The Big T

THE BIG T | Episode 18 — Presented by ServiceNow

Petch and Petko are back and they are NOT wasting any time. 

Episode 18 opens with breaking news that Jannik Sinner does not need a dating app — Petch has thoughts, opinions and a sarcastic take that sets the tone perfectly for everything that follows.

The big story out of Madrid — Carlos Alcaraz is OUT of Rome AND Roland Garros. We're talking about the biggest domino to fall in tennis this clay season and the our hosts break down every angle — does Sinner now just cruise to a second French Open? Are the tennis gods handing Novak Djokovic another lifeline? And is this finally — FINALLY — Zverev's moment to stop being the guy who almost wins Slams? Meanwhile in Madrid, 19-year-old Rafa Jodar is out here beating João Fonseca and absolutely refusing to stop being must-watch television.

Then Feliciano Lopez walks in and immediately becomes the best guest of 2026. Twenty years on tour. Four ATP titles. Davis Cup legend. And now the man who runs the Mutua Madrid Open — one of the biggest events on the planet. Feli opens up about life as a tournament director, what REALLY happens behind the scenes when your marquee star pulls out, the electric rise of Rafa Jodar and whether Spain's golden generation ever ends. Plus a genuine, heartfelt send-off to Roberto Bautista Agut — one of the great warriors the sport has ever seen. Oh — and the hair? Still perfect. Inexplicably, magnificently perfect.

Later, tennis equipment obsessive Jonas Eriksson — better known as Tennis Nerd — arrives and the geek-out is REAL. Racquets. Strings. Tensions. Who switched what and why it matters. Clay season adjustments the average fan never thinks about. And Jonas drops his take on the three greatest racquets ever made — a conversation you didn't know you needed but absolutely cannot miss.

And to close — the moment this Episode was BUILT for: 

The debut of the Big T Combined Power Rankings, end of April edition, (presented by ServiceNow.) Petko's top 5. Petchey's top 5. Based on titles, wins and overall performance. Agreements? Probably not many. Arguments? Almost certainly. Must-listen tennis talk from two people who have actually lived this sport at the highest level.

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

🎾 Sinner doesn't need a dating app — Petch's sarcastic take opens the show

🎾 Alcaraz OUT of Rome and Roland Garros — what it means for Sinner, Djokovic and Zverev

🎾 Rafa Jodar stuns Fonseca in Madrid — is Spain's next superstar already here?

🎾 Feliciano Lopez — tournament director life, the Alcaraz withdrawal crisis and the future of Spanish tennis

🎾 A heartfelt goodbye to Roberto Bautista Agut — a true warrior of the game

🎾 Tennis Nerd Jonas Eriksson on racquets, strings, clay season gear and the three greatest racquets ever made

🎾 The debut of the Big T Combined Power Rankings — Petko vs Petchey, top 5, no mercy

 

 

 


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Tennis just got a major shake-up.In today’s Big T-Drop Shot, episode, we break down the shocking injury news surrounding Carlos Alcaraz, as the young superstar is set to miss both Rome and Roland Garros. What does this mean for the clay season—and the race for Grand Slam glory?Hosts Brad Gilbert and Mark Petchey dive deep into the ripple effects across the tennis world. With Alcaraz sidelined, the door swings wide open…
Will Jannik Sinner continue his dominant run and stack more titles? Or can Novak Djokovic summon greatness once again in pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam?And don’t sleep on the next wave—could rising stars like João Fonseca, Arthur Fils, or Martín Landaluce seize their moment under the bright lights? Plus: Is this finally the breakthrough opportunity for Alexander Zverev to capture that elusive first Slam?New Storylines. High Stakes. Big Surprises.
It’s all here on THE BIG T Podcast.

The Big T brings the heat this week with bold takes, big questions, and a legend added to the mix. Brad Gilbert and Coco Vandeweghe dive straight into the biggest story in tennis — the status of Carlos Alcaraz. With concerns around his wrist and forearm, could Roland Garros already be in jeopardy for the former World #1?

With opportunity opening up, the conversation turns to Munich Open Champ Ben Shelton or Barcelona winner, Arthur Fils. Can they seize the moment and make a real run in Madrid or Rome?

From there, BG and Coco break down their picks for the top clay-court players right now — outside of the usual names — and things get opinionated.

Then, former World No. 8 and fan favorite Marcos Baghdatis joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation — from battling in the Federer/Nadal era to shaping the next generation through IMG Future Stars.

Plus:

“On The Line” debates get heated

Iga’s evolving form under the microscope

The ultimate tennis controversy: underarm serve on match point — genius or disrespect?

Fan Mail + Code Violations close it out

This is the episode for insight, access, and unfiltered tennis conversation.

Watch full episodes and bonus content on the Tennis Channel YouTube and app.

Shockwaves hit the clay as Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic withdraw from the Madrid Open, leaving one of the biggest stops on tour suddenly wide open. On this Drop Shot Edition of The Big T, Brad Gilbert and Nick Monroe break down what these high-profile absences really mean—from the physical toll of the clay season to the strategic and financial ripple effects behind the scenes.

With the top seeds sidelined, the conversation turns to opportunity: Can Jannik Sinner capitalize—or will he also step back? Is this the moment for contenders like Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev to dominate? Or could rising Spanish talent Rafa Jodar ignite the home crowd and steal the spotlight?
A tournament in flux. A draw turned upside down. And a rare chance for the next wave to break through.

The buzz from Jannik Sinner's masterful Monte Carlo performance is still being felt around the tennis world as Brad Gilbert and Nick Monroe dig into his fourth consecutive Masters 1000 win, reclaiming the World #1 ranking and grabbing a firm hold of the SINCARAZ rivalry. How will Carlos Alcaraz respond as the clay season progresses?

 

Plus, recent co-host Chris Eubanks catches up with actor and stand-up comedy star, Matt Rife for a fun filled discussions comparing stand-up comedy with being a pro tennis player. Rife and Eubanks also reveal their choices for the GOATS of Comedy and GOATS of Tennis.

 

Geoff Chizever also joins this episode for a jolt of energy and debate with his weekly, BANK OR SHANK segment plus our fanmail gets us into the discussion of grunts on the tennis court.

 

For video versions check out Tennis Channel’s Youtube page https://www.youtube.com/@TennisChannel or the Tennis Channel App for all episodes and bonus scenes.