Episode 25

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Published on:

15th May 2026

Ep 25: Rome Masters 1000 Mid-Tournament Review - Djokovic Return Cut Short as Jodar Makes History plus Sabalenka Collapses as Women Seeds Shine

The Rome Masters has been turned on its head and the boys are here to make sense of the carnage. We break down a wild week at the Foro Italico where seeds have been falling like dominoes and the next generation is making its loudest statement yet.

On the men's side, the draw has been blown wide open. Novak Djokovic — back from two months out with a shoulder injury — falls to qualifier Dino Prizmic in his first clay match back, confirming he'll head straight to Paris with zero clay wins in 2026. FAA, Mensik, Fonseca, Shelton and Fils are also all gone, with the latter retiring injured. The boys discuss what's left standing and whether Sinner — yet to drop a set — is just going to stroll to another title.

The story of the tournament though is 19-year-old Rafa Jodar, who has become the first teenager to reach the Rome quarter-finals since Djokovic in 2007. The boys debate whether the hype is now impossible to ignore after a run that includes wins in Marrakech, a semi-final in Barcelona and back-to-back Masters quarter-finals.

On the women's side, world No. 1 Sabalenka dramatically collapses from a set and 2-0 up to lose to 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea — in what is her final season on tour and her first ever win over a world No. 1 in 20 years of trying. Defending champion Paolini also falls on home soil, while Swiatek quietly looks like her old self and Pegula has been a model of consistency all week.

Plus a special edition of Battle of the Spuds — Scattergories - Can you name every Mens Grand Slam Player in the Open Era? Vargos and Chrissy P give it a try

Talkn Tennis — the only tennis podcast you need.

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About the Podcast

Talkn Tennis
Talkn Tennis is a weekly Australian tennis podcast with three mates breaking down ATP, WTA and Grand Slam drama over a drink or three
Talkn Tennis is an Australian tennis podcast recorded in Melbourne, hosted by Chris alongside Adam and Adrian, where they break down the biggest stories from the ATP and WTA tours, occasionally with a drink in hand.

Expect informed tennis discussion with more trash talk than Medvedev versus Tsitsipas.

There are no PR-approved answers or overly polite commentary here, just honest opinions, questionable predictions and the conversations tennis fans are already having in the deep dark corners of Reddit or X.

Each week, they unpack the latest results, tournament draws and major talking points from around the tour. From the Australian Open in Melbourne to Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, plus the Masters 1000 events, the United Cup and the Davis Cup. Talkn Tennis covers every stop on the jam-packed tennis calendar.

The boys discuss who will dethrone Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and bandwagon the latest up-and-comers from Joao Fonseca to Arthur Fils.

Chris continues to try and convince the boys that Elena Rybakina is actually the best player on the WTA, not Aryna Sabalenka. Meanwhile, Adrian remains hopeful of an Iga Swiatek resurgence. They also keep close watch on the Australian contingent, from Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint to the party boy Nick Kyrgios and all his antics.

Each episode features:
• Honest reactions to the latest ATP and WTA action
• Grand Slam storylines, dark-horse selections and confident, sometimes correct predictions
• Discussion of players, rivalries and the moments everyone is talking about
• Tournament previews, recaps, listener questions and regular games
• Bad jokes, the occasional drink and debates that may permanently damage their friendship

From five-set classics and first-round disasters to coaching controversies, umpire blow-ups and unexpected breakout runs, Talkn Tennis covers the serious, strange and entertaining sides of professional tennis.

Talkn Tennis is not affiliated with the ATP or WTA and is almost certainly not approved by your local tennis club committee.

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About your hosts

Adrian Purgaric

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Adrian "Gluten Free" Varjoss

Adam "The Animal" Blundetto

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Undefeated against his little brother in all-time matches
Took out Phils kid brother in one shot
Fils is a future World Number 1

Chris Anthony

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Adams brother