Friends, how’s it going? Welcome back to another edition of Aced, my weekly newsletter where I share key highlights from my latest shows, exclusive behind the scenes info, tennis news, and more.

Today at a Glance

• “The Punch” with Bob and Mike Bryan

• Does Tennis need umpires?

“The Punch”

I’ve been looking forward to interviewing my friends and former Davis Cup teammates, Bob and Mike Bryan, ever since I started the podcast. They did not disappoint.

First of all, they’re just straight up hilarious. You can watch the full interview here.

But more importantly, they told a story they’ve never shared with any other media outlet: The Punch.

Picture this. It’s 2017 and the Bryan brothers haven’t won a Slam in a few years (must be tough 🙄). They’re in a rut. They’re living across the country from each other. Their coach even fires them!

One day on tour while they’re playing cards, Mike gives Bob a friendly “love tap” on the back of the head. Once, twice, ten times…after all, Bob is killing him at Hearts. Bob takes exception to the last one and tells Mike, “If you do that again I’m gonna knock you out.”

Fast forward a couple months to the first round of the Australian Open. It’s hot, windy, and they’re losing their first round match. Mike misses an overhead slam and Bob tells him to “put it away next time, jackass.”

Mike responds by giving him one of his patented “love taps.” This time, though, Bob doesn’t react with words. He turns around and swings his fist blindly…connecting perfectly with the back of Mike’s head. In Bob’s words, “he dropped like a sack of potatoes.” 🤣

This is in front of a real crowd at a Grand Slam. The audience was laughing assuming it was a fake skit sort of thing. Thankfully they get it together, win the match, and credit this incident to their resurgence back to #1 in the world that season.

We unfortunately couldn’t find footage of the punch, but here’s the next best thing.

Does Tennis Need Umpires?

I’ve witnessed some brutal calls over the course of my career. And hey, I get it, people make mistakes, umpires are human, bla bla bla.

But look, it’s 2024 and we have all the technology needed for electronic line calling. Progress happens and tennis should change with it. No one is coming to tennis matches to watch the umpires and I’m even more convinced of the need to ban them after watching Monte Carlo.

I know this is perhaps controversial (mostly because of cold war history), but most of the times I’m actually on Medvedev’s side. Sure, he’s got some interesting antics on the court and he talks back to umpires. But…at least at Monte Carlo, he was right both times!

If you’re throwing fits and you’re wrong, you should probably stop (cough Rublev cough). To Daniil, I say, play on.

@tennischannel

Do you think it was in or out? 🤨 #medvedev #montecarlo #controversy #claycourt

👇Watch Full Episode 👇