French Open 2022 Preview

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Daniel Kiernan  00:09

Welcome to Episode 163 of Control the Controllables. And I have to apologize after a family holiday, the United States that we've been waiting for the last couple of years that the pandemic kept putting off as men a we arrived back 24, 48 hours ago. And I was like, oh, no, we've not done our French Open Preview, you know, and that's not something that we're, we're dedicated to bringing to you. So I got in touch with the team. And Freddie Nielsen and Kieran Vorster, at the very last minute, jumped on to give you today's episode, which is an episode full of opinion of discussion, you know, two incredibly knowledgeable but also opinionated, in the best of ways, you know, they both have an incredible passion for the sport. They're two people that have been involved in all the levels for for many, many, many years. And you'll find the first half of the episode, we do jump into the Wimbledon situation. I know this is a French Open preview. But we can't not talk about that right now. Because every time I look at a newspaper, every time I look at a score or result or headline from Roland Garros, here we are finished coming to the end of day three. The headlines are made up with the players opinions on what has happened at Wimbledon over over the last few weeks. It's a highly emotive topic. And I hope you guys will fully respect the views of the guests and myself on that and provoke some thoughts and get some some healthy conversations going. And then the second half of the episode we jump in to our predictions our who's going to who's going to come through on the women's side on the men's side. And there's some great insights once again, from my fantastic guests. So here we are, friendship and 2020 to the preview with Kieran Vorster and Freddie Nielsen. So Freddie Nielsen Kirin false, big welcome to control the controllables. Great to have you guys back.

Freddie Nielsen  02:30

Thanks for having us.

Kieron Vorster  02:31

Yeah, likewise, thanks for having us back on.

Daniel Kiernan  02:34

Because you guys are almost as regular as myself on these podcasts these days. And I do have to say a big thank you to you both. I know you've, you've helped a lot as well to get different guests on over over the last few months. And as I was just saying, I got back from holiday on Sunday and thought oh my goodness, we've not done our French Open preview and thought here I couldn't think of anyone better than to have you guys on to discuss the French Open and everything that's going on. But Freddie, I have to start with you. I have not seen you for a couple of months on online and a retired man you look very relaxed there how's retired life.

Freddie Nielsen  03:14

Yeah, so I feel very relaxed. Thank you very much. I've been spending a lot of time with my family participating more in the day to day dealings with my little son and I went

Daniel Kiernan  03:25

That's relaxing is it?

Freddie Nielsen  03:27

It's nice. It's largely now because he's. But yeah, went straight into a job with the Federation, which saw pretty much hit the ground running didn't have much downtime. And so far, I'm enjoying that challenge. And it feels like there was no cushion in between that I've just been able to keep going where I left off and I feel like I'm still involved in tennis and I'm able to get some competitive juices going through my players. So so far so good and gearing up for for a change of residence, we bought a house so finally we have a small apartment. So we're also looking forward to moving to a bigger house. So it's it's all happy days at the moment to be honest.

Daniel Kiernan  04:11

And any any regrets? You know, when you when you stop playing after having such a long career, and you come to that decision? I guess you often don't know if it's the right decision sometimes until you've done it. And how was it? How's that been?

Freddie Nielsen  04:31

Oh, absolutely no, no problem at all. For me, I kind of was on borrowed time when I quit playing singles. I was never really intrigued by the life on the doubles tour. I had some bonus years there and the first two years were fine for different reasons. The last year was not particularly motivating or inspiring for me for for a lot of different reasons. And now when I look back at tournaments I don't miss being at the tour events playing doubles. I miss being at random challengers and futures where I feel like I belong. I never felt like I belonged at the other places, and they were so far back that I already made my peace with it. So absolutely no regrets. On the contrary, it was the right time. I feel very at ease. I miss competing tennis, I miss playing matches and all that, but I think that was always gonna be the same. So I feel very much at ease about the whole thing.

Daniel Kiernan  05:29

And valde How was how's life for you?

Kieron Vorster  05:33

It's good. Yeah, obviously, my son excelling at football. He's fun. He's actually signed a contract with Sutton United. As part of my, my work, I'm dragging him around three, three days a week now with training and playing matches on a Saturday. So you know, he started the journey. Yeah, and still working with some some tennis players. And I'm back with Liam Brody for the this week, at least. If he likes what I do, then we'll go from there. You know, so yeah. Other than when he turned up to my facility in crocs, had to have a little conversation about him wearing crocs, although he did change the shoes, but it's like, you know, you lose a bet wearing crocs coming in, you know, walking around. And he said he told me he's no one's gonna convince them any. Anything to the contrary, he finds them the most comfortable pair of shoes.

Daniel Kiernan  06:30

Confident young man.

Kieron Vorster  06:33

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. He, he likes to look at his legs.

Daniel Kiernan  06:39

But the big question, the big question, does he shave those legs?

Kieron Vorster  06:45

I'm not sure if they're shaved. Definitely got the trimmer out. You know, the trimmer is out they're looking very golden. Yeah. And so you know, we started yesterday, we did a bit in my facility in Wimbledon. And we did again today. And you know, very relaxed about it, that is obviously presenting what I do. And if you liked it, and you know, we'll crack on if not, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Daniel Kiernan  07:09

And before we move into French Open, and I'm sure we might have a dabble into Wimbledon, as well. You mentioned about about being a sports parent. And I've got to pick it up. Because, you know, everyone listening to this podcast, in the main comes from a tennis background, you know, lots of tennis parents, lots of tennis players, tennis coaches, the life of a football parent, and, and the world of a youngster trying to make it into the football world, similar to the tennis world different, you know, how has that experience been?

Kieron Vorster  07:45

I mean, the Yeah, it is very different. I mean, depends on on a particular category level, they keep themselves to themselves, very different to, you know, when when when, when their their grassroots clubs playing, when their kids are playing on a Sunday, they're very vocal from the side, they kind of feel that they can't make maybe not say what they want to say, or the fact that it's a privilege to be, you know, in that Academy setup. And then also, like the, you know, a lot of two groups, the groups that are set up are just information, you know, a lot of past comments on them. So they'll, they'll ask you for, you know, give you information, and then you can only do a thumbs up or a thumbs down or a smiley face, if he can't, you know, and if you need, if you need to contact them, you just got to email them or contact them personally. But from my perspective, I've never really I think, I think this was a fine line as a parent, where you support what they do and then become pushy. And then when you become a pushy parents, I think that sometimes you run the risk of the kid having an anxiety until that if they wanted to stop wanting to change that kill, they can't because they're doing it for you and not for themselves. So I've always taken the philosophy that you know, I 100% support what he does. And the day he turns around and says he doesn't want to do to find money. I don't watch him train. Even at home, he has, we have you know, Jim Jim's set up here. He knows what he wants to do, you'll ask me a different exercise, but I am I am just a true support staff member or, or whatever it definitely is. And at the same in education in education, it's not like right, you need to go to a math tutor and get extra math, like, you know, just just supporting him in terms of, you know, giving 100% effort and trying his best and what will be will be So, yeah, it's an interesting journey. I mean, I did it when he was a lot younger when he was the AFC Wimbledon Academy. And then he got released from there. So luckily, it's not my first rodeo. But yeah, it's just let it let it take its course. You signed a year contract. come December this year, he'll know if he's got what is called a scholarship. contract which we'll get to a contract, that would kick in, in September next year for two years. Okay. And it's interesting. It's

Daniel Kiernan  10:08

The, I guess the word that jumps to my mind is power. You know, and I've long said, It's been talked about a lot on this podcast, but you know, the power struggle of a tennis coach or a tennis academy, it's very different. Because, because the, the parents are paying the fees. Or in the case, in the case of a tennis player paying a tennis coach that the tennis player is so they're technically I guess, the employers, you know, as at a football academy. Like you say, there's a privilege it's like, and they're getting everything paid for and, you know, very much the football club are the employers. And that word power takes me into, into our our topic of discussion tonight, I guess of, you know, I've been coming in the last couple of days from work. I tend to get my news from Twitter, you know, get my kind of quick fix of results from the day headlines from the day. And I'm looking for the French Open head because that's going on. We're now in day three of the French Open. And pretty much every headline is Wimbledon. And it's not only are we getting the results, but it's talking about Naomi Asaka. Discussing this Novak Djokovic making a statement about that, all linked into what has happened at Wimbledon over the last over the last few days, you know, with with Wimbledon, banning Russian players and Belarusian players, and now the ATP and WTA retaliating and trying to take the power back by taking the ATP WTA points away from Wimbledon. And Vossie, you've been tweeting for a while? You know, you seem to be in the know, you know, you've seen this coming for a few weeks you've been hearing on the grapevine that this is what's going to happen. What's your take on it all?

Kieron Vorster  12:06

Yeah, so I think from I don't, I don't agree with the decision that Wimbledon took to to strip, Russian and Belarusian players from playing. They are independent contractors from the country, they're not playing mobile in representing the country's number one. But on the other side of the fence, Wimbledon didn't just wake up one day and go, Okay, this decision we're going to take I think they were leaned on very, very heavily from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. And we're given we're given strong recommendation by them. But without them saying this is this is this is the law. And so they've Wimbledon, in on their side of the fence, rightly so have interpreted what advice they've been given to a decision that they came out and made. And obviously, with any decision that anyone makes for every action, there's going to be a reaction and the reaction whether it's positive or negative. My my my only take on this would be how slow the ATP and WTA were to make the decision considering this came out end of April. And they waited till Friday before the French Open. I think that's pretty poor. And and I don't I don't think the Well, the way the ATP structure is they're not a player. They're not they do not represent players. If it's a conflict, you've got tournaments, you got four representatives, you got player representative, and then just hearing and I don't know this back, but you know, Dan Evans as an example, wasn't contacted or wasn't asked his opinion, you know, and there's three, even if you take the top 50 There's three people that rep represent the top 50 who then reporting to the player counsel. So you're talking of what 15, 16 Guys, each person's got to call and have that conversation, and no one contacted them. And my feeling I've got is that the top players are super, super protected, and their opinions count more than the player ranked 99 And I've done think everybody was consulted because I think there's this there's the mix camp with on the men in the men's game that that have that wanted it and didn't want it. But then I think there's also agendas on the main board of the ATP. You know, there's one particular person on HP board represent the players he was on the board of Wimbledon and and was booted off Wimbledon and you know, he I'm not saying you have to dismiss this may be a way of doing it in a professional manner getting one back you know at them. And then further afield from this is you know, also like from what you know, did you know what if this war goes or goes on three years As for us pockets, why are you banning Russian and Belarusian players from playing? You know, for five years? You know, and then if you look at on the woman's player Council, you know, Victoria Azarenka, where's she from? Belarus. So you know, she if she's going to be lobbying for, for the decision that was made strong, very strongly. So

Daniel Kiernan  15:21

Well, it seems as if the, it seems as if the W, reading between the lines and picking things up, it seemed like the ATP weren't going in that direction. But the WTA was the power push on that side. And the ATP felt they had to marry up with the WTAs decision of what they wanted to do. I don't know what the truth in that is. But that certainly seems to be the word that's coming out.

Kieron Vorster  15:48

My understanding is exactly that, that the Sci Fi fans, I think, is a strong leader. We saw that with the Feng Shuai stuff that came out with China and how perhaps with the decision making module from withdrawing from China, of course, the ATP were really, really weak and haven't followed suit and still haven't followed suit. And they're still tournaments there. And yes, I think mine is from my Marshalls man standing was the ATP weighing in on it and, but but has to show unification on the physical what was quite interesting on that was the ATP came out with a decision before the WTA. Right. Okay. Which was quite interesting, just just just from from an observation point of view. But I think there's there's quite a lot of other things, you know, for example, if it is if the ATP and the WTA. And on sanctioning that events, and if it's a glorified exhibition event, you know, how how's this going to be with tennis integrity unit? You know, have they thought that through? And, you know, Will players get penalized? If you know, if they are arranging to lose lose method? I don't know. I you know, I don't know what the ruling is on that. But you know, if I'm assuming there's no, there's no sanction, like it, like if you're playing an exhibition, in the senior events, they would arrange it to go once at all, and I'm going to win or you know, one player is going to win. So what is where does that leave betting on those events? Because cuz betting and tennis is, is one of the most popular popular sports to bet on.

Daniel Kiernan  17:22

It opens up so many things. If really, yeah. If if we take Freddie to 2012 Wimbledon champion, if you'd won Wimbledon, without ATP points, would it mean any last you?

Freddie Nielsen  17:44

Well, it obviously depends on what the field was. I mean, if it were the same players as with points, no, but But it depends if it's still a strong enough team, and I think Wimbledon is a strong enough brand. It's I mean, you can make the same argument for the Olympics. There are no no points in the Olympics, but it seems to matter a lot for for for a lot of players anyway. And the more interesting thing now for me will be that for a lot of players, not just winning Wimbledon, but making qualifying making second round is a huge deal because it makes a big scoop up the rankings, making quarterfinals as a big news story for make big story for somebody's career. So I'm not really sure who is this decision is punishing, really, of the way I see it. I think it's punishing the players more than is punishing the tournaments. I think Wimbledon has such a strong brand, such a strong attraction and the history itself with playing Wimbledon, and the really big prize money, there's will attract enough players that the interest won't be affected. But on the other end, nothing will affect a lot of players because it's going to affect their ability to win points, let's say there. I mean, it's, there's a few grasscourt specialists are people that make a lot of points on grass courts, and now they have one tournament list to make that and it's a big tournament. So not

Daniel Kiernan  19:20

just win points, but defend points as well because a couple of ironic things on this end, I mean, one little bit of a side note, but I did see today in Martin Fucsovics came out and spoke about it. You know, he he's he made quarterfinals last year, you know, he will now lose those points as it stands, and he'll drop outside of the top 100 in the world. And and the other ironic thing that's come out of this is, is there'll be a Russian who will move into into the world number one spot in Daniil Medvedev because of this move, you know, which just kind of adds fuel to the fire, in what are in what all of this all of this is about? So what's what's your take on it? Freddie, do you? Do you agree with Wimbledon? Do you disagree with Wimbledon? Do you agree with the ATP? For someone who is fresh from the tour? What's What's your take on it?

Freddie Nielsen  20:20

I was always kind of expecting this to happen. And I was it was very difficult for me to really make a decision on where I stand. I don't have a problem with what Wimbledon has done, I think it's perfectly legit. I understand that a lot of individuals are gonna get hit, and they don't see me don't have anything to do with the war. A lot of my personal friends are gonna get hit, and I feel bad for them. But they're obviously not getting punished, personally. And we all know that Russia uses sports pretty heavily in their propaganda. And I can see a big issue from for Wimbledon and seeing Russian standing with the trophy in two weeks time on British ground and having that being used, and I started

Kieron Vorster  21:12

from that, from that point of view, then it should be a governmental decision. The government should have been basically getting the Russians and the Russians coming into the UK there. They've got a now they've now got to apply for a work visa and their work visas will be denied. And that's that's been that. So you taking that you've taken that decision making away from Wimbledon, which I think is unfair, that they should not have not been put in that position to do it. My other take on that is that Wimbledon, the players aren't representing Russia, they're not represent the Bella Russia as if it was it was a team event totally get it. They were going there representing Russia Belorussia. The other way around, and this this should have got them to do those, like they didn't train track until you get them to sign an AMA. And part of that ama was is they denounced the flag, the national anthem. And so you put them putting the ownership back into the player's hand that then they decide whether they want to place the AMA and make those decisions. And then if they don't, then you say, Okay, well, you can't play. But I also think within the ecosystem of tennis, all those nuances that you're talking about, basically, I think the ATP WTA actually just put Wimbledon back within the box of the food chain of actually not bigger than the game. And it doesn't look good that you're playing the French Open and you can play the French Open and then four or five weeks later, you can't play Wimbledon. It's like are they're not communicating with each other. And Wimbledon now looking for allies, because the ITF has stripped Jr. points as well. So the only ally they've got left, this is the USTA, you've got the US Open. And then And then obviously you're going into the next year. So it's like how long is this gonna go on for before you got Okay. All right, you know, like even in South Africa and Apartheid years, right. And the biggest difference between now and then is that in the pot that you went after was in the Apartheid years we never had social media, the team events were banned, but you could still play tennis, you could still play golf, you can still go on and play these individual sports. And I think I just I just think it's unfair that you imagine if you, Fred, you were from Wimbledon, from Russia, Belarus. And you, you're representing yourself, you're going to claim because that's what you do that to do to earn a living. And all of a sudden, you're told you can't play. And it's where do you draw the line? I know, I know, you're talking about people within the media, but then it's like, okay, so, you know, what if a carpenter rocks up applying for a job now, you know, you can't get that job because you're rational Belarusian, it's like where you're going to draw the line. And that's, you know, I get upset that they use the use of propaganda machine and sport, but it's I think it's very, very unfairness, protecting 22 plays in the main draw.

Freddie Nielsen  23:50

The same time, the world is not really fair. And there's, I mean, the fairness, you know, they it's not really fair on the innocent people in Ukraine to be involved in a war, there's a lot of players who have fled their country. A lot of innocent people in Russia are victims of sanctions. That's basically what the sanctions are for. So these are some sanctions that hit a pretty specific specific part of Russian people. Some of the sanctions hit other parts of Russian people that basically have nothing to do with the war. Like I said, I'm not particularly pro the decision, I don't have an issue with it. I'm not pro the other decision. I'm a bit on the fence, but I can totally understand it. And I'm, I mean, the world is not really fair. But and this this is, this is also for me. You know, there's conflicts and there's regional conflicts, and there's war and everything is shit. But this is also one of the bigger like, for me anyway, personally, one of the few one of the biggest wake up calls with regard to world peace. I mean, This, this is like a threat to world peace. This is where I feel okay. You can see even Sweden and Finland joining NATO. It's not just a regional thing. You know, you don't see Finland joining NATO when Syria is at war. So there's obviously some bigger powers at stake here. And the indications are that Putin won't stop it. At Ukraine. So I mean, yeah, I feel bad for for all the people involved, but a lot of incidences in the world come with innocent casualties. And yeah, I also feel like the that some of the sanctions that the Russians previously with the doping and all that have just been pathetic. I mean, who are we kidding? We, nobody is actually thinking that it's the Russian Olympic Committee that are competing at the Olympics, or just the fact that they're not competing. I mean, forgive me if I'm ignorant here, but I think the ATP have removed the flags from people's websites,

Kieron Vorster  25:56

let's remove the remove the flags and remove the flag that, like even if you go to the French Open, and you see current catalog, it's just an empty flag. But if that what they did in track and field last year, if they put an AMA in, in that thing, so they've agreed they have, and this was to do with the with the state sponsored doping, that they agreed that they when they were competing in the Diamond League events, or whatever events were they denounced themselves from the Russians and the Russian flag. They signed they agreed to that. So why did that not happen in tennis for the ATP and WTA event are then saying Daniil Medvedev, or thanks to Victor Franco, yet here is here is the policy booklet that you've got to sign that you did not sell from, from Belarus or Russia, if they turn around and go. So we don't agree to do that. Then basically data can then be HSA. Right? Based on your decision, these are the consequences of, but you're giving them a choice. I I don't agree with the decision that women have made. But I don't agree that Wimbledon should have been allowed. Not allowed, being put in a position be put in a position to make that decision I think the government should have and it would have been if the government made the decision, we wouldn't be here talking about it. Because we'll be sorry, guys, the government have made the decision and and that's how it is. But

Daniel Kiernan  27:21

There's three there's three points I'd like to make guys and one. sports and politics. People say they don't make so they don't they're not they're separate things incorrect in that in my opinion. You know, like you said, Friday that propaganda has been used with athletes for years. You know, it is it is something that is the place I think the second bit I think what this brings up in, in our industry, it's showcasing the fractures of our industry, even more so in our tenure, you know, tennis as a whole, because actually, Wimbledon can't really make a sanction that's going to affect the Russian government, you know, can tennis probably not either, you know, could sports all coming together, maybe, you know, you can start to get you know, you can start to maybe create a little bit of pressure and a bit of intensity that starts to you know, come with athletes start to you know, go knocking on the government's door, but it's showing here that tennis just is not collective in any way. You know, any at all, you know, and that's and that I think is really sad because it brings up an arm I'm like you Freddie, I'm kind of a little bit on the fence on all of it. And that's not I have not someone to hide from an opinion. You know, me and Vicki have been talking about this on the podcast for a while at first, I was really adamant that it shouldn't happen this is months ago. You know, Vicki was like they should stop you know, all Russians, tennis players you know, all of this difficult to do something and I was against that as time has gone on I've realized that if tennis as a whole is going to do that that's that's more important that that's less unfair than than those little girls and these women that have been raped and you know everything that's going through in war that's happening right now in my last point and I think this is the point that I start to then sweat a little bit against the ATP on because the WTA is is what they have done if we got surgery star kowski or martyr costume splitter Lina or whoever on this podcast right now. They have they have basically gone on the Russian side of this that is the card that they have played yet the Russian tennis players I've not heard one of them condemn what is happening not one you know one

Freddie Nielsen  29:51

No war please

Kieron Vorster  29:54

Not correct

Daniel Kiernan  29:55

Rublev wrote no war, but he's also come out with you know, Medvedev's come out today, and and backed the ATP, there's not been any real condemning from the Russian tennis players of what is happening currently in Ukraine. You know, that might be.

Kieron Vorster  30:15

Yeah. You don't know if their families have been threatened in Russia, you don't know,

Daniel Kiernan  30:21

of course, but there's those, those three things. I think this, it's obviously it's a massive topic, it's bigger than any of us can can put up, put our fingers on it. But you put all of those bits into a boiling pot. And there's a big difference. And you've said something there. Vossie. How long does this go on for? But there is people out there that have got it doesn't matter. What happens on the tennis court when this is happening in Ukraine right now, that is more important than anything else.

Freddie Nielsen  30:50

And with regards to the threatening, okay, so you want the players to resign statements. And if you kind of forced their hand on that, that's also a little bit of putting them if they do want to play and they make that statement, you know, you can also put their families at risk that way. So that's our point.

Kieron Vorster  31:07

Yeah, I don't think that's a right or wrong prep. But what I'm saying is that was the decision made by Wimbledon, you're not giving the player the choice. So whatever, whatever, whatever you put in place, there's always going to be a, at least one hole that you can pick out of it. But what you want to do is been been been able to, to weigh it up so that this decision was made by the player, not just what Wimbledon has said, we can't play. But if they were like, Okay, well, we will given an option to play for reasons we can't discuss, I've chosen not to play. And then that's a question of wallets. If you've been bullied by the Russian government, that that's out of the control of the US, or the sanctioning events, or the thanks for the tournament that you've given them, that at least you've given them the giving of the option that if you really want to play this event, this is this is what we put in place. The other thing is as well as that that should have come from the ATP or the WTA not not not Wimbledon, no, you know, so you know, the AC good, wha could have said like, you know, the you're carrying on playing, we want you to denounce the flag or whatever. But on the other side, without me, the, from what I said it from the outset is that these guys and girls are individuals from a country they're not playing Wimbledon representing Russia, they're playing normally represent themselves when you played Wimbledon 2012 and you won, you're representing yourself not Denmark

Daniel Kiernan  32:38

I'm not sure I fully agree with that. I think. I think ultimately, you are you, you all because you're whether whether you like it or not, you are you are from that country. You know, and

Kieron Vorster  32:53

You are from that country, but you're not representing that country on a on a official capacity in that event. It's not like, it's not like you're representing, you're representing Russia or Belarus in the Olympics, which is officially sanctioned events that you represent your country. You know, like, you know, you're you're playing the event from a country, but you are you are an independent contractor. Otherwise, where do you draw the line on it? You know, like, where, where does it stop? I mean, somewhere? Yeah, you gotta, you got to draw. Where, exactly,

Freddie Nielsen  33:30

That this is what they decided, you know, and like I said, I don't fully endorse it. I don't think it's, I'm not pro it. I'm not against it, I can understand it. I don't have a problem with it. I also think that if this like you said, three, four years, like if this escalates and we, let's say, well, worst case scenario, go into a World War history also shown, like, what do we do? Like we were gonna tell our kids and our grandkids, watch what we did to prevent this? And if at least Wimbledon will be able to say, but we did, we did what we could do, you know,

Kieron Vorster  34:04

You think that what I'm saying is like, it's like, Wimbledon or the sporting events, putting the, that's not that they are not going to be a contributing factor to stopping the war

Freddie Nielsen  34:15

No, very few things are though, right? Yeah. Yeah.

Kieron Vorster  34:20

The only thing that's going to stop the war is, is Putin themselves. Yeah. Or the fact that he runs he runs Russia into the ground, they've got no money to to to fund the war, or all the sanctions are all that high on them, that they get strangled. They can't. They can't be self sufficient within their own borders. That that's the only that's the only thing that I could think of like, you know, with the sanctions that were put on Rhodesia when when they were fighting, and then the same in South Africa. And then obviously, international pressure, but what all of that was going on, you could still play sport as an individual from that. comes from South Africa.

Freddie Nielsen  35:01

But I mean, it's there's so many things in the if we if we go to that the big scheme of things that really we were encouraged to do, that don't really have a big effect, you know that you think it helps the world water supply, if I don't, if I turn off the water when I brush my teeth, no, but I think also we haven't, we have a, we have a responsibility to try and do something and show the world that we've done it and let lead by examples. And then if it has an effect or not, I think that's not the most important thing. I'm also I've always been in my life as a tennis player process orientated. So I like to act on principle and what you believe is right, and then the outcome will come thereafter. Because it is a tricky situation. And I think showing the world and the big organizations or what you will in the world are the ones to step up and show the world that they care and they can just let it go on with and lets the aggression of the world continue without having any sort of reaction to it.

Kieron Vorster  36:09

I just I just I mean, I just I think it's unfair that you're taking livelihood away from independent contractors. That's my my take on it. And and then reading between the lines, I don't think the ACP can't comment on the WK because I don't know, have done a good enough job in speaking to everybody and ascertaining if it's speaking to 100, the top 100 And having having a percentage vote on what the outcome was from the players representing the you know, those players represent the player Council going into the board.

Daniel Kiernan  36:41

But if we go back and I, I promise your listeners this in the last couple of minutes before we do get into the French or because I think it's I think it's important that we do, as important of a topic as this is, if we even go back a step from there, though Vossie just to reiterate the point I made earlier, how are Wimbledon making that decision without a discussion with the ATP and WTA anyway? You know, and how, if you go back at it, if you know, you take the whole chain of events, then you then you go I mean, it wasn't so long ago, we had Novak Djokovic coming out in the PTPA. You know, that was, you know, we're representing players and jock ventures making statements now that it's not right. And it's you know, he's obviously got his his agenda and his feelings on that. But he's not representing the players in that, you know, it's all just so skew with in terms in terms of it. And I think that's probably we, we can all have our opinions. You know, we can it's a terrible, terrible time in the world right now. You know, my thoughts. We have seven players from the Ukraine at the academy that we brought over right now. You know, I've I've personally got a strong strong affinity with them and know that their families are back in, in Ukraine. So I guess that that definitely keeps pulling in my mind as well. You know, whenever I hear that it's unfair, someone can't play a tennis match. That's not unfair. Forget, forget tennis for a minute. That's what's happening there is there is unfair, we can't put that right. But I do think it's showing, well, like the industry is like a sieve. And there's way too many holes. There's way too many things that are jumping out and sprouting out and old. And ultimately, it's not a good, it's not a good luck. And knowing somebody said today to lose lose situation. And I think that sums it up quite nicely.

Kieron Vorster  38:39

I think. I think also, just to add to that would have been, it would have been too early for the French to late to the precedent that when Wimbledon made that decision. If that communicated with with the US Open Australian Open and French, they should have all come out and said yes. Moving forward. We are back, we are doing exactly what we were gonna do. Worst case scenario. So even if you take the ATP WTA out, which I totally agree that there should have been communicated with, then the US Open said yep we're going to do exactly what Wimbledon said. And then Australia goes in 2023, we're doing the same and French come out and say are we doing the same going forward? But what they haven't worked out is how long is a piece of string? How long this was going to go on for?

Freddie Nielsen  39:17

No, and also there's definitely a lack of communication in some way. That Wimbledon just completely did it without anybody knowing. I haven't witnessed but if that's the case, and then it's a it's a big problem. But it's also worth remembering is there's some there's a lot of legalities involved in this contract. So if one contract is mostly that then the the ATP has to think about I understand that HP feeling the need to have to make a reaction because they're probably owned by the players. So when players of their organization are not allowed to play they have to make a stand because they represent all the players. Secondly, they have a deal with Wimbledon that goes on, you know being completely ranking based model and when Wimbledon, then don't follow the contract, and it's up to 80 P to show them. And especially with the pressure, that French Open put on them a few years ago when they just moved the road, the French Open without informing anybody. Yeah, yeah, one time for you to pee now to say, All right, then it just keeps going. There'll be a precedence and we'll just be pushed around. So we, so we have to do something. That's a power battle, isn't it? It's

Daniel Kiernan  40:31

a power battle. But

Freddie Nielsen  40:32

I think I think, you know, ultimately, this reaction was not great. Okay. Like, like you said, but didn't have much time to do it. I still think that delayed I completely agree with you last year that they did a pretty late and ranking points. I don't I don't really know what players had benefits or anybody or if it's a true statement against Wimbledon. But they certainly had to do something from their point of view, I don't have any issues with them doing anything. I don't think that's the right reaction or anything. But there isn't a lot of what that we don't know what the contracts and who knows what, you know.

Kieron Vorster  41:06

And then what's the what's also interesting is this tournaments that the ACP has direct, more direct control of which is obviously queen is born Nottingham, they've let the points remain the same. And that's their take on it as well. They've they've got opportunities for other tournaments the same weeks. In other territories, well hold on a face restraint of trade, because you then limiting where they can play and then and then those other tournaments then become a lot stronger and a lot harder to get in. And so that player who was on the on the fringe of getting in is now miles out and then uses that opportunity then to get ranking points. And I think that's weak leadership as well. You know, if you're going to do it at Wimbledon, do it for Queens, do it for Nottingham, do it for a sport, all the tournaments up. And so there's consistency in the message Don't Don't give me that, that that weak, lame excuse that are there I can go and play in New York or they can go and play Stuttgart. They've you know, they've got those other points of play that I think is also pretty weak

Daniel Kiernan  42:07

groups ready to take you to take you back. And I've said this to you many times. And I really mean it. You know, I've learned a hell of a lot from you over the years and your, your obsession over the process, you know, and that's something that I've always loved. I share Freddie Nielsen stories with every player I've ever coached, you know, not nonstop, I remember you coming off a match one time and I said, Well done, you'd won the match. And you said, No, it's not well done. You said at 30 all or 30. For the three all I'm working on hitting my backhand and coming to the net, and I pussied out and I didn't and I hit the backhand and I didn't come forward. And yes, I won the match. But I'm pissed off that I didn't stick to the process. You know, it's something that I've admired massively in you. And and that moves me into something that I read today from Naomi Osaka, who I Osaka losing first round again, the French Open, granted a very tough match against against last year's semifinalist in Anisimova. And she's come out and said, I don't think I'll play Wimbledon because I want to see my ranking rise, you know, and that's the reason. That's the reason that she's given that she probably won't play Wimbledon. And I guess we're going to see lots of differences. But that transition to the into the French Open, you know, already we've now obviously Ash Barty stopping playing not so long ago, it seems like a while ago, I think she kind of put a little bit of magic dust in Iga Swiatek's shoes before before she left the tour. And then I think it's the number two Kontaveit who just moved to number two in the world I believe, already lost in the first round. The world number three has also already lost it Ons Jabeur who I on the SotoTennis, social media picked to win the title. And she's got out she's gonna I should have learned from Vossie picking her the last time she's already gone out first round. But I not that I'm making an excuse for my pick. But it seemed so obvious to pick up on tech in the women's side. And it feels like she's I mean, I don't know what it is whether it's 28 matches, I think she's won in a row now. She seems since ash body stopped playing has just become a an in my heart of hearts. I really do believe she on tech is going to win the friend job and I don't see anybody beating her but I wanted to be a bit cocky and pick somebody a little bit different. Can anyone Freddie beat Iga Swiatek this year, the women's reg opener.

Freddie Nielsen  44:41

If she stays healthy, and nothing out of the ordinary happens? I don't think so. And she's also a great example because you've had good insight into how she works. She's also quite process orientated and that's one of the misconceptions about being crossed. orientated because people think that when you mentioned process, it means that they don't care about winning. The whole point about being process oriented, is to be able to continuously win, instead of just winning the next one. And to figure out a way, how to win as much as possible over the course of your career, instead of just getting over the hurdle that's right in front of you. And she seems like she's, she's also speaking at a good time, like you said, the competitors behind her, and not really making it happen for them. So I think she, she could have some good years of domination. And to answer your question short, no, I don't think anybody's going to be here.

Daniel Kiernan  45:46

And to pick up on that point, as well for any because, as you rightly said, you know, we got to know you go this time last year, just before when she came to the academy for a couple of weeks. But I also had her on on the podcast. And what she said was, she said, I've won the French Open, but I've got no idea how. And, and I've had I've had a few people on the show that have talked about that, that they've said things like Kazatkina, said I was top 20 in the world, but I wasn't ready to be. I didn't know I didn't know how I didn't know how to be a top 20 player. You know, we are down Magothy reasonably, she was at age 19 up to 130 in the world, didn't know how to know why. And Iga talked about how she became was becoming obsessed on understanding what it was in her words, I believe were to replicate. You know, I want to I want to be able to replicate this excellence. You know, I don't just want to like you said fall over the line. How anyone falls over the line with a single sprint shortened title, I don't know but to win this event, but they're not know how to do it. So I don't know how to replicate it. And it feels like she's obviously got that magic replication in order, you know, I'm sure at some point, we'll see her lose some confidence and pick up an injury and you know, things will fall off because that's the nature of the sport. But Vossie Do you see anyone challenging Iga this year?

Kieron Vorster  47:18

I mean, looking at the top half I mean, she could potentially have Halep fourth round, I mean, Halep's gone quite undercooked but she's she's obviously a phenomenal player. You know, and then further down this Ostapenko as well, whatnot after thank you please help next round. So the winner of that

Daniel Kiernan  47:42

It's a player who could just who could just have a day, Anisimova's I think is one as well. You know, I'm not sure if she's ready to win seven matches to go and replicate that to win a Grand Slam. But she could have a day where she just catches fire.

Kieron Vorster  47:59

Yeah, I mean, I'd like to see Halep play her and see how she handles that. It'd be really interesting to see see, you know, with Halep with Mouratoglou and then obviously Mike James doing the data, if there's anything new that they bring to the table that that's adding to the helots game and see you know, see if she can challenge

Daniel Kiernan  48:22

I think its a chore for Mouratoglou and I don't know, I don't know Patrick, personally at all. You know, you hear different opinions. I think nobody can argue he's been amazing for the game in terms of just bringing the spotlight on to tennis but I think a lot of people don't give him the credit that for coaching Serena Williams and you hear a lot of people say he's not up too much. So I think this is quite a defining job for him as well you know because if he can if he can get

Kieron Vorster  48:51

Yeah, I mean I mean your your camp in terms of obviously I don't know him at all. But based on his his social media postings and everything you then you then get a preconceived opinion of what he's like and I I was having a cup of cup of coffee with Delgado Jaime Delgado and he said, you know, he's a nice guy, he's a really good guy and he loves tennis. He has passion for tennis. He loves it and you know he knows what he's talking about but you know obviously what when you meet somebody versus what he's doing with the social media he what Jamie said is very different and you know it's that he's he's got huge passion for it and he's you know loves the game and obviously you know, he knows the game but don't get me wrong but yeah, I think Halep will be an interesting project to see where he's at. You know, different you know, Serena Serena is that is a hell of an athlete. Hello, hello flat, you know, and we'll go see see if he can replicate that Working with people now moving forward.

Daniel Kiernan  50:02

Anybody else that jumps out for any I mean, I have to give a shout out to Tamara Zidansek. So our performance director, karma is that sort of tennis academy. He's working with Tamara. She's been at the Academy last couple of weeks. We do, we do a circle. At the end of our, at the end of each week, we do a little circle where, you know, we talk and thank people for coming to the Academy, we talk about the values, give give like a little gift to players that access. And I told her before Rome, she headed off to Rome. And then she came back before she went to Paris. I said look Iga was the last WTA player that was in this circle. And she went off to Rome and she won love and love in the final, you know, after her time at SotoTennis so I challenged Tamara to go and get those results as well. So she came for a first round today. Looking at the drawer, she potentially she made semifinals last year she plays for Gula who who's who in the third round, who seems to be a player that just chips away. She's almost top 10 in the world now. You know, she's maybe a player to mention another one that I love. And I would love you know, Tom Hill, her coach Tom's a great guy doing a great job is Sakkari, You know, she's someone that certainly has the physicality to be able to make a wave through a Grand Slam. So I'm gonna come in to pick time guys. You're not allowed to pick Iga because she's put herself in such a position of being such a big favorite. So not allowed to big Iga and you've got to give us one other watch out name Vossie you can go first.

Kieron Vorster  51:42

I'm going as a rancor. Is that

Daniel Kiernan  51:45

your is that year? Is that your watch it as that year you're in.

Kieron Vorster  51:50

Now that's, that's I'm going for that she's my outside to win. And then you won't want to watch

Daniel Kiernan  51:56

One to watch

Kieron Vorster  52:01

Coco Gauff

Daniel Kiernan  52:03

Coco Gauff. And Freddie.

Freddie Nielsen  52:05

That was my that was my outside. Because I think you gotta go with somebody who has a big upside. I think it's just a matter of time before she goes on and breaks through and wins the slams. I don't think why she is not going to be able to I can't see a reason why she wouldn't be able to pull her out of carnal for example. And she's been around long enough in this deal with things is shockingly still a little bit under the radar for me, I think unbelievably good. But still kinda doesn't get the recognition because she was so good so early. So So one that can kind of that has the potential to blow the scale a little bit for me is Coco. This I mentioned

Kieron Vorster  52:53

She's in a good place since she just graduated from high school.

Daniel Kiernan  52:58

Grade 10. Yeah. There's a really interesting little quarter that you've got Bencic playing against Andreescu next round. The winner potentially to play a Leyla Fernandez. And then coming out that next session. That next section is Anisimova and potentially Sakkari you know, somebody I can see somebody out of that section, but my watch it is is the Swiss player. And I don't know if I'm getting the name exactly right. But Jil Teichmann the lefty who who's got a big game, someone who is is a little watch it as well. And I think over the last the last two or three grand slams, I think the women's is stood out actually, I think we go back to US Open obviously the the excitement of that but but I have to say I think the men's is the standout event this year, and I think it's you know, I

Freddie Nielsen  53:51

I didn't I didn't pick one to watch. Absolutely. Freddie, I want to watch is a little bit provocative, but it's Emma Raducanu just because there's so much

Kieron Vorster  54:02

Freddie Freddie Come on, man.

Freddie Nielsen  54:05

There's so much going on around her that it's gonna be really, really interesting to see how she deals with this French Open.

Daniel Kiernan  54:14

I think she's a she's a classic of what we've talked about with Iga and upside is massive, but she doesn't know yet what her process is to replicate. You know, and I think you know,

Kieron Vorster  54:28

She doesn't know how to say that.

Daniel Kiernan  54:30

Yeah, I don't I think she is. She's a classic on that. And I think she's incredibly exciting. I think she will be a future Top 10 Top five player in the world who will who will find that but I think right now, I don't think she knows how to replicate the day in day out processes. You know, and and I think you see that with her, her moving around with coaches. She doesn't quite understand herself yet. You see that with her? Every match is quite romatic you know, she's not just going through matches, you know, she's fighting hard, fair play to her, but she's not. She's not just picking up two and twos, you know, and making her way. And I think adding adding to that, I think on a clay court. Look, she's a phenomenal athlete and she's going to be somebody who eventually can learn to play on a clay court and have success but I think that that's a push but hey, who knows? But I mean one

Freddie Nielsen  55:29

Maybe for different reasons. There's more like it's let's not forget her and I know you guys aren't in Britain, but but but there's a debate in Britain about her but not as much maybe in in where round I've been but but it's more. I think she's very, very, very fascinating case . I like to follow what's going on with her

Daniel Kiernan  55:56

is she's addictive. I think she's addictive the way she plays the way she lives a life. You know, the way she looks, you know, everything they've ever even she's got she's got that superstar package doesn't she? She really does, you know

Freddie Nielsen  56:10

She comes across great an interview. I think she's really interesting. So that's, that's why I picked her as my one to watch because she does stand out from the rest a little bit. Yes, that glamorous side to her. She's getting great deals with great companies, not just a lot of deals, but huge companies. So that's my reason for it. Another

Daniel Kiernan  56:29

Another one, I just want to just point out that and she she did beat last year's French champion in the first round. I don't know if you guys have come across her yet. But watch her. She can seriously play she's a 2002 as well. 19 years old, is a French girl called Diane Perry. She's she's coming up the rankings she was, you know, did well at the end of end of last year. Round like the 60Ks. 100Ks. She's just moved inside top 100 in the world. And she beat Krajicova in the in the first round. And whether she's ready now, who knows? Maybe she can have a little run now that she's, I guess technically taken that second seeded spot. But that girl can seriously play. You know, I remember seeing her when she was 16 or 17. She's, she's, she's exciting. Am I able to move on to the men's wear? Do you mean, I've had egg on my face going against Rafa for a while at French Open, you know, but I have to stick to what I've said. You know how I think the worst thing that happened to everybody in that men's draw was the match between Alcaraz and Djokovic in Madrid, because I think you you could see throughout that match Alcaraz was just playing Djokovic right into Djokovic mode. You know, and you could you know, before that match, Djokovic was struggling Yes. He was winning some matches but he was losing sets the players he never would you know that much. You could see him thriving off. You know, this battle this new rival, it's appeared on the ATP tour, and I think it's taken us all by storm. You know, Alcaraz. We've seen him coming now for a couple of years, but he is a genuine super superstar. Genuine I think he already knows his process. He knows what he's about. He knows his identity. He's ready to win a Grand Slam. But I fear and I say I fear because I don't want Djokovic to go and get his 21st Grand Slam. But I'm gonna put it out there I think Novak Djokovic is going to be our winner this year on the men's side.

Kieron Vorster  58:38

I don't think he's gonna get like I think someone like Medvedev

Freddie Nielsen  58:44

Yeah. On the dirt he may have come he's his own worst critic on the clay keep talking about how bad he is on the clay

Kieron Vorster  58:53

Yeah, that'd be that could be a positive negative

Freddie Nielsen  59:01

Take some pressure off him.

Kieron Vorster  59:02

Yeah exactly. Talk himself down. Now he cruised today only gave away six games.

Daniel Kiernan  59:11

Watching like watching Kiernan play for LogoPark in hearten home on the clear court back in the day trying to win volume on both serve grade speelde

Kieron Vorster  59:23

spoke to wait forever the other day he thinks TFR is in a good place I mean you know apple cider go deep not I'm not saying when but I think he could go deep. Who knows Norris Norris playing some ball is doing well. He's

Daniel Kiernan  59:37

an easy example. Isn't he Nari of just someone who just is just got his head down and just worked and also, I think a lot of we've got I'm sure he wouldn't mind me saying we've got Gordon read the 18 time Grand Slam champion that wheelchair tennis Gordon read at the Academy this week. He's, he's gone to a friend John were one of our coaches and preparing at the academy. I was speaking with Gordon and any I was asking him, what's the difference? You know, playing on a clay court being in a wheelchair? Is it different, you know, obviously the movement is so different, you know, for able bodied tennis players, you know, moving around, and he said a little bit of traction with the wheel. But he said but I hate clay. I said why I said, Why is it arch just and I understood it, you know, the high bounces, you know, you don't want the ball to too high when you're in a wheelchair now, but he plays like me watching replays that Rafa he's ripping the ball lefty. And it was such a this like, British mentality of we hit clear that we just hate clay, we can't play on clay. You know, that was the way that so many of us were brought up, you know, almost thinking that it's just so different to anything else. And I mentioned to Gordon this that a few years ago, and I'm sure you guys remember but correct. Britain played Spain, in the Davis Cup tie at Puente Romano in Marbella. And we went along for the day and it was a bit of a doubt the kids expecting to watch Liam get duffed up and then watch Cameron Norrie to get roughed up. And we just didn't see that Liam put in an amazing performance in the first match, I think lost in four tight sets. And then nori beat, not Coronavirus to beat Batista Agut in five sets is first ever clay court it just seems to me that cams got this amazing mentality of just like, it is what okay, it's a different cold surface to different tournament. And he's won, I think four ATP events this year. And he's been the top seed in all for, you know, and his ability to do that. So I think we have to mention Cam, we have to mention Dan Evans winning a first round, I think Dan Evans, winning a first round at the French Open, fair play to him, you know, for him to be able to do that against an Argentinian guy. So a couple other British guys, but I want to

Kieron Vorster  1:02:01

But again, Dan I think it really can hurt people on the class. Clay courters will hate playing him. You know, it's executing his game. He's so hate him. That's like the dice coming in, you know, short backhand slice across quarter coming in behind it, you know, moving the clay court, the clay quarter foot, you know, if he gets a variety, you could again, he could do some damage. But also in the somebody. I'm not mentioning his name, but talking to somebody and he said to me, do you want to hear an interesting stats? And I was like, gone then apparently, since the US Open last year. Dan hasn't won more than two matches in an event.

Daniel Kiernan  1:02:40

Yeah. Yeah. How's it one, two

Kieron Vorster  1:02:43

Won two matches, but never won a third

Daniel Kiernan  1:02:46

Yeah, he seems to have kind of consolidated himself as a 35, 40 player in the world. But he hasn't quite

Kieron Vorster  1:02:53

He could be way higher voice. Yeah, no. I say that would be the first the abilities that the game needs is a great athlete, and he worked the socks off.

Daniel Kiernan  1:03:06

But he's also maybe a one as well, though, it goes back to that thing, you you have a good run, you kind of find your equilibrium, a little bit of where you're at. You know, don't be surprised if Dan doesn't have another, another little push over the next 12, 18 months. And, Fred, I want to bring you in because one of my pet peeves is when I when I see a draw that's done in a pollster. And it tells us that Jack of edge is going to play this player first round this place second round, they split. It's the most disrespectful thing ever. However, I'm about to get dragged into that a little bit. Because it is a fascinating draw. You know, and I think it's fascinating the fact that we could have Rafael Nadal Against Novak Djokovic, in the quarterfinals. And without injury. It's hard to see I think how that won't happen, you know, and then everyone's assuming that the winner of that will play Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. Whereas in the bottom half of the draw, it's a bit late well is Tsitsipas just gonna walk his way through. We know as tennis players, that's not going to be the case. But

Kieron Vorster  1:04:20

He's down right now

Daniel Kiernan  1:04:25

setting so so that so there you go. So that's why we can't do that. But who who comes out at that top of Do you see anybody getting beat out of the big three? You know, and I firstly want to ask you, how bloody good is Carlos Alvarez?

Freddie Nielsen  1:04:40

Okay, that's a lot to digest. Let me go. So I completely agree with you. I think it's so boring as a tennis player. I think it's so boring those headlines, I hate them. I see the headlines and I go immediately in and try to find Okay, who are they playing on the way? However, I completely understand the process because It's not really a headline if Novak Djokovic plays Nishioka for the common person, so it's a much better headline to make that and obviously they got to create some clicks and create some hype and that's the way it is. I can live with that. But I agree with you I find it so boring and it rarely sticks up. But at the same time, we also know that Rafa Novak rivalry is coming to an end. There's not that many left. So we are obviously a very pumped about every potential, they're going to be playing against each other. I like you have Novak as my favorite. I think that until Rome, I wasn't too convinced. But after Rome, I feel convinced that he's getting into shape. He looked very strong against Nishioka. And he's mean it's just testifies that different animals still think he's physically strong enough, even though he had a very weird year. And for me, he's the man to beat. Carlos is insanely good. Very humble, hard worker respects the game laughs a little bit. respects his opponent and the process. He obviously has a very good coach in his corner seems like I understand what what what it takes to be good. And he absolutely cracks the ball. And he's not afraid of the big stage. He's playing good on every surface. And it's one of the least surprising things in the world that that he's become good because he's been hanging around people's opinions for a while because everybody knew it was going to come down. I think he has, it appears to me that he has mental strength and durability. That is stronger than some of the other newcomers that have come through the last few years, in order to be able to compete consistently against the the bigger guys and bigger tournaments. I mean, I think he's consistently getting better and better and better and not like, he learns so quick, a team learns quickly. And it's not like he, he wins a tournament. And then he goes out to somebody where he thought that's really surprising. I know, we lost a quarter in Monte Carlo, but quarters really good. And also going from hardcore to clay and

Daniel Kiernan  1:07:10

And Korda in the third round. Yeah, and

Freddie Nielsen  1:07:15

I mean, Korda is a very good player. I really like his game, but I think he's much more consistent and more mentally strong than some of his peers in the same age. So I'm fully expecting him to dominate, be amongst the dominating players the next few years, and up to top three players to lose. I'm sorry, Vossie, I don't see Medvedev making a big, big run, I think it's important, he's going to find somebody who's going to make life tricky for him. I also think I think it's easier said than done. Now. It's easy to say now that we just discussed him being down two sets to one, but I also see Citypass might have some difficulty come through because and this is gonna segue into what I really want to talk about not not only biased here also trying to be somewhat objective. I'm super excited about Holger Warner. And I don't see him isn't able to, I don't see it unlikely as him making a big run. And I'm, I mean, he has some tricky opponents and they do rounds potentially because he's over two against laaksonen. If he were to play a song in the third round, Lefty tricky at home, dropshots, rhythm, break, whatever, but I would feel fairly confident on his behalf if you were to play TT pass in the fourth round at a slam game wise match up, but also because he thrives on confidence. And if he's in the fourth round of a slam, he is gonna be absolutely bursting with it. I think it's very exciting times. And I think also, he kind of goes a little bit under the radar because Carlos is the same age. But his results on just isolated as a one player are insanely good. And he's hitting all the marks for all the top players. He's already won a tour events. He's now the highest ranked Danish player in history on the ATP rankings. He's going to keep making getting records. And I think that's gonna be really interesting to watch and this French film.

Daniel Kiernan  1:09:16

Well, we spoken about it quite a bit Freddie and I think, you know, I again, hadn't had Holger on the podcast. I've never met an individual like that. I mean, I I mean, I really haven't. I mean, the belief I sat there, like I'm speaking to an 18 year old here. He completely believes like, he has no doubt in his mind. It seems like

Freddie Nielsen  1:09:41

it's beyond belief. It's to him it's knowledge. Like, yeah, it's so strong, that it's just like, it's not even so so. He believes it and he makes it real. And you can cut you can see him he backs it up on the court time after time.

Daniel Kiernan  1:09:57

I'd like to make little shout out as somebody who, again from that part of the world for Eddie, but I think very, very different in lots of ways to Holger, you know, goes under the radar massively, you know, had had I had a an emotional first round match today against your Wilfred Tsonga? You know, Joe Wilfred. And we have to mention the amazing career that he's had. But Casper Ruud and somebody who, oh my god who was just chipped away chipped away. It was proven people wrong on the hardcourts maybe hasn't had his best clay court season ever. But I believe believe it semifinals in Rome, you know, so is anyone can even. So there you go. So So, so maybe, maybe maybe he's had too many matches over the last couple of weeks. But he's

Freddie Nielsen  1:10:49

Not worried about that. Yeah, it'll solve him as well love him. Great guy down to earth works. So hard is very respectful to the game, to his upbringing, where he's coming from Good, good parents around him that keep him solid. I mean, if you talk to him, you would think he's 35. I was also thinking today that it was actually the perfect opponent for for Joe as well, because you'd have a competitive match, you play a really good guy. And then you play somebody who understands tennis history and understands the location and it's not going to make I mean, he's gonna be quiet and go around as businesses do well, but it's going to be somebody where you also get your chance to shine and you can hear the way he talked after the match as well. And big, big fan of Casper a really big fan, following for a while and I think he is a big role model for Scandinavian talents going forward.

Daniel Kiernan  1:11:42

So I know it's not much of an outsider when he's a top 10 in the world. He's number eight in the world. But I I can see from the big guns, I can see Djokovic Coming through. And I could I can see Casper Ruud coming through from the bottom half. And that's my pick Djokovic Ruud final, in which Djokovic wins in three relatively easy straight sets. Yeah,

Freddie Nielsen  1:12:07

I don't think that's a particularly bad call. I also think Casper has a few I still think there's a few holes in his game against the big guys. But as I mean as is commonly said, once you win the first few rounds and you go deep, that those kinds of things kind of disappear, because confidence and momentum takes over and then grades aren't as important anymore. So I agree I can I can get behind that statement

Daniel Kiernan  1:12:38

Vossie, you sticking with Medvedev.

Kieron Vorster  1:12:41

He's my man. Yeah,

Freddie Nielsen  1:12:45

I'm still doing okay. There's a lot of question marks about a whole goes physicality because he's he tends to cramp a lot to cramped in Australia. He was cramping in, in in Lyon now. And that is, you know, the jury's still out whether he can compete in, in best of five sets and in tough conditions. But one one time is going to be the first one that he's going to go deep and the way he's playing at the moment he plays so well in Munich. Keep I'm not ruling him out of any match. He's playing every match. He goes into play. I'm going to think he has a has a good chance to win. And I actually I actually called him to beat chapeau before before he won today. So that's

Kieron Vorster  1:13:26

my appetite. My upside just to rock the boat on the top half rocket big time is Dimitroff. I think he's been playing Alright.

Daniel Kiernan  1:13:36

What unbelievable first round he had. Yeah,

Kieron Vorster  1:13:39

I think he's been playing Alright, so I think he could rock the boat and the top half as an outsider. Just

Daniel Kiernan  1:13:46

just thinking. I mean, let's see you Yeah, everyone says, Yeah,

Kieron Vorster  1:13:49

and I get that but but I think I think he he's gonna He's gonna swing from the hip. Everyone's talking about that tough path. And if he doesn't come through, no one's gonna you know, and no one's gonna say anything untoward. But I think you know, if you're swinging from the hip, and you just kind of cruised through Yeah, he's got he's got the abilities of the game to to rock the boat.

Daniel Kiernan  1:14:11

Well, it's an exciting it's an exciting event. I'm pleased we got on to the French Open for a while there. I thought we thought we were about to move into being a politic political podcast, you know, with but guys, I as always massively appreciate your time and, and not just your time, your knowledge, your, the passion that you both speak with, as well about, about these subjects. And, you know, I know anyone listening to this, it's, it's hopefully going to be thought provoking. You know, I hope everyone respects everyone's views. You know, we know that it's an incredibly difficult and challenging time in the world right now. You know, everything going on and, and everyone's affected in their own little way. You know, and some people obviously much more affected than Not as it's a sport that we love. I think my closing remarks would be, let's, let's get our act together tennis, let's get the sport together, you know, let's stop having, you know, all of these fractured decisions being made and fractured ways of being that that ultimately cause this polarizing effect, you know, across our sport, you know, let's, let's professionalize it, you know, there's many, many amazing people within the sport, we all get the pleasure of sitting and watching the French Open, unravel over the next couple of weeks, you know, all the best all of the players out there, Freddie Varzi. Thank you guys.

Freddie Nielsen  1:15:42

And can I just say one last point. Like Boswell's have been said, we all know the wrinkle effects of, of the war. And we all obviously understand that people are dying and getting their lives destroyed. But you can just see what a wrinkle effect it has all the way out. And I completely agree with you that these independent contractors are innocent people that, that get punished for this. And it just shows that even so far, in the in the scheme of people that are affected, even in our world, you know, stupid people, forcing stupid wars about people has an effect on innocent lives all over the world, even sports people and yeah, I mean, it's just it's painful to watch, and not to forget all the people that are actually directly involved. It goes even so far out to sports people as well. It's just painful to see what's going on in the world. So hopefully better times ahead.

Kieron Vorster  1:16:40

Just just echoing what Fred says there. It's, it's, it's incredibly sad. For for everyone involved in the wall. But yeah, I don't I think if if you representing your country, and then yeah, the sanctions, sanctions are rarely put in place that you know, you can't represent your country. But if you're an independent contractor, you have the right to work, and less govern governmental restrictions restrict you from doing so. And I think there's a lot there's, there's lots of nuances within within the decision. That I think, yeah, it's sad. It's sad for the game. And as you said, this shows how fractured the governance of tennis, tennis is, in terms of this, this semi governing bodies, and no one's really talking to the other person.

Daniel Kiernan  1:17:33

And my final thoughts are, with the families directly impacted, you know, on the Ukrainian tennis players, the Ukrainian families that and I know that it isn't the only war that's also going on in the world right now. And I think sometimes we forget that as well. But both of you, I hope you your families, first and foremost, safe, happy, healthy. Thank you on behalf of everyone that control the controllables once again, for your for your generous giving of your time, your knowledge, your expertise. And I hope to catch up with both of you in person very soon. Thank you.

Kieron Vorster  1:18:10

Thanks so much for having us.

Freddie Nielsen  1:18:11

Thanks for having us then Always a pleasure.

Daniel Kiernan  1:18:13

Now I said to the guys when I text them frantically earlier today, I need 30 or 40 minutes of your time. And Freddy sent a GIF back on WhatsApp that basically said Yeah, right. You know, the chances of us keeping a tennis discussion for 30 or 40 minutes is slim to none. And and boy was he right? You know I was looking at the clock as we were talking love the conversation, didn't want it to end but appreciate that you as the listeners have to have to listen to these podcasts and we try not to make them go on too long. But sometimes the discussion is so good that they do so because of that. I'm not going to keep you too long. Here at the end of it. I just want to want to touch base with you all. Hope everyone is doing well. wish everyone the best in this in this challenging world that we do live in. A big big thank you as always for the support that you are giving control the controllables we stay dedicated to all of you to keep bringing these these amazing guests these amazing episodes and wishing you all a fantastic summer of 22 Stay safe stay healthy. But until next time, I'm Dan Kiernan and we are Control the Controllables