← Served with Andy Roddick
Served with Andy Roddick
Kim Clijsters on Serena’s Return, Sabalenka’s Form & Vondroušová Case | Love All w/ Kim Clijsters
00:52:19
Loading summary
Transcript140 lines
- [00:01]
Commercial Announcer
This Father's Day, do more with dad and spend less. With low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot, get him fired up with a new grill and accessories like the next Grill 5 burner for just $299 so you can spend more time together while he becomes the grill master he was always meant to be. Or build memories with savings on top brand power tools so you can tackle projects side by side, gift more and do more together this Father's Day with help from the Home Depot. Exclusions apply seehomedepot.com Pricematch for details. Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with powerboost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Remember, goats only trust goats because they're built different and Messi only trusts Duracell.
- [01:00]
Kim Kleisters
Here we go. Hi, everyone. Welcome to a new episode of Love All. It was my husband's number in. In college when he played for Villanova. It's our 21st episode. 21 was his number. So, yeah, lots to talk about. I feel like since last week, since our last show, so many things have popped up in the tennis world. So I'm excited to talk to you, Blair.
- [01:29]
Blair
Oh, my gosh. It's never boring, Kim. I always. It's so funny. I think my friends are like, wait, so, like, what do you. What do you talk about? I'm like, there's never a shortage. There is always something happening. You cannot sleep, you cannot eat. Something is happening in the world of tennis. So, yes, lots to talk about today. Where are you, Kim? What's. What's happening in your life?
- [01:51]
Kim Kleisters
I'm still in my same hotel room in Antwerp. Heat wave going around this part of the world, and dropped off my daughter. She's training in near Brussels, and so she's going to be gone for a few days until Sunday, where she's actually playing a game in the arena where my husband coached. So kind of a nice full circle moment there. So I'll be very proud watching her on Sunday. Oh, that is so cool.
- [02:19]
Blair
I love that. Well, I am still in Texas where it is also, Kim. Very hot.
- [02:26]
Kim Kleisters
Okay. Isn't it always, though?
- [02:28]
Blair
No, it is. That's part of the joke that that's kind of our state of being in the summ. Although I will say I love the Euro. No air conditioning. I cannot stand in the summer in the US And I grew up in Florida. I live in Texas now where I am, you know, it's blazing outside and I need full on, you know, Antarctic gear. When I go inside, I'm frozen indoors. So anyway, it's, it's not my favorite. I would thrive in Europe in the summer. That would be totally my jam. But anyway, I am, I am here for now. I'm actually leaving tomorrow to go to New York. Kim, we've talked a little bit about it, but yes, Wimbledon is coming to Central Park. I am so excited.
- [03:17]
Kim Kleisters
This is so fun. I'm so excited to see this first edition pop up in New York City.
- [03:25]
Blair
I have questions about the logistics, but they are allegedly laying down a Wimbledon grade grass court over Woolman Rink in Central park where currently there are pickleball courts. They are going to transform it into a Wimbledon wonderland. So I will be reporting from the ground for all of you.
- [03:45]
Kim Kleisters
Can't wait to get the information. I want to see if they actually got some of the grounds crew from Wimbledon to go over there and put the courts up.
- [03:52]
Blair
No, they, they did.
- [03:53]
Kim Kleisters
They did.
- [03:54]
Blair
I can't confirm that they, that they did. We have gotten a stamp of approval from the Wimbledon groundskeeper. So we'll have all the details for all of you in the next few. I'm hoping to do some stuff on the love all social channels. So yeah, that's to come. And then Kim will be at Wimbledon as well. So we're going to get some, you know, first hand dispatches from Kim Kleisters from, from Wimbledon. So to look forward to the Kim Fluencer returns. All right, Kim, let's head into Henley's headlines without further ado. As you mentioned, there's so much to talk about and the first story is, is, is a heavy one. 26 year old former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrozeva has been sanctioned with a four year suspension by an independent tribunal for refusing a doping test back in December of 2025. And there's, there's a lot to break down here and I think maybe I'll start by just giving people a little refresher. So again, back in December, Marketa Vondrosova had an anti doping or a doping officer appear at her door at 8pm now this was outside of her whereabouts hour. So players 365 days a year have to tell the ITIA where they are going to be for one hour out of 24 in a day. I did not know. And you didn't know either. This is something we learned through this case that players can also be tested outside side of that one whereabouts hour. And if you make contact with the doping control officer, the tester, you then are compelled to be tested. So, for instance, if they call your apartment and you answer the phone, that is considered contact. You then are compelled to be tested. If you are not, that is a refusal. And a refusal can be punished by up to four years of a suspension. That's where the suspension starts, is at four years. Now, we knew that this happened because Marketa Vondroseva posted about it in December. She posted a picture of the doping control officer at her front door. And you know, one of the things she said a number of things in that post, but she said, quote, it's not about avoiding testing, it's about respect. Respect for the rules that we follow and for the personal life that we are entitled to. This would indicate to me, Kim, she had no idea that refusing this test could result in a four year ban. She might have also not known that she could be tested outside of that one whereabouts hour. And so. So I think that there are factors to be considered there. She, you know, again, that's not an excuse. It is your responsibility as a player to know what the rules are. But here she is now, what with a four year ban, she can appeal that to cast. She has 21 days to do that. I'll be honest, I don't know that she's going to receive a different outcome than what the tribunal ended up handing down to her. She did cite an acute stress reaction. She mentioned Petra Kvitova's situation, a countrywoman of hers who of course had a home invasion where she was seriously injured. She mentioned that all of these things were going through her mind. But one of the things that we found out yesterday, so Monday when this news broke, I was able to get on a call with the itia, who they've done their best to answer every question, to be as transparent as possible through this entire process. And I found out, along with several other journalists on the call, that she actually signed a paper. She interacted with the doping control officer and signed a paper saying that she was refusing the test and then proceeded to leave the apartment and go walk her dog. That is a tough detail. I don't know, Kim. There are so many factors here. To me, I feel like two things can be true. This can be really sad. You saw many. She actually posted a really long Instagram post where she talked about the mental effect of this on her. And really through the past several months, wondering what was going to happen and how that's affected her. She described all of that in detail. Much player support in the comment section. I think it can be true that this is a really sad situation and also that she very clearly broke the rules.
- [08:34]
Kim Kleisters
Yes, but if you don't know the rules, then, you know, it's hard. It's hard to break the rules from her end. I do think that she felt like it was a very unfair approach, you know, thinking from what she posted back in December. To me, it feels like she thought it was a very unfair, like, you can't just show up here on a random time and, you know, and expect. Expect me to kind of give up my. My evening and. Because you, you know, sometimes they're at your. Your house, you know, for three, four hours, like, depending on, you know, how quickly you can go to the bathroom and. Yeah, I mean, did she, you know, was she stubborn, maybe, and was like, no, I'm drawing the line here. Like, you're a step, you know, crossing a line, and it's, It's. This is being taken too far. And also, you know, yeah, she obviously didn't know the consequences that could have fall, you know, could follow from this. So I, I'm, you know, I feel very, very bad for her. I understand the rules are the rules, but I do think it's unfortunate that she is the first. I think in a situation like this where, where this happens. And, you know, unfortunately, there always has to be a first for maybe for to open up other people's eyes and to understand, like, make other people understand, like, that this is actually the rule and you have to abide by these rules. So we were talking about it, I think, earlier yesterday is that, you know, what is, what is the consequence going to be is that people are not going to open their doors anymore or, you know, it's just going to be a different rule. Like, it's, It's. Yeah. And again, like, I always feel a little bit, you know, like, even in Belgium, like, I had a lot of weird people showing up at my door, ring my doorbell. I had shutters on my, you know, doors, windows, like, I was blocked off from once I got home. Like, I felt safe. But there were moments where I had stalkers, where I had weird mail in my mailbox. So I'm kind of the first person to say, like, I wouldn't have opened my door if I, you know, I would have probably picked up the. My. My. What's it called, Blair? The. The little intercom. Intercom, yeah, the phone, like, and talk to somebody and said, like, who are you? Like, but I don't know if I would have let them in if I, you know, in that situation, I didn't know the rules. So I feel very bad for her. It does feel like on a human level that four years for is, you know, to be treated the same as somebody who tests negative, who has bad intentions, who wants to cheat the system is to me doesn't feel right. But I understand that they're, that they're the rules. You know, I think she also said in her quote, I don't know if it's true, but I assume it is, is that she tested negative three days later. So, yeah, it's just a very, very unfortunate situation. And you know, also for her now this is supposed to be a super fun time of the year where you're super proud and, and a lot of memories pop up and you know, her winning Wimbledon and you know, even like a couple weeks ago I saw the video of her match point and her sister's in the stand crying, you know, like during, like right before the point, they're already crying and very, very nice moments. And then now that gets kind of overshadowed by something like this. And it just unfortunate that, that this has to, you know, happen this way.
- [11:53]
Blair
Yeah. She was the Berlin defending champion also. So, yeah, like you said, this is a key part of her season. But there are a few other things I wanted to add. One of the things that was said on the call, and I don't exactly know who said it because I was watching on my little phone screen, but I can tell you the CEO of the itia, Karen Morehouse, was on the call and, and this was the quote. We cannot have a testing program where a player is in a better position by refusing a test than they are testing positive. That made a lot of sense to me.
- [12:24]
Kim Kleisters
I get it. But listen, I don't know enough, but there, there has to be some kind of like she tested negative a couple of days later. You know what, like, what are you doing? Like, you can't, you know, you can't take something that's all of a sudden going to be, I assume, out of your system literally a couple of days later. Right. If you're trying to do something bad and cheat the system and you know it's going to be in your system for a while, I assume. And so is there maybe a little bit of, you know, way for this kind of example? I don't know, maybe something can change a little bit. Listen, a two year ban for a tennis player is already bad enough. How old is she now? 28?
- [13:06]
Blair
26.
- [13:07]
Kim Kleisters
26. Yeah. So that's until her 30s. So that's a. You know, that's a very, very long break. And I don't know, to me, it does not seem. It doesn't feel right. Like, I get from where. Like, what you're saying that quote, but it still doesn't feel right because she didn't cheat the system. Like, there's an. An honorary kind of feeling behind doing something on purpose, and you know what I mean? Like, the mistake of. Yeah, I guess I do both.
- [13:37]
Blair
Yeah. No, this is tough, though, because, you know, I did a lot of reporting on the anti doping system when it was run by the itf. It was, I think, probably safe to say it was underfunded. It was. They didn't have a ton of resources. It is much different now than that. It's been under the itia, which was formed about five years ago. And the WTA, the ATP, the itf, the Grand Slams, all contribute funding to the ITIA so that they have a comprehensive program. And I think when you. When you look into the history of doping, dopers tend to be. I mean, they're ahead of the curve. They are steps ahead of. Of the testing. And so do I think that Marketa Vondrozeva was doping and refused the test because she knew she was going to test positive? No, I sure don't.
- [14:28]
Kim Kleisters
No.
- [14:28]
Blair
But I do think there are people out there who could potentially do that, and I do think that there are substances that can be out of your system in 24 hours that aren't out of your system right now. Again, I'm not a doping expert, but I tend to be a little bit of a cynic when it comes to this stuff. Maybe that's unfair of me, but I think in order to have an effective program, you have to assume that people are doing things that they shouldn't be doing. Do you disagree?
- [15:00]
Kim Kleisters
No, I agree, but then. But then Sinner proved, you know. You know what I mean? Like, he. He actually tested positive. He got tested positive. Like, there's. Like, they can prove, Yes, I tested positive, but it was an accident. Like, this is an unfortunate situation as well. And. And I don't. Again, you know, I'm sure I don't know the. I'm not a lawyer and I'm not trying. A detective, you know, trying to investigate this whole case, but I. There has to be enough proof from her side that she, you know, I don't know, was not doing anything bad and trying to take an illegal supplement or whatever it is. Like, it's. It's I don't know. I just don't feel like it's. It's fair.
- [15:46]
Blair
Well, that was one thing that was brought up on the call. We have had people who have tested positive and they have not been banned for four years. And the response to that was they were able to explain how the substance got in their system. And a refusal. There is no way to prove why you refused.
- [16:07]
Kim Kleisters
I know, but she had no substance in her system.
- [16:10]
Blair
You know, like we don't think so. But could someone possibly have. Again, I don't think that that was the case with Vondrogen. But again, I understand why this has to be the ruling. Do I hope that she appeals and can knock it down to two years? I sure do. But I do want to mention also on the two year front that another thing that's been floating around is people have been talking about whereabouts violations and the fact that those with Jensen Brooksby, with Emer, with who else am I forgetting? There was another one fairly recently where they have that three strikes system where if you are not in your whereabouts window three times in one year.
- [16:54]
Kim Kleisters
In a year. Yeah.
- [16:55]
Blair
Yes. You are then charged with an anti doping rule violation. That penalty starts at two years and not four. And I asked directly on this call, I said why is that better? Why is that seen as not as bad when three times you essentially refused? Now could it be that you didn't refuse? Could it be that your agent forgot to change it and you're. Yeah, 100%. But it also could be that you just didn't answer the door because I don't know, maybe you have something in your system. And the answer to that was the whereabouts system is where the ITAA gives some leeway to players for, you know, quote, life to happen. Where there was a miscommunication and it didn't get changed in the app where you were supposed to be that next day or you knew you were supposed to be there and your mom got sick and you rushed to her house to go be with her at 6am in the morning. Whatever it is, that is where they give allowances for. Again, the term that was used was, you know, life, life happens. And we understand that this is a really difficult thing to have to do as an international athlete playing in different places sometimes every few days. So I thought that that was interesting is that is sort of the mentality behind why the whereabouts violation is not seen as as serious.
- [18:18]
Kim Kleisters
Let me tell you. I over the years have known players who were on two strikes and it's a very, very stressful situation. Because back in the day, just hearing about it, I know they used to tell us three. Three negatives. Three strikes is equal to a positive test. Like, that's what we were, you know, told. Like back in the day, I had one strike once because I was doing some renovations at my house. Like, I had a leak and I had to go to a different place and. And I forgot to change it or forgot to tell. I don't know who was in charge of it. Maybe it was Brian. I don't know. But I forgot to mention.
- [18:53]
Blair
Wait, Brian was in charge of your whereabouts?
- [18:56]
Kim Kleisters
Yeah, he did for a while. Yeah. Yeah, man.
- [19:00]
Blair
But, yeah, I trust my husband with that.
- [19:04]
Kim Kleisters
Listen, maybe there's probably nothing scarier to him.
- [19:07]
Blair
That's true, that's true. You knew the consequences.
- [19:10]
Kim Kleisters
Yeah, but, you know, but it is scary. Like, I was on one, and I remember them being at my door in Belgium at my. The main property. And then I was. I couldn't be there on time. You have like 20. I don't know, you have a certain amount of minutes or something or to get there. And I couldn't. I couldn't get there on time. And. Yeah, so I had one positive, one strike. And it's very, very stressful. Like you, you keep checking it and, And. But again, it's. Yeah, I get from both sides. It. You know, they're trying. Obviously, we all want a clean sport and we want, you know, we want players to be tested out of competition. Like it's, it's all very important. But, yeah, this. I don't know. There's something about this whole situation that just doesn't emotionally feel. Feel right.
- [19:58]
Blair
Yeah, I, I do not disagree with you there. And so we wish market if she does appeal, and again, that comes with financial cost to her. It's expensive to appeal. We were talking last week about Camille Mike Shack, who decided not to appeal his ruling. And he knew exactly where his positive test came from, and he decided not to appeal because of the time and the amount of money that it was going to take.
- [20:26]
Kim Kleisters
So maybe the PTPA can pay for it.
- [20:32]
Blair
You know what, Kim? That's not a bad idea. Marketa, get. Get on the phone with the ptpa. That's actually really smart. All right, should we move on? Anything else you want to say about that?
- [20:48]
Kim Kleisters
No, that was it. I closed my case.
- [20:53]
Blair
I love it.
- [21:02]
Commercial Announcer
Zootopia 2 has come home to Disney Plus. Let's go get ready for a new case.
- [21:07]
Blair
We're gonna crack this case and prove
- [21:09]
Kim Kleisters
we're the greatest partners of all Time.
- [21:10]
Commercial Announcer
New friends.
- [21:11]
Kim Kleisters
You are Gary the snake. And your last name? Desnake.
- [21:16]
Commercial Announcer
Dream Team Habitats. Zootopia has a secret reptile pocket population. You can watch the record breaking phenomenon at home. You're clearly barking at. Zootopia 2. Now available on Disney. Rated PG. They say you can tell a lot about a person by the contents of their freezer. So what does a bottle Jagermeister say? It says you have standards, you don't cut corners. And you like your Jagermeister shots the way they're meant to be enjoyed. Ice cold. As for the frozen taquitos and mystery leftovers, well, keep that between us. Drink it cold or don't drink it at all. Jagermeister. Damn, that's cold. Drink responsibly. Jagermeister liqueur, 35% alcohol by volume. Imported by Mast Jagermeister US White Plains, New York.
- [22:02]
Blair
So good, so good, so good.
- [22:05]
Kim Kleisters
New summer arrivals are at Nordstrom rack stores now. Get ready to save big with up to 60% off brands like Rag and
- [22:12]
Blair
Bone, Levi's, AD Adidas and free people.
- [22:15]
Kim Kleisters
Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts. Shop new arrivals first and more. Plus buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices.
- [22:25]
Blair
That's why you rack. Well. Corentin Moutte, it's not the first time we've talked about him here on the Love all podcast. Ironic perhaps. Well, Corentin, when he was in Queens last week, dropped one unintentional F bomb and then six very intentional F bombs in his on court interview. We found out in the last few days that he got fined $40,000 for said 7F bombs. I got this clip sent to me so many times by people asking what I would have done in that situation. As somebody who does those on court
- [23:11]
Kim Kleisters
interviews, what would you have done, Blair? Tell me.
- [23:15]
Blair
Well, I think the thing that I said, you know, I tried to respond to the, you know, everybody who sent it to me, but you can't Monday morning quarterback, that kind of thing. It is so hard to to predict how you would have responded in the moment. Jenny Drummond was the interviewer. Someone who I really like and have a lot of respect for. I actually did have an F bomb dropped. Some of you might might remember I put it on my stories during the Dallas Open and people thought I dropped the F. I was like guys, have you met me? Fun fact like Kim, Kim doesn't drink. I don't swear. I like not at all. And just never have. I kind of just never started. Like why would I. I Doesn't, I don't even hear it when other people do. It just sort of goes in one ear and out the other. But I personally don't at all. Anyway, so it was Alejandro Davidovich Akina. He, his, the F bomb was dropped in a very similar way to how Mute said it in his initial answer where, you know, like I was thinking, you know, F bomb and blah, blah, blah, and then keeps going. And my response was, you know, well, who knew we needed a parental advisory for this on court interview. And then I went on and asked the next good response. And then when I saw him eating lunch later that day, I was like, Alex, you can't do that. Like you.
- [24:38]
Kim Kleisters
But that's the like. And again, I'm not, I, I'm not promoting swearing on air or anything like that. But I have to say, for in Europe, the F bomb, we don't understand a lot of times like the, like the impact of it or how the, what the culture is around the word like on air and on, you know, because you hear it so many times, right. Like it's, it's almost like it's a part of your vocabulary and, and, or for a lot of people. Right. So it doesn't seem, I don't think we feel like it's as bad or as confronting or it can be as shocking, you know, to be. Yeah, I don't know. Again, it's not, I'm not trying to say it's okay what he did, but I think the biggest, the biggest lesson I learned is that he doesn't like that, doesn't like to be told what to do or what not.
- [25:34]
Blair
Yes, exactly. Well, that was the other thing that I, that I said, you know, she corrected him immediately and it did sound very much like a tone I might have had when my kids were younger, you know, in the four or five range. And Mute responded by acting like a four or five year old.
- [25:56]
Kim Kleisters
Right. So maybe, maybe avoiding it would have been, would have drawn less attention to
- [26:03]
Blair
it perhaps where he wouldn't have been like, oh, you didn't like that, Let me say. And for those of you who didn't hear the interview. So he says it the first time, seemingly by accident, to describe his tennis. She corrects him and then gives him back the mic and he says, you know, bleep, bleep, bleep. Just three in a row. And then she, she said, oh no, no, no, and then asks one more question and you can just see it in his eyes. Like you can see.
- [26:32]
Kim Kleisters
Was this all on BBC too?
- [26:34]
Blair
Yes, yes, exactly. Which that was. You know, I have a, I have a friend who pointed out that, you know, what are the fines like over there? I would imagine that there is some penalty for having seven F bombs dropped on.
- [26:50]
Kim Kleisters
I'm sure the tournament included those.
- [26:53]
Blair
Well, correct. Which, which could have factored into the $40,000.
- [26:58]
Kim Kleisters
What was his prize money? Was it like 43 or something?
- [27:01]
Blair
I don't think it was that much. He. So he lost in the second round. This was after his first round match. Lost in the second round. I believe he ended up up owing money when he left the site in Queens. And somebody, somebody, I think it was my friend Bastian said on Twitter, you know, play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Which I thought summed it up pretty well. Listen, I, I see both sides of it. Yes, there is a discomfort level. If you are the interviewer, you're trying to manage the situation. I think that was, that was the biggest sort of response was this was disrespectful to Jenny, the interviewer. And, and yeah, I think it was. Do I think it was disrespectful in a way that was going to keep me up at night if I were the interviewer? No, it was, it was probably something I would have laughed at after. And the crowd was laughing. Yes, right, exactly. So, so I don't know, I feel like these fines have been sending some major messages like thinking back to Vallejo and even the Von Joseph case. Like, like the, this is cautionary tale city over here in tennis right now, don't you think? Where it's, it's like, okay, well I would prefer to not owe 40k. Not that I think a player is going to go out next week and decide to drop 7F bombs in a post match interview. But it's a, it's a cautionary tale.
- [28:25]
Kim Kleisters
It is like, think about, like the last, you know, couple of years. It's been, it's been a quarter. It's been some kind of cream that, you know, sinners watching for those pharmacies in Italy. Yeah, like meat in South America and some supplements. Like there's. Yeah. A lot to worry about and to be cautious about. So it's stressful.
- [28:48]
Blair
A lot of people mentioned the fact that Zverev was fined around that same amount when he demolished the umpire's chair. Or was it in. It was one of the Mexican tournaments, I believe, at which, you know, that that happened a few years ago and that was just a shocking scene and he was fined around the same amount. And I would say the problem is not that the F bomb fine was high. It's that bashing a chair, umpire chair like demolishing your racket on the chair, like coming inches from a chair umpire's foot that should be higher and, and again going back to. Somebody asked me like what the system is of how they allot these fines in the ATP rulebook. Unsportsmanlike conduct. And there are sort of varying levels of that and descriptions of that. The fine can be up to $100,000 that as detailed in the rule book. And so supervisors, tournament director, whatever will sit in a room and they will decide in that range what the fine is going to be. So no, no F bombs Kim.
- [29:53]
Kim Kleisters
Sure. He's not going to say it in once he gets to wibble then. Or they're just not going to ask him for on court interviews.
- [30:00]
Blair
He might, he's the kind of personality, I don't know who is just going to, you know, be like, you know, no pun intended, eff it. Yeah, but I give no bleeps.
- [30:11]
Kim Kleisters
I don't know but I don't think he's going to be like let's just, you know, throw money out the window like that. Like I hope, I hope he's not going to do that. Let's just keep it that way.
- [30:19]
Blair
I mean, thoughts and prayers to Koranza Moutte who listened. He was a, it was an early round. People maybe weren't paying attention to queens and that made its rounds, you know, international rounds. So thanks Corantin for bringing some attention to tennis. All right Kim, shall we move on?
- [30:41]
Kim Kleisters
We shall.
- [30:42]
Blair
Kim, your, your buddy Angie Kerber played a farewell match at her tournament. Now she's the TD and bad homburg. Well, that was a special moment for her.
- [30:51]
Kim Kleisters
It was, it was, it was nice to see a sold out stadium. She played one of her closest friends on tour, Anna Ivanovic and I think the, the whole analysis, I mean it was a really cool like, like experience. Like they had all the, a lot of big, big name German players there. Boris Becker was there and she played, yeah, she played Anna Ivanovic and, and it was called the last serve and it was emotional. Like she had tears, you know at the end when she's addressing the crowd and it's, it's a kind of a big deal to, you know, a lot of these players in their home country are huge stars and you know she had her second baby. So just for her to schedule it at this time of the year, you know, a week before, you know her, probably one of her biggest wins at Wimbledon is, yeah, a very nice moment and it was really nice to see her. She looks in great shape and so she almost looks like she can, you know, join the tour.
- [31:50]
Blair
Okay, where's her wild guard?
- [31:52]
Kim Kleisters
Yeah, exactly. Can there be another one? But yeah, it was just nice to see that she can kind of enter, you know, and, and end her career officially in her home country.
- [32:04]
Blair
Before we move on to confirmation, I would just love to get your thoughts on how valuable it can be when you bring on someone like for Jack Draper, Sir Andy Murray and, and you know, obviously there's so much respect there. He did say in his post match interview after winning his first round in Esport, he's like, I haven't called him sir yet.
- [32:29]
Kim Kleisters
It's not going to happen.
- [32:30]
Blair
Right, exactly. But thinking back to, what was it, 20, 23 after Davis cup when they were in a car together, Jack was, Jack had a beverage in hand and they were singing the Proclaimers. I would walk 500 miles and it was just like total comedy. But there's obviously so much respect there. I don't know, I guess it's easy to give a coach to say, oh, well, that's all they need is the voice of a champion. But in the day to day, how helpful is that and can it work the other way? Can, can that be overwhelming?
- [33:04]
Kim Kleisters
Oh, yeah, I think it can definitely go both ways. And I think the fact that they've known each other and Andy has always been such an open person, right. That to like, you don't even have to be from, you know, from his part of the world or you don't have to be a male player, can be a female again. Anybody, like, if you go up to him and you ask him questions about tennis or advice, like, he will give you his, you know, he will sit down, take the time and give you advice. And I think that a lot of times is the understanding, connecting to somebody like that is a lot more valuable than, you know, having a great coach with a, you know, with a huge, you know, you know, like resume and, and thinking like, okay, he's gonna tell me what to do. Like, the connection that you have to feel with a coach is, is so much more important. So to see the two of them, like, and, you know, Andy is really funny. You know, he's, he's got that. So if you can have fun too, and you can laugh and he can make you before big moments, especially, you know, for guys like that, like, for it's, it is, you know, a lot more stressful during, you know, these Wimbledons. And I saw it back in the day with Tim Henman and then with Andy and, and, and now, you know, on, on a guy like Jack, like, there is a lot more attention, there's pressure every day. Every newspaper in the country talks about these guys and the pressures that they're on and the expectation. So if you have somebody who's been there, who's gone through that, who can take a little bit of the load away from you or the spotlight away, is, is definitely something that can be very, very helpful. And I'm just happy to see Jack on the court playing and enjoying himself.
- [34:41]
Blair
Yeah, that's right. So, and, and got a decent win over Marco Skiron, who is, who is dangerous on grass. And in, in the next round, we're going to have the Viori Derby. The two British Jacks, Jack Pennington Jones and Jack Draper, two wearers of Biori clothing. Now, will jpj, as he's known, go sleeveless when he knows that Jack Draper might also go sleeveless? I'm thinking he should go with sleeves personally.
- [35:08]
Kim Kleisters
Okay,
- [35:17]
Blair
Tomorrow morning is knocking. Stock your fridge now. How about a creamy mocha Frappuccino drink? Or a sweet vanilla smooth caramel maybe? Or white chocolate mocha? Whichever you choose, delicious coffee awaits. Find Starbucks Frappuccino drinks wherever you buy your groceries.
- [35:33]
Commercial Announcer
This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block. Or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it, ready to make anything online make sense. There's no place like Chrome. Check responses. Setup required. Compatibility and availability. Various 18
- [35:59]
Kim Kleisters
this episode is brought to you by State Farm. You know, those friends who support your preference for podcasts over music on road trips.
- [36:06]
Blair
That's the energy State Farm brings to insurance. With over 19,000 local agents, they help
- [36:11]
Kim Kleisters
you find the coverage that fits your needs so you can spend less time worrying about insurance and more time enjoying the ride. Download the State Farm app or go online@statefarm.com like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
- [36:27]
Blair
Moving on now to Kim Formation and the topic that I have just been itching to discuss with you, Kim Kleisters. And that is the fact that last week we started our speculative engines about that final Wimbledon lady singles wildcard. And we were rewarded with confirmation that it was indeed going to Serena Williams. And the sporting world is abuzz. They're just I have. So I have so many questions. Personally, I'm curious what your initial reaction was, Kim, because you didn't think that she was going to enter singles.
- [37:02]
Kim Kleisters
No, I didn't think so. But then, you know, the way that, you know, Wimbledon approached it, like holding off, you know, that wild card. Seeing a couple of drills on online from Serena, I was like, oh, she. There's some singles drills that she's doing, but yeah, I mean, it's really exciting and it draws people. You know, I watched her doubles when I was still in New Jersey. I watched her first doubles match just to see, you know, what was it like. And so, you know, it does trigger people's attention and, and I think it will bring so many people to, you know, to watch Wimbledon first rounds and. Yeah, very excited. I'm excited to see what she, you know, for me as a tennis player, I'm going to look at kind of maybe a little bit more critical, I think, than a non tennis fan, but, yeah, excited to see, you know, what, what's the serve going to be like, how's the timing going to be, the movements? You know, those kind of things are, you know, are the things what I'm going to be looking at. And, but the fact that she takes on Wimbledon as her first singles event is super impressive. And yeah, it kind of just shows, like, you know, her mindset and her confidence levels and everything is, you know, I'm surprised that she's doing singles and doubles, that she's starting with, you know, two competitions in one tournament, which is for the body also, you know, a little bit more draining. And, and yeah, I mean, but I can't wait. I literally can't wait to see her. Are they going to walk her out on the first, the first match on center?
- [38:38]
Blair
I mean, who is she gonna draw? Like, I, I'm on the edge of my seat for the draw itself. Yeah, I, I. Yes.
- [38:47]
Kim Kleisters
I mean, there's going to be players.
- [38:48]
Blair
These are endless, right?
- [38:49]
Kim Kleisters
There's going to be players that are like, oh, my God, this is my dream. Like, I can play Serena and that there's going to be players that are going to be like, please, no, I don't want to play Serena. Right. Like, you're going to have both. And yeah. So I'm just very curious. Like, this is such a fun story and it will. Yeah, like I said, we'll just draw so much attention to this moment and the draw. And yeah, I do see kind of, I mean, not saying a similarity to my situation, but I do see, like, when she speaks to the media and there's a, let's keep the pressure down. Let's not draw too much attention on the, to the result. I think I did something for, I think I took a similar approach. Like, I'm here because I want to try it, but deep down you're super. It's still competitive and you want to win every match that you play and every point, basically. Right. And I think Serena has, has that competitiveness super strong in her and the fact that she's doing this just shows that that competitiveness is still there. And it's a competitive, a competitiveness that is within herself. It's not towards another player or another person. It's. It's within herself to push herself. And, and I like seeing that. And you know, I've had girlfriends in the States reach out to me. It's like, why is she doing this? Like she has nothing. You know, like they react that way and, and, but I'm like, why not? Like, if she, like, why wouldn't she do it? If she can do it and, and yeah, and she finds it enjoyable and it's, it's, it's fun. Then why not? Like, you know, who's anybody else to say like what she can do or whatnot?
- [40:22]
Blair
Yeah, that phrase, why not? Is that is a. She has used that exact phrase when she was deciding whether or not to do this. Is, was. Why not? Why not? Give it a shot. But Kim, as a 44 year old who has not played a singles match in almost four years, is there a fear in the back of her mind? Because, because even the matches leading up to her departure at the US Open, like thinking to her back to her 76 in the third loss to Harmony Tan at Wimbledon in 2022. That was a, that was a scratchy match.
- [41:04]
Kim Kleisters
Yes, yes.
- [41:06]
Blair
Is there fear that. Is there fear? Because I, and granted I am not a champion, but I feel like in the back of my mind there would be concern that I could go out there and it could be terrible. And if it's terrible, what is the reaction?
- [41:23]
Kim Kleisters
Like, yeah, I think there's always fear, but I think at the end of the day she can always, you know, it's still going to be early. Like, I don't think we can expect her to, you know, to kind of play tennis like with her eyes closed and everything is going to fall into place and she's going to be moving freely and everything like that. Like, to me, I don't think it's going to be, I don't think we can Expect that. Like, I don't think we can expect, you know, the Serena that we once saw. Right. But I do think that with the type of tennis that she's capable of playing and that she can play on. On grass rallies are shorter. She has a great serve, she has a great return. So the first two shots of the rally, she's so good at, like, she sees the ball so well. So those are little things for me to see like. Or the things that I would worry about more was, you know, how is her reaction, like, how is her eyesight like that. You know, you can train and you can get fit and everything, but it's. Those kind of things are. Will start to slow down as well. And how fast will we be able to. Or how quickly we'll be able to notice a difference compared to a few years ago. So it's. It's little things like that. I mean, you know, we saw her hit some really great serves and doubles. She was super focused, super locked in. But then again, there's some, you know, timing issues with some volleys that came out there where you're like, oh, you know, a little slow, but then you understand, like, the timing. You just. Your eyes have to adjust again as well. So it will take time. I think Renee Stubbs is working with her, right. As on the tennis, as a coaching. I don't know who else is part of her team if they're, you know, she has her hitting partner with her. She has a trainer.
- [43:01]
Blair
And, you know, you didn't see her trading cards.
- [43:03]
Kim Kleisters
Kim hurt. I saw them, but I don't remember.
- [43:09]
Blair
Neither do I, but. But they do exist. Should anyone want to know who's on her team, she detailed them in these.
- [43:15]
Kim Kleisters
Okay.
- [43:15]
Blair
AI looking trading cards. But continue.
- [43:19]
Kim Kleisters
No. So that to me was like, it just, you know, she's taking it on as if she. She's there to go and cause damage. Right. She's not there just to be a part of it and to enjoy taking her family to Wimbledon and. Yeah. And just, you know, try to play a match. And it's like she's taking it on with the approach of, you know, causing damage and. Which is great and I love seeing it. And I can't wait for her to get fired up and get, you know, excited about playing and hit some incredible shots. And so it'll be really, really interesting and fun to watch. And yeah, the crowd's gonna. Going to love it. Yeah.
- [43:58]
Blair
And Harmony Tan we should mention in qualys. I have not checked to see if she's still alive. But, but we could have a interest.
- [44:06]
Kim Kleisters
Yeah, that could be right. But imagine if she plays a British player or if, you know, like so many, like, fun ways that this draw could go and where you have, you know, she could play a seated player, she could play a top five player, she could play, you know, British player. Like, there's so many fun, fun routes that this could go. So when is the draw coming out? Actually?
- [44:27]
Blair
It is indeed on Friday. Which Kim, that means. Actually, hang on, before I talk about what that means the draw is coming out, I do want to mention that on Monday with all of this buzz happening, Serena is tweeting, quote, just finished a mean game of Duck Duck Goose.
- [44:48]
Kim Kleisters
Listen, I learned that game. How do you. Is that how I say it? I was taught, I was taught by my husband to play Duck Duck Goose. It's something that we didn't have in Belgium. In Belgium, it's called Sagduklage, I think. But it was, I love playing Duck Duck Goose. We played that so many times, especially on the Indian Wells grass court. The training warm ups.
- [45:12]
Blair
Who is we?
- [45:14]
Kim Kleisters
My team. Yeah. Brian and I. That's how we are. That was date night. Is Duck Duck Goose.
- [45:26]
Blair
I had no idea Kim was gonna have like commentary on Duck Duck Goose. Who knew? Wait, so you guys did it as like a fun warm up?
- [45:33]
Kim Kleisters
Yeah, yeah. And with Jada, like, it was fun, like to involve her in something, you know, like fun. Like we played it a lot actually.
- [45:42]
Blair
Listen, I bet Serena thought she was a trailblazer there. Little did she know that Kim Kyster did it first. That's amazing. No, I love it. Well, yes, my point in saying that she, you know, she's. Serena is out doing Serena, as she often does for maximum exposure.
- [46:01]
Kim Kleisters
But that's the fun part that we, that a lot of people get to see now. Like we know that, you know, she played when she had her daughter and but to now see her as a two time mother and you know, with the family there and yeah, it just, it's fun to see and it just shows, you know, where our sport has gone as has. Has grown into. Right. Is where we see now. You know, I, I remember a couple of years ago we talked about there was like 20 mothers in the draw with doubles, mixed doubles and singles and you know, and, and then I think when I played in 2010, I was the only one. So, you know, in 15, over 15 years, like we were now with 20 mothers in the draw, which is super exciting to see and I am happy that there's, you know, Tatiana Maria she has two daughters. Serena now has two daughters. In playing. There's plenty of women playing with, you know, who have one with one kid. And so it's really fun and I'm excited and I can't wait again, I can't wait for Friday to see the draw come out.
- [47:05]
Blair
Well, do you know what that also, though, means for us, Kim, that we can't.
- [47:09]
Kim Kleisters
We're not going to see each other for a few weeks?
- [47:11]
Blair
Well, that. Which is like, breaks my heart. And also what perhaps breaks my heart is that we have to once again make picks.
- [47:20]
Kim Kleisters
Oh, man.
- [47:21]
Blair
Yes. So get. Get your picks ready. But I, I don't know. This seems like one of the more. It's so. It's so funny. The Australian Open happened, and I think maybe not on the women's side, but on the men's side, we're like, what is there to be excited about? And now I don't know if it's Roland Garros, PTSD or what, but both on the men's and women's side, it's like, I mean, tear up your predictions. Anything could happen. Do you have. Is there a feeling that you have on whether it's the men's side or women's side or a dark horse that's coming to your mind or someone you've got your eye on?
- [47:55]
Kim Kleisters
I mean, I feel like on, you know, on the grass cords, I think Tatiana Maria can always cause some upsets. There's so many players who don't like playing against her because she has that, you know, very unorthodox kind of game style. And so to me, like, I like seeing that kind of, you know, players who are so good on, on a surface where their game really matches, you know, a surface. Well, and, and so, you know, she's somebody that I'm like, yeah, like, she can make it really tricky for a lot of players and, you know, because on any other surface, a lot of her shots would just get. Get punished and. But it works on grass and. But, yeah, I'm very interested to see Jesse. I think, you know, she's ready to win a slam and I think, yeah, she can do it probably better on the grass courts and so kind of want to see her win one. Yeah. I mean, there's so many directions a draw can go and I'm just already thinking, like, sweating a little, thinking about that. We have to fill out a bracket.
- [48:59]
Blair
I am absolutely sweating. So that will be coming, I guess, next week to. And all of you can join in. We would love to have you be probably better than we are. So this is your opportunity just to beat us?
- [49:13]
Kim Kleisters
Yes.
- [49:14]
Blair
Okay, Kim, it's time for rec room. Do you have a recommendation for us this week before we sign off?
- [49:20]
Kim Kleisters
I have something. I don't think it's that big of a mention. It's just something that I've used every day since I'm here. It's one of these, Blair. Oh, one of these bands? Yep. It's easy to travel with, I take it. I take him on the plane so I can do some exercises when I'm laying down or sitting so I can keep my foot moving and do some ankle exercises. Now I have to start to activate kind of my glutes and, you know, do do some squats with them. So I kind of always have a few of these with me, whether it's in my pocketbook or in. In my tennis bag. And so this is where I do my exercises when I'm watching a soccer game or So I like these kind of bands. Easy to travel and. Yeah.
- [50:04]
Blair
And it pretty inexpensive too, right?
- [50:06]
Kim Kleisters
Very.
- [50:06]
Blair
Yes, I. I think that's a good one. You. You had my expectations low, but that's a great suggestion.
- [50:13]
Kim Kleisters
Thanks.
- [50:13]
Blair
I loved it. Okay. My recommendation this week, Kim, is actually what I am wearing today. This is just a basic brown tee, but when it comes to T shirts, I am so picky. I like a high neck. So this has. This has the high neck.
- [50:31]
Kim Kleisters
Very cute.
- [50:32]
Blair
This is the Uniqlo Airism tee is what it's called. And I think they're like $17. They are. Again, I have some embarrassingly expensive T shirts where if you knew that I paid that much for a white tee, you'd be like, what is wrong with you? But these are just as good and so inexpensive. And I have this in several colors. This is my brown. I think I probably wore my black last week, but I feel like the high neck just sort of makes it a little more formal, so you can dress it up a little bit more. But, yeah, the Uniqlo Airism teas are amazing. Highly recommend. And it's what also what I travel with too, because black tea and jeans, you know, easy throw it on.
- [51:17]
Kim Kleisters
I like. I like it. I like the style.
- [51:20]
Blair
So there you go.
- [51:20]
Kim Kleisters
I tend to look for a little V neck sometimes because I have a round head and need to make this a little longer.
- [51:28]
Blair
Really? Is that a strategy?
- [51:30]
Kim Kleisters
I think so. That's what I got.
- [51:32]
Blair
I have a long head, so, yeah,
- [51:34]
Kim Kleisters
that's why that works. Yes. So do they have these in a V neck, too, Blair?
- [51:39]
Blair
They probably do. I'll send you the link.
- [51:41]
Kim Kleisters
Kim okay, thanks.
- [51:42]
Blair
Well, thank you all so much for joining us. Kim. It was so fun catching up with you. I always love getting all of your takes and I'm sure there will be more where that came from on Love all socials both with me in New York. Kim's going to be at Wimbledon. We're going to have some explainers, a little bit of everything for you. So make sure to follow us us @LoveAllPodcast like and subscribe on YouTube as well. Both served and @LoveAllPodcast. We would love to have you do both if you have not already and we will see you in a couple of weeks.
- [52:13]
Kim Kleisters
Yeah, fill out those brackets peoples,
- [52:25]
Blair
Your next chapter in healthcare starts at Carrington College's School of Nursing in Portland. Join us for our open house on on Tuesday, January 13th from 4 to 7pm you'll tour our campus, see live demos, meet instructors, and learn about our Associate Degree in Nursing program that prepares you to become a registered nurse. Take the first step toward your nursing career. Save your spot now at Carrington Edu Events. For information on program outcomes, visit carrington. Edu Sci.
- [52:55]
Commercial Announcer
The right window treatments change everything. Your sleep, your privacy, the way every room looks and feels. @blinds.com, we've spent 30 years making it surprisingly simple to get exactly what your home needs. We've covered over 25 million windows and have 50,000 five star reviews to prove we deliver. Whether you DIY it or want a pro to handle everything from measure to install, we have you covered. Real design professionals, free samples, zero pressure right now. Get up to 50% off with minimum purchase plus get a free professional measure@blinds.com rules and restrictions apply.