A new chapter will be written in one of tennis' most interesting rivalries when Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka face off in Thursday's semi-finals. In this episode we discuss Azarenka's demolition of Elise Mertens, the way we're having to consider her as a real force in the game once again, her different mindset, Serena's problem solving against Tsvetana Pironkova, and the way both players will relish the challenge. On the men's side, Daniil Medvedev beat Andrey Rublev in a match which was...
Sep 10, 2020•48 min•Ep. 728
On the first day of quarter-final matches at the US Open, we discuss Jennifer Brady's dominance so far this tournament, her transformation as a tennis player, how she might match up against Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals, and the way in which Osaka's development as a person is helping her tennis. On the men's side, we reflect on the ordeal that was Zverev vs. Coric, debate whether or not it was compelling, and try to figure out the reasons for his erratic serving. The Tennis Podcast is presented...
Sep 09, 2020•50 min•Ep. 727
Monday felt like the morning after the night before, with the shockwaves from Novak Djokovic's default still being felt at the 2020 US Open. We begin this episode with further reaction to that incident before moving on to the tennis. We discuss Serena Willams' fightback against Maria Sakkari, Dominic Thiem's statement performance, a reality check for Felix Auger-Aliassime, and the unexpected head-to-heads in Tuesday's quarter-final matches. There's also discussion about Roland Garros' plans to h...
Sep 08, 2020•56 min•Ep. 726
In one of the biggest stories in Grand Slam history, Novak Djokovic's unbeaten streak came to a dramatic end on Sunday as he was defaulted from the US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball. We discuss the incident, place it in the context of his career, react to his statement, consider his decision not to attend a post-match press conference, and debate who the new favourite is in the men's draw. Catherine also talks about what it was like to be presenting live TV coverage at the time of Djo...
Sep 07, 2020•52 min•Ep. 725
Our 100th episode of the year re-capping another eventful day at the US Open. Approximate episode time stamps: 0-22 minutes - Tsitsipas: What happened!? 22-34 minutes - Serena’s statement win 35 - 50 minutes - Felix takes flight 50-57 minutes - Women's mix chat 57 minutes to the end - Mladenovic/Babos withdrawn from doubles The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments....
Sep 06, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 724
We begin by discussing Felix Auger-Aliassime's victory over Andy Murray in yesterday's night session. How much was the one-sided result down to Auger-Aliassime's brilliance and how much was it because of Murray's depleted physical condition? Moving on to Friday's action, there's chat about disappointing defeats for Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans, Naomi Osaka's stressful victory over Marta Kostyuk, Denis Shapovalov's escape against Taylor Fritz, and the bizarre delay to Adrian Mannarino vs Alexande...
Sep 05, 2020•52 min•Ep. 723
Thursday at the US Open was a day of thrilling matches, significant upsets, and interesting storylines. In other words, it felt like a proper Grand Slam day. We discuss Tsvetana Pironkova’s return to tennis and victory against Garbine Muguruza, Sorana Cirstea’s stunning performance to knock out Jo Konta, Grigor Dimitrov’s concerning physical collapse against Marton Fucsovics, and the chaotic but entertaining match between Dan Evans and Corentin Moutet. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherin...
Sep 04, 2020•47 min•Ep. 723
After 29 of the 32 seeds reached round two in the women's singles event, Wednesday saw many of them tumble, including Karolina Pliskova. We try to figure out, yet again, why her recent Grand Slam record is so poor. We also chat about Kiki Mladenovic's loss from 6-1 5-1 up, discuss her colourful comments about the restrictions placed upon her following her contact with Benoit Paire, and analyse Kyle Edmund's mid-match deflation against Novak Djokovic. Approximate episode time stamps: 0.00 - 15.00...
Sep 03, 2020•43 min•Ep. 722
He was down two sets to love. He was down a break in the third. He was down match point. And he was down a break in the decider. But Andy Murray still managed to beat Yoshito Nishioka on Tuesday at the US Open in his first Grand Slam singles match since the 2019 Australian Open. We discuss how he did it, the reason for his slow start, and how he's holding up physically. We also cover Jo Konta's mood and form after her defeat of compatriot Heather Watson, Serena Williams' opener, an epic between ...
Sep 02, 2020•47 min•Ep. 721
A two-part podcast covering the main talking points from Day 1 of this weird and wonderful US Open. Timecodes : 3.00 - 8.40 Cameron Norrie vs. Diego Schwartzman 8.40 - 10.30 Alexander Zverev 10.30 - 12.40 Stefanos Tsitsipas and towels 13.00 - Coco Gauff vs. Anastasia Sevastova 17.00 - Other results 22.00 - Benoit Paire and tests 30.00 - Kyle Edmund 32.00 - Novak Djokovic 39.00 - Andy Murray 45.00 - Jo Konta vs. Heather Watson The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, a...
Sep 01, 2020•51 min•Ep. 720
No shortage of talking points as we discuss the formation of the Professional Tennis Players’ Association with Simon Briggs, Naomi Osaka’s stand against racism, titles for Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka at the Western and Southern Open, a wide-open women’s draw at the US Open, the Bryan Brothers’ retirement, and the sad news that legendary commentator David Mercer has died. What do the players hope to achieve with the PTPA? Why set it up now? Where does it go from here? How does Djokovic k...
Aug 30, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 719
Following on from our most recent edition of Tennis Re-Lived on the life of Althea Gibson, in this episode we turn our attention to Arthur Ashe. We cover his formative years growing up in Virginia under the Jim Crow laws, his development as an amateur tennis player while at college, his Grand Slam titles, his fights for civil rights and social justice, his passing from AIDS, and his enduring legacy. Along the way, James Blake reveals how he indirectly credits Ashe with getting him into tennis, L...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 718
In this special edition of Tennis Re-Lived, we examine the life, career and legacy of Althea Gibson, the first black player to compete in and win Grand Slam titles. We cover her early life growing up in Harlem, her development as a tennis player under the guidance of Dr Eaton and Dr Johnson, Alice Marble’s influential letter challenging the USLTA’s whites-only culture, Gibson’s dramatic first appearance at the US Nationals at Forest Hills in 1950, her friendship and doubles partnership with Ange...
Aug 26, 2020•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 717
ATP Tour tennis is back with the first big, combined women's and men's tournament since the pandemic struck down Indian Wells in March. With the 'Cincinnati' draw made, Catherine, David and Matt assembled once more to discuss the highlights, catch up on latest news, and also release our big interview with Lindsay Davenport (from 38.00). Is the WTA draw now more star-studded than the men's draw, despite the withdrawals? What did we think of Novak Djokovic's interview with Chris Clarey in the New ...
Aug 21, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 716
Tennis’ return went up a notch last week with many of the biggest names competing in Lexington and Prague. We discuss the way in which champions Jennifer Brady and Simona Halep picked up where they left off six months ago, describe how it felt seeing top level tennis at a small club in Kentucky, assess Serena Williams’ form, marvel at Venus Williams’ remodelled service motion, and analyse yet another step forward for Coco Gauff. David also speaks to Dan Evans about life inside the US Open bubble...
Aug 17, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 715
On this week’s episode, with actual tennis from Palermo to look back on and the Kentucky-Prague double-header to preview, we find ourselves in unfamiliar, but very welcome, territory. We react live to Fiona Ferro’s victory in Palermo, and discuss what the players have been saying in their pre-tournament press conferences, including Serena Williams on her caution over the virus, Coco Gauff on how she’s used her platform to tackle issues of social justice, Jo Konta on her American road trip, and E...
Aug 10, 2020•58 min•Ep. 714
Rio 2016 was a particularly emotional and memorable Olympics for tennis, with Andy Murray defending his gold medal, Juan Martin del Potro entering people’s hearts, and shock defeats for Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic. But it was Monica Puig’s run which best encapsulated the spirit of the Games. Catherine talks to her about how it felt to win Puerto Rico’s first ever gold medal. As our journey through tennis’ history at the Olympics arrives at its final destination, we also speak to Christoph...
Aug 08, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 713
The London Olympics will never be forgotten by our Tennis Podcast team, for the opening ceremony, the incredible athletic feats, all of it happening on their doorsteps, and David's inability to watch any of it. Andy Murray and Serena Williams were the champions, their gold medal winning runs are discussed, and David talks to Laura Robson, who won a medal alongside Murray. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-ro...
Aug 07, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 712
The Beijing Olympics are perhaps best remembered for the world-beating achievements of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, but it was also an unforgettable Games for tennis. We discuss Russia’s clean sweep of the women’s singles medals, how much a gold meant to Elena Dementieva, the way China embraced tennis, the lasting influence of the Beijing Games on the sport, how much Roger Federer values his doubles gold, and Rafael Nadal’s ascension to World No.1. There was also an epic semi-final between Jam...
Aug 06, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 711
We begin this episode by discussing the news that Rafael Nadal has opted not to defend his US Open title due to health risks before moving on to re-live the 2004 Olympics in Athens. It was a Games which saw Justine Henin-Hardenne win gold, Roger Federer stunned by Tomas Berdych, and double gold for Chile as Nicolas Massu won singles and doubles, alongside Fernando Gonzalez. We hear from both men at length about their magical week together and what it meant to their country. The men’s singles sil...
Aug 05, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 710
Tennis is back. But there are still question marks about the sport’s short-term future. In the first half of this episode we discuss the return of the WTA Tour in Palermo and the mood surrounding the US Open before wrapping up the results from the various exhibition events. Then, we hear from former World No.4 and current Miami Open tournament director James Blake (starting 43:26). He takes us through what happened during the week in March when Miami was cancelled and explains why he’s strugglin...
Aug 03, 2020•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 709
The 2000 Sydney Olympics were a happier time. Steve Redgrave won his 5th gold for Great Britain and Cathy Freeman became a symbol of national reconciliation for Australia. In this episode, we look back on a tennis event which also delivered compelling storylines, including double gold for Venus Williams to cap an extraordinary summer and a 4th place finish for a young Roger Federer. We also hear from men’s singles gold medallist Yevgeny Kafelnikov (starting 23m 27s) about his epic final against ...
Aug 02, 2020•58 min•Ep. 708
David was at university, Catherine was 10 and Matt was a baby. The 1996 Atlanta Olympics saw Michael Johnson dominate, Britain struggle, and some wonderful tennis stories unfold. In this edition of the podcast we talk to four medallists who had very different stories. From the bittersweet feelings of Gigi Fernandez, to the disbelief of Lindsay Davenport, and a life goal achieved for Leander Paes. Gigi Fernandez (gold in doubles) - 11m 38s Lindsay Davenport (gold in singles) - 23m 17s Sergi Brugu...
Aug 01, 2020•58 min•Ep. 707
This is the first of several podcasts telling the story of modern tennis at the Olympic Games. We start with 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona, events that produced so many memorable moments. If you want to go straight to Barcelona, it begins at 50m.20s. We have spoken to five medallists for this podcast. 1988 Seoul Zina Garrison (bronze in singles, gold in doubles) - 19m 55s Tim Mayotte (silver in singles) - 38m 36s 1992 Barcelona Marc Rosset (gold in singles) - 1h 02m 04s Michael Stich (gold in do...
Jul 30, 2020•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 706
We're back! And we're answering your questions, as selected by listeners Drew and David, who backed our crowdfunding Kickstarter so generously. Here are the questions: •Is it the players’ responsibility to do what’s safe for themselves, or is it the tournament’s responsibility to guarantee safety regarding covid-19? (4:30) •Is the Western & Southern Open too ‘intense’ for the first sanctioned event of the restarted ATP Tour? (10:30) •If we were players, would we be happy to travel to New Yor...
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 705
The 1983 French Open champion, Yannick Noah, is our guest this week. In an exclusive and extensive interview with David Law, Noah tells stories in his inimitable style about the influence Arthur Ashe had on his career, the time they played doubles together, the dream he had before the Roland Garros final, the words he exchanged with his father after beating Mats Wilander to win the title, why he could never crack Wimbledon, what it was like playing in the same era as legends like John McEnroe, J...
Jul 20, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 704
The biggest scare Serena Williams faced en route to winning the Wimbledon title in 2015 came from an unlikely source, as Heather Watson pushed her right to the brink in a third-round match which encapsulated the idea of a plucky Brit. The occasion was also memorable for the raucous atmosphere, and we discuss the elements of that which we felt crossed the line, along with how Serena managed to fight through and why Watson has not gone on to back up that performance at the Grand Slams. There’s als...
Jul 12, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 703
In the penultimate episode of Wimbledon Re-Lived, we take ourselves back to July 7th 2013 when Andy Murray became the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936 by beating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. In what way had the British public come to embrace Murray before the 2013 final? What impact had Ivan Lendl had on Murray’s game and his rivalry with Djokovic? How much of a factor was the weight of Britain’s 77-year drought for Murray? Why did Djokovic put in a flat performance? And what was e...
Jul 11, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 702
Finding new words to do justice to the 2008 men’s final at Wimbledon between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is not easy, but that’s our task on this episode as we look back on the match regarded by many as the greatest in tennis history. There’s talk about the sense before the match that it could finally be Nadal’s time, Federer’s missed opportunities in the first two sets, the way in which their match-up favoured Nadal, Federer’s fitful forehand, why the epic fourth set tiebreak echoed Borg-McE...
Jul 10, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 701
Venus Williams’ 4-6, 7-6, 9-7 victory over Lindsay Davenport in 2005 is the longest women’s final in Wimbledon history, and possibly the greatest. We discuss the sustained excellence from both players, the joy of watching Venus in her prime, the way she fought for equal prize money the night before the final, and how her uninhibited and jubilant celebration revealed a side to her which we don’t usually see. Davenport also describes the particular challenge of facing Venus on grass, the point the...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 700
