Match Point Canada: S5, E34 – Jon Wertheim & Canada’s Breakthrough Week

He’s an esteemed author, long-time staff member of Sports Illustrated, frequent analyst on the Tennis Channel, and a correspondent for 60 Minutes. 

Jon Wertheim joins Match Point Canada this week to discuss the latest storylines in tennis as the 2023 season winds down, and we also delve into a big week of success for Canadian tennis! 

Jon first discusses a surprise win from Hubert Hurkacz in Shanghai, and the potential of Rafael Nadal’s return to the Australian Open next year and what type of expectations fans should have.

“With some players, you’d say they’d like to have their victory lap – that’s not how Nadal is really wired,” says Wertheim. 

“I think this summer he spent a lot of time figuring out ‘what do I want, should I throw in the towel, do we give this one more shot?’ He can come back, but if he can’t come back at peak Nadal, is it still worth it?” 

In the meantime, Canada is preparing for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with Leylah Fernandez, Rebecca Marino, Genie Bouchard, Gaby Dabrowski, and Marina Stakusic.  

“It’s been quietly a nice time for Canadian tennis, a very nice week for Fernandez (in Hong Kong). I think Canada could come out of this quite strong.” 

The hosts Ben and Mike look back in detail at the strong week that Canadian tennis produced. 

Leylah Fernandez won her first title of the season and third of her career, defeating Katerina Siniakova 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to win the Hong Kong Open.

Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe officially qualified for the WTA Finals, winning the Zhengzhou Open. 

22-year-old Gabriel Diallo is up to a career high ranking of 130 after winning the ATP Challenger title in Bratislava. 

All of that and plenty more on our latest MPC! 
 
Listen to our newest episode of Match Point Canada, available on Megaphone, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify below. Enjoy!