NICK MONROE ON RYBAKINA'S WTA FINALS WIN, TITLE NO. 1 FOR TIEN AND 101 FOR DJOKOVIC | FULL PODCAST

Nick Monroe joins the podcast to recap Elena Rybakina's dominant triumph at the WTA Finals, where she won every match to claim the final title of the women's season. Monroe also breaks down how Novak Djokovic was able to battle past Lorenzo Musetti in Athens, and the the 24-time major champion's subsequent decision to withdraw from the ATP Finals. The broadcaster looks at what makes Learner Tien so special after he won his first career title in Metz, and explains why this crop of American men continues to push each other to be better.

Monroe discusses all the action taking place at The ATP Finals, where Jannik Sinner is receiving a hero's welcome in Italy and Carlos Alcaraz is one match away from clinching year-end No. 1. The former doubles pro looks at whether Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Alexander Zverev or the rest of the field can challenge the top two, or if another Alcaraz/Sinner showdown is looming in the final match of the season. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:30 Monroe on working with the USTA and training some up and coming hopefuls
2:20 The path for junior players in America is clearer
3:02 Elena Rybakina win the WTA Finals with a perfect 5-0 record
4:00 Rybakina finished the season on an eleven match win streak
5:00 Playing clutch tennis under pressure propelled Rybakina to the WTA Finals title
6:28 Aryna Sabalenka falls in the final, but finishes as the WTA Year-End No. 1
7:05 Sabalenka remains the standard in the women's game
8:43 The ability to release all negative energy in the moment serves Sabalenka well
9:50 An incredible year for the WTA's Top 9 Players
10:50 Monroe on who could be up next in the women's game
11:45 Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens win the WTA Doubles Finals
12:15 Monroe on doubles partnerships ending and the moves behind the scenes
14:00 Novak Djokovic wins his 101st Title in Athens over Lorenzo Musetti
15:00 Djokovic adds to his trophy collection at age 38
16:00 Djokovic still competes at an elite level, but can he still challenge the Top 2?
16:51 Monroe on Djokovic's decision to withdraw from the ATP Finals
18:15 Djokovic's only goal remains winning majors
19:07 Competing in the 2028 Olympics with a Serbian flag is where Djokovic wants to end his career
19:39 Learner Tien wins his first title in Metz
20:37 Monroe on witnessing something special from Tien at the 2025 Australian Open
21:40 Tien is now ranked No. 28 as a teenager
22:20 Michael Chang was looking pumped up as Tien's coach
23:40 Tien another highly ranked American man on the ATP
24:30 Monroe on the American men pushing each other to be better
25:10 Eliot Spizziri and Ethan Quinn have burst onto the scene as well
26:16 The ATP Finals are underway in Turin
27:00 Carlos Alcaraz finds his groove and closing in on the Year-End No. 1
27:47 Alcaraz always seems to play his best when he's smiling
28:45 Players realize that Sinner and Alcaraz are a cut above, and they have to adjust their own games
29:40 Monroe explains the path for players to compete and defeat the top 2
30:40 Tommy Paul has advantages against many, but not the very best
31:40 Looking at the possible contenders for the ATP Finals
32:15 Ben Shelton's 2025
33:23 Your health is your wealth
33:50 The honor of qualifying for the ATP Finals
34:20 Monroe's first experience calling Joao Fonseca's matches
35:22 Sinner and Alcaraz in Italy would be something to see
36:10 What's in store for Nick Monroe
37:00 Monroe with some heavy hitters in American Tennis
37:45 Thanks to Nick Monroe for appearing on The Inside-In Tennis Podcast!

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Apple: https://t.co/8fubuT8OPk
Spotify: https://t.co/MGlZxEYiW5
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