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The Tennis Podcast

The Tennis Podcastwww.tennispodcast.net

Your definitive tennis round up, daily at the Slams. Part of the Athletic Network. Named in Time Mag's Top 100 podcasts of all time.


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Episodes

Has women’s tennis served its purpose for Saudi Arabia?

Catherine and Matt are together for a mid week catch up with events in Stuttgart, Barcelona, Munich and Rouen in full swing. Part one - ATP (00:00 - 34:41). How concerning is Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from Barcelona with a wrist injury? We react to his press conference and discuss the difficulty of his clay court season scheduling. Elsewhere in Barcelona, Lorenzo Musetti has picked up some much-needed wins and now plays Arthur Fils, while Rafael Jodar has become the favourite for the title. In...

Apr 16, 20261 hr 35 minEp. 1492

Monte Carlo - Was Sinner’s statement win a game-changer?

Catherine, David and Matt are here to look back on the first Sinner-Alcaraz match of the 2026 season. Part one - Monte Carlo (00:00 - 30:59). We discuss Jannik Sinner’s victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the final and how it sets up their rivalry and the clay court season ahead. In what way did Sinner cope best with the windy conditions? How much confidence will he take from his? And how might Alcaraz respond? There’s also chat about the gap between them and the rest of the field after Sinner’s comp...

Apr 13, 20261 hr 21 minEp. 1491

Monte Carlo - What on earth was Daniil Medvedev doing?

The podcast breaks down the Monte Carlo Masters, analyzing Daniil Medvedev's shocking 6-0, 6-0 defeat and the resilient wins of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. It also highlights impressive runs from rising stars like Joao Fonseca and Valentin Vachereau. Additionally, the episode previews the Linz tournament's new indoor clay format, featuring Lily Tagger, and discusses the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, including format changes and team lineups.

Apr 09, 20261 hr 4 minEp. 1490

Will Nadal inspire a Swiatek surge?

Catherine, David and Matt are together to discuss the start of the clay court season and a fascinating week of coaching changes on both tours. Part one - Coaching carousel (00:00 - 33:55). With the news that Iga Swiatek has hired Francisco Roig, we talk about whether her training block in Mallorca with Rafael Nadal can help inspire her for the clay court season ahead. Could this be just the boost Swiatek needs? What are some of the potential challenges in this partnership with Roig? Elsewhere, t...

Apr 06, 20261 hr 24 minEp. 1489

Miami - Are Sinner & Sabalenka getting even better?

David, Catherine and the Athletic's Matt Futterman had plenty to talk about after Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka completed the rare Double Sunshine Double with their Miami Open titles. Part one - ATP (00:00 - 37:45) We start with the extraordinary dominance of Jannik Sinner who has won the Indian Wells & Miami titles without dropping a set. With the points gap quickly closing on Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner is being open about his desperation to reclaim the top spot in men's tennis - will he do...

Mar 30, 20261 hr 34 minEp. 1488

Miami - Why Arthur Fils is the next guy

After a dramatic few days in Miami, there’s lots to discuss for Catherine and David, who are holding the fort while Matt gets stopped by fans at Gatwick airport. Part one - (00:00 - 18:25) Shortly after discussing Iga Swiatek’s crisis of form and confidence on the last pod, news broke that Wim Fissette had been axed from the Swiatek team. Is it the right move? And who will the for the former World Number One now turn to for answers? Part two - (18:25 - 47:25) WTA - A dream semi final line up is ...

Mar 26, 20261 hr 15 minEp. 1487

Miami - What happened to Swiatek & Alcaraz?

It was a rainy first few days of Miami but things have picked up since then and a couple of big shocks - defeats for Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz - have left Catherine, David and Matt with plenty to discuss. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 43:51) We start with Swiatek’s defeat to Magda Linette as she opened up about the tennis “nightmare” she’s experiencing on court. What’s going wrong for her? And where does this leave her heading into the clay? Elsewhere there’s chat about Talia Gibson’s brilliant r...

Mar 23, 20261 hr 32 minEp. 1486

Indian Wells - Sabalenka, Sinner win…just

This episode delves into the thrilling conclusions of Indian Wells, highlighting Aryna Sabalenka's dramatic victory over Elena Rybakina and Jannik Sinner's triumph against Daniil Medvedev. The hosts analyze the evolving rivalries and discuss Iga Swiatek's unexpected defeat, raising questions about her current form. Additionally, they preview the upcoming Miami Open, examining key draws and players to watch while also exploring the resurgence of aggressive play and controversial on-court hindrance drama.

Mar 17, 20261 hr 24 minEp. 1485

Indian Wells - Sincaraz, Sabatek finals incoming?

The podcast dives into the exciting developments at Indian Wells, covering Jack Draper's shocking victory over Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz's extraordinary performance against Casper Ruud. On the WTA side, discussions include Iga Swiatek's tactical mastery and Aryna Sabalenka's evolved game, alongside Mirra Andreeva's ongoing mental struggles. The episode also features a detailed report on the ATP's controversial plans with Saudi Arabia to reshape the men's tennis calendar, exploring the financial and moral implications.

Mar 12, 20261 hr 24 minEp. 1484

Indian Wells - The story so far

This episode of The Tennis Podcast provides an in-depth update from Indian Wells, dubbed "Tennis Paradise." Hosts analyze surprising results, including Joao Fonseca's resurgence, Carlos Alcaraz's dominant form, and Novak Djokovic's early struggles. The women's draw sees discussions on Coco Gauff's rare retirement, Amanda Anisimova's stunning win over Emma Raducanu, and the highly anticipated clash between Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka. The podcast also delves into the complex situation of players stranded in the Middle East and the ATP's handling of the crisis, alongside predictions for the tournament's champions.

Mar 09, 20261 hr 17 minEp. 1483

As world events unfold, what happens to tennis?

This episode explores the current tennis landscape, grappling with the geopolitical impact on the Dubai Open and the challenges faced by stranded players. The hosts discuss Daniil Medvedev's second Dubai title, Jack Draper's return, and Flavio Cobolli's triumph in Acapulco, alongside WTA highlights from Peyton Stearns and Cristina Bucsa. The episode also covers major news, including Craig Tiley's high-profile move to the USTA and Emma Raducanu's new Uniqlo sponsorship and coaching decisions, offering a comprehensive look at the sport's week.

Mar 02, 20261 hr 32 minEp. 1482

Alcaraz wins 12 in a row and Fils-Ivanisevic: The Inside Story

The Tennis Podcast recaps a dynamic week in tennis, highlighting Jessica Pegula's impressive Dubai title run and her career-best consistency. Carlos Alcaraz delivers a virtuoso performance to win Doha, while Jannik Sinner faces an unexpected upset. The episode also delves into the extraordinary semi-final between Elina Svitolina and Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova's resurgence, and the intriguing new coaching partnership between Arthur Fils and Goran Ivanisevic. A major discussion point is the newly announced WTA Tour Architecture Council, formed in response to mounting withdrawals and retirements, aiming to address the tour's demanding schedule and drive essential changes for player welfare and sport growth.

Feb 23, 20261 hr 36 minEp. 1481

Muchova’s moment - the first of many?

Catherine, David and Matt discuss an exhilarating week of action across events in Doha, Rotterdam, Dallas and Buenos Aires. Part one - WTA Doha (00:00 - 34:36). The joy of seeing Karolina Muchova win another title at last, Victoria Mboko showing she belongs in the Top 10 after incredible wins over Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina, varying degrees of concern for Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova. Part two - ATP Results (34:37 - 1:00:00). Alex de Minaur and Ben Shelton make hay in the ...

Feb 16, 20261 hr 18 minEp. 1480

What's happened since the Australian Open?

This episode covers a busy week in tennis post-Australian Open, highlighting WTA action with Sara Bejlek's surprising win in Abu Dhabi and Emma Raducanu reaching a final in Cluj, alongside Katie Boulter's significant title in Ostrava. The hosts also discuss men's results, including Felix Auger-Aliassime's indoor success and dramatic Davis Cup qualifiers, before delving into tennis politics and a heartfelt tribute to journalist Mark Hodgkinson.

Feb 09, 20261 hr 23 minEp. 1479

Aus Open Day 15 - Carlos Alcaraz: History Boy

This episode delves into Carlos Alcaraz's historic Australian Open victory over Novak Djokovic, making him the youngest male career Grand Slam champion. The hosts analyze Djokovic's incredible first set, Alcaraz's remarkable composure and tactical shifts, and the high-stakes fourth set. They also discuss Alcaraz's potential for a calendar slam, Djokovic's future, and Craig Tiley's ambitious plans for the tournament, including proposals for women's best-of-five matches.

Feb 01, 20261 hr 24 minEp. 1478

Aus Open Day 14 - Rybakina’s glory but did Sabalenka blow it?

This episode recaps Elena Rybakina's Australian Open victory over Aryna Sabalenka, analyzing Sabalenka's performance in major finals and Rybakina's composure under pressure. The hosts also cover other tournament results, including emotional wheelchair tennis wins and the debut of the blind and low vision event. Finally, they preview the highly anticipated men's final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, considering physical and mental factors.

Jan 31, 20261 hr 16 minEp. 1477

Aus Open Day 13 - Djokovic vs Alcaraz, for history

This episode dissects an extraordinary day at the Australian Open, featuring two epic semifinals. Novak Djokovic defied expectations with a stunning five-set comeback against Jannik Sinner, showcasing vintage form and mental mastery. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz battled through severe cramping to defeat Alexander Zverev in a five-hour thriller, highlighting his incredible resilience and tactical intelligence. The discussion also covers the dramatic crowd interactions, the medical timeout controversy, and sets the stage for a highly anticipated men's final and predictions for the women's final.

Jan 30, 20261 hr 6 minEp. 1476

Aus Open Day 12 - Rybakina vs. Sabalenka showdown set

The Tennis Podcast crew dissects the Australian Open women's semifinals, breaking down Elena Rybakina's victory over Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka's dominant win against Elina Svitolina, including a controversial hindrance call. They set the stage for the highly anticipated Rybakina-Sabalenka final, discussing their forms and head-to-head. The episode also covers doubles and wheelchair results, shares a hilarious account of a media one-point slam, and previews the men's semifinals between Alcaraz vs. Zverev and Djokovic vs. Sinner, speculating on potential upsets.

Jan 29, 20261 hr 5 minEp. 1475

Aus Open Day 11 - Djokovic dream still alive, or is it?

This episode reflects on a "Dud Slam" Australian Open Day 11, discussing Novak Djokovic's controversial advancement and form issues, Lorenzo Musetti's devastating injury, and Yannick Sinner's continued dominance. In women's tennis, top seeds like Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina excelled, prompting Iga Swiatek to reconsider her demanding schedule. The hosts also delve into the growing controversy surrounding player privacy and backstage cameras, offering potential solutions.

Jan 28, 20261 hr 11 minEp. 1474

Aus Open Day 10 - What happened to Coco Gauff?

The podcast reviews Day 10 of the Australian Open, highlighting Carlos Alcaraz's sensational win over Alex de Minaur and Alexander Zverev's impressive serving en route to the semifinals. It delves into Coco Gauff's unexpected straight-sets loss to an aggressive Elina Svitolina, sparking discussions on player performance and privacy. The hosts also preview the highly anticipated women's semifinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Svitolina, alongside other upcoming matches and tournament happenings.

Jan 27, 20261 hr 11 minEp. 1473

Aus Open Day 9 - Can Showtime Shelton shock Sinner?

Day 9 of the Australian Open brought unexpected straight-set victories despite a record number of top seeds reaching the quarterfinals, leaving hosts craving more dramatic matches. They delve into Madison Keys' defeat by Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova's improved serve, and Lorenzo Musetti's progress against an injured Taylor Fritz. The episode also previews exciting quarterfinals like Swiatek vs. Rybakina and Sinner vs. Shelton, and criticizes the Grand Slam ban on wearable health technology.

Jan 26, 20261 hr 9 minEp. 1472

Aus Open Day 8 - The day the big guns arrived

This episode reviews Day 8 of the Australian Open, focusing on major upsets and dominant performances from top players. Discussions include Novak Djokovic's unexpected walkover, Carlos Alcaraz's supreme form, Alex de Minaur's impressive win, and Learner Tien's stunning upset over Daniil Medvedev. On the women's side, Coco Gauff achieved a hard-fought victory, Elina Svitolina prevailed amidst geopolitical tension, Aryna Sabalenka continued her unstoppable run, and teenage sensation Iva Jovic made a confident statement.

Jan 25, 20261 hr 15 minEp. 1471

Aus Open Day 7 - Are Sinner and Djokovic lucky to still be in the tournament?

Day 7 of the Australian Open saw extreme heat cause significant drama, focusing on "luck" as a theme. Jannik Sinner experienced severe cramping but was saved by the heat rule, prompting debate about his physical vulnerability and the rule's impact. Novak Djokovic narrowly avoided disqualification after striking a ball dangerously close to a ball kid. The episode also covers strong performances from Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova, Naomi Osaka's withdrawal, and previews upcoming matches, including discussions on potential upsets for Day 8.

Jan 24, 20261 hr 12 minEp. 1470

Aus Open Day 6 - Things are about to get serious

The podcast recaps Day 6 of the Australian Open, highlighting Coco Gauff's and Daniil Medvedev's dramatic comebacks from deficits, and Aryna Sabalenka's continued mastery in tie-breaks. Discussions also cover the breakout performances of young talents like Eva Jovic and Viktoria Mboko, and Alex de Minaur's dominant run at his home slam. The episode previews the highly anticipated Last 16 matchups and addresses the impact of an extreme heat forecast on the Day 7 schedule, along with the "Sensation of the Day" and a listener update.

Jan 23, 20261 hr 13 minEp. 1469

Aus Open Day 5 - What led to Osaka aggro?

Day 5 of the Australian Open saw Stan Wawrinka's epic 5-set victory, setting a new Grand Slam record for most five-set matches played. Naomi Osaka was involved in a heated post-match confrontation with Sorana Cirstea, while 19-year-old Nikola Bartunkova delivered a stunning upset over Belinda Bencic. Other top players like Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner progressed smoothly, and the "Sensation of the Day" went to Madison Inglis for her hard-fought win against Laura Siegemund.

Jan 22, 20261 hr 10 minEp. 1468

Aus Open Day 4 - Where does this loss leave Raducanu?

This episode reviews day four of the Australian Open, focusing on key men's and women's matches. Discussions include Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev overcoming challenges, Alexander Zverev's strong form, and Alex de Minaur's resilience. A major focus is Emma Raducanu's disappointing loss and concerns about her coaching and game direction. The hosts also celebrate strong performances from Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva, and preview upcoming matches.

Jan 21, 20261 hr 7 minEp. 1467

Aus Open Day 3 - Keys, Sinner start title defences well

The podcast delves into Day 3 of the Australian Open, starting with "fun matches" like Madison Keys' tough win over the unconventional Oleksandra Oliynykova, who uses her platform to speak about the war in Ukraine. They also cover Gael Monfils' emotional exit and Janice Chen's upset. The discussion shifts to player welfare, examining the impact of chronic injuries on promising young talents and questioning the viability of five-set tennis in the modern game. Finally, the hosts crown the "Sensation of the Day" and preview Wednesday's packed schedule.

Jan 20, 20261 hr 11 minEp. 1466

Aus Open Day 2 - Big guns progress, but who looked best?

On Australian Open Day 2, top players like Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic secured wins, though Swiatek faced a tough challenge. Mirra Andreeva showcased remarkable maturity in her comeback victory, while Barbora Krejcikova's campaign was hampered by injury. The podcast also delves into the overwhelming fan presence for Alexandra Eala and critical discussions on overcrowding and the overall fan experience at Melbourne Park, alongside a preview of day three and listener interactions.

Jan 19, 20261 hr 18 minEp. 1465

Aus Open Day 1 - How did post-Ferrero Alcaraz look?

This episode of The Tennis Podcast recaps the thrilling opening day of the Australian Open, covering the men's and women's draws. Discussions include Carlos Alcaraz's first match without his long-time coach, the unfortunate early exit of Flavio Cobolli, and Alexander Zverev's fight to find form. On the women's side, Venus Williams' incredible performance at 45 is celebrated despite her loss, while Aryna Sabalenka secures a solid win. The hosts also delve into significant upsets, such as Zeynep Sonmez's and Elsa Jacquemot's victories, and crown the "Sensation of the Day," offering a comprehensive overview of the tournament's start and a look ahead to Day 2.

Jan 18, 20261 hr 16 minEp. 1464

Aus Open Preview with Pam Shriver!

Catherine, David, and Matt welcome tennis legend Pam Shriver for an Australian Open preview. They delve into Novak Djokovic's surprisingly subdued press conference, Emma Raducanu's puzzling forehand technique changes, and Daria Kasatkina's emotional journey to Australian citizenship. The episode also covers recent tournament winners, fashion statements in tennis kits, and a detailed look at the challenging Day 1 order of play, culminating in a touching tribute to tennis correspondent John Roberts.

Jan 17, 20261 hr 5 minEp. 1463
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