In this episode of Meet the Professionals, I sit down with tennis host, commentator, and writer Nick McCarvel to unpack what it really looks like to build a career in tennis media.

Nick shares how a childhood dream in Montana turned into bylines at the New York Times and USA Today, and how that writing work eventually led him to the mic as an on-court host at Grand Slams and big events around the world. We talk about cold-calling editors, early social media experiments, and why persistence (and a lot of “no”s) still matter in 2025.

Nick also pulls back the curtain on his current roles with the Olympic Channel and at tournaments like Cincinnati, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. He explains how he prepares to tell players’ stories on court, deals with nerves and stage fright as an introvert, and why research and empathy are just as important as being good on camera.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get into tennis journalism, presenting, or sports media more broadly, this is your masterclass.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:54 Career Journey in Tennis Journalism

06:06 Transition to On-Camera Presence

09:08 Connecting with Players and Audience

12:03 Research and Preparation for Interviews

15:01 Innovations in Tennis Presentation

17:58 Advice for Aspiring Tennis Professionals

Links:

• Nick McCarvel on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickmccarvel?igsh=MXU4YW1uZXQ0MGhudw==

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It is time for the Ground Pass Awards. Anastasia and Nick are handing out their very own trophies for the 2025 tennis season. Think Oscars energy with a very casual dress code.

They run through favorite tournament of the year, best match, biggest plot twist, and the off court moments that broke the internet. From the Citi Open and Charleston to Ilkley, from the Sincaraz Roland Garros final to Madison Keys in Melbourne, it is a full season recap through the lens of Ground Pass.

You will also hear their picks for breakthrough and most improved players, the tennis story of the year, and the official Ground Pass Players of the Year on the men’s and women’s side. Plus a quick fire round, bold predictions for 2026, and a love letter to small tournaments and doubles.

Chapters:

00:00 Ground Pass Tennis Oscars

02:17 Best tournament

07:59 Best Match

15:23 Breakthrough Player of the Year

21:27 Biggest Plot twist

29:18 Best Off court moment of 2025

33:28 Quick Fire Categories

42:08 Tennis Story of the Year

47:39 Ground Pass Players of the Year

Links:

• Emma Raducanu Match Stories - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNb5JDygQ_M/?igsh=MTQwdmlva2c5OGg5ZQ==
• Sincaraz Roland Garros match stories - https://youtu.be/k7mgL4GSRI4?si=rMfUXMM8oi8aAihz
• Muchova Point - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRAOc4ZjIn8/?igsh=MTNudnlpdGdxdHI2Mg==
• Ostapenko/Townsend Match Story - https://youtu.be/3arCsp2jvvE?si=3EwPuE2NcFBSbRe0

We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

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This week, Anastasia and Nick break down a wildly entertaining Davis Cup. Spain overachieved. Belgium stole our hearts. Germany survived doubles chaos. And Italy completed a dominant run without Jannik Sinner. We also talk Carlos Alcaraz’s viral living room photo, Arthur Fils’ injury update, Fabio Fognini’s Dancing with the Stars era, Rafa Nadal’s return to the court, and Roger Federer’s Hall of Fame induction. We wrap up with the Ground Pass Gift Guide and preview the upcoming Ground Pass Awards.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:36 Q&A - The Absence of the US in the Davis Cup

06:49 The Evolution and Popularity of the Davis Cup

17:22 The Stories that dominated Davis Cup: No Sincaraz

18:29 Doubles deciders and Tiebreaks & Team Belgium

26:39 Team Spain: The underdogs

32:26 The dominance of Italian Tennis

38:51 Other News around Tennis

44:40 Mental and Physical Health in Tennis

52:19 Rafael Nadal's Comeback Journey

53:42 Roger Federer's Hall of Fame Induction

57:01 Fabio Fognini's Dancing with the Stars Journey

58:48 Groundpass Offseason Plans and Gift Guide

01:03:06 Groundpass Awards Preview

01:07:35 Outro

Links:

⁃Ground Pass Gift Guide - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/tournament-guides/-ground-pass-gift-guide-2025-the-best-tennis-gifts-of-the-season

We have Merch!!!

Ground Pass Shop - https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/ground-pass-shop

💬 Don’t forget to give us a rating and drop us a comment ⭐️

Subscribe to Our Substack at - https://groundpass.substack.com

Visit Our Website at - www.groundpasspodcast.com

Email us at - groundpasspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us for daily updates on Social:

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ground_pass

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