Control the Controllables

Our CTC Live series continues from Roland Garros 2026! Host Dan Kiernan is joined by broadcaster Candy Reid and performance analyst Mike James to round up an extraordinary first week at the French Open.
From Fonseca's stunning comeback against Djokovic to Sinner's shock exit in the heat, the drama has been non-stop. Dan also gives us a first-hand account of being at the tournament with his players, including a brilliant moment with Landaluce after his 5hr 58 minute epic.
This is the place to go for a round-up of Roland Garros action from a coach's perspective.
Key talking points:
Jannik Sinner's shock exit to Cerundolo in the heat, with Mike noting odds of 12,500 to 1 on that result, and Candy raising an interesting theory about redheads and the MC1R gene explaining Sinner's struggles in extreme temperatures.
Fonseca's extraordinary comeback from two sets down to beat Novak Djokovic, with Dan sharing what it was like to witness that match in person sitting next to the Fonseca family, and the panel debating whether it was Novak's Roland Garros farewell.
Rafael Jodar continuing his run and the unprecedented state of the men's draw, with no former Grand Slam champion remaining in the last 16 for the first time since 1968.
The injury crisis gripping the tournament?
Marta Kostyuk beating Iga Swiatek and her remarkable mindset, with Mike sharing a powerful insight about her playing on the same day she received a photo of her family home being destroyed back in Ukraine.
The Vallejo umpire controversy, with the panel giving a balanced take and calling for the matter to be put to rest following his apology.

Each CTC Live episode streams on YouTube during the fortnight. Search Control the Controllables Podcast and follow our Instagram and Twitter for the latest live times!
Chapters 00:00 Welcome and tournament atmosphere from Paris
04:00 Sinner's exit, Hada's rise and the unprecedented men's draw
08:00 Fonseca vs Djokovic, a match for the ages
14:00 The injury crisis and the roof court debate
22:00 Marta Kostyuk's mindset and win over Swiatek
32:00 Women's draw quarter final preview
40:00 Sabalenka vs Osaka preview and what to expect
43:00 The Vallejo controversy

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Thank you everyone for listening!

Follow @ctc.podcast on Instagram to be the first to know when we are going live from Paris throughout the fortnight!

Watch the full video version over on the Control the Controllables YouTube channel.

Listen to Dan and guest Freddie Nielsen chat through all the action from Day 4 & 5 at Roland Garros, including the shock departure of Jannik Sinner.
They analyse what went wrong for Sinner, key upcoming matches, and who they think could now lift the trophy.
Key Topics
Yannick Sinner's unexpected exit and the implications for men's singles
With the men´s draw wide open, anyone from Felix to Zverev or Cerundolo could take the title
Heat, mental fatigue, and injuries are influencing player performances more than ever
Doubles draw controversies and rule changes affecting participation
Emerging young talents and dark horses in the tournament

Connect with us!
Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.com
Email us: [email protected]

This episode is sponsored by Novellus Finance: https://www.novellusfinance.com/uk/

Our CTC Live series is back for Roland Garros 2026, bringing you first-hand updates from the courts of Paris!

Sponsored by Novellus Finance: https://novellusfinance.com/uk/

In this episode, Dan is joined by Calvin Betton, a 2 time Grand Slam-winning coach, live from the tournament, to break down the action from the first three days. They cover the extraordinary heat gripping Paris, the big seeds falling, integrity questions around the doubles draw, and some brilliant stories from inside the locker room and beyond.
This is the place to go for a quick round-up of Roland Garros action from a coach's perspective.

Key talking points:
Temperatures hitting 37 degrees Celsius in Paris and how the courts are staying surprisingly slow despite the heat, thanks to Roland Garros's unique watering and salting process.
Big names out early, including Taylor Fritz, Medvedev and Bublik, plus Jessica Pegula going out to Kim Birrell on day three.
The doubles draw integrity debate, with six first-round withdrawals and singles players pocketing prize money without hitting a ball.
The Serena Williams comeback rumours, with Calvin giving a frank take on wildcards, integrity and whether the sport should be rolling out the red carpet.
A brilliant exclusive Gael Monfils story from a five-a-side football game at the National Tennis Centre.
French youngster Kwame, born in 2009, is impressing on his Roland Garros debut and drawing comparisons to a young Wayne Rooney.

Each CTC Live episode streams on YouTube during the fortnight. Search Control the Controllables Podcast and follow our Instagram and Twitter for the latest live times!

Chapters
00:00 Welcome, the Paris heat and court conditions
06:30 Integrity in the doubles draw and prize money controversy
15:00 Serena Williams comeback rumours and the wildcard debate
22:00 Bublik's behaviour and a Medvedev tribute
30:00 Monfils, Wawrinka and the end of an era
36:00 French youngster Kwame and the next generation 40:00 Can anyone stop Sinner? The men's and women's draws were reviewed

Follow @ctc.podcast on Instagram to be the first to know when we are going live from Paris throughout the fortnight!

Watch the full video version over here: https://www.youtube.com/@ctc.podcast.

YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast

Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.c...

Email us: [email protected]

We're back for Roland Garros 2026! Host Dan Kiernan is joined by our Grand Slam panellists, two of them live from Paris during qualifying week, to preview all the action we can expect from the clay courts over the next fortnight.
They discuss the Carlos Alcaraz injury situation and the wider player burnout debate, the future of US college tennis, and the prize money controversy making headlines at this year's tournament. Plus dark horses across both draws, key storylines to watch, and their winner predictions!
Meet our panellists:
Denmark's Davis Cup Captain and coach of August Holmgren, Freddie Nielsen
Performance analyst and coach Mike James making his panel debut!
Sports broadcaster and former CNN anchor Candy Reid

Key talking points:
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from both Roland Garros and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, and the panel debate whether rising ball speeds, heavier balls and relentless scheduling are pushing players beyond their physical limits.
US college tennis is at a crossroads, with the Arkansas programme cuts a sign of things to come as NIL money floods into football and basketball and squeezes tennis budgets at major universities.
The panel share their genuine dark horse picks across both draws, with some bold names put forward on the men's side in particular.
Top players are reportedly refusing all non-mandatory press at Roland Garros as a prize money protest, and the panel debate whether they are targeting the right thing.

Will Yannick Sinner march to a dominant Roland Garros title, or will the wide open draws on both sides deliver a first-time Grand Slam champion? The panel have their say and there are some bold calls in there.
Who do you think will be this year's Roland Garros champions? Tag @ctc.podcast on Instagram or Twitter or drop us an email to let us know who you're backing!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Listen to: August Holmgren: Wimbledon Sensation and Challenger Champion
Listen to: Candy Reid, From the Court to CNN
Listen to: Mike James - A Numbers Game
Listen to: Freddie Nielsen & Jonny Marray Part One: Pre Wimbledon 2012

Mentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.
TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.

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Today´s episode is a tribute to one of sport's greatest minds Dr. Jim Loehr, who sadly passed away last month aged 83.
Dr. Loehr was one of the world’s leading performance psychologists and a true pioneer in mental fitness. Across a remarkable five-decade career, he worked with hundreds of elite athletes including Grand Slam champions Jim Courier, Monica Seles and Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario.
His work helped transform the way athletes viewed mental performance — not as a weakness, but as an essential part of achieving greatness.
We were incredibly fortunate to welcome Dr. Loehr onto the podcast in 2021, and his episode remains one of the most listened-to conversations on Control the Controllables.
In this special CTC Short, Dan reflects on Dr. Loehr’s impact on tennis and sport before revisiting a powerful clip from their original conversation.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Listen to Dr Jim Loehr´s episode in full
Episode 120: Marcus Daniell
High Impact Athletes
SotoTennis Academy

"Treatment of others is the gold standard of a fulfilled and satisfying life." - Dr. Jim LoehrMentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.
TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.

TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose.

Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete