By Lucky Letcord Podcast | Tuesday May 9, 2023

In this week’s edition of the Lucky Letcord Podcast, Tennis Now editor Richard Pagliaro and Chris Oddo hash out what went down in Madrid and look ahead to the start Rome, the final big clay court event before Roland-Garros.

Here are some of the storylines we’re covering:

Discussion of Carlitos in Madrid and his clay game | 19-1 on clay this season, 58-12 overall | Is it his best surface, even though he says he prefers clay?

Question for Richard, which he tackles in-depth.

IS ALCARAZ YOUR RG FAVORITE AT THE MOMENT, KEEPING IN MIND IT COULD CHANGE IF NOVAK PLAYS WELL IN ROME?



Rafa on the brink/ Nole let’s wait and see -- what does the status of Nadal and Djokovic mean for the rest of the tour and how do we feel about the chances of our 22-time Grand Slam champions, given that they are way behind in their preparation?

Sabalenka gets it done in Madrid | 5 finals already this year, previous career best was four | 29-4 on the season | We ask Richard: what’s the difference in your opinion?

IS IGA STILL THE PLAYER TO BEAT ON THE SLOWER CLAY?

Reminder: Keep an eye on Sinner...

Sinner - 40-18 (.833 lifetime) on clay 5-1 this year… quarterfinal at rome last year / week two at RG three years in a row!

WTA others: Krejcikova / Kasatkina / Ons Jabeur (if healthy) / Garcia/ Sakkari / Gauff / Kudermetova / Ostapenko

HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR ATP PLAYERS WITH RAFA QUESTIONS, RUUD QUESTIONS, NOLE INJURY CLOUD, MEDVEDEV NOT AS DANGEROUS ON THIS SURFACE -

GAUFF’S STRUGGLES? How can she shore up her game in time for Roland-Garros, where she is defending runner-up points?

A discussion on #CakeGate? Really, you think silencing the doubles finalists is a viable solution, Madrid? Wow....