The Tennis Podcast

Novak Djokovic was Boris Becker-like in his presence in the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday night, and despite a spirited Roger Federer fightback, it was Djokovic who reached yet another Grand Slam final.  David Law is joined by Telegraph Sport's Simon Briggs to talk it through, before going on to discuss the journey of Johanna Konta, which finally came to an end at the Australian Open in the semifinals. Plus, Serena Williams was a destructive as ever. And, with Andy Murray due to take on Milos Raonic of Canada, we hear from Murray's coach of last year - Jonas Bjorkman - and Carlos Moya, the man guiding Raonic in 2016. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.        See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Everything went to form on day nine at the Australian Open, with victory for Serena over Sharapova, and wins for Federer and Djokovic. It all means that a dream semifinal between Federer and Djokovic - the 45th match between them - will take place on Thursday. Who will win? David Law and special guest Chris Clarey of the New York Times break it down, and the conclusion might surprise you. And what about Victoria Azarenka? Blazing through the draw, the Belorussian is the second best player in the world we think, but can she beat Serena? And what is she really like? Chris Clarey lets us know.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a stressful middle Saturday, in which the coach of Ana Ivanovic (Nigel Sears) was taken ill but since discharged from hospital, his son-in-law Andy Murray can look ahead to a fourth round clash with Bernard Tomic. We speak to Todd Woodbridge about Tomic - what makes him tick? What does he need to do to break the Top Ten? Woodbridge tells us. And what about Nick Kyrgios? We get a view from the great Australian doubles player on that, too.  Meanwhile, another fourth round blockbuster is Stan Wawrinka vs. Milos Raonic. We talk to Alex Corretja about Raonic's new coach, Carlos Moya. And with Jo Konta on the brink of reaching a first Grand Slam quarterfinal, we hear from the last British woman to do it - Jo Durie.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After an emotional night when Lleyton Hewitt's 20-year career came to an end, his first coach Darren Cahill joins BBC 5 Live tennis commentator David Law on the Tennis Podcast to discuss his fabulous career. Cahill remembers the 12-year-old that turned up at his door 'dressed in Agassi gear' and says that he was already a pro, even at that age. Memories of Hewitt's greatest achievements are discussed, what he was like to coach, and what Cahill thinks we can expect of Hewitt the coach. Craig Willis, the Australian Open's on-court announcer, is another special guest, as is Great Britain doubles player Colin Fleming, who lets us know what Andy Murray is in for in trying to be a tennis playing father.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After Monday’s allegations of suspected match-fixing, Telegraph Sport’s Simon Briggs joins Tennis Podcast presenter David Law (BBC 5 Live) to give his view on the situation, review a day in which Johanna Konta beat Venus Williams, and Andy Murray cruised through in style against Alex Zverev. Pat Rafter, a two-time Australian Open champion, also joins the show to reminisce about Lleyton Hewitt, who is playing in his final tournament. And Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith reviews a day in which Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep both crashed out.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Australian Open draw is out, and so is The Tennis Podcast, dissecting and previewing what is to come over the next fortnight. Catherine Whitaker is in the UK to present the tournament’s  Highlights Show on Eurosport, David Law is in Melbourne for BBC Radio 5 Live, and so is the Telegraph’s correspondent Simon Briggs. Andy Murray was drawn in the opposite half of the draw to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, meaning he can only face one of them. According to Simon Briggs, Murray has the ideal draw. It’s not just an opinion, Briggs has crunched the numbers. ‘Mathematically, Murray has the perfect draw,” Briggs tells The Tennis Podcast.  “He is scheduled play lowest possible seed in all four rounds leading up to the final (R3 - No.32 Joao Sousa, R4 - No.16 Bernard Tomic, QF - No.8 David Ferrer, SF - No.4 Stan Wawrinka). The odds of that happening are 256-1. He had some rough draws last year, but if he doesn’t do well this time we certainly can not blame the draw - he’s...  See acast.com/privacy for

With Catherine back from Doha, and David about to set off to Melbourne, the Putney Exchange shopping centre once again plays host to half an hour of chat about the latest goings-on in the tennis world. When Novak Djokovic thrashed Rafael Nadal in Doha, Catherine didn't know where to look. When Victoria Azarenka rolled back the years in Brisbane, did she become the favourite for the title? And was the win of Milos Raonic over Roger Federer a taste of things to come?  It's all discussed here on The Tennis Podcast, in association with The Telegraph. Meanwhile, Andy Murray signs up to play in the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club, where he will go for a record fifth title.       See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first Tennis Podcast of 2016, Catherine Whitaker is in Doha (for BeIn Sports), David Law is in London (for BT Sport) and they both come together to preview the new season. Will Andy Murray ever be World No.1? Will Agnieszka Radwanska ever win a Grand Slam title? And what next for Kyle Edmund, who made such a splash in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final, and then won Tie Break Tens. Catherine speaks to him to find out. The awarding of SI Sports Person of the Year to Serena Williams is also discussed, as is the off-season coaching carousel.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After 12 months of tennis, 85 episodes of The Tennis Podcast, and some incredible highlights, the 2015 season has come to a close. In our final show of the year, Catherine and David debate the 2015 Tennis Podcast Awards, with the final verdict from special guest Alan Mills - the Wimbledon Referee of 23 years.  Who is the Player of the Year, The Most Improved, and who had the most spectacular hairstyle (good or bad)? Merry Christmas one and all, thanks for listening, and have a happy new year!    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tennis Legend John McEnroe speaks exclusively to the Tennis Podcast about Andy Murray's Davis Cup win, 2016 hopes and why he believes one of the secrets to beating Djokovic is to smile more.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the bowels of the iconic Royal Albert Hall Jamie Murray settles in for an exclusive chat with The Tennis Podcast. Has the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas win sunk in yet? How nervous was he during that doubles rubber? And what are his plans for the off-season ahead of teaming with Bruno Soares? This is the only place to find out. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Great Britain has won the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, completing a journey from the brink of Division 4 - Euro Africa Zone 3 - to lifting the cup in the space of just five years. Telegraph Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs joins David Law review the final, talk about its significance for the legacy and future of Andy Murray, and Jeremy Bates - the first man ever to pick Andy Murray for a Davis Cup team - remembers what Murray was like in that very firs tie.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Great Britain is one Andy Murray victory away from winning a first Davis Cup by BNP Paribas in 79 years, and after a thrilling doubles rubber, David is joined by Eurosport commentator Chris Bradnam and Davis Cup winner Henri Leconte to review day two. Leconte, meanwhile remembers how he helped France to victory over the United States in 1991. Barely able to walk, he was coaxed off his chair by Yannick Noah, and trained himself into fighting condition to down Pete Sampras.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After an intriguing first two rubbers of the Davis Cup final between Belgium and GB, David is joined by Eurosport commentator Simon Reed, and pundit Colin Fleming to dissect the ins and outs of day one, including a standout two sets from Kyle Edmund.  The trio analyse Edmund's performance, as well as Andy Murray's efforts against Ruben Bemelmens to level the tie at 1-1. Plus the trio look ahead to Saturday's all-important doubles rubber.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a week of uncertainty, the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final is all set to take place in Ghent, Belgium, and The Tennis Podcast brings you the lowdown from courtside on the day that the draw was made. Joining presenter David Law were the Telegraph’s Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs and British Eurosport presenter Rob Curling to discuss the news that Kyle Edmund will make his debut (IN THE FINAL!), and Andy Murray will open against the unheralded Ruben Bemelmans. What has the atmosphere been like in Belgium with all that has been going on? What are the strategies behind the team selections, and who will win? We also hear from a ‘pumped’ Murray, and Paul Hutchins - the captain of the team when Britain last reached the final in 1978. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and supported by BNP Paribas, the bank for a changing world. www.wearetennis.com    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amid the dismantling of the O2 Arena tennis court, David & Catherine meet to digest a fascinating World Tour Finals ending in the 'Groundhog Day scenario' of an emphatic Novak Djokovic victory. So has this been the most dominant ever tennis season from one individual? And will the Serb remain as dominant in 2016? Plus we discuss a breakthrough week for Rafael Nadal, and look ahead to the Davis Cup Final, the staging of which is currently mired in doubt and fear due to the terror alert in the Belgian capital.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The draw has been made, the groups are set, and the ATP World Tour Finals are about to get underway. So, it’s time for a pre-tournament Tennis Podcast to talk it over. David Law and Catherine Whitaker pick their semifinalists, finalists and champion. And in an interview conducted with Tim Henman a few weeks ago, we discover that the great man will be at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final, as a fan!    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the tennis of Novak Djokovic once again suggesting that the 'Big Four' has become a 'Big One', Andy Murray now takes to the clay to try to balance preparation for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final with a need to concentrate on the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02. Phew! John McEnroe tells us about 1978, when he played his first Davis Cup singles rubbers in the final against Great Britain. He also predicts victory for Britain this time. Meanwhile, Catherine and David reveal their tennis wish for 2016. It involves Venus Williams.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Agnieszka Radwanska is the champion of the 2015 WTA Finals in Singapore, Roger Federer edged Rafael Nadal in the 34th instalment of their rivalry, and Andy Murray has confirmed that he intends to play the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena. Catherine and David get together to talk it over, and we also hear about a new teenage generation of American players who have a nation expecting.  Oh, and Catherine is furious with someone.  The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.     See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marat Safin is an exclusive guest on the Tennis Podcast this week. The two-time Grand Slam champion talks to our reporter David Lewy at the Kia Motor Champions Cup about facing Federer, his major titles, and the racquets he smashed along the the way. He also gives an insight into his new life in Parliament and explains why he feels Grand Slam titles were harder to win in the era in which he played.  Meanwhile, Catherine Whitaker is in Singapore for the WTA Finals and talks to David Law about the vibe ahead of the year-end event.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.