Serena Williams had not won a tournament all year, until now, and after lifting the trophy in Rome for a fourth time, Martina Navratilova told The Tennis Podcast that she is still very much the favourite for the French Open title. The great Navratilova also thinks Novak Djokovic is still the one to beat on the men's side, even though Andy Murray's straight sets win over the Serb in the Rome final will have given hope to the rest. Presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law convened to discuss th...
May 16, 2016•43 min
Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray for a 12th time in 13 meetings to banish memories of his early loss to Jiri Vesely in Monte Carlo, and our presenter David Law now believes that he will go on to finally land that elusive Roland Garros crown. Law is joined by Catherine Whitaker from Madrid, who witness the Djokovic express close up in a final that became increasingly intriguing as it went on. There’s also talk of Simona Halep’s title win, the returning Serena Williams in Rome, and a poll about who...
May 09, 2016•27 min
Four years of conversation between BBC 5 Live and BT Sportcommentator David Law and Eurosport Catherine Whitaker have led tothis point - the 200th edition of The Tennis Podcast. In it, we hear Catherine cringe as a snippet of episodes 1 and 2are played out, Roger Federer’s explanation for why he has pulledout of Madrid and his assessment of his clay court career, anddebate about Grigor Dimitrov, who made headlines with a spectacularon-court meltdown in Istanbul. Where to next for the man that ha...
May 03, 2016•33 min
Another week, another significant step for Rafael Nadal. His 49th clay court title, his ninth Barcelona crown (to go with his nine Monte Carlo and Roland Garros victories), and the ever-growing feeling that he is back to his best. Catherine and David convene to reflect on his week, to talk about Angelique Kerber's win in Stuttgart, the rise of Laura Siegemund, and to remember the day that Roger Federer was given a cow to mark his first Wimbledon title. There is also an exclusive interview with J...
Apr 24, 2016•1 hr 2 min
After a three-year absence, Rafael Nadal is back in the winner's circle in Monte Carlo, making it title No.9 in the process. After a week spent sunning herself in the principality, Catherine Whitaker describes the scenes she saw from courtside, and provides interview clips from Nadal, Monfils, Federer, Murray, and the conqueror of Novak Djokovic - Jiri Vesely. Talking with David Law, who was not in Monte Carlo, the pair discuss the significance of Nadal's win and Djokovic's defeat, review a stun...
Apr 17, 2016•45 min
One of the longest-running and most glamorous tennis tournaments on the calendar is about to get underway in Monte Carlo. Catherine Whitaker is there, as are the best male players in the world. David Law isn’t (and boy is he letting everyone know about it…). That hasn’t stopped them getting together for a Tennis Podcast, nor has it prevented David from telling a story about how he once shared an elevator with Federer, moments after the great man, then only a teenager, had lost 7-5 in the third. ...
Apr 10, 2016•36 min
Novak Djokovic completed his fourth Indian Wells / Miami double, won a record 28th Masters 1000 title, and prompted the question of whether there is anyone or anything that can stand between him and a Golden Grand Slam in 2016. David Law and Catherine Whitaker convene to discuss who, when and where someone might get in his way after the World No.1 continued his global dominance. Victoria Azarenka also won her second successive big title, raising further questions over the form of Serena Williams...
Apr 04, 2016•38 min
Four years ago, Jamie Murray had more doubles partners than months in a year, couldn’t reach the final of a futures tournament in Loughborough and looked as if he was going to retire. Now, he’s the World No.1 In the latest Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker and David Law discuss his huge, history-making achievement, and that of Jo Konta and Heather Watson reaching the last 16 in Miami. There’s a recap of the events that have followed since Novak Djokovic sparked an equal prize money debate a wee...
Mar 28, 2016•41 min
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
