The Tennis Podcast

On-court action unfortunately takes a back seat on the podcast this week as we discuss in depth the allegations from Olya Sharypova that her ex-boyfriend, Alexander Zverev, physically and emotionally abused her during their relationship.We lay out the new allegations from Sharypova detailed in her interview with Racquet Magazine, present Zverev’s responses throughout the week to questions about the accusations, and talk through Jon Wertheim’s extensive take on the issue.We also examine the way in which Zverev’s refusal to comment beyond his initial statement has been disappointing, how the ATP’s silence is making matters worse, what the phrase ‘Believe Women’ means and demands of us, and the way this incident is affecting how we feel about the sport right now.In the second half of the episode, we chat about Daniil Medvedev’s victory in Paris, the completion of the ATP Finals line-up, the climax of the WTA season in Linz, Tennis Australia’s potential plans for an extended swing Down Under in 2021, and Nick Kyr

Catherine, David and Matt are back to answer more listener questions. In the mailbag this week:·      Who will win a Grand Slam title first – Denis Shapovalov or Felix Auger-Aliassime?·      Who will be the next first time Grand Slam champion in the women’s game?·      Is Roger Federer in danger of the bronze medal when it comes to who is best out of The Big 3?·      What are we most excited about, in the tennis world, next year?·      Can Dominic Thiem win Roland Garros before Rafael Nadal retires?·      And what’s the best and worst aspect of each Grand Slam?We also celebrate the two-year anniversary of Matt’s full debut on The Tennis Podcast by re-living the moment. 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

Our focus this week is on Vienna after Andrey Rublev won his 5th title of the season there. Does Rublev’s consistency at ATP 500 level make him a contender for men’s player of the year? The other big talking points involved Novak Djokovic who clinched the year-end No.1 ranking for the sixth time, equalling Pete Sampras’ record, before losing 6-2, 6-1 against the impressive Lorenzo Sonego. What happened? What did we make of Djokovic’s post-match comments? Should his year-end finish as No.1 come with an asterisk in 2020? And how does finishing No.1 six times in 10 years compare to Sampras’ achievement of six consecutive No.1 finishes? David digs deep into his memory bank to recall Sampras’ quest in 1998. Elsewhere, we discuss John Millman’s first ATP title in Nur-Sultan and look ahead to the Paris Masters. 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 listene

In the first of two pods over the next week answering listener questions, we discuss who is the best at tennis out of Catherine, David and Matt, whether there should be a free-for-all tournament without seeds, our worst travel disasters, who might be a good coach to take Stefanos Tsitsipas to the next level, the Wimbledon traditions we would ditch, how social media has increased tribal fan support in tennis, and the worst five set matches we’ve watched. 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.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* We are crowdfunded for 2020, but if you’d like to receive a reminder e-mail when we launch our next campaign in December to fund our 2021 season, then you can put your details here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILX* PODCAST LINK *If you enjoy listening to The Tennis Podcast, please spread the word and share

We discuss whether we learned anything new about Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev after their victories in Ostrava(!!!) and Cologne(2), the possible reasons why Sabalenka hasn’t translated tour success to the Grand Slams, how high the ceiling could be for Antwerp champion Ugo Humbert, and, after David’s discussion on Twitter with Denis Shapovalov, whether tennis is better off with or without Hawkeye. Should entertainment be the number one priority? Could there be a compromise by reducing the number of challenges per match? And how have Andy Roddick’s views on the topic evolved since his playing days?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.*SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST* We are crowdfunded for 2020, but if you’d like to receive a reminder e-mail when we launch our next campaign in December to fund our 2021 season, then you can

With the dust having settled on Roland Garros, the tennis season stutters on, and Catherine, David and Matt are back to talk about everything that was weird and wonderful in Cologne 1 and St Petersburg, including dogs on sun loungers, a live band at changeovers, and a 40-minute Eurovision-style closing ceremony.How motivated are we to watch non-Grand Slam tennis at the moment? What’s going wrong for Felix Auger-Aliassime in finals? How concerned should we be about Andy Murray’s latest setback? Why was Andrey Rublev so emotional after his title victory? And why has Carlos Alcaraz caught our attention on the challenger tour?  There’s also discussion about the way in which Sam Querrey jeopardised the tour by fleeing St Petersburg following his positive covid test, Daria Gavrilova and Ellen Perez’s documentation of their time in quarantine in Australia, and a shake-up on the ATP player council.The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Robe

Rafael Nadal has won Roland Garros for a 13th time, equaling Roger Federer's record for the most Grand Slam men's singles titles, after crushing his other great rival, Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5. We discuss whether Nadal's incredible level surprised Djokovic, the astute tactical performance that Nadal put in, Djokovic's persistent use of the drop shot, what Nadal's relatively understated celebration revealed about him, whether this is Nadal's greatest ever victory at Roland Garros, and where this result leaves the Grand Slam race.The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts.KICKSTARTER: SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCASTWe hope you’ve enjoyed all of our Grand Slam daily shows throughout 2020. We will be launching another Kickstarter in December, with the funds going towards giving Matt a job, buying recording equipment, travel and accommodation expenses, editors, production managers, designers, and the time that goes into it. If you enjoy the&nb

Tennis has a new star after Iga Swiatek completed a record-breaking run to her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, beating Sofia Kenin in the same dominant fashion she'd seen off the rest of the field. Catherine, David and Matt review the match, salute Swiatek, consider the wider significance of the result, and look ahead to Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic on Sunday. David also speaks to legendary sports broadcaster Ted Robinson about his time covering tennis during the pandemic. 0.00 - 30.00: Swiatek title review30.00 - 60.00: Ted Robinson comparing the New York and Paris on-site experience and talking Nadal, Djokovic, Federer60.00 - end: Nadal vs. Djokovic preview and results round upThe 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.*NEW CAM CONTENT!*Watch a new video about our wonderful bonus mascot for Roland Garros, Cam. It's called

The most abnormal of Grand Slam tennis seasons will end with something very normal: the 56th instalment of Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic in the Roland Garros final. On the podcast, Catherine, David and Matt discuss how both players made it there. How well did Nadal have to play against Diego Schwartzman? Did he get nervous towards the end? What happened for Tsitsipas to mount his comeback? Who will have the edge on Sunday? And who will Federer be supporting?! There’s also a preview of the women’s final between Iga Swiatek vs. Sofia Kenin and a rundown of results from the doubles, wheelchair and junior events. 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.*NEW CAM CONTENT!*Watch a new video about our wonderful bonus mascot for Roland Garros, Cam. It's called 'Cam, Who Loves The Tennis Podcast' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

The only possible way to follow yesterday’s Four Whisky Law podcast was to invite the one and only Mary Carillo on for a chat. She joined to share her views on women's finalists Sofia Kenin and Iga Swiatek, preview Friday's men's semi-finals, and discuss her experience of this year's Roland Garros. In the second half of the show, Catherine, David and Matt react to Mary's thoughts, get stuck into the reasons behind Swiatek's sudden ascension, consider Kenin's trademarks on court, and make the case for why Stefanos Tsitsipas has a chance of upsetting Novak Djokovic.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.*NEW CAM CONTENT!*Watch a new video about our wonderful bonus mascot for Roland Garros, Cam. It's called 'Cam, Who Loves The Tennis Podcast' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZaT6_bpVTI&feature=youtu.be*READ CATHERINE'S Q&am

Where was all the aggro in Kenin vs. Collins?How did Tsitsipas turn the match around against Rublev? How concerning is Djokovic’s neck problem? And who will reach the women’s final? Those were the big questions for Catherine, David and Matt to discuss after a Wednesday at Roland Garros which didn’t quite live up to the heights of previous days. But, with David on the whisky, there was no shortage of fun to be had on the podcast. So, come for the tennis chat, stay for David’s anecdote about playing football with Diego Maradona.*NEW CAM CONTENT!*Watch a new video about our wonderful bonus mascot for Roland Garros, Cam. It's called 'Cam, Who Loves The Tennis Podcast' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZaT6_bpVTI&feature=youtu.be*READ CATHERINE'S Q&A*Catherine's instagram story Q&A was good fun yesterday. If you would like to read about her three guests on a deserted island, favourite female tennis pundit and what she likes about Matt and David, and lots more... - https://www.instagram.com/t

There are no night sessions at this year’s French Open, but that didn’t stop play on Day 10 finishing at 1:25am in Paris after an epic match between Diego Schwartzman and Dominic Thiem provided the “embouteillage” which Catherine predicted.On the podcast, Catherine, David and Matt (1.00) discuss how Schwartzman’s nerves vs Thiem’s physical struggles made the match dramatic, the significance of Schwartzman’s victory, and whether or not Jannik Sinner provided Rafael Nadal with the test he required (21.00).It was also a fascinating day in the women’s event, with Nadia Podoroska (47.00) 4breaking through and ending Elina Svitolina’s hopes of a first major, Danielle Collins (32.00) showing everyone what she’s all about with a feisty victory over Ons Jabeur, and Iga Swiatek (27.00) backing up her big win by ending Martina Trevisan’s run. All three results are covered in depth.The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily d

After a very wet day at Roland Garros, we discuss the wins and performances of Australian Open champions Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin, the poignancy felt by seeing Petra Kvitova tear up and Grigor Dimitrov lose to Stefanos Tsitsipas, the ingredients missing from Karen Khachanov, the Hamburg final re-match that's set between Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev, the extraordinary moment Kenin's dad went to sit next to Fiona Ferro's coach, Laura Siegemund's food intake during her victory, and who the favourite is in the women's draw.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.*MASCOT*Watch a new video about our wonderful mascot. It's called Cam's Dreams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZaT6_bpVTI&feature=youtu.be* PODCAST LINK *If you enjoy listening to The Tennis Podcast, please spread the word and share our link on your social media

Electric matches, comebacks, breakthrough performances, and a heavy dose of controversy: Sunday at Roland Garros felt like a proper Grand Slam day. Catherine, David and Matt got stuck into it all on the podcast. Why did Zverev play despite displaying covid symptoms? Does the responsibility to prevent that from happening lie with Zverev or the tournament? Just how good was Iga Swiatek's performance to beat Simona Halep? Has Dominic Thiem hit the wall? Will Jannik Sinner be able to trouble Rafael Nadal? And is it now or never for Elina Svitolina?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.*MASCOT*Watch a new video about our wonderful mascot. It's called Cam's Dreams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZaT6_bpVTI&feature=youtu.be* PODCAST LINK *If you enjoy listening to The Tennis Podcast, please spread the word and share our

Simon Briggs, quarantining at home in the UK after returning from Roland Garros, joins Catherine, David and Matt to share his experience of being in Paris, his thoughts on the event so far, how he sees the tournament progressing next week, and the reasons behind Britain’s doubles success.We also discuss the main results from Saturday which introduced us to Daniel Altmaier, saw another good win for Fiona Ferro, and more smooth progress for Novak Djokovic.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.*MASCOT*Watch a new video about our wonderful mascot. It's called Cam's Dreams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZaT6_bpVTI&feature=youtu.be* 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 *

As the rain poured down at Roland Garros on Day 6, some matches failed to deliver on the hype, while others brought unexpected drama and two French players provided rays of sunshine. Catherine, David and Matt discussed it all on the podcast.Roof and unadvertised night sessions keep tournament on track (0-4 mins)Wawrinka – OUT, Thiem vs Wawrinka – OFF, Hugo Gaston – BONJOUR! (4-19 mins)Does Nadal need to be tested? Korda up next. (19-29 mins)Inspired Garcia beats Mertens in front of an actual crowd! (29-37 mins)Halep 6-0, 6-1 Anisimova – what happened? Swiatek on the rise. (37-46 mins)Martina Trevisan opens up about her anorexia struggle (46-50 mins)Saturday’s slightly underwhelming order of play (50-60 mins)The longest tiebreak in Roland Garros history (60 mins – end)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.*MASCOT*Watch a new video

It took until Day 5, but David has finally got a prediction correct! We rejoice about that, discuss a day which didn't exactly catch fire in terms of epic matches but did deliver numerous talking points, and hear from an angry Denis Shapovalov about the non-existent Roland Garros 'bubble'.Return of Ostapenko, fall of Pliskova (0.00)Fiona Ferro - David’s new fave (11.00)Sofia Kenin - an anxious watch, but still going (17.00)Garbine Muguruza looking solid (22.30)Denis Shapovalov - angry and out after 5 hours vs. Roberto Carballes Baena, and 5 minutes vs. Matt Roberts (25.30)Does Shapovalov have a point about the French Open's covid measures? (33.00)Novak Djokovic - still serene. Who can hurt him before the final? (43.00) Tsitsipas chat - (48.00)Day 6 schedule looks flames (53.00)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.*MASCO

Just when we thought the 2020 French Open couldn’t get any weirder, Day 4 began with a Sonic Boom over Paris as a fighter plane broke the sound barrier, and this was followed by Serena Williams withdrawing from the tournament with an Achilles injury. Elsewhere, we discuss Anna Karolina Schmiedlova's story after she beat Victoria Azarenka, the drama and fallout between Sara Errani and Kiki Bertens, impressive wins for Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka, and yet another five-setter for Alexander Zverev at a Grand Slam. 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.*MASCOT*Thanks to everyone who sent in their #TennisPodcastPets photos as we searched for a new French Open mascot. To find out why we’ve chosen Cam, please watch this video from Steve Armour - https://youtu.be/sbXLQUFPZ6M * PODCAST LINK *If you enjoy lis

On Day 3 of this mysterious French Open, there were plenty of reasons for it to feel more like a normal Grand Slam: epic matches, new stars emerging, familiar names winning, and results which left predictions in tatters. But Catherine, David and Matt still have a nagging sense that something isn't quite right.Jelena Ostapenko. Remember her? (0-4 mins)Clara Tauson breaks Brady’s heart (and more importantly, David’s) (5-9 mins)Who is Clara Tauson, anyway? (9-12 minutes)Danielle Collins - that’s how to deal with underarm serves (12-14 mins)Sloane Stephens, Karolina Pliskova, Sofia Kenin (14-31 mins)No Brits left in singles (31-33 mins)Double-bounces - should you call them on yourself? (33-40 mins)Imperious Djokovic (43-44 mins)Tsitsipas, Rublev come-of-age-in-best-of-5 (44-54 mins)Is it any less weird yet? (54-61 mins)Spider-gate (61 mins to end)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 tournam

Some familiar faces took to the court on day two, but that didn’t stop things feeling weird. Catherine, David and Matt convened to look back on those that won, those that lost, and where we go from here. Nadal is back, but how did he look? (4.00 - 12.00)Serena soared, eventually. Her prospects discussed. (12.30 - 16.20)Medvedev out, again. Will he ever conquer clay? (21.00 - 25.00)Thiem looks the business, but his draw is tough. Help or hindrance? (27.30 - 31.00)Svitolina, Bertens, Muguruza - who will come through? (35.00 - 40.00)Giustino vs. Motet - 6 hours and 5 minutes of lovely chaos (45.30 - 47.00)Kyrgios slams Wilander in defence of Murray. Yawn (47.00)The definitive Marco Cecchinato pronunciation (49.00)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.*MASCOT*Thanks to everyone who sent in their #TennisPodcastPets photos as