Episode 17 of The Big T focuses on two clear threads: the debate over Arthur Fils’ forehand and a reflective interview with Marcos Baghdatis. The show opened a conversation that began with a simple question posed on social media: “Is @ArthurFils FH the best in the men’s tennis game right now? @_markpetchey” Brad Gilbert replied that Fils’ “fearhand” is massive, while still favoring Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. That exchange led to a co-host debate with Coco Vandeweghe (48:00) about the top forehands on tour. “I think it’s definitely top three,” said Vandeweghe. Gilbert placed Joao Fonseca in his top three and slotted Fils fourth. Both offered honorable mentions: Coco went with Jakub Mensik; BG with Jiri Lehecka. As Vandeweghe noted, “The players from Czechia have such weight of shot, because they play on fast courts and need to get that depth really quickly,” says Vandeweghe, “and it’s a flatter ball that pushes you further and further back.”

The episode also revisited Marcos Baghdatis’ peak years and his transition to developing young players. Twenty years ago at the Australian Open Baghdatis reached the final during an era dominated by Roger Federer. The show reminded listeners that “Federer won all his Slam finals in four sets, over Rafael Nadal (Wimbledon), Andy Roddick (US Open) and…Marcos Baghdatis (Australian Open).” Baghdatis reflected on his own ambitions: “I wanted to be No. 1 in the world. I wanted to push myself more … I was not patient enough. Marcos Baghdatis” (15:30). His career-high reached No. 8; he finished 2006 ranked 12th. The interview covered career records against the era’s top players (1-7 vs Federer, 1-9 vs Nadal, 0-8 vs Novak Djokovic) and his current role as tournament director of the IMG Future Stars Tournament, helping prepare the next generation.

Looking ahead to Roland Garros, the hosts discussed the vacancy created by Alcaraz being sidelined through Madrid and potentially Roland Garros. Gilbert placed Djokovic first despite limited clay this season: “First, at 39 years young, I would still go—with no playing in him [on clay this season]—Djoker,” says Gilbert. He listed Alexander Zverev second and Fils third, while Coco offered Ben Shelton as an honorable mention following his Munich win. To share your top three forehands for men’s and women’s tennis, email thebigt@tennischannel.com [thebigt@tennischannel.com], or call 844-678-BIGT. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Venus Williams returned to clay singles for the first time since 2021 but left Madrid with a doubles plan in place. The 45-year-old lost her opening match at the Mutua Madrid Open, falling to fellow wild card Kaitlin Quevedo, 6-2, 6-4. The defeat moved Williams to 0-7 on the year.

“All these things take adjustments. I started my practice on clay a couple weeks after Miami,” she told press afterwards. “I haven’t really played on clay in years. But I enjoy the clay, it’s fun. I played against a very inspired opponent today.”

Her stay at the Caja Mágica continues in doubles. Williams will team with Great Britain’s Katie Boulter in a first-time pairing at the event. “She asked me to play, or her coach did. I would like to think she asked me to play, and I was happy to say yes,” laughed Williams.

“She’s got great energy. She’s got a great attitude. She’s a fighter. I’m looking forward to playing with her because I think our energies will really match.”

I was happy to say yes. Venus Williams on playing with Katie Boulter

Boulter is the fifth player set to join forces with Williams in 2026. Williams previously partnered Elina Svitolina (Auckland), Ekaterina Alexandrova (Australian Open), Peyton Stearns (Austin) and Leylah Fernandez (Miami). Williams and Fernandez teamed up to reach the 2025 US Open quarterfinals.

Williams also confirmed she will not play in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. “I have other commitments, unfortunately, so I’m really super sad about that, actually,” she said. “My husband is Italian, so we feel sad that we can’t be there. So we would love to keep it going on the clay.”

With Carlos Alcaraz out of action, Rafael Jodar has become the tournament’s most talked-about entrant. The 19-year-old is a native of Madrid and a product of the city’s training system; the Caja Magica may feel like a second home. Jodar has pushed onto the radar this spring, capturing his first title in Marrakech and reaching the semifinals in Barcelona. The latter was his pro debut on Spanish soil, and now he takes centre stage in the capital.

Jodar opens against Tallon De Jong, a 25-year-old from the Netherlands whom he has never faced. De Jong is ranked 109th and has climbed as high as 71st. He uses a clean forehand and a two-handed backhand and, at 5’11, gives up about four inches to Jodar. De Jong’s biggest scalp by ranking was Flavio Cobolli when the Italian was 34th. Jodar sits at 42nd. Clay can level physical differences, but the conditions in Madrid look likely to favour Jodar’s strong serve and forceful ground strokes. Winner: Jodar.

On the women’s side, Alexandra Eala, 20, meets Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 34. Pavlyuchenkova turned pro in 2005, the year Eala was born. Both stand about 5’9 and both play with heavy pace. Both have been inconsistently consistent, but Eala’s 2026 form is the stronger: she is 15-10 this season while Pavlyuchenkova is 0-6 so far. Pavlyuchenkova has the experience and has played in Madrid since the Caja Magica opened in 2009, though she is only 16-15 at this venue. The Russian did win two qualifying matches this week, but Eala’s superior main-draw results this year give her the edge. Winner: Eala.

Elsewhere, a 29-year-old Brit and a 30-year-old American will battle with a spot against Jessica Pegula on the line. Neither is near her career-high ranking at the moment, but neither is having a poor season. Boulter is 13-7 this season; Townsend is 10-5 and arrives off a recent final-round run in Austin.