Listen, Linda

Linda Noskova is your Wimbledon champion, the 3rd Czech woman in 4 years! Her imposing power, resilience, and capable hands pushed her past Karolina Muchova, who managed to save 5 championship points in the second set but couldn’t stem the tide. Jannik Sinner defends his title, rarely summoning his best but doing enough to beat an inspired That Guy and prevent what would have been a cursed and vexatious Channel Slam. In doubles, Patten takes aim at the ATP in his victory speech, Ostapenko gets blamed for something she didn’t do (for once), and Guo/Mladenovic knock out the top seeds and eventually win the title. We also chat about Czech tennis history and the everlasting effort to identify why they’re so good, plus the decades-long saga of the All England Club’s plans to expand its site and what still stands in the way.  0:40 Linda Noskova wins Wimbledon at 21 7:45 My ex-friend 10:15 Other notes from women’s second week: Gauff-Muchova and more 16:55 What’s the deal with Czech tennis? 23:00 Jannik Sinner averts disaster, but the Monster has already been created 34:35 What’s next for Novak? 38:35 Henry Patten takes on the ATP + other doubles results 44:45 Wimbledon expansion: locals say Not On My Church Road