We’re back with a full review of the opening round of the US Open! Alvin and Torrey break down the biggest storylines and matches from both the WTA and ATP draws:

• What it’s really like experiencing tennis live vs. on TV
• Venus Williams’ inspiring comeback performance
• Madison Keys’ tough first-round exit & what it means for her career
• Clara Towson vs. Alex Eala: styles clash in a thriller
• The rising parity in women’s tennis and depth of talent
• Daniil Medvedev’s continued struggles—has the game passed him by?
• Novak Djokovic tested by young phenom Learner Tien
• The parallels between Novak and Serena as aging champions chase history
• Predictions and insights for upcoming matches

It’s a jam-packed episode that dives deep into the highs, lows, and future of the game.

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Part 2 is all about the men’s draw. Alvin, Torrey, and Ashley start with Jannik Sinner’s health after Cincinnati and whether an early test like Alexei Popyrin could make his first week tricky. They spotlight a great opening matchup (Nuno Borges vs Brandon Holt) and work through that quarter’s depth—including Tommy Paul’s form check and quick hits like Bublik–Čilić and Musetti vs Mpetshi Perricard.

The middle of the show covers Zverev’s section (with a likely Rublev R16 and a watch on Monfils), plus verdicts on Felix and Tsitsipas. Then it’s Djokovic’s path (starting with Lerner Tien and a “time-on-court” concern if opponents can drag him deep) before a full segment on Taylor Fritz—including teen landmines Mensik and Fonseca.

Down the stretch, the crew debates the best American hope (Fritz or Ben Shelton), does a deep dive on Shelton’s growth and draw, and weighs Carlos Alcaraz’s form and the current rivalry window with Sinner heading into New York. Final picks close it out.

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The crew is back with a full breakdown of the 2025 US Open! Alvin and Torrey are joined by Ashley Spicer to react to the revamped Mixed Doubles Invitational and what it means for the future of doubles. From packed crowds at Ashe to million-dollar prize money, they unpack whether this “experiment” can reshape the sport.

Then, they dive into the women’s draw—Arena Sabalenka’s path, Emma Raducanu’s resurgence, and the big question marks around Jessica Pegula. It’s a jam-packed episode setting the stage for two weeks of New York tennis.

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In this special episode of Best of Three, we sit down with 2004 Kalamazoo champion and former ATP pro Scoville Jenkins to relive one of the most electric stretches of his career — from dominating the U.S. junior scene to facing the game’s greatest players under the sport’s brightest lights.

Sco takes us inside his run at Kalamazoo, the pressure and prize of earning a US Open main draw wild card, and the whirlwind of drawing defending champion Andy Roddick in his first-ever ATP match — a prime-time debut on Arthur Ashe. He shares candid behind-the-scenes stories of that week, from never practicing on Ashe beforehand, to Roddick’s post-match critique, to the mentorship that followed in Austin and at Davis Cup.

The conversation doesn’t stop there. Sco recounts his 2005 five-set win over George Bastl and the challenge of facing a young Rafael Nadal fresh off a French Open title, and later, the surreal experience of sharing the court with Roger Federer at the US Open. Along the way, Torrey offers a coach’s perspective on preparing a teenager for the sport’s biggest moments, Alvin digs into the match-day details, and together they unpack the mindset, adjustments, and life-changing lessons that come with stepping onto the court against legends.

Whether you remember these matches in real time or are hearing Sco’s story for the first time, this episode is a front-row seat to the highs, lows, and invaluable lessons of chasing greatness on the ATP Tour.

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Alvin and Dasef dive into the 2025 Canadian Open (officially the National Bank Open), celebrating Ben Shelton’s Masters 1000 win and Victoria Mboko’s first WTA title on home soil.

They explore the appeal of watching tournaments between Grand Slams, noting how events like this preview form heading into the US Open and give players a chance to build confidence. On the men’s side, they dissect Shelton’s progression into a top-10 threat, his “Captain America” style, physical weapons, and areas for growth—especially in manipulating the ball like Alcaraz, Sinner, or Djokovic. They contrast Shelton with Taylor Fritz, praising Fritz’s tennis IQ and identifying limitations in lateral movement. The conversation highlights Shelton’s strong partnership with his father/coach, Brian, and the tactical in-match adjustments that helped secure tight wins.

On the women’s side, they break down Mboko’s calm demeanor, movement, and adaptability in defeating four Grand Slam champions (Kenin, Gauff, Rybakina, Osaka). They identify her forehand spacing as a potential technical weakness but applaud her ability to problem-solve mid-match.

They move on to Mboko’s final vs. Naomi Osaka, analyzing a dramatic shift in Osaka’s body language and intensity in the second set. They debate whether Osaka’s dip was tactical, mental, or crowd-influenced, while also weighing her unusual career résumé—four Grand Slams but few other titles—and what expectations are fair moving forward. They connect Mboko’s home-court moment to past examples like Coco Gauff’s US Open run, noting how crowd energy can tilt matches.

The episode closes with a broader reflection on men’s vs. women’s tennis viewing habits, the depth of the WTA field, and upcoming action in Cincinnati and the US Open.

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Alvin is joined by Anastasia Folorunso, creator of Ground Pass, for a conversation that explores what makes tennis culture so rich—and how it can become more inviting.

They swap stories from the grounds of major tournaments, reflect on their personal entries into the sport, and unpack the contrasting vibes of the ATP and WTA tours. From Federer vs. Nadal to the importance of storytelling and social media, this episode dives into how tennis can evolve to better serve both diehards and casual fans.

Whether you’re a longtime player or just tennis-curious, this one’s for you.

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This week on Best of Three, Alvin and Torrey recap their trip to the DC Open — from witnessing Venus Williams live to dissecting what practice courts reveal about the next wave of talent.

They explore the evolving dynamics of women’s tennis, the emotional weight of watching legends compete, and how up-and-comers are sharpening their tools in training sessions. Along the way, they reflect on the legacy of the Williams sisters, the value of smaller tournaments, and what today’s pros can teach us about longevity, adaptation, and grit.

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In this conversation, Alvin Owusu and Torrey Hawkins are joined by Jonathan Stokke from the Baseline Intelligence podcast to discuss the intricacies of tennis coaching and the transition from college to professional tennis

They explore the importance of practice partners, the impact of college tennis on professional players, and the significance of mental strength in achieving success. Jonathan shares his journey from being a player to a coach, emphasizing the need for networking and the evolving landscape of college tennis. The discussion also touches on the fan experience and how it relates to player development, ultimately highlighting the balance between the two. In this conversation,

Jonathan Stokke shares his journey through coaching, discussing the challenges he faced at Duke, the joy of impacting players' lives, and the evolving landscape of college tennis with the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal. He reflects on the importance of coaching styles, the benefits of online coaching, and the innovative format of Intennse tennis, emphasizing the need for entertainment in sports.

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