The Tennis Podcast

The moment has arrived. After 780 episodes, the time has finally come to dedicate a couple of pods to some of the best ever moments of tennis aggro. In part one of our countdown: 10 - Serena/Jankovic, Dubai 2014: http://youtu.be/rZCOCPbIPKc9 - Errani/Cornet, “Why you say vamos?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLRV7QCs5L0&ab_channel=nobodycares8 - Kim Sears, Parental Advisory Explicit Content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qivF3oIZJUo&ab_channel=AustralianOpenTV7 - Roddick/Djokovic, US Open 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLkZ4GMBOHM&ab_channel=kreaturekodeyellow6- John McEnroe, Stockholm 1984: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmkv5a4gkQw&ab_channel=KunalSinghThe Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we reached our funding goal just two days late

Our third and final instalment of Sliding Doors tennis sees us talk about a medley of moments which have shaped Roger Federer’s career, the period Serena Williams missed after stepping on glass in 2010, and a world in which Billie Jean King didn’t win the Battle of the Sexes. We also discuss the news that Federer will miss the Australian Open and that Andy Murray will start his 2021 season in Delray Beach. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we reached our funding goal just two days later.Thank you to everyone that has backed us, sent words of encouragement and kindness, and simply appreciated the podcast for what it is. You have ensured that the pod will continue weekly in 2021, daily at Slams, and with plenty of interviews and Tennis Re-Lived along the way.

We’re back with a Christmas Eve special to discuss more Sliding Doors moments from tennis history. Would Tim Henman have won Wimbledon in 2001 if it hadn’t rained during his semi-final against Goran Ivanisevic? Could Juan Martin del Potro have turned the Big 4 into a Big 5 if his career hadn’t been interrupted by injuries? And how would tennis have been different if the conditions - especially at Wimbledon - hadn’t been slowed down in the early 2000s? We also say hello to Billie Jean and discuss the latest rumours of Australian Open quarantine practice pairings. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we reached our funding goal just two days later.Thank you to everyone that has backed us, sent words of encouragement and kindness, and simply appreciated the podca

This week we’re taking an in-depth look at some Sliding Doors moments in tennis history. In part one, how would Rafael Nadal’s rivalry with Roger Federer have been different if Nadal had been a natural right-hander? Would Martina Hingis have won the calendar Grand Slam if she hadn’t fallen off a horse prior to Roland Garros in 1997? And how might Monica Seles’ career have unfolded if she hadn’t been stabbed by a deranged Steffi Graf fan in 1993? More to come on Thursday. We also discuss the release of the WTA calendar for the start of 2021, react to rumours of the first Australian Open quarantine practice pairings, and pay tribute to Gordon Forbes and Dennis Ralston. *SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we reached our funding goal just two days later.Thank you to everyone that has backed us, sent words of encouragement and kindness, and simply appreciated the podcast for what it is. You have ensured that the pod will continue week

In the second half of our ‘Lost in Time’ series, we focus on the opportunism and sudden decline of Juan Carlos Ferrero, the way in which Hana Mandlikova’s achievements were swallowed up by the era defined by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, the gold-medal winner Miloslav Mecir who bamboozled other top players, and how the tennis media did Dinara Safina - and the women’s game - a disservice by making light of her near misses in Grand Slams. There’s also reaction to the release of the ATP calendar for the start of 2021 and the confirmation that the Australian Open will take place in February. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we reached our funding goal just two days later.Thank you to everyone that has backed us, sent words of encouragement and kindness,

This week we’re celebrating former players who have been, in one way or another, ‘lost in time’ or under-appreciated. In part one, we discuss Manuel Orantes’ clay court dominance in the 1970s, Mark Edmondson’s Australian Open victory while ranked 212th, how Mary Pierce’s abusive father overshadowed her three peaks, the way in which Arantxa Sanchez Vicario did a lot more than finish in second place all the time, and Wendy Turnbull’s decade of consistency. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we reached our funding goal just two days later.Thank you to everyone that has backed us, sent words of encouragement and kindness, and simply appreciated the podcast for what it is. You have ensured that the pod will continue weekly in 2021, daily at Slams, and with plenty

In this episode, we speak to Chris Kermode to look back on his time as ATP CEO, discuss what he did and still hoped to achieve in the job, reflect on the reasons for his departure, and consider the issues tennis is facing during the covid-19 pandemic. Approx Time Stamps: Start to 7:45 - Catherine, David and Matt catch up7:45 to 38:10 - Chris Kermode interview38:10 to end - Reaction *SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we reached our funding goal just two days later.Thank you to everyone that has backed us, sent words of encouragement and kindness, and simply appreciated the podcast for what it is. You have ensured that the pod will continue weekly in 2021, daily at Slams, and with plenty of interviews and Tennis Re-Lived along the way.The Kickstarter will remain open until mid-January, so here's the link if you want to show your support, get yourself a shout-out or an intro, or just buy us a beer - https://tennispodca.st

The time has come for our final look back on 2020 as we hand out our annual awards. Categories include player, match, uplifting moment, peak weird moment, pandemic faux pas, most missed, shock, and podcast moment. You can expect tributes to Naomi Osaka, Sofia Kenin, Dominic Thiem, Coco Gauff, Rafael Nadal and women’s semi-final night at the US Open, as well as takedowns of the Adria Tour, Night Train and the ‘Ultimate’ ‘Tennis’ ‘Showdown’. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. *SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we reached our funding goal just two days later.Thank you to everyone that has backed us, sent words of encouragement and kindness, and simply appreciated the podcast for what it is. You have ensured that the pod will continue weekly in 2021, daily at Slams, and with plenty of interviews and Tennis Re-Lived along the way.The Kickstarter will remain open u

Part two of our 2020 review begins with a reflection on our Tennis Re-Lived episodes covering the Olympics, Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe. What stood out? And what did we learn? We then move on to the return of tour tennis in August by looking back on how we felt at the time and how it would end up differing from our expectations. Next, we go over the main storylines from the US Open - including the way in which Naomi Osaka combined on court winning with activism, an uplifting night of women’s semi-finals, and Novak Djokovic’s default.Finally, there’s a review of Roland Garros, which was defined by its weirdness, Rafael Nadal’s 13 title there, and Iga Swiatek’s unexpected dominance. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. *SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* Our Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 went live on December 1st and we’ve been blown away by the response. If you’re one of the many hundreds who have backed us so far, hel

We realise that re-living 2020 probably isn’t high on your list of priorities, but we can promise that this week’s podcasts are not all doom and gloom as we look back on this strange but momentous tennis year and the way we covered it as a podcast. In this episode, with the help of clips from throughout the year, we reminisce about the Australian Open, the warning signs in February and March that covid-19 was spreading, the sudden shutdown of the world, and the launch of our Tennis Re-Lived series. We will be back on Thursday with part two, covering the return of tennis. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCASTOur Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund 2021 is now live, here - https://tennispodca.st/Kickstarter2021w  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this bonus edition of the pod, John Millman speaks to David and Catherine from his hotel room in Sydney where he’s quarantining for 14 days following the end of the season and his return to Australia. John talks candidly about his experience of travelling the ATP Tour throughout the pandemic, the mental toll of being in quarantine without even being allowed to open a window, his role on the ATP player council, his views on the PTPA, and the possible scenarios for next year’s Australian Open, including a delayed start time and negotiations to allow players to train in a bio-secure bubble while they undertake two weeks of quarantine.At the end of the pod, Catherine, David and Matt react to what Millman has said as well as Andy Murray’s recent comments about his optimism for the future. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is crowdfunded by listeners each Decem

Daniil Medvedev has never followed the crowd, and the manner in which he brought the curtain down on London’s 12-year hosting of the ATP Finals suggested he isn’t about to start now.In an eighth and final edition of The Tennis Podcast from The O2 this week, Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts talk about the final between Medvedev and Dominic Thiem, what went on afterwards, what the results this week might mean for the future, the doubles final, and the memories that the pod team will treasure from the London era of the ATP Finals.This is the 140th edition of The Tennis Podcast in 2020. Thanks for listening, and for all your support.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* We will soon launch our campaign to crowdfund the 2021 season of The Tennis Podcast. If you would like an e-mail reminder when our Kickstarter goes live on December 1st, please put your details in here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILX* PODCAST LINK *If you enjoy listening to The Tennis Podcast, please spread the word and share our link on

Novak Djokovic led Dominic Thiem 4-0 in a deciding set tie-break, Rafael Nadal served for the match against Daniil Medvedev, and Thiem will now face Medvedev in the final.What happened and why? Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts try to work it out.The heartbreak of Joe Salisbury is covered, as are concerns over the Australian Open. And then there’s the moment that Catherine Whitaker became a meme. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is crowdfunded by listeners each December.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* We will soon launch our campaign to crowdfund the 2021 season of The Tennis Podcast. If you would like an e-mail reminder when our Kickstarter goes live on December 1st, please put your details in here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILX* PODCAST LINK *If you enjoy listening to The Tennis Podcast, please spread the word and share our link on your social media platforms - https://podfollow.com/the-tennis-podcast* NEWSLETTER *Sig

If the pod team could have chosen the semi-final line-up at the start of the tournament, it’s likely these four names would have featured. But who will come out on top? After much deliberation, Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts make their picks. They also cover some important press conferences involving Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, relate some weird, wonderful, heartbreaking and downright awkward doubles news, and receive and react to a tweet from Pam Shriver. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is crowdfunded by listeners each December.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* We will soon launch our campaign to crowdfund the 2021 season of The Tennis Podcast. If you would like an e-mail reminder when our Kickstarter goes live on December 1st, please put your details in here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILX* PODCAST LINK *If you enjoy listening to The Tennis Podcast, please spread the word and share our link on your social media pl

Rafael Nadal has never won the ATP Finals. Not yet, anyway. After a three-set tussle with Stefanos Tsitsipas, we assessed his performance, considered the way in which he causes Tsitsipas problems, and then reported on the Greek’s press conference in which he described the mental challenges posed by ‘bubble life’.The drudgery of dead rubbers gets the treatment, the chopping and changing of doubles teams is discussed, Joe Salisbury is lauded, and Catherine gives David and Matt a mid-pod shock.The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is crowdfunded by listeners each December.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* We will soon launch our campaign to crowdfund the 2021 season of The Tennis Podcast. If you would like an e-mail reminder when our Kickstarter goes live on December 1st, please put your details in here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILX* PODCAST LINK *If you enjoy listening to The Tennis Podcast, please spread the word and share our link on your social me

A match hyped to the hilt ended more abruptly than expected, and Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts were able to talk about Daniil Medvedev vs. Novak Djokovic soon afterwards. Where was the match won and lost? How come Djokovic lost seven games in a row? And does this make Medvedev the favourite for the title?The podcast trio discuss all of that, and also cover Alexander Zverev vs. Diego Schwartzman, while giving the lowdown on what Medvedev said about the Zverev domestic abuse allegations in his post-match interview. There’s also David losing at basketball to an 8-year-old, his introduction to Queen’s Gambit, and a preview of Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Rafael Nadal, while we also update listeners on Djokovic’s comments about the Professional Tennis Players Association and the ATP Player Council. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is crowdfunded by listeners each December.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* We will soon launch our

On-court, lack of fans aside, today was a joy to behold for the tennis world. Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal fought out an instant classic, and then Stefanos Tsitsispas and Andrey Rublev went at it in the evening. Off the court though, there are concerns for the viability of the Australian Open. In the latest daily edition of The Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker joins from inside the O2 Arena bubble to describe the feeling of being courtside for such a great tussle, and discusses with co-hosts David Law and Matt Roberts where it stands in the matches of the year, and how concerned we should be about the news from Australia. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is crowdfunded by listeners each December.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* We will soon launch our campaign to crowdfund the 2021 season of The Tennis Podcast. If you would like an e-mail reminder when our Kickstarter goes live on December 1st, please put your details in here

Let's be honest, Day 2 at the ATP Finals was not exactly a thriller, and it got us talking about the worst matches we can remember from the O2 era and whether or not it's fair to call this year's edition the 'Zombie Finals'', a term coined by Simon Briggs. On the court, there were straight-set wins for Novak Djokovic over Diego Schwartzman and Daniil Medvedev over Alexander Zverev. We discuss the bad match-up for Schwartzman, Djokovic's ability to open his shoulders and play expansive tennis, his tentative plans for the Australian swing in January, Zverev's serving woes, and Medvedev's underarm serve. Then, David and Matt flesh out a disagreement they were having on Whatsapp over whether or not Roger Federer's volleys can ever be described as 'OK'. Catherine sits back and lets it all be.The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments. It is crowdfunded by listeners each December.*SUPPO

The opening singles match of the 2020 ATP Finals was a repeat of last year's closer between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem, a fact which served only to emphasise the differences and remind us of what we're missing. On the podcast, Catherine describes the bittersweet feeling of what it was like to be inside the O2 arena without fans as London hosts the event for the last time.Still, the tennis was high-quality and we discuss how Thiem managed to get his revenge, the way his game has developed on a hard court, the moment of 'silliness' which cost Tsitsipas dearly, and why it might be a tough defeat to take for the Greek. Elsewhere, we analyse Rafael Nadal's 6-3, 6-4 victory over Andrey Rublev. In what way was there a gulf in class? Are there limits to Rublev's game? Finally, we cover some of the many interesting stories in the doubles event this week, a first ATP title for Jannik Sinner, and a victory in Linz for Aryna Sabalenka in the final WTA tournament of the season.The Tennis Podcast is presented by

In this episode we look ahead to the ATP Finals – the final event of this strange tennis season and the final time it will be staged in London. Catherine details her experience inside the O2 bubble so far, as well as the dental emergency which almost scuppered her plans. We also analyse the two singles groups, discuss what we learned on media day, and make some predictions.Just how motivated will Djokovic be to win the title? Is Nadal better suited to indoor tennis than ever? Does Medvedev have a point to prove? Can Rublev raise his game against the top players? Will Schwartzman do more than make up the numbers? And how are Thiem and Tsitsipas’ injuries?We also react to the latest developments involving the allegations against Alexander Zverev, including some new comments from him in his press conference and a long overdue statement from the ATP.The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tour