Three — A Tennis Show

While Roger Federer has left Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have now made their way into the quarterfinals. Each faced early challenges from teenaged Italians, Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, but eventually emerged triumphant. Gill, Amy and Joel break down what happened and look ahead to their next matches. They also dig into some insightful research Amy conducted for a recent s...

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal all advanced past the 3rd round at the 2021 French Open. Federer survived a late-night thriller against Dominik Koepfer in an empty Chatrier. Nadal beat Cameron Norrie in a match with continued debate about the time between points. Djokovic rolled past Ricardas Berankis. Strategy, storylines and next round Roland Garros opponents are discussed. R3 Djo...

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal all advance in their 2nd round matches at the 2021 French Open. Federer survives an eventful match against Marin Cilic in which Federer was issued a highly unusual time violation warning as a returner. The use of the drop shot by Djokovic is discussed following his win over Pablo Cuevas. Nadal beat Richard Gasquet in a match of contrasting styles. Th...

As the 2021 edition of Roland-Garros gets underway, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer all began their title quests. In this episode of “Three,” Gill Gross, Amy Lundy, and Joel Drucker explore what happened in each man’s opening match – and also explore their second round matchups, including one rivalry that goes all the way back to childhood. Round one: Federer def. Denis Istomin Nada...

Rafael Nadal, a 13-time French Open champion, has landed in the same half of the 2021 Roland Garros Draw as the other two members of the Big 3 in men’s tennis: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. It’s the first time in history that Nadal, Djokovic and Federer have been in the same side of a Grand Slam draw. Joel, Amy and Gill examine the ramifications for Nadal and Djokovic as well as potential matc...

Rafael Nadal met Novak Djokovic for the 57th time in a clash of two of the Big 3 titans in men’s tennis. The scene was the final of the Internationali BNL d’Italia in Rome, and ATP Masters 1000 event. It was an up-and-down three set triumph for Nadal over Djokovic. Joel Drucker, Amy Lundy and Gill Gross discuss the larger picture for what this championship means for Rafa, as well as tactics used b...

Rafael Nadal's title drought at Madrid continued with a quarterfinal loss to Alexander Zverev. The German has defeated the Spaniard three times consecutively, but we discuss how conditions could explain it. We also have a look at the newly-minted Rome Masters draw, with Novak Djokovic eyeing a potential rematch with Dan Evans and Nadal looking at another potential Jannik Sinner meeting. Learn more...

Coaching in an individual sport like tennis takes on a shape all its own. We begin an in-depth discussion of the Big Three and their coaches, starting with a look at Rafael Nadal and the man who helped him reach the top, his uncle Toni. We also touch on Novak Djokovic and his clay court schedule, all on the latest episode of "Three." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homeland heroes Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal fought hard this week in native Belgrade and Barcelona. Each finished with epics – but different outcomes. We talk through how that affects each man’s path on the road to Roland Garros. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Novak Djokovic lost 2nd round to Dan Evans and Rafael Nadal was defeated in the quarterfinal by eventual finalist Andrey Rublev. Gill, Amy and Joel explain why they aren't concerned for the duo's 2021 clay prospects, how their career stages contribute to such losses, and what their opponents did tactically in order to come through. Then, they continue their stroke-by-stroke analysis of the Big Thr...

Monte Carlo is here, and with it will come clay court tennis. Does this mean more suffering on the tennis court? Rafael Nadal might say so. Gill, Joel and Amy discuss the merits of suffering in tennis for professional and recreational players. They also take a look at the Monte Carlo draw, with Novak Djokovic and Nadal on opposite sides. Can the two meet in the final? Learn more about your ad choi...

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic would not be the great champions they are without exceptional forehands. Gill, Joel and Amy discuss how that shot has affected their careers and what recreational players can take from each. They also take a trip down memory lane to discuss the most important matches between the Big 3 at the Miami Masters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

For three unique reasons, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are absent from the Miami Masters 1000 event. Gill, Joel and Amy break down the outlook on the remainder of the season for each. Plus, Vasek Pospisil's public incident has shed light on behind the scenes drama in the ATP. Does Djokovic's PTPA have new life? And where is the sport of tennis leaving money on the table? Learn mo...

After 14 months out of competition 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer returned to tour action in Doha this week. In his first match back, he defeated crafty Englishman Dan Evans. He fell to Nikoloz Basilishvili in the next round. Gill, Joel and Amy discuss what can be learned from the first glimpse of Federer since knee surgery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Novak Djokovic sets a major record- the most weeks ever at pole position of the ATP rankings. Roger Federer returns to competition in Doha after more than a year off. And how do each of the Big Three effectively deploy tennis' most important shot -- the serve? Amy Lundy, Joel Drucker and Gill Gross address these topics on the latest episode of "Three -- A Show About Federer, Djokovic and Nadal." L...

Novak Djokovic wins the 2021 Australian Open in a dominating straight sets win over Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic captures his 9th Australian Open and his stunning 18th Grand Slam overall. How did Djokovic beat Medvedev? Joel Drucker, Amy Lundy and Gill Gross give their thoughts on how Djokovic took apart a caving Medvedev down under. In addition, the journalists discuss the big picture of this perfor...

Rafael Nadal is eliminated from the 2021 Australian Open after giving up a 2-0 lead to Greek #6 Stefanos Tsitsipas. On Ep. 28 of Three, Gill, Joel and Amy discuss Nadal's heartbreaking exit. Plus, Serena Williams was asked about retirement again after losing to Naomi Osaka in the semifinal; is it appropriate to press players on retirement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

Novak Djokovic withstands a five-set scare to American Taylor Fritz in the 3rd round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia. But Djokovic does not exit the battle unharmed after he slips on the Melbourne letters and injures his oblique. Joel Drucker, Amy Lundy and Gill Gross discuss the latest Djokovic development as well as Rafael Nadal and his current injury situation as Nadal prepares t...

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are the top two seeds yet again at the 2021 Australian Open. Gill, Joel and Amy discuss their draws, especially first week opposition. Djokovic is in a section with Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka, Milos Raonic, Stan Wawrinka and Alexander Zverev. Rafael Nadal is grouped with Dan Evans, Alex De Minaur, Mateo Berrettini and Stefanos Tsitsipas. They also discuss the merit...

As the 2021 ATP Cup approaches, Gill, Joel and Amy discuss the role of team events in the Big 3's careers. Topics include the fall of Davis Cup and 2019 format change, the meaning of Davis Cup titles in each of their careers, which of the Big 3 is the best doubles player, Roger Federer's introduction of Laver Cup, a preview of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's incoming matches at the ATP Cup, and...

Six of the top tennis players in the world, including Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, have arrived in Adelaide (South Australia) to begin preparations for the 2021 Australian Open. Meanwhile, controversy builds in Melbourne, where well over 50 players are being forced to quarantine for 14 days after coronavirus cases were detected on multiple charter flights to Australia. The small elite group in...

On Ep. 22 of Three, Gill Joel and Amy discuss height and tennis. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal stand at 6 foot 1, while Novak Djokovic is only one inch taller; is this the golden height of tennis? Why has there never been a world #1 taller than Marat Safin at 6 foot 4, and how soon might that change? Finally, Gill Joel and Amy choose their ideal heights for tennis. Learn more about your ad choice...

The 2021 tennis season is upon us, and with it comes another year of the Big 3. Gill, Joel and Amy discuss longevity; how Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have all maintained an elite level of tennis well into their thirties. But first, they react to the news that Federer will miss the Australian Open in order to continue recovering from knee surgery. Learn more about your ad choices...

On Ep. 21 of Three, Gill, Joel and Amy begin stroke by stroke conversations about Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, starting with the backhand. The three discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the one-handed backhand versus the doublehander. What makes Novak's backhand so special? Does Federer's backhand take too much heat? What is to be made of Nadal's lesser-discussed wing? It's all here. First,...

The 2021 Australian Open approaches, albeit moved back to February, and Roger Federer could be making his return from knee surgery. That's a familiar situation for the Swiss, who faced the same situation in 2017 and delivered with an improbable title run in Melbourne. What were the ingredients of Federer's resurgent run, and how are things different or the same in 2021? What might Federer improve...