The Big T, Episode 5: Australian Open debrief, Brad Gilbert's acting, Danielle Collins on player privacy

Tennis, as always, is the topic of discussion on The Big T, but I think we can forgive this week’s hosts, Andrea Petkovic and Mark Petchey, for first talking about two other sporting events. After all, this past weekend saw the Winter Olympics get underway, and the Super Bowl get decided.

Discussed here, there and everywhere: Bad Bunny’s halftime show at the big game. Petko weighed in:

“I think art is not supposed to be for everybody. It is supposed to represent something of what the artist wants to express, from their own life experience, and from their own self.

A lot of people will resonate with that, and many people won’t. Andrea Petkovic, on Bad Bunny

Petch, for his non-tennis take, discussed the daring but ultimately dangerous decision Lindsay Vonn made to take part in the Winter Games after tearing her ACL just days earlier.

“People in that sphere, who have done absolutely incredible things, have absolute autonomy about deciding whether they want to go out and perform. If we didn’t allow great athletes and great people to try and have great failures, we’d still be living in caves.

I kind of found it inspiring. I know there’s a lot of people that don’t feel that. Mark Petchey, on Lindsay Vonn

Whether intentional or not, the two hosts brought up two divisive figures. Listen to the full podcast for their entire thoughts, and let us know your takes at thebigt@tennischannel.com

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It's been over three years since Serena Williams played competitively. How do you think she'd fare if she returned?

🚨 Serena Williams: Is this comeback really happening?

There is one story brewing in tennis that puts even the Super Bowl and the Olympics to shame. And that’s the possibility of Serena Williams returning to action.

Come February 22, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion is eligible to compete, having filed all necessary paperwork with the International Tennis Integrity Agency, the sport’s drug-testing organization.

“There’s no question there is a plan, there’s something that is bubbling around in the background,” says Petchey. “What that is, is going to be fascinating to see.”

“Austin starts on February 23^rd…” noted Petkovic with a smile, having already looked at the calendar. (Venus Williams has already accepted a wild card into the tournament.)

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And just after Austin are two prestigious hard-court tournaments that Serena knows very well.

“If she’s going to do this,” says Petchey, “then why would not turn up at Indian Wells and Miami and play doubles with Venus?”

To say nothing about a possible restart in singles.

For six months, Williams has put herself back on the anti-doping list, which opens herself—and her family—to a level of scrutiny that wouldn’t make sense to incur, says Petkovic, unless she’s determined to return.

“She is planning something big, and personally cannot wait!”

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The two Frenchman feel differently about each others' eras.

🫖 Spilling the T: More from Episode 6

Listen to the full pod for Petko’s and Petch’s thoughts on:

🆚 Tennis’ newest rivalry: Patrick Mouratolgou and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga—who have a difference of opinion on the best players of today, versus the top players 10-20 years ago.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Draper, Boulter, Raducanu: It was a very good week for England, as Petch happily dives into.

📫 Calling All Questions!

Why do players get asked the questions they do? How can you stay out of no man’s land?

Answers to this week’s questions are only a click away. Want to see your questions on the show? Email thebigt@tennischannel.com or call 844-678-BIGT

🎧 How to Listen and Watch

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