The Tennis Podcast

The Australian Open Is here and David and Catherine are in Melbourne ready to go. We take a look at the draws, David tries to changes his predictions, much to Catherine's disgust, and you tell us your favourite Australian Open memories. In our big interview with the Bryan Brothers, we hear about their punch-up in the back of a car, the $5,000 guitar that got smashed in the process, and their thoughts on a combined singles and doubles ranking.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ivan Lendl sits impassively in Andy Murray's corner, never smiling, rarely reacting. What is he thinking? Why did he want to coach Murray in the first place? And what was it like to be his opponent? In Episode 25, the Tennis Podcast tries to work out what makes the former World No.1 tick. We hear from Lendl, his long-time agent Jerry Solomon, the man that first introduced him to Murray - Darren Cahill, and Mats Wilander - who stood across the net from Lendl on 22 occasions. Meanwhile, after Catherine and David put their necks on the line with predictions for the season, this week's it's your turn with numerous Twitter contributions read out on the show.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

2013 is upon us and that means a new tennis season! David and Catherine preview and predict what will happen in the new year, interview the British No.1 Heather Watson, and get the thoughts of Mats Wilander on what Watson needs to do to make it to the top without a killer shot. He thinks she can make a Grand Slam quarterfinal. Also, should Andy Murray have been given a Knighthood rather than an OBE? Some very strong opinions are aired!   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The final podcast of 2012 sees David and Catherine chatting for half an hour with Andrew Castle, Jeremy Bates and Thomas Enqvist - inside the locker room at the Royal Albert Hall, home of the Statoil Masters Tennis. What does Andrew Castle remember about the day he put up a sign which read 'say no to the poll tax' during a final against Bates? Who do we all think will win the Australian Open? And which player from outside the Top 4 will be the next to win a Grand Slam title?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part 2 of our special interview with former World No.1 Mats Wilander, he talks about the two greatest rivals of his career, why he doesn't mind upsetting people when he commentates, and what he meant when he said 'the Olympic Games are just another stamp in my passport'.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part one of our exclusive interview with former World No.1 Mats Wilander, Catherine asks him what it was like to be the next Swedish player after Bjorn Borg, whether he felt invincible in 1988 when he won three Grand Slam titles, and his memories of the famous Car Park Press Conference which led to the start of the ATP World Tour. We also review the Davis Cup final and reveal some special Novak Djokovic news.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After topping the World Rankings for the second year in a row amidst personal problems and against some of the greatest tennis players of all time, Novak Djokovic assesses whether 2011 or 2012 was the more impressive year. David and Catherine also weigh into the debate, with differing opinions that result in a full-scale argument. We also hear from Roger Federer on his year, and review the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena. And finally, who won David and Catherine's prediction competition? Do they even know?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The draw for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena in London has been made, and Catherine and David are ready to battle it out for prediction supremacy. We stuck them in separate rooms, gave them the draw and got them to fill it out. Find out which Top 3 player David thinks won't even make the semifinals, and which outsider Catherine has in the final. Tell us who you think will win @TennisPodcast on Twitter and you could win a signed programme from the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Thirty two years may have passed since Bjorn Borg beat John McEnroe in the 1980 Wimbledon final, but the Swede still thinks about that fourth set tie-break which he lost 18-16. As he tells us in an incredibly revealing and moving interview, it was the worst moment of his entire life. Fortunately for him, 'the best moment of his life' would follow an hour later. Borg and McEnroe talk us through that incredible match, and we discuss our other favourite tie-breaks from over the years. The WTA finals are reviewed, and we wonder what method Roger Federer will eventually choose to bow out of the sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a week when Bob and Mike Bryan finished a year ranked No.1 for a record 8th year, we pay homage to them, but ask whether they should get more recognition. What should tennis do to give doubles more media exposure and television/radio airtime? Should major changes be made to the doubles form of the game? Plenty of thoughts are offered by you, our listeners. Elsewhere, we review a cracking week on the ATP and WTA Tours, and build the perfect player with the help of Carlos Moya, Mark Philippoussis and Gaston Gaudio.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After three disappointments in Wimbledon finals, Goran Ivanisevic's dream finally came true in the most unlikely of ways. In the second part of our exclusive interview, Ivanisevic tells the Tennis Podcast about how he felt it was meant to be, the superstitions he stuck to, and what would have happened to him if he had not won the title. He also reveals that his son loves the game. Could there be another Ivanisevic at the top of the sport? Elsewhere, Catherine and David discuss the rise of Heather Watson, the brutal Shanghai final between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic and we pay tribute to Roger Federer's new record of 300 weeks at World No.1.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part one of our exclusive interview with Goran Ivanisevic, the Croatian talks about playing for his country while it was being torn apart by the Balkans War, how the weight of his wooden racquet created his now famous service action, and how he was unhappy for three years following his 1998 Wimbledon final defeat. Elsewhere, David and Catherine chat about the Shanghai Masters 1000 event, and David tries to get Catherine to reveal once and for all who she was supporting in that Ivanisevic vs. Pat Rafter Wimbledon final.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After an extraordinarily exciting Ryder Cup, David Law and Catherine Whitaker debate whether the Davis Cup should change formats to tap into the success of golf's biannual team competition. On the day that the Australian Open announced its prize money increase, the plight of players outside the Top 100 is discussed, and in our big interview, we talk to the Tennis Correspondent of the Times newspaper in London, Neil Harman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Following on from Andy Murray's victory at the US Open, David and Catherine discuss the continuing rise of 18-year-old Laura Robson. David gets a bit carried away with his predictions (again) and is sobered a little by the even-handed approach of Robson's coach Zelko Krajan, whom he spoke to in New York for BBC Radio 5 Live. The interview is reproduced here on the Tennis Podcast. We also review the Davis Cup and ask if Tomas Berdych is about to 'do a Djokovic'.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After 76 years, Great Britain finally has a Grand Slam mens singles champion, and the Tennis Podcast reviews the heart-stopping moment that Andy Murray realised his dream. Courtesy of BBC Radio 5 Live, we bring you the reaction of Murray's coach Ivan Lendl, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey. We also talk to Mats Wilander, who predicts the No.1 ranking and multiple Grand Slam titles for Murray, and Billie-Jean King about the 'best women's US Open final ever'.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the US Open enters week two, Lindsay Davenport, Alex Corretja and Roger Federer's coach Paul Annacone join the Tennis Podcast to assess the first week. David is asked to explain how his two main predictions are out of the tournament before the halfway stage, and Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley assures everyone that there will be no boycott of the first Grand Slam tournament of 2013.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Episode 10 we preview the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, hearing predictions from Mats Wilander and Goran Ivanisevic. They both pick the same man as our presenters, while David comes up with a comical prediction in the women's tournament. Fifteen years since the Arthur Ashe Stadium was unveiled, the Tennis Podcast pays tribute to Arthur Ashe, with words from John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander, Cliff Drysdale and broadcaster/writer, Richard Evans.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In an interview first aired in Episode 4, Grigor Dimitrov tells the Tennis Podcast that he never set out to mimic Roger Federer. He also talks about how he used to experiment on the court just to entertain the crowds, but has now knuckled down and wants to compete for the sports' biggest prizes.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The gentle giant from Croatia, Marin Cilic is the special guest in Episode 9. He describes the moment he met Goran Ivanisevic for the first time, whether he feels privileged or cursed to be sharing an era with the Top 4 players, and what he would do with his perfect day off. David and Catherine also go over their non-top-4 picks for the Toronto title, and wish they had not bothered.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In an exclusive interview with the Tennis Podcast in Episode 7, Janko Tipsarevic told us how he turned his career around, which of the Top 4 players in the world he finds most difficult to play against, and which of them he would choose to play 'for his life'. Surprisingly, it's the same player! Here you can listen to the interview as a standalone recording. For the full podcast, download Episode 7.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.