Tales from Tennis
Hosted by reporters Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe, Tales from Tennis takes listeners behind the curtain of professional tennis. Each week, the show features players, coaches, broadcasters, journalists and other insiders, sharing their journeys, stories from the road, and a unique perspective on life inside the game. New episodes every Wednesday. The podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endorsed by ATP.
Candy Reid: Behind the Scenes with Alcaraz, Sinner and the Next Generation
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with broadcaster and journalist Candy Reid. Candy lifts the lid on what it’s really like interviewing some of the biggest stars in tennis, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and shares her behind-the-scenes perspective on their personalities away from the spotlight.
She also dives into the current state of both the men’s and women’s game, exploring the rise of the next generation and the players shaping the future of the sport.
🎙️ Our introductory background episode is live in this feed i...
Holger Rune: Injury Comeback, Paris Title at 19 and Returning to the Top
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with Denmark's Holger Rune. Rune opens up about his current injury setback, the rehabilitation process and the mentality required to stay positive while working his way back to full fitness.
He also reflects on his remarkable breakthrough season in 2022, when he won the Paris Masters at just 19 years old, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final and announcing himself as one of the sport’s brightest young talents. Rune discusses how that success shaped his expectations, the belief he has always carried in his game and hi...
Tristan Schoolkate: Facing Jannik Sinner and the Aussie House Shares That Led There
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with Australian tennis player Tristan Schoolkate. Tristan reflects on his experience facing Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, what it felt like stepping onto Rod Laver Arena and what he learned from competing against one of the world’s best on the sport’s biggest stage.
He also discusses his win against rising star Joao Fonseca, the realities of travelling the professional tour, and the unique experience of sharing houses with fellow Australian players earlier in his career, offering an honest look at the grind, cama...
Stuart Fraser: Inside Murray’s World & Raducanu’s Rise
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with the former tennis correspondent for The Times, Stuart Fraser, to reflect on 15 years covering the sport at the highest level.
Stuart shares stories from inside Andy Murray’s world, charting his rise, resilience and personality beyond the court. He also reflects on witnessing defining moments in British tennis, including Emma Raducanu’s breakthrough on the global stage in New York in 2021.
Stuart looks back on reporting through the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, offering insight into thei...
Bastien Fachan: Fashion, Fandom & the Big 3
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with tennis content creator and author Bastien Fachan. Bastien shares his perspective on tennis culture, from the role of fashion and personal expression in the sport to how iconic looks and traditions shape the way fans engage with the game. He also discusses writing his book on the era-defining dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, reflecting on the stories, rivalries and debates that defined a generation of tennis.
Drawing on his experience building a global social following, Bastien explains his approach to...
Carlos Bernardes: The Man in the Chair for the World’s Best
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with legendary chair umpire Carlos Bernardes. Carlos reflects on officiating some of the biggest names the sport has ever seen, including Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, and what it takes to manage the biggest personalities and moments from the best seat in the house, sharing fun stories.
He also looks back on umpiring a Wimbledon final, growing up in Brazil in the 1970s and his journey into professional tennis, before opening up about the heart attack he suffered during the 2021 Australian Open. A rare insight...
Gill Gross: How Tennis is Really Analysed
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with tennis analyst and commentator Gill Gross. Gill breaks down his process for analysing matches, the most interesting and telling stats in tennis and how he approaches predictions at the highest level of the sport.
He also shares his thoughts on how tennis is evolving digitally, how the game is being consumed by fans today, and where analysis, media and content creation are heading in the future, drawing on his experience working with Tennis Channel and building one of the sport’s leading analytical platforms.
...Tumaini Carayol: Media Days, Player Trust & the Tennis Circuit
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with The Guardian’s tennis correspondent Tumaini Carayol. Tumaini lifts the lid on how media days really work, what it takes to build trusted relationships with players, including Naomi Osaka and Jack Draper, and what life is like on the road covering the tour.
He also shares his thoughts on the current state of the men’s and women’s game, reflects on his early days building his profile and much more.
🎙️ Our introductory background episode is live in this feed if you’d li...
Sem Verbeek: Winning Wimbledon, Facing Jannik Sinner & Life on the Road
In this second episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with Wimbledon mixed doubles champion and ATP Tour titlist Sem Verbeek to discuss college tennis, what it is like to win Wimbledon and his matches with Jannik Sinner. Sem also shares his thoughts on the key to a strong doubles partnership, along with other fun stories from life as a tennis player.
🎙️ Our introductory background episode is live in this feed if you’d like to learn more about who we are and why we created Tales from Tennis.
🚨 Coming up Wednesday 28th January...
Nick Lester: Calling the Biggest Moments in Tennis
In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with renowned tennis commentator Nick Lester to discuss life behind the mic, his journey into the sport and what it’s really like calling matches at the highest level. Nick shares insights on his relationships with former and current players, including Jim Courier and Nick Kyrgios, along with his honest thoughts on the current state of men’s tennis and must-attend events for fans.
🎙️ Our introductory background episode is already live in this feed if you’d like to learn more about who we are and why we...
Tales from Tennis: Intro
What really goes on in professional tennis? In this short intro episode, reporters Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe introduce Tales from Tennis, a new podcast exploring life on the road, the people who shape the sport and the stories fans rarely hear. They break down the idea behind the show and tease some of the names set to appear in upcoming episodes.
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The podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endor...
