US Open 2026 Review: New Champions, Big Talking Points & Lessons from New York

Dan Kiernan (0:00)

So as a former professional tennis player, loosely, and now a professional coach working on tour, one thing that I see constantly, even at the very highest level of the game, is players working incredibly hard, but not always smart, not always in the most structured of ways. Now, there's so much information around strength and conditioning, that it can become a little bit overwhelming for people. Players are just adding more hours, more sessions, more volume.

But what they really need, they need clarity. And I've seen technically excellent players out there, plateau in their tennis, not because of their skill level, but because their physical foundations weren't strong enough to support their game and their talent. That's why for me, tennis athlete is the platform that sets the standard. It provides a clear structured approach to strength and conditioning. Every program is age-appropriate. It's research-informed and it's delivered by S&C coaches with proven track records of long-term results. It's the platform that I trust when it comes to physical development. And if you're ready to take your development seriously, head over to sototennis.com/tennisathlete.

That's sototennis.com/tennisathlete, because physical preparation is one of the biggest Controllables that you have.

Welcome to episode 303 of Control the Controllables. And this is our US Open 2026 review panel. And I am delighted to say we have the ever present Freddie Nielsen Davis Cup captain for Denmark, as they go into their tie this weekend against Bulgaria. And also 2012 Wimbledon Men's Doubles Champion. To Johnny Delgado, the great Johnny Delgado, the former agent coach. He's now a podcaster, he's an influencer. He's all sorts of things from the famous Delgado family. And it's always delightful to have Johnny on the show. And then Candy Reid, who not only was a fantastic tennis player, but is a brilliant broadcaster. You would have seen her on CNN for many years. And you will hear her on pretty much every channel when you are watching those tennis events. And then how can we not mention Kieran Wollster. Kieran Wollster has been at the game for many years, working with so many players on the fitness side, but also on the tennis side as well. Does a brilliant job, says it as he sees it and makes for a brilliant podcast guest as well.

New York 2026 gave us lots to talk about. There was lots of storylines. There's things that we probably won't get to as there will be things that we do get to. As ever, we want to hear your opinions. Did you agree with us, not agree with us? What do you want to hear more? But first sit back and enjoy US Open 2026 review panel.

Our US Open 2026 review panel. How are you doing? All good, thanks.

Johnny Delgado (3:22)

How are you? Very good, Dan.

Dan Kiernan (3:24)

And we've got a few tonight. Tonight's gonna have to be a hands up job, I think, to get your word in edge ways.

Although we don't have the rants of Calvin Betten. So that might free up a little bit of space. Calvin, we love you, we miss you. But thanks for giving us some space this evening. The starting point, I think, as we jump in is I kind of got thrown under the bus. You know, one of my rules that I have with, as you guys know, with anybody involved in the podcast, working at SotoTennis Academy, is they're only allowed to put up videos when I get something right. Anyway, the newcomers in town obviously, they didn't read the short terms on the contract because they took a lot of joy over getting it all over Instagram that I picked Mr. Jodar to win the men's title. And this is no word of a lie.

I had all sorts of people, like Jacob Fernley's coach, as I was getting on the bus one night to go back to Manhattan, looked over it, went, Dan, great call with Jodar. You know, so it seemed to kind of make its way from New York. So let's start there, Vosie, because you weren't with us. Mr. Delgado, his first time with us, picked Jodar as a dark horse. We didn't quite, he didn't get the rules, but I picked Jodar as a potential winner. It felt maybe it was time that someone was going to sneak up on us. Jodar had heard unbelievably good things. I'd seen good things the last few months. And then he managed to win four games in the first round.

Kieron Vorster (5:08)

Yeah, that would have been one of my picks to be fair, because I thought he had a decent summer coming in there. And I think obviously Johnny and I were talking on a daily basis. The three we looked at were Jodar, Shelton, Zverev.