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Episode Description
4x Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters and tennis reporter Blair Henley are joined by WTA pro and model Carson Branstine to discuss the realities of life on tour outside the top 100. Carson, currently recovering from a torn labrum, opens up about funding her career without a coach or physio, her viral TikTok calling out player welfare failures, and how she balances tennis with modeling and a new finance venture. Kim adds perspective from her time on the WTA board and her own battles with the tour's injury fine system.
Kim and Blair also break down a busy week in Rome: Sorana Cirstea beating Sabalenka at 36 years old and reconsidering her retirement and Coco Gauff's admission of off-court struggles. They also weigh in on Project Red Eye, the player-led push for greater Grand Slam revenue sharing, and the story of Ukrainian player Oleksandra Oliynykova, who is using her platform to raise funds for the Ukrainian military. Kim closes with a tactical breakdown of Iga Swiatek's backhand slice, explaining why it has become one of the most effective weapons on tour heading into Roland Garros.
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Kim’s Recs
Mouth Tape:
https://zippit.nl/en/products/mouth-tape?shpxid=6de1bfcf-6ccc-45df-81f6-c3866e134212
Powder SPF:
Blair’s Rec
SPF Setting Spray
⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00: Welcome to Love All
1:09: Carson Branstine joins Love All
3:02: Carson on Kim Clijsters as her idol & inspiration to play tennis
5:28: Injury update
8:29: Carson's life off court
11:28: Carson's viral TikTok: The realities of life on the WTA tour
13:54: Reaction to the TikTok
18:51: Kim & Carson on player costs, prize money & the financial grind of pro tennis
25:02: Can you have quality of life and compete at the highest level in tennis?
35:22: Henley's Headlines: Rome Open update & Sorana Cîrstea’s retirement year story
44:13: Aryna Sabalenka's form heading into Roland Garros
45:55: Coco Gauff's emotional struggles
51:03: Oleksandra Oliynikova: Using her platform to support Ukraine & challenging the WTA
59:09: Kim-formation: Iga Świątek's renewed joy with coach Francisco Roig
1:01:40: Iga’s backhand tactics against Osaka
1:04:16: Francisco Roig ruptures his Achilles at practice & returns immediately
1:07:15: Holger Rune skips Roland Garros to protect his Achilles recovery
1:08:42: Rec Room: Mouth tape, SPF setting spray & brush-on sunscreen
1:14:07: Closing thoughts
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