Black Spin Global: The Podcast Black Spin Global: The Podcast

Arum Akom and Jabilayh Asante, founders of Black Tennis Mentors, join us for a fun and in-depth chat.

We talk individual journeys into the sport, playing as juniors, college/university tennis, the thinking behind the platform and the desire to build community.

There is also discussion about the respective tennis scenes in Great Britain and America and the importance of exposure to a wider audience.

The duo also reveal their favourite players and favourite Grand Slams.

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Caught up with Michael Parks (father and coach of Alycia Parks) for an exclusive interview at the Nottingham Open earlier this week.

He set the record straight regarding Alycia’s coaching arrangement, Sascha Bajin’s short spell on the team, returning to winning ways, keeping things simple, putting God first and much more.

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We’re joined by Anastasia Folorunso from the GroundPass pod to talk all things French Open 2024 in a jam-packed show.

Lucy was actually in Paris and managed to get a ticket to watch our Italian-Ghanaian sister Jasmine Paolini take on world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the final – Paolini is now the world No 7 after her dream fortnight in Paris which also included a trip to the women’s doubles final with Sara Errani.

Coco Gauff picked up her first Grand Slam doubles title with first-time partner Katerina Siniakova. The new world No 2 also went deep in singles where she fell to eventual champion Swiatek in the semis.

Naomi Osaka gave us the match of the tournament, and Swiatek the hardest of times, in the second round.

We shout out Gloriana Nahum making history for Benin, American Tyra Caterina Grant and 15-year-old Moise Kouame who all impressed in juniors!

On the men’s side, Felix Auger-Aliassime made it to the second week, things got heated between Frances Tiafoe and Denis Shapovalov and we urge France to allow young talents Arthur Fils and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to cook!

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Lucy and Eugene check in with Tennis Black List co-founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey-Addo.

We get to know Richard, who has an extensive background in tennis administration at international level; find out what the inspiration was behind Tennis Black List; get into highlights from the inaugural awards night at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton; and look ahead to this year’s event on Thursday 27 June.

Follow Tennis Black List on X and on Instagram (tennisblacklist).

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Lucy and Eugene give Jasmine Paolini her flowers after securing the doubles crown in Rome with Sara Errani. 

Naomi Osaka, or Clayomi (word to Shesaboutdone on X), picked up back-to-back wins against top-20 players, “world No 3” Coco Gauff reached the semis in singles and was runner-up in doubles with Erin Routliffe and Madison Keys backed up her Madrid last-four showing with a run to the quarters.

Away from the main tour Arthur Fils picked up his second Challenger title in Bordeaux where he was the top seed and Elias Ymer reached the final in Oeiras.

We also share our thoughts on the London-centric grass-court season in 2025, wish the retiring Dominic Thiem well, get into the French Open draw (super happy for qualifier Gabriel Diallo and proud of wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard who backed it for little sis while doing his thing in Lyon). And of course we reveal our picks for the men’s and women’s titles.

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Lucy and Eugene talk all things clay-court tennis, giving props to title winners Ben Shelton (Houston) and Sloane Stephens (Rouen).

Madrid seemed to go on forever but it was good to see Felix Auger-Aliassime – no longer working with Toni Nadal – reach his first Masters 1000 final, Madison Keys make a run to the semis and wildcard Robin Montgomery give a good account of herself in three quality matches.

We also look forward to Rome and Lucy states who she is siding with in this rap beef.

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