport.

Kieron Vorster (25:06)

I

spoke to Ray Moore at the Indian Wells and he said to me, why are you coming after us? If the Grand Slams are the ones that are making huge, huge, yeah, huge, huge markets, huge, they're, like I'll give you this, I'll give you this one. So Wimbledon, these are, are,

dan (25:16)

That's where the big money's been made, yeah.

Kieron Vorster (25:25)

These are presented numbers. Prize money as a percentage turnover hit 16 % in 2013. In 2023, hovers around 12 % since the pandemic. Turnover has increased by 165%, but operating profit only by 30%. that possible? But the players are so dumb that they carry on playing for 20 cents in the dollar or 30 cents in the dollar.

What do you think? Do think the slams really care that they're giving a 15 minute boycott on press? That for me is just headlines. Where it becomes a problem if you actually turn around and say, okay, we've from rank number one to 104 in the world are not playing the Grand Slam, which is never going to happen because the independent contract is. You're always going have people wanting to play. you know, really? Really? I mean...

dan (26:10)

Never gonna.

Yeah, I mean I think all

all all I would say is it would be nice to to have some transparency right of numbers. I know that I know that the WCA on the numbers, on the numbers, no the the the Grand Slams are not transparent on their numbers. That's not available. So if you if you're talking about a percentage, you're you're basically into in into bed in in business.

Kieron Vorster (26:23)

Transparency on what then? Transparency.

The All England Club

are transparent on their numbers because they have to be. It's a non-for-profit organization. It's not limited company. So let's go down this road. They give away 90 % of the profit to the LTA. So let's just say that's 43 million. So why don't they give... This will screw the LTA, but they can say, okay, we'll give another 43 million towards prize money.

dan (26:42)

I don't believe I don't believe they are, from what I hear.

Yep.

Kieron Vorster (27:01)

Altia, have no, you get nothing from us. So what is holding back on that?

Yeah, you still got gobsmacked there, aren't you? There's nothing...

dan (27:08)

No, well I don't it's

it's not it's not th there's almost not a they they're trying not to entertain the conversation. I know there's I know there's real loggerheads on the conversation because they're just not they're not they're not entertaining the conversation. I think it's I think the players what where the players are coming from are the organizations W T A T P and the players that represent those, they they are after a transparent model.

that goes up to twenty-two percent. That's what they're looking for. People have talked about trying to go the MBA route and go this 50%. And they they understand they're independent contractors. It's different. But it it's it's a completely different setup. So they just want it to be fair and that and they and they've come up with this figure that they believe it is twenty about twenty-two percent. They believe that probably right now it's it's below fifteen percent of what's being paid in prize money.

Kieron Vorster (27:37)

That's what I meant by the performance. It's 50 to 10. But you can't. It's completely different.

dan (28:02)

But it's but I but from what I understand is it's all and I'm using that word they believe because it's not actually out there transparently exactly how much revenue is coming in with the Grand Slams. that's where that's where there's this kind of disjointed. Because if that's fully transparent, then this is easy. It's just about working a percentage, right? And then everyone is actually collaborating together to all to win win situation for everybody.

Kieron Vorster (28:03)

It's.

Okay.

Sorry.

Dan

Wimbledon have been transferred with a turnover operating profit price money and price money has a percentage of turnover. It's in their books and I've got the numbers here from 2012 to 2023 and it's basically in 2012 the turnover was 143 million 411 thousand operating profit was 41 million

dan (28:36)

Okay. Okay.

Kieron Vorster (28:48)

Price money was 16 million. Price money is a percentage turnover of 11.2. If you take that to then 2023, the turnover was 380 million, 156,000. Operating profit was 53 million. Price money was 44 million. Price money is a percentage turnover was 11.8 million. The numbers are transparent.

dan (29:09)

Okay. So then so then so then it's about agreeing on having a a higher percentage. So then so then I think it's very fair. Yeah. Yeah.

Kieron Vorster (29:14)

Correct! Correct! Wimbledon

are transparent with their numbers. I will send them to you. It's absolutely transparent. But what they have to...

dan (29:19)

Okay.

Okay. So the twenty the twenty percent

increase, like you say, is a play on words in terms of Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Kieron Vorster (29:26)

It's a play on words. It's a complete play on words. Because

in the last three years, let's say they've signed a deal, hypothetical, not that they have, but if they sign a deal with ESPN and they've got 900 million, whatever. But the players, the players, the players, the players are just, the leadership is weak. The PTPA is useless. It's that, that's...

dan (29:38)

Yeah. An extra a hundred and fifty million, yeah, whatever, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Kieron Vorster (29:54)

That's a complete smoke and mirrors. But if you have somebody leading them and actually saying to the players, these are the numbers you want to go to. US Open are going to come with big numbers. You watch. Craig Tiley coming in in July. They're ready to... You'll see big numbers being launched.

dan (30:11)

Yeah, it's gonna be it's gonna be interesting. I think that the the the sport's certainly not in as bad a place as some people try and make out. It seems to be this sport seems to be getting bigger and bigger and bigger, you know?

Kieron Vorster (30:13)

Yeah.

No, no, no, no, not at all.

Not at all. It's healthy and you've got good athletes coming through, you've got current athletes that are doing a good job. Everyone thought that when the big four leave that we're going to struggle, it's far from that. You just have to go on the court and watch Fonseca. mean, Brazilians are coming out the woodwork.

dan (30:43)

Absolutely everywhere. And Freddie bringing it bringing it to the tennis. But where do you want to start? Where do you want your dark horses to start? Have you you must have a you must have a I've had to share mine a little bit on the on our WhatsApp group to make sure you're not you're not stealing them.

Kieron Vorster (30:46)

show this.

Fred (30:58)

Well, I'm stealing the whole drawer.

dan (31:00)

Dark horses. Come on, let's start on the women the women's draw. Who who who who have we got to look out for?

Fred (31:02)

Yes.

you?

to very difficult always with the women's side because I feel like there so many girls that could qualify as a dark horse but we have several Grand Slam champions and colleagues and one of the wild cards is Serena Williams, what is she going to do?

dan (31:43)

Well how is she gonna do? How is she gonna do,

Serena?

Fred (31:47)

I mean, could be anything, right? mean, if She'll be lucky to win a round, but at the same time, I think she has so pride in her tennis and herself that I don't think she would be competing if she was going to be embarrassing, you know? So I think she must feel that she has a certain level.

Kieron Vorster (31:49)

She'll be lucky to win a round.

dan (32:03)

She's been

working, I mean, just what I've seen the last couple of weeks, but she was the worst player on the court in the doubles matches I watched. but she does play against Maya Joint, who was three and fifteen on the air. So it the draw, as good as Maya is or or was last year, the draw couldn't have fallen any kinder to her in terms of a match that she could that she could win. But I'm gonna say she still doesn't.

Kieron Vorster (32:11)

to provide.

Fred (32:11)

Okay.

Okay, but could it be that they're playing on a big court and she's going to rise to the occasion, the crowd is going to get behind her, Join is going to be a little overwhelmed?

dan (32:31)

For what what I see.

Maybe.

I think it's I think it's very overwhelming. I mean, at Queens, it was a big event when she played doubles at Queens. Like it felt big. It was like, wow. You know, you felt like, Whoa, there's this icon in the building. The crowd are well upright. That's all they cared. I spoke to like a couple of people on the grounds that day and they were like, we just want the other matches to be out of the way so Serena can come on. You know, there was this that was the vi that was the vibe.

And and she played with Vicky and Boko as we know, but and played against two two very high level doubles players on the women's tour, Erin Routliff and and Melichar. And Melcar and Erin Routliff had a shocker. And I think that was down to being overwhelmed with the whole situation. I wouldn't say Serena played very well at all, really, and Pro Vicki and Boko was the best player on the court. the next week a little bit smaller in Berlin.

basically played the same girls or or one of them Erin and then lost. Just Erin up the level a little bit, you know, from how she played and and lost. So I think to do that in the singles court, but what I have to say is the the intensity and focus she's bringing to the practice court, poof. It's it's impressive. I I yeah tip and that's gonna be the issue, right? You know, i

Kieron Vorster (33:41)

the

play two matches a week, you'll still be number one, number two in the world, that's... Yeah.

dan (34:09)

It's gonna be tough for her.

It's gonna be tough. But Tagger's got a decent draw, Freddie. That could be a decent call. That could be a good call. The draw's the dr the draw's kind of there for her to win some matches, I think.

That's maybe not a bad shout.

Fred (34:22)

Yeah, that's also why she stood out to me obviously because she had a decent draw. yeah, whether she's going to dominate on the grass. think Alexandrova has big upside in her game. But budget.

dan (34:34)

She she lost to Udvardi two weeks ago

on the grass, Alexandrova. She plays a first round.

Kieron Vorster (34:37)

Thank much.

dan (34:40)

So don't assume that that one's gonna happen yet, but yeah, you'd you'd think that in the second round. And what about you, Vozzi? Any I know you've always got some dark horses, n onz Jabur or someone like that normally.

Fred (34:40)

Alright, yeah, there you go.

I said upside.

Kieron Vorster (34:47)

Good luck.

Yeah, no, I'm gonna go with Angeberg because I saw her treadmill

running so yeah, she's definitely a look I'm not I don't don't

dan (35:03)

You don't want to partake.

Kieron Vorster (35:04)

I don't have an outsider. I mean,

I'm not going with Omar Sharif because she lost in Qalys.

Czalinska, will she carry on the run? Is she still at dark horse or is the limelight on her? Lefty, slider.

dan (35:16)

She's she's

she's top twenty in the world, but

Fred (35:19)

I think she'll lose first round to be honest. I love her, I like the fresh air to the game but I don't see her do well on the grass. It could be a potential upside against the Thai girl.

Kieron Vorster (35:36)

Sawankawa.

Sawankawa,

I mean Serena plays joint, mean whatever it is everyone will go out on a high on that one won't they?

dan (35:45)

Yeah.

It's a good it's a good one. It's a good one, Bozzi. The the the well the one that I and I I I sent it in the group because I sent it before she'd started to have some decent results. Barton Kova, young young Czech girl, twenty-three and fourteen on the year, twenty years old, made final junior Wimbledon twenty twenty three, hits big, plays big, was a set and a breakup on Sabalenka a couple of weeks ago.

I I I I said that a week or so ago. I haven't studied her draw, but I I think when I had a quick look I thought, Whoa, draw's not too bad. It's not it's not too bad. So that would be a that would be a a a fairly dark horse. The one again and I I said a a week or two ago is Tatiana Maria, but I think we're seeing she's in the final now in Eastbourne. Ostapenko was six one down against her today. It started raining.

And Ostepenko didn't come back on the court. It was almost like, nah, I don't want to see any more slices coming my way. You know what I mean? I can't I can't deal with that. So she's someone that no one likes to see. But I think the longer the grass court season goes on, the more people maybe

I think she'll take care of Putinseva first round. Putinseva's gonna hate that match. but then potentially Ivo Jovic, who

Kieron Vorster (37:02)

Yeah, no one's a player.

dan (37:06)

Who was basically an eighteen year old who's about to be a thirty five year old. You know, she's so smart and intelligent. I think she'll probably fall short against Jovich, 'cause I think Jovich is really a one to watch this Wimbledon. I know it's not a dark horse. she's what dropped to ninety odd in the world, huh? One fifty three.

Kieron Vorster (37:13)

Thank

one that watches this one. Is Kinwin Zheng still in? She plays 153. She plays

Sinjakova. She plays Sinjakova first round. think I'm gonna go she could be a dark horse.

dan (37:33)

I think Siniakova beat her last round at Wimbledon. Last year at Wimbledon, first round, w when she was top ten in the world. So it's funny it's funny that that match is ha that match is happening. And what about I mean we'll we'll we'll kind of jump back and forth, but I I don't know if you've picked up on this one, but you go on bear against Berg's first round. But do you know what happens in Eastbourne tomorrow?

Kieron Vorster (37:39)

Yeah.

Right.

Yeah.

Thank you.

dan (37:57)

Go and Baerbergs playing the final. So you you know they're they're gonna they're gonna play on Saturday and potentially then again on Monday. it's interesting. Well Well, I'm hoping a bit of a side story to that, if anyone cares. I am taking my beautiful wife to see Garth Brooks in on Hyde Park tomorrow night. A bit of a sentimental one to to the two people that went to university in Louisiana. But

Kieron Vorster (38:00)

Bye.

Fred (38:04)

Are they going to show all their cards or they're just going to go wild with it?

Kieron Vorster (38:09)

We'll the first stage and then the second one.

you

dan (38:24)

My girls play after that final. It they play at 2 30. And Garth Brooks is on stage at 8 40 in Hyde Park. And I reckon it's gonna take me about two hours twenty from door to door if I race. So I wouldn't mind maybe one of them withdrawing and saying, Do know what? I'm not gonna show you my cards so that I can get away to see Garth Brooks tomorrow night, but with with Vicky, but

Kieron Vorster (38:39)

Yeah.

Yeah.

So for on behalf

of the East One Tournament, please ignore what Dan just said. Selfish prayer.

dan (38:58)

Well, there's two semifinals today in the women's there was a two six one set and then withdrawals. I think that kind of tournament before before it's it's a there was I think seven or eight walkovers. What do we think of that, by the way? Seven seven seven or

Kieron Vorster (39:11)

I'm thinking a tournament

before needs to finish on the Thursday.

dan (39:16)

I think so because there was lucky there was eight lucky losers in the men's, so you got quite

Kieron Vorster (39:20)

No one

wants to be there past Thursday if they're playing Monday. No one. I'm sorry. Even if it was a Saturday final.

dan (39:26)

No. Yeah. There's too but there's too

many withdrawals. I mean, like Felix Gill lost first round qualities. Quentin Hallis lost first round quallies. They ended up getting in. Quentin Hallis went and made quarterfinals. Lost first round quallies, then came in as a lucky loser into the second round. And then won one match and made quarterfinals. You know, like I I think it makes a bit of a mockery of the draws with all of those withdrawals.

Kieron Vorster (39:47)

Yeah.

Fred (39:51)

I mean, a lot of the guys that do well, they don't want to play, but they have to end in case they don't play well the week before. then, but I agree, it does give it, it does make a mark of the competition side. You have people that are losing. think somebody who lost first round qualities got into a buy position as well, right? so well, I think it's a difficult one.

dan (40:08)

No, no, Quentin Hallis, yeah, he did.

It is. And and what about your winner on the women's side, Freddie?

Kieron Vorster (40:15)

Thank you. Thank you.

Fred (40:19)

It's a good question. Not easy. I think

dan (40:18)

Not easier.

Fred (40:23)

she owes me a good competition after Paris, Ribakina. So I'm going to pick her. She needs to step it up.

Kieron Vorster (40:31)

Yeah, I'm with you on that. mean, I had a few, I had a few written down here. mean, no, no, to talk about, think, I think Serana Christia has, has, is having a fantastic year. She's having a free swing. It's going to be her last year. She's a little bit injured, but I'm torn. I'm torn between, torn between Zavala and Dreeva Pagoda, Rob Aquino.

Fred (40:34)

Thank

dan (40:36)

A few.

She's in Jadoa.

Kieron Vorster (40:58)

Rhabachina on the grass is obviously mustard.

I am going to go...

I'm gonna go then, Dreeva.

Fred (41:05)

Back to back slams.

Kieron Vorster (41:06)

That's what I'm going with.

dan (41:08)

that four and ain't getting it done on the grass courts for me.

Kieron Vorster (41:11)

I'll put it out there. I'm not gonna go with your regular, I think. I mean, obviously you got the two big ones, Serrano.

No, I'm going to go and dream.

dan (41:21)

What about this?

Sab Sabalenka Sabalenka Ostapenko third round. Interesting, potentially. They've got to get there first, but Ostapenko, Harriet Dart, that'll be fine. And to play then Rusik or Radakanu. Is Radakanu even gonna play?

Kieron Vorster (41:26)

They've got to get there first.

Fred (41:38)

how bad is the injury because before that I think she was my second medium might win a surprise call.

dan (41:47)

Yeah.

But she's got I mean, I I don't think she'll play the noises I'm hearing. When you hear those noises around Emma normally, it means she's out.

I don't know you're yeah, because she did. She did. And so that that's interesting. I think if you go to Rabakina, who's my pick as well. I think yeah, I think she has a yeah, I think she's got an okay draw. I mean, maybe Merton's potentially in the third round. I I d see then in that next bunch, I'm not sure I see anyone in that part.

Fred (41:55)

That's a shame. She's got a bit of a... She's doing alright there.

Kieron Vorster (42:02)

Thank

dan (42:18)

Yeah, I think I think Anissa Mova's an i interesting one, right? 'Cause she was on fire this time last year, but she doesn't seem the same player as she was was this time last year. so I'm I'm on the back and a train as well. So we got two of us and then Vozi, who did Vozzi go for? Andre Andreva.

Kieron Vorster (42:21)

Thank you.

And there I am here.

dan (42:36)

So so those are th those are our picks. And what about on the what about on the men's side? Dark horses. I mean, we've got and some first round matchups. Obviously we've got Umbe Umbear and Berggs were two of my dark horses, so I was actually looking for them both in the draw and I was at the

Kieron Vorster (42:50)

yeah

Fritz Fritz striper is an interesting one

dan (42:53)

Fritz Draper's obviously a a a a banger first round. Varinka Berrettini for the old for people that like a little bit of nostalgia first round. Who who is it?

Kieron Vorster (43:02)

Let's move it up.

Tilly's method of Marin Tilly's method of

dan (43:07)

is that right? Hogar that's interesting. That's it that's

Kieron Vorster (43:09)

I tell what's an interesting one

is the American qualifiers zang against cam nori. That's not gonna be easy He's a back to yeah, and he's a back to back NCAA champion. He's just played three good matches at Roehampton Yeah, another one Very good. Yeah, another another another good one is Brandon Nakashima playing Pennington Jones, Nakashima Now being coached by Wayne Ferreira, he's just finished with

dan (43:14)

No, no. They play kinda similar, huh?

Kieron Vorster (43:35)

So Nakashima will be feeling positive psychologically. Pennington Jones can play. then we've got Jodor Felix Gill. I don't know if that's going to be...

dan (43:45)

What you're picking

you're picking that as a classic or what what's going on here, Vozzy? W what what

Kieron Vorster (43:48)

No, I'm just

saying it could be interesting because Jadar hasn't played much because he's been injured on the grass. And Felix played a lot, he's a lefty and he's a bull, he's strong. And don't think Sinner Kekmanovic is a rollover either on the top half.

dan (43:55)

No. It'll be interesting how he plays on the grass, yeah, for sure.

Yeah. Yeah.

So that was

Kieron Vorster (44:08)

Yeah, think,

I mean, the ones that stand out for me are obviously those dark horse.

Fred (44:16)

For I think we have a potential third round for Oli Tavet. I really like him, great competitor. He did well in the grass last year. I think he's got a decent shot at making a third round against Djokovic.

Kieron Vorster (44:28)

He's playing Rindelk first round,

that's not easy.

Fred (44:31)

No, not at all. It's not easy at all, but I think he can take them out.

Kieron Vorster (44:34)

Yeah,

I'm not denying that. I jeez, what I saw yesterday was incredible. yeah, it's done.

Fred (44:44)

and he's got belief, he's a great mover, he'll come out firing, he'll rise to the occasion. think a potential third round is Elise also against Zverev and the potential, I think he caused him some problems in Paris and on the grass. I wouldn't put it past him to maybe make a sneaky run there, that would be a pick-up line.

There is one more qualifier I'm blanking on the name right now because I got confused by this vacuum clean on the background. I apologize, guys.

Kieron Vorster (45:07)

Thank you guys.

That's all right.

What about Stan versus Berettini? That's an interesting first round.

And I think Leheka Popperin. Popperin doesn't have a lot of confidence, if he goes there with a free mind and swings loose, that could be a banana skin first round.

Fred (45:26)

The last qualifier I was thinking about was Viettinen from Finland who's playing Shelton in the first round. That's not a game. Viettinen has insane upside. Insane upside.

dan (45:32)

I love him. How could if you imagine it's

Davis Cup match then it's a big problem for Shelton.

Fred (45:38)

Absolutely. He's very comfortable on the grass and he did well in QALYs. That's not going to be a gimme. It might be too tough because Shelton is also a great competitor but I think that could be a potential banana field.

dan (45:54)

Yeah. the dark horses I had down, I had I had Hugo and Bear, Berg, Zizu Berg's.

Kieron Vorster (45:55)

It's up.

He's not a dark

horse. are you doing? Shut your mouth. He's not a dark horse. How can he be a dark horse? The guy's number, he's been number, number top ten in the world. A dark horse is somebody like, a dark horse is like Jalinska going into the French Open. That's a dark horse.

dan (46:02)

Who's not?

Hello.

Umbear's thirty in the world. I mean he's he's he's he's a dark horse he's he's a light dark horse Bergs and then and then and you're not gonna like this one either.

Kieron Vorster (46:14)

And he's a dark horse. He's a dark horse. Mate, stick that mic up your arse. I'm not having that. That's an app. I'm not having that.

Then I'm gonna have

Jack Draper as a Dark Horse. Jack Draper as a Dark Horse to win Wimbledon. That's not, that's absurd. The guy's a top 10 player.

dan (46:31)

You're not gonna you're not gonna like this one either. Fet

Federer. No, Imp Impechi Perikar is it it I've been we we've obviously been waiting for that. We've been waiting and we've been waiting.

Kieron Vorster (46:42)

No, he's a bunny. He's a bunny

with a serve. I'm not having that. I liked it, but he's got nothing more than a serve. I'm not having it.

dan (46:46)

Is he and but is i

are we are we gonna see it at some point? Are we gonna see it?

What's written?

Fred (46:53)

I mean you can't rule it out right but the trajectory has not been good because it was going really well and now it's not going well at all.

dan (46:57)

It hasn't.

No. It's it's not it's not going in a in a good direction.

Kieron Vorster (47:04)

I mean,

now Dan's open up the gates and this feels as a dark horse. He's 20 in the world. I mean, you're an absolute donkey. I'm not having that.

dan (47:16)

Unbear, come on. I mean the guys hardly won a match.

Kieron Vorster (47:20)

A dark horse would be someone like Basing playing Matt Shizuki. Matt Shizuki is a qualifier, won Wimbledon in 2022. That's a dark horse. Like a dark horse to qualify at Wimbledon is Max Basing. He's a wild card. If I said to you, I said to you, whoa, whoa, whoa, don't throw your white flag.

dan (47:35)

Was it?

Look at the

logo. Look at the logo. Control the controllables by Dan Keenan. You know, just like look at look at where the look at where the rules have been set. Come on. If we just keep talking and mention as many names as we can, that's our style. Come on. Then we then we then we get our social media clips. That's what it's about.

Kieron Vorster (47:48)

Yeah, can't I make some time rules? Pernod, you're bang out of order.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's it.

So I'm going to go center as my main man.

dan (48:05)

Is your talk cold?

Kieron Vorster (48:07)

No, it's my main guy to win. My Dark Horse... My Dark Horse... Yeah, it's gotta be Sinner. I'm gonna go... Dark Horse is not...

dan (48:09)

It's it's gotta be sinner, hasn't it? It's gotta be sinner.

Can

Fred (48:17)

Yeah, I'm saying as well and Dark Horse to win, not Dark Horse but the second in line to win is Novak for me.

dan (48:23)

What you reckon on the

Kieron Vorster (48:24)

Nah, I'm not having

Novak. Novak can never win a slam again. the physical side. That's my opinion. Fred, if he played two matches a week, you'd be number one in the world. That guy's a must-have. But his body can't sustain now, playing back-to-back. He gets hurt.

Fred (48:31)

Yeah, but on the...

But I think the chances of him sustaining it physically are bigger than rest of the draw to step it up and zone and win Wimbledon.

Kieron Vorster (48:51)

My Dark Horse

is Nakashima.

dan (48:53)

Can we go through it? Can we go through Novak's draw? And I know I don't like to do this projected nonsense that they do, but like, let's have a bit of fun with it. So he plays Woo first round. He's winning that, right?

Kieron Vorster (49:03)

Here, put it How do you, okay.

dan (49:04)

Yeah.

Fred (49:05)

Yes.

dan (49:05)

And then he plays Gaston or City Pass.

Kieron Vorster (49:08)

That's not easy.

dan (49:09)

Court none of them's easy, but he's winning that. then he's playing, let's say, Cedar to play a Rindick neck.

Is he is he winning that?

Fred (49:15)

Yes.

dan (49:15)

Yeah.

So now the draw's psyching me out. How do I now find out who he plays?

Fred (49:19)

Is it not the Ruble van Zegger section he goes into?

Kieron Vorster (49:21)

Yeah,

dan (49:22)

Does he

Kieron Vorster (49:22)

Rubelove may not beat Saifula.

dan (49:26)

I just I just think when you look

at those sort of matchups, you go, Well, yeah, I think he wins that. Yeah, well I think he wins that. Obviously there is a there is a question mark physically, Vozzy. Of course there is. But I also saw him I was in the stadium watching him play Fonseca and at Roland Garros. And yes, he was struggling physically, but he he was unbelievably good in that match still. Like his his ability, his gamesmanship, his time management, his the way that he managed the rhythm of that match.

And it took an it took a great performance by Afonseca on on a clear court to beat him in a very tight five set match. I just think that he's a very, very difficult man for for people to beat, you know, and it's I I

Fred (50:07)

And he goes to the Felix section in the potential quarters,

dan (50:13)

Yeah, I just I I I I think we've got he's gotta be favourite for semis, Vozzy. He's gotta be.

Kieron Vorster (50:18)

I'm not having it.

dan (50:19)

Well, how can but look what what what's Novak Djokovic last four so so Roland Garris he lost quarters or last sixteen to Fonseca. But then you go

Kieron Vorster (50:28)

I'll take that.

Fred (50:30)

Wasn't that third round or something? Was it that deep?

dan (50:32)

Okay, so th so so was

third third round of last sixteen. So you then he d but then he was semis in in Australia.

Semis in US Open.

Kieron Vorster (50:39)

Yes.

Fred (50:40)

Dino,

right? Wasn't it final in Australia?

Kieron Vorster (50:43)

Yeah, it fine. No, it's you know, just struggling a bit there.

dan (50:43)

Final in Australia. Final in Australia.

Fred (50:44)

Am I missing something?

dan (50:49)

Final semi. I mean he's like y y we can't say that he's not the favourite to go to semi's vozi. I'm sorry. We can't.

Kieron Vorster (50:56)

What's him?

dan (51:17)

Okay. Twenty twenty five Vozie.

Twenty twenty five. Novak Djokovic, semis semis of Roland Garros. Then didn't play again until Wimbledon. Made semis. Then didn't play again until US Open and made semis.

Kieron Vorster (51:27)

Yeah. Yep.

Yeah.

Yeah.

dan (51:35)

Then played Shanghai, made semis, then played a random two fifty in Athens and won. Then didn't play a match and made final of Australian Open. I d I don't the undercooked undercooked what? Like he's beat he's undercooked for every grand slam on that theory.

Kieron Vorster (51:47)

Yeah, let me out.

Okay, okay, okay.

Take that three years ago, he ought to have all those events. He's not there to make semis, he's not there to make finals, he's there to win. And so his progress is going backwards. I'm not having it. He's there to win, he's not there to make semis. Do think he's playing Wimbledon to make semis? Do think he's playing Wimbledon to make third round? He's playing Wimbledon to win, mate. Yeah, and that's...

dan (52:02)

Different argument. Different different argument. I all I'm saying all I'm saying

I agree. I agree fully. But

just but just to go back to what I said, I said he is favourite to make semis. Yes, right or wrong. Would you agree with that, Vozzy?

Kieron Vorster (52:27)

No, I don't think you'll get that.

dan (52:28)

Okay. His favourite though. Freddy? Is he making semis? Novag?

Fred (52:35)

Yeah, I think so. But that's also why he was my kind of under the radar second in line to win after Sinner. I mean, I think for me, it's just he's in that caliber of athletes that whenever he enters a tournament, you just can't rule him out. I just can't do it. I will never underestimate him. Even though he is getting up in age and showing some sign of physical weakness, I will never underestimate him.

He's just that good and he has that next level mentality.

dan (53:06)

He does and and and because I don't want to keep you much longer 'cause me and Vozzi are gonna have a falling out, is the I did see I don't want to go fully into the doubles, but first round doubles match between Kiros and Bublik against Aravello and Pavich. Mr. Kirrios and Mr. Bublik seem to have a lot to say about doubles, especially Mr. Bublik. what do we think of that matchup, Freddie?

Fred (53:30)

I think it's what the tournament hoped for when they gave them a wild card and I think it's what the fans hoped for and I think it's going to be a spectacle and they'll definitely be competitive but how competitive we'll just have to see. They're dangerous floaters if they decide to play to win but there's been some physical issues. There's some question marks with Kyrius so we'll see how much it affects him.

dan (53:57)

And before we go, Vozzy, what's one storyline for us to look out for that nobody's picking up from Wimbledon yet? We've got we haven't talked about the electronic line calls, which are the that's happening for the first time, is that right? Not the electronic line calls, but the not the electronic line calls, but we've got something happening for the first time, I'm sure. The video review, sorry. We've got video review introduced for the first time. Far. I think it's the first time that Wimbledon's got that.

Kieron Vorster (54:11)

No, that happened last year.

Fred (54:12)

No, that's been happening before.

Kieron Vorster (54:24)

All

right.

dan (54:25)

In its 139 year history,

available on centre court, court one, court two, court three, court twelve, court eighteen. So it's fair to say my doubles teams won't have to worry about that for a few rounds. but you can, yeah, you can challenge umpire calls. We talked about it on the French Open review. You know how many shocking calls happened at Roland Garros, but they didn't have video review.

Kieron Vorster (54:42)

Thanks, all.

you're

challenging it on the call of it being in and out.

dan (54:57)

No, you chall this is for the the challenge. So like at French Open, one of my guys hit a ball and he was like two feet from the net and the umpire called touch of the net. And you couldn't you couldn't challenge that and it was the wrong call, but you've now lost that call. A double bounce or the ball you know, things like that. So this is the first time that you can have the VAR system.

Kieron Vorster (55:08)

Right.

No. Or double bounce on all that shit. Or what about let

call?

dan (55:21)

I don't know about let call actually. I don't know if if you can call but I think I I don't know. I don't know what the I think that's done electronically anyway, is it?

Kieron Vorster (55:23)

them.

I think it's going to

be used minimal and I think it's not really going to have massive I think that's just a nice glamour to have but I don't think it's going to make critical decisions. I mean it could be like if a player is sliding and the umpire said your foot touched the net and they're called for and it hasn't. But those are outliers.

dan (55:53)

So storyline. What's storyline, prediction? What what what you're gonna what you're gonna what what we're gonna see? What's nobody seeing? What's gonna shock us? What we're gonna be talking about.

Kieron Vorster (55:55)

It's a storyline.

Fred (56:03)

What everybody is seeing is obviously Serena and if she loses early there will be a story and people will be talking about whether it's right or wrong that she comes back or she makes a run and people will talk about how it's great and she's good and the gold and whatever. So I think there two potential storylines there and secondly that nobody's picking up on I think it'll be a great tournament for the Brits all around.

Kieron Vorster (56:26)

Yeah, I think I think I agree with you on that. You know, they had, I think it was at 14 Britain qualifying. Pretty good.

Fred (56:35)

Yeah, it just seems like there's good momentum. There's a lot of numbers in the lower ranked guys that starting. They all have good levels. They're winning matches in Eastbourne and they're qualifying here and there and for the slams. There's a lot of very good players, a lot of girls, doubles, everything. I think it could be a very good summer for a very good two weeks for the Brits.

dan (56:57)

Very good. Voz?

Kieron Vorster (56:59)

Think individual headlines.

I Max Basing has an individual headline if he all of sudden beats Matt Shizuki. The headline being, you've lost already and when will that end? know, in the second round, how does it feel? Yeah, and think he's got a wonderful chance.

dan (57:14)

Yeah, be nice, yeah.

Kieron Vorster (57:19)

think Chiles could have a run there if he beats Mavudet first round. could be a headline, the granddad of the sport coming through. And yeah, I we haven't spoken about Jack Draper at all.

dan (57:32)

Chuck Drapa.

Fred (57:33)

But he's part of my British call because I think that he could do well.

Kieron Vorster (57:37)

Yeah,

dan (57:37)

Does he beat Taylor Fritz? Who wins that match? Fritz or Draper?

Kieron Vorster (57:37)

so that's an interesting thing think because they're both undercooked in terms of playing. Obviously Taylor has won a few more matches. Obviously Jack's just started now. Jack's going to have the British crowd behind him. He's got Andy Murray behind him, so I'm going to go Draper.

Fred (57:54)

I'm actually, mean, despite Fritz having turned it around a little bit, he doesn't, he hasn't had a great year and Draper is going to be, if he's fit as it looks to be, he's going to come out, be in great shape, have momentum. Seems like a lot of vibes in and around him at the moment and get the crowd behind him. So I'm, I'm, backing Draper to win that one as well. And I think also it's one of the few times where he starts the tournament where a match after he got really good.

where it's not really expected for him to win, think that's going to help him a little bit to ease the pressure.

Kieron Vorster (58:23)

Mm hmm.

dan (58:25)

Excuse the negativity,

but I actually think one of the storylines is that Emma Radicano and Jack Draper didn't make it to the to the to the to the starting line. I think we're gonna have a c I don't I don't know any I've no inside information on that with Jack. I with Emma. Emma I again I don't have insight, I've just got public information. I really have a strong feeling Emma's not gonna play.

Fred (58:37)

really?

dan (58:48)

I really hope Jack's okay, but Jack's history of the last six, twelve months has been when he's played three or four matches, he's then had to he's then had to rest, you know, and I I really hope I i if Jack makes it to Wimbledon and plays Wimbledon, it is a great sign for Jack Draper, in my opinion, because that shows that he's that he's been able to get back-to-back matches, whatever his injuries are. Again, I'm not not behind the scenes on that, but for him to get to the race line

Kieron Vorster (59:05)

Yeah, yeah, I agree.

to.

dan (59:17)

For him to compete hard against Taylor Fritz, even if he loses, I think it was a massive win because I think Jack Draper in the US, on those courts, fully fit and healthy, that's that's really what it's about for Jack Draper. the one storyline I think everyone's gonna be talking about at the end of Wimbledon is one we mentioned it earlier, the CTC live shows every day. And watch out for the segment. We used to have Dear Deedry. Dear Deedri.

Kieron Vorster (59:24)

of the state.

dan (59:45)

on the the Sun newspaper. We've got a dear Dan section where people can come with all of their any questions that they want. Hopefully with tennis, but if it is if it is love interests and romance or whatever else it might be, get your dear Dan questions in. She was at control the controllables. And I think I I can just see it now. I think in in 14 days time I think it's going to be one of the revelations of Wimbledon twenty twenty six.

Kieron Vorster (1:00:01)

I'll sort them out, don't worry about that.

dan (1:00:13)

Guys, get your questions in. Freddie, you can send them in as anonymous. You don't have to admit to all of your problems with your name signed off. It can be anonymous and then every evening I will I will fix your problems live on YouTube on Control the Controllables channel. So it's it's an exciting two weeks for you. Vozi, thank you for

Fred (1:00:14)

Okay.

Kieron Vorster (1:00:31)

trouble.

Fred (1:00:35)

Thank you. Exciting for me personally.

dan (1:00:41)

Next time maybe don't hold back on your opinions, but thank you for for coming on as as ever. Freddie, love having you guys, both of you on. Really, really appreciate it and and look forward to catching up with you soon.

Kieron Vorster (1:00:46)

Thank you.

dan (1:00:55)

So there you have it, the the consensus is Rabakina and Yannick Sinna. And I think it's hard to argue against those picks, but as we knew in Roland Garros, there's there's always a storyline at a major championships, and you can never take anything for granted. And I just can't wait to see what that is gonna be this year. You know, there will be a surprise, there will be something that happens, there will be some big talking points.

And as we said at the start of the show, we're going to be bringing those talking points to you. You know, that's something that here our promise are controller controllables. We're going to have our man on the ground. Harry's going to be on the ground. He's going to be at the press conferences. He's going to have his ear to the ground. He is going to know what is going on. When I'm working hard coaching and on that tennis court during the day, he's going to be collecting all of the information, all of the stories.

And then at 9 p.m. UK time, every day throughout Wimbledon, we're going to be bringing our controller controllables, Wimbledon live shows, which you'll be able to watch on YouTube. And then you'll be able to pick up the next day either on YouTube or on our on your podcast platform. And look out for yeah, the the various things that we're going to do. But we're going to, you know, we're going to be bringing together the news from the day. We are going to aim to have a guest every day that we're going to explore.

A little bit with that guest on their favourite Wimbledon event personally to them, you know, whether that was winning Wimbledon, whether that was playing Wimbledon, winning matches at Wimbledon, coaching at Wimbledon, we're going to be bringing that to you and then get their opinion on how the day has gone. And then we'll have a little quick fire round, which I think it'll be be a little bit of fun. And then look out for, I said it at the end of the show, look out for dear Dan. And if you've got anything that you want to ask me.

Preferably tennis related, then get your questions in. You'll see on the show notes how to do that. Look out on social media. There'll be lots of opportunities for you to send your questions in. Now, all of this is going to be in with association with Novellus, who has been a big supporter of the podcast over the last 12 months, but also Soto Tennis Academy and tennis athlete. So watch out for

Our players of the day, we're gonna have all sorts going on, and we want you to be involved. So start getting your questions in. What do you want to know from me? What do you want to know about Wimbledon, about tennis in general? It could be advice. And we're gonna try and dear Dan is gonna try and give you a little bit of that, as well as many updates coming from SW19. But until next time, I'm Dan Kiernan, and we are Control the Controllables.