
The Tennis Podcast
1,493 episodes — Page 21 of 30

Ep 488The Tennis Podcast 2019
With the support of our Kickstarter backers, 2018 has been an exciting year for The Tennis Podcast. We produced well over 100 episodes, including daily shows at all four Grand Slams, the Fever-Tree Championships, the ATP Finals, and the Davis Cup Final.We love talking about tennis, and we don't want to stop. In 2019, we want to keep the podcast going and growing, making it bigger and better than ever before. But, to do that, we need your help once again.On this mini episode, David and Catherine set out their plans for next year with the launch of our third Kickstarter campaign.See below for details of where to go if you want to chip in and back us on Kickstarter.The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph. ***KICKSTARTER 2019***If you want The Tennis Podcast to return in 2019, you can do your bit here: http://po.st/TP_Kickstarter2019There are some special categories if you want to get really involved, but we are grateful for any contribution and all your support. ***MAILING LIST*** If you would like to join our mailing list to be alerted to our news, you can now sign up at the following link: http://po.st/TP_MailingList***SOCIAL MEDIA*** Get involved with the podcast by following us on social media! Expect plenty of debate, photos and news all year long!Twitter - https://twitter.com/tennispodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheTennisPodcast/***CONTACT US***We love hearing from you!If you want to join in one of our discussion points, or write to us about a subject of your own, you can do so here: https://www.thetennispodcast.net/contact/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 487Davis Cup Final Day 3 - Croatia Are Champions; Noah Lets Rip About Davis Cup Changes
Croatia are Davis Cup champions for the second time after Marin Cilic clinched the decisive point to earn them a 3-1 win over France. On The Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts react to Sunday’s action, and look ahead to an uncertain future for the competition. Will Marin Cilic and Borna Coric be propelled to even greater heights in 2019 following their flawless performances this weekend? Could France have done anything differently? As the Davis Cup enters a new era, we hear from Lucas Pouille about why he won’t be playing the competition in 2019, and also from Yannick Noah as he delivers an extraordinary speech about why he’s loved the Davis Cup, and why he is “disgusted” at the changes. What do David, Catherine and Matt make of Noah’s comments? And what do they think of the changes? Don’t we all need to give the new format a chance? The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 486Davis Cup Final Day 2 - Herbert/Mahut Keep French Hopes (And The Old Davis Cup Format) Alive; Will A Miracle Happen?
The 2018 Davis Cup Final will head into Sunday with the tie still in the balance after Saturday’s doubles rubber delivered a thrilling match and a crucial point for France. On The Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts react to Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert’s victory over Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic, and we hear from Yannick Noah who explains why he was moved to tears during La Marseillaise. What gave the French pair the edge? How was the atmosphere different from the opening day? What caused the fourth set aggro? What is it about doubles that suits Davis Cup so well? And, with today’s best-of-five set doubles match being the last of its kind in a Davis Cup final, what are some of the best doubles matches in the competition’s history? Looking ahead to Sunday, David, Catherine and Matt agree that Noah will surely select Lucas Pouille. But might he also be tempted to pick Herbert? And how likely is it that France can pull off the comeback? The reverse singles action in the final of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas starts at 12pm GMT on Sunday, with France needing to win both matches. To watch a stream in the UK, go to www.daviscup.com. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, daily during this week’s Davis Cup final, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 485Davis Cup Final Day 1 - Croatia Dominate; Has Yannick Noah Dropped A Clanger? Can France Overturn 79 Years Of History?
Six sets played, six sets won by Croatia, and the chances of France winning the last Davis Cup final played using the traditional format are looking minuscule.The Tennis Podcast team of Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts, who is courtside in Lille, discuss what went on, and we hear from a happy Croatia captain - Zeljko Krajan.Has Borna Coric come of age? Is Marin Cilic over the jitters that seem to afflict him when he is ahead? And has Yannick Noah dropped a massive clanger with his team selection? The podcast team discuss them all.Looking ahead to the doubles rubber, could France do what the United States so nearly did in the semifinals, and come back from 2 rubbers down to win it in 5?The doubles action in the final of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas starts at 1pm GMT, with Nicolas Mahut and Pierre Hugues Herbert needing to beat Ivan Dodig and Matej Pavic to keep the tie alive. To watch a stream in the UK, go to www.daviscup.com. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, daily during this week’s Davis Cup final, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 484Davis Cup Final Preview - Noah Springs Draw Surprise; David Haggerty Reveals Hope For One, Big Tennis Team Event
On the eve of the last traditional Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final, David and Catherine are joined by Grad Matt in Lille to preview France vs. Croatia. For the second year in a row, Yannick Noah sprung a surprise at the draw ceremony, this time selecting Jeremy Chardy ahead of Lucas Pouille. What does that decision say about both players? Can Noah sprinkle his magic dust on this French side to overcome the strongly-favoured Croatian team? Will Jo-Wilfried Tsonga be able to replicate Henri Leconte’s heroics from 1991? And which team will prefer the clay?Later, listen to Grad Matt’s interview with ITF President David Haggerty about the new-look Davis Cup for 2019. What does Haggerty make of the reaction to the reform? Does he feel threatened by the ATP Cup? And does he agree with Chris Kermode that it would be “insane” to have two team competitions? Find out if there’s a realistic chance of a combined team event in the future, and the reaction of David and Catherine in this week’s show. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, daily during this week’s Davis Cup final, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 483ATP Finals Day 8 - Zverev Downs Djokovic To Win Big In London; What Does This Mean For 2019?
Alexander Zverev delivered on his gargantuan talent in London to add a straight sets win over Novak Djokovic to his one against Roger Federer the day before. It landed him the ATP Finals title, and Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts got together to discuss it on The Tennis Podcast.With The O2 Arena being disassembled around them, the trio talked about where the final was won and lost, what changed since Djokovic’s 6-4, 6-1 win over Zverev in the round-robin stages, and what the result might mean for 2019.Could Zverev-Tsitsipas be the next compelling rivalry on the ATP circuit? Will it feature some of the aggro that has been in evidence between the two in recent months?There’s also a look at the doubles final, won by Jack Sock and Mike Bryan. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 482ATP Finals Day 7 - Drama At Last As Zverev Beats Federer In Hostile Atmosphere; Dreamy Djokovic Cruises
In the immediate aftermath of Alexander Zverev’s victory over Roger Federer, David is joined by Simon Briggs and Grad Matt to discuss Zverev’s excellent performance, the moment of controversy that overshadowed the ending, and the crowd’s reaction. Firstly, was the incident with the ball-boy handled correctly? Was Annabel Croft right to step in and tell the crowd off for their booing? Could Zverev’s humble response endear him to more people? And what did both players say about the incident in their press conferences? None of the controversy should detract from Zverev’s efforts. David, Simon and Matt agree he played brilliantly. Did we see the Lendl effect on his forehand? Has he found extra pop on his serve this week? And what happened to Federer’s serve in the tight moments? In the second half of the pod, David and Grad Matt catch their breath after Djokovic’s dismantlement of Kevin Anderson. Is Djokovic playing better than ever? Does Zverev stand a chance in tomorrow’s final? The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 481ATP Finals Day 6 - Leon Smith Guests! Deep Dive on Alexander Zverev; Semi-Finals Previewed
As Alexander Zverev reached the last four of the ATP Finals for the first time, Leon Smith joined David and Grad Matt to talk all about him.What does Leon make of Zverev’s progress? When will he start breaking through at the Grand Slams? Are we expecting too much too soon, bearing in mind he’s still up against the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer? What will Ivan Lendl bring him? And has he possibly played the Lendl card too soon?Leon also looks ahead to Saturday’s semi-finals at the O2. Will Federer’s variety be too much for Zverev? What makes Djokovic such a brilliant returner?Finally, Leon shares his thoughts on the ATP Cup launch and reminisces about captaining Britain to Davis Cup glory.The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 480ATP Finals Day 5 - Sue Barker guests! ATP Cup launch reaction
The 1976 French Open champion Sue Barker is our special guest as we digest the launch of the ATP Cup and what it means for the Davis Cup finals in the future. What did the power-brokers say in response to Novak Djokovic’s assertion that it could lead to two ‘average’ events? What does Sue, Catherine Whitaker, Simon Briggs and David Law make of it all? And should Davis Cup have changed in the first place? Sue isn’t so sure.The BBC’s long-time tennis presenter also talks about the matches at The O2, gives her predictions for the next few days, her thoughts on whether Andy Murray will make it back to the top of the game, and whether Johanna Konta can return to her peak.The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 479ATP Finals Day 4 - Zverev Stirs The Pot; Djokovic, Cilic Prevail; Radwanska Calls It A Day
Alexander Zverev has already won a trio of Masters 1000 titles, been ranked as high as No.3, and qualified for the ATP Finals for two straight seasons. He’s a major player in the sport, and promises to be for years to come. We know he isn’t afraid to complain about the length of the season and the content of interview questions, but do we really know what he’s like? To find out more about him, David chats to his long-time friend and colleague Andrej Antic, a German tennis writer who has worked for Tennis MAGAZIN for over two decades. How is Zverev viewed in Germany? Could he create a tennis boom in the country, like during the days of Boris Becker and Steffi Graf? And what is his relationship like with Ivan Lendl? Antic reveals all before discussing his own career. How has his job of producing a magazine changed in the era of social media? On court today, Zverev was beaten by Novak Djokovic. What happened in the match? And are we entering ‘foregone conclusion’ territory with Djokovic this week? In the evening session, Marin Cilic won just his second ever match at the ATP Finals, closing out John Isner in the tournament’s first singles three setter. Bearing in mind his recent lapses when playing with the lead, how important will this win prove to be for Cilic? Finally, there’s a moment to pay tribute to Agnieszka Radwanska who has announced her retirement. How will she be remembered? And did she under-achieve or maximise her potential? The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 478ATP Finals Day 3 - Does Federer Get Preferential Treatment? Discussed, With Federer's Response; He Wins, Anderson Cruises
Catherine is back! And there’s plenty to talk about…Does Roger Federer receive preferential treatment from tournament directors? That was the allegation made by Julien Benneteau on French radio last week. On today’s podcast, Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Simon Briggs discuss the ins and outs of the story, including Federer’s relationship with CEO of Tennis Australia Craig Tiley, the conflicts of interest within the sport, and the importance of market forces in all this. Later in the podcast, hear from Federer himself as he answered Benneteau's reported allegations. David and Grad Matt, who were both there, describe the atmosphere in the room. David says it was one of the steeliest looks he’s ever seen Federer give. On court, Federer was a comfortable winner against Dominic Thiem. How much better did he play than on Sunday night? And how bad was Dominic Thiem? Less bad than Kei Nishikori, who was thumped 0-6, 1-6 by Kevin Anderson. What are the qualification scenarios for that group? And why have there been so many one-sided matches? There’s also a look ahead to tomorrow’s play. How can Alexander Zverev possibly trouble Novak Djokovic? And what makes John Isner the slight favourite against Marin Cilic? The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 477ATP Finals Day 2 - How Do You Stop Novak Djokovic? Why Does Marin Cilic Keep Losing Leads? Traditional vs. Short Format Tennis
Former British doubles player Colin Fleming spent the day at the O2 arena as a fan, and afterwards he joined David and Charlie Eccleshare on The Tennis Podcast. Beers in hand, they start by discussing a masterclass from Novak Djokovic who dispatched John Isner in the evening session.How did he handle the Isner serve so easily? And can anyone realistically stop Djokovic this week? The day’s other singles match saw Alexander Zverev defeat Marin Cilic. It was a match in which Cilic once again let a lead slip. Why does this keep happening? And how can he stop it? As for Zverev, how well did he play? Why was he talking to his coaching team so often? And what does Fleming think of Zverev’s partnership with Ivan Lendl? Finally, discussion turns to the Next Gen Finals, and specifically the different format showcased. Fleming was in Milan for the event and is a big proponent of many of the innovations. Why does he believe short sets could add intrigue to the ATP Tour? He defends his views against a host of counter-arguments. Do short sets not take away the ebb and flow of a set? Do they not introduce an unwanted element of randomness? The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 476ATP Finals Day 1 - Federer Fumbles vs. Sturdy Nishikori; Anderson Downs Thiem; Czechs Make It 6 Fed Cups In 8 Years; Halep-Cahill Separate
London arrived in numbers to celebrate another year of Roger Federer, but his fans left disappointed as Kei Nishikori became the first man to beat him in straight sets in the round robin stages of the ATP Finals. After a tumultuous, but error-strewn night, David Law was joined on The Tennis Podcast by Grad Matt Roberts to discuss what happened. What happened to Federer? Why did he lose his temper with umpire Damien Steiner? And what did Nishikori do differently to beat a man he had trailed 2-7 in head-to-head meetings?Earlier, David and Matt were joined by Simon Briggs of the Telegraph to cover the afternoon’s match between Kevin Anderson and Dominic Thiem. Why does Anderson always beat Thiem, and how much further can he go?Memories of O2 events gone by are discussed, including the Federer-Wawrinka-Mirka saga, and Andy Murray reaching World No.1 in 2016. In the Fed Cup final, the Czech Republic defeated the United States 3-0, but the third rubber was an absolute epic. Why are the Czech’s such an amazing tennis nation?In coaching news, World No.1 Simona Halep and Darren Cahill parted ways. Find out what the podcast team make of it all. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 475ATP Finals Preview; Novak Djokovic Interview – Surgery Guilt, Motivation Loss; Next Gen Finals - A Glimpse Into Tennis’ Future?
With the ATP Finals just a couple of days away, Catherine and David get together on The Tennis Podcast to preview all the major storylines and make some predictions.After Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are heavily favoured to come through their groups, but who do Catherine and David think will join them in the semi-finals? Is Kevin Anderson the tournament’s dark horse? Can Marin Cilic overcome his recent habit of losing from a winning position? And might John Isner capitalise on his late-entry?Elsewhere, Grad Matt was on the ground at the O2 on media day, and he’s told David and Catherine all about what the players have been saying, including Federer’s comments about his scheduling and the developing ‘aggro’ between Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, has opened up in a rare newspaper interview with Simon Briggs of Telegraph Sport, part of which you can hear on the podcast. Why did Djokovic feel ‘guilty’ after having surgery? Was he surprised that he lost motivation to compete? And how has fatherhood changed him?Finally, the Telegraph’s Charlie Eccleshare gives his impressions of the Next Gen Finals in Milan. Which players stood out? Does the event offer a glimpse into tennis’ future? And which of the rule experiments stand a chance of coming into effect on the main tour? The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 474Paris - Khachanov Ruins Djokovic Run; Federer Back? When Is A Choke A Choke? Zhuhai Crowns Barty
As 2018 draws to a close, a new man has arrived on the scene, beaten the best players and won the biggest title of his life. His name is Karen Khachanov. In a Tennis Podcast to review Paris, the Tennis Podcast team analyse the performance of the big Russian, how he ended the winning run of Novak Djokovic in the final, and what he might do next. Will he win a Slam before Zverev or Tsitsipas?The return to form of Roger Federer is discussed, whether he and Cilic choked against Djokovic, and the Elite Trophy victory of Ash Barty in Zhuhai is covered.Catherine Whitaker and David Law are joined by a special guest as the Next Gen Finals and ATP Finals are previewed, and the lack of top Americans as part the Fed Cup final is lamented.The Tennis Podcast is published every Monday throughout the year, and daily at the Grand Slam tournament. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 473Svitolina Stars in Singapore; Federer Wins 99th Title; Agassi and Dimitrov Join Forces
After a few weeks apart, Catherine and David are back together in London for this week’s show, with Elina Svitolina’s sensational title run in Singapore at the top of the agenda. Why did nobody see it coming? Can she now ‘do a Wozniacki’ and go on to win her first Grand Slam next year?The other major storylines from the WTA Finals are also discussed, including Wozniacki’s rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.In Basel, Roger Federer won the 99th title of his career, but what should we make of his week? Did he find form just in time for the ATP Finals or did his run just paper over some cracks?Elsewhere, the past week featured yet another case of ‘tennis player treats ballkid badly’, this time involving Stefanos Tsitsipas. His behaviour is bemoaned, but his public apology is commended.As the tour heads to Paris, Nadal and Djokovic are locked in a battle for the World No.1 ranking, but they’re also coming under increasing pressure to cancel their controversial exhibition in Saudi Arabia. They’ve both been talking about the issue, and Catherine and David give their reaction.In coaching news, Andre Agassi has been spotted in Paris helping out Grigor Dimitrov. Could it be the start of a successful partnership? Can Agassi rebuild his reputation as a coach after a failed stint with Djokovic? Is Dimitrov the perfect pupil? Catherine and David can’t wait to find out.Finally, there’s time for the long-awaited segment on Tennis Chokes.The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 472Emotional Edmund Wins First ATP Title; Mid-Match Coaching Debate Reignited; Deciding Set Tie-Breaks At Wimbledon; WTA Finals In Full Swing
Catherine and David began a recent episode of The Tennis Podcast by delving deep into Kyle Edmund’s ongoing title drought. This time, a mere two weeks later, they start by lauding Edmund’s emotional maiden title victory in Antwerp. How significant is it that he’s got the monkey off his back?Edmund was one of three young titlists on the ATP Tour this week. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov were the other two. Out of that triumvirate, who will have the best career?On the women’s side, Daria Kasatkina won a thrilling final in Moscow against the marvellous Ons Jabeur. It was a match that turned on its head after Phillipe Dehaes delivered a rousing message during a coaching timeout. But should it be allowed? In light of Patrick Mouratoglou’s comments on Twitter, in which he made a strong case in favour of on-court coaching, Catherine and David re-open the debate.Elsewhere, Wimbledon announced the introduction of final set tiebreaks at 12-12 from next year. Is that a good decision? Only a tiny number of matches even reach 12-12 in the deciding set, so why has the news received such attention?Last but not least, with the WTA Finals in full-swing, Catherine and David give their take on the week so far. Why is the court so slow? Is round-robin the best format? And who is the favourite to win the title?The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 471Unstoppable Djokovic Wins Shanghai; Delpo Devastation; Davis Cup Mess Continues
Novak Djokovic looks as if he has stepped in a time machine and taken us all back to 2015, such is the level of tennis he is producing in the second half of 2018. In the latest Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker and David Law get together to look back on Djokovic's victory in Shanghai, where he didn't lose a set and never looked likely to. Who, when, where and how is anyone going to stop him? Or will his level inevitably drop?The man he beat in the final - Borna Coric - has made major strides recently, and his journey is reviewed, and Roger Federer comes into view after a so-so week in which he reached the semis but went down comfortably to Coric. What would be the tipping point for Federer to call it a day? And why do people get so upset when anyone dares to bring it up? Well, we do it on The Tennis Podcast.The latest Davis Cup frustrations are discussed, events on the WTA Tour in Hong Kong and Tianjin covered, and while recording the podcast, news breaks of Juan Martin del Potro suffering what sounds like a very serious injury.The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 470Kyle Edmund Continues Search For First ATP Title; Medvedev & Basilashvili Shine In The Far East; Dominant Wozniacki Wins Beijing
Inspired by a certain Tennis Podcast presenter’s loss from match point up, David and Catherine begin this week’s show by discussing the phenomenon of ‘choking’ in sport. What causes it? And what’s the biggest choke in tennis history?In Beijing this week, Kyle Edmund didn’t choke, but he did miss a big opportunity to win his first ATP title. How important is it that he overcomes this hurdle sooner rather than later?Two men who have got the title-winning bug, however, are Daniil Medvedev and Nikoloz Basilashvili. David and Catherine hail their respective victories in Tokyo and Beijing, as well as their rise up the rankings in 2018. Why do their efforts seem to slip under the radar compared to those of Shapovalov and Tsitsipas?Caroline Wozniacki, meanwhile, won her first Premier Mandatory title since 2011, doing so without dropping a single set in Beijing. After a few months of injury and poor form, where did this flawless week come from?There’s also time to salute Kevin Anderson’s good nature, debate the different merits of one-handed and two-handed backhands, and discuss the excellent news that Britain will be hosting a Fed Cup tie for the first time since 1993.Catherine ends the show with two bits of advice: 1) Check out Jo Konta’s cute new dog. 2) Consider checking in to Agnieszka Radwanska’s tennis-themed hotel.The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 469The Political State of Tennis; Sabalenka Storms to Wuhan Title; Tomic Back in the Winner’s Circle
2018 has been a turbulent year for tennis, with warring factions and uncertainty over where the sport is heading. In this week’s podcast, Simon Briggs joins David and Catherine to discuss the political state of the sport.How optimistic can we be that the governing bodies will eventually find a solution that works best for tennis rather just their own agendas? Will the sport produce a Davis Cup that works as well as golf’s Ryder Cup? And what will happen about on-court coaching?Briggs reveals the contents of his recent conversation with Wimbledon’s Phillip Brook, who admitted to him that the level of political tension within tennis may be at an all-time high. Despite the ongoing background noise, there has been lots of compelling action throughout Asia in the past week, including a title for Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan. Catherine and David are really impressed by her immense appetite for the sport. Can she rule the women’s game for years to come? Plus, with the WTA Race to Singapore coming to an end, what are her chances of sneaking into the top eight?Bernard Tomic was also a title winner last week, in Chengdu. His ups and downs have been well-documented, but Catherine and David agree that it’s nice to see him become a force once again. The wins of Yoshihito Nishioka and Margarita Gasparyan, who have both suffered serious injury in the past, are also discussed.Finally, there’s reaction to the viral clip of Fernando Verdasco giving short shrift to a ball boy in Shenzhen. Why should ball kids have to pick up players’ towels? And will this incident lead to much-needed change?The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 468Osaka backs up US Open victory; Pliskova & Thiem win hard court titles; Lahyani suspended by ATP; Murray to shut down season after Beijing; Laver Cup – what does the future hold?
There’s a lot to cover on the new Tennis Podcast.For the second week in a row, David and Catherine begin by talking about the form of Naomi Osaka. The Japanese reached the final in Tokyo to back up her US Open title. Why was that so impressive? And just how well did Karolina Pliskova have to play to beat her?Elsewhere, Andy Murray has decided that he will shut down his 2018 season after Shenzhen and Beijing in order to focus on being in the best possible shape for Australia. David and Catherine agree that it's a smart move.There’s also discussion about Serena’s complicated relationship with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Mohamed Lahyani’s suspension by the ATP, and more progress for Dominic Thiem on hard courts. Plus, tribute is paid to Mikhail Youzhny following his retirement.Finally, this week saw the second edition of the Laver Cup. What do David and Catherine think of the event? And what does the future hold for it?The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 467Naomi Osaka’s Lap Of Honour – How Will She Cope With Being US Open Champion?; France & Croatia To Contest Last Davis Cup Final In Its Traditional Format
The US Open may be over, but Naomi Osaka’s new life is just getting started. While her victory in New York was overshadowed, she’s capitalised brilliantly on the moment by signing an endorsement deal with Nissan and appearing on The Ellen Show.On The Tennis Podcast, Catherine and David wonder how Osaka will handle her newfound status as a Grand Slam champion. What are some of the challenges she will face?Elsewhere, this past weekend saw the first Davis Cup action since the vote to revamp the competition. How did Catherine and David feel while watching it? Did the Croatia vs. USA tie showcase everything that’s good about the current format? Or did it prove everything that’s wrong with it?The decision to award two wildcards for next year’s Davis Cup Finals still sits uncomfortably with both David and Catherine. Will they just be a way of guaranteeing star power?There’s also discussion about the decision to stick with 32 seeds at Grand Slams, reaction to the latest developments surrounding Serena Williams and Carlos Ramos, and a nod of appreciation to two teenagers – Amanda Anisimova and Jack Draper – who both registered noteworthy results.The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 466A View From The Chair - Enric Molina On Carlos Ramos vs. Serena Williams; USTA/WTA Reaction; What Should Have Happened
Enric Molina has umpired four Grand Slam singles finals, four Davis Cup finals and two Olympic finals.So what when through his mind when he saw the events of the weekend at the US Open, with former colleague Carlos Ramos warning Serena Williams three times, docking her a point and then a game, and the subsequent reactions from former players and governing bodies?Molina joins David Law on The Tennis Podcast to give his view on the decisions taken by Ramos, whether anything could have been done differently, and what should, in his view, have happened afterwards.The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 465US Open Day 14 – Dominant Djokovic Beats Del Potro To Win 14th Grand Slam Title; Fallout Continues From Women’s Final – Was Sexism At Play?
Novak Djokovic is the US Open champion for the third time, beating Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. On The Tennis Podcast, David and Catherine discuss his brilliant performance. Does the straight-sets scoreline do Del Potro a disservice? Was he a little too cautious early on? Did the slow conditions play a part? How crucial was that epic 20-minute game? Djokovic is now level with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slams titles. It suddenly looks possible that he might bridge the gap to Nadal and Federer, doesn’t it? Without question, his relentless dominance is back. How has he turned his season around so spectacularly since losing early at the French Open? Will he now end the year as World No.1? Elsewhere, the fallout has continued from the women’s final. David and Catherine discuss the statement from WTA CEO Steve Simon and tackle the big question: was there sexism at play? Finally, there’s time reflect on the 2018 US Open as a whole. What were the highlights? How will it be remembered? The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 464US Open Day 13 – Spellbinding Naomi Osaka Wins First Grand Slam Title; Serena Sees Red In Controversy-Filled Final
At the end of a mind-blowing day, and one of the most controversy-filled Grand Slams finals in history, David and Catherine sit down to run through the events in full.With emotions running high, the theme of the discussion is the need for nuance. Can we accept Serena as a highly-inspirational role model who is also capable of quite unedifying behaviour? And were all three code violations justified?Not for the first time this tournament, the incident brought the role of the umpire into question. How can Carlos Ramos be criticised for sticking to the letter of the law? Could he have issued a soft warning? Are different standards applied to men and women?None of the controversy should detract, however, from the spell-binding performance of Naomi Osaka. Before everything kicked off, she was beating Serena handily. In fact, was her brilliance the root cause of Serena's bad temper?Has there ever been a better performance on debut in a Grand Slam final? We knew Osaka could strike the ball cleanly, but she also proved she can handle an occasion. This was her moment and she seized it. There will be daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 463US Open Day 12 - Nadal Injury Prevents Del Potro Classic; Is Tennis Becoming Too Physical?; Sublime Djokovic Looks Back To His Very Best
The US Open men’s semi-finals did not deliver the competitiveness they promised – partly due to Rafael Nadal’s knee, partly due to Novak Djokovic’s brilliance.On The Tennis Podcast, on his birthday, David is joined separately by Simon Briggs of Telegraph Sport and Catherine to talk about it all.Nadal’s knee meant he had to retire when trailing Juan Martin del Potro by two sets. Is it a coincidence that he’s had to pull out of both hard court slams in 2018? How will he manage his body going forward?On a wider scale, Simon points out that a concerning pattern is developing: a number of showpiece matches this year have been compromised by injury or fatigue. Is tennis becoming too physical? Does something need to change? And is the solution to get rid of five sets?Del Potro’s victory was almost lost in all this, but he played well. His powerful-again backhand, in particular, was impressive. But what chance will he stand against Djokovic in the final?Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Nishikori actually played pretty well, but Djokovic was simply exceptional. David thinks he is playing as well as ever.Will the crowd influence the final? Del Potro can be inspired by the chanting of his name, but Catherine reckons it will also bring the defiant best out of Djokovic.Finally, who are Catherine and David predicting to win the women’s final between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams? There will be daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 462US Open Day 11 - Net-Rushing Serena Storms Into Final; Osaka Overcomes Keys; Men’s Semi-Finals Previewed
The women’s final is set: Serena Williams will face Naomi Osaka on Saturday. On The Tennis Podcast, David and Catherine discuss how both players got there.Serena beat Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-0. What made this such a formidable performance? David was struck by Serena's net game. Has she ever been forward more? And was it a pre-planned tactic or a mid-match adjustment?Is there a difference between “needing” and “wanting” Grand Slam titles? Catherine wonders whether, with Olympia now in her life, Serena no longer “needs” to win the US Open….but she might just want it more than ever.Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, saved all 13 break points to beat Madison Keys in straight sets. How did she turn the negative head-to-head record in her favour? There’s lots of talk about her improved movement and defence, as well as her loveable interviews.How will Osaka handle the occasion in her first Grand Slam final? She idolises Serena. She also beat her in Miami this year. But this is a different Serena.Looking ahead to the men’s semi-finals, there’s lots of excitement about the potential for epics. Will the matches deliver the goods? Catherine and David still have a feeling for Del Potro. But conditions are set to be less hot and humid. How much will that favour Djokovic? There will be daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 461US Open Day 10 - Osaka & Nishikori Create History For Japan; Keys & Djokovic Win In Strange Night Session; Women’s Semi-Finals Previewed
For the first time in the Open Era there will be a Japanese man and woman in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam after contrasting wins for Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori.Osaka was brilliant again, cruising past an out-of-sorts Lesia Tsurenko. Is she playing the best tennis of anyone in the draw?Nishikori then reeled in Marin Cilic to win in five sets. Was he inspired by Osaka’s victory? Not for the first time, Cilic suffered an alarmingly sudden loss of form and became very agitated. Why does this keep happening?In the night session, David and Catherine lament the 'disrespectful' crowd noise during the Madison Keys vs. Carla Suarez Navarro match. Could the umpire have done more? Does the US Open need to embrace the power of silence?Despite the atmosphere, Keys played well again. Will she beat Osaka tomorrow? In the other women’s semi-final, are there any weaknesses with Serena’s movement that Sevastova could expose?In the Djokovic vs. Millman match, which Djokovic won pretty comfortably in the end, there was a bizarre moment when the match stopped to allow Millman to change his clothes. What was going on?Finally, Catherine reflects on a day in the Amazon Prime Video studio with Jimmy Connors. Who is the 5-time US Open champion predicting to win the men’s title? And does he feel protective of his long-standing records?There will be daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 460US Open Day 9 - Nadal Wins Late-Night Epic Against Thiem; Sevastova Bamboozles Stephens; Serena Eases Past Pliskova; Is There An Irresistible Force Behind Del Potro?
For the second night in a row, the end of The Tennis Podcast had to be recorded at past 2am in New York.That’s because Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem played a marathon match long into the night, with Nadal prevailing in a thrilling deciding set tiebreak.This was tennis at its absolute best, say David and Catherine, and also a brilliant advert for fifth set tiebreaks.Nadal will now face Del Potro in a repeat of last year’s semi-final. Del Potro beat Isner in a match that played out as most people expected. Is there an irresistible force behind Del Potro pushing him to the title?Elsewhere, there was a big surprise in the opening match of the day when Sloane Stephens was beaten in straight-sets by Anastasija Sevastova. How did Sevastova “bamboozle” the defending champion? Did Stephens show mental weakness?Will Sevastova’s variety and court craft trouble Serena Williams in the semi-finals? Serena was a comfortable winner against Karolina Pliskova on Tuesday night. How well did she play?There will be daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 459US Open Day 8 – Federer Suffers Shock Defeat To Millman; Sharapova Loses 100% Night Session Record; Osaka, Keys & Djokovic Progress
This is a Tennis Podcast in two parts.First of all, David and Catherine recorded almost half an hour of chat about the day session, reflecting on wins for Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys and Novak Djokovic, and looking ahead to the quarter-finals.Then the night session happened. And all hell broke loose. At 2:15am, David and Simon Briggs tried to pick up the pieces following Roger Federer’s shock defeat to John Millman. Federer hit 76 unforced errors, made 10 double faults and landed less than 50% of his first serves. Why was he so off his game? Where does he go from here? In his press conference, Federer admitted that he suffered badly in the heat and humidity. Has he ever sweated so much?Also in the night session, Maria Sharapova endured her first ever defeat under the lights in New York against Carla Suarez Navarro. How much longer will Sharapova put up with not contending for Grand Slams?There will daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 458US Open Day 7 - Sublime Stephens Puts Down A Marker; Serena Impresses Again; Nadal Tested By Brilliant Basilashvili
With no obvious headline on Day 7 at the US Open, David and Catherine start the Tennis Podcast by purring over the form of Sloane Stephens and trying to pin down what makes her such a sublime player. They agree she has a sixth sense, but is she unstoppable at her best? It certainly felt like it against Elise Mertens. Another good performance from Serena is discussed. How well did she do to weather the second set onslaught from Kaia Kanepi? Will the quietly impressive Karolina Pliskova provide her biggest test yet in the next round?Dominic Thiem pulled off the result of the day on the men’s side, beating last year’s finalist Kevin Anderson in straight sets. Did Anderson’s five-setters catch up with him?Thiem’s next opponent is Nadal. The world No.1 was rattled by the brilliance of Basilashvili, with the Georgian adopting a similar aggressive approach to Khachanov. Has Khachanov softened Nadal up? If so, can Thiem deliver the knockout blow?Elsewhere, John Isner and Milos Raonic played a five-set match without any tiebreaks. How on earth did that happen?On Monday, Maria Sharapova has been handed another night session slot. That’s four in a row. Is that fair?There will daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 457US Open Day 6 - Federer Puts On A Show Against Kyrgios; Kerber, Zverev Lose On Day Of Upsets
Federer vs. Kyrgios may not have lived up to our lofty expectations, but it still delivered a number of talking points for Catherine and David on The Tennis Podcast.It was neither a total capitulation nor a fully-engaged performance from Kyrgios. Why does Catherine believe it was a step backwards? Will he finally get a coach?Federer, meanwhile, produced a shot of genius. You must have seen it. Where does it rank in his long list of memorable moments?Elsewhere, it was a day laden with upsets. The defeats of Angelique Kerber, Caroline Garcia, Lucas Pouille and Alexander Zverev are discussed. David is refusing to talk about Petra Kvitova…Were we expecting too much too soon from the Lendl-Zverev partnership? When will the German solve the Grand Slam conundrum?The devastating form of Naomi Osaka also gets a mention. She’s won three 6-0 sets in a row! There will daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 456US Open Day 5 – Serena Sends Message; Khachanov Arrives, Nadal Survives; Federer vs. Kyrgios Preview
After all the off-court drama of the past few days, the excitement on day five at the US Open was to be found on the court. David is joined separately by Simon Briggs and Catherine to talk about it all.Serena vs. Venus was a remarkable occasion, as expected, but Serena’s brilliance made it a one-sided contest. Has she sent a message to the rest of the field?The match of the day was undoubtedly the four-hour epic between Karen Khachanov and Rafael Nadal. Is it time to raise our expectations of Khachanov? How much of a concern is Nadal’s knee for the rest of the tournament?Elsewhere, Saturday’s order of play is another cracker. Eyebrows were raised when Federer vs. Kyrgios was scheduled for the day session, but David is on hand with an explanation. Will the conditions favour either player?There will daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 455US Open Day 4 - Lahyani/Kyrgios Controversy Dominates Discussion; Best Third Round Line-up Ever?
Not for the first time, a Nick Kyrgios match dominates discussion on The Tennis Podcast. This time, however, Kyrgios is ceding much of the spotlight to umpire Mohamed Lahyani, whose decision to get down from his chair and apparently give Kyrgios a pep talk has caused a lot of controversy.David and Catherine give their reaction to the incident and its aftermath. Was Lahyani trying to cajole and counsel Kyrgios? Did he overstep the mark? What would be an appropriate sanction for Lahyani? And how would the situation have changed if Pierre-Hugues Herbert had reacted on court?The media storm has covered up the fact that Kyrgios was tanking. Surely he can’t keep doing this? His approach frustrated David and Catherine immensely, but they both agree that he will give his all against Roger Federer in the next round.Elsewhere, Angelique Kerber let a healthy lead slip, but eventually won in three sets. Will coming through this test serve her well later in the tournament?Finally, there’s lots of excitement at the third round line-up. Has there ever been a better one in Grand Slam history? Will Sabalenka beat Kvitova? Can Shapovalov topple Anderson? And why is no one talking up Naomi Osaka’s chances? There will daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 454US Open Day 3 - Murray Out, But Not Without A Fight; Stephens Survives Scare; Serena & Venus To Meet In Third Round
Andy Murray is out of the US Open. But not without a fight. Not without looking much like his old self in a four-set defeat to Fernando Verdasco.After another scorching day in New York, Catherine joins David on The Tennis Podcast to discuss the match in detail. What made this the most encouraging performance of Murray’s comeback so far? What did Murray say in his press conference? How well did Verdasco do to hold his nerve in that thrilling final game?In the women’s draw, defending champion Sloane Stephens survived a three-setter against the impressive Anhelina Kalinina. Stephens didn’t play her best, but Catherine and David are full of praise for her attitude. They also can’t get enough of her opponent’s name…Elsewhere, a number of fascinating third round matches have been set, including Serena vs Venus. What will the atmosphere be like for that one on Friday?In a packed podcast, there’s also reaction to the statements given by the USTA and the WTA in response to Alize Cornet’s controversial code violation, chat about the latest Twitter activity of Nick Kyrgios, and a look ahead to day four.There will daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 453US Open Day 2 – New York Becomes Sweltering Furnace; Djokovic Battles Through; Konta Beaten By Garcia
On a day of extreme heat and humidity at the US Open, when merely breathing was a challenge, Simon Briggs of Telegraph Sport joins David to salute all the players that managed to actually play high-level tennis in such brutal conditions.The decision of the tournament organisers to invoke the heat rule, including one for the men, is praised. But should play have been cancelled altogether?Novak Djokovic was one of a number of players to be seriously affected by the weather, but he battled through in four sets. Djokovic certainly looked exhausted, but isn’t it a good sign that he’s no longer hiding his emotions on court? Elsewhere, David and Simon pick up the pieces from Jo Konta’s straight-sets defeat to No. 6 seed Caroline Garcia. Does Konta need a plan B? Why has her serve become less effective? And how much longer will her coaching relationship with Michael Joyce last?In the night session, Roger Federer cruised through against Yoshihito Nishioka and Maria Sharapova held off Patty Schnyder’s mini-fightback. Finally, there’s a preview of Andy Murray’s second round match against Fernando Verdasco. Murray owns a 13-1 head-to-head record. But conditions are set to be even worse on Wednesday. Who will that favour?There will daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 452US Open Day 1 – Halep Crashes Out, Murray Makes Winning Return, Daniela Hantuchova Guests
Former World No.5 turned Amazon Prime Video UK pundit Daniela Hantuchova joins David and Catherine to review an eventful opening day at the US Open.For the first time in the tournament’s history, the women’s top seed lost in the first round. Where did it all go wrong for Simona Halep against Kaia Kanepi? Why was there no real fightback? Has she become over-reliant on Darren Cahill? Hantuchova thinks she might still need time to recover from the high of winning at Roland Garros.From a British perspective it was a pretty chaotic day, with Andy Murray, Kyle Edmund and Heather Watson all playing at the same time.Murray came from a set down to defeat James Duckworth, with his movement improving steadily throughout the match. Hantuchova gives an insight into what it’s like to return from injury, and draws a fascinating comparison between Halep’s on-court negativity and Murray’s emotional ramblings.Edmund, meanwhile, broke down physically in a four-set loss to Paolo Lorenzi. What happened?Elsewhere, Stan Wawrinka eased past Grigor Dimitrov. Nobody was surprised by the result, but the 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 scoreline was alarmingly lop-sided. Why is Dimitrov struggling so much in 2018? Does he need to become less ‘stubborn’?In the night session, Serena's dress and Nadal's sleeveless top caught the eye.David and Catherine will be back with daily shows throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 451US Open 2018 Preview - Media Day Reaction; Draws Discussed; Predictions; Greg Rusedski & Annabel Croft Cameos
Spirits are high on the new Tennis Podcast with David and Catherine back together on Fifth Avenue to preview the US Open.David may have just stepped off the plane, but Catherine has been in New York for a couple of days. In that time, she’s seen the brand-new Louis Armstrong Stadium, soaked up the joy of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and spoken to a number of players at the “Superbowl style” media day, including Andy Murray. What state of mind is he in? And how far can he realistically go this fortnight?On paper, Novak Djokovic has the draw from heaven, while Federer’s is a bit of a nightmare. Will we see them face off in the quarter-finals?We will also get our first look at the new partnership between Ivan Lendl and Alexander Zverev. Will Lendl be the difference-maker? On the women’s side, can Stephens pull off the rare feat (unless you’re Serena Williams) of defending her title? And how will Halep cope without the on-court coaching of Darren Cahill?Angelique Kerber, meanwhile, is looking relaxed. Can she win back-to-back Grand Slams?There’s also the possibility of Serena vs. Venus in the third round. But David and Catherine both think it might not happen.Elsewhere, there are some bold predictions and a couple of cameo appearances from two former British No.1s…David and Catherine will be back with daily shows throughout the US Open fortnight. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with the Telegraph and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 450Controversial Davis Cup Reforms Approved – What Next?; Djokovic Becomes The Grandmaster; Bertens Blasts Her Way To Cincinnati Title
It was a monumental week for tennis as the ITF’s proposals to reform the Davis Cup were approved. The decision sparked a huge reaction, with much of it negative. But is it all doom and gloom? On the new Tennis Podcast, Catherine and Charlie Eccleshare of Telegraph Sport give their take on the news.Can the new Davis Cup and the planned World Team Cup possibly co-exist? Will the $3billion investment help smaller tennis nations? And are some players scared to come out in support of the reforms?On court this week, Novak Djokovic claimed an elusive maiden title in Cincinnati to become the first singles player ever to win all nine Masters 1000 events. How big of an achievement is it? And is he now the US Open favourite?Djokovic beat Federer in the final in Cincinnati. Catherine and Charlie both think that Federer played very poorly in the final, but they disagree about his prospects in New York.On the women’s side, Kiki Bertens produced a brilliant run in Cincinnati. She toppled Wozniacki, Svitolina, Kvitova and then World No. 1 Simona Halep in the final. Can we now stop calling her a clay-court specialist?The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 449Halep & Nadal Win In Canada; Tsitsipas Comes Of Age; ATP Finals Venue Up For Tender; Davis Cup Vote To Take Place
With David away on holiday, The Telegraph’s Charlie Eccleshare joins Catherine on The Tennis Podcast to review the action from the Rogers Cup in Canada, where world No.1s Simona Halep and Rafael Nadal picked up the titles in Montreal and Toronto respectively.Halep battled past Stephens in a thrilling final. Can the pair now establish a genuine, lasting rivalry at the top of the game? And is it too early to call them the two clear favourites for the US Open?Nadal, meanwhile, withstood the challenge of Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek beat four top-10 players in a row to reach the final, capturing hearts and turning heads in the process. What makes him so exciting to watch? Can he win a Grand Slam title before Alexander Zverev?Speaking of Zverev, he described his match with Tsitsipas as “pathetic” and said his opponent didn’t even play that well. It’s fair to say those comments divided opinion, but what did Catherine and Charlie make of them?Other talking points to come out of Canada included promising signs for Jo Konta and Stan Wawrinka, a glimpse of the Shapovalov-Auger-Aliassime bromance and a positive player response to the shot clock.Elsewhere, with the news this week that the venue for the ATP Finals after 2020 is being put out to tender, Catherine and Charlie weigh up the pros and cons of moving the event away from London’s O2 arena.Finally, this Thursday will see member nations vote on reforming the Davis Cup. The specific proposals, and the wide-ranging reactions they have provoked, are discussed.The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 448Tears Flow As Murray Makes Hard Court Return; Dominant Zverev Wins Washington; Buzarnescu’s Long Road To First WTA Title; Jo Konta 6-1, 6-0 Serena Williams – What Happened?
Unsurprisingly, the eventful return of Andy Murray dominates discussion on this week’s Tennis Podcast.After Murray played and won his first hard court matches since March 2017 by advancing to the quarter-finals in Washington, David and Catherine are on hand to talk all about it.What did we learn about Murray? How well did he play? And why did he end up in tears after beating Marius Copil? The 3:02am finish might have had something to do with it…On that note, the scheduling issues in Washington are discussed, as well as the way in which tournament director Keely O’Brien misguidedly called Murray’s fighting spirit into question.While Murray hogged the headlines in Washington, it was ultimately Alexander Zverev who won the title. Zverev is still officially considered #NextGen, but the way he brushed aside Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex De Minaur emphasised the superiority he has over his contemporaries. When will he start producing such dominant displays at Grand Slams?On the women’ side, tribute is paid to Mihaela Buzarnescu. The Romanian spent ten fruitless years attempting to qualify for a WTA Tour event, but her perseverance is finally paying off. Her title victory in San Jose is covered.San Jose also produced by far the most eye-catching scoreline of the week: Jo Konta 6-1, 6-0 Serena Williams. What happened there? Is Konta back on the right path? And can we read anything into Serena’s subsequent withdrawal from Montreal?There’s also reaction to Donna Vekic’s tearful speech after losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Washington final, as well as a quick look ahead to the Rogers Cup. Which players have the most to prove in Canada?The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 447What’s Happened Since Wimbledon?; Challenger Tour Revamp; Serena’s Drug Testing Frustration; Djokovic Reveals Struggles In Open Letter; #TennisPodCastaways Winners Announced
Catherine and David are back with a bumper edition of The Tennis Podcast to reflect on everything that’s happened in the sport since Wimbledon. From Newport to Nanchang, all the noteworthy results and their implications are covered. Can Cecchinato or Fognini reach the ATP World Tour Finals? Who is 17-year-old Moscow titlist Olga Danilovic? And what’s the key to John Isner’s sustained success in Atlanta?Moreover, Britain’s Jay Clarke won the Binghamton Challenger. His prospects are discussed, as well as the proposals to revamp the ATP Challenger Tour from next year. Are the changes a good idea?Elsewhere, Marian Vajda has had some less-than-positive things to say about Pepe Imaz’s influence on Novak Djokovic. Those remarks came shortly after Djokovic wrote an open letter revealing the struggles he’s faced over the last two years. Catherine and David give their take on both subjects.Serena Williams has also made the headlines after tweeting her frustration at the way drug testing is carried out in tennis. She feels she has been subjected to discrimination. But is she ignoring some of the facts? It’s a murky picture, but both David and Catherine agree that tennis needs more drug testing, not less.There’s also debate over the pronunciation of ‘Bastad’, rumours that David and Catherine’s rematch may be around the corner, and a look at some of the quirkiest head-to-head records of all time.Last but not least, the winners of #TennisPodCastaways are announced.The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 446Ask Catherine & David 4 – Nadal-Federer GOAT Debate; Should Women Play Best-of-Five Sets?; Does Tennis Need A Unified Governing Body?; Is Doubles In Crisis?
After producing 39 podcasts in 50 days during the French Open, the Fever-Tree Championships and Wimbledon, Catherine and David have handed over editorial control to the listeners for the latest show.In the fourth instalment this year of Ask Catherine & David, the hosts do their best to answer all the questions selected by executive producer Melanie Bose.What does Rafael Nadal need to achieve to become widely considered the GOAT? Would tennis be better off with a commissioner rather than a committee? Should women be playing best-of-five sets at Grand Slams? And what might Andy Murray do once his playing career is over?Catherine and David get stuck into all that and more.The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 445Wimbledon Day 13 - Djokovic Is Back In The Big-Time; Mental Health In Tennis Discussed
Novak Djokovic has been through some dark times over the past couple of years, but his 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 win over Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon final proved that he is very much back in the big time. Afterwards, Tennis Podcast presenter David Law was joined by Charlie Eccleshare of the Telegraph to look back on a final that didn't get going until set three, and ultimately proved a step too far for Anderson. Just how good was Djokovic? Where does this leave him for the US Open in a few weeks time? And how many more can Djokovic win? The Tennis Podcast team give their views.As the subject of the men's doubles championships is covered, and the transition from junior tennis to senior success discussed, conversation takes a more troubling turn when the subject of player mental health is brought up. Eccleshare and Law have both discussed the issue with players that have struggled, and those struggles are detailed on the show. The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 444Wimbledon Day 12 - Kerber Beats Serena But Both Are The Story; Djokovic Is Back After Edging All-Time Classic With Nadal
With Royalty in attendance - the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex - Angelique Kerber defeated Serena Williams to win the Wimbledon title, and Novak Djokovic overcame Rafael Nadal in an all-time classic to reach the men’s final.Afterwards, Catherine Whitaker was joined by Charlie Eccleshare of the Telegraph, and later David Law, to review the day.Why was Kerber such a comfortable winner over Williams? How will the final be reported in the pages of the Telegraph? And what next for both players?Where does Djokovic vs. Nadal stand in the list of all-time great contests? Is it the best rivalry of them all? Did Wimbledon get its scheduling decisions right, or do they need to look at it for the future?The Tennis Podcast is produced daily throughout Wimbledon, presented by David Law and Catherine Whitaker.It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 443Wimbledon Day 11 - Djokovic, Nadal Held Overnight After Classic; Anderson Outlasts Isner, Reaches Final And Asks For Rule Change; Serena vs. Kerber Preview
A memorable, bizarre, pulsating day at Wimbledon ended with Kevin Anderson in the men’s singles final after a 6 hour 36 minute epic, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal needing to come back out to continue battle on Saturday with Djokovic ahead 2 sets to 1, and a women’s final likely to be delayed as a result. In total darkness after the 11pm curfew had brought play to a halt, Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Simon Briggs got together to review matters.Is it time for a final set tie-break to be brought in at all the Grand Slams to avoid a scoreline like 26-24? Will Anderson be able to recover for the final? And who is he going to end up playing against - Djokovic or Nadal?In the women’s final, Serena Williams will take on Angelique Kerber, but it might well be delayed. Is that satisfactory, or should they have resumed with the men’s semifinal afterwards?The Tennis Podcast is produced daily throughout Wimbledon, presented by David Law and Catherine Whitaker.It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 442Wimbledon Day 10 - Mary Carillo! Serena Returns To Rightful Place; Faces Kerber In 2016 Repeat; Djokovic or Nadal?
After two one-sided women’s semifinals at Wimbledon, the prospect of a Serena Williams vs. Angelique Kerber final is mouthwatering, and who better to talk about it, and everything else, than Mary Carillo.The Tennis Podcast’s favourite guest joins Catherine Whitaker and David Law on the broadcast roof to cover matches galore, look ahead to Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal, and tell us an anecdote involving Roger Federer’s kids!The Tennis Podcast is produced daily throughout Wimbledon, presented by David Law and Catherine Whitaker.It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 441Wimbledon Day 9 - Federer Falls To Anderson; Nadal Wins Del Potro Epic; Djokovic Delivers; Big John’s Big Moment
A day that began with Roger Federer looking serene ended with him out of the tournament, Rafael Nadal fighting through at the last, and David Law speaking to a couple of special guests - BBC commentators Vassos Alexander and Russell Fuller - to try to cover it all on The Tennis Podcast.Federer was felled by Kevin Anderson, who saved match point and came back from two sets to love down to overcome Federer in 5. Was it a question of sensational play from the South African, or did Federer look short of his best? Did the change in scenery for Federer on Court One bother him after 19 successive Centre Court appearances? Nadal vs. Juan Martin del Potro was described by Andy Murray in the BBC commentary box as one of the best matches he has ever seen ‘live’, and it was hard to argue. Del Potro led two sets to one, but Nadal came back to win it in a marathon 5th set. Where was the match won and lost? Will Del Potro ever win another Slam? Is Nadal about to win Wimbledon and close the gap on Federer to just two major titles?Nadal will face Djokovic, who looked pretty sprightly in a four-set win over Kei Nishikori. Is Djokovic now back to his best? Will he beat Nadal?Isner bravely fought past Milos Raonic in four sets, from a set down. Could this be the 33-year-old’s time?Law, Alexander and Fuller all look ahead to the women’s semifinals and give their predictions for Angelique Kerber vs. Jelena Ostapenko and Serena Williams vs. Julia Goerges. The Tennis Podcast is produced daily throughout Wimbledon, presented by David Law and Catherine Whitaker.It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 440Wimbledon Day 8 - Kerber & Kasatkina Dazzle on Centre; Serena Battles through; Federer relegated to Court One
After a women's quarter finals day that did not disappoint, David & Catherine are left to dissect four quarter final matches, and four deserving semi finalists. David picks Serena as the title favourite while Catherine thinks Angelique Kerber is the one to watch, and what about Jelena Ostapenko, a woman who is capable of hitting any opponent clean off the court. And although not a winner on Tuesday, Daria Kasatkina sure did seize the opportunity to show the Centre Court crowd what she's made of...Also discussed is the surprising and welcome decision to put Roger Federer vs Kevin Anderson on Court One on Wednesday, and the guest appearance by pundit Andy Murray on BBC TV's Wimbledon coverage, during which he hinted that he thinks his old rival Novak Djokovic could be the men's champion come Sunday.The Tennis Podcast will be daily throughout Wimbledon, presented by David Law and Catherine Whitaker.It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 439Wimbledon Day 7 - Manic Monday scheduling under the spotlight; Federer, Nadal & Djokovic through but who will play on Centre Court on Wednesday?
As the annual tennis festival that is 'Manic Monday' comes and goes, David & Catherine meet in their usual spot on the broadcast roof to analyse not only the matches themselves, but also their scheduling. Six men's and three women's matches on the three main show courts, and Djokovic relegated to Court One once again while Federer enjoys his usual Centre Court procession - is it fair? And if not, does it even matter so long as the paying public are happy?And what of the women's round of 16 matches.. How much can we really learn from Serena Williams demolition of Evgenia Rodina? And why does Catherine have a funny feeling that Saturday's Champion might end up being the winner of the quarter final between Angelique 'The Absorber' Kerber and Daria 'The Magician' Kasatkina? And just how on earth is Camila Giorgi averaging 36 winners per match? All this is debated and dissected, with a small dollop of #PollVault thrown in for good measure.The Tennis Podcast will be daily throughout Wimbledon, presented by David Law and Catherine Whitaker.It is produced in associated with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video, the new home of the US Open in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.