All Of It – "Previewing the US Open"

August 25, 2025 | Host: Alison Stewart | Guest: Caitlin Thompson (Founder, Racket Media)

Episode Overview

This episode of All Of It dives into the electric kickoff of the 2025 US Open, with host Alison Stewart chatting with Caitlin Thompson, founder of Racket Media. Together, they break down the drama of the tournament’s opening night, discuss key storylines on both the men’s and women’s tours, and explore how the culture of tennis (and its fans) continues to evolve. Listeners also join in to share their experiences, creating a rich conversation that balances dramatic match moments with broader reflections on where tennis is heading.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Opening Night Fireworks and Early Controversy

• Dramatic Match Delay: A photographer rushed the court before match point during an intense Benjamin Bonzi vs. Daniil Medvedev match, causing a seven-minute delay punctuated by crowd chaos, player-umpire confrontations, and “late night theatrics.”
  • Caitlin Thompson:

    "The cameraman, thinking the match might be over, runs onto the court. The umpire says, no, no, sir, and tells him to get off the court...Daniil Medvedev loses his top and basically turns the Louis Armstrong Stadium into the Coliseum of Rome." — (03:13)

  • The incident turned the crowd into a “weapon” for Medvedev, who used the raucous atmosphere to his advantage to overturn the match and ultimately win in dramatic fashion.
  • Notable Listener Quote:

    "Things get raucous and it’s famously been the place where a lot of late-night theatrics happen." — Caitlin Thompson (12:22)

2. US Open Innovations, Growth, and Fan Culture

• Tournament Changes:
  • The US Open started on a Sunday this year, in response to increasing global demand.
  • A major overhaul of the mixed doubles draw created controversy, but also drove heightened interest and viewership.
  • Caitlin:

    "They previewed it, brought in a lot of singles players, created a lot of controversy, but also created a lot of viewership, a lot of sponsorship, a lot of excitement." — (01:15)

• Evolution of Tennis Etiquette:
  • Longtime attendee (listener Pia) described crowds as louder and more interactive—more like baseball/football fans than traditional tennis spectators.
  • Caitlin noted this shift as part of the US Open’s identity, comparing American fans to those at the Australian Open in enthusiasm and unpredictability.

3. Men’s Draw: Sinner, Alcaraz, and the New Rivalry

• Jannik Sinner:
  • The world’s #1, described as “insistent, very, very stoic but powerful...like a fine-tuned machine.” (06:30)
  • Noted for consistency and dominance, particularly on hard courts.
  • Recently recovered from a virus but remains the favorite to win.
  • Caitlin:

    "This is really his tournament to lose." — (06:57)

• Carlos Alcaraz:
  • Lauded for contrasting fire to Sinner’s ice.
  • Caitlin likens their dynamic to Federer-Nadal in both playing style and preferred surfaces.
  • Their rivalry has defined recent Grand Slams.

  • "The titles of the Grand Slams for really the past two years plus have gone back and forth between the two of them." — (08:22)

• Emerging Charismatic Players:
  • Ben Shelton and Jack Draper are touted as “big-hitting, fun, charisma bombs” who energize crowds and relish the big stage.

4. Women’s Draw: Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff

• Iga Swiatek & Aryna Sabalenka:
  • Until recently, Sabalenka was the heavy favorite. Described as a “ferocious Belarusian” and “walking embodiment of charisma, swagger.” (09:27)
  • Iga Swiatek, “much more comfortable on clay,” has shown new adaptability by winning on hard courts.
  • Caitlin sees this as Swiatek’s tournament to lose:

    "Now that Iga Swiatek has seemingly cracked the code and had a breakthrough at Wimbledon, won Cincinnati on hard court...I think she, it’s kind of her tournament, I think, to lose." — (10:10)

  • Sabalenka’s struggle with her “performed persona” and endorsement spotlight has introduced uncertainty, but both players are flagged as dangerous contenders.
• Coco Gauff’s Coaching Change:
  • Gauff, just 21, made a bold move by firing her previous team and hiring a mechanics expert (who previously assisted Sabalenka).
  • Her game is still “in formation,” with technical areas (serve, forehand) under development.
  • Caitlin:

    "She’s absolutely still somebody who’s in formation. I think it’s a fantastic sign that she has hired a new coach and fired her old team, because Coco Gauff has done amazing things for her sport...she’s got some technical stuff with her game that could get better, which is actually kind of really exciting." — (15:48)

  • Uncertainty remains about short-term results, but longer-term improvements are anticipated.

5. Broader Reflections on Tennis & Fandom

• Fan Participation:
  • US Open crowds are distinguished by their enthusiasm—sometimes at odds with tennis tradition.
  • As Caitlin puts it:

    "If we want more engagement...we kind of have to accept that there’s going to be a little broader of a definition." — (13:18)

  • Her personal code: “I am a cheerer...I never applaud double fault to root against anybody.”
• Players to Watch & Advice for Fans:
  • Caitlin’s picks include Carlos Alcaraz and rising stars on the outer courts, specifically naming Alex Eala from the Philippines:

    "Go to the outer courts and watch somebody like Alex Eala, somebody from the Philippines who breaks through...then you can say, I saw them win." — (17:22)

Notable Quotes

1. On US Open's Drama:

   "Daniil Medvedev loses his top and basically turns the Louis Armstrong Stadium into the Coliseum of Rome."
   — Caitlin Thompson (03:13)

2. On Sinner vs. Alcaraz:

   "They’re not only a contrast in styles and emotions, but also the titles of the Grand Slams for really the past two years plus have gone back and forth between the two of them."
   — Caitlin Thompson (08:22)

3. On Crowd Engagement:

   "If we want more engagement...we kind of have to accept that there’s going to be a little broader of a definition."
   — Caitlin Thompson (13:18)

4. On Coco Gauff’s Growth:

   "She’s absolutely still somebody who’s in formation. I think it’s a fantastic sign that she has hired a new coach and fired her old team, because Coco Gauff has done amazing things for her sport."
   — Caitlin Thompson (15:48)

5. On Players to Watch:

   "Go to the outer courts and watch somebody like Alex Eala...then you can say, I saw them win."
   — Caitlin Thompson (17:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• US Open Format and Changes: 01:00-02:00
• Opening Night Incident (Bonzi vs. Medvedev): 02:00-05:22
• Sinner, Alcaraz, and Men’s Storylines: 06:30-09:17
• Women’s Favorites & Analysis: 09:17-11:14
• Fan Call and Changing Crowd Dynamic: 11:14-13:55
• Up-and-Coming Men’s Players (Shelton, Draper): 13:55-15:10
• Coco Gauff’s Coaching Shakeup: 15:10-17:12
• Final Take & Players to Watch: 17:12-17:37

Takeaways

• The US Open is bigger, louder, and more unpredictable than ever, reflecting the evolution of both the sport and its fans.
• Sinner vs. Alcaraz looks set to define the men’s tour, while on the women’s side, Swiatek’s breakthrough and Sabalenka’s charisma create a gripping narrative.
• Emotional crowd involvement and innovative tournament changes have become hallmarks of New York’s Grand Slam—inspiring both spirited debate and memorable moments.
• With marquee stars and new faces in the spotlight, fans—whether lifelong or new to the scene—are invited to witness the next great stories in tennis unfold.