“History was thwarted not with a spectacular act of violence, but with a half volley. Roberta Vinci tiptoed near the net and barely brushed the ball with her racket, depositing it gently on Serena's side of the court, where it bounced multiple times and died a quiet death.” That was Sports Illustrated’s take on the final act of one of tennis’ biggest ever where-were-you-when moments as Roberta Vinci ended Serena Williams’ quest for the Grand Slam at the US Open in 2015. In this episode, we remin...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 884
“In a performance so casual it was chilling, Safin announced himself as the game's next big thing by dismantling the best player ever.” Those were the words of S.L. Price in Sports Illustrated after 20-year-old Marat Safin beat Pete Sampras to win the US Open in 2000, a story we tell on this edition of Tennis Re-Lived. Why did Chris Clarey think Safin would be a future World No.1 from the moment he saw him? What did Yevgeny Kafelnikov think of Safin when they first met at the Davis Cup? Why was ...
Aug 25, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 883
This episode is a discussion with esteemed New York Times journalist and friend of the pod Chris Clarey about his new biography of Roger Federer, titled ‘The Master’. Chris speaks to David about the process of writing the book and what he learned along the way, the several exclusives he’s had with Federer over the years, the 82 interviews he conducted specifically for the book, why the likes of Mirka Federer, Peter Carter and Pierre Paganini have been fundamental to Federer’s success, how Federe...
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 882
Ash Barty and Alexander Zverev are the Cincinnati champions, Jil Teichmann and Andrey Rublev had impressive runs to the final, and it was a big week for new types of aggro. Catherine, David and Matt discuss all of that, as well as the pay gap between the ATP and WTA events, Rafael Nadal's announcement that he will miss the rest of the season, and the Chicago final between Clara Tauson and Emma Raducanu. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Robert...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 881
Catherine, David and Matt catch up to discuss everything which has happened in Cincinnati so far this week, including Naomi Osaka’s win over Coco Gauff, her two press conferences, encouraging signs for Andy Murray, a women’s tournament full of great matches, and the news that Dominic Thiem will be out for the rest of the season. 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 tournam...
Aug 19, 2021•59 min•Ep. 880
As Roger Federer announced that he will be having a third surgery on his knee, saying there is just a “glimmer of hope” of returning to the tour, Catherine, David and Matt reflect on what feels like the end for one of the greatest ever tennis careers. In Canada, there was an unexpected title for Camila Giorgi and a statement title for Daniil Medvedev. Where has this new level of tennis from Giorgi come from? Does Karolina Pliskova have a finals problem? Is either player in the ‘mix’ for the US O...
Aug 16, 2021•57 min•Ep. 879
While there have been some excellent matches in Toronto and Montreal, we begin by discussing the unfortunate news that none of the Big 3 nor Serena Williams will play again before the US Open, after Rafael Nadal’s ongoing foot problem has forced him to return home and Serena’s leg injury from Wimbledon will prevent her from playing Cincinnati next week. Will New York be last chance saloon? Turning our attention to the week’s tennis, Catherine, David and Matt talk about how nice it is to see Bian...
Aug 13, 2021•55 min•Ep. 878
Catherine, David and Matt catch up to discuss all the main talking points from the start of the North American hard court swing. Does Novak Djokovic’s decision to skip Cincinnati feel like the right one? What does Roger Federer’s withdrawal from the US Open lead-in events suggest about the state of his knee? How did Rafael Nadal seem on his return in Washington and how much of a concern is his foot injury? Why is Andy Murray singling out Jenson Brooksby as an exciting prospect? What are the big ...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 877
So that’s it for tennis at the Tokyo Olympics. In one final podcast, Catherine, David and Matt look back on the last day of action with the gold medals going to the Czech Republic, Germany and Russia. How is Barbora Krejcikova managing to juggle singles and doubles so successfully? What made the Russian team at this Olympics such good value? In what way did Alexandr Zverev play pretty much the perfect match to win gold against Karen Khachanov? What did Mary Carillo and Darren Cahill say about th...
Aug 02, 2021•48 min•Ep. 876
The tennis on Saturday felt more like the Olympics we know and love, with amazing scenes as Belinda Bencic, Elina Svitolina and Pablo Carreno Busta were overcome with emotion after winning medals. Catherine, David and Matt talk through it all. Will this be a springboard for Bencic or could this be the pinnacle of her career? Does Elena Rybakina have a problem with closing out matches? What is it about Carreno Busta’s game which gets under Novak Djokovic’s skin? Should Djokovic have played his mi...
Jul 31, 2021•50 min•Ep. 875
There will be no Golden Slam for Novak Djokovic in 2021 after he was stunned by Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals in Tokyo. What on earth happened to him when he was leading by a set and a break? And what could this defeat mean for his pursuit of the calendar Grand Slam in New York? Elsewhere, Catherine, David and Matt discuss Karen Khachanov being guaranteed a medal and what it means for his career, a deserved gold for Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic over their Croatian compatriots, a second def...
Jul 30, 2021•43 min•Ep. 874
Is it just us or has the tennis event at these Olympics been a bit of a disappointment so far? We try to figure out why we’re feeling like that before discussing the main stories since Monday, including Naomi Osaka’s defeat, the change to scheduling which came too late for Paula Badosa, Novak Djokovic’s imperious performance against Kei Nishikori, defeat for Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury, Liam Broady’s fine efforts, great runs to the gold medal match from Marketa Vondrousova and Belinda Bencic, ...
Jul 29, 2021•49 min•Ep. 873
With the whole world watching, Naomi Osaka re-emerged into the spotlight, lit the cauldron, and opened the Tokyo Olympic Games in a powerful and significant moment for tennis. Catherine, David and Matt talk all about that, as well as her excellent performances so far, the way in which the conditions are impacting matches, Ash Barty's defeat to Sara Sorribes Tormo, Iga Swiatek's tears, Novak Djokovic's popularity in the athlete's village, Andy Murray's withdrawal from the singles and victory in t...
Jul 26, 2021•59 min
The Tokyo Olympics - at long last - are almost here! Catherine, David and Matt talk through the draws before answering more listener questions. Should Richard Williams and Oracene Price be inducted into the Hall of Fame? When did we fall in love with tennis? How does watching tennis for a job differ to watching as a fan? Which significant results from recent tennis history would we change? Will Andrey Rublev win a major? And who might be the next Aslan Karatsev? Tennis Podcast is presented by Ca...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 871
We’re back! Catherine, David and Matt run through what’s happened since Wimbledon - including the G.E.M.S Life wedding, some fantastic Hall of Fame inductions, Timea Bacsinszky's retirement, more drop outs from the Olympics, and yet another title for Barbora Krejcikova - before moving on to answering listener questions, guest edited by Kickstarter backer Lynn Charles. Was there ever such a thing as a Big 4? What’s the biggest thing that people outside of tennis don’t understand about tennis? Whi...
Jul 19, 2021•59 min•Ep. 870
The moment has arrived - Novak Djokovic has tied Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on twenty Grand Slam titles. He did it by winning his sixth Wimbledon crown, coming back from a set down to defeat Matteo Berrettini. On the podcast, Catherine, David and Matt are together one last time at Wimbledon to discuss how he managed it, his comments about his Olympics participation being in doubt, the way in which Goran Ivanisevic is hyping up the calendar Grand Slam, and the general significance of the achi...
Jul 12, 2021•47 min•Ep. 869
After Ash Barty achieved her childhood dream of winning Wimbledon, following in the footsteps on her mentor Evonne Goolagong, Catherine, David and Matt convened to discuss the significance of such a special moment. What did she do to beat Karolina Pliskova? How did Pliskova recover from her terrible start? What did Pliskova prove to everyone this fortnight? How has Barty transformed her mindset over the past few years? And what's next for her? The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitake...
Jul 10, 2021•52 min•Ep. 868
Friday at Wimbledon saw Matteo Berrettini beat Hubert Hurkacz to reach his first Grand Slam final and Novak Djokovic beat Denis Shapovalov to reach his 30th. Why did Hurkacz freeze? How has Berrettini coped with the pressure on him so well? What is it about his game that's so effective on grass? In what way does it feel like Shapovalov made a step forward despite the loss? How did Djokovic manage the match expertly? And what can we expect on Sunday? Those are all questions for Catherine, David a...
Jul 09, 2021•51 min•Ep. 867
After a couple of excellent women's semi-finals, Catherine, David and Matt are joined by Pam Shriver to talk all about them. How did Ash Barty put on a tactical masterclass to stop Angelique Kerber? In what way does Barty seem more comfortable than ever in her own skin? Where has this run from Karolina Pliskova come from? How has her movement on grass improved? And will Aryna Sabalenka have any regrets? Looking ahead to tomorrow, who will have the edge between Matteo Berrettini and Hubert Hurkac...
Jul 08, 2021•55 min•Ep. 866
Catherine, David and Matt's mood, after watching England reach the Euros final, did not match the mood at Wimbledon, as Roger Federer lost in straight sets to Hubert Hurkacz. What happened? How did Federer explain the result in his press conference? And will we see him again at Wimbledon? Elsewhere, there's chat about Matteo Berrettini living up to expectations, Novak Djokovic doing all he needed to against Marton Fucsovics, and Denis Shapovalov's breakthrough five-set win over Karen Khachanov. ...
Jul 07, 2021•47 min•Ep. 865
Women's quarter-final day never quite caught fire, but there were some stellar performances from Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Pliskova, Angelique Kerber and Ash Barty, and it's set up two tantalising semi-finals on Thursday. Catherine, David and Matt discuss all of that, Hubert Hurkacz's upset of Daniil Medvedev, and the reaction to Emma Raducanu's statement. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily d...
Jul 06, 2021•45 min•Ep. 864
The last ever Manic Monday was a day of breakthroughs, with 11 players reaching their first quarter-final at Wimbledon, among them Ons Jabeur, Aryna Sabalenka, Ash Barty, Karolina Pliskova, Denis Shapovalov, and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Catherine, David and Matt chat about all of those significant wins, but not before discussing the sad end to Emma Raducanu’s run, who was forced to retire against Ajla Tomljanovic due to breathing difficulties. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker ...
Jul 06, 2021•57 min•Ep. 863
Recorded after spending the evening with Billie Jean King(!) and Ilana Kloss(!) while watching England progress to the semi-finals of the Euros(!), Catherine, David and Matt take in another sensational day at Wimbledon, headlined by Emma Raducanu's dazzling display to reach the Last 16. What makes her special? Just how surprising is this run? And can she go further? Elsewhere, there's chat about Roger Federer winning in four sets against Cameron Norrie, much excitement over the aggro between Jel...
Jul 04, 2021•50 min•Ep. 862
Making your debut on Centre Court at Wimbledon can be an intimidating experience, but Ons Jabeur, Sebastian Korda and Denis Shapovalov all relished it in different ways on Friday to reach the second week. How did Jabeur compose herself after vomiting underneath the Royal Box? Where does Korda get his calm temperament from? Can Shapovalov back up his win over Andy Murray against Roberto Bautista Agut in the next round? In what way did Murray's quite downbeat press conference change our perspectiv...
Jul 02, 2021•47 min•Ep. 861
Why was Angelique Kerber vs. Sara Sorribes Tormo the match of the tournament? How did Richard Gasquet play Roger Federer into form? Matteo Berrettini and Felix Auger-Aliassime come through tests Emma Raducanu arrives with stunning win Dial-a-Dan - let’s talk about Nick Kyrgios 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. It is crowdfunded by listeners each December. S...
Jul 01, 2021•50 min•Ep. 860
Andy Murray is still playing tennis for moments like his five-set victory over Oscar Otte on Centre Court. How did he manage it? How did he make us feel? And what chance will he have against Denis Shapovalov in the next round? Those were the questions for Catherine, David and Matt at the end of a thrilling night. There's also chat about what Aryna Sabalenka proved in her three-set win over Katie Boulter, Bianca Andreescu's honesty about how hard she's finding bubble life, an impressive win for M...
Jun 30, 2021•50 min•Ep. 859
Tuesday at Wimbledon elicited so many emotions - excitement as Nick Kyrgios returned to tennis, tension as Roger Federer got a lucky escape, uplifting joy as Carla Suarez Navarro got the send off she deserved, and overwhelming sadness as Serena Williams was forced to retire after just a few games. Afterwards, Catherine, David and Matt convened at Tennis Podcast Towers to take it all in. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced...
Jun 30, 2021•50 min•Ep. 858
Wimbledon is back! After a rain-interrupted first few hours, the day and tournament suddenly sprung to life as Jack Draper won the opening set against Novak Djokovic, Sloane Stephens and Frances Tiafoe upset Petra Kvitova and Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Andy Murray eventually and agonisingly got the better of Nikoloz Basilashvili. On the podcast, Catherine, David and Matt discuss all of those matches, reflect on what it was like to be on site as Wimbledon returned, and despair at a terrible day for ...
Jun 29, 2021•50 min•Ep. 857
After two years, it’s back! Wimbledon and us, here with daily pods. We work our way through the draws, assess the prospects of Serena Williams, Ash Barty, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, and introduce our new feature - Dial-a-Dan Evans! We also react to the jarring news that Jo Konta is out after a close contact in her team tested positive for COVID-19. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round,...
Jun 27, 2021•59 min•Ep. 856
From 1968, when Billie Jean King was paid less than half of what Rod Laver received for winning Wimbledon, to 2007 when the champions finally received the same prize money, this podcast charts a long, extraordinary journey. We hear from BJK herself about the moves she made to get to where we are, from former WTA CEO Larry Scott, who helped take the final steps in the quest for equality, and about the enormous influence of Venus Williams, who stood up repeatedly for what she believed in. The Tenn...
Jun 25, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 855
