Doping, Davis Cup & Drama

In this episode of Loosely Strung, the hosts discuss various personal updates, including paternity leave and the transition to a video podcast. They express frustrations about gym etiquette and delve into significant news in the tennis world, particularly surrounding doping controversies involving top players. The conversation shifts to changes in the Davis Cup format, emphasizing the return of home and away ties. The episode concludes with an interactive segment where the hosts write letters to tennis players, showcasing their unique perspectives and humour.

Let us know what you think of this week’s pod and anything you’d like to hear being discussed in future episodes - you might even get a shout out!
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Chapters

• 3:55 Tennis Doping Controversies
• 8:13 Davis Cup Changes
• 14:33 Retirement Reflections
• 17:12 Loosely Letters with a Dramatic Reading

Transcript

0:35

Yes boys, welcome back to another episode of Loosely Strung. a small episode this week, just me and the two Ross's. We've lost Pricey to a boat and we've lost Gary. to planes Where's he a-waiting? it's just a disaster movie. Nice work. He talked about work so much in the podcast that he thought, I'm just going to go to work instead of doing the podcast, just spend more time there. maybe that's a positive for everyone else. Right, how are we? how are we anyhow, boys? What's happening? up to much. I've actually had a great start to my week because I'm back on paternity leave which is fantastic. Lovely. Some chilled Couple of weeks. how long for? Couple of weeks. Come on that's that's amazing that that is brilliant. of months. Yeah, me can't be man over Christmas. It's going to be class. See Santa. anything happening for your life? I had news and it went out my head. I've completely forgot what happened to me in last week. It's happened every time when we recorded two years ago. You'd ask me something and I'd be like, yeah, I can't remember what I'd done the last week. But most of it, I think, was being up to like five or six in the morning, try to edit our pod, but creating our pod. Yeah, yeah, but we're now a video podcast, so we're now available as like a wee TV show almost. So it's cool. we are on YouTube guys. Get on, get watching. Every one of our podcasts has been uploaded. If you want to see the faces behind the Disasterous podcast that we put out, then that is the place to find us. We're on TikTok, we're on, I was gonna say Snapchat there, Ross P's on Snapchat seven times, seven accounts. must be close. But yeah, so you can find us basically anywhere just now. So get on, get following, get sending some emails, some messages to us, some requests. Usually boys I tell you something that's pissed me off this week. I've got another gym one. I don't know if you can relate, but you'll understand why it's pissed me off. Yep, basically no gym friend. So there's a PT in the gym, right? He's a guy, maybe, I dunno, late 30s, something like that. He walks about the gym, yeah, ignores every male, or what I presume to be male, and then speaks, spends all his time speaking to every single female in the gym. Like, he'll walk by me head down, turn round to the girl beside, and he's just chatting, chatting, chatting, walks by next guy, chatting, chatting, chatting. Like, he's obviously playing the game well. Fair play to him, this wee may be a single man but like, come on man. Just looking at him and going like, what the fuck you doing man? Scotland that screams out as a wrongun Right there. Yeah. guy. I'm always watching him and I'm just seeing him like he just eyes someone and he's like, I'm going over to that... Yeah, you little fucker. I can understand why you're annoyed at me. That's fine. rude. Show me some support in that, Gym I pay your money. Anyhow, Big news this week, let's get straight on to it, Ross P, hit that button. Boys, there's massive news in the world of tennis this week. Doping case number two, former world number one, Iga Swiatek is... Yeah. Well, I don't know what's going on in the world of tennis boys, but like... It stinks man, all I know it stinks. I'm not sure of the details but it just stinks to high heaven. It does. It's in the excuse with the melatonin and all that stuff. That's why it's in her system. It's shocking. don't, this is the thing that makes you feel comfortable. It's now two cases where it's tiny little doses, which means, unfortunately, we've seen it in cycling 20 years ago, what happened, when it was tiny doses and then when it got to, someone needs to get, yeah, someone someone needs to get heavily punished or else everyone's gonna be stuck doing it. the problem is people are being heavily punished as long as they're not at the top of the game. Well, Halep Yeah, it's, it's, it's such It's uncomfortable. draw as Iga and Jannik Sinner. I know she's up there but she's not that as big as the two of them. World superstars essentially, especially Sinner now. I feel like they've got a great run of the green, is that the saying? Because they're so high up and they're so important that Iga got a lot of 30 day ban to be taken when she... That's cray The ban, that's the thing that like stunk to me because I'm like, okay, all right, fair enough. But the ban itself being basically like, take your ban in the winter when you're not actually going to be playing tennis. And also like just pick and choose when you get the ban, you can also play Billie-Jean King Cup but you can't play this that you weren't going to play anyway really. It stinks man, stinks. It's just shocking. correct me if I'm wrong, but this has been all kind of internal kept within tennis, correct? Yeah, which makes... yeah, no one knew until it came out. she said she had like a coaching issue and fatigue and stuff like that, but she was actually suspended. So like for example, the Olympic committee, they both play the Olympics, the her and Sinner, didn't they? Do they want to get involved in it? Beyond that, I felt uncomfortable with Sinner, felt really uncomfortable with it, but you could see the justification behind it, came up a good thing. At minute two, the top players are doing it, regardless of if it's a woman or anyone else. If it's another top player, you just feel... I think you're spot on. If the top two, or two of the top so many in the world are doping, you've got to wonder how many outside of that top 20, 30 are doping and haven't been caught. Or are just the top so good at it and they can pay so much money? that they get away, like, you start to quit, like, for me I'm questioning how much doping actually goes on. Like, I know obviously both have said it's a mistake, they're never gonna come out and say, yeah, yeah, I doped. They're obviously gonna say, I didn't mean it. For me it makes me wonder, is there a lot more going on here? At the same time though, for example, Sinner, his play has not dropped since it all came out. He's still been as good and it's just like, unfortunately for you. so you've got to kind of be like, yeah, like Eega's got to kind of be like turn around and start next year and be on a flyer right from the start. She's got no option. But it's interesting, It's making tennis a, even though it's a negative, all publicity is good publicity. Tennis is on the map, baby. Well you wanted to have doping as a prerequisite, didn't you? Anyway. make doping legal man. No, it ruins the sport but I get what you mean as in... No. there, man. Come on. In other news, Davis Cup came out today and announced that they are leaving Malaga, which is an absolute gutter, because going to Spain in mid-November when it's 20 degrees is bloody beautiful and they've ruined that and stuck it in Bologna, which I'm absolutely gutted about. But another reason that they probably can't ban Sinner, because it will be at Sinner's home and the crowd will be electric. saw, Rossby, we saw when we went to Malaga how loud the Italian fans were. We saw Sinner beat Djokovic, the fans were incredible. There's no way they can then ban Sinner if it's gonna be there. Yeah, the thing is, the fans in Italy are great. I've seen that at San Siro, and that's different sport, but they are very, very vocal. The fact though that Italy now have the Davis Cup finals and the Tour finals, the ATP finals, is a bit greedy. And then you look at it you think, okay, who's ahead of the ATP? He's an Italian guy. It just all, everything just seems to stink now. Everything, there's even link stuff to everything. at the top of the ATP. come you can't have the Davis Cup finals and the ATP finals. People look at London thinking, right, you had Wimbledon and you had ATP finals, but at least they were like further apart and they were two different sort of levels. That, that stinks to me again for like, he's just, he's the guy in charge of it, he's Italian. So he said, right, okay, bring everything to my, my country. When you've got two of the biggest events on the tour in the same place, or the same country at least. Yeah, but like. of world tennis now. Yeah, but it doesn't mean you just put everything there though, that's the thing. You need to spread it out. At the same time, why did it go to Malaga in the first place? Because who's ahead? Nadal, Nadal and Alcaraz, isn't it? And now they've gone, right, this other guy is now smashing everyone, let's get it, where he is because he's gonna get so many fucking fans that they're gonna sell out all the time. It's just a shame that they've moved out there, like, I don't mind it being in Italy, but it's the time of the year, it's fucking freezing. We were on the beach a year ago, like, come on, man. Maybe we'll be wrapped up. How cold was it when you went to Italy last week? Two weeks ago? basically what it is in Scotland now, think it was like 9, 10 degrees max and you went down to like 4 or 5 and even. So yeah, it's not a tragedy. I think for us even, for us, if we were going to go to the Davis Cup again, we wouldn't actually go to the Davis Cup, we would go to where the Davis Cup was, find an Irish bar and watch the Davis Cup because we've got a bit of a holiday and a bit of sun. man, yeah, I'll be going somewhere hot for sure. Another change for the Davis Cup is they have actually brought back the home and away ties! That's what it's all about, man! Come on! Finally! Like, what was it like watching last year, like, Davis Cup, and was, I don't know, Japan versus, Japan versus Germany and Manchester and there's... there's no one there. in the stadium watching, it was just killing the sport. At least now we're back with Home and Away. Britain have Japan away from home, so you boys won't be there, but it's a lot closer to me. I doubt I'll be there either, because it still takes about fucking 13 hours or something to get there. Now I'll wait for another one. I always have a core memory of GB losing to Ecuador way back in the day. I they shouldn't have never lost and I don't know why. That is honestly, nothing better than a small nation like Ecuador in tennis world beating GB. Huge news at the time. This is wonderful. have to beat Japan, if we beat Japan, we then play Israel, who some will say should not be in the competition. But we'll leave politics out. And Germany. So Germany play Israel in round one, which seems like a rather awkward match to nation's stulten historical wars. Yeah, they have deep history. like blase about it and cover it about you just going that yeah, they're war wars. Okay, fair enough. of... nonsense. So yeah, basically that is our route to the finals, so I don't think it matters about going to Blondia next year, because I doubt we'll be there. I think Germany will probably smash us. But yeah, it's good to have it back. Hopefully it creates a bit more interest towards it. As you were saying, like, before... Me and Ross P, we were there a long time ago while we watched Delpo beat Andy Murray. yeah. Even that is like, that was a home and away match, I was watching the videos today, I sent it to you, probably like three in the morning or something like that. And even that, know Delpo won, Delpo beat Murray in five sets. But you could still tell the atmosphere was amazing even when he won, it was in a way tight. See if that happened somewhere else, but the way we doing the group stages, it wouldn't have the same feel. at all that match I don't think happens these circumstances and environments and stadiums and home and away it creates something and then from that the matches then get better yeah yeah yeah I mean that match is unreal that that was ridiculous Delpo Delpo that was a few weeks after yeah I know I know our mate Mark yeah this is our first shout out for him He was like, Delpo, Delpo! Mark McGrath, was like, Delpo, Delpo! Can I get a signature, can I get a signature please? Delpo was like, fuck off. That lovely guy, honestly, he was like... yeah. We said, I was like, tomorrow, tomorrow, Mark's like in tears at the fence. He's like, I'm not gonna be here tomorrow. I know, it's... we scobbly got this one. just fucked him off, he's like, no interest, I'll see you later. Brilliant. Yeah, but boys, Del Poe retires. Obviously, he retired basically ten years ago. But he his little testimonial against Djokovic, which he won. Nice to Djokovic, go out there and do that. nice to Jokovic, just on the last point he just like floated a surf in and walked up to the net. Looked pretty emotional. I don't know if I would do that on the way out or not. We'll have a retirement match, like a testimonial goodbye. Yeah, I don't know if that's for me or not. Not for me. I like the, remember Javi Alonso when he retired from football? He you put a picture of him walking away in black and white with his boots in his hand saying like, I loved it, thank you, goodbye. And that was it. It just a post saying that. understand Delpo's a bit different because he's been injured for so long, but I don't know, I just wasn't having it, like... I know this is gonna sound harsh, but I know obviously there's a lot of tears, but I was like, holy, he's not dead. Yeah, but he had that same moment when he retired and he put his bandana on the net, it felt like four years ago or something. against like Facundo Bagnus or something, I can't remember who it was. I was just like, aw fuck off. I'll be like, remember like when Guy never retired just midway through the season, he's like, I can't do this anymore, I'm not good enough, bye. That's me, that'd be me mid. at like West Brom or something didn't he? It was am done boys. I've been at ATP 250 and like the arch end in the awareness bike boys I'm out, see you later. Done. Finished. retired from tennis before, a years ago. I put it our group chat, I've retired and then like six months later I just came out of retirement again. really pissed me off as well, to be honest? Look at everyone's reaction to that, right? Everyone crying in the stand. See when I left last year, when I finished the club championships on a high trophy in hand and I gave a little speech in the clubhouse and there was not a fucking single tear except from Mark McGrath's ass. Everyone was like, alright, cool, see you later. I was like, it's really hard for me, I'm not gonna be back here next year. Everyone was just like, no one gives a fuck, mate. I was like, okay. if we all cried, yeah, we cried and then you come all of sudden swung back in like five years time and we're be like, all right, he's back, came out retirement, huh? Delpo. like six months at the club after that so it's like you can't have people cry like six months. Yeah. tears but I got absolutely nothing. I appreciate it. Anyway boys, that is the end of the news. Ross P, do your thing my man. Yes, lads right. Into a little bit of interactive segment. Loosely Letters. But this time, we are the letter writers and we have wrote a letter to a player and we're going to see if the other two can guess. Are you listening? Can guess who we are writing a letter to. Right boys, I hope and I pray that no one has chosen the same player but I've got a weird feeling that if you have gone a little bit out there that you might have gone the same route as myself. We might not, the way you've said that I don't think we have to be fair but we're taking inspiration from Federer's letter to Nadal aren't we? Yeah that emotional sort of five, six page document so this is our version. yet this is our emotional attachment to a player that we're just going to put on paper. mine is nothing like that. Okay, that's that's what we're interested in. Well, we'll start with you then. Give us a... go first. deal. Blank. Okay. Being named after Henningway is pretty odd way to start your life. But after watching your career, I'm not surprised. Solicitating prostitutes was not what I was expecting when reading about your life, but congrats on paying the fine and getting away with it. My favourite shout from you is that the Big Four are the most boring players on earth. Congrats for beating nearly all of them, except from Rafa. and your biggest career achievement was knocking Roger out of Paris in the fourth round. Your career is pretty fucked up with many highs and lows, but you'll always be remembered for being a pretty odd guy. Kind regards, Cal. Skinny, before every boss P tells you who it is, do you know who that is? I have no clue. I was just a buzzy enjoying the whole soliloquy there to be honest. Rush B, DOS. I'm doubting myself, but is it Anas Gobus? Yeah, yeah. I got it with Hemingway. Soon as you see the Hemingway. was soliciting proges but that is an incredible way to start. He paid the fine, he paid the fine off so fast that he was able to play the Stockholm Open the week after. Okay, that was a quick turnaround. to leave so much out, he has been up to some fucking wild shit, What a guy. look at that, just find Globus's Wikipedia. Is that where you found it? And then just have a deep dive. Geez. most of the top four and I knew he called them all boring as well. So I thought it must be something else interesting. And there's so many things. He actually hates tennis as well. before handman is for her to tell I'll read my letter. Let's go for it. Bonjour. The Hollywood legend Heath Ledger, between Ennis Del Mar and the Brokeback Mountain, whispered the haunting words that will forever stick with me as a Muzi fan. I wish I knew how to quit you. Don't take this as a decoration of love. Far from it. See, our journeys are near parallel. We both come from tennis families. We both weren't meant to be, we were both meant to be the next big thing when we were kids, but we never lived up to the hype. We both conquer our opponents using the babala as our weapon of choice. We both get mocked for having a weak backhand. It haunts us. But see, we are intertwined like the tennis court fence and the neighboring trees on court four of our beloved fort. And don't be mistaken, you've forever let me down. You have disappointed me time and time and time again. But here comes 2025. You'll be back. In June 3, returning to form and returning to the top 10. If you disappoint me again, then I'll have to accept being the fool. C'est la vie. Love, Skinny. Love, Skinny. It's good, man. about 15 different players there. Yeah, that's it. point I was like, this is Gasky. And then was like, it can't be Gasky because his back hand's fucking beautiful. Yeah, that's his main thing. You need to, can I just read one sentence again for you and you might get it from there. Okay. Yeah, go, yes, yes. Is it gay or monfice? No it's not. I'm gonna, can I read this sentence again and you'll get it. See, we are intertwined like the tennis court fence and the neighboring trees on court four at our beloved fort. That's the word Cal. That's the word. That's the key word man. Come on think back. Because I know, come on. You can think of that word, fort. Think of this podcast. of Skinny. Think of the times he's back someone. Skinny's fort. There we go my man. Well done. I forgot to speak French in fucking Canada, man. Fuuuuck, Jesus! Okay, Ross B, do you have a letter? I do, I do. Mine's, Mine's got a bit more production. No, it's not that bad, I don't think, but it is two minutes, forty seconds, and I could tell you it's that because... Don't worry, it's fine. If it's shit, we'll cut it out. But it's this because it has a backing track. This is gonna be a dramatic reading. More than a letter. I'll try with the drama, we'll see. no. What you on about? You'll love this shit. Alright, give me a second. Now I need to make sure I get my timing right in this as well, cause see if I get the timing. I've gotta nail it, and I've also gotta try not to sing, which is tough with this song. But I'm not gonna sing cause it's a really high note and I can't reach that. If it was Sinatra, then I'd be able to get it right, but it's not. Right, okay. I need to the volume down on this. You're building this up here, Ross P. Go out and nail it. I can cut out all the builds, don't worry. I would, because I don't know what's going to happen here. It's been four months and one day. since you put your rackets away. I go out every night and sleep all day. since you put your rackets away. Since you've been gone, I can watch whoever I want. Cheer for anyone I choose. I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant but nothing, I said nothing can take away these blues. Cause nothing compares. Nothing compares to you. I've changed the name on this one recently because of recent news. Novak's been so lonely without you here. Like a bird without a song. Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling. Tell me baby, where do I go from here? I could support anyone else from Team GB. They'd only remind me of you. I went to the doctor and guess what he told me? Guess what he told me? He said, girl, you better try to have fun no matter what you do. But he's a fool. He's a fool. Because nothing compares, nothing compares to you. Just sit in this moment now. Just let it fade out. Let it fade out. Let it fade out. just got to live in it. We've just got to live in it. shit! I can't believe you wrote a whole song like that to the burd from David Lloyd that gave you a box. You That is... That is true love. That is true fucking love, man. It's not that. That's not the answer to the dramatic reading. yeah, thanks for that, guys. Yeah, you gotta know that. know you had that much of an impact on your life. Like I love Andy Murray too, but Jesus Christ. Nah, I mean did you get the song though? Did you get the song? Nothing compares to you by Sinead O'Connor. Yeah, nice fun one. Famously Irish, not Great British, but hey. actually really don't have a clue where to go from here. There you go, near the lie. That was in the song. let it marinate with the listeners so can listen next week. lost most of them now, anyhow, soon after that. Nah, but worst case scenario they'll go listen to Sinead O'Connor and they'll go out deep dive on her essentials, which is pretty much only that song, but at least that'll happen. What, would you shake your head out? You need to... She need the corners, bit of an icon my man. a big artist mate, lots of good songs. man. That's the song. Okay, well guys, that was an odd podcast. Yeah, I guess we'll be back next week with, a predictions special. Yeah, yeah, yeah, so if you guys have any predictions as well, so let us know. Email us, tweet us, TikTok us, Insta us. probably not to be back on after that. Yeah, we'll see. Yeah. Hit it.