After a dramatic day of tennis, Catherine, David and Matt discuss all the winners and losers from the opening week of the season. There's chat about Germany's extraordinary victory at the United Cup, our thoughts and feelings about the second edition of that event, Alex de Minaur's Top 10 debut, Elena Rybakina's dominant display to thrash Aryna Sabalenka in Brisbane, a first title since 2017 for Grigor Dimitrov, and Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the Australian Open. We also cover Coco Gauff's v...
Jan 07, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 1192
The 2024 tennis season is here and Catherine is in Perth to tell David and Matt all about the United Cup so far. There’s chat about the vibe and feel of the tournament, the format changes this year, some technique tweaks for Iga Swiatek, great wins for Katie Boulter and Zheng Qinwen, and why mixed doubles is so much fun. Elsewhere, Naomi Osaka made her comeback in Brisbane and got us all excited by the way she was playing, Rafael Nadal is preparing for his return which will be against Dominic Th...
Jan 01, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 1191
Even in the off season, tennis has produced enough talking points for Catherine, David and Matt to come together for one final pod in 2023. There’s chat about what the restructuring at the WTA might mean as Steve Simon relinquishes his role as chief executive to become executive chairman, Simona Halep distancing herself from Patrick Mouratoglou ahead of her appeal date in February, victory for Jack Draper at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in London, David vs Nick Kyrgios on Twitter/X, news that Ju...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 1190
It’s time for Catherine, David and Matt to reflect on the 2023 tennis season, with the help of voice notes from Pam Shriver, Mary Carillo, Matt Futterman, Chris Clarey, Hannah Wilks, and Dan Evans. We cover the moments we will remember most from 2023, our biggest surprises and disappointments, and our hopes and fears for the future. OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including...
Dec 11, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 1189
The tennis off season is officially here! In part one of the pod, Catherine, David and Matt wrap up the ATP Next Gen Finals where we learned a lot about Hamad Medjedovic. There’s also the annual rant about the scoring system, excitement for the return of Rafael Nadal in Brisbane, and news that Zheng Qinwen is going to be coached by Pere Riba again. Plus, we’re very excited to reveal our own big plans for 2024! In part two, we speak to Matt Futterman of The Athletic about his story that the Grand...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 1188
Italy are the Davis Cup Champions after an emphatic 2-0 victory over Australia in Sunday's final. Have these past few weeks proven that Jannik Sinner is ready for Grand Slam glory? Can Italy build a Davis Cup dynasty with this generation of players? And after two consecutive final defeats, who can step up to support Alex De Minaur? All that is discussed in depth, plus our annual review and debate about the competition's format and future. Challenge round, anyone? OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of th...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 1187
Saturday in Malaga was a quite extraordinary day as Jannik Sinner did the seemingly impossible, beating Novak Djokovic from match points down in singles and then returning to court to beat him in doubles too, sending Italy through to the Davis Cup Final. Catherine is in Malaga with Matt to discuss how on earth he pulled it off and what it might mean for Sunday's final against Australia. OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclus...
Nov 25, 2023•47 min•Ep. 1186
The Finland funtime has officially been brought to an end by Lleyton Hewitt and his ruthless band of Aussies. Catherine, David & Matt are all together to discuss talisman De Minaur and David's new favourite player Alexei Popyrin. Will Hewitt make changes for the final? And who will that final be against, Italy or Serbia? OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis ...
Nov 24, 2023•52 min•Ep. 1185
It was double duty for Matt on Thursday as both remaining quarter finals were played in at the Davis Cup Finals. They saw victories for Italy and for Serbia, meaning that Malaga is on for a repeat of the ATP Finals final of just four days ago, between Jannik Sinner & Novak Djokovic, the two highest ranked singles players at the tournament. Plus there's a look ahead to more FINLAND FUN ahead of their semi final clash with Australia. OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us ...
Nov 24, 2023•48 min•Ep. 1184
Czechia were just a game away from a Davis Cup semi final... enter Alex De Minaur and the sort of comeback that he describes as 'part of his identity'. And enter Matt and Catherine to discuss it all; a second day of decisive doubles, an evening of misery for Jiri Lehecka and the grown up approach of Team Australia to a competition they both resent and commit themselves to entirely. Plus there's a look ahead to the mouth watering GB vs Serbia tie, and some bonus Finland chat because, well, we lov...
Nov 23, 2023•46 min•Ep. 1183
A delirious Matt and David review an extraordinary opening day in the Davis Cup finals between defending champs Canada and debutants Finland, and look ahead to Day 2. OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot...
Nov 22, 2023•44 min•Ep. 1182
Matt is in Malaga and he attended every press conference going as he soaked up the atmosphere ahead of the Davis Cup Finals, which start on Tuesday. Who are the favourites, how are the defending champions looking, and tell us everything you know about Finland! Just some of the questions put Matt's way by Catherine and David in our preview show. We will be with you every night this week. OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclus...
Nov 20, 2023•56 min•Ep. 1181
Novak Djokovic did it again, and routined both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz along the way. It brought a close to both the ATP Finals, and Amazon Prime Video's coverage of the sport in the UK, so Catherine went straight from the presenter's mic to the podcast mic to talk to David and Matt about the last couple of days. We also cover the doubles final, and hear from Matt about what Malaga is like. Pods will be nightly throughout the Davis Cup Finals. Ravi's Story - Today's podcast was introduc...
Nov 20, 2023•45 min•Ep. 1180
The ATP Finals semi-finals are set and they are mouthwatering: Daniil Medvedev will face Jannik Sinner (and the Turin crowd) before Novak Djokovic takes on Carlos Alcaraz. Catherine is in Turin and she joins David and Matt to talk all about the atmosphere, some round robin related awkwardness, the way Sinner has been the star of the show so far, whether Djokovic will have more of an edge this weekend, Alcaraz's clear improvement throughout the week, and Medvedev's fine form. There's also coverag...
Nov 17, 2023•55 min•Ep. 1179
A momentous day for Canada who are Billie Jean King Cup champions for the first time. Afterwards, Matt in Seville, Catherine in Turin and David in Solihull caught up to talk about what happened, and look ahead to the future for their star players Leylah Fernandez and Marina Stakusic. Also on the show, Matt had a moving, important conversation with Billie Jean King about tennis going to Saudi Arabia, and changes that could and should be made to the BJK Cup in the future. Plus, Catherine told us a...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 1178
There have been some truly great individual performances in team competition over the years, but surely none better than what Leylah Fernandez produced on Saturday. On the pod, Catherine, David and Matt dissect her wins over Marketa Vondrousova, and the team of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova in doubles. Plus, they preview Canada’s final against Italy, which promises to be interesting. Could Canada spring a selection surprise? Follow the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on the official webs...
Nov 12, 2023•46 min•Ep. 1177
We got a glorious winner-take-all match in USA vs. Czechia, and Catherine, David and Matt revelled in the matches, drama and talking points. Why did USA make a late change to their doubles team? Was it the right call? And what makes Czechia so special in this competition? The semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup are both previewed, and we also look ahead to the ATP Finals, which starts on Sunday. Follow the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on the official website . OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the...
Nov 11, 2023•57 min•Ep. 1176
With just one day of the group stages to go, two teams have already qualified for the semi finals, and from the looks of their form so far, both Canada and Italy will take some beating. Kazakhstan struggled without Elena Rybakina, but why was she mysteriously absent? Matt has the scoop. Plus there's a smattering of David Law gems, including a soap box rant about round robin tennis, and an epic anecdote about his would-be life as a reality TV star. Follow the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on the of...
Nov 10, 2023•47 min•Ep. 1175
Led by an inspired Leylah Fernandez, Canada made a winning start to their campaign for a first ever BJK Cup title, but at the expense of hosts Spain. Is the Canadian on her way to capturing the form that took her to the US Open final in 2021? Plus David eats his words about (previously) good draw Jasmine Paolini and Matt tells more tales from the lunch room. OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts ...
Nov 09, 2023•54 min•Ep. 1174
Day One of the Billie Jean King Cup finals is in the books and it saw a David and Goliath victory for Slovenia, and a strong start for 11 time former Champions Czechia. Plus Matt tells the tale of how Storm Hunter came straight from a plane to the tennis court, winning her match but losing her luggage. Follow the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on the official website . OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus p...
Nov 08, 2023•47 min•Ep. 1173
As a bumpy week in Cancun reaches its conclusion, Catherine and David discuss Iga Swiatek's statement performance in the final and her triumphant return to World Number One. Plus, is this the end of the road for beleaguered WTA CEO Steve Simon? OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Sign up to receive...
Nov 07, 2023•45 min•Ep. 1172
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals have rolled into Seville and so has Matt Roberts. It's the eve of the finals and Matt has been interviewing players, with some dramatic and amusing results. Plus we digest another dominant week in Paris for seven time Champ Novak Djokovic, and the devastation he inflicted on Grigor Dimitrov in the final. Follow the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on the official website . Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive excl...
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 1171
The group stages of the WTA Finals are over and Catherine and Matt are together to discuss the No.1 being on the line between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, a semi-final to savour between doubles partners Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, the way in which the tournament has been affected by incredibly windy conditions, and the players voicing their frustration. OUR LINKS: Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcast...
Nov 04, 2023•46 min•Ep. 1170
The WTA Finals in Cancun have begun, but the build up to the event was marred by strong player criticism about the venue, with limited practice time and a Centre Court which was only just ready for action. Catherine and Matt are joined by special guest Pam Shriver to discuss how and why this happened, the current state of the WTA, and the possible future of this event. On the court, Karolina Muchova's withdrawal was felt as replacement Maria Sakkari was thrashed by Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica P...
Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 1169
In this episode the focus is on Ben Shelton winning his first ATP Tour title in Tokyo. Catherine, David and Matt discuss his apparent freshness at this time of the year, his tactical variation, and his 2023 season as a whole. There’s also chat about titles for Gael Monfils, Alexander Bublik and Katerina Siniakova, the wide open Race to Turin, a breakthrough week for Shintaro Mochizuki in Tokyo, some quotes from Emma Raducanu about her comeback and her approach to coaches, injury concern for Carl...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 1168
After 12 long days, Shanghai is finally over, and it was won by Hubert Hurkacz over Andrey Rublev in the final. Catherine, David and Matt chat about both players and get stuck into all the other major talking points from the week, including Grigor Dimitrov’s victory over Carlos Alcaraz. On the women’s side, there’s chat about a special victory for Jessica Pegula in Seoul, a thrilling final in Hong Kong which was won by Leylah Fernandez, and Zheng Qinwen’s impressive run of form continuing in Zhe...
Oct 16, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 1167
Catherine, David and Matt are back to talk about Iga Swiatek’s title run in Beijing where she cut out the unforced errors, re-established her dominance over Coco Gauff, and looked free and unburdened on court. On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner went from vomiting in a bin against Grigor Dimitrov to beating Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in back-to-back matches. Just how impressive were both Swiatek and Sinner? There’s also discussion about the main storylines from Shanghai so far, the Australi...
Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 1166
Catherine, David and Matt are thoroughly confused by the current tennis scheduling, but there’s chat about a first hard court title for Ons Jabeur, Veronika Kudermetova’s brilliant week in Tokyo, the abuse players receive on social media, poor crowds at many of the matches in China, Alexander Zverev’s good run of form, and Wim Fissette leaving Zheng Qinwen to work with Naomi Osaka again. Plus, if you’ll allow us, a few minutes of smugness to talk about our victory at the British Podcast Awards! ...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 1165
Catherine, David and Matt convene to discuss a week which saw Maria Sakkari win the biggest title of her career in Guadalajara, the return of tennis to China, and victory for Team World in the Laver Cup in Vancouver where existentialism was a Monfilsism. VISIT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN IN STYLE The Tennis Podcast during the US Open was brought to you in association with AO Travel, who can take care of your flights, premium accommodation, tournament tickets and behind-the-scenes experiences. They can n...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 1164
The US Open and Grand Slam season may be over for another year, but the tennis news keeps coming, with Simona Halep receiving a four-year ban following breaches of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. Catherine, David and Matt react to the 126-page report published by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. Elsewhere, there’s chat about a week of Davis Cup action which saw the very best of the what the competition has to offer as Great Britain beat France in a thrilling tie in Manchester, but al...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 1163
