Cheeky Volley

In this annual kick serve of grievances, we lob our frustrations on the state of men's tennis fashion, discuss how tennis is becoming a victim of its own mainstream success, and consider whether adding scarcity to the ATP calendar could save the sport.

Ahead of the US market open and an over subscribed order book for NYSE: CVOL, we recap a brilliant performance from Carlitos Alcaraz, who overcame a copious amount of dark energy to win his first Wimbledon. We also discuss what this victory means for both Cheeky Charlie and Novak and look ahead to the North American hard court swing.

Cheeky cheeky... live from DC, London, & Houston, we breakdown the matchups of the big 4, discuss Sinner's grass court game, and offer an alternative way of assessing ATP performance and prospects. The tier system© is a probability-based ranking system that more accurately demonstrates the odds of player success in meaningful tournaments. Unlike the ATP points system, the tier approach© buckets players by who we expect to win, who we are not shocked by when they do win, and who require low likelihood outcomes to lift big trophies.

Brad Gilbert comes on for part two – totally kidding, but that would be chill #WinningUgly In the aftermath of the Aussie Open, there is more to discuss than just Novak's dominance. What did this tournament mean for Rafa's future? The rebirth of American Tennis? Is it time to sell stock of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert Hurkacz? Listen, like, share, and hit that underarm serve.

22 and counting. Novak wins his 10th Australian Open in a historically dominant grand slam run, dropping one set, and wiping the court with the likes of Andrey Rublev, Alex de Minaur and, finally, Stefanos Tsitsipas. This episode dives deep into the historical context of Novak's victory and whether or not he is the GOAT. We discuss what type of statistical model could determine true GOAT status, moving away from emotion and oral histories to something more objective and rigorous. Listen, like, share, and stay cheeky m8s.

Sam Bankman-Fried's last chance to save himself is by an all-in NFT/Crypto Web3 play on Carlos Alcaraz to win the Australian Open 2023 in straight sets. Oh snap Sam – Carlitos is hurt, he tore the same semimembranosus muscle you thought you felt for that one moment whilst playing kickball in Palo Alto as a tween. There is still an even safer play for you my friend. Novak is back and Cheeky Volley will share with you and our multinational following AO ATP predictions, first round matchups to watch, value bets, and what the outlook is for the ATP tour in 2023. Stats, analysis, banter, and even a guest appearance by Novak Djokovic's father graces this episode. You know the drill. Go in peace my friends.

Tune in for a cheeky recap of the Wimbledon Men's Final, where a pasta fuelled Berrettini was no match for a gluten free Djokovic! Bonus: what's next for Federer? Back to Basel for a life of skiing and chocolate, or to NYC for one final shot at the US Open?

Cheeky Volley is back with Episode 27! Kabir and Asher break down Djokovic vs. Nadal, which was one of the greatest and most consequential matches in tennis history, and then preview the men's final. Will Novak be uninterrupted in his quest for GOAT status, or will Tsitsipas finally usher in the ATP Tour's next gen? Tune in to find out m888s!

Daniil Medvedev is unfazed by this moment — he does not care what anyone thinks, and he feels pretty “ehh” about Cheeky Volley — even if they feature the Shakespeare of Tennis commentating — the legendary Robbie Koenig! Somewhere between an epiphany during a car ride in upstate New York with his coach/trainer Gilles Cervara, and his pursuit of applied economics and commerce at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Medvedev has cladded himself with cold blood and an unapologetic will to win. Will Novak achieve his 18th Grand Slam title? Or, will the wiry and aloof Moscovite establish that the new guard has finally arrived? Tune in to hear more from Cheeky Volley and to experience Koenig’s unparalleled enthusiasm for the sport of tennis.

After weeks of winter training for the ATP Challenger Tour in Monte Carlo, Kabir, Brett and Asher return to the Cheeky Volley Notting Hill Studio for Episode 25. They call up Tom Perfrement to discuss the state of Aussie tennis, Tom's cheeky junior match against Nick Kyrgios, Kyrgios' municipal bond portfolio and the men's draw. Should Brett switch from Yonex to Tecnifibre...? Cheers m8s!

What can we say, it has been a cheeky year. The French Open is occurring during the Parisian fall, at limited capacity. Yet still, nothing’s really changed — it’s Rafa, it’s Novak, it’s not Zverev, and it’s not Jannik Sinner... not yet at least. The same sitcom is playing this year — Kramer bursts in to mooch some cereal from Jerry, just like Novak performing a near split to stretch for a backhand in a long physical rally with a trophy and a grand slam purse on the line. You have come to expect it, haven’t you? This episode is quick and dirty, like red clay spraying up as Rafa slides and finishes a buggy-whip. Cheers m8s, - m88888s

After their summer on the ATP Challenger Tour, Kabir and Asher call up Brett and discuss (i) this year’s court speed; (ii) winners and losers thus far; (iii) the men’s semi-finals; (iv) the women’s final; (v) Djokovic’s series of unfortunate events and (vi) Mike Levine’s new Yonex racquet.

In Episode 22, we (i) analyze Djokovic v. Thiem, (ii) review the performance of Kyrgios, Zverev, and Federer, and (iii) revisit the GOAT discussion...

2020 Australian Open Preview

Roger Federer has how many titles? 20. Cheeky Volley has how many episodes? 20! As the ATP Tour enters a new decade — the 2020s — we highlight major storylines of the 2010s and recap the last half of 2019. As we reminisce on the major plot threads of the last decade, we consider: Novak’s dominance, the resurgence of Roger, the Next Gen’s struggle to change the guard, the rise of Uniqlo and much more! Tune in for dynamic coverage of ten years of magical tennis and even some cheeky tennis trivia. Seinfeld episode in focus: The Yada Yada. If you know where Brett is, please email us at cheekyvolley@gmail.com

In our first interview, we call up Stefan Bojic, who is renowned across the tennis world for his improvisations on the court. By creatively choreographing free style manipulations of the tennis ball and trick shots, Stefan has gained respect from the best players in the world, including Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Damir Džumhur, and many others. His approach to practicing and spreading the sport moves away from the traditional mechanistic teaching of stroke production, to a wholistic feel based method. The ingenuity of these ideas should not be lost amidst the humour and entertainment that his videos provide!

Cheeky Volley turns 1-year old as we look forward to US Open 2019. The air is a bit colder this time around, a stark change from last summer’s oppressive heat and the infamous small black fan; do the impending fall breezes suggest a changing of the guard? Indeed, Medvedev has ruthlessly cut down ATP giants all summer long. However, time and again the big three let us know they are more relevant than ever — Novak is poised as could be to continue his tear that began in mid-2018. Asher and Kabir sit down to preview the US Open, relevant ATP storylines, and discuss their bets this time around.

The following audio monologue was sent from Srđan Djokovic to his son after the 2019 Wimbledon Final. This content is obviously a satire.

This episode is comprised of the following segments: Part 1: Set-by-set recap (1:42) Part 2: Interview with a mate who attended the match! (26:18) Part 3: Regarding all-time greatest matches, where does this stack up? (51:43) Part 4: A post-match letter from Novak’s father (Srđan Djokovic) to Novak, titled “A Letter to My Son” (1:15:09)

The Wimbledon final is set, and Kabir has already made sure his strawberries are ripe and his cream is whipped. Alex, Asher, Kabir, and special guest Dave Pratt recap the 40th edition of Federer vs. Nadal, and preview Djokovic vs. Roberto “Robbie Batts / Bobby Bacala” Bautista Agut. We look back at the road to the semis and finals for the big three and make our picks for the finals. Bonuses: thoughts on Kyrgios vs. Nadal; Dave discusses David Foster Wallace's 2006 profile of Federer; Alex’s tennis shoe crisis, and Asher breaks down the great India-Pak Mango Debate.

The grass is always greener at Wimbledon. As the tennis world gets ready for the crown jewel of Grand Slam tennis, Cheeky Volley sits down to preview the fortnight on grass. Our first episode covering the tournament focuses on intriguing first round matchups and maps out the championship trajectories for the big three and Next Gen hopefuls. Seinfeld Episode in focus: The Mom and Pop Store Music: Galcher Lustwerk and Legowelt

In the 39th iteration of Federer vs. Nadal, will Roger beat Rafa for the first time at Roland Garros, or will Nadal yet again prove invincible on the terre battue?

While Novak Djokovic continues his Grand Slam conquest, many new young stars elevated their games suggesting an exciting and unpredictable ATP Tour in 2019.  As the sun sets in Australia, Kabir, Alex & Asher discuss major story lines of the tournament: Tiafoe’s quarterfinal run, Tsitsipas’ journey to the semifinals and the newest iteration of Novak v. Rafa in a Grand Slam final.  Don’t miss Asher recount the history of this legendary match up!

The year is 2019, and as this next cycle around the sun is just underway, we find ourselves back in Melbourne, back where Roger has claimed 6 Grand Slam titles, and where just one year previous the world was captivated by 21 year-old, Korean sensation Hyeon Chung. As the ATP Tour once again commences it’s chase of the sun from the starting line at Rod Laver arena, men’s tennis futures are obscured. Will the big three hold royal court for one more year? Or will the likes of Sascha, Karen, and hmmm...Nick? De Minaur?...take the helm?Live from Cheeky Volley Studios in Manhattan, Post K and Alex call up Brett and Asher to catch up on off-season antics. Listen in for hot-takes on Andy Murray’s potential retirement — what’s next Andy? Nick Kyrgios needs a coach you know —, suggestions for ATP rules and regulations, the Australian Open’s use of new [dunlop] balls, and, of course, a preview of the Australian Open main draw. Episode special bonus: Brett purchases nearly $600 worth of tennis gear live on the episode. Seinfeld Episode in focus: The Junior Mint

We continue our coverage of the Nitto ATP Finals from London. We call up Asher Gilani, live from London’s O2 Arena. The episode focuses primarily on Alexander “Sascha” Zverev’s remarkable two set victory over Roger Federer and previews the other semifinal and looks ahead to the final. Who will Sascha play on Sunday? Who was Hugh Grant supporting this Saturday? Listen and find out!

Cheeky Volley main m8, Asher Gilani, is called in live from the O2 Arena, where the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals are underway. We recap what Asher has just seen during the match between Roger Federer & Dominic Thiem, and touch upon other star performances thus far. Shoutout Kevin Anderson! Seinfeld Episode in Focus: The Hot Tub (NYC Marathon)

Who plays Federer's stuntman when he stars in James Bond 007? None other than Baby-Fed, Grigor Dimitrov.  In episode 5, part 2, we continue the conversation about the trials, tribulations, and potential of Grigor Dimitrov. Part 2 also provides a brief preview of the Paris Masters. Check our instagram for a visual guide to Episode 5 Seinfeld Episode in-focus: The Facepainter

Who plays Federer's stuntman when he stars in James Bond 007? None other than Baby-Fed, Grigor Dimitrov.  In episode 5 Grigor Dimitrov sits center-stage as we discuss his incredible potential, and obstacles thus far in his career to taking the next step to becoming a true Grand Slam contender and champion. Part 1 also provides a brief recap of Federer's 99th tournament victory, with his ninth Swiss Indoors title. Check our instagram for a visual guide to Episode 5 Seinfeld Episode in-focus: The Facepainter

This week features two guests, Asher Gilani (London) and Brett Francis (Boston), longtime friends and tennis buddies of Alex and Kabir's. The episode is split into three parts, with part three focused on critique and analysis of the remaining schedule, touching upon the London and Shanghai Master's and the race to finish the year at number 1.  Thanks for tuning in this week!

This week features two guests, Asher Gilani (London) and Brett Francis (Boston), longtime friends and tennis buddies of Alex and Kabir's. The episode is split into three parts, with part two diving into the tennis GOAT discussion--Rafa vs. Nadal vs....wait for it...Djoker--but not before we digress into deep banter about the best and cheekiest [beer] pints on the ATP tour.

This week features two guests, Asher Gilani (London) and Brett Francis (Boston), longtime friends and tennis buddies of Alex and Kabir's. The episode is split into three parts, with part one focusing on the US Open in review. We recap Djoker's stellar performance, and banter about the highs and lows of 2018 in Queens, NY!

In episode 3 we cover the women's final from the controversial point penalty through Osaka ultimately being crowned champion; We offer the unique perspective of chair umpire personalities from Carlos Ramos to Fergus Murphy. This episode will also recap the men's semifinals, preview the men's final, and discuss Djokovic's gluten-free diet, the best raquet cracks and a whole lot more.  --your hosts: Kabir, Kramer, Jerry, and Alex.

In the second episode of Cheeky Volley, Kabir and Alex discuss the quarterfinals and look ahead to semifinal matchups. Content will cover the US Open heatwave, Federer's earlier than expected exit, Nadal and Thiem's thriller, and a whole lot more. Which Seinfeld episode will be playing in the background? Listen and find out!

Cheeky Volley is a tennis and culture podcast. In our first episode we discuss US Open week 1, the Kyrgios Corner, Mohamed Lahyani, some US Open fashions and a whole lot more. Continue to tune in for tennis and tennis-adjacent content!