Skip to Content
Podcast

Spectacular Outcomes in Paris

Rennae and Caitlin swap positions on clay—the latter is done with it and Rennae wants to savor these last moments of the season on terre battue. And what a series of moments it was—two epic and drama-filled finals of this year's Roland Garros—both possessing of incredible narratives on (and off) court. We both give a full chapeau to Coco Gauff's unreal self belief and self possession in weathering the storm of Aryna Sabalenka, who played one of the most brilliant matches of the tournament to take out Iga Swiatek in the semis. On the men's side, an instant classic.

Welcome to another episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast! In this jam-packed installment, Rennae Stubbs and co-host Caitlin Thompson dive straight into the chaos and brilliance of one of the most unforgettable weeks in tennis. Fresh off international flights and a little under the weather (thanks to a Betty Who concert, not a pack of cigarettes), Rennae breaks down the drama from Spain while Caitlin recaps tennis-watching adventures in Athens.

The duo waste no time diving into the rollercoaster that was the women’s semifinals and finals at Roland Garros, dissecting Iga Swiatek's surprising defeat by Aryna Sabalenka, the impact of a closed roof on player performance, and Coco Gauff’s stunning mental fortitude en route to her second Grand Slam title. Expect in-depth analysis, some tough love for Sabalenka’s post-match comments, and plenty of admiration for Coco’s maturity, resilience, and graciousness both in victory and defeat.

And don’t worry—there’s equal love for the men’s side, where Rennae and Caitlin marvel at the extraordinary Alcaraz-Sinner final, reflecting on its place in tennis history, the legacy of Rafa Nadal, and the high bar today’s champions must clear. Plus, there’s a look ahead to Wimbledon, thoughts on players to watch, and even a heartfelt shout-out to the parents who endure every heart-stopping moment from the stands.

With both finals delivering epic matches and plenty of storylines, this episode is a true “chef’s kiss” celebration of what makes tennis so gripping, unpredictable, and endlessly inspiring.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racquet

Saying Goodbye to the Stan We All Stan

We contemplate an ATP tour without Stan Wawrinka, who lifted trophies and bared it all in a memorable Body Issue spread: In a room full of Pat Rafters, our See You in Court columnist Mel Kenny would still stan Stan.

February 6, 2026

Postcard from Melbourne

Photographer Hritika Chaturvedi was on the ground in Melbourne capturing the biggest moments from the Australian Open and she shares her experience trying to capture the world's greatest amid shadow, light, foibles and fanfare.

February 3, 2026

Tennis Gets its Heated Rivalry Moment

The Open Era, an upcoming novel by debut author Edward Schmit, follows Austin Hardy, an openly gay tennis player, as he navigates two weeks playing in the US Open. We sat down with Schmit to talk tennis, books, and… the gay sports genre that is suddenly everywhere.

February 2, 2026

Where Has All the Good Merch Gone?

They just don’t make tennis merch like they used to, so we asked our favorite indie brands, resellers and stylish tennis friends (and fiends) where they find the best tennis apparel.

January 16, 2026

Daniel Yaw-Miller & Mel Kenny on Substack (and in Satin)

Melissa and Daniel—the authors of Hard Hitting and Sportsverse, two of the best newsletters around—are friends, neighbors, hitting partners, and for one magical afternoon at our new Clubhouse location, muses of style.

January 16, 2026
See all posts