Tales from Tennis

Sam Jacot & Jerome Coombe

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.

  1. 9h ago

    Alex Hyman: Managing Andy Murray, playing Ben Shelton and working with Stan Wawrinka

    In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with Alex Hyman to discuss his journey from competitive tennis player to working across some of the biggest events and stories in the sport. Hyman reflects on his early experiences in college tennis, including a memorable battle against Ben Shelton, before explaining how he broke into the tennis media industry and built a career spanning communications, content production, broadcasting and event operations. The conversation explores his work behind the scenes with players including Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, the unique challenges of managing media at Challenger events and what life is really like working across tournaments throughout the season. Hyman also shares stories from his experiences at UTS, discusses spotting rising French talent Moise Kouame before his breakthrough and explains the unsung work that goes into delivering professional tennis events. From Challenger Tour life and media operations to player relations and building his own company, Aliko Sports, this episode offers a fascinating look at the many roles that help keep professional tennis moving behind the scenes. 🎙️ Our 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. 🚨 Stay tuned for another special guest from the tennis world on Wednesday 10 June. Subscribe now. 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesfromtennis/ X: https://x.com/TalesFromTennis View Alex's company Aliko Sports: https://www.alikosports.com/ The podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endorsed by the ATP.

    40 min
  2. May 13

    Russell Fuller: Murray, Williams, Sinner and 13 years covering tennis for the BBC

    In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with Russell Fuller to explore what it’s really like covering the biggest moments as the BBC’s tennis correspondent for the past 13 years. Fuller reflects on his experiences following some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Andy Murray, Serena Williams, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and shares insight into the frantic nature of life at Grand Slams. The conversation dives into the pressure of live broadcasting, the challenge of delivering fair and balanced journalism in high-profile moments, and what it was like covering the dramatic in Australia. Fuller also discusses the unique atmosphere around British tennis during the Murray era, the joy of working alongside former players in commentary boxes and the moments that have stayed with him most throughout his career. 🎙️ 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. 🚨 Stay tuned for another special guest from the tennis world on Wednesday 20 May. Subscribe now. 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesfromtennis/ X: https://x.com/TalesFromTennis Watch highlights and analysis from across the tennis world at The Tennis Pass: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTennisPass The podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endorsed by the ATP.

    35 min
  3. May 6

    Richard Connelly: Sinner, Djokovic, Nadal and what players are really like after matches

    In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with broadcaster Richard Connelly to explore what it’s really like being courtside for some of the biggest moments in tennis. Connelly shares behind-the-scenes stories from his time interviewing the game’s top stars, including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer, offering insight into what players are truly like in those high-pressure, post-match moments. He also reflects on a memorable on-court interview with Rafael Nadal following his clash with Novak Djokovic in Rome in 2021, and discusses the respect and presence carried by players like Grigor Dimitrov and Andy Murray both on and off the court. The conversation dives into the balance of asking the right questions in the moment, holding players to account when needed, and navigating the tension and adrenaline of live broadcasting. It’s a fascinating look at the role of an on-court interviewer and the unique position they hold between the players, the crowd and the global audience. 🎙️ 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. 🚨 Stay tuned for another special guest from the tennis world on Wednesday 13 May. Subscribe now. 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesfromtennis/ X: https://x.com/TalesFromTennis Watch highlights and analysis from across the tennis world at The Tennis Pass: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTennisPass The podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endorsed by the ATP.

    38 min
  4. Apr 29

    Ivan Cinkus: Arthur Fils’ coach on his comeback, Barcelona title and rapid rise

    In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with Arthur Fils' coach Ivan Cinkus to go inside the rise of the Frenchman and what it takes to build one of the most exciting young players in the game. Cinkus reflects on Fils’ impressive return from injury, detailing the work behind the scenes that has fuelled his recent surge, including a title in Barcelona and deep runs in Miami and Indian Wells. He shares insight into the mentality required to come back from setbacks, the discipline Fils brings to his training, and even reveals the light-hearted incentive that could earn him a well-deserved holiday if he reaches the latter stages at Roland Garros. The conversation also takes listeners courtside, with Cinkus describing what it’s really like coaching in high-pressure moments, including saving match points in Miami, and the communication between player and coach during matches. Cinkus also discusses the impact of Goran Ivanisevic joining the team and how their collaboration is helping shape Fils’ development at the top level. 🎙️ 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. 🚨 Stay tuned for another special guest from the tennis world on Wednesday 6 May. Subscribe now. 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesfromtennis/ X: https://x.com/TalesFromTennis Watch highlights and analysis from across the tennis world at The Tennis Pass: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTennisPass The podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endorsed by the ATP.

    33 min
  5. Apr 22

    Molly McElwee: Inside tennis journalism, Nadal, Krejcikova and behind the scenes on Tour

    In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with award-winning tennis journalist Molly McElwee, winner of the 2024 Tom Perrotta Prize for Tennis Journalism and author of Building Champions: Paths to Success in Women’s Tennis. Molly shares her journey into the sport and what it’s really like covering tennis at the highest level, from long days at Grand Slams to the challenge of building trust with players while telling honest stories. She also discusses her Substack But Do You Actually Like Sport? and why she’s passionate about exploring the human side of athletes beyond results. The conversation dives into her experiences around some of the biggest names in the game, including Rafael Nadal and Barbora Krejčíková, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what players are really like in press rooms, interviews and off-court moments that fans rarely see. 🎙️ 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. 🚨 Stay tuned for another special guest from the tennis world on Wednesday 29 April. Subscribe now. 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesfromtennis/ X: https://x.com/TalesFromTennis View Molly's Substack 'But Do You Actually Like Sport?': https://mollymcelwee.substack.com/ View Molly's Book 'Building Champions: Paths to Success in Women’s Tennis': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Champions-Success-Womens-Tennis/dp/1913759237 Watch highlights and analysis from across the tennis world at The Tennis Pass: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTennisPass The podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endorsed by the ATP.

    43 min
  6. Apr 15

    Corinne Dubreuil: Photographing Nadal, Federer and inside the locker room at Grand Slams

    In this episode, Sam Jacot and Jerome Coombe sit down with renowned tennis photographer Corinne Dubreuil, who has spent more than 35 years capturing some of the sport’s most iconic moments. From Grand Slam finals to intimate behind-the-scenes access, Dubreuil shares what it takes to document the game at the very highest level. She reflects on her close working relationship with Rafael Nadal, including her book Nadal - Iconic, and discusses her experiences photographing some of the biggest names in tennis such as Roger Federer and Amélie Mauresmo. The conversation also explores her favourite images, proudest achievements, and what it’s like being courtside for the sport’s biggest moments, including access to locker rooms after major finals. Dubreuil offers a fascinating insight into the day-to-day life of a professional tennis photographer, as well as advice for the next generation looking to break into the industry. 🎙️ 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. 🚨 Stay tuned for another special guest from the tennis world on Wednesday 22 April. Subscribe now. 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesfromtennis/ X: https://x.com/TalesFromTennis Follow Corinne Dubreuil on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocodubreuilphoto/ Watch highlights and analysis from across the tennis world at The Tennis Pass: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTennisPass The podcast is independently produced and not affiliated with or endorsed by the ATP.

    37 min

About

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.

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