The Tony Kornheiser Show Episode: “Greg the Looper” Release Date: July 9, 2025

Hosted by This Show Stinks Productions, LLC

1. Introduction

In this episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show," Tony Kornheiser delves into a variety of engaging topics, primarily focusing on Wimbledon with guest Chris Clary and discussing significant organizational changes within the Washington Nationals with Jeff Passan. The conversation seamlessly transitions between sports, personal anecdotes, and insightful analyses, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events in the sports world.

2. Adaptive Open Golf Tournament at Woodmont Country Club

Lowell Singer provides an in-depth look into the fourth USGA Adaptive Open held at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville. This tournament is a testament to inclusivity in sports, showcasing golfers with a variety of disabilities competing at high levels.

• Inspirational Performances: Singer highlights remarkable performances, such as a golfer with cerebral palsy shooting an impressive 61 ([10:15]). The determination and skill displayed by these athletes serve as a powerful reminder of resilience and passion in sports.

• Course Adaptations: The course has been thoughtfully modified to accommodate players with different needs, including accessible bunker entrances and varied tee placements. Singer remarks, “The entrances are flat because you have some golfers who are walking in, in carts or there's other ways to get” ([09:33]).

• Emotional Impact: Tony emphasizes the emotional significance of the tournament, stating, “It'll make your day better, right? It made your day better” ([13:04]).

3. Wimbledon Tennis Coverage

Chris Clary, a seasoned tennis writer, joins the show to discuss his latest book, The Warrior Rafael Nadal and His Kingdom of Clay, and provides expert insights into the current Wimbledon tournament.

A. Novak Djokovic’s Remarkable Run

At 38 years old, Novak Djokovic continues to defy age norms in tennis, vying for his 25th major title. Michael Wilbon marvels at Djokovic's longevity, stating, “He is so elastic and flexible and he's able to really, you know, dig into his knowledge and command the slice and use his serve very smartly” ([25:57]).

• Training and Flexibility: Djokovic's rigorous and consistent training regimen contributes significantly to his sustained performance. Wilbon notes, “They focused from a very, very early age on Novak's flexibility” ([26:29]).

B. Grigor Dimitrov’s Struggles

Contrasting Djokovic's success, Grigor Dimitrov has faced a string of physical ailments, causing him to retire mid-match in the last five majors.

• Audience Reaction: Tony describes a particularly jarring moment when Dimitrov collapsed during a match, capturing the crowd's stunned silence: “He hit a kind of an off Speed ace to win the game. And he's up two sets to love on center and on serve on the third to set an ace and then just drops to his knees” ([22:19]).

• Age and Play Style: Wilbon attributes Dimitrov's struggles to his dynamic playing style and advancing age, stating, “I don't think his body ultimately can hold up” ([21:53]).

C. Women’s Tennis Dynamics

The women's side of Wimbledon has been less predictable, with numerous upsets leading to a ninth consecutive different champion.

• Sara Sorribes Tormo's Performance: Tony praises Sara Sorribes for her resilience on the court: “And she seems to me to be a champion” ([27:48]).

• Mental Fragility: Wilbon discusses Sorribes' technical skills versus her emotional stability, saying, “She's so mentally fragile still” ([28:22]).

D. Technological Impact on Tennis

The conversation touches on how changes in technology, such as modifications to grass seed and string technology, have influenced playing styles and match outcomes.

• Ball Consistency: Wilbon discusses player complaints about ball consistency, noting, “there's far too not enough consistency in the kind of balls that they use” ([29:00]).

• Game Evolution: The shift towards baseline play over serve-and-volley styles is attributed to technological advancements in equipment and court surfaces.

4. Washington Nationals’ Organizational Changes

Jeff Passan enters the discussion to shed light on the recent firings of Washington Nationals' long-time General Manager Mike Rizzo and Manager Dave Martinez. The Nationals are undergoing significant restructuring aimed at revitalizing the franchise.

A. Reasons for Firing

Chris Clary explains, “It was about Dave Martinez's option, which is a pretty weird time to have an option decision in July” ([36:03]). The Nationals' ownership decided not to renew Martinez's contract, which subsequently led to the dismissal of Rizzo due to their intertwined roles.

B. Introduction of New GM Mike DeBartolo

With Mike DeBartolo stepping in as the new General Manager, there is an anticipated shift towards embracing advanced analytics and technology.

• Technological Integration: DeBartolo is committed to “going high tech” and utilizing analytical tools that the Nationals previously resisted. Clary notes, “the Nationals are behind him” and criticizes the over-reliance on computer models, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach ([40:51]).

• Balance Between Analytics and Scouting: Passan highlights the importance of not letting analytical models override human intuition and scouting: “the pendulum has swung too far in terms of reliance upon this technology” ([46:31]).

C. Future Prospects

The Nationals' new direction under DeBartolo is seen as a potential catalyst for positive change, although uncertainties remain regarding his long-term impact and ability to integrate his vision with traditional scouting methods.

5. Conclusion

Tony Kornheiser masterfully navigates through diverse topics, from inspiring stories in adaptive golf and the evolving landscape of Wimbledon to significant managerial shifts within Major League Baseball. The episode is enriched by insightful guest contributions and Tony’s characteristic humor, making it a compelling listen for sports enthusiasts seeking depth and breadth in their daily sports discourse.

Notable Quotes

• Tony Kornheiser: “It'll make your day better, right? It made your day better.” ([13:04])

• Michael Wilbon: “He is so elastic and flexible and he's able to really, you know, dig into his knowledge and command the slice and use his serve very smartly.” ([25:57])

• Chris Clary: “In relationships in sports, they just wear out over time.” ([33:22])

• Jeff Passan: “You just don't know.” ([40:38])

• Michael Wilbon: “She's so mentally fragile still.” ([28:22])

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions and providing valuable insights into the topics covered. Whether you're a fan of tennis, golf, or baseball, this episode offers something for every sports aficionado.