And that's a wrap! On the final episode of Open Era, Simon and Devang sit down for their 2024 Fireside Chat. Dev and Simon discuss the state of Tennis heading into 2025, share why they're concerned but also (slightly) optimistic, and examine how the podcast landscape has changed since 2019 when they started. To close out, they share their predictions for the future of sport and of course, thank our wonderful listeners. Thank you for listening to Open Era! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe t...
Dec 23, 2024•59 min•Ep. 238
It’s awards time! Put on your best dinner jacket and pick up a Golden Racket…Or something like that. Dev and Simon pick their award winners for 2024 in what is Open Era’s penultimate show. Just one more fireside chat and that’s all she wrote. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord server and ad free episodes. Follow @OpenEraPod on Twitter! While you're there say h...
Dec 16, 2024•43 min•Ep. 237
What’s worse than one World Number 1 testing positive for banned substances? What about two World Number 1’s! Boy oh boy what a time to be at the head of the ATP and WTA with Iga Swiatek joining Jannik Sinner on the naughty stool. Dev and Simon are also joined by Priyanka Dobson to talk about the career of the recently retired Rafael Nadal. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the ex...
Dec 02, 2024•58 min•Ep. 236
As Open Era gets close to closing the circle, Rafael Nadal got there before us. Devang and Simon celebrate the life of the great Spaniard before turning their attention towards the ATP Finals and the BJK Cup. They also give their thoughts on Taylor Fritz’s hair and Carlos Alcaraz’s nose strips. Riveting podcasting. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord server and...
Nov 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 235
We are finally at the end of the 2024 season and Donald Trump is once again going to be President of the United States. Cursed. The WTA Finals took place in Saudi Arabia. Truly cursed. Paris Bercy took place and was won by Alexander Zverev. Truly truly cursed. Devang and Simon do their best to unpack a moment in time which only mothers could love. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to...
Nov 11, 2024•42 min•Ep. 234
The tennis world is returning to Canada, bar a few notable exceptions, and Simon and Devang are quite excited. On this week’s Open Era, the guys preview the National Bank Open in Toronto and Montreal, and preview the chances of the various Canadians including FAA, Milos, Bianca and Leylah. Then they dig into parting shots, where the takes remain scalding and smart. We’re a humble podcast. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the P...
Nov 04, 2024•47 min
Finally, there is a new grand slam champion in men’s tennis. Defector staff writer Giri Nathan joins the show this week to recap a wild US Open. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord server and ad free episodes. Follow @OpenEraPod on Twitter! While you're there say hello to @DesaiDevang or reach out to the show and say hey: podcast@openera.ca If merch is your thi...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 9 min
It happened people. It finally happened. Aryna Sabalenka is slam champion. On a day that many thought might never happen we have a brand new slam champion on the WTA. Devang and Simon unpack the significance of her victory before turning their attention to some of the other winners from the past two weeks in Melbourne Park. We end with Parting Shots and have some choice words over the Australian Open Ball Kids policy. I wonder if Craig Tiley would accept his salary as a gift bag? Sick of hearing...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Another legend is walking away from Tennis. On this week’s Open Era, Devang and Simon react to the news of Rafael Nadal’s impending retirement, which will be official at the conclusion of the Davis Cup in Malaga. The guys share their favourite memories of the Spaniard, wonder what he’ll be remembered most for and mark the other news and notes in the tennis world, including Richard Gasquet’s bombshell, the return of the Wuhan Open and much more. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Prem...
Oct 11, 2024•39 min•Ep. 233
After shunning September, Simon and Devang are back for October! On today’s podcast, the guys discuss Sincaraz in Beijing, WADA’s big case and Carlos post-US Open. Staying in Beijing, Gauff vs. Osaka and a loaded Women’s field is also covered. In Parting Shots, we tackle recent schedule complaints, Caroline Garcia, Zhang Shuai, Marin Cilic and plenty more! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, ...
Oct 07, 2024•37 min•Ep. 232
As we continue our look back at 2022 we arrive at some our of favourite matches. For once, Simon has not included a Musetti match (or has he??) but has turned his attention to a different teenage phenom. Devang and Simon also give the eyes emoji to the Ostrava!!! Final between Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova. Come on you know an Ostrava!!! Match had to be in here somewhere… Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon famil...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Episode 200! Simon and Devang return for their monumental 200th episode of Open Era. On this week’s show: Davis Cup reaction, Novak Djokovic yells at some Brits, Jannik Sinner makes some history, a new Saudi Super League in Tennis beckons as the WTA and ATP may change forever and we get into plenty more on Parting Shots. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord serv...
Sep 23, 2024•53 min
In a tale of two finals, Aryna Sabalenka made back to back Australian Opens look smooth sailing. Jannik Sinner definitely did not make easy work of it to win his first Grand Slam. All that being said, it was a jam packed second week at the first major of the year. Sin, Sabs, Bops and Hshieh headline both very much a changing of the guard and very much not a changing of the guard. Plus Parting Shots as Devang and Simon ask the age of question of whether this was actually a good tournament. Sick o...
Sep 16, 2024•49 min
What’s old is new again, with a bit of a twist.. On this week’s Open Era, Simon and Devang unpack the ending of the 2024 US Open. Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner ended this grand slam season the way they started it: on top. The guys discuss both champions, Sinner’s run in with the doping authorities, the American wave that fell just short plus plenty more on a Championship edition of Open Era! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come joi...
Sep 09, 2024•54 min•Ep. 231
We feel old. On this week’s Open Era Simon and Devang unpack a stunning opening week at the US Open that saw both Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic eliminated early. They discuss the implications of those upsets on the men’s side. Elsewhere, the women’s half is loaded headed into the business end of the tournament. The guys assess the favourites before heading into Parting Shots! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon fa...
Sep 02, 2024•52 min•Ep. 230
Ouch, I’ve cut my finger in typing up this episode description. Luckily enough nothing could possibly go wrong from this incredibly normal situation. In other news, World number one Jannik Sinner has been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance in March. Devang and Simon unpack a wild week in the sport before turning our attention to a live US Open draw preview. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come...
Aug 26, 2024•44 min•Ep. 229
Ladies, Gentlemen and our Non Binary friends. The Olympics are over. What on earth are we supposed to do with our lives now? On this week’s Open Era, Simon and Devang give their top 5 moments and stories each before covering the events in Toronto and Montreal. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord server and ad free episodes. Follow @OpenEraPod on Twitter! While ...
Aug 19, 2024•55 min•Ep. 228
The Olympics are over. What on earth are Devang and Simon going to do with their time now? How about we just go head first into the American Hard Court season instead. The tennis season never stops. Open Era never stops. Sport never stops. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord server and ad free episodes. Follow @OpenEraPod on Twitter! While you're there say hell...
Aug 09, 2024•57 min•Ep. 227
The Paris Olympics roll on and so does Open Era as Simon and Devang bring you the latest and greatest from the Tennis at Roland-Garros. Plus, the guys discuss their favourite Olympic events so far, Dronegate and the Canadian Women’s soccer team and plenty more. As always, they conclude with Parting Shots and 2 Challenges Remaining! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive d...
Aug 02, 2024•51 min•Ep. 226
The Olympics are here! On this week’s Open Era, Simon and Devang preview the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and the tennis we’ll see. Andy Murray’s farewell will take center stage, but there’s plenty of other intrigue. Elsewhere, are the Olympics good? Mostly no. The guys dive into that plus Swiatek ,Fils, Zverev, Alcaraz, Nadal and plenty more! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the...
Jul 29, 2024•34 min•Ep. 225
Tears. Lots of tears. It was an emotional week in tennis. The Laver Cup brought to an end the career of Roger Federer. It’s all Jack Sock’s fault really! Devang and Simon unpack the week before turning our attention to the Real Tennis ™ of the past 7 days. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord server and ad free episodes. Follow @OpenEraPod on Twitter! While you'...
Jul 22, 2024•55 min
On this week’s Open Era, Simon and Devang revisit an exciting conclusion to this year’s Wimbledon. It included a real changing of the guard (probably) and feel good stories. We go deep on Paolini and Djokovic as well, plus in Parting Shots we discuss Morgan Riddle’s Instagram, Roger Federer’s concerts and Serena Williams’ ESPYs.. Join us! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the excl...
Jul 15, 2024•46 min•Ep. 224
Simon and Devang return with a mid-Wimbledon check-in! On Today’s show the guys discuss Andy Murray’s farewell, upsets and injuries on the Women’s bracket and the Sinner-Alcaraz collision course. In Parting Shots, they unpack Novak Djokovic’s lengthy answer on the state of tennis today, Emma Raducanu, Judy Murray and the art of sarcasm, SW19 fashion plus plenty more! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonu...
Jul 08, 2024•47 min•Ep. 223
Who will win Wimbledon? Devang and Simon clearly don’t know. But do you? The boys unpack a busy few weeks on the grass courts with some surprise and not so surprising winners. Plus Parting Shots where we examine the Stefanos TradWife content. It’s a weird world out there…. Also go and vote if you like in Britain. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord server and a...
Jul 01, 2024•39 min•Ep. 222
A changing of the guard at Wimbledon? Simon and Devang wrap up this year’s Wimbledon, discussing Carlos Alcaraz’s monumental victory over Novak Djokovic in the men’s final. On the women’s side there was heartbreak for many, as Ons Jabeur was defeated by the terrific Markéta Vondroušová. The guys tackle other finals as well and news and notes from the third major of the year as we look towards North America for the hardcourt swing along with Parting Shots. Enjoy! Sick of hearing all the ads? Subs...
Jun 24, 2024•59 min
How good is Iga Swiatek? She's really good, and for much of the 2023 French Open nobody could come close to beating her. But in the final, Karolina Muchova gave Swiatek all she could handle. In Simon’s Favourite Women's match of the year, he and Devang look back at a memorable day in Paris. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord server and ad free episodes. Follow...
Jun 17, 2024•23 min
At least Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz won their respective French Opens. In what could have been an all time PR and moral disaster for tennis, Alexander Zverev was stopped from winning his first Grand Slam title. Iga continued being Iga against a very game Jasmine Paolini. We wrap up the year’s second major with Parting Shots while asking is Kaylan Bigun is the best name in tennis. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreo...
Jun 10, 2024•39 min•Ep. 221
With Devang away, Simon is joined by Priyanka Dobson to chat about just the 4th loss of Rafael Nada’s French Open Career. Also, they turn their attention to an almighty clash between Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek in the 2nd Round. They round out the show with Parting Shots, some Challengers discussion and ask the question of whether this French Open crowd has finally gone too far! Read Priyanka’s Substack here: grnlght.substack.com Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Po...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 220
In 1997 it was the end for Andre Agassi. A failed drug test coupled with injuries and the disintegration of his marriage saw the American plummet to 141 in the world rankings. And then, Agassi did something remarkable. This week on the Open Era Podcast, we revisit the 1999 French Open final and Agassi’s date with destiny. Sick of hearing all the ads? Subscribe to Soda Premium on Apple Podcasts to get rid of them! Come join the Patreon family for bonus content, access to the exclusive discord ser...
May 27, 2024•50 min
Rome, it’s been a slice. On this week’s Open Era, Simon and Devang recap another Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka final, with the Pole coming out on top yet again. The boys discuss the WTA landscape and just how much of a favourite Iga will be in Paris. On the men’s side, it was a shitshow. Nadal’s early exit, Djokovic and the bottle and a wide open field are among the topics discussed before the guys close with parting shots, and some thoughts on Dominic Thiem and Jannik Sinner. Sick of hearing ...
May 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 219
