The 'Next' Rafa + Special Guests: Feliciano Lopez & 'TENNISNERD' Jonas Eriksson

THE BIG T | Episode 18 — Presented by ServiceNow

Petch and Petko are back and they are NOT wasting any time. 

Episode 18 opens with breaking news that Jannik Sinner does not need a dating app — Petch has thoughts, opinions and a sarcastic take that sets the tone perfectly for everything that follows.

The big story out of Madrid — Carlos Alcaraz is OUT of Rome AND Roland Garros. We're talking about the biggest domino to fall in tennis this clay season and the our hosts break down every angle — does Sinner now just cruise to a second French Open? Are the tennis gods handing Novak Djokovic another lifeline? And is this finally — FINALLY — Zverev's moment to stop being the guy who almost wins Slams? Meanwhile in Madrid, 19-year-old Rafa Jodar is out here beating João Fonseca and absolutely refusing to stop being must-watch television.

Then Feliciano Lopez walks in and immediately becomes the best guest of 2026. Twenty years on tour. Four ATP titles. Davis Cup legend. And now the man who runs the Mutua Madrid Open — one of the biggest events on the planet. Feli opens up about life as a tournament director, what REALLY happens behind the scenes when your marquee star pulls out, the electric rise of Rafa Jodar and whether Spain's golden generation ever ends. Plus a genuine, heartfelt send-off to Roberto Bautista Agut — one of the great warriors the sport has ever seen. Oh — and the hair? Still perfect. Inexplicably, magnificently perfect.

Later, tennis equipment obsessive Jonas Eriksson — better known as Tennis Nerd — arrives and the geek-out is REAL. Racquets. Strings. Tensions. Who switched what and why it matters. Clay season adjustments the average fan never thinks about. And Jonas drops his take on the three greatest racquets ever made — a conversation you didn't know you needed but absolutely cannot miss.

And to close — the moment this Episode was BUILT for: 

The debut of the Big T Combined Power Rankings, end of April edition, (presented by ServiceNow.) Petko's top 5. Petchey's top 5. Based on titles, wins and overall performance. Agreements? Probably not many. Arguments? Almost certainly. Must-listen tennis talk from two people who have actually lived this sport at the highest level.

IN THIS EPISODE:

🎾 Sinner doesn't need a dating app — Petch's sarcastic take opens the show

🎾 Alcaraz OUT of Rome and Roland Garros — what it means for Sinner, Djokovic and Zverev

🎾 Rafa Jodar stuns Fonseca in Madrid — is Spain's next superstar already here?

🎾 Feliciano Lopez — tournament director life, the Alcaraz withdrawal crisis and the future of Spanish tennis

🎾 A heartfelt goodbye to Roberto Bautista Agut — a true warrior of the game

🎾 Tennis Nerd Jonas Eriksson on racquets, strings, clay season gear and the three greatest racquets ever made

🎾 The debut of the Big T Combined Power Rankings — Petko vs Petchey, top 5, no mercy

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