
Paul Annacone On The Alcaraz/Sinner Era, Coaching Fritz, and The Future Stars of Tennis
The Inside-In Tennis PodcastShow Notes
Paul Annacone returns to the podcast for a lengthy conversation about where the pro game is in 2026, and the direction the sport is heading. Annacone assesses the start of the season and goes in depth about coaching Taylor Fritz through some unfortunate injuries, and why their dynamic continues too bring out the best in the player and the coach. The Tennis Channel broadcaster also weighs in on the dominance on display at the top of the men's game from Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and examines the edges they have physically and mentally over their contemporaries.
Annacone dives into several top storylines including Novak Djokovic's high level in 2026, the growth being shown by young stars Joao Fonseca and Arthur Fils, and how Learner Tien and other young Americans are pushing their countrymates to get better. The former Top 15 player also discusses the Sabalenka/Rybakina rivalry on the WTA, and the areas in which Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are great. And Annacone goes in depth about his work with the USTA's SoCal organization for junior tennis players, and shares his thoughts on the player he coached, Roger Federer, being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this summer. Hosted by Mitch Michals Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
More from The Inside-In Tennis Podcast
Mark Knowles returns to the podcast to recap another outstanding year working with Jessica Pegula, who improved her ranking and has the most wins on tour heading into the WTA Finals. The coach explains how their dynamic works in terms of goal-setting, communication, and using practice efficiently. Knowles weighs on the current landscape at the top of the women's game, and highlights how young players such as Linda Noskova and Mirra Andreeva have entered the conversation of the very best in the world.
CiCi Bellis joins the podcast for a wide-ranging chat about her life after tennis, how she came to terms with the end of her playing career, and transitioned to a successful position in the venture capital world. Bellis discusses everything from the business of sports, the grueling tennis schedule, and her role as a board member on the USTA. The former Top 40 player also recaps the career-defining wins by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Shanghai and Maja Chwalinska in Wuhan.
Christopher Clarey joins the podcast for a great conversation about what's going on in the world of pro tennis. Clarey recaps Qinwen Zheng's big title in Beijing, and reflects on a few outbursts and controversies during the Asian Swing. The journalist also dives into Carlos Alcaraz's quest to return to the top of the sport, Alexander Zverev as a the year-end No. 1, and Ben Shelton's potential to keep growing.
Rachel Stuhlmann joins the podcast to discuss her path to becoming the No. 1 influencer in tennis, and how she tries to put a spotlight on game at all levels. Stuhlmann reflects on how a gig in Bulgaria at the Sofia Open was the jumping off point for her career, and how the game continues to grow with more brand partnerships than ever before. The former Mizzou college tennis player discusses her 2026 US Open experience that featured an influx of influencers, and recounted watching Ben Shelton make his career breakthrough after notching a thrilling victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
Monica Puig joins the podcast to discuss a wide range of topics in the tennis world, which proved in the past week that there is no shortage of drama and breaking news. Puig recaps Novak Djokovic's title-run in Beijing, and analyzes how the 24-time major champion can carry this into 2027. The 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist also reacts to Jannik Sinner's decision to end his 2026 season, and dives into Carlos Alcaraz's Tokyo triumph and his ability to enjoy the process.