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

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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

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Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about

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Anastasia and Nick break down the thrilling close to the WTA season — Elena Rybakina’s flawless run in Riyadh, Aryna Sabalenka’s fiery consistency, and what Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek’s “rebuilding” phases really mean heading into 2026. Then they pivot to the ATP Finals, unpacking Novak Djokovic’s late withdrawal, Lorenzo Musetti’s mad dash to Turin, and why the Alcaraz–Sinner rivalry now defines men’s tennis. Plus: doubles shakeups, the ATP’s new Spotify deal, and the so-called “Battle of the Sexes” rematch.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:55 Audience Q&A

09:00 WTA Finals review

52:22 ATP Finals Preview

01:12:46 The News Around Tennis

01:35:35 Outro

Links:

• Morgan’s Mexico City GP vlog - https://youtu.be/HDb8Ng-f2xo?si=YgjIfWUEWXeSwwb9
• Players box Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@ThePlayersBoxPodcast
• Doubles reels - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ1b3-dDhi5/?igsh=MXYxNDhnZTgzamxjdA==
• Hardcourt article - https://open.substack.com/pub/hardcourt/p/the-tennis-tours-content-conundrum?r=64928&utm_medium=ios

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Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about

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Anastasia and Nick recap a jam-packed week in tennis, from the glitz and glamour of the WTA Finals in Riyadh to the drama and breakthroughs at the Paris Masters. They debate the WTA’s fashion moment of the year, break down Madison Keys’ surprising serve change, and celebrate rising stars like Vicky Mboko and Janice Tjen. Plus, Valentin Vacherot continues to stun, FAA fights to reach Turin, and Bublik becomes a serious contender. It’s all happening—even after the US Open.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:08 Ground Passer Q&A

07:20 WTA Finals Update

08:38 Reaction to the WTA Player Photo

18:22 The Tennis results so far at the WTA Finals

28:52 Paris Masters Review

42:01 Editing Notes!

44:18 Voice Note from the Paris Masters

49:28 FAA's resurgence and the chaos of figuring out who mades the YEF

59:59 Bublik is a Top 15 Player!

01:05:15 Hong Kong Review - The WTA Next Gen tournament

01:12:51 What's coming next week on tour

01:14:58 Player of the Fortnight

01:21:56 Outro

Links:

• Link to the WTA Finals Photo - https://www.instagram.com/p/DQeKYmHkfuF/?igsh=ZmM3c2FjZHNhdXl0
• Sabalenka/Paolini practice clip - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQZ2QRYkq72/?igsh=NHJicWZ4ZWVycnYx
• Link to the WAG episode - https://youtu.be/ms2pOe_Tffo?si=eaTDWv7lzm9TwC4Q
• Link to the Hardcourt Article - https://open.substack.com/pub/hardcourt/p/a-definitive-guide-to-the-tennis?r=47h9qh&utm_medium=ios
• Link to Double H interview - https://youtu.be/b1W8amIALyg?si=AmHbwgwGe8DEd-ho

•⁃Harri’s blog - https://www.harriheliovaara.fi/?fbclid=PAdGRleAN1tXdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpxSyBHFx9AFh0rHJzS83q7OLop6xtTiqanQSuR2T0XZLAyRihXETtd4T0NFV_aem_vMpCIEwBTKF74_BMUGP6hQ

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In this bonus episode of Ground Pass, Anastasia is joined by Jessica from Hard Court and Emily Snyder — partner of Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot — for a deep dive into the evolving “WAG-scape.” They discuss how tennis girlfriends and wives are reshaping fan culture, influencer partnerships, and visibility in the sport. Emily shares her whirlwind love story, how she balances her own career in sports business, and what life looks like as her boyfriend rockets into the ATP Top 40.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro to the WAG-scape

09:29 Who is a WAG?

10:37 How did Emily & Valantin meet?

17:09 Emily's Intro to the tennis world

23:50 Emily's Career Development

37:45 How Emily supports Val in his career

44:12 What's next for Emily

47:16 Outro

Links:

• WAG-scape article on Hardcourt Substack - https://open.substack.com/pub/hardcourt/p/a-definitive-guide-to-the-tennis?r=47h9qh&utm_medium=ios
• Emily on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@emilysnyderr?_t=ZP-90zYVXelZrL&_r=1
• Emily on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emilysnyyder?igsh=NGIyOGhxZm5ybnl2

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

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

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Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about

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Anastasia and Nick are back for a full episode as the 2025 tennis season winds down. This week, they preview the WTA Finals in Riyadh — from format and field breakdowns to the Elena Rybakina vs. Mirra Andreeva qualification drama — and dive into the final Masters of the year in Paris. Plus: the ATP’s new Saudi Masters event, Davis Cup updates, and how the fall swing revealed just how worn out players are after a long year.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

04:06 Audience Q&A

07:39 WTA Finals Preview

36:38 Preview of the Paris Masters

48:58 Tour News Round-Up

01:00:28 Winners this Week on Tour

01:11:07 Tournaments This Week On Tour

01:13:11 Outro

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

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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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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@groundpasspodcast

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Disclaimer: This video does not contain a paid for advertisement. PR samples are denoted by the term ‘ad - gifted’. Links containing ad affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on an affiliate link, go through to the retailer and purchase an item, we will receive a small percentage of your purchase. Check out our website for a full disclaimer: https://www.groundpasspodcast.com/about

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