Hana Mandlíková was, according to Bud Collins, “the least understood player of her generation.” A 4-time major champion, Hana was “some whimsical genius,” the presumed successor to the Evert-Navratilova reign, and at times she sure did make their lives difficult. But let’s dispense with the “next” whoever and the what ifs – Hana on her own is a fascinating figure, an explosive talent with a creative, athletic, and captivating serve-and-volley game. With the help of Hana’s memoir and contemporary accounts, we learn what it was like to be an internationally recognized athlete playing for a strict Communist government shaken by the defection of Martina Navratilova and other major athletes. We interrogate a bit about why Czech(oslovakia) has produced such a deep bench of tennis talent since the early 20th century. Hana Mandlíková is one of its greatest exports: a gifted, straight-talking tennis wunderkind who we hope is becoming both more understood and more appreciated.
4:40 You can’t argue with the résumé
11:00 A very quick history of Czechoslovakian tennis
21:00 Hana’s origins and the Prague Spring
27:45 Life as an Eastern Bloc athlete abroad; and Martina’s defection
35:40 1980: the jump off
39:00 Excitement builds around Mandlíková: those pesky “next Navratilova” proclamations
49:15 Big chat: Hana’s mouth gets her in trouble
55:20 1985 US Open: The crowning achievement
60:55 No what ifs
68:15 Hana & Jana
71:50 Learnings
Say It Ain't So
Get That S%&$ Outta Here
Woz Wallops WTA Finals Field
TBS 100: Having a Gay Ole Time
TBS A to Z
Can We Talk About Caroline Garcia?
Roger's Cup & Other Tennis Etcs
Sloane Storms NY & El Decimosexto de Rafa
US Op-ocalypse 2017: A Mid-Major Chat Featuring Rene Denfeld
US Open Preview: Where My Boys At?
Cincy Wrap: Barty Party and More Mailbag
Cincy Special: Francoise Abanda and Listener Mailbag
Catching Up With The Stars Pt. 2
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On the Road to Cincy
Preacher Teachers: Anything You Have In Mind
SW 19 Wrap: Muguruza Spoils Vee's Party & Federer as Non-Religious Experience
Mid-Wimbledon Check-up: Head On Doorframe
Wimbledon Preview: Who's Coming for the No. 1 Spots?
Hello Grass, BYE J Mac: Don't Come For Serena Unless She Sends For You
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