Breaking Back — S3E11: Zverev's No. 1 Asterisk, Sinner's Riyadh Return and a 20-Year Match-Fixing Ban

Recorded Thursday, October 29.

Alexander Zverev becomes world No. 1 on November 2 with Jannik Sinner out since Wimbledon, and Nat says the asterisk depends on how long he holds it.

• Sinner ended his season with the knee, then signed back on when the Six Kings Slam moved to December. Norm says he's taking the money. Nat says it's the best tune-up available before Melbourne. Learner Tien loses the $1.5 million.
• Quentin Folliot got 20 years. He says he was first approached at 16 and fixed his first match at 20 to stay on tour. The ITIA found 27 breaches and a central role in a match-fixing syndicate. JB on what the lower tour costs the players grinding through it.
• The ATP's 2028 plan cuts Masters 1000 doubles draws from 32 teams to 16 and moves about $20 million to singles. Nat sets it against MLB's $245.3 million salary cap fight. JB on why tennis players have no union, and the one match he stopped working to watch at Delray Beach.
• Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils are done. Elina Svitolina took the backlash, and JB has no patience for the people dishing it out.
• Venus Williams is 0-16 and says she's earned the right to decide how it ends. Nat on the legacy, JB on the first-round money and points that spot costs someone else.

Brought to you by Lone Pine.

Spotify · Apple Podcasts · YouTube · Amazon

@BreakingBackMedia · Instagram @BreakingBackMedia · TikTok @BreakingBackMedia · breakingbackmedia.com