It's yet another major, the third of 2026 and arguably the most important one in terms of prestige: Wimbledon starts next week.

We got the draws in front of us and go through each of the 8 sections in both women's and men's singles draws, identifying popcorn matches, and key challenges for key players.

Oh, and, for the time being, Serena Williams playing her first professional singles match in almost four years is still the more important topic. Can she beat Maya Joint? Will we get an explosive match against Filipina star Alex Eala?

To finalize, no, we don't think Djokovic will get too close to that trophy again.

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Marketa Vondrousova has received a four-year suspension for refusing to take a doping test late in 2025.

At first, the ITIA seemed to have it under control, the content they posted and their explanation made sense. But then, Vondrousova came with a response, and pointed out inconsistecies in the process and what seemed to have been a poorly executed visit by the tester.

Whether or not she has a case, the biggest loser in this situation on the long term is certainly the ITIA's brand reputation. If we can't trust the International Tennis Integrity Agency, who CAN we trust? It's time for them to really step up in their transparency and communication strategies.

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Serena Williams will be back at Wimbledon playing singles for the first time since 2022!

At 44 years old, she played some really good tennis with Mboko before the Canadian injured her knee at Queens. This decision to come back and even play singles at the most well-known tennis tournament in the world is intriguing: what does she want to get from this?

While it's practically impossible to see Serena winning Wimbledon, especially after her last win coming seven years ago, plus her age, I still can't complain. She will be back, she will be roaring, involved and full of energy in a way only Serena Williams can be.

I hope for at least one win. It will be EPIC.

I also talk a bit about how so many promising young women are making good progress on the grass this year, notably Berlin champion Linda Noskova, Berlin semi-finalist (l. Noskova) Alex Eala, and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. All players with very different styles, different career trajectories, but with great potential to make the next 10-15 years at the WTA be really awesome and competitive.

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I was convinced Alexander Zverev would never win a grand slam title. I was proven wrong - but he needed mighty help from the tennis gods to make it happen. I have questions about whether this will translate into more success or if things will remain more or less the same.

(If you want to skip the DV case discussion part, I talk exclusively about tennis from 16:32 until the end.)

But, before the tennis, there's the awkward, sad situation of the DV allegations. He was cleared via settlement, which indicates neither guilt nor innocence, but he's effectively not charged with anything and has no record (as far as I understand.) But that doesn't mean the ATP should just call it a day on that: the lack of policies, or even any sort of acknowledgement of the serious problem of domestic abuse is simply disappointing. It's not about Zverev, but about a sustainable, robust standard in place to protect victims and hold their contractors, stars and moneymakers to a level of integrity that needs to be even higher than for doping cases.

Once that's out of the way, I talk about where my attention will be directed in terms of Zverev's next matches, which I believe will give a definitive answer as to whether Roland Garros was a one-in-a-life-time chance for him, or if this win can unlock a new mentality for the German.

Spoiler alert: I don't think anything will change, and he will continue losing to Alcaraz, Sinner, and whoever else will come up in the future that will become the next big thing.

But, for better or for worse, Alexander Zverev is a Grand Slam champion.

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A discussion on Alexander Zverev’s route to winning the title and analysis of the final with historical implications, Jannik Sinner’s shocking defeat, João Fonseca vs Djokovic, thoughts on Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik plus future projections.

On the Women’s side, we recap Mirra Andreeva’s impressive title run, Maja Chwalinska’s heroics to get to the final, and discuss each of the Core 4 (Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek) and what to make of their campaigns which all ended before the semifinals. We also Look ahead to the grass.

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Mirra Andreeva caps off an amazing clay season with the biggest clay title possible at Roland Garros. At only 19 years old!

If the season before clay wasn't filled with her best moments, Andreeva came back with fire for the clay, winning 22 of 25 matches, and lifting her first major title. While she was pretty much expected to achieve all there is to achieve in tennis, maybe this title at Grand Slam level might have surprised even the best analysts. I personally think this came way sooner than I thought it would, even though I did pick her to win the tournament during our Draw Previews episode.

Now, at No.1 in the Race, she has a tangible chance at getting to the top of the rankings, becoming World No.1 for real. But the road ahead won't be easy.

The WTA Core Four:

Swiatek's episode: https://shows.acast.com/tennis-and-bagels/episodes/iga-swiatek-lost-at-roland-garros-there-are-positives

I have opinions on the performances of the WTA Core Four, meaning Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff. It ranges from "it's fine, it happens," to "this could trigger the end of her peak."

In particular, Sabalenka had possibly the worst result, even if she's gotten the furthest in the tournament. Losing 10 games in a row when you're serving for the match is an epic meltdown. It's the kind of historic achievement you just don't want in your resume, especially as World No.1 when all your biggest rivals are already out of the tournament.

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The biggest favourite since Rafael Nadal in 2009, Jannik Sinner lost in a shocking comeback effort by Juan Manuel Cerundolo only in the second round.

The details of this match you already know.

But this loss will remain in the history books, and the complete absence of a serious second best player, with Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by a wrist injury, means that whoever wins, we will always note the context of the utterly unexpected Sinner ousting, and that so early in the tournament.

It's not an asterisk, though: it's more so a triggering event to one of the most chaotic Grand Slam tournaments of all time, with records being broken on time on court and five-set matches played. The tournament, which started in sleepy fashion and with Jannik Sinner's name half written in the trophy, became a free-for-all bloodbath where anyone suddenly saw themselves as the winner.

Great entertainment all around, as Alexander Zverev lurks in the shadows, quietly and effectively making his way to a potential first major title, now without the impenetrable barrier of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinnner. It could be his last chance.

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With a pretty disappointing season prior to the clay, Iga Swiatek looked a lot better with a new coach in her camp.

After a solid run in Rome losing out to defending champion Elina Svitolina, some even said Swiatek might be a big favourite to win the Roland Garros title a fifth time.

She won her first two rounds, avoided a dangerous clash against Ostapenko, and then lost in two sets to Madrid champion Marta Kostyuk in the 4th round in Paris.

Now what? Is it the end for Swiatek? Are her best days already behind her? Are the only things left for her now her memories and trophies?

I don't think so. It's never clear cut, but Swiatek is only 25 years old, and it happens to basically any great player to have a slump, a bad season or two, or to deal with some difficulties during their careers. The important thing is to keep coming back, keep trying to find solutions, keep playing and fighting.

It won't be easy, but with patience and resilience, I really think Swiatek will get back to her best - and maybe lift the Roland Garros trophy again as early as next year.

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