Nothing Major

Latest Episodes:

Indian Wells Mailbag: John’s Big Run, Doubles Disasters & Celebrity Sightings | EP 43 Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

Jack, John, Sam, and Stevie are back for another Nothing Major mailbag episode, answering all of your Indian Wells questions. The boys discuss the best and worst parts of Indian Wells, from top hotels for celeb sightings, to how players actually pick their doubles partners.
John breaks down his impressive run to the final, including a massive upset over Novak Djokovic. Jack shares how he once asked Roger Federer to team up (spoiler: it didn’t happen), while Rafael Nadal actually invited him to play!
Plus, the guys swap horror stories from their worst doubles experiences and reveal which A-listers actually show up to watch the tennis.
(00:00) Welcome to the show
(01:40) Coachella tennis edition
(04:03) Best Indian Wells memories
(05:08) Facing Federer and Nadal in finals
(07:52) Playing doubles at Indian Wells
(09:50) Why is only one Top 10 player in doubles?
(11:55) Inviting Roger and Rafa to play doubles
(13:21) Worst doubles partnerships?
(15:44) Indian Wells fan questions
(17:10) Sharing a golf cart with your opponent
(18:35) How do players choose practice partners?
(21:39) Rafa’s practice tactics
(24:13) Celebrities at Indian Wells
(26:32) Shirtless practice: Heat or just for the looks?
(27:02) Olympics in Indian Wells?
(28:01) Autographs and selfie stories
(29:52) Day vs. night matches at Indian Wells
(31:58) Trolling Sam
(32:37) Goodbye!

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Indian Wells Upsets, Novak’s Slump & Gossip Corner | EP 42 Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Indian Wells is delivering pure chaos, and Jack, John, Sam and Steve are here to break it all down! With Zverev and Djokovic both crashing out early, what does this mean for the rest of the draw? The boys debate whether Novak’s slump is just a blip or something bigger….
The crew take a hard look at their own terrible predictions (spoiler: they were WAY off) before debuting a brand new segment, ‘Gossip Corner’, diving into the juiciest off-court drama, from Ben Shelton’s online flirting to the biggest celebrity sightings at the tournament.
(00:00) Welcome to the Show!
(01:25) Upsets Galore: Zverev’s Early Exit
(03:40) Bouncing Back: How to Overcome a Rough Patch
(07:43) What’s Up with Novak?
(13:38) Watanuki Stuns Tiafoe
(16:16) Notable Results from the Day
(17:25) Revisiting Our Predictions
(22:22) New Segment: Gossip Corner
(27:37) The Hottie Trophy Hunt: Tracking Down Berrettini
(28:33) Who Takes the Title? Final Predictions
(29:32) Wrapping Up – See You Next Time!

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Indian Wells Chronicles, Fifth Slam Debate & Breaking Down the Draw | EP 41 Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

The boys are back to break down all things Indian Wells—the tournament that might just be the "Fifth Slam" (or not, depending on who you ask). Steve Johnson shares his struggles as a civilian trying to navigate the grounds, while Sam Querrey reveals his high school squad’s sneaky ticketing tactics and Jack Sock reminisces about wild doubles rides with John Isner.
Who’s the man to beat this year? Alcaraz? Djokovic? Maybe Berrettini with his Hottie Bracket trophy and an Olive Garden gift card? The crew makes their predictions, picks their dark horses, and debate if winning Miami is actually better than winning Indian Wells.
Plus, Sam and Steve are on the ground hunting for locker room gossip—so stay tuned!
00:00 Introduction to Indian Wells Discussion
00:38 Player Experiences and Qualifying Rounds
01:25 Navigating the Tournament as a Retired Player
05:26 Fan Experience and Tournament Atmosphere
07:57 Memorable Matches and Personal Highlights
08:42 Debate: Indian Wells vs. Other Tournaments
11:35 Favorite Courts and Facilities
12:33 Doubles Matches and Unique Experiences
13:17 Personal Memories and Reflections
22:05 Worst Memories at Indian Wells
23:38 Memories from Indian Wells
25:00 2025 Indian Wells Field Overview
26:49 Carlos Alcaraz: The Man to Beat?
27:31 Court Surface Changes at Indian Wells
30:51 Novak Djokovic's Return
34:41 Top Players Outside the Top 8 Seeds
40:08 American Players to Watch
42:11 Predicting the Champions
44:36 Indian Wells Trivia and Fun
47:01 Wrapping Up and Announcements

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Carnage in Acapulco, Tsitsipas Racquet Switch and the Hottie Bracket Trophy | EP 40 Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

This week, we dive into Tomas Machac's unexpected rise as he claims his first career title in Acapulco, all amidst a week of food poisoning drama and top seeds dropping like flies. We also break down Stefanos Tsitsipas’ dominant win in Dubai, explore the racquet switch that might be working wonders, and debate if this new version of Tsitsipas is here to stay.
Plus, we crown Matteo Berrettini the winner of the inaugural Nothing Major Hottie Bracket—and give you the inside scoop on the upcoming trophy ceremony in Indian Wells.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:25 Weekly Episode Structure and Naming Discussion
02:33 Dubai and Acapulco Event Recap
03:05 Acapulco: Food Poisoning Chaos
03:37 Player Experiences and Challenges in Acapulco
08:55 Tomas Maha's Victory and Player Insights
14:26 Dubai Event Highlights and Predictions
16:16 Wilson's New Racket: A Game Changer?
17:06 Sitsipas' Performance in Dubai
17:38 Felix's Fortunate Wins
19:37 Zverev's Struggles and Comeback
22:39 American Women Shine in Tennis
24:03 Fritz's Health Concerns
26:58 ATP Hotty Bracket Results
30:49 Upcoming Guest: Riley Opelka

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Major Mailbag: Player Pensions, Sponsorships, and Sam's Acapulco Title | EP 39 Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Jack, John, Sam and Stevie are back with a jam packed loaded Major Mailbag! We’re answering your biggest questions, from how player pensions actually work to the wild world of tennis sponsorships, who gets paid, how much, and why some players switch gear for cash.
Plus, deep dives into Acapulco’s late-night chaos, legendary player parties, and whether tournaments should have a match curfew. Oh, and we settle the ultimate debate—should you be allowed to wear shorts on a plane?
Also, Sam takes a trip down memory lane, reliving his unforgettable 2017 Acapulco title run, where he took down Rafael Nadal in the final. From perfect conditions to post-match chocolate milk, we get all the details on the best week of his career.
00:00 Introduction and Mailbag Day
00:22 Debate: Shorts on Airplanes
05:00 Acapulco Tournament Insights
08:25 Memorable Matches and Player Parties
15:05 Mailbag: Tournament Selection and Tennis Memories
18:50 Watch Sponsorships in Tennis
20:07 Brand Deals and Sponsorships
22:45 Understanding Tennis Pensions
25:49 Airline Miles and Travel Perks
30:01 Creating the Ultimate Tennis Player
32:50 Hottest Guys in Tennis
34:42 Trivia and Wrap-Up

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Rublev’s 500 Dynasty, Rio’s Cakewalk, and Hottie Bracket Chaos | EP 38 Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

Big news—Nothing Major is coming to you twice a week!
Every Monday, Jack, John, Sam, and Stevie will discuss the latest tennis results and the biggest headlines to kick off the week.
This week, the boys break down Rublev’s dominance as the undisputed 500 king, Rio’s laughably weak draw, and the latest drama from the Hottie Bracket.

Plus, should South America finally get a Masters 1000? And why does Rio feel like the sweatiest tournament on tour?
00:00 Introduction and Show Format Update
01:18 Doha and Rio Highlights
01:55 Rublev's Performance and Future Prospects
03:08 Felix and Draper's Journey
05:51 Novak Djokovic and Alcaraz Analysis
12:07 Rio Tournament and South American Swing
19:34 WTA Highlights: Andre Eva's Breakthrough
21:32 Housekeeping and Upcoming Events
23:25 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

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Sinner’s Suspension, $1M Mixed Doubles & Tommy Paul in the Hot Seat | EP 37 Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode, Jack, John, Sam and Steve weigh in on tennis' biggest headlines! With Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension sparking debate throughout the sport, the U.S. Open is shaking up mixed doubles, ditching the traditional format for a high-stakes, 16-team showdown with a million-dollar prize.
The boys chat about tennis’ newest rising star, João Fonseca, who just became the youngest South American ATP champ since 2001. They also give a shoutout to John’s favorite doubles partner, Diego Schwartzman, who got a well-deserved farewell in Buenos Aires.
And finally, Tommy Paul steps into the Hot Seat in the Part 2 of his guest appearance. From his biggest wins to the matches he’d take back, Tommy breaks it all down, including the one shot he’d steal from the Nothing Major crew (spoiler: it’s not John’s return game).
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:47 Pickleball Slam and Event Recap
05:03 Diego Schwartzman's Retirement
09:16 Al Fonseca's First ATP Title
15:41 Yannick Sinner's Suspension Controversy
23:04 US Open Mixed Doubles Initiative
29:08 Controversy in Doubles Tennis
29:29 Mixed Doubles: Exhibition or Competition?
30:13 US Open Fan Week and Ticketing
30:37 Eric Bak's Influence on Doubles
31:45 Tommy Paul Interview: Part Two
32:01 Tennis Confessions and Fun Questions
33:04 Ranking Tennis Players and Matches
40:25 Hot Guy Tournament and Player Reactions
44:02 Stevie's Punishment and Celebrity DMs
48:09 Merch Announcement and Trivia

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Tommy Paul Joins the Pod, Partying Too Hard and Making the Top 10 | EP 36 Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

After months of being ghost, World No. 9 Tommy Paul joins the podcast! And boy was it worth the wait! Tommy opens up about his wild days as a junior, why he almost went to college, and how partying nearly derailed his tennis career.
He shares stories of growing up in the same generation as fellow Americans, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Reilly Opelka, and revealing who was the best at 14 (spoiler: not Fritz), and why Taylor was by far the worst athlete in the group. Tommy also reveals his actual rock-bottom moment, the insane reason he almost had John Isner as his coach for a tournament, and why he thought he could win Wimbledon last year.
Later, Sam, Jack, John and Steve break down the viral prize money debate and compare ATP's revenue share to other major sports. Plus, an update on the ATP Hottie Contest bracket (who’s the early favorite?) and the fallout from the legendary Steve vs. Sam Pickleball showdown.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:51 Super Bowl Recap and Reactions
02:43 Dallas and Rotterdam Tournaments
13:09 Delray Beach and Legends Matches
19:39 Tommy Paul Interview
29:22 Reflecting on Partying Days
30:17 Turning Point and Consequences
32:11 Career Challenges and Breakthroughs
34:10 Climbing the Rankings
35:12 Coaching and Mentorship
42:57 Tennis as a Passion vs. Job
43:34 Tennis Popularity and Celebrity Status
46:10 Revenue Share in Tennis
56:37 Trivia and Wrap-Up

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Davis Cup Draft, Hottest ATP Players & the Ultimate Pickleball Showdown | EP 35 Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Post-Aussie Open blues? We’ve got you covered. The guys break down the indoor season in the US and Europe, covering why some players skip the brutal Rotterdam field and how the new ATP 500 in Dallas is making waves. Meanwhile, John looks back on his brutal decision to ditch Memphis for the Rio Golden Swing with Jack—cramps, regrets, and a missed Super Bowl included.
Then, it’s time for the Davis Cup snake draft—who builds the ultimate US squad? And, of course, we settle the age-old debate: Who’s the hottest guy on tour? Tommy Paul? Berrettini (but only in pants)? We’re making it official with an 8-man knockout draw to let the people decide!
Also, Steve and Sam finally face off in the most anticipated pickleball showdown of the year. Spoiler: One of them nearly dies. Oh, and speaking of near-death experiences—turns out Sam is not the guy you want dog-sitting. Just ask John’s (miraculously still alive) pup.
00:00 Welcome to Nothing Major!
01:33 Hard pass on European indoor tournaments
02:44 Carlitos’ strategy for Rotterdam
05:22 Steve’s guide to picking the right tournaments
07:12 John’s Golden Swing horror story
11:25 Home Sweet Home: Playing in the U.S.
15:55 How Sam almost killed John’s dog
18:47 Ranking the hottest guys on Tour
21:41 Davis Cup’s unexpected MMA moments
25:14 Tension, trash talk, and (almost) punches
29:51 US Davis Cup Snake Draft showdown
34:08 The Ultimate Pickleball Challenge—Final results
41:38 Wrapping up with Nothing Major Trivia!

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Ons Jabeur Joins the Pod, Bringing Creativity to Tennis & Grand Slam Pressure | EP 34 Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

WTA former World No. 2 and three-time major finalist Ons Jabeur joins this week's episode! Ons opens up about the unique challenges of growing up playing tennis in Tunisia, balancing her career with her personal life and the pressure of chasing that elusive major.
Ons is quizzed on the working dynamic of having her spouse in her team, the mental battle of playing in Slam finals, and whether she thinks she has the best dropshot in tennis...
Plus Jack, John, Sam and Steve get into a heated debate about the best and worst airports in the world, the weird February stretch of the tennis calendar, and the top journeymen in ATP history.
(00:00) Intro
(00:24) Nothing Major is back!
(01:08) What is the best airport in America?
(03:32) The worst airport in the world: Atlanta
(05:30) Did John like Davis Cup Week after the Australian Open?
(07:08) Playing tournaments in the US after the AO
(11:48) Welcome, Ons Jabeur!
(12:21) How is it to grow up in Tunisia aiming to be a tennis player?
(14:50) Jabeur’s tennis style. Has she a better drop shot than Alcaraz?
(16:30) Karim Kamoun, her husband and coach
(19:00) Motherhood and tennis
(21:40) Which Grand Slam final was she closer to win?
(22:50) The pressure difference between a Major final and other events
(26:00) What is her favourite part of the WTA Tour?
(26:35) Ons’ favourite tournaments
(27:32) Best friends on tour
(28:07) Get in the Top 5 or stay in the Top 5: what is tougher?
(28:40) Takes on Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff and Andreeva
(31:55) Random questions for Ons
(34:00) Jabeur’s platform as a Tennis Commissioner
(36:40) Build a perfect player with NMP games
(38:38) Dealing with the betting system
(40:37) Fan questions: Who is your daddy in tennis?
(45:52) Pre-game rituals from players
(51:00) Final trivia question

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