The Tennis Podcast

Three weeks have passed since Wimbledon, two weeks since our last podcast, and a lot has happened.Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka won’t be in New York. David Law and Catherine Whitaker speculate about whether Roger Federer’s decision not to play again in 2016, followed by such spectacular 2017 results, might have influenced the length of lay-off taken by his two rivals.Former French Open finalist Sara Errani has tested positive for a banned substance and yet only been banned for two months. The podcast team discuss one of the more bizarre doping stories and verdicts. There’s discussion of the immensely open men’s and women’s draws heading into the US Open, and discussion about whether one of the American players might be able to take advantage. Particularly after Madison Keys and Coco Vandeweghe contested the first all-American women’s final not featuring one of the Williams sisters for 14 years. And could youngsters Alexander Zverev or Denis Shapavalov make major runs over the next few weeks?The team touch on two of the off-court stories that have come up since Wimbledon - the reports that Amazon are about to buy the UK rights to broadcast the ATP World Tour from 2019, and the vote to try to change from best-of-5 set singles matches to best-of-3 at the Davis Cup.After Maria Sharapova’s stuttering return hit yet another bump in the road because of injury, Catherine and David wonder whether her body will ever allow her to return to the level that she hopes to reach. And can Dan Evans come back after whatever ban he is given for testing positive for cocaine in June? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know about the 19 Grand Slam singles titles, the 302 weeks at World No.1, the incredible comeback to win an 8th Wimbledon title at the age of nearly 36.But where did it all start for Roger Federer? Where did he make his professional debut? What was he like as a teenager? Is it true that he had a bad temper? And were there really doubts about whether he would deliver on his talent?In a special edition of The Tennis Podcast, The Roger Federer Story is told through the eyes of BBC 5 Live commentator and Tennis Podcast presenter David Law, who met Federer for the first time the day before his professional debut as a 16-year-old in Gstaad, Switzerland in 1998. In his role as Communications Manager on the ATP World Tour, Law worked behind the scenes with Federer for four years, and remembers Federer’s growing pains as he went from boy to man with the eyes of the world waiting for him to fulfil his potential.We learn of his struggle to come to terms with the death of his first coach Peter Carter in a tragic car accident, and hear from Federer himself in a BBC 5 Live interview with Law less than an hour after his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003. The ‘Federer Years’ of domination are covered, as are the threats to his throne from Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the moments in 2013 when Law thought Federer was finished, and the comeback that made all those writing him off look stupid. Law and co-host Catherine Whitaker also delve into the debate as to whether Federer should be considered the greatest male tennis player of all time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Roger Federer became the only man ever to win eight Grand Slam title singles titles and 19 Grand Slam crowns overall, The Tennis Podcast discussed where he sits in the pantheon of all-time greats - and not just in tennis. Is he better than Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, and Rafael Nadal (who has a winning record against him)? Are his achievements superior to those of Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Usain Bolt? Impossible questions to answer, perhaps, but that doesn’t stop David Law and the Telegraph’s Simon Briggs and Charlie Eccleshare from trying to on the podcast. The debate comes after Federer ruthlessly dispatched Marin Cilic, who’s movement was impeded by a bad blister, to win the title in straight sets. How much of Cilic’s capitulation was physical, and how much was mental and emotional, or did the former lead to the latter?We also review a mixed doubles title for Jamie Murray and Martina Hingis, the doubles successes of Marcelo Melo and Lukas Kubot, and Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makaraova, and the triumphs of Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, and Jordanne Whiley.The Tennis Podcast will return next week with a one-hour special - The Roger Federer Story - in which David Law remembers attending his debut when Federer was 16, and the years that followed.The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show, available on iPhones and android phones and tablets. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Garbine Muguruza dashed the dream of Venus Williams in the Wimbledon final and the Tennis Podcast team were as perplexed by the vast difference in quality between the two sets played as everyone else. Williams was arguably the better player in a first set that she lost 7-5, so why did she fade so considerably in set two?Where did that Muguruza performance come from? Should she and will she now go and hire Conchita Martinez as a full-time coach? And can she take her Wimbledon form into the rest of the year and dominate the sport?The men’s singles final could, in the view of Tennis Podcast presenter David Law, be an absolute classic. But only if Marin Cilic is fully fit, and mentally ready to take on Roger Federer in his back yard. What does co-host Catherine Whitaker think? Find out on the show. Both make their predictions, as does Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs. The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. Highlights of the day’s play at Wimbledon can be seen on Eurosport every night, with the final screened live. A new Tennis Podcast is out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roger Federer will appear in his 11th Wimbledon final, his 29th Grand Slam singles final overall, and against a man that thrashed him in the US Open semifinal in 2014. Tennis Podcast presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law are joined by Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs to look back on Federer’s tight three-set win over Tomas Berdych, and the Marin Cilic defeat of Sam Querrey.After six minutes of Briggs talking and typing as he tried to make his deadline, the Federer press conference was announced, and the podcast team went in to throw a few questions of their own at the great man, including …Does he still get nervous after all these years, and how does that manifest itself if so? And would he feel disappointed in the court scheduling (putting him on Centre Court every day) if he were Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic?Afterwards, Whitaker and Law looked at the women’s final, speaking to New York Times correspondent Christopher Clarey about the Williams family that he has got to know over the last 20 years. Who will win between Muguruza and Venus? The podcast team make their picks. And as part of the #WhatMakesGreat debate, the podcast team discuss who they see as the most ‘adaptable’ tennis player in the world. The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. Highlights of the day’s play at Wimbledon can be seen on Eurosport every night, with the finals screened live. A new Tennis Podcast is out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo Konta’s Wimbledon dream may have ended for 2017 but the journey of Venus Williams to the final is an extraordinary story, and one which The Tennis Podcast team review in the latest show.How has a woman of 37 been able to return to the final 17 years after her first title at the All England Club? Where did her match against Konta turn? And how will she get on against Garbine Muguruza in the final?For Konta it was a disappointing day. What happened after she held break point at 4 games all? Did the occasion get to her? And was it poor form that she didn’t wait for Williams before departing the stage?Muguruza’s win over Magdalena Rybarikova is assessed, the team look ahead to the men’s semifinals, and make their predictions for Roger Federer vs. Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic vs. Sam Querrey. We also hear about podcast presenter David Law’s doorstep-interview with Venus’ mother Oracene on BBC 5 Live, how Law was captioned ‘David Lloyd - former British Tennis Player’ on the Victoria Derbyshire show (much to his delight) and Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs tells Catherine Whitaker what he will be writing about in Friday’s newspaper.The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. Highlights of the day’s play at Wimbledon can be seen on Eurosport every night, with the finals screened live. A new Tennis Podcast is out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have won the last four Wimbledon men’s singles titles between them, but they both exited in a manner that prompted as many questions and answers.The Tennis Podcast team - led by presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and joined by Charlie Eccleshare of the Telegraph - assembled to talk it through on the daily show. How injured was Murray, and did the injury decide the outcome of the match? Was Sam Querrey just too good? Should Murray take a significant time out of the game to heal? All discussed. How badly hurt was Djokovic to tap out of his match at 6-7, 0-2 down against Tomas Berdych? Is Djokovic about to ‘do a Roger Federer’ and take the rest of the year off?There’s a preview of the women’s semifinals, with predictions for the Johanna Konta vs. Venus Williams, and Garbine Muguruza vs. Magdalena Rybarikova matches. And the team discuss Goran Ivanisevic, who suggested on BBC Radio 5 Live that he might like to enter Strictly Come Dancing. The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. Highlights of the day’s play at Wimbledon can be seen on Eurosport every night, with the finals screened live. A new Tennis Podcast is out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a thrilling, (if a little soggy), women's quarter finals day, David & Catherine sought shelter in Southfields to digest an extraordinary battle between 'warriors' Jo Konta and Simona Halep, and an historic victory for sixth seed Konta. Plus, the collapse of Vandeweghe, the surge or Rybarikova, the resurgence of Muguruza and the Majestic Venus. Plus a slightly disgruntled Novak Djokovic, albeit a winning one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manic Monday lived up to its name in every sense, with a massive upset, British history made, the World No.1 in the women’s game going out, and a will-they, won’t-they saga about moving Novak Djokovic on to Centre Court late at night. Afterwards, Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs joined Tennis Podcast presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law, who are part of the BBC 5 Live team at Wimbledon, to review the day.What a story with Gilles Muller beating Rafael Nadal 15-13 in the 5th set. Did Muller win it, or Nadal lost it?Jo Konta and Andy Murray ensured a British man and woman reached the last 8 for the first time in 44 years. How did they play, and what did they say in the interview room afterwards?Angelique Kerber lost the World No.1 ranking, but not without an enormous fight against Garbine Muguruza in one of the matches of the tournament. But why was it out on Court No.2? Three-time champion Chris Evert reckons the inequality between male and female representation on the show courts needs to be stop. She tells Catherine Whitaker that it should be moved in line with equal prize money. Andy Murray agrees. And, with light fading and Nadal and Muller’s match taking such a long time, Djokovic vs. Adrian Mannarino eventually didn’t happen. What did The Tennis Podcast team make of the hours of delay before a decision was announced, and the verdict when it finally happened?The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. A new Tennis Podcast will be out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a day when many of the leading female players fought through scares to take their places in the last 16, and the top male stars cruised into week two of Wimbledon, the main topic of conversation on Saturday was ‘who will be scheduled where on Manic Monday?’It’s a topic that was picked up immediately on The Tennis Podcast, with The Telegraph’s correspondent Simon Briggs joining presenters David Law and Catherine Whitaker.Four men’s matches on Monday (involving the so-called Big 4 of Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic) were scheduled on the two main show courts, versus two women’s matches. Is it right that these ‘marquee players’, as they are referred to, get top billing because they are the players ticket-holders are perceived to want to see most, or is a self-perpetuating problem? i.e. can the women’s game ever win the ‘market forces’ game if they are not given the biggest stage on which to show what they can do?In a separate argument, is it fair to, say, Djokovic and Nadal, that they are having their second matches of the week away from Centre Court while Murray and Djokovic have yet to play anywhere other than Centre Court?All discussed on the latest podcast.The escapes of Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki are covered, as are the strolls for Federer, Djokovic, Milos Raonic and Alexander Zverev. The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. A new Tennis Podcast will be out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Murray experienced the full Fabio Fognini effect in a Friday night thriller at Wimbledon, and came through it to tell the tale. Fognini hit an array of outrageous winners, some terrible errors, and challenged a vital call mid-rally when he had not challenges remaining. He was also warned for visible obscenities. Tennis Podcast presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law took a break from their BBC Radio 5 Live broadcasting duties to sit in the crowd and soak it up. Afterwards, they convened to talk all about it to Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs.Was Murray sub-standard and a little fortunate to get through, or was this a vintage performance full of Murray grit? The Tennis Podcast team discuss and disagree.Heather Watson came close again, but not close enough, losing out in three sets to Victoria Azarenka. Could Azarenka now go all the way? One of the podcast team think so. Jo Konta cruised, however, reaching the last 16 of Wimbledon for the first time. Is she starting to justify her favourite tag?And can anyone stop Rafael Nadal?The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. A new Tennis Podcast will be out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The day after the pre-tournament favourite Petra Kvitova went out of Wimbledon she was followed onto the sidelines by her compatriot Karolina Pliskova.That means The Tennis Podcast team’s two picks for the women's title are not going to win the event, and so our predictions lie in tatters …Was Pliskova losing really that big a shock? What does that mean for Jo Konta? Is she, as some bookmakers have suggested, now the clear favourite for title? It’s a question that led to BBC Radio 5 Live colleagues and Tennis Podcast presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law having a massive argument on the show.All other significant day 4 results are covered, including straightforward wins for Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. And finally, we wish Bethanie Mattek Sands a quick recovery after her awful fall at Wimbledon yesterday.The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. A new Tennis Podcast will be out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tennis Podcast team reckon Jo Konta entered the consciousness of more British people than at any time in her career thanks to her classic 10-8 final set win on Wimbledon’s Centre Court against Donna Vekic. An Australian Open semifinal, a title win in Miami and a Top 10 ranking were enough to get year-round tennis fans on-board, but Wimbledon is where stars are made and this was a perfect setting. How did Konta do it? Was it a Vekic capitulation, or did Konta wrestle the win away from her? Presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law, who are part of the BBC 5 Live Wimbledon team, discuss.What did they make of the form of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, who were both straight sets winners?Flying ants, a Daniil Medvedev meltdown, and a big old argument about who should be on Centre Court on Friday are also part of the show, particular after Heather Watson set up a showdown with Victoria Azarenka. The prediction of Law that Petra Kvitova would win the women’s title is also thrown under the microscope. She lost in round two …The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. A new Tennis Podcast will be out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Day Two Tennis Podcast from Wimbledon is dominated by discussion of injury retirements and whether the Grand Slam tournaments need to change their rules to stop players taking to the court with physical problems to ensure they still get a £35,000 first-round loser cheque.The team quote Andy Murray from the US Open 2015. He seems to have the solution.Meanwhile, presenter David Law gives us an insight into new Team Novak Djokovic. The three-time champion practised with his new coaching team of Andre Agassi and former Wimbledon semifinalist Mario Ancic. Afterwards, they fist-bumped and before going their separate ways, Ancic spoke to Law about the set-up of the new team. Law and fellow BBC Radio 5 Live broadcaster Catherine Whitaker also discuss the comments of Bernard Tomic, who admitted after a straight sets defeat that he took an injury time-out to try to change the flow of his match and interrupt his opponent’s momentum. He also claimed to have ‘no motivation’ at Wimbledon. The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. A new Tennis Podcast will be out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Open champion Stan Wawrinka lost, Andy Murray’s hip looked fine, he revealed his penchant for watching Peppa Pig, and Jo Konta was calm personified in a first-round win. Those were the headline talking points on The Tennis Podcast after day one at Wimbledon.Presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law, who are part of the BBC Radio 5 Live team at Wimbledon, convened to talk through a cracking opening day. Everyone was watching Murray’s movement closely, and he looked bemused by the interest after his straight sets win over Alexander Bublik. Rafael Nadal looked awesome against John Millman. Can Marin Cilic really see off both Murray and Nadal to reach the final, as Law has picked him to do in their pre-tournament predictions?Petra Kvitova had played only a couple of tournaments since returning from a knife attack in her home at the start of the year, yet she’s the favourite for the title with the bookmakers. How did she look on day one?And Whitaker and Law also discuss a marathon win for Aljaz Bedene over the giant Croatian Ivo Karlovic, the big wins for Konta and Heather Watson, and the sorry tale of Stan Wawrinka on grass - he was beaten by the very promising young Russian, Daniil Medvedev. The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. A new Tennis Podcast will be out after play every night during Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Murray has a sore hip, Novak Djokovic isn’t in the form of 12-18 months ago, Rafael Nadal hasn’t reached the Wimbledon quarters for six years and Roger Federer is closer to 40 years of age than 30. But according to Federer, on the pre-Wimbledon edition of The Tennis Podcast, the Big Four are still the players to beat in the men’s draw. “Andy, Rafa and Novak are the clear favourites to me,” Federer told podcast host Catherine Whitaker. “Andy is the champion and Rafa is coming off an unbelievable run at the French Open. He comes with a lot of confidence even if he doesn’t have the matches on grass. Novak is going to pick up his game. Once he gets rolling and into the second week things are going to look very different - both in terms of how you guys in the media look at him and in the locker room. The same thing for Andy. The last five months have been good ones for me, I feel healthy, which is where I wanted to be for Wimbledon. I’m very excited.”Whitaker also interviews Nadal on his hopes at Wimbledon, John McEnroe on the fitness of Murray, and the returning Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka. All can be heard on this pre-Wimbledon edition of the Tennis Podcast.Whitaker and co-host David Law will both be part of the BBC Radio 5 Live Wimbledon coverage this fortnight, and they record this edition of The Tennis Podcast overlooking the practice courts. They go through the various runners and riders, and make their predictions. Neither with much confidence. A new Tennis Podcast will be out after play every night during Wimbledon. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport, who have a highlights show every night from Wimbledon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final Tennis Podcast from the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club features the men of the hour, live.The champion Feliciano Lopez tells Catherine Whitaker and Gigi Salmon just what becoming the oldest man in the Open era means to him.“It’s the best week of my life,” says Lopez. “Not only to win at Queen’s but to beat those players (Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic in the final). It makes it so special. I take a lot of pride in being the oldest champion in the Open era. It’s a dream for me. This tournament is so special, and outside of the four Slams this is the tournament I wanted most to win.”After that, the vanquished Cilic joined the podcast to talk about the pain of losing 7-6 in the third after holding match point. In lighter moments, he revealed that his encouragement to himself during matches is to shout ‘Emperor’ in Croatian, that he didn’t mind Goran Ivanisevic calling him second favourite for the Wimbledon title - “So, there’s a... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final of the Aegon Championships is upon us, and although it might lack the top 3 seeds Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic, who all lost on Tuesday, the Tennis Podcast team is predicting an emotional day.The previous final appearance of Feliciano Lopez, in 2014, ended in an agonising loss in a final set tie-break. That was after he had held match point, and it hurt the Spaniard more than just any other loss in his career. 'I’ve wanted to win this tournament so badly throughout my whole career," Lopez told Catherine Whitaker. "Now I have another chance," she saiidMarin Cilic has reached the final before, and won the tournament. The only problem is that nobody can remember any of the tennis in it. On that day, his opponent, David Nalbandian was disqualied for kicking a wooden sponsor box that injured the leg of a lines judge. Cilic is in for a very busy day. After the singles final he plays the conclusion of his doubles semifinal against Jamie Murray and Bruno... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the world discussed the positive test of Dan Evans on Friday, Grigor Dimitrov, Feliciano Lopez, Marin Cilic and Gilles Muller were making their way to the semifinals of the Aegon Championships.In the latest Tennis Podcast, we hear the statement read by Evans after his positive test for cocaine. One of the semifinalist at Queen’s - Gilles Muller - joins presenters Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and Gigi Salmon (BBC) to celebrate National Luxembourg Day, talk about the first two titles of his career at the age of 23, and how his driving force to play through injuries had been to play in front of his two young sons. We also hear from Dimitrov, who is getting closer to the title he won three years ago, and Lopez, the man that he edged out in three tie-break sets three years ago. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years ago, Jonas Bjorkman was part of the Andy Murray coaching team. Now, he is a key cog in Team Marin Cilic, who is into the quarterfinals of the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club.In the latest daily Tennis Podcast from Queen’s, Bjorkman joins presenters Catherine Whitaker and Gigi Salmon to talk about life with the big Croatian, who won the US Open in 2014.For starters, they call him The President of the team, although Bjorkman jokes ‘actually he is more like a Dictator’, and that Cilic started a punishments process for any member of the team that is late for team dinners etc. “I was quite pleased,” said Bjorkman. “Marin was late twice this week.”Bjorkman also talks about Cilic’s chances of winning the Aegon Championships title again, having lifted the giant silver trophy in 2012.We also hear from Daniil Medvedev, one of the members of the ATP’s #NextGen group of 21-and-under players after reaching the last eight. Medvedev faces 2014 champion Grigor Dimitrov in... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanasi Kokkinakis takes on fellow #NextGen star Daniil Medvedev on centre court at the Aegon Championships today, and part of his pre-match preparation was to join Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and Gigi Salmon (BBC 5 Live) on the Tennis Podcast.How many text messages did he receive after his stunning win over Milos Raonic in the previous round? How stressful was it trying to close out a match of that magnitude after so long out? And most importantly, what superpower would he choose - invisibility, x-ray vision, or the ability to fly?Elsewhere, Tomas Berdych won the match of the tournament so far, edging out Denis Shapovalov, and Grigor Dimitrov overcame a set deficit against Julien Benneteau. The Tennis Podcast is a free, weekly, downloadable tennis audio show, with daily editions during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a day of high-drama at the Aegon Championships as the top three seeds all fell, it was Andy Murray’s surprise defeat to Jordan Thompson that dominated the discussion on the Tennis Podcast.Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and Gigi Salmon (BBC) discuss the match in depth from a shell-shocked Queen’s Club. Would Murray of a year ago have won today? And should the World No.1 enter Eastbourne next week before he heads to Wimbledon to defend his title? There are more questions than answers right now.A disappointed Murray spoke to Gigi post-match. We hear that full interview.And what of Jordan Thompson? The Australian was a lucky loser replacement for Aljaz Bedene but he was far from an understudy. He played an impressively smart match, serving 12 aces, and deserves immense credit.Elsewhere, Stan Wawrinka lost to Feliciano Lopez. Catherine and Gigi agree that while it was an upset on paper, Lopez’s love for grass meant that many saw it... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Queen’s Club was baked in sunshine as the Aegon Championships got underway, and The Tennis Podcast team of Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and Gigi Salmon (BBC) are on hand to review the day’s action.Billed as match of the day, Denis Shapovalov and Kyle Edmund didn’t disappoint, playing three sets of thrilling tennis in the late afternoon on Centre Court. Shapovalov in particular was impressive, building on his qualifying run to beat Edmund 6-4 in the third. Catherine could barely contain her excitement at his lefty single-handed backhand. We hear from the ATP #NextGen star.Elsewhere, there was disappointment for Nick Kyrgios. The Australian unfortunately had to retire mid-match against Donald Young but is still optimistic for Wimbledon.There were no other big name casualties on the opening day as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Grigor Dimitrov and Tomas Berdych all looked good in straight-set wins.Looking ahead to day two, Andy Murray begins his title defence. His full pre-tournament... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clay has turned to grass, and in the first of the daily podcasts from the Aegon Championships, David Law (BBC 5 Live) and Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) are together on a scorching hot day at The Queen’s Club to preview the tournament.One of the players Catherine spoke to on a busy day of media activity was Nick Kyrgios, who plays Donald Young on day one. The Australian is yet to win a match at The Queen’s Club, but as he told Catherine, he is in a very good place, physically and mentally, at the moment. Also on the schedule for Monday are Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Grigor Dimitrov. They will be the favourites in their matches, but the Tennis Podcast team believe both Adrian Mannarino and Ryan Harrison are capable of causing an upset. Monday’s headline match is last on Centre Court, between Denis Shapovalov and Kyle Edmund. They met in the Davis Cup in March with Shapovalov losing through disqualification - he hit a ball away in anger that smashed into the face of the chair umpire - an... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rafael Nadal became the first man in history to win ten Grand Slam titles at a single event, and after completing La Decima at Roland Garros, Catherine Whitaker spoke to David Law about it on The Tennis Podcast.Where was the match won and lost? Is it fair to be disappointed in the performance of Stan Wawrinka? Or was Nadal just so good that a competitive contest was simply out of the question?Nadal will now travel to the Aegon Championships at The Queen's Club as he tries to transfer his form from clay to grass ahead of Wimbledon. Will his relatively easy passage through in Paris make him fresh enough to do what he did in 2008 when he won the Roland Garros-Queen's-Wimbledon treble? The podcast team also discuss the withdrawal of Maria Sharapova from Wimbledon qualies, and there's bad news for Dan Evans. The Tennis Podcast is a free, weekly downloadable tennis audio show, with daily editions during the Grand Slam tournaments at next week at The Queen's Club. The podcast is... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jelena Ostapenko is the French Open champion, but was it a red-hot couple of weeks and ultimately a flash in the pan, or will she go on to win multiple Grand Slam titles? It provoked a fiery disagreement on the latest Tennis Podcast between presenters Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live). Ahead of the men’s final, John McEnroe joined Whitaker on Eurosport to sum up the magnitude of achievement if Nadal were to seize his 10th title on Sunday.“Nadal winning ten titles at the French Open would be at the top of all sporting achievements,” said McEnroe. “Guys like Phelps have had all those gold medals, and there are so many other great achievements, and Federer’s are up alongside him, but then you think, has anyone ever topped this? I don’t think so.”Does McEnroe think Wawrinka could spring an upset?“Stan has to hurt him early on, he is incredibly fit, and we have to make sure people realise how great a player Wawrinka has become. But this is the ultimate... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jelena Ostapenko takes on Simona Halep in the final of the French Open.Few people know more about winning Grand Slam titles than Chris Evert, and she joined Tennis Podcast presenter Catherine Whitaker on Eurosport to preview the match.Where will the match be won and lost? What will it be like for Ostapenko to play in her first Grand Slam final at the age of 20? Evert knows - she met Margaret Court when she was just 18 years of age. How has Halep turned things around from some of her lows earlier in the year? And who is Evert picking to win?Listen to the interview in full on the Tennis Podcast.The French Open women's final starts at 3pm local, 2pm UK time time. It will be shown live on Eurosport and the Eurosport player.The Tennis Podcast is a free, weekly, downloadable tennis audio show, with daily editions during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How could Andy Murray play that well and not win? That was the first thought of Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live) on the The Tennis Podcast, recorded shortly after the semifinals.The answer, they concluded, came from down the other end of the court, where Stan Wawrinka was firing his bullets for more than four hours. Where was the match won and lost? What did Murray think of his performance? - we hear from him. And what sort of chance do the podcast team give Wawrinka in the final against Rafael Nadal?Meanwhile, with the women’s final coming up on Saturday, what do they expect to happen? And what did Halep’s coach Darren Cahill say to Catherine when she asked him for an interview on Eurosport?Both finals will be broadcast on Eurosport and Eurosport player. The Tennis Podcast is a free, weekly, downloadable tennis audio show, with daily editions during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Murray is now playing like the man that reached World No.1 at the end of last year, according to Boris Becker. As Murray prepared to take on Stan Wawrinka in the French Open semifinals, Becker spoke to Tennis Podcast presenter Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) to assess the British player’s improvement over the course of the tournament. “Andy Murray now looks like the Andy Murray of last year,” said Becker. Even after the match against (Juan Martin) Del Potro in the third round, he has looked like himself. I think Ivan Lendl arriving has made a real difference. It’s like Murray is unchaining himself from everything that has gone before earlier this year. He’s a champion, and champions know how to win. He’s No.1 for a reason, and with Wawrinka playing so well, this could be a classic between two titans.”Becker also previews the semifinal between Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem on the podcast, and Whitaker speaks to Eurosport commentator Chris Bradnam about the superb... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a busy day in which all four of the men’s quarterfinals and two of the women’s quarters were played, the question on everyone’s lips was ‘what was wrong with Novak Djokovic’.Listeners to The Tennis Podcast will know that it has been a recurring conversation over the past 12 months, and if anything, this latest episode - a straight sets defeat to Dominic Thiem - was even more mystifying.So, what is wrong with Djokovic? Did he, as John McEnroe suggested in commentary on Eurosport, ‘tank’ in the third set? Or, are we damning Thiem with faint praise after registering his first ever win over the former World No.1? Either way, what should Djokovic do from here?The Tennis Podcast team also talk about Andy Murray’s hard-fought win over Kei Nishikori, and the size of the task he will face against an in-form Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals. Who do presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law think will win that one?They also talk about Rafael Nadal’s serene progress, the wonder... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a largely frustrating, rain-sodden day in Paris, Jelena Ostapenko and Timea Bacsinszky were two of the only people at Roland Garros smiling at the end of the day.Unseeded teenager Ostapenko stunned former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in three sets, while Bacsinszky defeated home favourite Kristina Mladenovic. On the latest Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker is joined by her Eurosport colleague, commentator Chris Bradnam, to review where the quarterfinals were won and lost.With the two of the men's quarterfinals held over to Wednesday because of the rain, meaning that all four are played on the same day, Catherine was joined by Pat Cash on Eurosport to chat all things tennis.Cash revealed that Andy Murray's coach Ivan Lendl was 'by far the most annoying person I have ever met in a locker room in my life', that Andre Agassi revealed to him that Novak Djokovic was still very much a work-in-progress, and that Dominic Thiem could take advantage against the defending champion in the heavy, soggy... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Night and day’ said Andy Murray to Catherine Whitaker on Eurosport, when comparing his form before the French Open to the tennis he displayed in reaching the quarterfinals on Monday.That interview, reproduced here on The Tennis Podcast, gives an insight into his growing confidence, self belief, and relaxed state of mind. What does he expect to happen against Kei Nishikori in the next round? What do he and Ivan Lendl talk about in the locker room after matches? And is his daughter Sophia showing any signs of interest in tennis yet? He answers them all, with a twinkle in his eye that comes across even in audio form. On a busy day for Whitaker in Paris, she also tells us about a conversation she had with Goran Ivanisevic, on the day that he separated with Tomas Berdych. Ivanisevic told Whitaker the alliance between Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi 'is not going to last'.The form of Stan Wawrinka is covered, as his that of his quarterfinal opponent Marin Cilic, and there’s a... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Garbine Muguruza departed the French Open wagging her finger in anger at the local crowd. They didn't care. Kristina Mladenovic, or Kiki as she is known, reached the quarterfinals in a tumultuous atmosphere at Roland Garros, and afterwards the Tennis Podcast team assembled to talk about it.Were the crowd out of order or do players just need to accept and take it? Could Mladenovic go on from here and win the title?Elsewhere, the only man that looked anything like as impressive as Rafael Nadal on day 8 was Dominic Thiem. Could the Austrian find enough inspiration to take out Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals?On Monday, Andy Murray takes on young Russian Karen Khachanov in the last 16. Who is Khachanov? Presenters Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live) reveal all they know.The rest of the results on Sunday are reviewed on the show, with previews of Monday's matches thrown in. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the French Open enters week two, Andy Murray has started to look like the World No.1 for the first time this year, according to the Telegraph's Tennis Podcast team.Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and the Telegraph's Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs met up after Murray's straight sets defeat of Juan Martin del Potro to dissect his win, including a mind-boggling 85 minute first set.We hear from Murray, talking to Whitaker on Eurosport straight after the match, and Briggs proudly airs his down-the-line-drop-shot theory again, which was backed up throughout the contest.They discuss Kyle Edmund's narrow loss to Kevin Anderson, the progress of women's favourite Simona Halep, and the tension between French players Caroline Garcia and Alize Cornet, who face off in the last 16.We also hear from Mats Wilander, who joined Catherine Whitaker in the rain to fill some airtime on Eurosport, and ended up giving the most fascinating insight into the difference between Federer/Nadal and... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The French Open Day 6 edition of the Tennis Podcast started with Novak Djokovic two sets to one down. By the time it concluded, he had extricated himself from trouble.Presenter Catherine Whitaker was joined by Eurosport colleagues and commentary team Simon Reed and Frew McMillan as they stepped out of the commentary box following one of their shorter shifts - a 6-0, 6-1, 6-0 victory for Rafael Nadal over Nikoloz Basilashvili. ‘He looked unbeatable’ said McMillan, and Reed agreed.As well as reviewing that awesome performance, Whitaker, Reed and McMillan talked about Djokovic’s struggles against Diego Schwartzman and his alliance with Andre Agassi, as well as all the other week one storylines. Later in the show, we get the chance to hear the thoughts of the Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, and his Argentine counterpart Daniel Orsanic ahead of Andy Murray vs. Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday.The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was still short of Andy Murray's vintage, Grand Slam title-winning best form, but he is into round three of the French Open, and according to Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and the Telegraph's tennis correspondent Simon Briggs, he has the perfect platform to build on.In the latest Tennis Podcast, Whitaker and Briggs discuss the contrasting routes through to the third round of Murray and Juan Martin del Potro, and speculate as to what might happen when they meet on Saturday.Del Potro's heartbreaking, retirement win over Nicolas Almagro, who departed the court in agony and floods of tears after injuring his knee, reminded everyone what a sporting man Del Potro is. The Argentine rushed to Almagro's aid and comforted him throughout.Kyle Edmund joined Murray in round three, and will now face Kevin Anderson, a surprise winner over Nick Kyrgios. Can Edmund keep his run going?And there's debate over Margaret Court's controversial comments about same-sex marriage, and the response... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day four of the French Open started with everyone expecting to talk about Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Garbine Muguruza. It ended with the latest Tennis Podcast leading on Steve Johnson, the World No.26. While Nadal and Djokovic cruised to victory, Johnson dragged himself through four ageing sets against Borna Coric. Not that big a deal on the face of it, until you saw him on match point, falling to his knees and sobbing uncontrollably. A few weeks earlier, his father and mentor, Steve senior, had died suddenly at the age of 58. Podcast presenter Catherine Whitaker admitted to welling up watching him, and she wasn’t the only one.The wins of Nadal and Djokovic are also discussed, as is the surprising loss of Jo Wilfried Tsonga to Renzo Olivo. Could that open a door for Britain’s Kyle Edmund, who now plays Olivo in round 2 today?Two of the favourites for the women’s title, Muguruza and Svetlana Kuznetsova squeezed through in three sets, and Caroline Wozniacki dished out a 6-0... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Murray arrived in Paris with little form to speak of, under the weather, and by all accounts, tetchy. After losing the second set 6-4 against Andrey Kuznetsov, things were not looking up. According to Tennis Podcast presenters David Law and Catherine Whitaker, sets 3 and 4 of his first round win could end up being the turning point of his French Open. Perhaps even his year. He found renewed purpose, positive body language and incisive play. He looked more like the World No.1.The news was less positive for Johanna Konta, who lost from a set up, and Alexander Zverev, who couldn’t reproduce the form that landed him the Rome title. The podcast team assess their defeats, while also covering the win of Nick Kyrgios and the return of his good friend, Thanasi Kokkinakis. They also react to the storm over the actions of French tennis player Maxime Hamou towards Eurosport reporter Maly Thomas during an interview, behaviour described by the French Tennis Federation as ‘reprehensible’. The... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic started their campaigns at Roland Garros, but while both registered convincing looking straight set wins, not everyone was convinced by what they saw.On the Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker was joined by two Eurosport colleagues - former World No.5 Jo Durie and commentator Chris Bradnam - to dissect day 2 at the French Open.How did the Djokovic / Andrew Agassi partnership seem like it was working? Was Agassi the coach sitting stony-faced like Ivan Lendl, or fidgeting and pumping his fist at his charge like John McEnroe?How did Nadal look as he started his quest for a tenth title in Paris?What was going on with one of the pre-tournament favourites in the women’s draw - Kristina Mladenovic - who became entangled in a 3-hour epic with Jennifer Brady?Looking ahead to Tuesday, how do Durie and Bradnam rate the chances of British pair Andy Murray and Johanna Konta, who both start their campaigns?It’s all discussed on the latest Tennis... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tennis Podcast - Kvitova ‘Wins French Open’ On Opening DayIt was only the first day, but it already felt as though Petra Kvitova had won the French Open.Six months after being subjected to a terrifying knife attack in her own home, Kvitova returned to the court and won her first match at Roland Garros. Simon Briggs, the Telegraph’s Tennis Correspondent, appears on the latest Tennis Podcast and says that she was unquestionably the story of the opening day of the tournament. That’s on a day when the World No.1 Angelique Kerber suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of Ekaterina Makarova. The German seemed a shadow of the woman that won two major titles a year ago. What did Briggs and Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) make of her defeat?Catherine Whitaker was courtside during the Dan Evans vs. Tommy Robredo match, and described the conditions as some of the most oppressive she had ever experienced, such was the heat. The pod team assess the performance of... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year ago, the weather was awful, Rafael Nadal pulled out just as he was about to get going, and Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray marched to a final meeting, while Garbine Muguruza ousted Serena Williams in the final. As the French Open prepares to get underway in 2017, things could not be more different. The weather is glorious, Nadal is the overwhelming favourite to land an extraordinary 10th title, and Djokovic and Murray are scratching around for form. Meanwhile, Muguruza is similarly short of her title-winning best from last year and Serena Williams is off the circuit for a while as she prepares to give birth to her first baby.The Tennis Podcast team are here to go through it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andre Agassi will return to the sport as its latest ‘Super Coach’, Maria Sharapova will play in Wimbledon qualifying and Victoria Azarenka will return to the sport seven months after having her baby boy, Leo. Just another week in on the global tennis tour.It all gave the Tennis Podcast team plenty to get their teeth into in the latest edition of the show, which is available to listen to now.What do we expect to happen when Agassi and Djokovic get together in Paris? Will it be a success?What will it be like when Sharapova plays Wimbledon qualifying?And how will will Victoria Azarenka get on when she returns? According to presenters Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport), there is a lot more to Azarenka than meets the eye. The break-out victory in Rome of Alexander Zverev is discussed, as is the win for Elina Svitolina, and the team try to work out what happened to Simona Halep in... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With nine days having passed since the last podcast was recorded, an awful lot has happened in the fast-moving tennis world, including the announcement that the FFT have denied Maria Sharapova a wildcard into either the main draw or the qualifying event at Roland Garros. Catherine & David pick apart the decision, the way it was announced and the way the tennis world has reacted to it, as well as discussing the 4000 other things that have happened in tennis this week including yet another clay court title for Rafael Nadal, and the decision by Roger Federer to skip the French Open and focus on Wimbledon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was midway through recording of the latest Tennis Podcast that presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law received a message from the Telegraph’s tennis correspondent Simon Briggs which detailed his story about Andre Agassi being a potential coach for Novak Djokovic.Djokovic had cleared out virtually all of his support team in one go last week, and the podcast’s attentions immediately turned to who might replace him. Could it be Pete Sampras, the 14-time Grand Slam champion that Djokovic idolised as a boy? Maybe Mats Wilander? Or perhaps a non-playing established coach? Or maybe he would just play without a coach for a while.Then, the Agassi story landed at Tennis Podcast HQ, and the debate intensified still further. The results of the past week are discussed, there’s a preview of Madrid, the appalling social media abuse of Gael Monfils is detailed, and the team give their impressions of Tie Break Tens, the new short format of the game that... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a rough few months with illness and injury, but Andy Murray believes that he has come in the clay court season in 2017 ‘in a better place’ than he did the 2016 in which he ended up reaching the French Open final. Murray joined Catherine Whitaker for Tennis Podcast Extra, and described his season so far, his hopes for the clay court season, and the challenge of staying at World No.1.The interview took place at The Queen’s Club - home of the Aegon Championships which Murray has won a record five times. What is he expecting from the grass court season? Why does Queen’s work for him so well as preparation for Wimbledon? And does he have anything planned for his 30th birthday later this month? Murray also talks about the progress of fellow British players Johanna Konta, Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans, as well as how he hopes to play Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at some point this year. The Tennis Podcast is a... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maria Sharapova is back. Many are happy to see her, many less so, but her return can not be ignored, and it’s the central theme on this week’s Tennis Podcast. How will she reflect on her run to the semifinals? Did she strike the notes in her post-match press conference? And is she a French Open contender?The team also look at the continuing form of Rafael Nadal, who followed up his 10th title in Monte Carlo with a second La Decima in Barcelona. Can anyone stop him from making it three in Roland Garros next month? A certain Roger Federer, perhaps? As the tennis world awaits the return of Victoria Azarenka, and eventually, perhaps, Serena Williams after pregnancy, we hear from Kim Clijsters on what it was like for her to come back to win Grand Slam titles after becoming a mother.The wins of Laura Siegemund in Stuttgart, and Lucas Pouille in Budapest are also covered, the team preview a star-studded line-up for the third Tie Break Tens tournament which takes place in Madrid on Thursday, and we hear... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first Tennis Podcast Extra, we focus on Nick Kyrgios, hearing from the man himself about what makes him tick, the ‘dark place’ he found himself in after the Australian Open, and how he got himself out of it to beat everyone except Roger Federer.We also hear from his Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt, who gives an insight into how to get the best out of Kyrgios, his potential, and the man that he knows behind the scenes. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Results of tennis matches take a back-seat on this week’s Tennis Podcast after the behaviour of Ilie Nastase over the weekend and the return of Maria Sharapova imminent following a 15-month suspension for a failed drugs test. The former French Open champion and BBC presenter Sue Barker joins Tennis Podcast hosts Catherine Whitaker and David Law to expresses her shock and disappointment at Nastase’s ‘unforgivable’ behaviour.The Telegraph’s Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs is a guest from Bucharest en route to Stuttgart in Germany, where Sharapova’s comeback will commence. Briggs details the ‘edginess’ felt by himself and the rest of the British media when the Nastase Fed Cup furore began to bubble over, and what to expect around the Sharapova story over the coming week.Pod presenters Whitaker and Law have their say about a deeply uncomfortable few days which culminated in Nastase being banned from ITF events pending an investigation, and the bizarre comments of Sharapova’s agent Max Eisenbud.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The year's first big clay court event is upon us and there are more unknowns than perhaps any edition of the Monte Carlo Masters over the last decade. The Tennis Podcast team are here to pick through it all. Is Andy Murray's elbow in a sufficient state for a proper clay court campaign?Is Novak Djokovic ready to rediscover his true form, or will he come unstuck again like he did against Jiri Vesely a year ago?And what of Rafael Nadal? After a strong start to the year, albeit in the slipstream of Roger Federer (who plans to put his feet up for the next six weeks), is the Spaniard in the right frame of mind to win a 10th Monte Carlo crown?Presenters Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport) discuss the possibilities over a pint in the pub.There's also a preview of Britain's attempt to beat Romania, in Romania, in the Fed Cup World Group 2 Play-offs. Can Jo Konta, Heather Watson and co pull off a big upset?We also review last week's tournaments, celebrating a new... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a Davis Cup weekend in which Lleyton Hewitt got the very best out of Australia, France’s strength in depth quelled Great Britain and Novak Djokovic played his first tie in more than a year, the Tennis Podcast team assembled to discuss the results. Is Nick Kyrgios’ recent excellence now just ‘a thing’? Could Britain have done any more? And will Djokovic returning to the Davis Cup fold be the catalyst for renewed form on the singles circuit?The podcast team also discuss the first title won by 19-year-old Russian Daria Kasatkina, the somewhat less-than-gracious runners-up speech of her opponent Jelena Ostapenko, and the subsequent tweet of Elena Vesnina, who wasn’t impressed. On-court coaching again comes up, as does player ‘grunting’ in a review of Mary Carillo’s interview with WTA CEO Steve Simon on the Tennis Channel. The Tennis Podcast is a weekly, downloadable tennis audio show presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport), with daily editions during the... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.