French Open finals recap + Jewell Loyd | The French Connection | NBC Sports (FULL EPISODE)

Summary

このスクリプトは、フレンチオープンの模擬戦からオリンピックまで、テニスの熱狂的な週を振り返る「フレンチコネクション」という番組の内容を要約しています。番組では、テニスのファンでもあるWNBAチャンピオンであるジュエル・ロイドがゲストとして登場し、彼女のテニスへの情熱とWNBAの現在の勢いを語りました。また、テニスの若手選手の成長とオリンピックでの期待についても触れています。

Takeaways

• 🎾 スクリプトは、フレンチ・オープンの議論を中心にしており、男性と女性の優勝者であるCarlos AlcarazとIga Swanについて語っています。
• 🏆 Carlos Alcarazは、若い年齢でグランドスラムを3回獲得し、異なるサーフェースで優勝していることについて触れられています。
• 👧 Iga Swanは、圧倒的な優勝を挙げ、フレンチ・オープン4連覇を成し遂げ、その影響力について語られています。
• 🤔 コメントが、エレクトロニックラインコールの欠点を示しており、人間エラーと機械エラーの間で議論がされています。
• 👀 スクリプトでは、Carlos AlcarazのコーチであるJuan Carlos Ferreiraの影響力と、彼のメンタルゲームの強さについて語られています。
• 🌟 スクリプトでは、Carlos Alcarazの多様なゲームスタイルと、彼がテニス界の3大巨星の特徴を持っていることに触れられています。
• 🍽 スクリプトには、Sue BirdとDiana Taurasiというバスケットボール選手のエピソードが語られており、彼らのスポーツマンシップと人格について述べています。
• 🌐 スクリプトは、WNBA選手であるJewel Loydのインタビューも含まれており、彼女のバスケットボールとテニスへの情熱、そしてオリンピック出場の可能性について語られています。
• 🏓 Jewel Loydが、彼女のマルチスポートの才能と、テニスやピクルボールの愛について語っている旨が、スクリプトに散見されます。
• 🥅 スクリプトは、テニスの精神的側面と、それをバスケットボールの精神的側面と比較している部分も含まれています。
• 🎥 スクリプト全体を通して、テニスとバスケットボールの2つのスポーツの愛と、それらのスポーツにおける最高の選手たちのストーリーが紡がれています。

Q & A

脚本中提到的Diana Terișiのストーリーは何についてですか？

脚本中并没有详细描述Diana Terișiのストーリーの内容、ただ、非常に衝撃的で印象的な出来事だと言及しています。

脚本中でSam Kiriが述べた、カールオス・アラレスの優れたプレーの特徴は何ですか？

Sam Kiriはカールオス・アラレスのプレーの特徴として、サーブとボレーのスキル、ドロップショットの使用、そしてバックハンドのディレクションを高く評価しています。

脚本で言及されたカールオス・アラレスのインジュリーの状況はどうでしたか？

カールオス・アラレスは脚本で述べられていたように、過去数年間でインジュリーに悩まされていましたが、彼はこのマッチではフィジオによって治療され、ゲームにほとんど影響を与えずに持ちこたえました。

脚本中で言及された、カールオス・アラレスのスマッシュショットはどの点で印象的でしたか？

脚本によると、そのスマッシュショットはワンハンデッドで行われ、ネットをわずか擦りながら決まった角度で打たれ、ポイントを決める大きなショットとなりました。

脚本で言及された、EAがフランスオープンで達成した記録は何ですか？

EAは脚本で言及されているように、フランスオープンで3回連続して優勝し、そのトーナメントで4回目の優勝を果たしました。

脚本中でJuelz Lloydが述べた、WNBAの新しいエネルギーとは何ですか？

Juelz Lloydは脚本の中で、WNBAが新しいルーキーたちによってエネルギーを得ており、女性スポーツ全体が勢いを増していると述べています。

脚本でJuelz Lloydが述べた、バスケットボールとテニスの共通点は何ですか？

Juelz Lloydは脚本の中で、バスケットボールとテニスの両方で重要なのは足の動きとバランスの取れ、また精神的な側面にあると述べています。

脚本中でJuelz Lloydが述べた、彼女のバスケットボールへのアプローチはどのように変化しましたか？

Juelz Lloydは脚本の中で、彼女がバスケットボールに専念したことと、それがどのように彼女のキャリアに影響を与えたかについて話しています。

脚本で言及された、Juelz Lloydのオリンピック出場の可能性はどうですか？

脚本ではJuelz Lloydのオリンピック出場が公式には発表されていないが、彼女はその可能性について前向きな姿勢を示しています。

脚本中でJuelz Lloydが述べた、彼女のバスケットボールとテニスの両方の愛はどのようにして形になりましたか？

Juelz Lloydは脚本の中で、彼女の父親がテニスを始め、その後家族で楽しむゲームとしてテニスを始め、バスケットボールは自然にとれたと述べています。

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Diana Taurasi's Memorable Block

Renee Stubbs and Sam Kiri discuss an unforgettable block by Diana Taurasi during a game. Stubbs shares how Taurasi once clocked her straight up, leaving her on the ground. Despite the hard hit, Taurasi complimented Stubbs, highlighting her unique sportsmanship.

05:02

🎾 French Open Review: Men's Final Highlights

Stubbs and Kiri delve into the French Open men's final, praising the performance of Alcaraz who secured victory in a grueling five-set match. They analyze key moments, including Alcaraz's brief mental lapse in the third set and his subsequent domination in the fourth and fifth sets. They also discuss the impact of a controversial second serve call on the match's outcome.

10:03

🎾 The Dominance of Iga Swiatek

The conversation shifts to the women's final, focusing on Iga Swiatek's dominance at the French Open. Despite a scare against Osaka, Swiatek triumphed convincingly. Stubbs and Kiri reflect on her journey, her emotional moments, and her potential to win multiple French Opens, drawing comparisons to other tennis legends.

15:04

🏆 Predictions for Wimbledon

The hosts discuss their predictions for Wimbledon, highlighting various players' chances. While Stubbs favors Alcaraz and Swiatek, Kiri leans towards Sabalenka for the women's title and suggests an unexpected male player might clinch the men's title. They also debate the influence of injuries and form on the upcoming tournament.

20:07

🏀 Jewel Loyd's Insight into the WNBA Season

Jewel Loyd joins the show to talk about her WNBA season with the Seattle Storm. She discusses the challenges of integrating new teammates and the excitement surrounding the league. Loyd also reflects on her personal journey, the impact of playing in a highly competitive league, and her experiences as a seasoned professional.

25:07

🏀 The Growth of Women's Sports

Loyd and the hosts discuss the rapid growth and increasing popularity of women's sports. They highlight the influence of NIL deals, the influx of new talent, and the overall momentum in women's athletics. Loyd shares her optimism about the future and the continued development of the WNBA.

30:08

🎾 Loyd's Passion for Tennis

Jewel Loyd shares her deep connection with tennis, a sport she grew up playing thanks to her father's influence. She talks about how tennis has shaped her mental game and footwork, contributing to her success in basketball. Loyd also expresses her excitement for watching the French Open and her admiration for players like Naomi Osaka and Carlos Alcaraz.

35:09

🏀 Olympic Aspirations and Experiences

Loyd discusses her aspirations to compete in the Paris Olympics and reflects on her previous Olympic experiences. She emphasizes the honor of representing her country and the joy of competing on a global stage. Loyd also mentions her excitement about potentially playing alongside stars like Asia Wilson and the challenges of facing strong international teams.

40:10

🏀 Memorable Moments with Basketball Legends

Loyd shares personal stories involving basketball legends like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. She recalls Bird's welcoming gesture of preparing a meal for her and Taurasi's intense yet supportive competitive spirit. These experiences have shaped her career and her understanding of what it means to be a professional athlete.

45:10

🎾 Looking Ahead to the Olympics and Beyond

In the final segment, Loyd talks about her plans to attend the tennis events at the Paris Olympics and her admiration for players like Rafael Nadal and Coco Gauff. She expresses her desire to continue excelling in basketball while nurturing her passion for tennis, aiming to inspire others through her multifaceted athletic journey.

Keywords

💡French Open

「フレンチ・オープン」とは、テニスの四大大会の一つであり、パリのローラン・ガール・テニスセンターで開催される。このビデオでは、男性部門と女性部門の優勝者について議論しており、特に若手の優勝者であるカルロス・アラレスやイーガ・シュナイダーの活躍が強調されている。

💡Grand Slam

「グランド・スラム」とは、テニスにおいて一年に一度開催される世界最大の四つの大会のことを指す。ビデオでは、若いテニスプレーヤーが異なるサーフェースでグランド・スラムを獲得したこと、そしてその記録がどのようにテニスの歴史に刻まれているかが議論されている。

💡WNBA

「WNBA」とは、アメリカ合衆国の女性バスケットボールのプロフェッショナルリーグを指す。ビデオでは、ジュエル・ロイドというWNBAの選手がテニスとバスケットボールの両方の愛好家として登場し、彼女のスポーツに対する情熱とキャリアについて触れられている。

💡Olympics

「オリンピック」とは、国際オリンピック委員会が主催する世界最大のスポーツイベントである。ビデオでは、ジュエル・ロイドがオリンピックバスケットボールチームに参加し、パリでの大会に向けての準備について語っている。

💡Tennis Channel

「テニスチャンネル」とは、テニスの試合やニュースを中心としたスポーツ専門チャンネルである。ビデオの中では、テニスの熱狂的なファンとして登場するジュエル・ロイドが、このチャンネルを通じてフレンチ・オープンの試合を視聴していることが示されている。

💡Serve and Volley

「サービスアンドボリー」とは、テニスの戦略の一つで、サービス後にネットに向かって急いで相手の打ち返しを受ける戦術を指す。ビデオでは、この戦術がテニスのプレイスタイルとして提唱されており、特にカルロス・アラレスのプレイに影響を与えている。

💡Drop Shot

「ドロップショット」とは、テニスで使用されるテクニックの一つで、低く短いボールを打ち返す方法である。ビデオでは、カルロス・アラレスがこのテクニックを使い、試合の重要なポイントを獲得したとされている。

💡Mental Game

「メンタルゲーム」とは、スポーツにおいて精神的な側面を指し、集中力や心理的な強さを意味する。ビデオでは、テニスとバスケットボールの両方において、メンタルゲームが重要な要素として強調されており、ジュエル・ロイドがその重要性を語っている。

💡Coaching

「コーチング」とは、スポーツ選手やチームに対して技術や戦略の指導を行う行為である。ビデオでは、カルロス・アラレスのコーチ、フアン・カルロス・フェレロの影響力と、コーチングが選手の成長に与える役割について議論されている。

💡Physicality

「フィジカルITY」とは、スポーツで肉体的能力や運動能力を指す。ビデオでは、WNBAの試合における強烈な身体的競争や、テニスのフレンチ・オープンでの選手たちの身体的負担について触れられている。

Highlights

Diana Terasi分享了她对Sue Bird的印象深刻的故事，提到Sue Bird在比赛和生活中都给予了她巨大的支持。

Renee Stubbs和Sam Kiri讨论了法国公开赛的男子决赛，特别是Carlos Alcaraz的五盘胜利。

讨论了比赛中的一个争议性判罚，Sam Kiri提出了对电子线审的看法。

Carlos Alcaraz以其全面的球场技巧和创造力获得称赞，特别是他在红土上的表现。

讨论了Carlos Alcaraz的伤病问题，以及他在比赛中如何克服这些困难。

提到了Carlos Alcaraz的教练Juan Carlos Ferrero对他的影响，以及他在场上的冷静表现。

讨论了EA在女子比赛中的统治地位，以及她连续第三次赢得法国公开赛的成就。

分析了EA与其他女子网球传奇人物的比较，以及她在红土上的统治潜力。

讨论了Coco Gauff在双打比赛中的胜利，以及她在单打比赛中的潜力。

预测了即将到来的温布尔登网球公开赛的潜在赢家，包括对Carlos Alcaraz和Jannik Sinner的讨论。

Juel Lloyd分享了她对WNBA赛季的看法，以及她对新队友和球队发展的期望。

Juel Lloyd讨论了女子体育的崛起，特别是在WNBA中感受到的新能量。

Juel Lloyd分享了她对即将到来的奥运会的看法，以及她可能再次参加奥运会的兴奋之情。

讨论了Juel Lloyd对篮球和网球的双重热爱，以及她如何将两者结合。

Juel Lloyd分享了她对观看法国公开赛的热爱，以及她对某些比赛和球员的看法。

Juel Lloyd讨论了她对即将到来的温布尔登网球公开赛的期待，以及她希望观看的比赛。

Juel Lloyd分享了她对奥运会的期待，以及她希望在巴黎观看网球比赛的愿望。

Transcripts

you have a Diana terasi story I don't

know if we could beat the Sue bird

peeling oranges story but anything from

I think it's going to be a little bit

different this one I just remember going

to the Lane and she just like clocks me

just like straight up like boom I'm like

on the ground I'm like you know like

unbelievable I mean it's probably the

hardest block I probably ever received

in my life and she's like hey you you

look

good all right everyone welcome once

again to The French Connection brought

to you by NBC Sports and re where we

cover the French Open through the

Olympics in Paris and of course

everything in between I am Renee stubs

that is Sam Kiri right over there uh Sam

what an incredible uh couple of weeks we

had at the French Open later on of

course we are going to be joined by juel

Lloyd two-time WNBA Champion who's a

huge tennis fan and a tennis player

herself but we're going to get to her

very soon uh but Sam what do you think

men's final let's just get straight into

it what a match what tournament kitos

wins again yeah you know what a five set

win in the semis and a five set win in

the finals um that's what you want for a

final you want five sets uh is an

incredible match I feel like alcaraz

came out wins the first set loses the

second set that third set there he's

serving for it and kind of For the First

Time really all tournament I felt like

he kind of had like a 10-minute mental

lapse and kind of went away but then got

right back to it dominated the uh the

fourth set dominated the fifth set um I

felt a little bad for Z with that uh

that second serve call I don't know if

you saw that that would have yeah put

the match back at two all in the fifth

but at the end of the day um alarz was

was the better player played incredible

and um you know he's a deserving

deserving French Open Champion yeah I

think look we all you know as tennis

players feel sorry for that second serve

call but so many times stuff like that

happens in tennis matches you could go

back maybe to the third set Maybe

happened there where he could have you

know been up two sets to one like things

happen um certainly a bad call but also

I don't know if you read my Tweet but I

said electronic line calling hello where

are you um at the FR and you know I

don't know about you Sam but people kind

of come back at you like there's margin

for error la la la and it's like yeah

but guys there's margin for error on

human error too but the difference is

and I feel with electronic line calling

there's no argument it's just like

that's the machine's call get on with it

and I think if the call had come for

example by a machine there's no arguing

that so anyway but let's not talk too

much about that because as you said I

think the better player won and I think

I might have stand said that s was gonna

make the final Sam and lose in the final

and get a little tight you did I mean

look that's that's a spoton call you

were you were all over it all week but

alcarez I mean the creativity and he's

he really does have an allc Court game

you see him serving and voling in big

opportunities you see him using the drop

shot he uses a high loopy not to call it

a moonball but uses that to get short

balls he he he redirects back hands down

the line he can do everything and I feel

like he's just got a little more variety

in his game than than really every other

male player out there right now yeah

it's phenomenal particularly on Clay I

guess how many is he G to win um

throughout his career a little bit

concerning with the injury that he had

come you know he had the physio out a

bunch you could see that it was working

on like his upper leg groin area and

certainly for someone who slides the way

he do does on Clay there was a bit of a

concern there were you a bit conc

concern that oh is he going to be able

to like physically get through this

match I definitely was especially with

the history he's had uh with injuries

over the past couple years but uh like

you said he had the physio out they kind

of worked on it and it it seemed to make

or have zero effect on his game he

really only got better after that so um

you know hopefully now he's got he's got

a week to you know kind of take care of

his body recover we'll see I think he's

probably scheduled to play Queens next

um you know if he's not 100% he can

always take that week off take the week

off before wimble have three weeks to

get this body right but um all in all he

his body held up well and he you see him

move around he's he's physical he kind

of moves around the court the way that

like jokovic is physical with this

movement Carlos is physical with his

movement so um you know we want him

healthy to to watch and play at that

high level dude the shot maybe of the

tournament the onehanded flicker now as

somebody like you who had a two-handed

backand did you ever run over and hit a

one-handed flick backand crosscourt and

virtually one of the biggest points of

the match and the look that Zev gave him

like whatever and then you see him

apologize because it clipped the net I

don't know if everybody saw that point

but it was literally one of the best

shots I've ever seen I screamed so loud

in my apartment it was ridiculous and

then he says sorry because it clipped

the net but then the next movement is

vamos I was like I loved it that shot

can you tell me have you ever hit a shot

like that oh no I've never hit a shot

first of all I can't even slide out to

my left on Clay but I mean for a guy

with a he's got a two-hander like like

most of us he goes over and flicks a

one-handed back you know passing shot

crosscourt and yes it clipped the net

but even if it didn't clip the net the

fact that he hit it so cleanly and so

solid at such a great angle um and I

believe that was to give him a love 40

yeah gave him three huge yeah just to

hit break was huge know there's one

thing hitting that in practice but to

hit it in the French Open in the final

and like this big moment is even just

more incredible so that was you know he

had the momentum at the time but that

was kind of you know what would put him

over the edge and once he hit that

you're like all right this is his

tournament at this point yeah I was just

like good luck you know can't can't beat

the guy with one hand and good luck um

youngest player at the age of 21 to won

all the Grand Slams on different

surfaces he has not won the Australian

Open yet but it is a hardc court he's

won the US Open on hardc court he's now

won Wimbledon last year over five sets

on grass and now he's won the French

Open he is the youngest to do that look

at the names on this list Sam I mean are

we talking about arguably the next I

mean can he get to 20 what's the deal

like this guy's phenomenal it seems you

know if you go back five years you're

like oh will someone else get to 20 you

be like no that just it's too difficult

it's too difficult but now all a sudden

he's got three and he's 21 and he's got

three on three different surfaces so all

that tells you is that every slam for

the next you know he's 21 let's say he

plays till 35 so for the next 14 years

he's going to have the opportunity to

win every Grand Slam he's in because you

know he can do it and so yeah he does

have a chance to get to those you know

the the the 20 number I think yeah I

mean I I'm the same I mean when people

were talking about those numbers I was

like no way no one's ever going to do

that this was the most freak you know

two or three four three players we've

ever seen and Roger Rafa and Novak but

now we're starting to talk Carlos alarz

sin I don't think I don't know if sin's

going to get to 20 just because not he's

not quite well no I don't even want to

put him in not quite as vers he's got to

get to two before we talk about getting

to 20 that's right that's right but um

the semi-final wasn't as you know it was

everyone was complaining it wasn't as

great as a US Open in the matches I mean

come on give these guys a break you

can't be perfect every single time they

play but I'm so looking forward to Sina

and alcarez I think sin's the favorite

at Wimbledon even though Carlos won it

last year he's definitely my favorite to

win the US Open CER I just think the

faster Court helps him um and I think

wimbl will be interesting to see if they

play against each other but thankfully

they'll be number one and number two um

but then you've got Novak who's won it

seven times he's hanging around as well

so I don't know but we'll get to wimbl

in a second um what's the impact you

think of K of ju Carlos Ferrera for

Carlos because he wasn't in Australia he

tactically played a horrendous match

against verif everybody's talked about

it including myself that he played the

back end way too much in Australia and

then he's finally figured out oh that's

right the guy's got probably arguably

the best back end of the game why am I

playing it there but just the influence

of having the coach there to remind him

to calm him down and particular won as

experienced as Juan Carlos who also won

the French Open himself right it's it's

massive like you said Juan caros won the

French Open so just for Carlos alcaraz

just being able to look up at that

player in between points gives you a lot

of confidence and look no one knows what

what one Carlos is doing with Carlos you

know behind the scenes how he's coaching

it but he's whatever he's doing it's

it's amazing he's he's done a phenomenal

job these last you know call it four or

five years and I'm more impressed not so

much with his with the game that car

alcarez is playing but just his his

mindset he kind of is like Rafa you

don't see you don't see him get overly

high or overly low he's locked in every

point he's he just acts like a true

champion kind of like we saw Rafa do and

so that's what I'm most impressed with

like whatever Juan Carlos is doing to

get into the mind of Carlos alcarez um

is really impressive because alcarez is

just locked in and and acts like a

champion at this young age of 21 every

Point yeah it's incredible I mean my

last thing on Carlos is that he really

is the mixture of all the three greats

he has the flexibility that you know

outreached open stance backand passing

shot down the line he has the creativity

of a Roger federa the you know with the

fancy like Drop shots and the slice back

in and he has that kind of like bull

mentality of Rafa and of course the

Spanish personality but he has kind of

like the quirkiness and smiling

sometimes you know Novak does the smile

and then the you know he's so he has a

little bit of everyone in him and I am

so here for it I cannot wait to watch

him play the next 10 15 hopefully years

he stays injury free somebody who has no

problem winning the French Open and has

now done it four times which is

unbelievable at her age of course is

eager Shan who just crushed Jasmine Pina

and a lot of people like oh it was a

terrible final all that sort but listen

you play who you play we know she had

that scare against Osaka I mean Osaka

was one point away from winning

the match could have been a very

different situation but as I also

tweeted out I thought she was going to

crush everybody after that match against

Osaka because we saw her cry after the

match Sam I mean you know what it's like

to go in as overwhelming favorite

against somebody and you know you get

pushed and she I think was so relieved

after getting through that match and

knowing how not lucky I don't want to

say that no one's lucky winning a match

but fortunate to get through a match the

way she did there I think she was just

so relieved that she was like all right

I'm good now and of course all the big

hit in the bottom half the draw lost

rakina sabalenka to Andrea to Pini

because the match up on Clay is very

different these two players that they

lost to are technically very good clay

quarters but for someone like eager to

play another clay quarter you better

have some power and unfortunately for

Pini she was playing herself she was

just playing somebody way better way

better and you kind of had a little hope

early I think going into the match

everyone's like is gonna Crush you know

crush palini and then palini kind of

holds that first game and then eaga

holds and palini I think holds again to

go up 2-1 you're like all right like you

know what for a first time her in the

French Open final here like she's come

to play and then it was Off to the Races

for EA 62 61 after that and you just

there there was nothing Jasmine could do

EA's just better on on on on the

forehand side on the backhand side on

the movement and like you said once she

got through the match with Osaka it was

like almost like a weight had been

lifted off her shoulder and it was like

okay I've got just I've got freedom now

I'm I'm not not NE playing with house

money because she's number one in the

world and so dominant but that felt like

her test she got through it and then

after that it gave her just like that

extra bit of confidence and she rolled

through the rest of the field just like

you just like you predicted after that

match I mean you know somebody's got to

do it someone's going to put themselves

on the line but on on a serious note

three times in a row she wins this

tournament it's now the fourth time

she's won it but this is somebody who's

dominating at this event Chris EV of

course holds the record at the French

open and has an amazing record at the

French Open but you start talking about

oson tech now how many French opens can

she win I mean you know being number one

seed being having all of the pressure on

her shoulder coming in here winning

Madrid winning um in Rome and when you

look at the names that now she is on the

list with look at these players I mean

these are the absolute greatest tennis

players outside of Serena who is not

that great on the red clay um but

certainly she enough Grand Slam so I'm

not going to give her a hard time but

look at the players that she's now

joined at the French Open and this is um

this is the upper echelons of tennis

royalty no it's it's incredible I mean

and for her like we were kind of talking

about this off camera what's harder

getting to the top or staying at the top

and I think it's staying at the top the

fact that e has done this three years in

a row everyone's gunning for her um it's

you know Testament to her but I don't

think it's crazy to say that like she

could have a look at 10 French opens you

know I

what you think but like you know it

doesn't appear right now that she's got

you know a competitor on this surface

that's going to be challenging her year

and year out yeah I mean listen if you

go back to Rafa winning four or five you

start oh maybe he can get to nine like

10 or it's like crazy the guy has 14

okay so is it POS which is so nuts I

mean players don't win one tournament

let load 14 Grand Slams at one event but

I I I said last year when she won I

thought she could win 10 French opens

and I look if she stays healthy look

she's quirky she's anxious riddled and

all that sort of stuff I mean it's over

time it gets harder and harder to win

which is why we as pundits and ex

players are so respectful of what Roger

Rafa Serena all these players do because

there is no question getting to the top

is really hard but staying there year

after year is by far harder there's no

question about it you have to keep

upping your level you have to keep you

know everyone's nipping at your heels

and no one has any pressure when they

play against you so what she was able to

do I think getting through that match

with Osaka as you said just lifted all

the weight off her shoulders and she

just played so freely after that um Pini

got to give her so much credit I'm so

happy for her she's now inside the top

10 this is a player I saw play at a 125

in Prague like years ago and I was like

this kid is so good she's so happy why

isn't she doing better do you see her

maybe making another final of a

slam yeah I hope so I mean look she she

gained a lot of fans she's a fun player

to watch she's got a smile on her face

she's she rips the ball um you know not

to mention she made the finals of the

singles she made the finals of the

doubles too kind of a little you know

icing on the cake with with that result

as well but you know if she's gonna make

another final of a slam it's probably

gonna be the French Open her game seems

to be suited for the clay but um you

know she's she's somewhat of a new name

to the Casual tennis fan and I think I

think a lot of people are going to be

excited to watch our tournaments all

over the world moving forward agree all

right I got a good question for you Sam

who's going to win more Grand Slam

titles between EIG Shante and Carlos

alcarez ah gosh this is so difficult I'm

gonna go with IGA just because I don't

think she has the the competition that

Carlos has or not maybe not the

competition but she just seems so

dominant the gap between her and maybe

sabalenka and KOCO just seems like a

little too great right now where Carlos

does have like CER on his heels and it

seems like z may clip him one of these

times he's had some injuries um but at

you know at the end of the day like I

can see them both getting 15 or more but

I'm gonna if if if I had to pick right

now EA is my answer you well that's I'm

I'm I'm surprised only because I thought

alarz we just talked about how dominant

he is on all surfaces this guy wins at

Wimbledon he's one of the fast surfaces

of the US Open whereas eager struggles a

little bit more against the raras

against the sabalan against the ostap

penos on a fast hardcore I mean she

can't beat us pink on a hard court it's

like it's insane but so I think she

needs to adapt a little bit more in a

faster hard court to multiply the grand

slams right the way Rafa was able to

step up a little bit at Wimbledon to you

know not play so far deep in the court

the trrain open changed a little bit got

a bit slower through the year so I don't

know it's a great it's a great question

and one that we don't live or die by

because it's not about us right exactly

someone who does have a Grand Slam in

singles and also now in doubles finally

because I think it was her third or

fourth Final in doubles was Coco go you

got to give her a lot of credit she came

off of you know a difficult loss to eaga

in the semi-finals again with all the

question marks like have you ever GNA

beat eaga blah blah blah um but she

turns up with sakova who of course has

been so dominant over the last couple of

years in doubles with Babor Kika they

decided to have a break then she was

playing with storm Sanders from

Australia and they were doing pretty

well and then storm guess what tore her

Achilles

and so she plays first time with Coco go

they win the French Open I mean how

great is that for for coko to finally

get that win because she's been in as I

said a bunch of grand slam doubles

finals to play with someone's experien

as sakova Hood also won so much um but

it was nice especially when they um they

just dominated the whole tournament yeah

they crushed it and in my opinion Koko's

been the best doubles player the last

three years like you you know or cak OFA

might have a little I know but you know

kok is a singles player who is is also

playing doubles on the on the side a

little bit you know she I don't think

she necessarily practices doubles it's a

little bit like Jack sock Jack was never

the number one ranked doubles player but

I think amongst the locker room and

amongst the players you're like Jack is

the best player I think kok has a little

bit of that kind of Aura around her on

the doubles Court where like you know

what kok yes she's a singles player

she's phenomenal at doubles but like I

think a lot of the girls if you asked

her like cooko they would they would say

Koko is the best doubles player

she's got incredible results with

everyone she plays with her and Pula

were had a great run for a couple years

it was awesome to see her you know win

win this and and they dominated as a

team but um I'm impressed with their

doubles game and I think you know if you

win a Grand Slam in doubles it's just

going to help your confidence on the

singles court and hopefully this can

kind of boost her even more you know

when she plays a an ego or sabalenka in

those matches hopefully she can gain a

little confidence from these doubles

wins yeah I think look I think what she

did and what helped her was playing with

somebody who'd won so many doubles grand

slams and as you know Sam experience you

can't buy it and she had not won a

doubles Grand Slam yes she'd won a

singles which s had not done but I think

when you're on the court with somebody

who's like calming you down and she's

won so much um but I'd say Su Shay might

have a little issue with you about best

doubles players I know I just feel like

Co if Koko quit singles right now was

like I am fulltime doubles I'm I'm

giving her 25 doubles Grand slings I

love it I love that you're I love that

you're you are you were promoting that

and I love can I just say any young

player out there and any play coach out

there get your kids to play doubles it

only helps their singles game and often

actually coko son have done it the

reverse usually a lot of players win

doubles grand slams and then they go on

to win singles grand slams and there's

been many in the past particularly on

the women's side that have done that I

can think of many many many of them Ash

body comes to mind of course um you the

most recent to have done that um as a

ranker won mix doubles before she won

singles titles is the is long all right

so Sam is it way too early to pre

preview hold hold on Wimbledon I don't

think so so let's get to who's your

favorite on both the men's and women's

side to I'm gonna have to I can't I

can't find my trophies right now yeah

listen where's your Queens one because

that's coming up soon that's way bigger

than this side story when I won Queens

they sent me the trophy it was in like

400 pieces I sent it back to get a new

one they sent me another one it was also

cracked so I have the trophy but it's

cracked right now no yeah to do

something about that I mean it is large

so I don't know but anyway way to avoid

the look it's too it's too early like we

like we were predicting before the uh

the French Open with the men like we

didn't really there was like 12 guys we

thought we could win the French Open and

ultimately Carlos won it but Wimbledon

is even the grasp results are even a

little more obscure so like you know

look Carlos and CER are probably the two

favorites I'm going to go out on Lem and

it's going to be a a guy ranked between

like eight and 15 that's going to win

Wimbledon this year I it just AG Grio

demitro yeah a demitro you know uh

Taylor Fritz can hit through the courts

you know maybe Buck hits first serves

the entire tournament never misses one

like you just you just don't know on

that men's side but um you know I at

least we're gonna have a finalist I

think that's kind of between that eight

and 15 range in the rankings and on the

women's side yeah like look EGA hasn't

shown us what she can do on the grass

yet if sabalenka is locked in her balls

are going to be she's I think we saw

first round of the French Open her

average forehand speed was like a you

know 150 miles an hour if if those are

dialed in at Wimbledon uh she's gonna be

tough to beat um so I'm gonna I'm gonna

go with Sabal Lanka on the girls side

men's side I'm kind of saying it's

open well okay well from my standpoint I

think I'm gonna go not on a limb because

she's won it before I'm going to go for

rakina I think that she has sort of

struggled a bit this year with injuries

with sickness all the things and look

you could say Sabal Lanka you could say

anur who's played in the the finals the

last two years you'd certainly say eager

but I think as far as comfortability on

grass and the big serve if she's healthy

I feel like rakina is the player to beat

on grass so I'm G to pick Meena rakina

and on the on the men's side I said

before I think sinner is the favorite um

but I have this weird I get these weird

feelings Sam and I think that Carlos is

going to win Wimbledon again and I think

Novak might have something to say about

that we forget about that guy who's won

at seven times but is he gonna be able

to play I don't know oh no he won't be

able to play right because if it's a

miniscus tear six weeks is minimum so

yes you are correct thank you for

reminding me of that um so I'm gonna say

alarz and then I'm going to bookend the

grand slams with sin when in the US Open

so I think sin is going to win the first

and the last and Carlos is going to win

the ones in between so I'm going to say

Carlos and in it you heard it here first

everyone and as far as Sam is concerned

you can pick anyone outside of alcarez

or sin yes look your French Open

predictions were spot on so if you're

listening out there go with Rene's

predictions because she's uh she had a

great a great French Open

run yeah I got a bit lucky but anyway

all right guys well we are so excited

about our next guest um someone who

knows tennis very well and you're going

to hear all about it uh two-time WNBA

Champion juel Lloyd uh she had a game

last night and we're very pleased that

she's going to get up early for us and

join us because she's on the west coast

and so are you Sam so thanks for getting

up early all right guys more with juul

Lloyd after the break all right everyone

as promised we promised you the one and

only two-time WNBA champion and

five-time allar the gold mumber herself

juel lyd juel thanks so much for joining

us I know you had a game last night

you're up early on the west coast like

Sam so we really appreciate you joining

us today thanks buddy no this is awesome

uh I couldn't say no of this this is a

must do so I appreciate you guys having

me on all right well let's get into it

um let's talk about your season first of

all in the WNBA playing pretty well

Seattle Storm is certainly one of the

teams to play for they've had a storied

um just you know franchise through the

years and I know that you're glad to be

a part of that team tough one last night

you lost but also you had a great win

not that long ago against the reigning

Champion the aces just overall how are

you feeling about your season you know

we're feeling good um it's always

interesting when you have uh new

teammates right new season I always say

like every season is a New Journey uh

never you know the same Journey never

the same season never the same teammates

uh things evolve and so that's what

we're doing right now we're evolving

we're still trying to take uh some time

to get to know each other still trying

to figure out Personnel sometimes or

what people like to do but that's all

new training camp was shorter this year

because of the Olympic year so we only

work together for about two three weeks

before season started so that's not a

lot of time to kind of implement people

but I'm feeling good you know we're not

where we're supposed to be we know we're

we're still building so that's the point

of getting better every day and that's

what we're trying to do that's awesome

can you feel kind of like the WNBA right

now has a ton of energy ton of new

rookies in the league it seems like it's

you know you turn on ESPN Stephen A it's

it's being talked about everywhere can

you kind of feel that energy when you're

when you're at your home games away

games any game right now can you feel

that new kind of like bump of energize

like energy from the fan base when

you're playing 100% it's definitely

electric right now I think just in

General the women's sports is just

taking off um I feel like that's where

we're going and that's where we're

seeing a lot of momentum which is

amazing so for us you know I feel like

every couple years is the generation

that comes in and kind of elevates the

game that's we're definitely seeing that

now I think obviously now the nil kind

of helped the shift of college sports

and people coming in with way more not

notability coming into the professional

side but uh there's definitely movement

and it's great to see because you

obviously want to grow the game and uh

that's what's happening right now yeah

so let's ask the you know elephant in

the room the whatever you want to call

it Caitlyn Clark um you were the number

one draft pick as well back in your day

you had a lot of uh expectation on your

shoulders just tell us the difficulties

of coming into the pro league the

differences between playing college

being the outstanding player in college

you go to the pros tell me what their

first year is like just so people can

understand how difficult and I have to

say juel as a season ticket holder now

to WNBA games I never realized how

intense and physical women's basketball

is I don't know about you Sam if you've

been to some WNBA games but my God like

the physicality so just tell us how hard

that transition is yeah you know the

best way I can explain it and way

actually how I explain it to my a and

nephew it's like if anyone in general

goes to a new job you're always kind of

like what's going on it takes a minute

to get your footing it takes a minute to

just realize what's going on um at the

same time for me you know I came from

college we're living in dorms for three

years now I'm living by myself in the

west coast um Pacific Northwest having

been adult have to figure out how

grocery shop all these things on top of

trying to learn new plays my teammates

my teammates at the time were older than

me they were you know with families and

things I'm like I'm just playing video

games by myself so it's definitely an

adjustment you know um you're learning

how to be an adult on top of learning

how to be professional it's not easy and

yes like you said it's the WBA so is

goal and you realize it's really is the

best league in the world um you're

playing against you know Olympians

you're playing against the high most

highle athletes all the time and so it's

not it's not uh it's not easy and that's

that's why it's the best in the world

and that's why it's only so many limited

spots because it's so competitive every

single night um but yeah it's always an

adjustment no matter how good you are no

matter if you're coming in from overseas

whatever it is it just takes time

because you're just coming from college

like you're learning a whole another

life you know you're starting all over

and uh the best thing to do is just to

to rely on what you know is play

basketball the game is the same so you

rely on that the game will take you

where it needs to go and uh I think

that's the biggest thing with all the

rookies coming in it's always just do

what you do and and let that uh take you

take you off FL that's awesome moving

from basketball to tennis we know you

play some tennis and I know you play

some pickle ball we're just saying

there's a we're in Seattle like I'm

injured right now but we were gonna have

a big pickle ball tournament Seattle

later this summer it's it's been moved

uh but we'll have to get out on the

court one of these days but were you

locked in the last two weeks watching

the French Open always uh tennis is our

family thing I grew up playing tennis so

I I know the game pretty well and um

yeah waking up in the mornings before

you know practice and our games was the

best thing I'm calling my dad like get

out you know games on and uh it's what

we love to do and what we love to watch

so I've been logged in and it was some

great tennis and some great story lines

as well yeah so tell me jel like your

dad like the history of tennis why

because some people might be listening

to this or watching it going wait what

tennis you what so give us more of a

background of how you got into it and

and your family's love of it of course

my dad uh moved from Georgia to Chicago

um his uncle uh needed a hidden buddy my

dad knew nothing about tennis and uh

started to play my dad played football

and basketball but tennis was something

that was really exposed to to him and

his family to his uncle was like you

know here grab a racket we just going to

play so my dad was obvious really bad at

at the start eventually playing over

years he got really good and he fell in

love with tennis and when he had uh my

brother and I he implemented tennis into

our lives and I grew up every day

playing tennis um I was on the circuit

growing up in Chicago I played for my

high school team I I play uh now still

but uh it was our family game we played

doubles all the time my dad and I my

brother and my mom um and then I just

fell in love with it and uh I always say

you know I I was taught the game of

tennis and uh I learned all the wi's and

and why Nots and for basketball I was

just good at it um so that's kind of the

difference and it just kind of worked

out that way but tennis is something

that um I I love to do I study the game

um I just you know it was my first love

it was my first you know impen to sports

and H people don't to realize how

amazing and difficult the sport is and

uh so you know the ins and outs of as

you guys both know but it's such a great

sport it's such a a mental game and uh

it's something that be I still you know

uh just devour my my time into do you

think playing tennis growing up has

helped you in your WNBA career like kind

of having like the the background with

with the different sports maybe the

footwork maybe the hand eye coordination

things like that uh definitely uh my the

footwork is is huge I I don't think

people understand how important your

feet are when you're playing tennis but

also in basketball a lot of its balance

uh shifting momentum and weight and so

uh knowing how to do that coming off

scen screens it's the same thing I got

to be able to stay a little to the

ground um and use my shift and

understand that but a lot of is mental

uh I think that's probably the biggest

shift just understanding I'm able to

play tennis for five hours four hours by

myself as a child you know growing up

just me and the ball having to

strategize and problem solve um it makes

it a lot I'm not g to say totally easier

to have four other people on the court

with me to problem solve but it

definitely a way up my B that I don't

feel the pressure all the time on myself

so understand early age that it's a

mental game and challenging your brain

different ways has allowed me to use

that in basketball yeah I love that um

certainly in tennis we don't have to

body worry about getting body checked

though so that the one I mean I don't

know jul you maybe want to stick with

tennis at least someone was gon to give

you an elbow or or like smack your arms

down now I know why you guys wear the

sleeves I mean because you guys get

scratched all the time I finally figured

it out it took me all the time um but

let's get into the French I know that

you were watching you were getting up

early which would have been tough for

you on the west coast buddy but um you

know were there any matches that you

were just like wow like this is why I

love this sport so much just talk me

through some of the matches that you

watch and some of the some of the people

that really excite you when when you

watch Tennis yeah I was super excited U

I wish the match was kind of later on

but uh EA and Naomi was amazing uh to

have that kind of start off uh you know

it was it was just phenomenal tennis um

you know having you know NAA come back

and she's in a rhythm and I think she's

playing great right now you know I think

that this match kind of give her a

vision for where she could be U coming

in the next uh major and things like

that but that game was Unreal um just

great hitting great strategizing it was

just like a blow for blow punch for

punch uh it was really great to see and

um you know we we kind of talked a

little bit but e is a is is a a Savage

man you know she has another level I

don't know you know and she just has

this this gear and I think that actually

challenged her to be better too so I'm

sure she's going to look back at that

match and see okay what can I do to

improve here and there but uh you know

that was that was great on that side and

uh you know watching on the men's side

you know watching Carlos and Center I

love watching them play I think we get

great tenant every single time um it's

just phenomenal to see young guys uh

hitting the ball so fast um they're

young but they're able to problem solve

really you know by themselves really and

have both creative sides that are

different um which is nice to see but uh

man I I love I mean waking up early I

tell you it was the best it was giving

me motivation to go to Shooter around

I'm watching this skin and watching

tennis and going to Shooter I'm like

let's go guys you know they're like why

you so energized I'm like I just watched

the whole you know four hours of tennis

before this so it was a great uh warmup

for me that's awesome now unfortunately

there's no tennis tournaments in Seattle

uh I've always I've actually never been

to Seattle I've been all over the world

for 20 years playing tennis it's like my

number one place I want to go visit only

in the summertime Sam you gotta go to

the Seattle Tennis uh Club I think it's

I don't know exact name it's on Puget

Sound once I get this boot off I'm going

up to Seattle this summer and play

please uh but have you ever been to live

tennis I know there's none in Seattle

but have you been to Indian Welles US

Open any the big tournaments yeah so a

couple years ago I went to US Open which

is phenomenal um we actually were in New

York uh playing we had some time off and

so we we uh I made a you know big thing

like listen I don't care you know I went

to the theater already I've done this

I'm going to the tenants so uh that's

why I've been there I've also been to

the Miami open as well so that was

awesome had a really good time there and

I was actually in Miami doing the Miami

pig ball uh as well so I was able to

play a little pig ball a see some tennis

uh so it was a it was best of all the

worlds for me but uh my my my dream look

at that look at that there it is we

might need to play mix doubles at a

tournament next year please I would love

to I would love to don't do it he's he's

struggling he's struggling listen it's

it's bunch of teammates it's you know we

gotta lift each other up so I'm I I tore

my achilles a couple months ago so I'm

gonna need a lot of lift up right now if

we're on the court together I got it as

long as you take the three steps get to

the line we can dominate there so I'm

already strategizing but yeah you know

it's a i my dream is to to take my dad

and go through all the all the opens and

uh that's kind of been our our goal or

our Dream to do that but uh I I'm

definitely always locked in as always

tennis Channel's always

on well I can tell you you and I spoke

at uh the game here in New York U my

seats were are literally like I feel

like I'm on the opposing team seats my

seat you guys which is kind of nice um

but we did mention you are playing uh

the Liberty during the US Open I don't

know if you've had something to do with

the scheduling of Seattle storms games

in New York but you certainly did that

right so hopefully we can get you out to

the US Open uh maybe get you on ESPN to

give you some uh you know some tips on

what what what to do in the game it

would be fun but let's get to the

Olympics my friend now rumor has it I

know it's not official but rumors have

it you might be back on the Olympic team

if that is the case congratulations once

again um what does it mean uh I know

it's not official but I think you've

been told uh just give me your thoughts

on again going to the Olympics again in

Paris for you yeah you know um I'm

always a kind of get it from my dad

where it's like nothing's official until

it's official right so I try not to get

too geek until I hear from the sources

okay let's just pretend let's just

pretend hypothetically you're on the

team yeah hypothetically come on the

team um you know it's it's pretty

amazing um you know playing basketball

and when I literally when I quit playing

tennis uh to focus on basketball it was

like I have two goals to win a w

championship and win a gold medal and

I've been able to do that which is in

incredible and amazing and you know you

set these goals and you sometimes you're

un sure along the journey will it happen

could it happen and then you get a call

from USA and you know going to Tokyo was

like what seriously like I all this work

and all the sacrifices finally paid off

and uh then you kind of get the urge to

say how can I do it again what can I do

to put myself in position to do it again

and um I I think I put myself in a great

position to to be on the team to go to

Paris and I've never been to Paris so um

I'm excited to to see that and between

you and Sam do you guys travel I mean

what's going on it's unreal I I don't

know I've never been to Paris I've been

like you know the too and everything

else but never Paris but uh you know to

to have the the vision I'm going to comp

be for your country to do something you

love and to represent your family and

friends and your beliefs um on a whole

another Global uh stage is it's

impressive and it's just you know you

don't take this more for granted because

you never know you know and thankfully

with the crowd because in Tokyo

obviously it was tough for you guys and

I must admit I mean Sam and I have both

been to the Olympics and we've never had

to experience that with no crowd that

would have been really tough so I'm glad

all of you guys get to go back to Paris

with a full crowd um and the atmosphere

is going to be completely different sure

now there's so much talent in the WNBA

right now is there one person you're

looking forward to playing with most on

that Olympic team that you're you know

not a teammate of Seattle but someone

else in the league that you don't

normally get to play with that you're

like oh my gosh yes like I'm gonna be on

the court with this person for the

duration of the games yeah you know the

last couple years I've gotten really

really close um with Asia Wilson and uh

she's just phenomenal she's a great

person her family is amazing and you

know you you look at her and she's you

know dominating right now with with EAS

uh but that's kind of just where where

she's peing and she's just does it with

such such a Grace and uh confidence

level and so playing with her it's it's

always amazing because for me anytime

you go to Olympics or go to you know the

national team training camps you're

around like Hall of Fame players

sometimes you don't understand them just

like oh these are my my friends like

these are my classmates whatever but

it's like no you're around Hall of Fame

players you're around you know the

legends of the game who have shifted the

game of basketball and changed the game

of basketball and so I I I look around

I'm like this is awesome not just

basketball but around these great people

so I'm gonna ask them questions on how

they do things and you know you're never

going to be in a room with these people

again maybe who knows so I take full

advantage of that but playing with Asia

it's such a blessing because uh she's

just another level you know and I

learned so much from her and like I said

she in the confidence that um has really

um ignited the next generation of

athletes coming in to to try to do that

as well so it's always cool to to play

with her and see see her and just watch

her you know watch her be great what

country are you worried about going into

the Olympics we see on the men's game

you got Luca donic got the Joker you got

a lot of European players on the men's

side in the WNBA you guys are so

dominant haven't lost the game in the

Olympics in 30 years what country or

countries do you guys kind of have

highlighted as like we're a little bit

worried about about this group of ladies

I like I like the iroll that you like 30

years no pressure yeah I know just like

f like 10,000 breaks no pressure right

don't be the team to break the street

yeah I know uh geez that would be crazy

um no honestly like every year uh you

see the development of count is getting

better and better brother there's

development of players coaches strategy

um just Talent growth things like that

and uh for us a lot of us play overseas

so we know a lot of the people on the

other countries you understand how they

play things like that uh but I mean you

know every time we play you know China

Belgium France um Australia right like a

lot of the players do play in the league

too so we know kind of how the

physicality is things like that but you

can't take any team you know lightly all

you need is one bad game one bad quarter

uh and things change instantly so for us

it's maintaining what we do focusing on

us and what our strengths are and

playing USA basketball um that's kind of

our mind that every time we go into Camp

you know we want to make sure we're

playing USA Basketball we going to

world's qualification tournaments as

always how can we play USA Basketball

focus on us and uh let everything kind

of fall into place yeah and uh old

Seattle Storm uh player that you didn't

get to play with because you're a lot

younger than she is Lauren Jackson

coming back for Australia that's just

crazy in and of itself

man Lauren uh she she's like top five

for me easily hand down um what she's

been do how she does it coming back this

dominating you know Shooters always

shoot you know she she's never lost her

touch you can see that but she has this

grit about it I think she's playing for

more reasons than just basketball itself

um she's inspiring so many people and so

many the game of basketball in Australia

she's doing so much to elevate that and

I told her like anytime she needs help

like I'm willing to come down there and

help out whenever I can because um you

know she's done so much and it's only

right and she comes back she's always so

nice and gives me so much wisdom so uh

yeah her coming back is it's that that's

a story line that people need to talk

about more listen jel January Australian

Open I'm thinking ahead here get you

down there she finally went to her first

Australian Open and first tennis live

match last okay so there yeah exactly

all right so give me speaking of Lauren

speaking of teammates uh well you didn't

play with Lauren but uh give me your

best Sue Bird

Story best Bird Story first time in

Seattle growing up first week before

training camp su's like you know come

over you know like you know I don't want

you be alone like hang out and I was

like first of all SE Bird's texting me

I'm still like shocked about that um

then she's asked me to come over I'm

like do like what do I what do I wear

like am I I'm like nervous you I'm kind

of panicking and so we get over and

she's like just talking to me she's like

hey like how's how are things I'm like

well I just left college so things are

great like I don't know like I'm fine

like how do I connect with with too and

now she was talking to me and before you

know there was a someone told me you

know I don't know if W players going to

take care of you you know they're kind

of grown they have the their own lives

and as is that's kind of like in my head

she's over there like peeling me oranges

cutting me up a whole meal she's like

preparing all these things I'm like wow

like this is like first class like so he

was like making me meals like it it was

crazy so we sit down and we're just

talking and for me being a rugie like

having that first experience was like no

way like subber is in here you know

sharing a meal with me I'm barely really

talking I'm I'm you know nervous and her

her way to kind of just break the ice

was amazing and that's kind of

transformed our relationship going

forward because uh you knew that it was

bigger than basketball for Sue uh if you

you know anyone who knows Sue it's you

know she's so nice so genuine it's no

there's no fluff and she just wants

people to be to themselves all the time

and that allowed me to grow in the

person I wanted to be and I've always

kind of Shar that story with you know my

friends and family because people don't

know Su they just see her as this icon

what she is but they don't know the

person she really is in in her heart so

uh that first week was like mindblowing

for me allowed me to kind of relax and

have someone to conf find in as a young

kid coming into the league so I always

remember that I'm like man two P me

oranges were good that's like you know

back in the day you know you know it's

yeah Bill and oranges was hard in

general so for her to do that was

amazing so TR truly one of the nicest

people you ever made agreed piggybacking

on that on that uh Diana terasi I think

this is her fifth Olympics if

I yeah you have a Diana terasi story I

don't know if we could beat the Sue bird

peeling oranges story but anything from

I think it's going to be a little bit

different this one right did she make

you like a nice filet Manan with a salad

and no just probably probably the elbow

and gave me some water told me to you

know kick rocks uh with with DT yeah no

uh you know first time probably honestly

probably the most welcome to the league

moment you know before the game she's

like y like grat being here like just

kind of hide me up I'm like oh wow like

DT and DT is like my idol you know I

grew up watching DT um so I have so much

respect for her uh lat in the game you

know kind of filling it out whatever and

I just remember going to the Lane and

she just like clocks me just like

straight up like boom I'm like on the

ground I'm like you know like

unbelievable I mean it's probably the

hardest block I probably ever received

in my life and she's like hey you you

look good oh I'm on the floor I'm just

like thanks Diaz I'm like literally like

my shoulder is hurting like I'm my swore

she's like look good runs my gu defense

a three timeout I'm like all right this

is this is awesome this is perfect what

I want to hear you know from my ID don't

just you know taking you know just no

mercy um but me and DT have a great

relationship and she's awesome and she's

so competitive you know I think that's

why she plays with so much joy I that's

why she's able to play for so long

because it's just a joy to the game and

uh we see that you know even with you

know comp Novak right his he loves the

game of tennis like he understands that

there's a purity um to to how they play

so uh yeah DT is NE Next Level and she

has intensity but it's all love oh my

God I think that's a great story talk

about apples and oranges with BAS

uh by the way DT and subbert are best

friends so there you go on that front

but that's awesome also it's important

for people that haven't followed the

WNBA that the storyline out there about

Caitlyn Clark being you know treated

this way this has happens to all rookies

you just didn't see it back in the day

because the cameras weren't on every

single game the way they are now um I

don't want to get into that with you

though Joel because we don't have enough

time to to talk about that sort of stuff

but is there a moment at the Olympics

where you've been Star Struck where

you're like oh my God there's so and so

um it's got to be a non non- basketball

player too yeah yeah no no no basketball

players uh respectfully but uh yeah we

were in Olympics uh you know we had

really the only time that we were really

with everyone with Opening Ceremonies so

walking around and seeing that and we're

all kind of star shrug and um you know I

yeah because unlike us you guys are

special you're in your own okay I didn't

see I didn't see all that I didn't see

I'll say it yeah

uh honestly um I was really stoked to

see uh NAA the skateboarder um I grew up

skateboard as well and and so see I I

watched so many so many uh you know

YouTube clips about all my friends uh

and so I was uh we're walking in and uh

you know I was like wait that that's

that'sa I'm like and so I that's the one

picture where I I definitely got because

um lot of people don't know that I used

to skateboard growing up and that kind

of has a a way just like relaxing me and

understanding that so seeing him and

knowing what he's done for the for the

sport of skateboarding has elevated so

much and so seeing that was pretty

awesome I mean you are just a jack of

all trades my friend W who knew you

should have your own documentary based

on how talented you are in every sport

I'm just saying gold mamb hey you know

we're working on it maybe you guys could

help me with that because uh I think I

have some pretty cool stories now this

is one of those rare occurrences at the

Olympics we saw it in 2012 they were in

London and so the tennis was at

Wimbledon this year it's in Paris we got

the tennis at Roland gal are you

planning to go out and watch some tennis

while you're at the Olympics if you get

the time oh 100 that was like number one

I was like listen regardless you know

you know if I'm on the team my first

request is can I get tennis tickets

please um you know I want I want to go

and uh you know if my family comes you

know my dad's gonna be the first one

trying to get there uh without a doubt

so that's the plan to to watch as much

ten as I can uh that's why why not right

yeah I mean uh we we're all hoping that

uh Mr Rafael Nadal gets another

appearance at Roland garos and of course

what we saw with Carlos yesterday

winning that the the Baton has been

passed over in Spanish tennis so I say

they're the favorites for the gold um

but just real quick is there a player

that you would love to see live in Paris

uh before we have to say goodbye to you

juwel um yeah I mean we talked for you

know hopefully the American tennis right

Coco uh I haven't seen her play but I I

would love to to watch uh you know if

is out there of Carlos and adult play

doubles I would love to watch that all

right well juel we so appreciate you we

know that you got you were up late last

night playing a game we wish you all the

best through the WNBA season uh it' be

great to see you in the finals maybe up

against Liberty we can like you know go

back and forth you can throw stuff at me

uh but uh you're just an amazing talent

you're such a great teammate um we know

how much everyone loves you out there so

good luck throughout the season and

enjoy keep watching the tennis of course

Wimbledon coming up and then back at the

Olympics we have a feeling you might be

on the team so congratulations on

another selection of the Olympic team

thanks buddy thank you guys yeah thanks

Jo okay so thanks so much to jul Lloyd

we wish her and the entire USA

basketball team the best at the Olympics

in Paris which of course we will be

there for and we can't wait for it and a

reminder of course the US Olympic and

Par Olympic team trial kick off on June

15th can't wait to see that as the best

athlete in the country of course seek to

make theough toughest team in the world

ahead of the Paris games catch the

action on NBC and peacock then the Paris

Olympic games of course begin July 26 we

can't wait for it can't wait and on our

next show we have the question for

everyone we're gonna build your tennis

Frankenstein we want to know if you're

going to build the ultimate player men's

game women's game what's the best

forehand backhand serve volleys mind

game athleticism uh tweet your answers

to us at NBC Sports and we want to know

how you can build the best tennis player

yeah and don't forget the drop shot

these days I think that's a

shot for my player on that one yeah I

think so I think he's seems like he's

invented that shot again but anyway all

right guys well thanks so much not only

to juel Lloyd once again for joining us

today we can't wait to see you play the

rest of the WNBA season of course

through to the Olympics and thank you

everyone for joining us for the French

Connection brought to you by NBC Sports

and Racket next episode is out at the

end of June we'll do a deep dive into

Wimbledon we'll see you then see you

guys

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