The Tennis Podcast

On the eve of the US Open finals between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, and Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, we enter the BBC Radio commentary box to get the views on what will happen from a woman that has beaten Serena - Jill Craybas, an Australian Open runner-up John Lloyd, the BBC's Tennis Correspondent Russell Fuller, and BBC producer Steve Jones.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With Serena Williams into the latter stages of the US Open, here's an interview in which she told David Law what's driving her, what goes on inside her mind ('the mind of a maniac', as she calls it), and how much the history books feature in her goals. Does she dream about tennis? Does she wake up with aches and pains? Find out, in our interview.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With one week gone, Catherine and David get stuck in to the US Open, review the exploits of Dan Evans and look ahead to that possible Federer vs Nadal showdown.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After choosing a short sabbatical over retirement, the Tennis Podcast is back to preview the US Open, throw in some more dodgy title predictions, and to pick through Marion Bartoli's decision to hang up her racquet, Maria Sharapova's interesting month, and the incredible form of Rafael Nadal.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The day after a British man won Wimbledon for the first time in 77 years, Catherine Whitaker and David Law got together to talk about it. Oh, and yes, Catherine was asked about the 'foregone conclusion' that she said would be Serena Williams' run to the title!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After the most extraordinary first week of a Grand Slam tournament in history, Catherine and David pick the bones out of it, argue about whether there is even the remotest chance that Serena Williams might lose, and nearly get into a very heated equal prize-money debate.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On the eve of Wimbledon, David and Catherine look at the draws, New York Times and NCR Tennis Podcast presenter Ben Rothenberg rows with us about whether Grand Slam tournament matches should all be best of three sets, and the great Nick Bollettieri talks about his incredible life in tennis.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After Rafael Nadal defeated David Ferrer to win his eighth French Open title, a record for any player at a single Grand Slam tournament, David was desperate to gloat about getting his prediction right. Catherine stands her ground as usual in Episode 44, and they both throw their hats into the ring to predict how many Slam titles Nadal and women's champion Serena Williams will end up with.  Our big interview this week is with Tim Henman, who hails Andy Murray, talks about his greatest moment as a tennis player, and how long he thinks Roger Federer will go on for.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On the eve of the men's French Open semifinals, and the much-awaited clash between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Catherine and David continue their disagreement about who will win. And, in the second part of our interview with Bob Brett, the great coach talks about life trying to tame Goran Ivanisevic.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Episode 42, we celebrate our first birthday with an interview with Serena Williams. The World No.1 tells us what is driving her to continue into her 30's, whether she ever feels aches and pains in the morning, and how driven she is to overtake Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in the history books. We also preview the French Open, dissecting the draw of the second Grand Slam tournament of 2013.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first part of our in-depth, exclusive interview with the great coach Bob Brett, the Australian tells us all about the three and a half years that he spent coaching Boris Becker between 1987 and 1991. He explains how he tried to get the best out of Becker at a time when Ion Tiriac didn't think Brett was the the right man for the job, how he risked the wrath of Boris by telling some home-truths in a rain-break, and how emotion overcame him when Becker reached No.1 in the world. Brett starts by telling us about the legendary Australian Open Davis Cup captain Harry Hopman, who was Brett's mentor. Before all of that, Catherine and David continue to argue about who will win the French Open, and reflect on Rome.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Episode 40, we feature an exclusive, in-depth, emotional interview with the long-time coach of Tim Henman - David Felgate. What was it like when Henman went from spindly 17-year-old outsider to Wimbledon semifinal Top 5 contender? How tough was it when the relationship came to an end after almost nine years? And how did Felgate deal with watching, from the BBC Radio 5 Live commentary box, as Henman so nearly reached the final of Wimbledon in 2001? All of that, and a full review of Madrid, where Rafa's good form continued, but it wasn't enough to win over Catherine.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are into the fifth month of the year, and David is already nominating someone for player of the year  so far - here's a clue, he's not in the Top 4. We also meet the youngest woman in the Top 100 - Donna Vekic - and talk to her coach, David Felgate.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The headline story from Monte Carlo was the defeat of Rafael Nadal for the first time in the Principality for a decade, but almost as many people left talking about Grigor Dimitrov as they did Novak Djokovic. It was the 22 year old Bulgarian that pushed Nadal all the way in the quarterfinals, before Djokovic finished the job in the final. Is the Tennis Podcast's favourite player finally coming of age? We speak to him about the challenge of facing Andy Murray in Miami, his new coaching set-up, and why he plays so much doubles. We also review Monte Carlo, and try to work out how the Fed Cup works.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The tennis circuit moves from hard court to clay this week and we find ourselves asking a number of questions. Why is 6'9" John Isner better on clay than grass? What is the greatest clay court match you ever saw? Whose achievements are better - Tiger Woods or Roger Federer? And we interview Roger Rasheed about his new charge, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, who he says can 'grab a Grand Slam'  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After Great Britain won a Davis Cup match from two rubbers down for the first time in 83 years, David and Catherine spend the first 13 minutes of Episode 36 trying to make sense of it all. The rest of the Davis Cup matches are covered, Serena wins another title and we interview Bethanie Mattek-Sands about clothes, career plans and the fact that David didn't think he would like her. Meanwhile, Catherine struggles to muster an enthusiasm for the talking point of the week - 'Which tennis clothes did you always want to have and why?'. Arguments ensue.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The morning after the cramp-inducing classic between Andy Murray and David Ferrer in the Sony Open, David and Catherine talk over the Miami Masters tennis tournament. We also have an in-depth interview with the incredible Tommy Haas, who turns 35 this week, and to Team Robmond - Laura Robson and Lisa Raymond - who reveal that they plan to team up at Wimbledon.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If there were any doubts that Rafael Nadal is back, they were banished in Indian Wells and we review his exploits in Episode 34. Miami is previewed, we speak to Sloane Stephens, and play Time Machine Tennis!   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Who is the greatest female player of all time? Sue Barker has a strong opinion in part two of our interview with her, and it isn't Martina Navratilova. We also ask her about what it was like to interview a tearful Andy Murray on court at Wimbledon, and then ask you, our listeners, when tennis made you cry?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In December, British Davis Cup player Ross Hutchins was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Last week, he announced that he is putting on 'Rally Against Cancer' - a doubles exhibition featuring Andy Murray and Tim Henman on finals day at the Aegon Championships (Queen's Club) to raise money for the hospital treating him. In this edition, we talk to Ross about the plans for Rally Against Cancer, how he is now, and the support that he has had from fans, fellow players, and in many cases, total strangers.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.