Doubles Only Tennis Podcast

Rajeev Ram & Austin Krajicek on Their Silver Medal Olympic Experience, Beating Nadal & Alcaraz

• Will Boucek • Episode 193

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 22:26

🎾🥈 Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram won an Olympic Silver medal for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. I spoke with them a few weeks after the Olympics to hear about their experience in Paris, beating Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz, working with the Bryan Bros, and more.

We talked about how difficult it was to close out their quarterfinal match against Nadal and Alcaraz with the crowd so against them. What were they feeling and saying in those moments? They also shared how "comforting" it was to have the doubles GOATs, Bob and Mike Bryan, in Paris with them. At the end, they share the overall Olympic experience and how it felt to be there with Team USA.

Rajeev and Austin will both compete at the US Open next week, and I'll be there as well. Watch them and all the doubles action on ESPN Plus. If you're attending in person, let me know. I'd love to meet you.

Doubles Camp
It's August 29-31 during the US Open and I only have 4 spots left!

-----

**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 


**Doubles Strategy Courses** These video courses will help you play smarter doubles and make winning easier.


**Doubles Ebooks** These guides offer proven advice to improve your doubles strategy.

-----

**Join the #1 Doubles Strategy Newsletter for Club Tennis Players** 


**Become a Tennis Tribe Member**
Tennis Tribe Members get access to premium video lessons, a monthly member-only webinar, doubles strategy Ebooks & Courses, exclusive discounts on tennis gear, and more.


**Other Free Doubles Content**

Olympic Silver Medalists Discuss Finals

Speaker 1

In the episode you're about to hear, I am joined by Olympic silver medalist Austin Krychek and Rajiv Ram. We're going to talk all about their Olympic experience making the finals, winning the silver medal for Team USA. Before I get to that, a couple of quick announcements. So number one I just got back from Toronto last week. It was a great time. So a couple of quick shout outs and thank yous to Charlesy, who I got to watch some doubles with Michelle and her husband. It was great to meet y'all. And then Mike McIntyre from Matchpoint Canada. He shared some photos with us of Bethany Maddox-Sands and Sonia Kennan that we used for the thumbnail for the podcast episode, and then he has a great podcast over there at Matchpoint Canada, which I highly recommend if you are a tennis player in Canada.

Speaker 1

Next week I'll be heading to New York for the US Open, so at the time I'm recording this we have four spots left in our doubles camp. We're actually going to close registration on Wednesday, the 21st. So if you're listening to this on the 21st, then this is your last day to sign up. It's going to be three days of doubles and we're going to really focus on strategy and tactics and you're going to meet some great people and get to hit a lot of tennis balls in the mornings and then in the afternoon, if you want to, you can go to the US Open. That is the plan for me. If you're attending the US Open and not attending the doubles camp and want to watch some doubles, you can always reach out to me. Will at thetennistribecom. I would love to meet you. I'll be there for about a full week is the plan right now. So give me or shoot me an email if you're going to be attending. So let's move on to this episode. So Austin and Rajiv won the silver medal.

Speaker 1

I've talked about in previous episodes how I was able to do some scouting for Team USA and I started asking them about a specific point during the Nadal and Alcaraz match, and they give some really good insights into how pro players still get nervous, just like we do, and what they did to handle it and overcome that later stages of the match against Nadal and Alcaraz, especially with so many people in the crowd probably 99% of the crowd rooting against them. They also share what they learned from Bob and Mike Bryan who were helping captain the Team USA, and just their conversations with Bob and Mike how they kind of relied on their experience. They also talk a little bit about Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz winning bronze and then just the Olympic experience overall. What were the crowds like? A little bit about the Olympic village and more.

Speaker 1

So this is not a super long conversation because they are so, so busy, but I was thankful that they were able to both come on and catch up with me after Cincinnati as they prepare for the US Open, and this is the first time I think I've had two guests on outside of a post-match interview. So it was a ton of fun and a pleasure to have them on. So, without further delay, enjoy this conversation with Olympic silver medalist Austin Krychek and Rajiv Ram. Hey, everyone, welcome to the show. Today we have two guests on. I think this is the first podcast I've ever done with two guests at once Silver medalist Austin Krychek and Rajiv Ram Guys welcome.

Speaker 2

Thanks so much. Thanks for having us am guys welcome.

Speaker 1

Thanks so much thanks for having us. So I want to um mostly talk olympics here. Uh, in the time we have, and obviously y'all uh made the finals winning a silver medal for team usa, um, and I was watching, uh, pretty much every second of it, analyzing matches and stuff like that, and I wanted to start with a moment from the Nadal-Alcaraz match. So it is 5-4, austin, you're serving to serve it out the crowd, at least from the TV perspective. I was watching on like the Peacock premium thing and it just sounded so loud it seemed like maybe 15 people in the whole stadium wanted y'all to win. And then you come out in the first point serving for the match, you double fault. What's going through your head at that moment, alston, and then Rajiv I'd love to hear from you as well. And then what was the conversation like between the two of you?

Speaker 3

He might have had an uh-oh running through his head there, man, I was.

Speaker 2

Yeah, I mean, obviously you're a little bit nervous, um the I mean I watched it back a couple times just to see kind of what I could have done better. Obviously, um, and the crowd noise like in person, obviously in from the video. I mean it wasn't even close, it was so loud, um, yeah, really kind of deafening. It was pretty cool. I mean, yeah, the first point double fault is probably worst case scenario in that situation. Um, because then they went ballistic and then, yeah, they cheered more, open them up and then, but really, I think the moment that I was, like you know, quite nervous. We won that second point, I I think. And then at 15 all I missed the first serve.

Speaker 1

I can't remember. If I got a tear, I missed it, not the best miss.

Speaker 2

And then before the second serve, it was like a long wait to try to get the crowd to calm down between serves and I just remember how loud it was, like crazy loud. I mean like really, like you said, 15 people might be generous that were cheering for us, people might be generous that were cheering for us and they're all in our little section there. And then when you're bouncing the ball before the second serve, it got like pin drop quiet. I mean like crazy quiet where you could, literally just when you're bouncing the ball, it sounds like the ball bounce is so loud because you're, you know, you're adjusting from the outside noise and then um, and then right before you serve, in your head you're just like god, if I miss this serve, this serve, they're going to go ballistic. So you know, I really just tried to dial in. I hit a decent second serve, I think. But you know, I think we even still lost the point.

Speaker 2

But at least I put the serve in the box because I knew that if I doubled, there they were going to go even more nuts and then obviously that makes you even tighter and so, yeah, it was a difficult game for sure. I mean they definitely I mean that's what ralph and alcross has so much experience in those moments on those courts with with that kind of crowd support that they did a great job of rallying the crowd and using it to their advantage and trying to get the energy to shift and, um you, know, fortunately we were able to play some good points.

Speaker 2

Raj helped me um at some big moments, rather than that in a huge way with some with some big stretches. You know, we were able to get it done there at the end and make a couple of first serves, the last two points, which obviously in that situation is critical. But the double fault was not the ideal start.

Speaker 1

Raj, what was kind of going through your head during that game?

Speaker 3

Yeah, I mean I felt like we had done such a good job of sort of executing. I mean, obviously I was nervous no question you're trying to serve out the match in that scenario. I mean there's no, there's no question. But I felt like we had done such a good job of sort of implementing our game plan, what we were trying to execute in the feel of the match, you know. So I don't know, I I guess you know, obviously it wasn't ideal to be down 15, 40 um in that game, but I still felt like, you know, we were at neutral at worst. You know, I felt like, you know, we were still having a pretty good opportunity to win that game, um, and even if we didn't win that game, I still felt pretty good about, you know, the match in general because it just felt like it was. You know, it was such a. It was, it was the kind of performance that we talked about, it was the kind of situation that we wanted to put those guys in feeling the pressure and all that. So I still felt like if they were going to beat us, they were going to still have to do something significantly different. You know, and I didn't, I didn't think that you know, I think it was. I thought it was a long way from not being, you know, the, the result that we wanted, even if we lost that game, the.

Team Event Dynamics in Tennis

Speaker 3

Actually the moment to me that was really I I got a little bit more shook was when we actually went the same side after austin hit one of those serves. I can't remember what the score was, but it was like I, I and I don't even know who messed up the call, if I messed it up or he messed it up because, like he said, it was so loud in there a lot of the times you're not, you can't even hear yourself. Think you know, but like that was the one for me. I was like, you know, because one of the things you know play as a great team and all that and I was like, oh my god, we just went the same way, you know, and that to me was like our first sort of maybe you know, oh no, moment, um, but yeah, still felt pretty good about about things and what we were doing out there yeah, and I think that was like the first break points against your serve, austin, or maybe against you all in in the match at that 5-4 game.

Speaker 1

So I like that mindset, raj, that you say where, even if we lose this game, I still feel good about it. They're going to have to make an adjustment because we were executing so well and just watching on TV to that point, y'all were clearly the better team throughout the match. So even if you do lose that game, whether it's because of the crowd or whatever, you still still can feel that confidence. I think that's something good for listeners to take away from. So I want to talk about kind of the Olympics overall and specifically having Bob and Mike there. Overall and specifically having Bob and Mike there. How did it differ, kind of overall, from your normal tournaments? Because I know you know a typical, like, let's say, the French Open, for example. You've got your own regular coaches there, but in this case it's more of a team format. Bob's the captain. So talk a little bit about that what the pre-match prep looked like with them, and then also post-match as well.

Speaker 2

Yeah, I mean for me, I mean over my career, I feel like the team events. I mean, obviously in tennis it's an individual sport. So you know, in college you've got an opportunity to play for your team and then Davis Cup and probably Olympics is really the only few times you get to do that. So I just think those moments are so special. You know, anytime you can play with a flag on your shirt, for me it just feels different. And then, of course, having Bob and Mike, who are two great leaders you know Bob being the captain there.

Speaker 3

There's no one.

Speaker 2

I'd rather go to battle with there in the trenches and we've had that, fortunately, the last Davis cup, and so to kind of build that camaraderie we've we've had I think is a really special thing for us and it is a little bit different. I mean, you've got your normal routines and team stuff that you do at the all the grand slams and the other tournaments.

Speaker 2

But you know just having support from all the players, you guys, I mean we had a great team, that I think the chemistry is really good between all the guys and girls, so I mean everyone's getting along. We're watching some other matches and, um, you know it's a unique feel because we don't always get to do that at french open, when it's so much chaos at the tournament and you know you're not able to go out and fight the crowds to watch. Some of you know tommy singles or or whoever it may be. So, um, you know, I think that makes it a unique event, no doubt. But you know, the prep all week, I mean having those guys. They've done everything that we would imagine, you know, would dream of doing on a tennis court.

Speaker 2

They've won every tournament multiple times you know, gotten a gold medal.

Speaker 2

they've done all the things, so to be able to lean on that experience and help them instill that belief in us that we could do it. You know, like Raj said, I thought we did a phenomenal job all week of having a great game plan, working together as a team and then bringing our style to each match and having that belief that, no matter what the other team does, if we execute on our side of the court, we're going to be right there with a chance to win and put ourselves in a position. I thought we did that the whole tournament, even the finals. Obviously, that one didn't go our way, but that belief that Bob might bring behind us, I think is is a phenomenal advantage for us. And and uh, you know it's always an honor to compete for the.

Speaker 3

U S Raj yeah, I mean for me with them specifically, I just feel like whatever we've done, experience wise, they've done it like times 20, you know, and then that's like winning or losing and it doesn't really matter. I have two great examples, but one, you know, before the match in the quarters that you're talking about, um, you know I was like, oh, you know, obviously, yeah, big match, big situation. Like, oh, have you guys? I asked mike, I'm like you guys ever played rafa? And he, and like, so, nonchalantly, he's like, yeah, he goes. Yeah, we were like eight and O against him. And then we lost the last one. So it's like, okay, you know, like I've I played Rafa once, one of the time in doubles and, yeah, happened to get a win, but eight times a lot.

Speaker 3

You know, whatever they're going to say comes from a wealth of experience. And then the other one was actually after. I mean, we were obviously gutted after losing that one in the final and you know we were close and had a chance. And then, you know, bob said, yeah, dude, I know, I know how you feel.

Speaker 3

You know he's like we lost five French open finals and I'm like you forget sometimes these guys, because of how much they won how much they actually lost, you know, in big, big moments, big matches, so it's like I'm sure I mean we were up a set and a break in that final and I'm sure they were in those situations in the French and you know, on the clay, where they may have been up a set and a break and, you know, didn't quite get it done for whatever reason. And so it's like, whatever it was, I felt like the experience I was having in any way they would have had it in some capacity and they could relate to that. And that for me is is almost like it's quite comforting to know that you know your captain has been there and can really, can really feel that for you and with you, you know.

Speaker 1

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Austin, you talked about the crowd a little bit. How did the crowd compare to the French open? Was it a little bit less so that you could get into some of these singles matches? Is that what I was?

Speaker 2

understanding. I just think there was less matches. I mean, obviously the draw size was a little smaller stuff.

Speaker 3

So, like you know the crowd.

Speaker 2

It was great. Um, I think they were keeping it a little bit lower capacity for like grounds passes and I'm not exactly they were doing the ticketing thing, but but the stadiums were full and stuff, so like, actually like crowd support when we were playing in matches was awesome. I thought, I mean, it's just a different environment. I mean we're playing the brazil match, um you know the crowd.

Speaker 2

I mean it's on, you know, not not a small court, but but pretty compared to shotry, obviously a small court, kind of on the outside ones, but it was, you know, full with with mostly brazilian fans, and they were going ballistic and that's such a fun atmosphere for us to play and you know we don't I mean Roland Garros.

Speaker 2

Of course there's the fans for some of the French players and some of the countries have great followings, um, but this one did feel significantly different with, like, the specific country support I mean Brazil was was phenomenal in in their um, you know, showing but um, yeah, so it was a little bit different, I think. Just the schedule wasn't as jam-packed because there just weren't as many matches, so we were able to to move around the grounds a little bit easier.

Speaker 2

Um then, sometimes the french open. It's just, I mean, it's a swarm out in the main area like you can't. You can't get around, really so yeah, yeah, that makes sense.

Speaker 1

Yeah, the brazilian country pride is second to none. Really, really, it's so fun to watch.

Olympic Village Experience and Security

Speaker 1

So I wanted to talk about, actually Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. So they won bronze in the doubles. Did y'all work with them at all to help them? I think I heard when I was watching one of their matches on TV one of the commentators said that Tommy Paul said in an interview he had never game planned for a doubles match before this event. I don't know if that's true, but did? Did y'all work with them at all Just because y'all are so good at doubles and have so much experience? Or was that not really a thing? And they were mostly working with Bob and Mike? How did that kind of relationship work, and what do you attribute their success on the doubles court?

Speaker 3

um, during the olympics too yeah, I mean, I think we I'm not gonna say we worked with them I think there's a couple times where I feel like they might have had a question about a player that we might have played or whatever. But yeah, I think I think, uh, we, we left that. I mean, obviously, like we said, our, our coaches were pretty good at doubles as well, so we left that to them to kind of decide how to shape that. Because I feel like sometimes with those guys, I mean it takes a lot of work to really get to have like a proper doubles game plan. It's not just like, oh, let me just throw it out there and it'll work, you know, because I know what to do it's, it takes effort, it takes practice, it takes, you know, a lot of those things.

Speaker 3

So for those kinds of guys who don't play doubles all that regularly, I sometimes think it may be better for them to not really have to worry about some of that stuff and just sort of try and translate their skills that they bring anyway to to the singles court, onto the doubles court and, you know, you to the singles court onto the doubles court, and they're obviously good friends and they can have good team chemistry and some of those things, for sure because of their relationship. So lean on that strength as opposed to, maybe, game planning as it is for a doubles match. I don't think it's just so easy to do that.

Speaker 1

Yeah, that makes sense. Talk about the Olympic village kind of overall. Uh, I was talking last week in toronto. I heard from uh, jessica bagula and she said, like some of y'all stayed in the village, some of y'all stayed outside of the village. She told us a story about chipotle. Um, going to chipotle with taylor fritz. I don't know if y'all were involved in that, but if you were, if you can share that story as well, um, but just the olympic experience.

Speaker 3

We're not the best for the, we're not the best for the village experience, because I didn't go, and I'm pretty sure, austin, you didn't go either, did you?

Speaker 2

no, I didn't go. Yeah, we stayed the whole time. Yeah, we, we're hitting room service yeah, I can say like outside of rock if you want.

Speaker 3

But yeah, yeah, give us the story. No, no, we look, we we were lucky to have the option and both of our, both our wives, were there. So it was sort of like, you know, it was a different sort of situation and we also, like, came from hamburg, we were playing and you know, kind of just, we were more comfortable in that scenario for sure.

Speaker 3

Um, okay yeah, to kind of give our best. So we we just decided to do that. I think danielle collins was the other one that did that with us, but everybody else was either at the village totally or did a mix okay, interesting.

Speaker 1

So is the village like like 10 or 20 or 30, like blocks that are just all blocked off and like there's no cars that can like get into there, or like how does, how does this set up?

Tennis Players Discuss Pre-Us Open Prep

Speaker 2

I mean, I would imagine it's something. I mean we didn't stay in the village, obviously, but if it's, the security in general in paris was off the charts, which is great, I mean obviously that needed to be the case, but um yeah, I don't think there's any cars. I know that's probably a part of that jessica's story. With tolls they had a difficult time getting to the uber and yeah, I think that's right many streets over and I mean they're caught every corner.

Speaker 2

There was four or five guys on teams, I mean with with big rifles. I mean they were ready for anything. So they had security dialed in. And yeah, from what I understand, we did go to the. We visited the village in tokyo. I don't know if raj had stayed in the village, I don't think any real either, but, um, we didn't stay in the village in tokyo because we couldn't uh with covid, but we did go to get and walk around and you know, see the food venue and the workout area and stuff, which is really cool, um, but this time we didn't make it over because it was quite cumbersome to get around with the, with how much security there was, which obviously is a good thing.

Speaker 2

But but it did make it a little bit difficult to kind of maneuver around this time.

Speaker 1

Okay. Did y'all get a chance to go watch some other sports while you were there and, if so, what are some of your favorite Olympics? We did.

Speaker 3

Fortunately or unfortunately not, we had the first two days or three days of the tournament. There was a lot of rain, so we got canceled once or twice.

Speaker 1

Oh, that's right yeah.

Speaker 3

We ended up playing five matches in six days and the only day off we had was the day before the final. So it was sort of like, yeah, sort of pretty jam packed in there and there was really, I mean, you know, we did everything we could just to recover for the next match. Let alone it wasn't. I mean, I one of my favorite experiences from Rio was actually going to see a couple of other events time to do that, but yeah, there was no time this time in paris, so it was, uh, basically all tennis yeah, awesome, all right guys.

Speaker 1

Well, thanks a ton for hopping on. I know y'all are super busy. I'm getting ready for the us open um, so thank you again and thanks everyone for listening, and good luck guys in uh in new york. Thanks a lot, appreciate it, man.