Episode 26

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Published on:

29th May 2026

Ep 26 - Roland Garros 2026 Early Rounds Review - Fritz and Rybakina Fall Early as Djokovic Grinds plus we discuss Fat Shaming

Roland Garros 2026 is already delivering everything we could have asked for: upsets, drama, grinding favourites and a teenage sensation taking Paris by storm. Adam, Chris and Adrian break down every twist and turn from the opening rounds of the French Open and look ahead to what promises to be a blockbuster second week of tennis.

On the men's side of the French Open, Taylor Fritz became the first big seed to fall, beaten in four sets on Day 1, while tennis legend Stan Wawrinka received an emotional farewell from the Paris crowd in what was his final Roland Garros. The second round brought more carnage, with 10th seed Alexander Bublik bundled out by Jan-Lennard Struff and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina falling to Thiago Tirante. Meanwhile Novak Djokovic has been made to work for every point, surviving a gruelling four-hour, four-set battle against Frenchman Valentin Royer in oppressive Paris heat, setting up a mouth-watering third-round clash against Brazilian tennis sensation Joao Fonseca. The top seeds have otherwise held firm, with Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime all safely through at the Roland Garros 2026 Tennis Grand Slam.

All eyes at Roland Garros though continue to fall on Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar, who has captured the imagination of the Paris crowds with two impressive victories and looks every bit the future of men's tennis.

On the women's side of the French Open 2026, the draw has been the most unpredictable in years. Day 1 alone claimed four Grand Slam champions in Barbora Krejcikova, Emma Raducanu, Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens. The second round brought the biggest shock yet, with 2nd seed Elena Rybakina stunned by Yuliia Starodubtseva in a third-set tiebreak, while defending Rome champion Jasmine Paolini was sent packing by Argentina's Solana Sierra. Iga Swiatek, Mirra Andreeva, Marta Kostyuk, Elina Svitolina and Sorana Cirstea have all advanced, but with Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Naomi Osaka, whose Eiffel Tower-inspired outfit stole the headlines before she'd hit a ball, all still to play their second-round matches at the 2026 French Open, the chaos shows no sign of slowing down.

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About the Podcast

Talkn Tennis
Talkn Tennis is a weekly Australian tennis podcast with three mates breaking down ATP, WTA and Grand Slam drama over a drink or three
Talkn Tennis is an Australian tennis podcast recorded in Melbourne, hosted by Chris alongside Adam and Adrian, where they break down the biggest stories from the ATP and WTA tours, occasionally with a drink in hand.

Expect informed tennis discussion with more trash talk than Medvedev versus Tsitsipas.

There are no PR-approved answers or overly polite commentary here, just honest opinions, questionable predictions and the conversations tennis fans are already having in the deep dark corners of Reddit or X.

Each week, they unpack the latest results, tournament draws and major talking points from around the tour. From the Australian Open in Melbourne to Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, plus the Masters 1000 events, the United Cup and the Davis Cup. Talkn Tennis covers every stop on the jam-packed tennis calendar.

The boys discuss who will dethrone Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and bandwagon the latest up-and-comers from Joao Fonseca to Arthur Fils.

Chris continues to try and convince the boys that Elena Rybakina is actually the best player on the WTA, not Aryna Sabalenka. Meanwhile, Adrian remains hopeful of an Iga Swiatek resurgence. They also keep close watch on the Australian contingent, from Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint to the party boy Nick Kyrgios and all his antics.

Each episode features:
• Honest reactions to the latest ATP and WTA action
• Grand Slam storylines, dark-horse selections and confident, sometimes correct predictions
• Discussion of players, rivalries and the moments everyone is talking about
• Tournament previews, recaps, listener questions and regular games
• Bad jokes, the occasional drink and debates that may permanently damage their friendship

From five-set classics and first-round disasters to coaching controversies, umpire blow-ups and unexpected breakout runs, Talkn Tennis covers the serious, strange and entertaining sides of professional tennis.

Talkn Tennis is not affiliated with the ATP or WTA and is almost certainly not approved by your local tennis club committee.

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About your hosts

Adrian Purgaric

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Adrian "Gluten Free" Varjoss

Adam "The Animal" Blundetto

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Undefeated against his little brother in all-time matches
Took out Phils kid brother in one shot
Fils is a future World Number 1

Chris Anthony

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Adams brother