The world's media assembled in London to talk to Roger Federer one final time in his professional playing career. David Law was among them. This is what Federer had to say. Catherine and Matt will be back with David on Monday. For Friends of The Tennis Podcast, three new podcasts (David's Diary, our US Open 2022 review and a Q & A podcast with listeners) are now available. Become a Friend to access those bonus podcasts and to support The Tennis Podcast. Sign up to receive our weekly Newslett...
Sep 21, 2022•36 min•Ep. 1034
Ivan Ljubicic began coaching Roger Federer in 2016, and did not speak to the media about Federer for the next 6 years. Now, after Federer announced his retirement last week, Ljubicic opens up to David Law about the moments that led to the Swiss deciding it was time to end his career, what happened when Federer asked him to join his coaching team in 2016, the highs and lows that followed, and what it was like to play against him. For Friends of The Tennis Podcast, two new podcasts (David's Diary ...
Sep 20, 2022•35 min•Ep. 1033
Roger Federer has announced his professional retirement. A career spanning 24 years, Federer began in Gstaad, Switzerland in July 1998, a tournament attended by our own David Law. David details some of his memories, talks to Telegraph Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs about covering Federer, and we hear from Catherine Whitaker and Matt Roberts, who send in their thoughts and memories via voice note. If you would like to hear more about Roger Federer, go back to our special episode recorded in Ju...
Sep 15, 2022•43 min•Ep. 1032
There were special scenes on Sunday night in New York as Carlos Alcaraz beat Casper Ruud to become the youngest US Open men's champion since Pete Sampras in 1990 and the youngest ATP World No.1 ever. Catherine, David and Matt were in the stadium to witness it and they discuss the match and the significance of the moment on the podcast. What made it such an enjoyable match? How did Alcaraz make up for any fatigue he was feeling? And will Ruud have regrets? Throwing it ahead, are we entering the A...
Sep 12, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 1031
Apologies for the delay. We have been experiencing issues with our Tennis Podcast platform provider, which is why your podcast has not been available. Iga Świątek is the toughest final challenge in tennis. Ons Jabeur rose to that challenge. Catherine, Matt and David, in a car ride and on the streets of New York, look at where the match was won and lost and what it might mean for the future. They also run over the other results on Day 13 and look ahead to the men's singles final. If you would lik...
Sep 11, 2022•41 min•Ep. 1030
Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz will face off on Sunday with the winner becoming US Open champion and the new World No.1. It could hardly get more tantalising. In this podcast, we chat about how they both got there, with Ruud winning a 55-shot rally and surviving a mini Karen Khachanov fightback, and Alcaraz once again going the distance late at night to beat an inspired Frances Tiafoe. How well did Ruud handle the match and the pressure of being the favourite? And what made Alcaraz vs Tiafoe suc...
Sep 10, 2022•55 min•Ep. 1029
With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it was been a strange, unsettling day at the US Open. Sporting coverage on BBC Radio was replaced with rolling news and obituary programming, meaning David didn’t commentate on the tennis. Catherine wasn’t required to present Prime Video’s coverage and a moment’s silence was held on court ahead of the women’s semi-finals. We discussed what to do with the podcast and decided to continue production - we are a tennis podcast on-site at the US Open...
Sep 09, 2022•36 min•Ep. 1028
Wednesday was a good day. It was David’s birthday, Catherine and Matt met Lin Manuel Miranda, Frances Tiafoe brought the good vibes to Flushing Meadows by becoming the first American man to reach the US Open semi-finals since 2006, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka set up a mouthwatering semi-final, and Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played a match for the ages, a quite simply bonkers match, showing that the future of tennis is oh so bright. We get stuck into it all on the podcast. WIN A TRIP TO...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1027
On the first quarter-final day at the US Open, we cover Caroline Garcia’s incredible form to beat home favourite Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur’s up and down victory over Ajla Tomljanovic, Matteo Berrettini’s poor performance and whether that match changes how we feel about him and Casper Ruud, a surprising but brilliant five set victory for Karen Khachanov over Nick Kyrgios, and much excitement for the latest chapter in the Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner rivalry. WIN A TRIP TO THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Our...
Sep 07, 2022•54 min•Ep. 1026
It took until 5th September, but Rafael Nadal has finally lost a Grand Slam match in 2022. He was beaten in sensational fashion by Frances Tiafoe, a result which blows the men’s draw wide open and sets up a fascinating second week. On the podcast, we cover what went wrong for Nadal, whether we should have seen it coming, what makes Tiafoe so great to watch, and what this means for his career. Elsewhere, we discuss a rare disappointing day for Cameron Norrie, an unconvincing victory for Iga Swiat...
Sep 06, 2022•55 min•Ep. 1025
The great tennis just keeps coming at this US Open. In part one, Catherine, David and Matt discuss Coco Gauff's special connection with the New York crowd and the way she’s been afforded time to grow her game and become a Grand Slam contender, the formidable form of Caroline Garcia, a five set win for Matteo Berrettini over the always fun Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, some minor aggro between Corentin Moutet and Casper Ruud, and Matt revises The Backhand List. In the night session, did we see the...
Sep 05, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 1024
There was a morning after feeling to Day 6 at the US Open following Serena Williams’ defeat on Friday night. But it actually didn’t take long for great matches to start happening again, bringing new life to the tournament and giving us plenty to talk about on the podcast. After a night off, Catherine re-joined David and Matt for all of her Serena vs Tomljanovic takes plus lots of chat about Saturday’s action. We reflect some more on Serena's legacy before talking about final set tiebreak victori...
Sep 04, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 1023
Serena Williams' tennis career is over. On an extraordinary night in New York, David and Matt react to her fitting final match against Ajla Tomljanovic and the emotions it provoked. There's also chat about Andy Murray's defeat to Matteo Berrettini, Coco Gauff's statement performance to beat Madison Keys, and great wins for Casper Ruud and Ons Jabeur. WIN A TRIP TO THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Our US Open dailies this year are brought to you in association with AO Travel, who provide the Australian Open ...
Sep 03, 2022•52 min•Ep. 1022
We talk about whether Iga Swiatek is hitting her stride, who are looking like the biggest contenders in the women’s draw, Paula Badosa’s struggles, an uncomfortable encounter between Marta Kostyuk and Victoria Azarenka, four British men making it through to the third round and the competition between them, how Jenson Brooksby got on Borna Coric’s nerves, one final act from Serena and Venus Williams in doubles, and a very weird match between Rafael Nadal and Fabio Fognini. WIN A TRIP TO THE AUSTR...
Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 1021
Serena Williams has got us all dreaming. After she played some vintage tennis to beat World No.2 Anett Kontaveit, Catherine, David and Matt discuss whether she can go on to win the entire tournament. How is Serena's run making us feel? What was better about today's performance compared to Monday's? And will there be anyone who can cope with the crowd and the sheer enormity of the occasion to actually beat her? We also talk about Jack Draper's routine victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime, Coco Gauf...
Sep 01, 2022•56 min•Ep. 1020
This US Open keeps on delivering. To wrap up Day 2, David and Matt discuss: How Emma Raducanu is looking to the future after her title defence ended against Alize Cornet Venus Williams’ moment in the spotlight on Ashe Stadium Iga Swiatek and Sloane Stephens setting up a second round blockbuster Why Andrea Petkovic will be much missed from the sport The incredible level produced by Danielle Collins and Naomi Osaka Rafael Nadal’s comeback victory over the impressive Rinky Hijikata Hard-fought five...
Aug 31, 2022•56 min•Ep. 1019
We may have had the Serena celebration, but we haven't had her final match. Not yet. At the end of an extraordinary evening - which saw Serena honoured on court before, during and after her victory over Danka Kovinic - David, Catherine and Matt try to sum it all up. Why was it better to stage Serena's ceremony tonight rather than after a loss? How much better did her game look than in Cincinnati? And can she now go on a run? Elsewhere, it was a day of upsets with Simona Halep, Daria Kasatkina, S...
Aug 30, 2022•59 min•Ep. 1018
On the eve of the US Open, David, Catherine and Matt are together on site to reflect on what the players said on media day, to react to the news that Serena and Venus Williams are playing doubles together, to highlight some of the best stories from qualifying, and to preview Monday’s action. We discuss lots of the players' tributes to Serena, whether Iga Swiatek is going to thrive or not in New York, Rafael Nadal’s fitness, Naomi Osaka’s form, some punchy comments from Elena Rybakina and Taylor ...
Aug 28, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 1017
After three years away, The Tennis Podcast is back in New York for the US Open! David, Catherine and Matt soak up some of the sights and sounds of Manhattan, react to Novak Djokovic's withdrawal, and discuss some of the biggest headlines from the draws. What are the chances of a fitting send off for Serena Williams? How does Emma Raducanu start her title defence? And is Rafael Nadal in the better half of the draw compared to Daniil Medvedev? FRIENDS OF THE TENNIS PODCAST: Friends help us to prod...
Aug 25, 2022•46 min•Ep. 1016
We could be in for a wild US Open. That’s our big takeaway following Cincinnati where Borna Coric and Caroline Garcia won the titles. In our final show before leaving for New York we talk about Coric’s sudden return to form, a mysterious but encouraging week for Stefanos Tsitsipas, who the US Open favourite is between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev, whether Caroline Garcia is in The Mix after her incredible run of form continued, and where the likes of Emma Raducanu, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegu...
Aug 22, 2022•58 min•Ep. 1015
Catherine, David and Matt get together for a catch up at the halfway point in Cincinnati. There’s chat about the gruelling turnaround after Canada, some high profile withdrawals from the women’s draw, why Serena Williams vs Emma Raducanu wasn’t the memorable occasion we expected, Raducanu’s improved form, Iga Swiatek’s criticism of the balls, struggles for Naomi Osaka, the emergence of Ben Shelton, Rafael Nadal’s defeat to Borna Coric, and Andy Murray’s cramping issues. FRIENDS OF THE TENNIS POD...
Aug 18, 2022•58 min•Ep. 1014
Simona Halep is back where she belongs - winning big titles and inside the World’s Top 10. How did she win in Toronto without always playing her best tennis? In what way has Patrick Mouratoglou helped her this season? And can she keep it going in New York? Catherine, David and Matt talk it all through at the end of a thrilling week. Elsewhere from Toronto, there’s chat about Beatriz Haddad Maia doing big things, Iga Swiatek’s dip in form, and Coco Gauff becoming doubles World No.1. Over in Montr...
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 1013
Serena Williams has published an article in Vogue announcing that she is “evolving away” from tennis, with the upcoming US Open expected to be her final tournament. It will bring to an end one of the greatest sporting careers of all time. In the first part of this podcast, Catherine, David and Matt react to the news, discuss the effect it will have on tennis, and offer some reflections on Serena’s career. We then get into the biggest stories from Canada so far, including encouraging signs and dr...
Aug 11, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 1012
With the US Open series in full swing, Catherine, David and Matt review title runs for Daria Kasatkina, Nick Kyrgios, Liudmila Samsonova and Daniil Medvedev. In what way did Kasatkina use her game to pick apart some big hitters? Does this title for Kyrgios in DC feel different to his one in 2019? How significant is it that Medvedev has ended his losing streak in finals? And what can we read into so many Russians doing well after their Wimbledon ban? There’s also chat about Shelby Rogers, Elias Y...
Aug 08, 2022•59 min•Ep. 1011
David’s back! Fresh from his holiday, he joins Catherine and Matt to talk all about the last week in tennis, headlined by Caroline Garcia’s victory over Iga Swiatek and subsequent title in Warsaw, as well as Jannik Sinner’s victory in Umag. Has Garcia provided the rest of the tour with a blueprint for how to beat Swiatek? How much longer might she be able to keep up this red hot form? And what’s giving Sinner the edge in his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz? There’s also chat about titles for Marie B...
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 1010
It's been a minute but we're back for the first time since Wimbledon to catch up on everything which has happened over the last couple of weeks. With David away on holiday, Catherine and Matt are joined by friend of the pod Charlie Eccleshare for a long overdue appearance! In a packed show, we discuss the strangeness of the post-Wimbledon period in tennis, titles for Lorenzo Musetti, Bernarda Pera and Casper Ruud, the return to form of Dominic Thiem and Anett Kontaveit, our early US Open favouri...
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 1009
After Novak Djokovic defeated Nick Kyrgios in a great four-set final, Catherine, David and Matt got together for one last Wimbledon 2022 pod. We discussed where the final was won and lost, the press conferences, what the future might hold for both players, the significance of Wimbledon as a tournament for Djokovic, and the Grand Slam Race. There's also a round up of the doubles and juniors results as well as chat about Shingo Kunieda completing the career Golden Slam and heartbreak for Alfie Hew...
Jul 10, 2022•57 min•Ep. 1008
Elena Rybakina is a Wimbledon champion, coming from a set down to defeat Ons Jabeur in an exciting final on Saturday. How did Rybakina overcome her nerves to turn the match around? What could Jabeur have done differently? And will both players win slams in the future? Catherine, David and Matt go through it all while reviewing the match. There's also chat about the questioning Rybakina received on her lack of celebration and the fact she was born in Moscow, Jabeur's upbeat press conference, and ...
Jul 09, 2022•55 min•Ep. 1007
Novak Djokovic will face Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon men's final after Djokovic's four set victory over Cameron Norrie on Friday. Why does Djokovic keep having slow starts? How did he turn the match around? Where might Sunday's final be won and lost? And in what ways was Kyrgios' pre final press conference his most candid and interesting of the tournament? These are all questions for Catherine, David and Matt on the pod. To preview the women's final, we hear from Reem Abulleil, a journalist wh...
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1006
This is a podcast in two halves! In the first part, David and Matt react to Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from Wimbledon, the bombshell news which broke at around 7pm on Thursday. How did the story unfold throughout the day? And what reasons did Nadal give for his decision? Earlier, Catherine, David and Matt were joined by Simon Briggs to talk about Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina reaching the women’s final. We covered their semi-final performances, the Jabeur story and why it’s so important, and the ...
Jul 07, 2022•59 min•Ep. 1005
