Control the Controllables

What a US Open! We saw two new champions crowned in New York, plenty of our pre-tournament predictions were ripped up, and both draws gave us lots of storylines.
In our final Grand Slam Review episode of 2026, Host Dan Kiernan is joined by our panel:-
Denmark´s Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon Doubles Champion, Freddie Nielsen
Sports broadcaster and former CNN anchor Candy Reid
Coach, podcaster and former agent Johnny Delgado
Kieron Vorster, Fitness Coach to Tem Henman, Dan Evans & Wayne Ferreria

As ever, this isn’t just a review of the results. The panel gets into the realities behind elite performance: handling pressure, managing expectations, coping with defeat, the role of parents and coaches, and what players at every level can learn from the very best in the game.
In this episode:
Alexander Zverev finally gets his US Open moment beating Shelton in the final, and his emotional on-court speech about his mother and managing Type 1 diabetes.
Ben Shelton´s breakthrough run to his first Grand Slam final
Could 2027 give us a new “Big Three”? The panel discusses whether Zverev can now consistently challenge Alcaraz and Sinner.
Rafael Jodar’s shock first-round exit despite being a dark-horse pick off the back of a career-best summer.
Elena Rybakina defeats Aryna Sabalenka. Why Rybakina’s balance, composure and first-strike tennis caused Sabalenka so many problems in the final , and the panel discuss how the best players handle nerves differently.
Serena Williams skipping press conferences again and the panel's take on tournaments letting stars off the hook.
The strength of the women's draw: Zheng Qinwen's run through qualifying, Iva Jovic, Mirra Andreeva and Coco Gauff's continued dominance on and off the court
The Djokovic debate: a first-round exit, falling out of the world's top 10 for the first time in over two decades, and whether he can still go deep in a Slam at 37.
Wheelchair tennis: GB´s Alfie Hewett, Tokito Oda and the extraordinary standard at the top of the wheelchair game.
Neal Skupski and Christian Harrison's men's doubles title, and the debate around the future and recognition of doubles tennis
Katerina Siniakova keeps making history! Her continued dominance and double Golden Slam achievement.
What happens next? The panel looks ahead to the remainder of 2026, including the race for year-end No.1, Holger Rune’s return, the Next Gen Finals and the WTA Finals.

There are plenty of disagreements, predictions and laughs along the way, but also some brilliant takeaways for players, parents and coaches on pressure, resilience, expectations and what really separates the very best when the biggest moments arrive.
🎧 Sit back and enjoy our US Open 2026 Review!
This episode is brought to you by Novellus: https://novellusfinance.com/uk/
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US Open 2026 preview. Dan is joined by Freddie Nielsen, Denmark Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon doubles champion, Candy Reid live in New Yorks, and first-time guest Johnny Delgado, coach and podcaster.
In this episode:
Are both the men’s and women’s draw wide open?
Qinwen Zheng, Paris Olympic champion, coming through qualifying despite elbow surgery
Stan Wawrinka getting a wildcard at the last minute and why the panel loves it
Alcaraz, will he even make it to the court on day one and how far can he realistically go
Men's and women's dark horse picks and winner predictions
The Djokovic debate: can he recover match after match at nearly 40 and go deep in a slam?
Debate around the future of doubles tennis

TennisAthlete provides age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete
Brought to you by Novellus: https://novellusfinance.com/uk/

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You've drilled the technique. You've done the fitness. And still, in the match or the tiebreak, when you have chances to close out, something else takes over. That's not a skill you're missing. It's something that's never actually been measured, until now.
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Ingrid Neel

Ingrid Neel was one of the most decorated US juniors of her generation, winning every Little Mo age group, a 10-and-under world championship in France, and the deciding match in the NCAA finals. Then came a slipped disc in Tokyo, wrist surgery, two and a half years away from the sport, and a ranking that dropped to zero.
A year on, she made the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, which was her best-ever Grand Slam result. On the court she loves most.
This episode is one of the most honest and warm conversations we've had on Control the Controllables. Ingrid speaks about injury, identity, friendship, family and what it really means to keep going when you've lost your relevance, your ranking and your answer to the question of who you are without the sport.
In this episode:
Wimbledon quarterfinalist, reflecting on her best ever Grand Slam result a year after wrist surgery
Being present at Wimbledon and the US Open while injured and not competing, and why it helped
How she genuinely celebrated others' success while struggling herself
Can you have true, real friendships in an individual sport and still be the ultimate competitor?
The back injury that nearly ended her season in Tokyo, and how she won the tournament anyway
The wrist surgery that made her question whether she'd ever play again
Growing up in Minnesota, the Bollettieri Academy and Nick giving her open access
Being a prodigy, winning every Little Mo age group and a 10-and-under world title in France
Did the values her parents instilled help her, or hold her back?
Self-worth, identity and who you are when the ranking says inactive
Choosing to represent Estonia and the story of the grandmother she is named after
The Quickfire Round

TennisAthlete provides age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete

Reaction to the 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles event. Was it a success?
About Control the Controllables US Open Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest across the US Open fortnight, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds. Live on the CTC YouTube channel. Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.

Brought to you by Novellus: https://novellusfinance.com/uk/
TennisAthlete delivers age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit https://linktr.ee/tennisathlete
Send your questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email info@sototennis.com.
Follow the Podcast Here: https://www.instagram.com/ctc.podcast/
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Day 1 of the Control the Controllables US Open Live series, recorded in New York City. Brought to you by Novellus.
Live across the US Open fortnight with tennis icons, coaches, players and special guests joining Dan from inside the grounds at Flushing Meadows.
In this episode:
Will Boucek joins Dan live from New York
The US Open Mixed Doubles new format - what changed, why, and whether it belongs at a Grand Slam
1st round picks and predictions across the full Mixed Doubles draw
Doubles specialists vs singles stars and what it means for the sport
Roger Federer on site at Flushing Meadows
Dan's open coaching offer to Riley Opelka

About Control the Controllables US Open Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest across the US Open fortnight, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds. Live on the CTC YouTube channel. Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.
Send your questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email info@sototennis.com.
Brought to you by Novellus: https://novellusfinance.com/uk/
TennisAthlete delivers age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete .