"I was like, 'Oh my God.' I started to cry" - Rennae Stubbs touches Sinner-Alcaraz dominance, controversial Russian exhibition and Carillo's induction in Hall of Fame

Former world number one doubles star Rennae Stubbs was overcome with emotion when she saw Mary Carillo was inducted into the Internation Tennis Hall of Fame. On The Rennae Stubbs Podcast, she also discussed the upcoming Gazprom exhibition and Christopher Eubank's imminent retirement.

Stubbs started by talking about the ATP Finals clash between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. While the pair once again produced a cracking match of tennis, it was Sinner who prevailed on a surface he is looking unbeatable on, even against the world number one. He collected over $5 million in prize money and 1,500 ranking points for winning the event unbeaten.

"It was a fabulous match for about a set, and pretty good for two sets. But the standard of tennis these guys are playing now is on another level," Stubbs said. "Someone posted highlights from the 2017 Australian Open final — Federer beating Rafa — and now it looks like they’re playing in slow motion. Tennis has been so optimised in under 10 years."

"Sinner was just better on the big occasions," she continued. "Carlos missed a few volleys he normally makes. As good a volleyer as he is, he can get better — his chopping motion is not ideal, especially the forehand volley. He drops the racket head too much.

Sinner is now unbeaten in 31 matches on indoor hardcourts, stretching back to the Davis Cup Finals in 2023. It is an astonishing record, in which Stubbs is giving a big shoutout to his coach, Darren Cahill. "His indoor streak is incredible. His game is so suited to indoor tennis. He can just wallop the ball. And I think Darren Cahill will be back next year. How do you get rid of him?" she jokingly questioned.

Stubbs' co-host, Caitlin Thompson, picked out Felix Auger-Aliassime as a future challenger. "He still has to do it outside, not just indoors," Stubbs said, giving her verdict on the Canadian. "Indoors boosts your confidence: no wind, no sun, the ball comes to you the same way every time. I always felt 10–20% better indoors. Jannick has no weaknesses and can play anywhere, but indoors he’s exceptional."

Thompson then made a very bold prediction heading into the Australian Open: "I do think Novak can still win the Australian Open," she confidently stated. "I think he’s saving his energy to bust his ass one last time in Melbourne."

Stubbs also threw in some names the hat who could have a positive 2026. "Felix could make a semi in Australia. Fonseca — Joao Fonseca — could build more continuity. Lorenzo Musetti on clay, maybe. Jack Draper if he’s healthy — though the heat in Melbourne is tough for him," she admitted.

Gazprom are set to hold a controversial exhibition in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It will host some of the best players in the world, with a lot of backlash coming via the war currently occurring in Ukraine.

"Many of the Russians are playing, including Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov. Andrei Rublev is not playing. Some of the women are playing—like Veronika Kudermetova and Anastasia Potapova. Some Serbians are playing too. The women didn’t surprise me; they've been open about their love of their country during this time," Stubbs stated.

"I am a little surprised about Medvedev, especially because he was invited last year and said no," admitted Stubbs. "I’m also surprised about Karen Khachanov. As far as I know—my Russian knowledge is not the most in-depth—he is from an ethnic minority group, like how the Safins and Dinara Safina are Tatars. And I’m not sure where that group stands with the Kremlin, but I believe they're somewhat opposite politically. So I’m surprised."

Thompson compared this with the Six Kings Slam held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "I don’t see this exhibition as terribly different from any other exhibition with prize money, like Six Kings or events in Saudi Arabia," Thompson said. "These players are private contractors and go where the money is."

Stubbs continued to be bemused over Medvedev's inclusion. "I'm not trying to give anybody an out. I don’t know Medvedev’s personal politics. But he lives in France most of the time, speaks fluent French, and I believe he’s officially a citizen of Monaco. I don’t think he spends a ton of time in Russia. Anyway… those are my comments."

At the age of 29-years-old, Eubanks has announced his retirement from tennis. He was on the end of a shower of praise from Stubbs. "What a gem. Lovely guy. Fantastic career. South Atlanta native, South Fulton Tennis Center represent. One-handed backhand. Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket. Phenomenal commentator," she exclaimed.

It looks like commentary and broadcasting is the American's next destination, something that he has been lauded at in the past. "I can tell you from working with him: he researches, he prepares, he does the little things that some commentators don’t," she acknowledged. "If you tell him, 'We want to talk about X later,' he’ll go research it. He always comes correct. Congratulations, Chris, on an amazing career. You’ll be successful in whatever you do next."

Former professional tennis player and commentator Carillo will be inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It was a piece of news that was delightful for Stubbs. "I saw the announcement today on Instagram from Katrina Adams, another great friend. I just happened to be scrolling, and the Hall of Fame’s post came up: Roger being announced by Kim Clijsters, blah blah blah. And then the next slide — Katrina Adams and Mary Carillo. And I was like, 'Oh my God.' I started to cry," she said.

"She’s fearless about speaking truth to power, which is among the most formidable things about her. Tennis — like politics, my former world — has so much self-dealing, self-aggrandizing, backstabbing, machinations, and dummies in charge making uninformed decisions. There are amazing people, but also many self-serving conflicts of interest. And very few people speak up.

"Even journalists I admire pull their punches. Mary is not that person. She would rather lose her job on principle. She has stepped away from commentating matches involving players credibly accused of domestic abuse. She will take a knee rather than work with people she feels are on the wrong side of history and morality. Her commentary — hilarious, heartfelt, knowledgeable, insightful — speaks for itself. But what people don’t see is that she’s in the back rooms fighting the good fight. Always.

"I couldn't be more excited. I'm seriously contemplating going to the ceremony just to see her speech. It will be hilarious, heartfelt, and full of tears."