Explore every episode of the podcast Nothing Major
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 187: Serena's Wimbledon Wildcard, Alex Eala Mania Returns & Tiafoe Triumphs | EP 187 | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:45:18 | |
On this episode of Nothing Major, Sam, John, and Stevie recap a huge week on grass. They break down Frances Tiafoe’s title run in Halle, where he beat Taylor Fritz without facing a break point and finally snapped a seven-match skid against him. Then they head to Queen’s, where Francisco Cerúndolo battled through a tough week to win the title and got a special moment with his parents making the trip from Argentina for the final. Plus, the guys discuss Linda Nosková’s win in Berlin, Jessica Pegula’s momentum heading into Wimbledon, Alexandra Eala’s recent form and the biggest story in tennis: Serena Williams’ return to Wimbledon singles. 00:00 Show Kickoff | |||
| 186: Diana Shnaider Joins! Reaching a Slam Semi, The Hottie Coach Bracket & Being an F1 Fan | EP 186 | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:53:31 | |
Have a question for the show or need some life advice? Visit https://www.nothingmajorshow.com/ and head to the Fan Participation section to submit your questions, stories, or requests for advice! On this episode of Nothing Major, Sam and Stevie take the reins and welcome Diana Shnaider fresh off her Roland-Garros semifinal run. Diana talks about the quick turnaround from Paris to grass season, why she chose NC State as a top junior, and what college tennis was really like before making the leap to the pro tour. The guys finish on fan questions covering first-class travel, tennis finances, Survivor, and social etiquette. 00:00 Show Intro | |||
| 177: 2026 Roland Garros Round 1 Recap & Round 2 Predictions | Something Major | EP 177 | 26 May 2026 | 00:31:53 | |
Something Major is officially back. John, Sam, and Steve return from Paris to break down a chaotic opening round at Roland-Garros: surprise exits, brutal heat, questionable scheduling, and a few retirement-era feelings creeping in. Paris also says goodbye to Stan Wawrinka and hometown hero Gaël Monfils, who may have given the fans one last classic five-set battle. The guys revisit Medvedev’s latest clay-court disaster, while somehow Sam still thinks he’s got a chance against Sinner. They also break down Basavareddy’s fearless drop-shot clinic against Fritz and Casper Ruud surviving heat issues, a fourth-set bagel, and still finding a way through in five. On the women’s side, most top seeds handled business before Genie Bouchard joins the show to break down the draw and make her pick for the title... a pretty popular one! Plus, things get predictably sidetracked with heat complaints, stomach issues, and Sam accidentally eating 30 multivitamins because he thought they were gummy candy... just another completely "normal" pod episode! 00:00 Something Major is BACK! | |||
| 87: Mark Ein Joins the Pod, Favorite Moments and our Birthday Special! | EP 87 | 25 Jul 2025 | 00:47:08 | |
Nothing Major turns one! Join John, Jack, Sam, and Stevie for the one-year anniversary episode as they celebrate 12 months of being on air, not being cancelled and somehow not being sick of each other. This week the boys are joined by Mark Ein, Tournament Director of the Washington DC Open and partner of the Washington Commanders, who shares his journey in tennis, what it takes to run a world-class tournament, and some unforgettable stories, including a special moment with Rafael Nadal. A big thank you for following, subscribing and listening to Nothing Major, here's to the future! 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 02:22 Celebrating One Year of the Podcast 03:20 Favorite Moments and Guests 06:24 Goals for the Next Year 08:24 Discussing the Washington DC Tournament 10:34 Memorable Matches and Experiences 19:09 Interview with Mark Ein 20:03 Debating Tennis Strategies 21:05 Transforming the Tournament Experience 23:04 From Ball Boy to Tournament Owner 24:13 Challenges of Hosting Top Players 26:17 Player Requests and Tournament Logistics 30:11 Crossover Between Tennis and NFL Ownership 32:23 Memorable Matches and Player Interactions 39:04 Fun Questions and Personal Stories 44:52 Outro and Future Plans | |||
| 86: Mid-Season Awards, Toronto Withdrawals & The Doubles Debate | EP 86 | 21 Jul 2025 | 00:36:34 | |
John, Sam, Stevie, and a late-arriving Jack are here to kick off your week! Sam and John’s Sinner/Doubles hot take took the tennis world by storm over the weekend, and the heated debate continues in today’s episode. With a flood of withdrawals, the Toronto Open is shaping up to look very different, and the boys break down the big dropouts. Looking ahead to D.C. Andre Agassi is back in the headlines as he prepares to mentor Holger Rune, while the crew weighs in on the status of a slightly underwhelming Hopman Cup. Plus with the third Slam of the year now in the rearview, The gang host their very own mid-season tennis awards featuring some highly questionable categories like “Coolest Coaching Entourage” and “Player Most Likely to Gain 100 Pounds.” 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Debate: Sinner vs. Doubles Champions 07:28 Midseason Awards Discussion 17:28 Most Likely to Gain Weight After Playing 18:58 Midseason Awards and Player Updates 19:53 Discussion on Player Performances 25:28 Hopman Cup: A Blast from the Past 29:20 Upcoming Tournaments and Player Withdrawals 35:19 Coaching Trials and Final Thoughts | |||
| 85: Wimbledon Mailbag, Sam's Stolen Valor & Sinner's Doubles Challenge | Nothing Major | EP 85 | 18 Jul 2025 | 00:43:09 | |
Wimbledon may be done and dusted, but the boys have still got some stories to tell! John, Sam and Stevie discuss their own Wimbledon experiences and share stories from the Legends Tournament to Sam's surprising attendance at this year's Champion's Dinner. The boys dip into the Major Mailbag to answer some listener questions and the winner of the 2025 Wimbledon Bracket Challenge joins the boys to celebrate his victory. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 02:07 Wimbledon Recap and Highlights 03:17 Wimbledon Champion's Dinner Experience 09:57 Travel Stories and Anecdotes 14:27 Wimbledon Towels Tradition 22:58 Wimbledon Towels and Trading Stories 23:30 Hypothetical Tennis Match: Doubles vs. Sinner 25:55 Most European American Tennis Players 29:48 Junior Tennis Memories and Favorite Events 31:43 Bracket Challenge Winner Interview 35:55 Fashion Phases on Tour 41:59 Conclusion and Merchandise Promotion | |||
| 84: 2025 Wimbledon: Finals Recap | Something Major | EP 84 | 14 Jul 2025 | 00:41:42 | |
John, Jack, and Stevie reunite for the final episode of Something Major, Wimbledon 2025 edition, to break down all the action from Championship Weekend. The trio reflects on Iga Swiatek’s dominant performance in the women’s final and Sinner’s revenge win over Alcaraz on the men’s side. Stevie shares personal stories about getting bagelled, while Jack gives us an inside look at the Champions' Ball. We also dive into who might challenge Sinner or Alcaraz in the near future - and unpack a curious story from Washington 2021 that perfectly captures Sinner’s personality. -- 00:00 – Introduction and Welcome 01:06 – Wimbledon Champions' Ball Dance 05:58 – Women’s Final Analysis 17:20 – Men’s Final Analysis 23:15 – Sinner's Improved Net Play 24:26 – The Baseline Dominance 27:03 – Sinner vs. Alcaraz Future Predictions 29:21 – Who Can Challenge Sinner and Alcaraz? 31:33 – Sinner’s Washington 2021 Story 34:26 – Zverev’s New Coaching Setup 38:58 – Bracket Challenge Winner and Goodbye! | |||
| 83: 2025 Wimbledon: Semifinal Recap & Final Preview | Something Major | EP 83 | 12 Jul 2025 | 00:30:08 | |
Sam Querrey joins Jack Sock, and a shirtless John Isner to recap the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2025. They provide insights into Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner's performances, discuss John Isner's amusing shirtless appearance, and analyze Taylor Fritz's match against Carlos Alcaraz. The team debates whether Sinner or Alcaraz will claim the men's title and discuss Amanda Anisimova's remarkable journey to the women's final against Iga Swiatek. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:30 Wimbledon Bracket Challenge Loser: John Isner Shirtless 01:36 Wimbledon Members Enclosure Experience 03:55 Jack's Doubles Match Recap 07:00 Jannik Sinner vs. Novak Djokovic Semi-Final 10:40 Carlos Alcaraz vs. Taylor Fritz Semi-Final 14:27 Men's Final Predictions: Sinner vs. Alcaraz 16:40 Sinner's Mental Resilience 17:24 Ticket Prices and Final Anticipation 17:47 Women's Semifinals Recap 18:31 Amanda Anisimova's Journey 19:00 Analyzing the Final Matchups 19:44 American Tennis Dominance 22:37 Predicting the Women's Final 27:37 Debating the Greatest Sporting Event 29:43 Final Thoughts and Sign-Off | |||
| 82: 2025 Wimbledon: Quarterfinal Recap & Semifinal Preview | Something Major | EP 82 | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:33:06 | |
Sam and John reunite for a lively Wimbledon semifinals preview, dissecting Novak’s grit, Sinner’s form, and whether Fritz can shock Alcaraz. They recap Jack Sock and Bill Ackman’s buzzworthy Newport doubles cameo, toast Fabio Fognini’s surprise retirement, and swap semifinal picks in a split call on Sabalenka vs. Anisimova. The guys reflect on their own Wimbledon semifinal runs (and heartbreaks), the fate of fifth-set tiebreaks, and why some doubles veterans look suspiciously close to the legends circuit. Plus, Sam dishes on playing the Legends event with James Blake—and why Bruno Soares is still too good. All eyes now turn to championship weekend. 00:00 Introduction and Semifinals Overview 02:14 Fabio Fognini's Retirement Announcement 03:59 Men's Semifinals Breakdown: Sinner vs. Shelton 06:40 Ben Shelton's Performance and Future Prospects 08:39 Novak Djokovic's Path to the Semifinals 11:45 Taylor Fritz's Journey to the Semifinals 17:32 Reflecting on Memorable Matches 18:18 Impact of Rule Changes in Tennis 19:55 Women's Draw Analysis 21:48 Semifinal Predictions and Analysis 29:54 Legends Match and Personal Anecdotes 31:59 Closing Thoughts and Future Guests | |||
| 81: 2025 Wimbledon: Round 4 Recap & Quarterfinal Preview | Something Major | EP 81 | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:37:14 | |
Sam and Steve return with a round of 16 Wimbledon recap, sharing laughs and tennis insights. Sam brushes elbows with Federer but gets starstruck, while Jack Sock calls in from Newport to reveal his upcoming doubles comeback with hedge fund mogul Bill Ackman—against Bernard Tomic, no less. The guys analyze Dimitrov’s heartbreak, Shelton’s run, and Djokovic’s tight win, plus dive into women’s draw chaos, Andreeva’s rising star, and wild line-calling drama. Special guest Pedro Martinez joins to discuss his surprise Wimbledon run, grass-court game, and the vibe inside the unseeded locker room. Predictions fly as the quarterfinals loom. 00:00 Introduction and Round of 16 Recap 01:58 Upcoming Legends Match: James Blake and Jeremy Chardy 04:34 Jack's Return to Tennis at Newport 09:36 Wimbledon Round of 16 Highlights 16:44 Rublev vs. Alcaraz: A Match Recap 17:57 Cam Norrie’s Epic Battle Against Nicolas Jarry 18:48 Women's Draw Analysis: Round of 16 24:13 Quarterfinal Predictions: Men's and Women's Draw 30:32 Interview with Pedro Martinez 35:52 Bracket Challenge Update and Closing Remarks | |||
| 80: 2025 Wimbledon: Round 3 Recap & Round 4 Preview | Something Major | EP 80 | 06 Jul 2025 | 00:26:56 | |
Sam and Stevie J hold down a two-man pod for Wimbledon’s Round 3 recap, mixing tennis insights with hilarious behind-the-scenes tales. Sam battles desk nerves and a stubborn stomach ache while interviewing stars like Sinner and Alcaraz, and Stevie recalls his Davis Cup hotdog-eating victory at Andy Roddick’s house. The duo breaks down Sinner’s dominance, Alcaraz’s brief lapses, Novak’s ominous form, and chaos in the women’s draw. Off-court chatter includes Tsitsipas drama, legends events, and the mysteries of Wimbledon’s Final Eight Club. It’s classic Something Major: tennis talk, personal stories, and plenty of laughs. 00:00 Introduction and Wimbledon Round 3 Recap 01:44 Funny Moments and Behind the Scenes 06:34 Match Highlights and Player Performances 08:33 Men's Tennis Analysis 13:58 Women's Tennis Analysis 15:26 Analyzing Iga’s Performance and Predictions 16:33 Emma Navarro's Journey and Grass Court Challenges 17:47 Women's Side Predictions and Surprises 21:31 Goran's Controversial Comments on Tsitsipas 25:24 Legends Match and Final Thoughts | |||
| 79: 2025 Wimbledon: Round 2 Recap & Round 3 Preview | Something Major | EP 79 | 04 Jul 2025 | 00:31:10 | |
Sam returns to the pod alongside John Isner and Steve Johnson for a packed episode of tennis banter and off-court gossip. The guys dissect Sinner’s dominant form, Alcaraz’s gritty start, and Djokovic’s ominous momentum. Off-court, they dive into the Tsitsipas-Badosa breakup drama and share laughs about blackout curtains, British breakfasts, and overheated London flats. From upsets like Draper’s fall to Cilic's resurgence, and American hopes with Fritz and Navarro, it’s a comprehensive Wimbledon update mixed with trademark humor and behind-the-scenes insight from the SW19 grounds. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 00:36 Tennis Gossip: Tsitsipas/Badosa Breakup 02:20 Commentary on Recent Matches 07:14 Surprising Wins and Losses 09:04 Discussion on Player Performances 12:36 Unexpected Outcomes and Predictions 17:27 American Players' Performance 18:26 Women's Tournament Highlights 22:25 Predictions and Analysis 25:37 Bracket Standings and Updates 27:39 On-Site Experiences and Final Thoughts | |||
| 78: 2025 Wimbledon: Round 1 Recap & Round 2 Preview | Something Major | EP 78 | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:31:38 | |
John, Jack, and Stevie break down a wild first round at Wimbledon, including a record-tying 13 upsets in the men’s main draw—matching the most ever in a Grand Slam opening round. The crew dives into the shock exits of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, shares their predictions for round two, and checks in on the leaderboard for the Nothing Major Bracket Challenge. 00:00 Wimbledon Carnage: First Round Upsets 05:40 American Players' Performance 12:31 Mental and Physical Challenges in Tennis 14:36 Women's Side: Unexpected Exits 19:09 Madison's Performance and Coco's Future 19:58 Men's Second Round Predictions 20:13 Francis Tiafoe vs. Cameron Norrie 22:00 Jenson Brooksby vs. Sam Querrey 22:49 Taylor Fritz vs. Gabriel Diallo 24:44 Novak Djokovic's Dominance 26:28 Bracket Challenge Update | |||
| 176: Roland Garros Preview, Uncovering Beautiful Courts, & Overrated TV Shows | EP 176 | 22 May 2026 | 00:43:34 | |
John, Sam, and Stevie officially enter Roland-Garros mode, where one question takes over the entire men’s draw: can anyone stop Jannik Sinner? The guys make their picks, debate why Novak Djokovic somehow keeps showing up near the top of the odds board, throw out dark horses, and come up with increasingly ridiculous theories for how Sinner could actually lose. On the women’s side, nobody agrees on anything. Iga, Sabalenka, Coco, Rybakina — the board turns into complete chaos as the guys make title picks, argue over who’s being underrated, and try to figure out whether taking “the field” might be the safest bet. Plus: Most Beautiful Courts returns with absurd tennis postcard locations, and things completely derail during an overrated TV show draft featuring Yellowstone, Friends, Stranger Things, airport breakfast outrage, and several takes that may age worse than the Roland-Garros predictions. -- French Open Bracket Draw is now live! And we are doing a draw for both the men & women. Submit yours to win some amazing Nothing Major prizes! https://bracket.nothingmajorshow.com/nothingmajor | |||
| 77: Wimbledon Stories, UK Pet Peeves & Tournament Predictions | EP 77 | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:38:29 | |
00:00 Welcome to the Show! 01:37 Hotty Bracket: Women’s Field Debate 03:39 Our Top UK Pet Peeves 15:39 Pre-Wimbledon Week 22:06 Behind the Scenes: Wimbledon Practice Sessions 23:46 Predictions for the 2025 Championships 29:36 The Wimbledon Snake Draft: Building the Perfect Team 36:28 Final Thoughts and Goodbye! | |||
| 76: Alcaraz Rules Queen’s, Bublik Shakes Up Halle & Wimbledon Awaits | EP 76 | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:37:19 | |
The boys break down what makes Alcaraz so dangerous on grass after his latest London title, and dive into Bublik's chaotic — yet brilliant — run on German soil, highlighted by a big win over Sinner. We also unpack the WTA action in Berlin, where former Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova lifted the trophy. Could she be the most dangerous seed at The Championships? Plus, Sam revisits the worst prediction of 2025, and Steve takes a trip down memory lane, reflecting on his first career title in Nottingham — just one week before Wimbledon. 00:00 Welcome to the Show! 01:51 Something Major Wimbledon Edition + Bracket Challenge 05:16 Carlos Alcaraz's Grass Court Dominance in Queen's 14:00 Alexander Bublik's Impressive Run in Halle 19:12 Vondrousova's Victory in Berlin 21:41 Unseeded Threats in Wimbledon 28:13 Nothing Major Coaching for US Open? 29:37 Upcoming Tournaments and Player Insights 31:57 Experiences at Eastbourne and Nottingham 36:26 Final Thoughts and Merch | |||
| 75: US Open Mixed Doubles, Hypothetical Players 9-to-5 Jobs & Sam's Queen’s Title | EP 75 | 20 Jun 2025 | 00:28:55 | |
The boys kick things off by diving into the grass court season, weighing the pros and cons of the Queen’s and Halle tournaments. Along the way, they share some hilarious anecdotes—plus, Sam learns the hard truth that winning Queen’s might not be as impressive as he once thought. Next, the crew breaks down the US Open Mixed Doubles entry list, unpacking the quirky new format and some spicy team pairings—like Alcaraz and Raducanu. Turns out, Sam’s hot take from last year might actually be coming true. The episode wraps with a fun segment imagining what jobs top tennis players would have if they weren’t on tour. From Alcaraz as a cabana boy to Sinner working at an amusement park, the guys deliver some oddly accurate (and laugh-out-loud) hypothetical scenarios. 00:00 Intro 00:43 Grass Court Season: Queens and Halle 03:15 Memorable Moments at Queen's Club 08:38 US Open Mixed Doubles Format and Teams 15:13 Wildcard Requests 15:35 Predictions and favorite teams 20:47 Hypothetical Players 9-to-5 Jobs 28:16 Wrapping up | |||
| 74: Grass Season, Fritz Triumphs and Monfils' Viral Video | EP 74 | 16 Jun 2025 | 00:28:14 | |
Jack, John, Sam and Steve are back and ready for tennis' seasonal switch to grass. The boys dive review an action-packed first week of grass-court tennis, discussing the new women's tournament at Queen's and the men's action in Stuttgart and the Netherlands. Tatiana Maria made history in London, and U.S. tennis captured another trophy thanks to Taylor Fritz's much-needed victory in Germany. They also weigh in on Gael Monfils’ viral video about hate DMs, the new Andy Murray Arena and share (not so) bold predictions for Queen’s and Halle. 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:17 Tatiana Maria's Remarkable Victory 02:26 Men's Tournaments Recap 03:36 Fritz's Comeback and Performance 08:31 Diallo's Potential and College Tennis 11:41 Ben Shelton's Rapid Rise 15:01 Addressing Online Harassment in Tennis 15:55 Dealing with Hate Messages in Sports 17:15 The New Andy Murray Arena 18:17 Naming Courts After Players: A Tricky Business 19:18 Vacation Spots for Tennis Players 19:48 Predictions for Upcoming Tournaments 26:16 Trivia Time: American Tennis Players in the Top 10 27:43 Goodbye! | |||
| 73: Roland Garros Mailbag, Craziest Locker Room Stories & Wienergate Revealed | EP 73 | 13 Jun 2025 | 00:46:04 | |
The guys wrap up the thrilling clay court season with a deep dive into the epic Roland Garros final. They also answer fan questions—covering everything from Sam's potential TV career to hilarious locker room stories, including the possible funniest story ever 'Wienergate'. As the discussion shifts to the grass court season, the guys reveal their preparation routines and share their take on surface transitions. Plus, the show welcomes JoeyDonuts, the winner of the Roland Garros bracket challenge, for chat where he breaks down his draw selection and poses a hot question about his favorite Joao Fonseca. 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Recap of Roland Garros and Sam's TV Experience 03:59 Discussion on the Epic Roland Garros Final 09:53 Fan Questions and Insights 17:51 Locker Room Stories and Funny Moments 24:14 The Baguette Story 25:15 Match Points and Championship Matches 29:12 Introducing Joey Donuts 34:05 Transitioning to Grass Court Season 42:58 Anniversary Mishap | |||
| 72: 2025 Roland Garros: Finals Recap | Something Major | Ep 72 | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:27:25 | |
Finals Day at Roland Garros delivered—big time. The guys react to an all-time classic men’s final, where Carlos Alcaraz edged Jannik Sinner in a five-hour, 29-minute thriller filled with jaw-dropping shotmaking and momentum swings. They debate whether it ranks as a top-three match of all time and what it means for the sport’s future. On the women’s side, Coco Gauff outlasts Aryna Sabalenka in blustery conditions, proving her grit and poise. The squad also tackles hot takes on prime Rafa vs. the new era, roof rules, and celebrates their bracket winners—congrats Joey Donuts! Plus: trivia, flowers for Stevie, and wrap-up plans. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:41 Discussing the Epic Men's Final 01:22 Analyzing Key Moments and Predictions 03:26 Reflecting on the Match and Player Performances 05:54 Comparing Generations and Player Legacies 14:17 Transition to Women's Final Discussion 14:55 Debate: Roof Open or Closed? 17:14 Coco Gauff's Impressive Comeback 19:37 Analyzing Sabalenka's Performance 20:54 Future of Women's Tennis 22:35 Bracket Update and Winners 25:49 Trivia and Wrap-Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 71: 2025 Roland Garros: Semifinals Recap & Finals Preview | Something Major | Ep 71 | 07 Jun 2025 | 00:26:51 | |
Jack and Sam return for a two-man show to break down the French Open semifinals and preview the finals. On the women’s side, Coco Gauff cruises past surprise wildcard Louisa Boisson, while Aryna Sabalenka powers through Iga Świątek in a roof-closed slugfest. The guys debate who has the edge in the final. On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner eliminates Novak Djokovic in straight sets, while Carlos Alcaraz outlasts Lorenzo Musetti in a tense three-set battle. The pod squad splits on Sinner vs. Alcaraz predictions, plus bracket challenge updates and an excellent fan question. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:19 Shoutouts and Fan Interactions 02:19 Women's Semifinals Recap 11:16 Men's Semifinals Recap 15:06 Unexpected Efforts and Setbacks 16:54 Alcaraz vs. Sinner: The Anticipated Final 18:06 Predictions and Analysis 20:13 Player Strategies and Insights 23:41 Fan Questions and Wrap-Up | |||
| 70: 2025 Roland Garros: Quarterfinal Recap & Semifinal Preview | Something Major | Ep 70 | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:19:39 | |
John and Jack break down a thrilling quarterfinal round and look ahead to the blockbuster semifinals at Roland Garros. Djokovic turns back the clock to beat Zverev, setting up a showdown with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz advances easily, while Musetti stirs controversy in his win over Tiafoe. On the women’s side, French wildcard Lois Boisson stuns again and faces Coco Gauff next. Sabalenka vs. Swiatek headlines the semis in a heavyweight clash. The guys also touch on bracket drama, the Paris crowd, and tackle a wild mailbag question: could they take Sinner 2-on-1? It’s a packed and punchy episode. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 00:53 Men's Quarterfinals Recap: Djokovic vs. Zverev 02:52 Semifinals Preview: Djokovic vs. Sinner 06:00 Bottom Half of the Men's Draw: Alcaraz and Musetti 10:52 Women's Semifinals: The Underdog Story of Boisson 12:52 Women's Semifinals: Swiatek vs. Sabalenka 16:19 Bracket Updates and Fan Questions 19:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 69: 2025 Roland Garros: Round 4 Recap & Quarterfinal Preview | Something Major | Ep 69 | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:35:37 | |
Live from Paris, the crew recaps the Round of 16 and looks ahead to blockbuster quarterfinals at Roland Garros. Sam shares on-site stories, including a hilariously honest interview with Alexander Bublik. The guys break down Ben Shelton’s impressive run, Francis Tiafoe’s chances against Musetti, and Tommy Paul’s shot at upsetting Alcaraz. On the women’s side, Coco Gauff and Madison Keys are set for an all-American showdown, while wildcard Diane Parry continues her dream run. They also preview a massive Djokovic vs. Zverev clash and debate who’s most likely to lift the trophy. Toss in bracket challenge banter and merch updates—this is a packed episode of Something Major you don’t want to miss. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:16 Match Highlights and Player Insights 03:19 American Players in Focus 06:11 Ben Shelton's Performance and Future 09:41 Francis Tiafoe vs. Lorenzo Musetti Preview 12:53 Tommy Paul vs. Carlos Alcaraz Preview 15:29 Novak Djokovic's Dominance 17:48 Betting Odds and Predictions 18:40 Novak Djokovic's Performance 21:51 Sinner's Dominance 23:20 Women's Quarterfinals Analysis 30:36 Bracket Updates and Predictions 34:35 Fan Questions and Merchandise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 68: 2025 Roland Garros: Round 3 Recap & Round 4 Preview | Something Major | Ep 68 | 01 Jun 2025 | 00:24:58 | |
The squad recaps Round 3 of Roland Garros, noting the Americans that are lighting it up across the board. They break down big wins from Tiafoe, Paul, and Shelton, debate whether Sinner is unbeatable, and throw out predictions on the men's and women’s draws. Plus: weird desk interviews, Rublev confusion, the Baby Heater effect, and a near-meltdown from Sam in a studio sauna. Full chaos, full Paris vibes. 00:00 Introduction and Round Three Recap 01:06 American Players Shine at the French Open 03:04 Analyzing Key Matches and Players 05:53 Unexpected Challenges and Player Performances 10:24 Women's Tournament Highlights 13:22 Maddie Key's Match Points 14:46 Women's Round of 16 Predictions 16:17 Men's Round of 16 Predictions 22:11 Bracket Challenge and Final Predictions 24:01 Wrapping Up and Announcements | |||
| 175: Sinner’s Historic Streak, Svitolina’s Rome 3-Peat & The Cramping Debate | EP 175 | 18 May 2026 | 00:43:57 | |
Sam Querrey and Stevie Johnson hold down this two-man episode of Nothing Major, starting with a college tennis weekend in Athens where Stevie and John got inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame. Sam also discovers retirement apparently comes with paperwork and launches a search mission for the legendary ball kid from the Almagro match. Then it’s Rome recap time, where Jannik Sinner keeps collecting Masters titles like it’s a side quest. The guys break down whether anyone can actually bother him right now, give Casper Ruud and Luciano Darderi some love, and wonder what exactly qualifies as cramps these days. Plus: Svitolina shakes up the French Open picture, Andy Murray joins Jack Draper, Musetti pulls out of Roland-Garros, Carlos Alcaraz lands a Vanity Fair shoot, and Sam gets an unexpected orthodontic evaluation in the middle of Costco. 00:00 We're Back! | |||
| 67: Richard Gasquet on the Big 3, One-Handed Backhands & His Toughest Matchups (Part 2) | Ep 67 | 30 May 2025 | 00:28:16 | |
In part two of our special interview with former World No. 7 Richard Gasquet, the French legend dives deeper into his career with stories, insights, and honesty only a recently retired pro can offer. Richard compares generations, reflects on his toughest matchups, and settles the debate on the greatest one-handed backhand of all time. The guys also get him talking rituals, rivalries, and the mysterious origins of his famously oversized grip. Plus, Sam and Steve quiz Richard on the best shots and smartest players of his era—and yes, the merch is finally here. 00:00 Introduction and Recap of Part One 00:43 Discussing the Young American Tennis Players 00:54 French Tennis and Pushing Each Other to Success 02:24 Generational Differences in Tennis 05:47 Reflecting on Career and Achievements 12:58 Challenges of Competing Against the Best 16:27 Evolution of Tennis Skills 16:46 Hypothetical Grand Slam Wins 17:43 Player Superlatives 19:08 Toughest Opponents 22:32 Preferred Playing Surfaces 23:41 Memorable Moments and Rituals 26:55 Conclusion and Merch Announcement | |||
| 66: 2025 Roland Garros: Round 2 Recap & Round 3 Preview | Something Major | EP 66 | 30 May 2025 | 00:31:53 | |
Live from Roland Garros, the crew breaks down Round 2 of the French Open with on-the-ground insights from Sam Querrey, behind-the-scenes moments, and big-picture debates about player fatigue and ATP rules. They unpack surprise upsets, standout performances, and the hot-button controversy around the tour's schedule. Plus: American matchups to watch, a salute to Richard Gasquet, merch madness, and some questionable takes on macarons. It’s tennis, banter, and chaos—Paris style. 00:00 Introduction and Round Two Recap 00:19 Day Five Impressions and Player Interviews 02:01 Match Highlights and Upsets 02:50 Men's Draw Analysis and Player Insights 06:13 Player Burnout and ATP Rules Discussion 11:26 Top Half of Men's Draw and Key Matches 15:38 Favorites and Predictions 18:02 All-American Third Round Matchup Predictions 19:52 WTA Top Seeds Progress 21:36 American Women in the Third Round 23:30 Paris Highlights and Player Updates 26:52 Bracket Updates and Merch Announcement | |||
| 65: 2025 Roland Garros: Rafa’s Goodbye, Round 1 Recap & Round 2 Preview | Something Major | EP 65 | 28 May 2025 | 00:27:24 | |
Roland Garros is underway, which means we’re back with Something Major, our round-by-round recap and preview show from the second Grand Slam of 2025. For the next two weeks, we’ll be dropping episodes every other day, keeping you locked in on all the action from Paris. We kick off this episode with Rafa’s emotional retirement ceremony, then dive into the chaos and highlights from Round 1. From a few American shockers to business-like performances from the top seeds, there was no shortage of storylines through the first three days in the French capital. The boys close out the episode by previewing Round 2 and revealing their updated Roland Garros men’s brackets. And finally, some exciting news: Nothing Major merch has officially landed!! Grab yours now at Tennis Warehouse: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/catpage-NMPODPP.html 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:58 Rafael Nadal Tribute Discussion 02:38 First Round Upsets and Highlights 04:27 Medvedev vs. Norrie Match Analysis 07:27 American Players' Performance 11:06 Women's Tournament Highlights 13:58 Round Two Previews 16:03 Tommy Paul vs. Martin Fvi Analysis 16:46 Gael Monfils Match Update 17:18 Media Dining and Long Workdays 17:38 Richard Gasquet's Upcoming Match 17:47 Over/Under Game Predictions 18:26 Gasquet's Chances Against Sinner 20:29 Nadal vs. Federer Ceremony Comparison 21:44 Naming the Stadium After Nadal 23:42 Djokovic's Future Celebration 25:05 Wrap-Up and Merch Announcement | |||
| 64: Richard Gasquet Joins the Pod, His Decision to Retire & Playing His Final Tournament | Ep 64 | 23 May 2025 | 00:47:35 | |
Former World No. 7 and 18-time non-major winner, Richard Gasquet joins this week’s episode for the first of a special two-part interview. Richard opens up about his decision to retire in 2025, the emotions around playing his final tournament at Roland Garros, his early memories facing the Nothing Major crew, and his hilarious odds of actually winning the French Open. Plus, Sam and John relive a legendary Ethiopian dinner in Geneva en route to Paris, and Steve jumps in to break down the (slightly controversial) results of the Aura Draw. Plus Sam and Stevie break down their recent match against two 4.5-level amateurs in the ultimate 0-40 challenge. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:32 Welcome Back and Personal Updates 01:47 French Open Preparations 02:48 Memories of Geneva 04:01 Ethiopian Dinner Adventure 08:05 Train Rides and Tournament Preparations 11:06 Favorite Hotels and Dining Spots in Paris 15:15 Qualifying Matches and Final French Open 18:08 Interview with Richard Gasquet 25:08 Reflecting on a Tennis Career 26:18 Memories of Monte Carlo 2008 27:17 The Final Grand Slam Attempt 29:47 A Lifetime in Tennis 32:36 Discussing the French Open Odds 37:23 Fun Tennis Challenges and Bracket Predictions 45:57 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 63: Tommy Paul Reveals Car Towing Truth, Carlos Conquers Rome & Aura Draw Surprises | EP 63 | 20 May 2025 | 00:38:17 | |
With Sam still digging holes in Turks and Caicos and Jack on the move, John and Steve are running the show as they recap a blockbuster finals weekend in Rome. The duo breaks down the Alcaraz vs. Sinner showdown and debates who’s the favorite heading into Roland Garros, plus they celebrate Jasmine Paolini’s emotional win on home soil. Curious about why Tommy Paul isn’t making his car payments, John takes matters into his own hands with a surprise FaceTime attempt. Steve reacts to the early surprises from the opening rounds of the Aura Draw, and the boys tease what’s next for the return of Something Major. 00:00 Introduction and Today's Agenda 00:35 Hosts and Missing Members 01:49 Recap of Rome Men's Final 09:12 Recap of Rome Women's Final 15:48 Upcoming ATP Schedule and Geneva Preview 19:02 Hamburg Tournament Insights 21:06 Sasha's Playing Style and Tournament Decisions 22:43 Tommy Paul's Car Payment Saga 24:07 FaceTiming Tommy Paul Live 27:58 The Aura Draw Quarterfinals 30:51 Upcoming French Open Coverage 31:51 Doubles Match with Sam Querrey 33:31 Tragic Loss in the Tennis Community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 62: Rome Mailbag, Selfie Stick Scams & The Aura Draw is Live! | Ep 62 | 16 May 2025 | 00:32:49 | |
As we head into finals weekend in Rome, the gang is back together to break down the latest stories from the Italian clay. Jack, John, Sam, and Stevie relive their best and worst memories in the Eternal City. In this week’s Mailbag special, the boys tackle your questions, reminiscing about fanny pack tourist missions and the time Sam got hustled on a selfie stick. They debate the importance of clay court shoes and ask: why don’t Americans win more clay titles in Europe? Plus, is Rome’s court… kinda mid? And finally, the Aura Draw is here but there’s still one wildcard slot up for grabs… 00:00 Introduction and Rome Finals Weekend Overview 00:22 Special Guests and Tournament Draw Announcement 02:09 Rome Story Time: Off-Court Memories 04:40 Hilarious Selfie Stick Incident 08:19 Favorite Restaurants and Dining Experiences in Rome 10:48 Memorable Matches and Doubles Titles 14:49 Rome Mailbag: Viewer Questions Answered 15:46 Wearable Technology in Tennis 17:46 The New Pope and Tennis 19:45 American Struggles on European Clay Courts 21:51 Rowdy Italian Tennis Crowds 22:38 Carlos Alcaraz's Early Warmups 24:15 Eating Italian Food While Competing 27:35 Clay Court vs. Hard Court Shoes 30:14 Ranking Rome's Center Court 32:22 Conclusion and Fan Mailbag Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 61: Rome Rundown, French Open Forecast & Aura Wildcard | EP 61 | 12 May 2025 | 00:35:12 | |
With Sam and Jack on the road, John and Stevie are holding down the fort in this week’s Monday edition of Nothing Major. Jannik Sinner is back and looking sharp. The boys break down his strong return in Rome, dive into the biggest storylines coming out of Italy, and look ahead to the French Open. Plus, a special announcement about the upcoming Aura Draw... 00:00 Intro 02:15 Mother's Day 03:59 Rome 04:16 Sinner's Return 07:23 ATP Highlights 09:35 Taylor Fritz's Upset 12:54 Holger Rune's Surprising Loss 18:02 WTA Highlights 20:14 Iga Swiatek's Current Form 21:11 Top Contenders for the French Open 22:56 American Players to Watch at Roland Garros 25:32 Challenges of the European Clay Court Season 30:50 Upcoming Content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 60: European Pet Peeves, College Tennis Legends, & Rome Stories | EP 60 | 09 May 2025 | 00:43:03 | |
As veterans of the Rome Masters, the boys break down the highs and lows of the Italian clay 1000, from navigating narrow locker room doors to battling with the tiniest towels of the season. In true American fashion, John, Jack, Sam, and Steve decide to air their European pet peeves, from soupy eggs, twin beds pushed together, and 'Mr. Bean cars'. With the NCAA season reaching its climax, college tennis legend Steve Johnson leads the crew in drafting their all-time Men's NCAA tennis team. Will Stevie draft himself? Plus, as anticipation builds for Sam and Steve’s challenge match against two local amateurs, their opponents crash the pod to talk trash and preview the showdown. With every game starting at 0–40, can Sam and Stevie still pull off the win? 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:22 Discussing the Rome Masters Event 11:14 European Pet Peeves 20:47 All-Time Men's NCAA Tennis Team Draft 25:07 Debating the Best Tennis Players 25:39 Drafting Tennis Legends 27:21 Discussing Doubles Strategies 33:31 Introducing the Challengers 37:37 Match Preparations and Tactics 42:34 Merchandise Update and Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 59: Ruud's Breathrough, Sabalenka’s Dominance & Sinner’s Return | EP 59 | 06 May 2025 | 00:39:57 | |
It’s a wrap in Madrid and against all odds, someone from the Nothing Major crew actually made a correct prediction. Following last week’s revelation that John Isner watches everything with subtitles, he’s back to gloat after receiving overwhelming support in the YouTube comments. With Sinner’s return looming after his three-month suspension, Jack, John, Sam, and Steve discuss how the locker room might respond and which players are most in need of a big result before Roland Garros. The crew also looks ahead to Rome, sharing their favorite courts, reflecting on the changing vibe of the iconic Pietrangeli, and battling through some clay-court trivia… where Sam catches a massive stray. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:21 Madrid Open Recap 01:09 Predictions and Subtitles Debate 05:01 Upcoming Rome Masters and Aura Draw 07:12 Men's Side Analysis: Casper Ruud and Jack Draper 14:21 WTA Side Analysis: Sabalenka and Gauff 21:23 Understanding Betting Odds 22:28 Naomi Osaka's Confidence Boost 25:15 Rome Tournament Preview: Men's Side 35:14 Rome Tournament Preview: Women's Side 37:46 Trivia Time: Most Matches in Rome History Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 58: Rafa Clay Records, Best Tennis Movies, & Madrid Mailbag | EP 58 | 02 May 2025 | 00:37:39 | |
With the Madrid finals approaching, Jack, John, Sam, and Stevie look back on their best and most forgettable performances on the Spanish clay. But first, the boys kick off this week's episode off with heated debates around watching Netflix with subtitles and the best tennis movies of all time. Spoiler alert, you might want to head to the video version on YouTube to watch the guys react to a movie clip of Sam's shocker of a pick. The guys then get their head back into the clay swing to discuss a few of Rafael Nadal's mind bending career clay court stats before jumping into a Madrid themed Major Mailbag. No shortage of banter from string tensions and co-ed tournaments to getting dirty in the clay. And last, but not least, Sam jumps into the hot seat to reflect on the 3 most painful clay court losses of his career. 00:00 Introduction and Mailbag Day 00:08 Discussing Madrid Results 00:57 Debate on Subtitles 04:33 Best Tennis Movies 08:14 Memorable Matches in Madrid 11:47 Rafael Nadal's Clay Court Dominance 15:27 Proposing Changes to Tennis Tournaments 16:26 Hot Coaches Bracket Tease 16:44 Podcast Uncertainty and New Initiatives 16:51 Introducing the Aura Draw Concept 16:57 Details and Examples of the Aura Draw 17:58 Fan Engagement and Suggestions 18:33 Mailbag: Masters 1000 on Clay in America 19:55 Mailbag: Comparing Clay Court Tournaments 20:33 Mailbag: Clay Court Challenges and Equipment 26:24 Mailbag: Blue Clay and Tournament Dynamics 27:00 Mailbag: Player Interactions at Tournaments 28:54 Mailbag: Opinions on Two-Week Masters Series 30:30 Reflecting on Tough Clay Court Losses 35:23 Roasting a Player: Sarah's Skills Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 174: Year-End Top 10 Predictions, Sinner 2026 vs. Djokovic 2011 and Most Beautiful Tennis Courts | EP 174 | 15 May 2026 | 00:45:16 | |
John, Sam, and Stevie debate their year-end ATP Top 10 predictions… and things immediately get messy. They somehow turn the Race to Turin into an argument, people start calling each other losers, and there’s already concern these picks may age horribly. The guys also hit the Fan Mailbag, including a hypothetical showdown between 2011 Djokovic and 2026 Jannik Sinner, a trip back to Madrid’s old ballgirl era, and a juicy Life Advice involving an aggressively planned family vacation that completely splits the group. Then, we’re joined by Nick Pachelli, author of The Tennis Court, for a hunt through some of the most beautiful courts in the world. From satellite scouting and random door-knocking to hidden gems most tennis fans have never heard of, Nick shares stories from years spent chasing the game’s coolest locations. Plus, Margaret returns for a Major Match update and gives us a “where are they now?” on the chaos... including what happened after the cameras stopped rolling and whether anyone deserves a second chance. 00:00 Intro: We're Back! | |||
| 57: Djokovic’s Defeat, Madrid Updates, & Osaka’s 125K | EP 57 | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:33:42 | |
The power is back in Madrid, just in time for a new episode of Nothing Major! Sam, Stevie, John, and Jack break down the latest results from Madrid, and discuss the power outage that has put the tournament on hold. They dive into the sport’s biggest headlines: the growing pains of fully electronic officiating, Alexander Zverev’s phone incident, and Naomi Osaka’s surprising decision to enter a Challenger event. Plus, with the NFL Draft wrapped up, the boys hold their own draft, picking their ultimate under-20 tennis dream team. And after Sam’s amateur challenge idea sparked a buzz, the debate continues: who would actually come out on top? 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Madrid Tournament 00:37 Power Outage and Electronic Line Calling Issues 01:57 Player Reactions to Line Calling Controversies 03:13 Discussion on ATP Umpires and Their Roles 05:45 Unexpected Delays and Player Experiences 06:26 NFL Draft and Tennis Player Draft Picks 08:05 Novak Djokovic's Recent Struggles 18:00 Women's Tournament Highlights and Predictions 19:19 Big Name Players in Challengers 21:16 Navigating Tournament Pressure 22:34 Madrid Predictions: Men's and Women's Winners 24:53 Debating Tennis Mustaches 25:53 Doubles Challenge: Pros vs. Amateurs 31:02 Top Challenger Tournaments 32:45 Trivia Time: Masters Series Semifinals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 56: Madrid Mayhem, Prom Night Fails & the Return of the Hot Coach Debate | EP 56 | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:46:55 | |
With the Madrid Open underway, John, Jack, Sam, and Stevie are back to share their favorite memories, and some honest takes on the Spanish 1000 tournament. From the not-so-fancy venue, to the lost magic of the blue clay, to the challenges of finding dinner in a city that eats at midnight. Tennis' favorite host and reporter Blair Henley, crashes the pod with a surprise segment featuring some unbelievable photos from the gang's high school days. Sam attempts to pitch a new pod segment, the boys discuss the best clay court traits and is launching a Hot Coach Bracket a good idea? 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:41 John's Birthday 03:17 Special Guest: Blair Henley 08:13 Prom Stories 19:29 Madrid Tournament Experiences 24:26 Discussing the Blue Clay Experiment 25:11 Funny and Memorable Moments in Madrid 31:24 Overrated, Underrated, and Properly Rated Tourist Attractions in Europe 40:36 Fan Questions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 55: A Trio Find Their Form, Showering In Front of Drug Testers, and Madrid Dark Horses | EP 55 | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:46:49 | |
The guys kick off the show recapping the most significant results from last week. Is Zverev back after winning on home soil? Could Rune’s victory over Alcaraz make him a week-in, week-out threat moving forward? And does Ostapenko’s dominant week in Stuttgart make her a Roland Garros contender? They then delve into the ITIA’s odd clarification on the tennis doping control policy and reminisce about their not-so-enjoyable experiences of being watched in the locker room by drug testers during their post-loss showers. Finally, they conclude with their predictions for this week’s Madrid tournament. Can the guys maintain their impressive streak of incorrect picks? 00:00 – Intro and Episode Setup 01:22 – Jack’s Vietnam Pickleball Tour Recap 03:23 – Jack’s Travel Horror Story and WrestleMania Banter 05:05 – Barcelona Recap: Rune Beats Alcaraz 09:45 – Is Zverev Back? Munich Title Discussion 13:47 – Ben Shelton’s Clay Court Run 17:05 – American Players and Clay Court Reputation 20:10 – Stuttgart WTA Recap: Ostapenko’s Win Over Swiatek 25:50 – Can Ostapenko Win the French Open? 30:28 – ITIA Shower Rule Controversy and Doping Stories 37:23 – Madrid Masters Predictions and Draw Talk 43:00 – Website Plug + Trivia Intro 44:21 – Trivia: Who Beat Fed, Rafa, and Novak at Madrid? | |||
| 54: Federer's Dirty Laundry, Worst Clay Losses & Mailbag | EP 54 | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:32:12 | |
This week, the guys go full clay-mode with some hard truths about life on the dirt. They draft their current top clay-court players, revisit the narrative that Americans can’t hang on the surface, and share some painfully honest personal stories - including Steve Johnson’s worst-ever loss on clay winning two games in a five set match. The boys then turn to the Nothing Major mailbag and give insight into life on the ATP Tour, including how coaches are compensated and laundry disasters on the road. 00:00 - Intro: Mailbag, Clay Draft, and Clay Court Losses 00:30 - Jack Sock Still in Vietnam 01:00 - Tennis and Clinics with Sam, John, and Steve 03:00 - Clay Court Snake Draft Begins 06:00 - Draft Recap and Bad Clay Court Team for Jack Sock 09:00 - Steve Johnson’s Worst Clay Court Losses 13:00 - French Open Horror Stories 16:00 - Fan Mailbag: How Are Coaches Paid? 20:00 - Tennis Laundry Stories and Roger Federer Mystique 23:30 - Does Djokovic Have a Slam Chance in 2024? 25:50 - Tournament Hotel and Coach Expense Stories 30:00 - Tips for Submitting Mailbag Questions 30:40 - Fan Roast: German Indoor Tennis Court Vibes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 53: Federer Comeback? Alcaraz’s Return and Shelton’s Doubles Drama | EP 53 | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:38:54 | |
Clay season is well underway and it’s Carlos Alcaraz who dominated in Monte Carlo. With Jack away spreading the good word of pickleball in Vietnam, John, Sam and Stevie break down Carlos’ play style, mental toughness, and debate whether or not he's the clear favorite for the French Open. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic and Alex Zverev’s early crash out on the monegasque clay, is it time to hit the panic button? Less than a day since Rory Mcilroy completed golf’s Grand Slam at Augusta, the boys debate the pressures of the Masters vs. Wimbledon. Is Federer really teasing a return to the court? Who are the sleepers of clay court season? Plus what happened in Ben Shelton’s viral doubles moment? 00:00 - Intro and Episode Overview 00:25 - Masters Recap and Rory's Pressure Moment 03:30 - Comparing Federer and Rory’s Grand Slam Pressure 06:30 - Federer at The Masters – Wimbledon Comparison 08:00 - Alcaraz’s Monte Carlo Domination 10:00 - Alcaraz's Resilience and Mental Strength 13:00 - Alcaraz as Tennis' Must-Watch Star 14:10 - Musetti’s Monte Carlo Run 15:45 - Ben Shelton vs Vavassori Doubles Drama 17:30 - Who Will Have the Best Clay Run? 19:55 - Djokovic and Zverev: Time to Panic? 24:09 - Federer Exhibition Buzz and Netflix Slam 27:50 - Road Biker Rant Recap and March Madness Winners 29:05 - Barcelona & Munich Tournament Preview 34:18 - Stuttgart WTA Preview and Prize Car Memories 37:45 - Trivia: Who Beat De Minaur 0 & 0? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 52: Monte Carlo Memories, Trivia Showdown & Opelka Takes the Hot Seat | EP 52 | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:50:12 | |
The crew heads to the iconic clay courts of Monte Carlo, swapping stories of fast cars and what makes the tournament feel like a blend between a Grand Slam and a luxury getaway. From Sam’s quarterfinal run to unexpected off-court adventures, they unpack the beauty, chaos, and quirks of one of tennis’s most picturesque—and unpredictable—events. Things heat up with a Monte Carlo Trivia, as the guys team up in a desperate attempt to cover up just how little they actually know about the tournament’s history. From wild guesses to accidental brilliance, it’s a hilarious ride through Rafa stats, surprise American finalists, and a few facts that might have been made up on the spot. The episode wraps with the Part 2 of Reilly Opelka interview. The NextGen Servebot reflects on injury recovery, court fashion, and shares his controversial take on doubles—before stepping into the Hot Seat for a round of rapid-fire questions. (00:00) Welcome to the show! (01:03) Sam’s Friday rant: Road bikers are the worst (05:32) Monte Carlo memories: One-time wonders & quarterfinal magic (10:57) Why Americans skip Monte Carlo (and love Houston) (12:11) Supercars, casinos & Davis Cup in Monaco (14:57) Jack's regret: Never playing Monte Carlo (18:00) Monte Carlo trivia time: Rafa, history & some wild guesses (23:18) Mailbag: Which U.S. city deserves a pro tournament? (26:09) Do we overrate American tennis players? (27:02) Opelka interview Part 2: Injury, MRIs & the Yes Man World Tour (31:28) Tennis is cooler now? (35:04) Fashion icons on tour (38:03) What tennis needs (39:43) The doubles debate: “Get rid of it?” (44:53) Met Gala picks: Opelka’s dream invite list (47:08) Wrap-up + fan shoutouts (48:03) Fan roast time + goodbye! | |||
| 51: Clay Swing Predictions, Iz Learns Rizz, and Brooksby’s Wild Houston | EP 51 | 07 Apr 2025 | 00:35:44 | |
The guys dive into Jenson Brooksby’s unexpected run in Houston and Pegula’s long-awaited clay court breakthrough in Charleston. They break down whether recent upgrades have cemented Charleston as a top-tier WTA event. Then it’s off the rails as Sam hits John with a Gen Z slang “Quizner” before the crew gets back on track to unpack Alcaraz’s candid presser and lock in their predictions for the European clay swing. 00:00 - Previewing Monte Carlo & Clay Swing Begins 00:20 - Recapping 250 Events & Pegula's Win in Charleston 00:41 - Full Crew Back for Clay Season 01:08 - Sam's Rant: Nutritionists Are Useless? 05:08 - ATP Recap: Brooksby's Shocking Houston Run 07:59 - Can Brooksby Get Back to the Top 100? 12:13 - Bucharest Breakthrough: Flavio Cobolli's Title 14:13 - UTS in Nimes Recap & Ruud's Big Payday 17:14 - Charleston Vibes & Pegula's Clay Court Form 20:02 - Is the Hard-to-Clay Transition Overrated? 22:30 - Pegula's Momentum & WTA Rankings Shift 23:21 - Sam Quizzes John on Gen Z Slang 25:54 - Alcaraz Opens Up About Pressure 29:04 - Clay Swing Predictions: Monte Carlo to RG 34:27 - Roland Garros Winner Picks 35:25 - Wrap-Up & Look Ahead to Friday Show | |||
| 50: Reilly Opelka Joins the Pod, Servebot 101 & Armpit Debates | EP 50 | 04 Apr 2025 | 00:46:48 | |
For our 50th episode, we’re kicking things off with Reilly Opelka, who delivers a masterclass in Servebot 101. What does it really mean to be a Servebot? Opelka dives into the struggles of being too tall for European travel, shares stories from his junior days, and plays John’s new favorite game, “Bot or Not”—where no player is safe. The guys debate armpit hair (yes, really), and open up about the mental toll of life on tour, from appearance fees to the pressure of not letting tournaments down. Plus, we also dig into the Houston tournament, breaking down everything that makes it special—housing families, top-tier hospitality, and that unbeatable March Madness atmosphere. 00:00 - Armpit hair debate 05:23 - Houston player housing stories 10:00 - White Party traditions 13:02 - Houston tournament memories and rituals 17:02 - Stevie’s worst Houston memory 20:49 - Appearance fees and performance pressure 24:14 - Interview with Reilly Opelka 26:25 - Junior days with Fritz and Paul 30:07 - Life as a Servebot 36:10 - Travel struggles for tall players 41:01 - Bot or Not game 44:35 - Medvedev vs the Bots 45:35 - Fan video roast 46:28 - Closing plugs | |||
| 49: Mensik’s Breakthrough, Sabalenka’s Reign & Houston Preview | EP 49 | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:31:53 | |
This week, the guys dives into 19-year-old Jakub Mensik’s breakthrough in Miami—did he just prove he’s the next big thing in tennis? We’re also talking about Aryna Sabalenka’s reign—how her confidence is reaching new heights and why she’s becoming a serious force on tour. Plus, it’s time for our Houston preview, with the clay-court action about to kick off in full swing! 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:51 Miami Men's Final Recap 03:59 Debating Experience in Tennis 09:29 Women's Tournament Highlights 13:31 American Tennis Performance 16:00 Clay Court Season Preview 18:33 Travel Woes and European Adventures 18:57 Tennis Titles and Graphics 19:16 Gossip Corner: New Coaches and Player Changes 21:51 Celebrities at the Miami Event 22:31 Upcoming Tournaments: Houston and Charleston 26:05 Blair Henley's Questions from Houston 27:46 Houston Tournament Highlights and Player Experiences 30:32 Final Thoughts and Trivia | |||
| 48: Miami Mailbag, Best and Worst Memories & A Successful Fishy DM | EP 48 | 28 Mar 2025 | 00:31:50 | |
In this Miami Open-themed mailbag episode of Nothing Major, the guys dive into your burning questions about the fifth Slam... according to John! Plus, a special surprise as Sam’s wife, Abby, joins the crew to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Sam’s legendary, smooth DM that kicked it all off. Tune in for the inside scoop on Miami Open madness, the success of a fishy DM, and behind-the-scenes stories of the gang in the tournament. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Surprise 01:29 Sam's Anniversary Surprise 04:28 Miami Open Experiences 10:33 Memorable Matches and Venues 14:27 Funny Anecdotes 16:28 Mailbag Kickoff 16:39 Big Foe's Rough Patch 17:43 Miami Open Buzz 19:15 Remembering Thomas Berdych 23:20 Master Series Debate 24:37 Cringey Player Walkouts 26:18 Rafa's Miami Mystery 27:27 Sunshine Double Predictions 28:00 Miami Open Drama 30:39 Fan Roasting Finale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 173: The Djokovic Dilemma, Boycott Buzz & João Fonseca's Brazilian Crowd Drama | EP 173 | 12 May 2026 | 00:50:06 | |
Sam, John and Steve break down everything happening midway through the Rome Open, starting with 20-year-old Dino Prizmic shocking his idol Novak Djokovic, and what that loss could mean for Novak heading into Paris. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner continues to look like a machine built in a secret Italian lab, entering Paris with better odds than prime Rafa once had. Is it the field… or is Sinner just on another level? On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka loses to Sorana Cirstea while battling a lower-back issue, sparking a debate about whether Italian hotel beds are destroying players’ backs. Things also get heated during the Fonseca-Medjedovic drama, where Joao earns our Major respect for courageously asking Brazilian fans to calm things down after the atmosphere started drifting into football territory. Plus: Grand Slam boycott rumors, “cease and assist”, and Sam continuing his all-out war against Friday podcast releases. 00:00 Intro: We're Back! | |||
| 47: Michael Kosta Joins the Pod, Roasting the Tennis and His New Book | EP 47 | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:31:34 | |
The boys finally get comedian, former ATP player, and professional roast master Michael Kosta on the pod—and it’s everything you’d hope for. Kosta spills on his days grinding the Challenger circuit, the exact moment he knew pro tennis wasn’t for him, and how he pivoted to roasting players instead of playing them. He dishes on the real differences between tennis and stand-up, why tennis players are the worst at taking jokes, and the time he absolutely bombed on stage. Plus, Kosta gives the inside scoop on his new book, Lucky Loser, where he breaks down the absurdity of life on tour, from wild travel mishaps to the worst hotel rooms he’s ever stayed in. 00:00 Introduction to Michael Costa 00:52 Michael's Tennis Journey 01:36 The Transition to Comedy 02:56 Insights from the Book 03:53 Comparing Tennis and Comedy 06:38 College Tennis Experience 09:57 Funding a Tennis Career 13:31 Comedy Beginnings and Challenges 17:40 The Tough Choices in Comedy and Tennis 17:53 The Delusional Self-Belief 18:26 The Grind of Professional Tennis 19:07 Never Giving Up on Comedy 19:34 Comparing Comedy to Tennis 20:00 The Grand Slam of Comedy 21:00 The Challenges of Stand-Up Comedy 23:45 Learning from the Best 25:16 Pre-Show Routines 26:25 Trading Careers and Hollywood Tennis 29:54 The Emmy Dilemma 30:55 Wrapping Up and What's Next Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 46: Miami Madness, The Rise of Fonseca and the Nothing Major Roast | EP 46 | 25 Mar 2025 | 00:39:46 | |
Jack, John, Sam and Steve dive into the chaos of the Miami Open, huge upsets, unexpected breakout stars, and whether the conditions are breaking the top players. Fonseca Mania is real, is he already the biggest draw in Miami? Plus, Djokovic and Zverev are on the move, Monfils is once again defying his age, and a heated debate is sparked on whether experience is overrated in tennis... The boys venture back into their new favorite segment, Gossip Corner, roasting some fan-submitted clips, and exploring Sam Querrey’s shocking fashion sense. (00:00) Welcome to the Show! (01:16) Steve’s Epic Hole-in-One (05:23) New Website + Kosta Episode (06:24) Sam on Brazilian Crowds (09:41) Indian Wells vs. Miami Challenge (11:40) Biggest Early Round Upsets (14:11) Madison Keys vs. Eala (16:27) Shoutout to Rafa Nadal Academy (18:46) Fonsecamania Is Here (23:13) Is Experience Overrated? (26:53) Djokovic & Zverev Under the Radar? (28:34) Monfils’ Run & Korda’s Move (31:01) Americans in Miami (31:53) Predictions Recap + New Picks (33:31) Gossip Corner (36:49) The Nothing Major Roast (38:01) Send Fan Questions! (38:20) Goodbye! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 45: Welcome to Miami, Predictions, and Hard Rock vs Key Biscayne | EP 45 | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:34:30 | |
The boys are joined by comedian and former pro Michael Kosta, to chat junior tennis cheating, locker room madness, and why Nothing Major is the only tennis podcast that matters (he's right). Jack, Sam and Stevie break down the biggest headlines heading into Miami, who’s primed for a deep run? Who will struggle in the Florida humidity? Plus, the boys debate which venue truly delivered the best Miami Open experience, the Hard Rock Stadium or Crandon Park? 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:06 Debating Miami Open Venues: Hard Rock Stadium vs. Cranden Park 02:45 Player Experiences and Preferences 09:10 Novak Djokovic's Return to Miami 12:07 Carlos Alcaraz and Tournament Predictions 14:05 Women's Tournament Contenders 16:02 Players with Something to Prove 17:58 American Men's Tennis: Who Will Step Up? 18:43 Bold Predictions and Dark Horses 19:40 Fan Support Showdown: Fonseca vs. Alcaraz 20:56 American Players to Watch in Miami Open 22:16 Predictions for Miami Open Winners 23:56 Interview with Michael Costa 24:30 Cheating Stories and College Tennis 29:10 Improving Tennis: Ideas and Innovations 31:30 The Community Aspect of Pickleball vs. Tennis 33:38 Conclusion and Future Plans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||