Transcript
kati: Hi! Yayay.
Kristine Zeller: Hi, hi, hi!
kati: Hi! Hi, and welcome to the tennis bakery. Your favorite tennis fan podcast. Boop, boop.
Kristine Zeller: Boop boop.
kati: Hmm. We love tennis. We, that's ah Christina and myself, Kati. We love. tennis even though we're not the best tennis players
Kristine Zeller: A lot.
kati: We are, I would say, premium tennis watchers. And we love catching up with everything that happens on the court, off the court, with all the wonderful tennis. ah players and their fans and families and so on and so we are reporting on the US Open 2026 for you and we watched the last game.
kati: of the grand slam the last game of the entire grand slam year
Kristine Zeller: Woo -hoo!
kati: of 2026 grand slams are over for 2026 and we are going to discuss what we thought about the second Grand Slam title for Alexander Zverev.
Kristine Zeller: So sad.
kati: um at the us open because he beat Ben Shelton in Four Sets. Lost. Night.
Kristine Zeller: Yes, he did.
kati: How are the emotions going, Christina?
Kristine Zeller: Um, Well, I have to say he deserved the win. I think he was just.
kati: Oh yeah.
Kristine Zeller: the far better player. I think he was just the father to play and I was really impressed. Actually. I was really impressed because... um I think he was so...
Kristine Zeller: focused. And so... you know kind The word that comes to mind is almost like mature. you know kind of experienced in playing. finals of these great Like tournaments.
Kristine Zeller: And he he just... You know, where when sometimes I feel with players that they are a bit like... over the top because they are, I don't know. The emotions are going wild and then that's a whole crowd and it's a final and stuff. And for him, it felt like.
Kristine Zeller: He was just calm, at least. It seemed. but from the outside that he was just calm and focused and um Even though there seemed to be some problems with his blood sugar levels, but I'm sure we'll talk about that later. I just felt that also this couldn't rattle him. He just...
Kristine Zeller: he just is very much into it and i was really impressed also by the way he used his energy. Right, I think it wasn't it wasn't this kind of all out there.
Kristine Zeller: Carlos Acra style tennis with all the amazing shots, even though there were some. um But i I felt like he he managed his energy like very well. So what are the points where I really need to go all out and where can I also sometimes and replenish ah my energy?
Kristine Zeller: And I just. Think that was a really, really, really good performance.
kati: I agree. Tell me about your watching experience
Kristine Zeller: and My watching experience was... ah super nice. It was actually super nice because I watched.
kati: Did you watch it last night or did you, like... I don't know.
Kristine Zeller: I watched the first two sets last night.
kati: Mm hmm.
Kristine Zeller: And then I would. The... Last two sets. This morning. i'm Part of it while having breakfast with my family and part of it while I was doing strength training.
Kristine Zeller: And... My husband spoilered. My husband spoiled.
kati: No.
Kristine Zeller: I mean, he didn't, he didn't spoiler in a similar fashion as I did last time with you, which is at the worst. Kind of spoilering, but he's because he kept on watching when I went to bed.
Kristine Zeller: And I didn't, and I didn't know like how long he watched.
kati: Okay.
Kristine Zeller: so Um, in the morning when I watched the third set. He was like. Oh, are you still on the third set or already in the fourth? And I was like... Hmm. I'm in the third set, but thank you for telling me that there will be a fourth.
kati: Okay, that's half a spoiler. That's half a spoiler, right?
Kristine Zeller: Yes.
kati: Because you still don't know if there's maybe a fifth.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah. No.
kati: Hmm.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah. But still.
kati: Still.
Kristine Zeller: I mean, it was coming to the end of the third set when he mentioned this. I i was really like...
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: Because I think actually the third set was maybe also the most. Exciting one?
kati: But didn't you then see, I thought i felt...
Kristine Zeller: or
kati: Like it. ah you know This is the big thing with when you watch replays. You see the time that the match takes.
Kristine Zeller: Yes, I'm in. I assume that they're most likely will be a fourth set. But then sometimes with the re -lives, there's also quite some... kind of empty footage at the end and i thought maybe there's a long you know kind of celebration or something.
Kristine Zeller: And I just wasn't 100 % sure.
kati: Hmm.
Kristine Zeller: But I... Obviously, I was sure. After he spoiled it. How about you? How did you watch?
kati: um So yeah, I also watched the first two sets last night. And I... It was really, I'm proud of myself that I went to bed then. Because I was really into the game. I was locked into the game. I was really um
kati: Really enjoying watching it. And so it was really a complete brain decision to go to bed. It had nothing to do with hearts at all. It was like. This match is going to exist tomorrow. You have no idea how it's going to, how long it's going to go. You will regret this if you do not go to bed.
kati: You put time aside for this tomorrow. Go to bed now. But I was very excited and I woke up several times at night thinking, it's already over now.
Kristine Zeller: Oh, you really?
kati: something's already happened yeah something's happened and I don't know what it is
Kristine Zeller: So kind of it disturbed your sleep in the end, nevertheless.
kati: It did. It did. I was waking up and it was going around in my mind. and
Kristine Zeller: Mmm.
kati: I was like, oh, did he win? Did he not win?
Kristine Zeller: that's
kati: On my way to bed, I said, ah you know, two. Two sets up because they have won the first two matches. Much as he... Much as...
Kristine Zeller: That's it.
kati: sets he actually broke Shelton in the first Game. of the match. um And that break was enough to give him the first. The second one he won in a tie break. He was.
kati: Awesome in that tie break. Holy crap, was he good. And then I was like, all right, but Shelton was getting better. So I didn't think it was clear, but I was like. I was 75 % sure he was gonna.
kati: He was going to do it. And then when I got up. And I. and i thought if the recording when i get up is over five hours We're in trouble. And the recording when I got up was four hours, 54 minutes.
kati: I was like maybe we're in trouble.
Kristine Zeller: but like a Half trouble. the
kati: Maybe, I don't know where this is going. I don't know where this is going. It was like, ah it was unclear. And then, um yeah, I watch most of it on my walking pad. um working on my walking pad and I had it on but then when I it was clear that stuff exciting stuff was happening I shut it down And.
kati: I was really really really happy. And um I've been happy since. um I think it's a... It was just a really good performance. and um I think what um Andy Roddick said...
kati: was very fitting. He said that Zverev was like an energy vampire. That sucked. the energy out of the stadium and out of Ben Shelton. And it's true because this was my biggest fear that the crowd just would be overwhelming.
kati: And I really find the crowd is an interesting aspect of this match because A, I think Zverev did something. I don't know what he did, but he... <unk>t I don't think he heard anything. And I think that's why he also, and I think most people that listen to this will have seen this by now, you know he didn't realize he'd won the game when he'd won the game.
Kristine Zeller: Which is also so great this moment, right?
kati: This is how this is how how focused he was on just playing i mean like how focused do you need to be on just playing to not realize that you've won a grand slam it's impossible but i think he really he didn't hear the crowd like i don't know i think he like he did something with himself he got into this tunnel where all he was it was him and the ball and the guy on the other side that's all there was there was nothing else he wasn't getting upset he was controlling his ball bounces to not get anyone riled up.
Kristine Zeller: It's impossible.
kati: He just, he he not only played. Very good tennis. He managed the situation so well. like the whole just management of the occasion.
kati: was pristine because He knew the crowd would be more for Shelton, but he did not give them anything. He gave them nothing to latch onto. He gave them no... Moments of disappointment for himself. No huge triumphant...
kati: jumps when something went his way. but he also didn't act like he didn't care either it was just he you could just tell this was a man on a mission and he was getting his job done and by doing so he didn't make the crowd flat.
kati: But he made them not so much up against him or not so much for Shelton. Like they were cheering. They were clapping for his good points. They were, you know, that they were really being.
kati: so more neutral than I thought they would be. So this was the Zverev side of the crowd management, which I think was done as the masterclass. And Shelton, I think this is going to be one of his biggest challenges going forward as a tennis player.
kati: Because... You could really tell during the match that he is stuck with what he does with the crowd or with. Crowd energy. because on the one hand it's something that he really feeds off he's a more extroverted guy He's more like Carlos in that way that he likes doing.
kati: special shots different kinds of special shots, but he likes the fun part of the tennis. He likes getting the people pumped up. He likes feeding off the crowd. But on the other hand, he realizes that when he does that, he often goes too far.
kati: which is what happened um towards the end, I think, in the tiebreak parts of it, right? He was playing so well, but he went too far. In the second set. And then he really dialed it back.
kati: which is then how he won the third. But then he started doing it again at the beginning of the fourth because he was still pumped up from the third and he straightaway got broken And so you could tell during the match that he himself was struggling between Okay, do do I like... lock in now and not do the whole crowd thing? Or do I now do the crowd thing? and Because he somehow hasn't found the right level. for himself yet to use it in the most efficient manner.
Kristine Zeller: I totally agree. And that's what I mean with the with this. It feels very mature how Zverev behaves, like very just experienced in the moment and very much knowing himself, very much trusting himself also.
Kristine Zeller: um And even when the crowd sometimes clapped when he... kind of didn didn't didn't serve well or something, which also I think it's not. Just don't do it.
Kristine Zeller: I think it's not.
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: Just don't. um But even then. He wasn't upset and yeah, very. professional. I think it was really... very professional. of him.
kati: Super profesh.
Kristine Zeller: to win like this.
kati: Super profesh.
Kristine Zeller: Proof. Fish.
kati: And I think if Shelton has any regrets.
Kristine Zeller: profession.
kati: It can really only be this entire thing of just not, and I think that's where he just doesn't know himself enough yet. He doesn't know like when does he need this crowd interaction and when is it too much?
kati: When, because. he I think there's no world where Shelton plays a game like Zverev did yesterday because... That's just not him. Right? Like the same as Carlos would never play a game like that.
Kristine Zeller: No, it's just a different type of character also.
kati: Yes, exactly. So that that will be wrong. It will be wrong for Shelton and he never will try to try and play a game and manage a game like Zverev did. But he hasn't found his... Grand Slam winning version of himself yet.
kati: um and But he but you but you know he will, and I think everyone was saying that, right? he' He will find the time. I mean, he hadn't played a game outside of the US until he was 20. This is a guy who's late to the game, right? he's one of the later players. He's not like the ones that join the tour when they're 17. He, you know, he just.
kati: hung out in the US for a very long time. So he really does have time and I truly believe that he will go that far. But that was just... a Yeah, a masterclass in managing that.
Kristine Zeller: Not only in managing that, but also in managing his blood sugar levels, right?
kati: Yeah, crazy.
Kristine Zeller: Because, I mean, we... I just always have to remind myself that he's got. diabetes type 1 right so he's born with or like he has this diabetes illness that will never go away. And, um,
Kristine Zeller: it was It seemed that there were some problems at the beginning of the match with his blood sugar management because there was more often than usual. The fact that he was sitting on the bench measuring his blood sugar, sugar I've seen two times, but maybe it was even more often where he kind of had to use a...
Kristine Zeller: syringe is that the right um uh to give insulin i guess um not knowing but i guess that's what he did um and so there was obviously some sort of a problem because that's not normal
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: So. I think. You know, kind of you have to play a final. In the US Open. And of course, he's experienced, right? He knows how to handle his blood sugar. But then there seems to be something off. with it It's not behaving as it usually behaves.
Kristine Zeller: i I just think this would be... enough of a reason I mean it's even incredible that he reaches a final right with this condition but then this would be like for so many people like a tipping point where you were Oh.
Kristine Zeller: can where you allow yourself to give in to the nerves right of it all. Because like this blood sugar management, obviously, if he if he doesn't do it right, then he's lacking. Energy right That could be really a huge problem or could could even be worse than lacking energy. And so therefore, I just think also props to him for... for managing this, for for being able to make this path.
Kristine Zeller: to become a professional tennis player, right? um And then to manage it so well. And then there was a part in the German commentary where they said that he normally starts a match with a blood sugar of 150. So that's his.
Kristine Zeller: um starting point for a match in terms of blood sugar which um i found a really interesting fact well obviously we are really interested in blood sugar and health related things because of our other podcast right lifestyle of longevity but um I just thought this is a really interesting fact because 150 would normally be. are quite high.
Kristine Zeller: blood sugar if you were A noble person.
kati: also not Also not super high, right?
Kristine Zeller: No. No, not super high, but a quite high.
kati: It's not a spike. It's a like a...
Kristine Zeller: It's a quite high blood sugar for...
kati: yeah Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: um for anybody, but for a person with diabetes, this would maybe be something where he or she would. Kind of. have ah be on the watch for for like maybe whether they need some insulin or stuff um But for him, this is kind of the, obviously the perfect level to go into a match because being a bit high on blood sugar then obviously allows you to.
Kristine Zeller: use that blood sugar and to um produce energy. from it, right?
kati: It's like pre -game fueling.
Kristine Zeller: Yes.
kati: Which any athlete would do, only that he actually measures how much he's he's fueled.
Kristine Zeller: Exactly. he
kati: I could imagine that the others are also in similar. levels, they just don't. No.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah. Yeah, but I found this really interesting, that also the fact that he's always eating sweet potatoes right before a match.
kati: Yeah.
kati: Mm -hmm
Kristine Zeller: So this is obviously a... a type of food that gives him the perfect level of of blood sugar for a very long time, or like at least for the start of the match. So I just think it's all of this blood sugar management and thought process that also goes into this. It's kind of another level of difficulty.
Kristine Zeller: to win any match, but especially like ah like a final, I think it's outstanding.
kati: Yeah, because and he also um he also doesn't get any extra time because of this. um so he has to man do all this measuring potentially injecting reading drawing blood if he feels like he wants to draw blood to have a ah very exact because he has a he has an implant in his body so
kati: Some people might know the constant glucose monitors that you can get, which are like little round plastic things. And people have them on their upper inner arms. um This is how many people measure their blood sugar. Also, some people that don't have diabetes um for like wellness, health reasons. And um he um actually has this implanted inside his body. So you can't see it outside at all.
kati: um They didn't mention where. It wasn't in his arm. It's somewhere else. and um This actually malfunctioned. in a match. Um, la - Was it this year or last year? Not a long time ago. And basically told him the wrong thing.
kati: So it said either it was too high when it was too low or the other way around. Oh man, I would have trust issues after that. he So he was very mature after that.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah.
kati: Um, being like, this is the one time it's happened.
Kristine Zeller: Honestly.
kati: It's never happened before, you know, blah, blah, blah. And I was thinking yesterday, man, I really hope it's working well because I have very, very seldomly see him inject himself during matches. Like that has not happened.
kati: A lot. He's often monitoring, but like injecting. But anyway, no, apparently he got, and and you did realize a certain energy dip. at somewhere or like something was off there in the third set But, you know, he he he turned it around. He got it done. And I think the whole diabetes. um aspect of it all. um of course, is going to get ah get a whole much more attention because he actually spoke about it in his in his speech after the...
kati: after the match. And in general, I just thought the whole post -match, also the match experience, but the match experience and the post -match experience. was just so much more.
kati: Well. Is it mature? I don't know what it is. It was so much more fulfilling than after Roland Garros. Because I think in Roland Garros, it was all just so much just the...
kati: The relief. the relief that this had actually happened.
Kristine Zeller: Finally.
kati: Finally. And now this time you could really see he was just enjoying it so much. he They were all just enjoying it so much. He had a really long speech where he spoke of so many different things in Roland Garros. It was super short.
kati: Right. And here he really had a long speech, which was, I think, really well done where he really went into detail and where he, um ah you know, thanked his mom.
kati: um who is never in the stadium with him because she... can't take it basically she gets too nervous if she's in the stadium so she doesn't come what she's in she was in New York she always joins the family when they travel but she doesn't go in the stadium and I don't even know if she follows the score like i don't i don't know about that but he thanked her in a very lengthy way which was so touching about how strong she is and how grateful he is that she um
kati: when he was diagnosed with diabetes, which was when he was four years old, basically decided that that was not going to limit him in doing anything he wants to do. So he really used. And this this whole topic is very, very close to his heart anyway. He has a foundation which focuses also on this, on supporting children with diabetes, enabling them to live.
kati: you know whatever lives they want to lead. And um it was so cool that this time he used that stage to bring out that message, to give this hope to. Are there families that are affected with this who might be scared when they get a diagnosis like this and might feel like...
kati: This means that certain things aren't possible. And he just... um Because it wasn't the first time, because it was, you know, the second time around, I think he got to... Enjoy all of these things so much more.
kati: than the first time around and that was just so nice to see how They could just bathe in it.
Kristine Zeller: And also how his father, who's normally... Quite the cool. person sitting at the sideline. and who's also his coach, right? um He was tearing up or... We're like actually almost really full of crying.
kati: Yay. was.
Kristine Zeller: Right.
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: And it was just. um, Yeah, it was nice to see like the effect that his um speech had, which I think was also a nice speech. um There were two other things that I also really liked.
Kristine Zeller: from the Final. Yeah, are from the celebration afterwards. The first one being... Ben's and speech and especially his shout out to his driver.
Kristine Zeller: I really like that because I think there have been quite a few tennis players in the past who kind of mention how important their drivers are. For them, right? I think, was it Roger in his um documentary, which is a really great documentary, by the way. um where he mentioned also like the importance of his driver and kind of this one one person that they know for sure is there as a
Kristine Zeller: you know, kind of rock in the middle of the ocean that's always there, that's consistent and where they can just relax and, you know, kind of really fully ah rely on. And I just found it really nice that he that Ben also gave a shout out to his driver.
Kristine Zeller: And the other thing that I really liked with the final with the final celebration was... and Sasha was presented, like they presented to him this $5 .5 million dollars check.
Kristine Zeller: Right.
kati: In an envelope for some kind of reason.
Kristine Zeller: I think. Yes, in an envelope. I think it was presented by And was it to see you off? After AP Morgan? I don't think so, right?
kati: You know I don't listen to those things in the award ceremony.
Kristine Zeller: It wasn't. It was another person. I think it was another person higher ranked. in like also highly ranked in within um JP Morgan, but I don't think it was the CEO. So you're always there.
Kristine Zeller: um Yes. Like the day before with the women.
kati: Mm hmm.
Kristine Zeller: Anyway, they gave him this check. And... Obviously it's nice to get a check with 5 .5 million dollar.
kati: susan
Kristine Zeller: Yeah. So I think that's a beautiful thing, but then. It was a bit of a strange situation, right? Because after that check, and he was supposed to receive like the trophy.
kati: Yeah, like where do you put it?
Kristine Zeller: Where do you put it? There was no table or like anything. And I thought he might.
kati: He just looked at Ben. I was like, is he giving it to Ben?
Kristine Zeller: Yeah! Which would have been also strange, right? And I thought what he would do was put it into his pants on the back. you know, kind of. just tuck it in there.
kati: Oh, yeah, if there's a pocket there.
Kristine Zeller: I thought he would do that. But what he did is he actually threw it on the floor because I think he was a bit overwhelmed with where should I put it? And then he just threw the $5 .5 million check.
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: On the floor.
kati: What did Elena do?
Kristine Zeller: I don't know. Was she even... i don't I can't even recall that she got...
kati: she she was she got that she also got it she did because i remember i i didn't watch it like i said i don't really watch these things but i was listening to it like at the side of my ear and it was because someone said the 5 .5 million i mean that's like and such a huge number you kind of um it makes you listen
Kristine Zeller: Yeah, was it also a paper?
Kristine Zeller: huge number. Yeah.
kati: And um it's also so American. that They say you are receiving a check over $5 .5 million.
Kristine Zeller: Hmph.
kati: dollars And I'm like. Oh, it's so like, you know, in certain parts of Europe, people like in Wimbledon, they would never say the number. They'd be like, oh, no, you don't say the number. You know, congratulations, you get a prize money.
kati: But, you know, in like in America, they're like, here you go. $5 .5 million. dollars and then And then why is this envelope?
Kristine Zeller: so
kati: glued shut that he has to like rip it open and it's
Kristine Zeller: And it was also like a really small envelope, right?
kati: Small envelope.
Kristine Zeller: It was... You know, kind of, it was really strange and he had to like really fumble to get it open.
kati: It's just, what is going on?
Kristine Zeller: And then he just threw it on the floor and I think also stepped on it when receiving the trophy. So it was all a bit strange.
kati: and just like and what happens if he loses the check does he not get the money is it the actual check is it just a
Kristine Zeller: Oh yeah! What if somebody else takes it?
kati: What happens if somebody else takes it? Well, it's just this whole Czech situation. No, that was weird. That was, and and I'm going to have to have a look how Elena did it because.
Kristine Zeller: ah I found that really funny.
kati: I mean, she must have had the same issue.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah. She must have, but I didn't realize it with her.
kati: yeah I wasn't watching, but I'm sure she did it in an elegant way.
Kristine Zeller: Yes. I'm sure. I'm sure she did it in an elegant way. and One thing that did not happen. With the final um speech of Sascha was um kind of a shout out to his girlfriend.
kati: He never speaks about her in these speeches.
Kristine Zeller: Sophia, do you want to?
Kristine Zeller: I know. And it again didn't happen.
kati: and He also doesn't speak about his daughter.
Kristine Zeller: She also wasn't there. Hm?
kati: He also doesn't speak about his daughter.
Kristine Zeller: No.
kati: She's old enough to, to she'll be watching it by now, I guess.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: yeah no and they are never there right so also this time she wasn't there
kati: Well, I um His girlfriend, Zofia Tomala, she is often at tournaments with him. It's not like his mum who never goes. She does regularly go with him. just um not to Not when she's working, because she...
kati: Also works. quite professionally as ah um all kinds of roles, including moderating some very big shows, which partially are filmed, I think, in Asia. So she really has to travel quite a way to do that. And um I think also during the Grand Slams, they have the agreement that... um He's just locked in. with whatever he does i as far as i i know they don't even speak during the Grand Slams.
kati: Because he turns off his phone completely.
Kristine Zeller: Yep. So it seems to be his way of. kind of Being in the locked -in zone, which obviously... Seemed to have worked for this, uh, for this land. um Also, ah Trinity Rodman wasn't there, or at least...
Kristine Zeller: for the biggest stretches right of the tournament she like of the match she wasn't there because and she had to play football, ah like soccer herself, right?
kati: Her job.
Kristine Zeller: and she
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: Yes. That's her her job, obviously. And she did play in Washington, D .C. um And she was there at the end. So she kind of.
Kristine Zeller: manage to finish her game obviously and then jump on a Plain, I guess. And um come to New York. And um I think that's really cute that she managed to come um in the end.
Kristine Zeller: And she was wearing, I think, a really great Ben Shelton t -shirt.
kati: yeah so cool I loved it
Kristine Zeller: Like a 90s. 90s vibes t -shirt right i think it looked like the backstreet boys t -shirts back then like a
kati: So cool. I saw a few like that in the crowd um for Irina. ah during the tournament as well. And it's definitely on my shopping list.
Kristine Zeller: It's really cool, right?
kati: Like. i want one of these 90s t -shirts with irena savalenka on it it's i'm i'm looking for that
Kristine Zeller: yeah I think it's really really a cool t -shirt and it's it's really cool that she came and it was a bit heartbreaking because she but she was really crying right when he when he lost and I think she really just felt his pain a lot and still I found it really sweet that she managed to come to the end of the of the match because it must have been quite quite stressful for her to get there
kati: Hmm.
Kristine Zeller: One time.
kati: Totally. And um I think when we're speaking ah of them, i I really think it was so special. i think I cannot believe this has ever happened before, that two players were in a Grand Slam final who were both coached by their dads.
kati: I cannot imagine that's happened before. But... This was the case and Sasha pointed it out as well. that he feels so much appreciation for the other team because he knows what that feels like, because it feels different. I mean, we've spoken about this in the last days, right?
kati: that when dads coach their kids and there's a good that it seems like a healthy relationship um I can imagine it must be so cool. And in, um I mean in... In Sasha's case, he also employs his brother.
kati: Misha, who used to be a good tennis player, he used to be ranked 25th in the world he was a really really good tennis player as well and they um they also think that he's part of his success against Ben because Ben is a player who plays his left hand which can be quite challenging for players because you know most players are right -handed but Misha plays with his left So.
kati: For Sasha it's... apparently been like that forever and ever that he also just also regularly plays with someone that's left -handed which of course gives him a an advantage to other people who don't normally play um that frequently against left -handers no so this whole family affair thing and you also saw it because both of them went over to the box of the other. Another reason why I'm becoming a fan of this.
kati: um having the part of the box on the court. Because like this, Zsa Zsa could go over to Ben's box and actually... you know, congratulate Ben's dad and the other four people and give them a hug. And Ben also went over to to sasha's dad and um gave him a hug and It's just really nice to see like these two family. um
kati: dynamics playing out and zasha also pointed that out i think there's just like really it's just a different way of living than if you have a a coach who you just met a year ago or half a year ago and you're paying them and It's nice if you get along and if you don't. And especially in Zverev's case, because...
kati: There was so much criticism. of him keeping his dad on as a coach. when he wasn't winning these grand slams i mean if you look at like for example last 2025 many people were saying that this is what he needs to do he needs to to take that last step to actually make it into winning a grand slam final he needs to change his coach like that's the lever he needs to To pull.
kati: He needs to swap out his dad. And he was just so adamant in like, I'm not going to do that. And it didn't seem like it was because he felt like I emotionally can't like titsy pus kind of vibes. He just said.
kati: For me it's important that I feel really good around the people I'm with. I feel really good about the people I'm with. I'm not changing that. And. Oh, for that just to... to turn around and be the right thing is so nice.
kati: Yeah, the it turned out right for them. the And he said it in a speech. He said, in like, all the struggles we've been through, you know, this year is the big. Is it all coming back?
kati: that they the tenacity and the belief and how they stuck together. and Um. Yeah, I just think that's really cool.
Kristine Zeller: Also, speaking of family business. um I think by far. The... social media content that I like the most after like after he won, obviously, after Sascha won, was this picture that Misha Zverev posted where he sat with Sascha on the court, on the empty...
kati: Hmm.
Kristine Zeller: Arthur Ashe Court, or it looked like it was. completely empty, like all the stands were empty on this picture. And he was sitting on the floor, like on the court. and Next to Sacha, it's a picture taken from behind. So we see both their backs and in front of the legs is the trophy. And they are sitting on this.
Kristine Zeller: Dormant. Code. And I just. like this picture so much because Imagine how it must feel. Like with all the craziness leaving the stadium and you're just there and kind of. bathing in this feeling of being successful for the second time in this year.
Kristine Zeller: And like, you know, kind of sitting on this empty court. ah i just thought I just think that was such an amazing, amazing picture. And I think you really you really feel the vibes.
Kristine Zeller: the good vibes of this picture.
kati: Yeah, not only that. But... Alexander Zverev, I don't even know if he manages his socials when he's not at Grand Slams. But like I said, he he turns off his phone when he's at Grand Slams. So you're getting zero content insight into Zashas Zverev's life during Grand Slams. The channel to get insights into Zashas Zverev's life during Grand Slams is his brother's Instagram account.
kati: Yeah. Not only does he like. Did he post that? He posted some really awesome stuff. So two other things that I loved. First of all. There's a reel of the whole family sitting On the court afterwards. And the dad, so everything's empty.
kati: And. Sascha's and Mischa's dad is sitting on the player bench. eating what looks like a currywurst with a dog on his lap.
Kristine Zeller: Like, but it wasn't Sasha's dog, right? It was a curly dog.
kati: No. Is there a dog?
Kristine Zeller: Whose dog was it?
kati: his his parents dog his parents also have two dogs that also always travel with them
Kristine Zeller: Ah.
kati: Including the two. So the two Sascha dogs travel with them? And the two dad's dogs travel with us. I always have four dogs around. And so he was sitting there with this dog on his lap, eating this currywurst in this empty stadium. I think that picture is just beautiful. Also Misha. Also, Misha gave us the picture that they already...
kati: And this is 12 hours ago, so it must have been... right after the match. put the special sign onto Sascha's locker.
kati: Yeah, he already posted that. And this is a special thing about the US Open. So it turns out that... um Flushing Meadows, that's what the name is of the... entire what What is it? Facility?
kati: where all the courts are, they have 400 lockers. I mean, that's it's just bananas anyway, but they're 400 lockers. They're very fancy. And when you play a tournament there, you get assigned a locker.
kati: But it's normally like your name is put into this little. you know, plastic thing where they slide your name in and then you know that's your locker for the tournament and then you don't have to look for a new locker every day and your stuff's in there and so on and so forth. And apparently when you win...
kati: You get to keep that locker. the of the year that you won And I'd heard about this the first time um a few days ago because Andy Roddick was in the men's... Changing room.
kati: and met Serena Williams in the men's changing room, which is weird enough. But apparently she then said, oh, let me see your locker.
kati: And I was like, what are they talking about? He's not playing anymore. How is this even happening? And then she went over and wanted to check out Andy Roddick's locker, which has his name and the year that he won the Grand Slam written on it. And they apparently directly after, so that it's basically they are engraving the Tiffany trophy. And at the same time, someone else is engraving a little placard, which they then apply to the locker, the wooden locker. And it says, as vev
kati: twenty twenty six And that's it's number it's locker number 174. And that's us now also from Misha's Instagram account. Thank you, Misha.
Kristine Zeller: It must be so cool. When you're the player coming back from winning the tournament and going back to the locker room and kind of wanting to take out or put in some stuff into your locker and you see this plaque already on there.
Kristine Zeller: It's so cool, right? I really love it that they do all these things instantly. Also, this this writing on the wall, right? um I really like it that it has happens like in the moment they are winning.
kati: Yes.
Kristine Zeller: I really like it.
kati: And there it says, Alkaraz two times. So now one time. And now, Sasha one time.
Kristine Zeller: And a few others.
kati: Yeah, but like the last years, you can see like you know the passing of the...
Kristine Zeller: Sasha. Yeah.
kati: of the of the torch speaking of which um Sasha has won 25. Grand slam matches this year. There are very few men.
kati: that have ever won that many Grand Slam matches in a year. um Carlos hasn't yet. Carlos has never won 25 Grand Slam matches in a year, for example. Just to point out.
kati: How extraordinary this year is. For him. So yeah.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah, agree.
kati: I really think...
Kristine Zeller: And still, I have to say that I still can't fully celebrate with all of my heart as I would for. a lot of other players.
kati: Well, you also want a Ben to win. But I understand where you're going.
Kristine Zeller: Yes, I wanted Beethoven because he kicked out Carlos and I think... Everybody kicking out Carlos should better win the whole thing.
kati: hello
Kristine Zeller: But um also.
kati: Peace.
Kristine Zeller: Even though I have, I think I mentioned explicitly enough how impressed I was with the performance of Zverev and I also think he deserves. to win, but still kind of. There is just these these past...
Kristine Zeller: um yeah allegations that he was confronted with that i can't completely forget um So he was, um there was...
kati: No, they're there
Kristine Zeller: um allegations of domestic abuse in two cases. One of them was taken to court. And he was never convicted? Right. So, of course, there's this unschuldsvermutung. we need to assume he's not he's not guilty because he was also not convicted. And the other case wasn't even taken to to court.
Kristine Zeller: um But it was two of his former... um Partners like female, partners that tease. like going out with, that made these um allegations. And um the court the court allegation, or that was taken to court, was settled with the payment um that Alexander had to make. to this one lady.
Kristine Zeller: And um of course, we don't know what happened.
kati: Oh, wait a minute. I think we have to be careful say ah saying that correctly. ah He didn't have to make it. They agreed. The court did not. um order him to pay something. They settled it.
Kristine Zeller: No, because he wasn't convicted. He was not convicted.
kati: That's right. but Because there's a difference, right? So the court didn't make him play it. He didn't have to pay it. It was a settlement that was reached. by both parties that he would pay a certain amount.
kati: um to his ex -partner. And... that ex -partner would drop the charges.
Kristine Zeller: yes exactly so that's what happened and of course we don't know what happened It's just something that I can't forget. forget And that's still... on my mind. when thinking about Zverev. And that's also why I can't just, you kind of... Fully.
Kristine Zeller: celebrate with all of my heart because there's just this lingering feeling of what if. There was some truth to that. And how would the women feel? that. this might have happened to.
Kristine Zeller: and when they watch this now. And... Obviously, I don't know what happened. Nobody knows what happened apart from from the two of them, I guess. um But...
Kristine Zeller: Yeah, it's still, it clouds my joy. And still, i think I think it's just one of these. situations where You have two conflicting feelings and both of them can be true.
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: Right. And where's this kind of like this internal. kind of clash happening with my feelings. but Still, I'm happy for him that he won. He deserved that. But still this. Yeah, these...
Kristine Zeller: These former allegations just linger on. in my mind. And I just think I have to live with that.
kati: Totally.
Kristine Zeller: and I think maybe it's the case for many people watching him play.
kati: Yeah, we all do.
kati: we We all do.
Kristine Zeller: And win.
kati: And that will always... um I don't think we're ever gonna find out any more about this. than we have.
Kristine Zeller: No, I don't think so
kati: So this feeling, this... um Not knowing. It's going to exist forever.
Kristine Zeller: I think so too.
kati: Do you think he would have beaten Alcaraz?
Kristine Zeller: Mm. Maybe the Alcaraz of this tournament?
kati: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Kristine Zeller: Yes.
kati: that Like, that if if Carlos had beaten Ben...
Kristine Zeller: Mhm. Yeah, I think so because... I think. Like at least in some cases, Carlos is a bit similar to Ben, right? He just wants to please the crowd. He's sometimes just going too far and taking this too far. Therefore, I think his...
Kristine Zeller: His game can be compared. To Ben's. Well, in the end, I think Carlos is much better, has a much better game than Ben, but still like the the direction is similar of both of them. And I think that could have, had I think it most likely.
Kristine Zeller: would have happened similarly in this final if Zverev played against m Carlos. Um, But I don't think he can. he would have beaten him if Carlos would would have been at his best.
kati: Yeah. Well we don't know.
Kristine Zeller: No, we'll never know.
kati: we we We only know in the past he hasn't beaten Carlos when Carlos was at his best. And I mean, the big question is, is this a new version of Zasha now, right? And some people say, yes, it's a new version And there were certain elements, I think.
kati: when it comes to playing finals. I think he might have a different level now that he's never had against Yannick or against Carlos. but It's not like we've reached a new level of his tennis. His tennis has always been good.
kati: and but it has not been as good as theirs. So hence, I think the mental blocks that he has had in his head. against them. I think you know that I think they'll be gone.
kati: But. um It also doesn't really matter.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah, it will be really interesting right when he faces one of them in the future. to see kind of is this enough kind of this mental possible blockage that he had and to beat them.
Kristine Zeller: And to beat them in a final. or if they both play. then there would even be a situation where he might have to face Both of them. to win a slam. like Or a further slam. So I think it will be really interesting to see the three.
Kristine Zeller: kind of clashing in one of the future. Tournaments.
kati: Yeah. And ah it kind of, so frustrating, but. You know there's going to be people, um also again here Andy Roddick put it, um who will be spitting in his Cheerios.
kati: Do you know what Cheerios are? Yeah, like ah it's like a cereal.
Kristine Zeller: Mm hmm.
kati: People spitting in his Cheerios saying, oh, but you know, like Carlos and Yannick, they weren't fit for these and they weren't there and he didn't beat them. You know, the man's won two grand slams now. There's not many people who can...
kati: can claim that they did. um And. he's therefore reached the status of one of the greatest in tennis. It's just the way it is. and um I just really hope that if he doesn't succeed in beating them,
kati: in finals to come if they come. that um I would just like him just to be one of the ones just so that this whole story just shuts up. I mean, like, I don't think, I think no one's going to ever claim that he is.
kati: As. special a player as Carlos or Janneke are. I think he's too old to still evolve so much in in his tennis as that he would become...
kati: Have that. certain magic that they do. He has different magic though. He has different magic, which isn't as fun and isn't as exciting, but it's just so... Relentless and and And that's one interesting thing. that's that Because that came up several times.
kati: I really think he's the guy who puts in the most work. Like several people have said that and I felt and i saw an old... Was it an old interview or was it? No, I think it was actually from from last night. He actually got cleaned up. He shaved. He put on a fancy Adidas suit, stripy Adidas suit.
kati: um um and um gave an interview and i think he he said as well that he he doesn't think that he has the biggest talent. But he puts in.
kati: the hours and ben said the same he said he says he thinks he's the guy who's Spends the most hours in the gym. You know. is the one that puts in the most time.
Kristine Zeller: Um, Speaking of his outfit. Like the stripey Adidas suit.
kati: Mm hmm.
Kristine Zeller: Because I think... This outfit is like the... direct comparison outfit to Rebecca's white satin. suit that she was wearing, right?
Kristine Zeller: Because
kati: I'm not sure because the pictures with him and in in the suit were taken on the court.
Kristine Zeller: You know?
Kristine Zeller: Hmm.
kati: And hers weren't taken on the court. Now, maybe this was because there was still a match coming up on the court that they couldn't take hers on the court, but hers were taken by some fountain.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah, that's true.
kati: And his were taken on the court. That's why I don't know.
Kristine Zeller: Hmm.
kati: And she also didn't wear the outfit then to the to the press conference.
Kristine Zeller: But...
kati: You know, it's all...
Kristine Zeller: No. Yeah, that could be. But what would be the equivalent then? to the white satin suit because I haven't seen any other kind of more formal looking or like.
kati: Yeah, but we only saw them yesterday because you found a fan.
Kristine Zeller: Proper.
kati: A fan reel.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah.
kati: You know what I mean? So I don't know. Maybe there are that maybe there was.
Kristine Zeller: So you think there's more to come?
kati: Maybe.
Kristine Zeller: So if there's not more to come, yeah, just assume it.
kati: Okay, let's pretend, let's assume there's not more to come.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah. then I think it is not the best outfit that he could have worn. Even though I think it's a cool outfit, Yeah, in general, I think it's a cool outfit.
kati: Mm hmm.
kati: Huh?
Kristine Zeller: I'm not critiquing that at all. But...
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: um I mean, we have also met ah Alexander Zverev in person, right? With one...
kati: Met is, I think, too much. We've stood in his... I. He has brushed my arm. Ha!
Kristine Zeller: I think that...
kati: us
Kristine Zeller: That is, we met. Him.
kati: Alright, we hung out.
Kristine Zeller: Yes!
kati: Woo!
Kristine Zeller: We traveled with him.
kati: He didn't know we were hanging out with him, but we knew that. we But...
Kristine Zeller: Yeah.
kati: but we knew we were hanging out with them.
Kristine Zeller: Hmm.
kati: All right. Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: And do you remember what he was wearing there? Because though was he also did a brief or he gave a brief brief speech.
kati: Mm hmm.
Kristine Zeller: um at the event that we were at
kati: Like a casual, very casual suit.
Kristine Zeller: Yes, and I think this route looked really, really good.
kati: Mm -hmm
Kristine Zeller: I think this really looked very good on him.
kati: Hmm.
Kristine Zeller: And I would have like preferred something like that because it was a suit, but it was still kind of a sporty suit. I think it was, I can't fully remember all the details of the suit, but I think it was a very light colored, maybe even a white top situation and then a beige.
Kristine Zeller: um trousers and and and jacket along with it. And I just... Would have loved to see him not in. you know, kind of athleisure. but rather in some.
Kristine Zeller: Proper. fancy clothes because he can, he wears them well. Right. So therefore I'm. Like, when directly comparing to Jelena, I think just Jelena's outfit was...
Kristine Zeller: Much more on fleek. then the one that Sasha wore.
kati: Um... Yeah, I just think also. What was the briefing? You know Adidas is his sponsor what were the arrangement i don't think adidas does any suits like fancy suits so i think he's He's...
kati: Using...
Kristine Zeller: We never know. We never know.
kati: uh
Kristine Zeller: Of course, it's always about money, but just from the looks of it.
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: I just, oh God, ah ah but but I was also so, especially in love with the outfit from Elena Rybakina. So therefore I think it just really hard for him to. To win. and um Speaking of great outfits.
Kristine Zeller: Pierce Brosnan was there.
kati: He was.
Kristine Zeller: And I think he just always looks so classy, right?
kati: He always looks like James Bond because he is James Bond. We just don't know.
Kristine Zeller: he is I think he's just James Bond. Full stop.
kati: Mmm.
Kristine Zeller: Like forever.
kati: Mm.
Kristine Zeller: is going to be the James Bond. And Brad Pitt was there as well. I mean, obviously also many more stars and you know kind of actresses and actors and stuff. Brad Pitt was there. and I think prepaid is really very often. At those.
Kristine Zeller: at those tournaments.
kati: Yes, I have a picture of the top of his head from when I was at the women's final in Roland Garros because he was sitting like underneath us, very many rows underneath us. So I have a picture of the top of his head.
Kristine Zeller: Yes, and I'm thinking slash hoping. Um. That maybe... This is not just for fun. But maybe he's doing research. Because there's a new movie coming.
Kristine Zeller: Because you did the formula one. Movie.
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: a few years back. Um... So there might be a new movie coming where he's like a tennis coach or something. What do you think about that? Could happen.
kati: It could happen. I think what's actually happened is that. His girlfriend's a tennis fan.
Kristine Zeller: And you just... has to come along because otherwise she wouldn't get the tickets.
kati: No, I think you like it. I think he likes it by now. But um I just think it's really cool that he also goes to all the to the women's matches like to a lot of women's matches He makes no like he doesn't only go to men's matches or something. He really... And with full dedication watches the women's matches as well.
kati: It's just like. And certain things... You just think like, could I not please have his life? And in this case, I'm like, I'd take his life. He always gets like front row seats to all the Grand Slam finals.
Kristine Zeller: Yes, please.
kati: I'll do that. Yeah, it's like no problem. Yeah. Brad Pitt plus one. Yeah, yeah, go ahead. I'll do i do that.
Kristine Zeller: Agree.
kati: Yeah.
Kristine Zeller: All right.
kati: So.
Kristine Zeller: Is there any more and more to add? to the tournament, to this match.
kati: No. I think... This is all that is to be said. um Yeah. I think that was um a fun tournament.
kati: um We'll be wrapping up the pod here.
Kristine Zeller: Yep.
kati: We do not know when we will be back. We will let you know.
Kristine Zeller: No.
kati: Because. No Grand Slams until January.
Kristine Zeller: Ugh. Ugh. So sad.
kati: both I had.
Kristine Zeller: Yeah. But still quite a lot of tournaments still coming up, right? Even though it's... kind kind of towards the end of the year. There's still a lot of tournaments. Happening.
Kristine Zeller: Crazy.
kati: Yeah, I think the biggest story tennis is going to tell is... um Sasha hunting for the number one seed. a Not seed. Ranking.
Kristine Zeller: Yep. Could be. Also exciting to see when and how Yannick will come back. and
kati: Yeah, have you heard anything about that?
Kristine Zeller: mm -hmm
kati: Because I haven't. and Nothing that I've...
Kristine Zeller: Nothing, zero. Nothing.
kati: Hmm.
Kristine Zeller: i' Like the latest post that I've seen from Yannick was that he was at the Formula One. Race. And posted from there.
kati: He was. Again, the merging of just like my favorite sports. I love it when that happens.
Kristine Zeller: But no mention of any kind of injuries or progress or anything, right? So we just don't know. He will not play the Labour Cup, right? which is one of the tournaments happening next.
kati: Mm hmm.
kati: Tommy Paul also isn't playing the Labour Cup, but it's not a tournament, right? It's a show. it's an exhibition
Kristine Zeller: It's maybe not serious enough. to kind of... Risk. kind of worsening the injury or something.
kati: I think it's in two weekends, right?
Kristine Zeller: Yeah, can be.
kati: Hmm.
Kristine Zeller: um So therefore... We just don't know about Yannick. I really hope that he's fit because I want to see him at the ATP finals. I think I've said it many times now. that's That must be enough of manifesting for that.
Kristine Zeller: Hm?
kati: yeah Crazy.
Kristine Zeller: Crazy times, as always with tennis.
kati: Crazy times. Anyway, so we wish you guys all the best. Um...
Kristine Zeller: Yes.
kati: Any wishes on which tournaments we should cover? ah Drop them in the comments.
Kristine Zeller: Yes.
kati: and otherwise we will say bye for now
