Ep 5 - The Landscape of Doubles Tennis & End of Year Awards

1. Intro

Hello everybody and welcome to Talkn Tennis. The only tennis podcast you need to be listening to to get all your tennis headlines, results and well informed unbiased opinions. Don't forget to follow us on X @TalknTennis to get all of our unfiltered opinions. I'm your host, they call me Adam the Animal and I'm joined by my two partners in crime: firstly the man who has made history by becoming the first person to retire from tennis to take on a full-time job as a volleyball coach, its Chrisy P, how are you Chris. Secondly the man whose playing days were cut short prematurely leaving him with a tennis career made up of more knee surgeries than tennis trophies its Vargos, how are you Adrian. 

1. Life Updates
2. Headlines

Vera Zvonareva Falls Short in Comeback Final: The 41-year-old Russian's fairytale run at the ITF W100 in Dubai ended in the final on Sunday losing to 20 -year-old Croatian rising star Petra Marčinko in straight sets (3-6, 3-6). Another comeback on the cards with reports last week that Serena Williams had re-entered the doping testing pool, which immediately sparked speculation about a potential 2026 return to tennis. However, the legend was quick to shut down those rumors, issuing a statement on X denying any plans to return to professional competition. 

The ATP tennis awards were handed out this week Carlos Alcaraz & Andrey Rublev Win ATP Awards. Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award: Carlos Alcaraz (his second time winning). Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award: Andrey Rublev, honored for his foundation work. Doubles Players Request Denied Around 100 doubles players had a request to the ATP to self-fund and manage their own Instagram account was denied by the ATP. The players offered to self-fund the initiative. 

• Vera Zvonareva Falls Short in Comeback Final: The 41-year-old Russian's fairytale run at the ITF W100 in Dubai ended in the final on Sunday. She lost to 20-year-old Croatian rising star Petra Marčinko in straight sets (3-6, 3-6). Despite the loss, it was Zvonareva's first singles final in five years

• Speaking of comebacks, Serena Williams "Comeback" Rumors Swirl and Fade. Last week, reports emerged that Serena Williams had re-entered the doping testing pool, which immediately sparked speculation about a potential 2026 return to tennis. However, the legend was quick to shut down those rumors, issuing a statement on X denying any plans to return to professional competition. Under tennis anti-doping rules, a retired player must make themselves available for testing for six months before they're allowed to compete in a professional tournament.

• Doubles Players Request Denied Around 100 doubles players had a request to the ATP to self-fund and manage their own Instagram account was denied by the ATP. The players offered to self-fund the initiative, with pledges of around $2,000 per player to hire professional social media managers and content creators to run the page, rather than asking the ATP for money. The story gained traction after Calvin Betton (coach of Wimbledon doubles champion Henry Patten) revealed the details during an appearance on the Chip & Charge tennis podcast. He expressed frustration that the ATP seemingly has "zero marketing for doubles" and is solely focused on the Sinner vs. Alcaraz rivalry, yet blocked the players' attempt to fill that gap themselves.  

Carlos Alcaraz & Andrey Rublev Win ATP Awards. The ATP has begun rolling out its 2025 season awards this week:

• Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award: Carlos Alcaraz (his second time winning).
• Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award: Andrey Rublev, honored for his foundation work.
• Fans' Favourite: Jannik Sinner (Singles) and Bolelli/Vavassori (Doubles).

3.2 Chris venting because people older than 40 want to play on the tour why can't people just retire in peace. The comebacks make me sick

1. End of Year Awards

4.1 Flop of the Year

C: Stefanos Tsitsipas – Early Slam exits + coaching carousel + injuries = disappointing season.

A: Casper Ruud: losing in <?> tournamenent, Medvedv, Francis Tiofe: Arrogant cant stand him, number 30. Big Flog

4.2 Breakout Surprise Packet Award

C: Arthur Fills

A: Vacherot …. J.Mensik - 19th in World

Arthur Fils – Consolidated his hype with big top-10 wins and improvements indoors.

4.3 Match of the Year

Medvedev defeated Zverev in 2024 Australian Open semifinals, 5–7, 3–6, 7–6, 7–6, 6–3

Adrian: Bublik v De Minaur Roland Garros Rd 2.

• Bublik came back from 2 sets down.
• It has Bublik in it.
• Tweeners and crowd arousal.
• Enough said.

4.4 Social Media Merchant of the YEar Idea

Gaël Monfils – Hilarious clips, wholesome content, trick shots, vlogs.

4.1 Who was Your Tantrum of the Year

• Holger Rune’s racquet blow-up during the European indoor swing where he smashed a frame after a missed forehand and instantly regretted it (and paid for it).
• Alexander Bublik’s sarcastic “I love this sport” meltdown during Monte-Carlo after three double faults in one game. 

4.2 Flop of the Year Award

• Casper Ruud slumping through the clay season after being tipped as a favourite again.
• Stefanos Tsitsipas falling early at the Aussie Open after a hyped pre-season.

4.3 Biggest WTF Moment Award

• Nick Kyrgios announcing an exhibition tour mid-rehab, making everyone question whether he was retiring, returning, or starting a stand-up comedy career.
• A chair umpire forgetting the score in an ATP 250 match, leading to a multi-minute debate with both players and coaches.

4.4 Breakout Surprise Packet Award

• Jakub Mensik storming into the Top 25 after a monster run in the Middle East swing
• Flavio Cobolli reaching his first ATP 500 final.
• Valentin Vacherot winning a ATP Masters 1000 ranked 200 in the worlds

4.5 Social Media Merchant of the Year Award

• Kyrgios arguing with fans and journalists during AO season… again.
• Tsitsipas’ philosophical quotes that confused everyone, especially Stef.

5. Battle of the Spuds