On a day when we expected to be headlining with Azarenka’s win over Serena Williams, instead all the talk was of Indian Wells Tournament Director Raymond Moore’s astonishing comments about the women’s game, and a response from Novak Djokovic that reopened the equal prize money debate. David Law and Catherine Whitaker review what was said by whom, and react to it. Does Djokovic have a point? Is it time the debate was put to bed by making tennis equal pay for equal play? Or is it just too depressi...
Mar 21, 2016•43 min
It’s been a turbulent couple of months for the boss of men’s tennis - ATP Executive Chairman and President Chris Kermode, who is a guest on this week’s Tennis Podcast, which is produced in association with the Telegraph. An investigative report into suspicious betting patterns by the BBC and Buzzfeed led to allegations of match-fixing on the eve of the Australian Open in January, an independent review was hastily called by Kermode and the other governing bodies to look at make-up, funding and pe...
Mar 14, 2016•1 hr
She was expected to announce her retirement, but instead Maria Sharapova revealed even more shocking news in a Los Angeles press conference - she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, which she said she had been taking for ten years for a health condition, but which had been added to the banned list at the start of 2016. In the latest Tennis Podcast, you can hear Sharapova's statement in full, and presenters David Law and Catherine Whitaker discuss the implications for Sharapov...
Mar 08, 2016•48 min
Andy Murray On Fatherhood, 10 Years At The Top, And Plans To Play Into His Mid-30's Andy Murray has just become a father, celebrated ten years since his first ATP title, and now returns to work to start the defence of the Davis Cup, which Britain won in November. In an exclusive interview, Murray talks to Catherine Whitaker on the Tennis Podcast about his relief at arriving home from Australia in time for the birth of his daughter, Sophia, his hour on the phone with coach and fellow new-parent A...
Mar 01, 2016•35 min
Inspired by the returning Juan Martin del Potro, BBC 5 Live and BT Sport commentator David Law, and Eurosport presenter Catherine Whitaker discuss the most memorable tennis comebacks of all time - those that turned out well, and those that didn't Hear about Seles returning from being stabbed. Agassi's response to plummeting to 141 in the world. Capriati being irrelevant in the game for 5 years and returning to win Slams. Clijsters having a baby and then winning big. And many more. The Tennis Pod...
Feb 23, 2016•50 min
Roger Federer has won more Grand Slam singles titles (17), and spent more weeks as World No.1 than anyone in history. Rafael Nadal has won 14 major wins, including 9 French Open crowns, and Olympic singles gold. But is that it? Will either win another major title in their careers? The Tennis Podcast team (BBC 5 Live and BT Sport commentator David Law, and Eurosport commentator Catherine Whitaker) convened to debate the issue and ask for listener’s opinions in a poll. The results were not what th...
Feb 15, 2016•36 min
After running the podcast single-handed for a fortnight of the Australian Open, David Law is rejoined by TV's Catherine Whitaker to share notes about what went on in Melbourne. Catherine reveals the tears that flowed in the Eurosport studios, her highlights and lowlights of the tournament, and her concern that it will take 'a Soderling moment' to provide a different Grand Slam male champion. A fabulous Fed Cup weekend is reviewed, but is there something we can do to make the thing more easily un...
Feb 09, 2016•43 min
Novak Djokovic made it Grand Slam title No.11 to draw level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, and afterwards Simon Briggs of the Telegraph and Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim joined David Law to talk about it. It was straight sets for Djokovic over Murray, but not straightforward, and the trio discussed whether Boris Becker or Ivan Lendl were the biggest reasons for the shift in power in the Djokovic/Murray rivalry. Meanwhile, after Angelique Kerber made her dreams come true by winning her first ...
Jan 31, 2016•20 min
Ahead of the Australian Open men's final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, the BBC Radio 5 Live commentary team get together to assess the chances of Murray in his fifth attempt at winning the title. In the final he faces the ultimate challenge, the 'Everest' of tennis, in the form of Novak Djokovic. Goran Ivanisevic talks to the pod team to explain why it is such a nightmare trying to coach against him. In his opinion, Djokovic can break all records. The Tennis Podcast is produced in asso...
Jan 30, 2016•12 min
It took 5 sets and more than 4 hours, but Andy Murray finally set up another final against Novak Djokovic after defeating Milos Raonic at the Australian Open, and the Tennis Podcast team got together afterwards to discuss it. The Telegraph’s Chief Sports Feature Writer Oliver Brown joined Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs and BBC 5 Live commentator David Law to talk about how Murray came back from two sets to one, marvel at the tennis shown by Raonic, and wonder whether there’s any way Murray ca...
Jan 29, 2016•10 min
Novak Djokovic was Boris Becker-like in his presence in the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday night, and despite a spirited Roger Federer fightback, it was Djokovic who reached yet another Grand Slam final. David Law is joined by Telegraph Sport's Simon Briggs to talk it through, before going on to discuss the journey of Johanna Konta, which finally came to an end at the Australian Open in the semifinals. Plus, Serena Williams was a destructive as ever. And, with Andy Murray due to take on ...
Jan 28, 2016•21 min
Everything went to form on day nine at the Australian Open, with victory for Serena over Sharapova, and wins for Federer and Djokovic. It all means that a dream semifinal between Federer and Djokovic - the 45th match between them - will take place on Thursday. Who will win? David Law and special guest Chris Clarey of the New York Times break it down, and the conclusion might surprise you. And what about Victoria Azarenka? Blazing through the draw, the Belorussian is the second best player in the...
Jan 26, 2016•16 min
After a stressful middle Saturday, in which the coach of Ana Ivanovic (Nigel Sears) was taken ill but since discharged from hospital, his son-in-law Andy Murray can look ahead to a fourth round clash with Bernard Tomic. We speak to Todd Woodbridge about Tomic - what makes him tick? What does he need to do to break the Top Ten? Woodbridge tells us. And what about Nick Kyrgios? We get a view from the great Australian doubles player on that, too. Meanwhile, another fourth round blockbuster is Stan ...
Jan 24, 2016•37 min
After an emotional night when Lleyton Hewitt's 20-year career came to an end, his first coach Darren Cahill joins BBC 5 Live tennis commentator David Law on the Tennis Podcast to discuss his fabulous career. Cahill remembers the 12-year-old that turned up at his door 'dressed in Agassi gear' and says that he was already a pro, even at that age. Memories of Hewitt's greatest achievements are discussed, what he was like to coach, and what Cahill thinks we can expect of Hewitt the coach. Craig Will...
Jan 21, 2016•20 min
After Monday’s allegations of suspected match-fixing, Telegraph Sport’s Simon Briggs joins Tennis Podcast presenter David Law (BBC 5 Live) to give his view on the situation, review a day in which Johanna Konta beat Venus Williams, and Andy Murray cruised through in style against Alex Zverev. Pat Rafter, a two-time Australian Open champion, also joins the show to reminisce about Lleyton Hewitt, who is playing in his final tournament. And Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith reviews a day in...
Jan 19, 2016•22 min
The Australian Open draw is out, and so is The Tennis Podcast, dissecting and previewing what is to come over the next fortnight. Catherine Whitaker is in the UK to present the tournament’s Highlights Show on Eurosport, David Law is in Melbourne for BBC Radio 5 Live, and so is the Telegraph’s correspondent Simon Briggs. Andy Murray was drawn in the opposite half of the draw to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, meaning he can only face one of them. According to Simon Briggs, Murray has the ideal ...
Jan 16, 2016•31 min
With Catherine back from Doha, and David about to set off to Melbourne, the Putney Exchange shopping centre once again plays host to half an hour of chat about the latest goings-on in the tennis world. When Novak Djokovic thrashed Rafael Nadal in Doha, Catherine didn't know where to look. When Victoria Azarenka rolled back the years in Brisbane, did she become the favourite for the title? And was the win of Milos Raonic over Roger Federer a taste of things to come? It's all discussed here on The...
Jan 12, 2016•30 min
In the first Tennis Podcast of 2016, Catherine Whitaker is in Doha (for BeIn Sports), David Law is in London (for BT Sport) and they both come together to preview the new season. Will Andy Murray ever be World No.1? Will Agnieszka Radwanska ever win a Grand Slam title? And what next for Kyle Edmund, who made such a splash in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final, and then won Tie Break Tens. Catherine speaks to him to find out. The awarding of SI Sports Person of the Year to Serena Williams is also...
Jan 04, 2016•48 min
After 12 months of tennis, 85 episodes of The Tennis Podcast, and some incredible highlights, the 2015 season has come to a close. In our final show of the year, Catherine and David debate the 2015 Tennis Podcast Awards, with the final verdict from special guest Alan Mills - the Wimbledon Referee of 23 years. Who is the Player of the Year, The Most Improved, and who had the most spectacular hairstyle (good or bad)? Merry Christmas one and all, thanks for listening, and have a happy new year! Hos...
Dec 14, 2015•32 min
Tennis Legend John McEnroe speaks exclusively to the Tennis Podcast about Andy Murray's Davis Cup win, 2016 hopes and why he believes one of the secrets to beating Djokovic is to smile more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 05, 2015•10 min
In the bowels of the iconic Royal Albert Hall Jamie Murray settles in for an exclusive chat with The Tennis Podcast. Has the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas win sunk in yet? How nervous was he during that doubles rubber? And what are his plans for the off-season ahead of teaming with Bruno Soares? This is the only place to find out. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 03, 2015•10 min
Great Britain has won the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, completing a journey from the brink of Division 4 - Euro Africa Zone 3 - to lifting the cup in the space of just five years. Telegraph Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs joins David Law review the final, talk about its significance for the legacy and future of Andy Murray, and Jeremy Bates - the first man ever to pick Andy Murray for a Davis Cup team - remembers what Murray was like in that very firs tie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
Nov 29, 2015•21 min
Great Britain is one Andy Murray victory away from winning a first Davis Cup by BNP Paribas in 79 years, and after a thrilling doubles rubber, David is joined by Eurosport commentator Chris Bradnam and Davis Cup winner Henri Leconte to review day two. Leconte, meanwhile remembers how he helped France to victory over the United States in 1991. Barely able to walk, he was coaxed off his chair by Yannick Noah, and trained himself into fighting condition to down Pete Sampras. Hosted on Acast. See ac...
Nov 28, 2015•19 min
After an intriguing first two rubbers of the Davis Cup final between Belgium and GB, David is joined by Eurosport commentator Simon Reed, and pundit Colin Fleming to dissect the ins and outs of day one, including a standout two sets from Kyle Edmund. The trio analyse Edmund's performance, as well as Andy Murray's efforts against Ruben Bemelmens to level the tie at 1-1. Plus the trio look ahead to Saturday's all-important doubles rubber. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
Nov 27, 2015•19 min
After a week of uncertainty, the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final is all set to take place in Ghent, Belgium, and The Tennis Podcast brings you the lowdown from courtside on the day that the draw was made. Joining presenter David Law were the Telegraph’s Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs and British Eurosport presenter Rob Curling to discuss the news that Kyle Edmund will make his debut (IN THE FINAL!), and Andy Murray will open against the unheralded Ruben Bemelmans. What has the atmosphere been ...
Nov 26, 2015•23 min
Amid the dismantling of the O2 Arena tennis court, David & Catherine meet to digest a fascinating World Tour Finals ending in the 'Groundhog Day scenario' of an emphatic Novak Djokovic victory. So has this been the most dominant ever tennis season from one individual? And will the Serb remain as dominant in 2016? Plus we discuss a breakthrough week for Rafael Nadal, and look ahead to the Davis Cup Final, the staging of which is currently mired in doubt and fear due to the terror alert in the...
Nov 23, 2015•24 min
The draw has been made, the groups are set, and the ATP World Tour Finals are about to get underway. So, it’s time for a pre-tournament Tennis Podcast to talk it over. David Law and Catherine Whitaker pick their semifinalists, finalists and champion. And in an interview conducted with Tim Henman a few weeks ago, we discover that the great man will be at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final, as a fan! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 13, 2015•36 min
With the tennis of Novak Djokovic once again suggesting that the 'Big Four' has become a 'Big One', Andy Murray now takes to the clay to try to balance preparation for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final with a need to concentrate on the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02. Phew! John McEnroe tells us about 1978, when he played his first Davis Cup singles rubbers in the final against Great Britain. He also predicts victory for Britain this time. Meanwhile, Catherine and David reveal their tennis wish...
Nov 10, 2015•40 min
Agnieszka Radwanska is the champion of the 2015 WTA Finals in Singapore, Roger Federer edged Rafael Nadal in the 34th instalment of their rivalry, and Andy Murray has confirmed that he intends to play the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena. Catherine and David get together to talk it over, and we also hear about a new teenage generation of American players who have a nation expecting. Oh, and Catherine is furious with someone. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph. ...
Nov 02, 2015•44 min
Marat Safin is an exclusive guest on the Tennis Podcast this week. The two-time Grand Slam champion talks to our reporter David Lewy at the Kia Motor Champions Cup about facing Federer, his major titles, and the racquets he smashed along the the way. He also gives an insight into his new life in Parliament and explains why he feels Grand Slam titles were harder to win in the era in which he played. Meanwhile, Catherine Whitaker is in Singapore for the WTA Finals and talks to David Law about the ...
Oct 25, 2015•30 min
