We knew Holger Rune was good, but did we know he was this good? What happened to Novak Djokovic in the final, and what can we expect from them both going forwards? Stefanos Tsitsipas has left the 'sweet-spot' behind. So now what? The WTA Finals final is set, but will Catherine (Sabaelnka) or David (Garcia) win? Plus, lots of news to catch up on. Friends of the Tennis Podcast help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout the year, including Tenn...
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 1042
With the WTA Finals having reached the last four stage, David and Matt come together to wrap up the Round Robin action which saw some surprising results (Maria Sakkari finding her best form) and some unsurprising ones (Iga Swiatek serving up bagels). There’s chat about Sakkari playing with freedom again, Swiatek dominating everyone, a gripping and dramatic match between Caroline Garcia and Daria Kasatkina with semi-final qualification on the line, and the fact that Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff ...
Nov 06, 2022•55 min•Ep. 1041
The WTA Finals are here and who better to preview the tournament than 10-time WTA Finals doubles champion Pam Shriver?! Pam joins Catherine and Matt to discuss what to expect from the next week in Fort Worth. What will the conditions be like and who will they favour? Can anyone stop Iga Swiatek? Can Coco Gauff make some headway in her rivalry with Swiatek? Does Ons Jabeur have something to prove? And how is Pam feeling about having a doubles group named after her? We also talk about Daniil Medve...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 1040
The tennis world was shocked this week by the news that Simona Halep has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance at the US Open. We start this week's podcast by reacting to that news and how it fits into a turbulent year for Halep. Elsewhere, with David away on holiday, Catherine and Matt discuss Jessica Pegula seizing her moment in Guadalajara, the completion of the WTA Finals lineup, and a great week for Gen Z on the ATP Tour with Holger Rune, Lorenzo Musetti...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 1039
For the eighth time this season we’re talking about an Iga Swiatek title this week after she beat Donna Vekic to win in not-so-sunny San Diego. Catherine, David and Matt discuss the impressive nature of her run and her dominance over what should be her closest rivals. There’s also chat about Andrey Rublev doing what he does best by winning the ATP 250 in Gijon, Felix Auger-Aliassime improving his finals record in Florence, the hunt for WTA Finals qualification as the tour moves to Guadalajara, E...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 1038
Ostrava!!! is fast becoming one of our favourite tournaments of the year and last week it lived up to its exclamation marks with an epic final between Barbora Krejcikova and Iga Swiatek. How did Krejcikova manage to do what no else could this year and beat Swiatek in a final? Where has this surge in form come from? And could Krejcikova and Swiatek develop a compelling WTA rivalry? Elsewhere, Catherine, David and Matt chat about Caty McNally and Alycia Parks teaming up to win the Ostrava!!! doubl...
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1037
For the first time in three weeks, Catherine, David and Matt are together to record a podcast, this one to look back on an interesting week which saw some new champions and some new events. In what way is Mayar Sherif already building on Ons Jabeur’s legacy? Will Maria Sakkari ever overcome her tightness on court? What makes Yoshihito Nishioka so awkward to play against (especially for Dan Evans)? Has Barbora Krejcikova rediscovered her best form? How is Novak Djokovic able to play so well after...
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 1036
We nearly called this the 'ILL PODCAST' because we're all a bit under the weather. However, that's not very enticing is it, and not producing a show was never an option. So Catherine and David (get well soon, Matt) came together to talk about the extraordinarily emotional scenes at Laver Cup, with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in tears. They also discussed the results of the week, how important they are, and reviewed the week's Tour events, and the Davis Cup group stages from the week before. F...
Sep 26, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 1035
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
