Alcaraz debuts MULLET, Raducanu bags UNIQLO deal, Medvedev STUCK in Dubai + Indian Wells Preview!

It’s been a dramatic week on tour, with events in the Middle East casting a shadow over the tennis world and leaving players stranded across the region. From Tennis Weekly HQ, Joel, Kim and Chris unpack what it means for the sport (and the schedule) — and ask the bigger question: in the grand scheme of things, does tennis even matter? On court, it’s full steam ahead to Indian Wells as we dive into the men’s and women’s draws, lock in our champion predictions, tip our dark horses (yes, Marin Cilic gets a mention), and boldly flag the early exits — including a certain prediction involving Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari that may age horribly.

We also debate Emma Raducanu’s reunion with Mark Petchey — smart reset or a backwards step, as Tim Henman suggests? — and analyse Carlos Alcaraz’s surprise mullet era, because no big tournament is complete without a bold new barnet. Plus, Laureus Awards chatter as Sinner, Alcaraz and Sabalenka headline the nominations for tennis, but Joao Fonseca’s Breakthrough nod raises eyebrows at HQ. And we round up the week’s champions: Medvedev in Dubai, Cobolli in Acapulco, Bucsa’s double delight in Merida — and yes, Kim’s Mastermind appearance (spoiler alert: her specialist subject was not Rafael Nadal!).

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00:00 - Intro
02:00 - Kim on Mastermind
05:40 - Player safety in the Middle East
13:30 - Raducanu coaching update
16:19 - WTA Rage Room
19:01 - Alcaraz Mullet is here
19:59 - Medvedev wins Dubai
24:45 - Coboli wins in Acapulco
31:00 - Darderi wins Chilean Open
33:52 - Busca Wins WTA500
36:48 - Sterns wins in Austin
39:20 - Mysterious Player
45:30 - Fonseca Laureus Sports Award
51:41 - Indian Wells Draw Men's Predictions
1:02:58 - Indian Wells Women's Predictions