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By Ben Lewis and Mike McIntyre
It’s been one other great 12 months for Match Level Canada, the official podcast of Tennis Canada.
We’ve been thrilled to share 58 complete episodes and interviews with our listeners by way of one other action-packed tennis season!
There have been quite a few highlights alongside the way in which, as we spoke with Canadian stars like Bianca Andreescu, Leylah Annie Fernandez, Rebecca Marino, and Vasek Pospisil, touched based mostly with legends like Daniel Nestor and Pam Shriver, and traded laughs with prime analysts like Steve Weissman and Prakash Amritaj.
It wasn’t straightforward to slender issues right down to our prime 10, however right here nonetheless are our favorite episodes and moments from 2022 that we hope you take pleasure in:
Episode 2: Olympic Gold Medallist Belinda Bencic
It’s at all times particular to speak to the highest gamers on the earth and particularly one as constant as Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.
The 2020 Olympic Gold and Silver medalist (in singles and doubles) returned to Match Level Canada as soon as once more to kick-off the 2022 season and produce us on top of things on her objectives for the 12 months.
Bencic has at all times had a tender spot for Canada in her coronary heart after capturing the most important title of her profession again in 2015 in Toronto on the Nationwide Financial institution Open introduced by Rogers.
She additionally will get alongside famously nicely with our personal Bianca Andreescu, and the 2 name one another “twin” once they see one another on Tour attributable to their shut bodily resemblance.
Bencic would be a part of the podcast once more later within the 12 months throughout the Nationwide Financial institution Open, talking forward of a straight units victory over Serena Williams (Serena’s remaining match in Toronto earlier than her retirement).
Click on here to hear!
Episode 7: Prakash Amritraj talks ATP storylines
For individuals who have frequently seen the Tennis Channel, they’ll be loads aware of host and reporter, Prakash Amritraj.
The 39-year-old frequently delivers insightful and considerate panel interviews with the gamers, and his partaking and charismatic character immediately brings you into the dialog.
He’s additionally an absolute health buff, usually documenting his dedication to energy coaching on his Instagram channel, and is frequently exploring different ventures in performing, producing, and writing.
Ben interviewed Prakash on the finish of February, when Daniil Medvedev had turn out to be the brand new world primary, Rafael Nadal was on an immense profitable streak, Félix Auger-Aliassime was trending up, and the ladies’s sport regarded vast open.
Hearken to the episode here!
Episode 8: Sister Act – Leylah Annie Fernandez and Bianca Jolie Fernandez
2022 turned out to be an enormous 12 months for the Fernandez sisters, as Leylah Annie received a title in Monterrey and Bianca Jolie made a extra common look at skilled occasions.
Mike caught up with the pair in Mexico the place that they had simply suffered a loss collectively in doubles.
Whereas many gamers may decline a particular request to talk following a loss, Leylah Annie and Bianca Jolie had been more than pleased to find time for Match Level Canada and their Canadian listeners.
We had been struck by the nice rapport between the 2 sisters, who’re fairly tight and cozy bantering with each other!
Leylah Annie had at all times advised us that the participant she most needed to play doubles with on the WTA was her youthful sister and the pairing is one which Canadian tennis followers can anticipate to see extra of sooner or later.
Discover out what the Fernandez sisters needed to say here!
Episode 13: Welcome to the Highlight with Andreea Prisacariu
Typically it’s an sudden or lesser-known visitor who seems to have a big effect on the podcast and this was definitely the case with Romania’s Andreea Prisacariu who joined Mike to speak about her sudden second within the highlight.
Regardless of being ranked 336th on the earth, Prisacariu was referred to as into motion within the nation’s Billie Jean King Cup tie towards Poland in April and needed to face none aside from World No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
As one would think about, the match was a lopsided one, however Prisacariu endeared herself to many tennis followers together with her candid humour each earlier than and after the match.
She additionally sadly endured criticism from many followers in her nation who had been fairly harsh of their feedback in direction of her on social media – we spoke at size about how she was in a position to attract energy from this and persevere.
This episode was a robust reminder of the human aspect of the game and the way difficult it may be for gamers ranked outdoors the highest 100 to proceed to seek out the resolve to additional their skilled aspirations within the face of adversity.
Click on here to hear!
Unique interview: Chatting with juniors Kayla Cross and Victoria Mboko
They’re two names to maintain an in depth eye on within the coming years.
Canadian juniors Kayla Cross and Victoria Mboko each loved wonderful 2022 seasons, and collectively reached the junior women doubles finals on the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Ben spoke in-depth on what motivates the youngsters, their objectives in tennis, and in the event that they intend to pursue a collegiate profession or transfer straight into the skilled life.
Because the dialog again in early February, each gamers went on to realize nice milestones within the calendar 12 months.
Mboko received her first profession senior ITF title, profitable the Saskatoon Challenger in July, and would later transfer inside the highest 500 of the WTA rankings.
In the meantime, Kayla Cross recorded her first profession WTA win within the 125K occasion in Vancouver, as she and Genie Bouchard teamed up for a first-round doubles victory.
She was additionally victorious in Saskatoon, profitable the doubles title with fellow Canadian Marina Stakusic.
Hearken to the unique interview here!
NBO Day 4: All smiles with Yulia Putintseva
She is among the feistiest and intense opponents on the WTA circuit.
It’s additionally notably fairly uncommon to get a sit-down interview with the 27-year-old veteran, who’s a three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist and has reached a career-high rating that matches her age.
For those who’ve watched Putintseva play, her ferocious model instantly takes maintain. She is vocal whereas profitable or dropping, whether or not it’s to unload a mega fist pump after a strong winner or toss her racquet to the aspect in disgust after a poorly timed mistake.
Putintseva detailed dealing with her big selection of feelings on court docket in a brief sit-down interview from the Nationwide Financial institution Open.
Can we additionally recommend that she was then maybe buoyed by her dialog with Match Level Canada?
On the occasion in Toronto, she superior to her second profession WTA 1000 quarterfinal, knocking off the 4th-seeded Paula Badosa and defeating American Alison Riske.She additionally reached the quarterfinals in doubles on the Nationwide Financial institution Open, taking part in alongside 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
Listed at simply 5 toes and 4 inches, don’t let Putinsteva’s smaller stature idiot you – she packs a deadly punch on the tennis court docket.
Match Level Canada’s chat with Putintseva is on the market here!
Unique interview – Bonding with Bianca
Mississauga native and 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu generously made three separate appearances on Match Level Canada in 2022, initially talking with us in late April from Stuttgart, then in August on the Nationwide Financial institution Open in Toronto, and making time forward of the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow.
Andreescu returned to the tour earlier in April and compiled a 20-13 report in her abbreviated season.
Whereas she had simply touched down in Scotland earlier than her dialog with Ben, she was in nice spirits, and additional assured within the route of her sport.
“I undoubtedly really feel like I’ve improved tremendously since final 12 months,” stated Andreescu, who outlined an goal to return to the Prime 10 by late subsequent 12 months.
Whereas Andreescu had some constructive ends in 2022, notably advancing to the finals of the Dangerous Homburg Open on grass, she additionally outlined areas of enchancment that she’s eager to deal with, most notably discussing her serve.
Andreescu completed the season ranked No. 46.
Hearken to Bibi’s interview here!
Episode 27: Teaching the Williams Sisters with Eric Hechtman
Some tennis coaches may dream to have the chance to teach one of many Williams sisters, however for Eric Hechtman the fact throughout the summer time of 2022 was teaching each Serena and Venus concurrently!
We spoke with the American coach simply forward of the US Open the place tennis followers world wide took the time to acknowledge the profound affect on the game and legendary profession accomplishments of Serena Williams.
Hechtman spoke at size about how he discovered himself working with each sisters and what it was wish to be guiding two of the all-time greats from a coach’s perspective.
The interview with Eric Hechtman is on the market here!
Episode 32: Captain Canada: Vasek Pospisil
One participant who can at all times be counted on to signify his nation is Vasek Pospisil. The veteran Canadian had a 2022 to do not forget that culminated with a historic victory on the Davis Cup whereas taking part in an important function in doubles for Crew Canada alongside Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov.
Pospisil has additionally labored onerous this 12 months to get his ATP rating again up into the highest 100 and is a vocal chief amongst his friends as co-founder of the Skilled Tennis Gamers Affiliation (PTPA).
Vasek stopped by to speak with Mike and Ben within the Fall forward of the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals to talk about his love of taking part in for Canada, the stable chemistry the squad enjoys, and the way taking part in for the Maple Leaf brings out the very best in his sport.
Click on here to hear!
Episode 3: Behind the Scenes with Daniela Hantuchova
Former star participant and seven-time WTA winner Daniela Hantuchova graciously returned to Match Level Canada for her second go to in as a few years.
Hantuchova, who had immense success as an expert, profitable Indian Wells, reaching the Australian Open semifinals, and attaining a career-high rating of No. 5, is now closely concerned within the sport on the sidelines as a commentator.
She has coated Slam occasions, produced an online collection on Tennis Channel, and even has her personal podcast, The Actual DNA.
We delved into what drives her post-tennis profession, and even wrapped it up with some enjoyable rapid-fire questions!
On this similar episode we additionally broke down the occasions unfolding on the Australian Open – which might result in singles titles from Rafael Nadal and the now-retired Ashleigh Barty as nicely.
All that and extra here!
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