Anastasia breaks down the most surprising and satisfying weekend in tennis — the all-American final in Wuhan and the cousin showdown in Shanghai. From Coco Gauff perfecting the art of “winning ugly” to Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech’s once-in-a-lifetime Masters final, this episode captures everything that made the weekend unforgettable.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:21 Coco Gauff's Journey to the Wuhan Final

05:53 Jessica Pagula's Gritty Path to the Final

10:46 The All-American Final: Gauff vs. Pagula

18:54 The Cousin Final: A Unique Tennis Story

36:33 Wrap-Up and Upcoming Events

Links:

• Hailey Baptiste On Tour With post - https://groundpass.substack.com/p/on-tour-with-hailey-baptiste-beijing
• Jessica Pegula post Sabalenka Press Conference transcript - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/bestweekintennis
• Link to Winning Ugly Book - https://amzn.to/42CCYW9
• Lost Boys Video - https://youtu.be/9maE1Nb8e3o?si=kxwhVV5cnVUSFKk8
• Quote from Vacherot’s Coach - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/bestweekintennis

Also We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us FIVE STARS and drop us a comment ⭐️

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Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

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Beijing wrapped, Shanghai rolls—and we’ve got a voice note from Eddie McGhee (Tennis Asia) on what it’s like on the ground in Shanghai: humidity, facial-recognition entry, and a downtown fan zone screen. Plus: Anisimova’s title, Learner Tien’s breakout, Double-H back in the winner’s circle, Americans in Shanghai, and Players of the Fortnight: Eva Lys and Jerry Shang. Q&A lightning round too.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:59 Catching Up on Asian Tennis

17:30 Voice Note from Eddie of Tennis Asia

30:50 WTA Insights: Beijing Tournament Dynamics

55:25 Q&A Session: Listener Questions

01:00:59 Upcoming Tournaments and Player Highlights

01:02:57 Players of the Fortnite: Celebrating Achievements

01:08:45 Outro

Links:

• Meet the Players: Henry Patten & Harry Heliovarra - https://youtu.be/b1W8amIALyg?si=qma0_egV9H9fsET3
• Match Stories Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMv2o_TqSl7Z2nZcXDbu7X8edwtWJsBL4&si=CLYiT48EYcWIq-jR
• Eddie From Tennis Asia Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TennisAsiaTV/videos
• Eddie From Tennis Asia X: https://x.com/tennisasia?s=21&t=34KFRaMxpc-93mq_1EOI7A

Also We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us FIVE STARS and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us for daily updates on Social:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social

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Ground Pass is turning 2! 🎉 In this special birthday episode, Anastasia and Nick look back on how Ground Pass began, what it stands for, and how it’s grown into a home for new and curious tennis fans.

They revisit the mission to make tennis more accessible, share the stories that shaped the show (including that first-ever voice memo), and reveal what it’s like building the podcast with just the two of them behind the mic. You’ll hear their first live tennis memories, favorite moments, dream collaborations, and what they want Year 3 to look like — more listener stories, more guides, and more chances to help fans experience tennis from the ground up.

Plus, audience Q&A! From Ben Shelton’s first Slam to Coco Gauff’s serve, US Open ticket tips, and the reality behind Ground Pass merch — your questions answered.

🎂 Happy Birthday to us… and to all Ground Passers who’ve been here since day one or just joined the family.

Chapters:

00:00 Birthday Celebrations and Groundpass Introduction

02:48 The Origins of Groundpass

18:16 The Evolution of Ground Pass

30:47 Get to know Anastasia & Nick

51:35 Audience Q&A

01:04:10 The Future of Ground Pass

Links:

• Our Merch graphic designer: Yevheniia Petrova - https://www.instagram.com/yev.hen.iia?igsh=Z2xrb2VjZXBzdGZl
• Match Stories: The Lost Boys - https://youtu.be/9maE1Nb8e3o?si=hepJlBSTSWaOzs7Z
• Ground Pass Tournament Guides - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/tournament-guides

Also We have Merch!!! And its on Sale for our birthday!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us FIVE STARS and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast

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This week’s mini pod covers three big topics:

🎾 The Asian Swing – ATP action in Tokyo & Beijing, WTA 1000 in Beijing, Challenger winners, and the growing “Ground Pass Effect.”

✈️ Our New Substack Series – On Tour With… featuring players like Ethan Quinn and Hailey Baptiste, following their first (or second) Asian swing experiences.

🎂 Ground Pass Turns 2! We’re celebrating with special birthday content, a bonus episode, merch discounts, and listener Q&A.

📅 Don’t forget: send your questions and voice notes by Friday, October 3 at 10PM ET for our special birthday episode dropping October 4.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:00 Asian Swing Recap

26:07 On Tour With... Substack Series

30:24 Its Our Birthday & Whats Up this week in Tennis

Links:

• Chinese Fans Nicknames for players - www.groundpasspodcast.com/asian-swing-chinese-fans
• Meet The Player: Eliot Spizzirri - https://youtu.be/5rT6hbsJJWI?si=uRSfdVXStz2dNLM9
• On Tour With Ethan Quinn Tokyo - https://open.substack.com/pub/groundpass/p/on-tour-with-ethan-quinn-in-tokyo?r=47h9qh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Also We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us FIVE STARS and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us for daily updates on Social:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social

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Anastasia (recording from California) and Nick tackle the Asia swing’s time-zone brain melt, introduce our new Substack series On Tour With… (featuring Ethan Quinn’s first trip to Asia), and relive a wild team-events fortnight: Spain-Denmark grit, Belgium’s upset over Australia, and a tense USA-GB semifinal at the BJK Cup. We also unpack the Taylor Townsend IG controversy, share a listener voice note straight from the Korea Open (Pimm’s + Coke?!), debate the value of the Laver Cup, and crown our Players of the Fortnight: Rafael Collignon and Janice Tjen.

Links:

On Tour With Ethan Quinn - https://groundpass.substack.com/p/on-tour-with-ethan-quinn-in-chengdu

Ellie Ma Jelly: Documenting following her boyfriend on tour - https://www.instagram.com/elliemajelly?igsh=MWdteHU4Zjlkd2gxcA==

Served Live Podcast with Team Captains - https://youtu.be/8tj4Qh4WbrI?si=shKXvY4tuw60LHTk

Also We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Time Zone Challenges

02:45 Recap of Previous Episodes and Meet the Professionals

05:31 The Asian Swing & New Substack Series: On Tour With

12:54 Cultural Sensitivity and Recent Controversies

24:07 A Voice Note from the Korea Open

30:47 Emerging Players from Underrepresented Countries

32:47 Team Tennis - Davis Cup, BJK Cup & Laver Cup

33:42 Davis Cup Recap

43:17 Billie Jean King Cup

51:15 The Laver Cup: A Different Kind of Team Spirit

01:10:35 Next Week on Tour...

01:14:10 Player of the Fortnight

💬 Don’t forget to give us FIVE STARS and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

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Anastasia sits down at the Cincinnati Open with Brian Garber, coach of Ethan Quinn, for a candid conversation about the realities of life as a pro tennis coach. From starting out feeding balls to kids and ladies’ teams, to learning under Brad Stine, to now guiding one of America’s most promising young players, Brian shares his coaching philosophy, the importance of relationships, and what it takes to survive the grind of the ATP Tour.

Also We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us FIVE STARS and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us for daily updates on Social:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast

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Anastasia and Nick wrap up the final Grand Slam of the year with a full US Open 2025 review. From Carlos Alcaraz defeating Jannik Sinner in their third final of the season, to Aryna Sabalenka defending her title against Amanda Anisimova, we break down the biggest matches and storylines.

We also highlight Taylor Townsend’s run, Granollers & Zeballos’ doubles win, the fan experience on site (ticket prices, Armstrong vs Ashe, presidential delays), and our Players of the Fortnight. Plus, what’s next on the WTA and ATP tours with Guadalajara, São Paulo, and the Davis Cup tie in Delray Beach.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Grand Slam Season Reflection Intro

02:29 Men's Doubles Final Heartbreak

07:08 Women's Singles Final Analysis

17:16 The Future of Women's Tennis

23:19 Men's Singles Final Recap

36:56 Tournament Review: Highlights and Lowlights

01:08:34 Upcoming Tournaments and Player Of the Fortnight

01:13:11 Player of the Fortnight: Celebrating Achievements

01:17:44 Outro

👉 Let us know your favorite match or moment from the US Open in the comments!

Also We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us a LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us for daily updates on Social:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast

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The second part of our US Open Threads series dives into the fashion highs, lows, and surprises of the 2025 US Openwith Ian Mondul of 40 Love. Anastasia and Ian go through their faves (Musetti, Sabalenka, Venus, Townsend, Sinner/Alcaraz), the biggest misses (Draper’s Vuori debut, Tiafoe’s tiger stripes, Adidas Y-3 backlash), plus surprises like Paolini’s shimmering ASICS dress and doubles teams turning out in matching kits.

We wrap with overall takes on the rise of individuality in tennis fashion, why women’s kits outshone men’s, and the colors that ruled the Open: red and purple.

📺 Watch the video version on YouTube for slides and style breakdowns.

🎧 Listen to Part 1 with Jessica Schiffer (Hard Court) for the fashion x high-fashion crossover. - https://youtu.be/TkzNGPbDCUE?si=cz81m5wdIwXl42bF

Chapters

00:00 Intro & Ian’s background

04:15 Faves (Musetti, Sabalenka, Townsend, Venus, Sinner, Alcaraz, doubles teams)

33:26 Misses (Draper, Tiafoe, On, Adidas Y-3)

53:39 Surprises (ASICS shimmer, Lehecka, Townsend, Nike walkout kits)

1:03:04 Overall takes: sleeveless era, individuality, women’s kits better than men’s

01:11:00 Outro

Also We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us a LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us for daily updates on Social:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/groundpass.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ground_pass

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroundPass

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast

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