ROBBIE KOENIG ON BEN SHELTON, LILLI TAGGERS TITLE, CZECH WOMENS TENNIS AND MORE | FULL PODCAST Jeeno Thitikul [Du9lkQoOpB3]

Nobody brings the excitement to tennis broadcasting like Robbie Koenig, and he joins the podcast to get you primed and ready for the North American hard court swing. Koenig recaps Austrian teen Lilli Tagger's maiden title, and explains how she's learned from none other than Jannik Sinner in her pursuit of greatness. The commentator also recaps last week's results on tour and explains what Ben Shelton needs to improve in order to keep climbing in the men's game.

Koenig covers a variety of topics including the mental block that Alex De Minaur faces against Stefanos Tsitsipas, and the brutal injury luck that continues to plague Jack Draper. And Koenig looks ahead to the action pascal struijk in Washington D.C. that features a blockbuster R1 clash between Rafael Jodar and Arthur Fils, hometown hero Frances Tiafoe, and more of the game's elite as they begin their march towards to the US Open. Hosted by Mitch Michals.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:00 Koenig's coleen nolan experience at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships

2:55 This is really the last chance in the season for player's to turn it around

3:40 Final clay events have concluded before the hard court push begins

4:35 Lilli Tagger wins her first career title in Prague

5:30 Koenig on what makes Tagger special

6:15 Jannik Sinner serving as a mentor for The Austrian Tagger

7:05 The 18-year-old Tagger is the youngest player in the WTA Top 50

7:45 The special ability to process information and implement it immediately

9:00 Tagger's potential to be at the top of women's tennis

9:50 The one-handed backhand is not dead just yet!

10:40 The backhand slice is a lost art

11:45 Czechia women's tennis is alive and thriving

12:45 Koenig on how Czechia has produced so many champions

13:35 Availability and tv chef individuality are the core components of Czech women's tennis

15:10 Recapping last week's tournament winners on the ATP and WTA

16:00 Luca Van Assche wins his first ATP title

16:55 Finding confidence at The Challengers

18:00 The Washington D.C. draw for the ATP is a 32-person draw

18:20 Stefanos Tsitsipas is 12-1 vs. Alex De Minaur

19:00 Why is Tsitsipas such a problem for De Minaur?

20:15 The mental hurdle against a foe who's had your number

20:45 Jack Draper withdraws from Washington D.C. with a left arm injury

22:10 Draper's potential was and still is pretty massive

23:00 Koenig on Great Britain's sporting culture

24:10 Ben Shelton's eventual and uneven season

25:15 Koenig breaks down Shelton's return metrics

26:35 Can Shelton overcome his return issues with his other gifts?

27:52 Shelton has won a career-high three titles in 2026, but has faltered early in majors

29:00 Thoughts on Frances Tiafoe

32:00 The pressures and opportunities for Americans playing at home

32:50 Should a player who retires in qualifying be eligible for a "Lucky Loser" spot?

35:40 Fils vs. Jodar headlines a huge opening round in Washington D.C

36:53 Jodar's power and broad shoulders

37:20 Tough to gauge when the season switches surfaces

38:30 Big 1st round matchups

39:20 Cruz Hewitt getting his first taste of pro tennis

41:07 Kei Nishikori wins his opening match to remind people just how good he was

42:50 Thoughts on the WTA draw in Washington D.C.

44:13 Another WTA event also taking place in Memphis

44:45 Alexandra Eala vs. Qinwen Zheng

45:27 Los Cabos ATP action as well

46:55 What to expect in Carlos Alcaraz's return in 2026

47:50 Will Novak Djokovic last until the 2028 Paris Olympics?

48:48 Thanks to Robbie Koenig for appearing on The Inside-In Tennis Podcast!

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