The Tennis Podcast

John McEnroe turned 54 this week, he will start his 2013 ATP Champions Tour campaign in Delray Beach this week, and he is probably the most talked-about tennis player in history. In Episode 31, we talk exclusively to the man who divided opinion wherever he went, try to understand what makes him tick, and speak to Richard Evans - who wrote two books about McEnroe.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1977, Britain's Sue Barker stood on the brink of reaching the Wimbledon final for the first time. She had won the French Open the previous year, beaten her semifinal opponent on each of their meetings that year, and was already thinking about a potential final against Chris Evert or Virginia Wade. And then she lost. Now the presenter of BBC Television's Wimbledon coverage, Sue talks to the Tennis Podcast about an experience from which she says she never recovered.  In Episode 30, we also discuss the return of Rafael Nadal, and the rise of Horacio Zeballos, while trying to assess whether this is the start of his rise to the top, or the peak of his career.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Rafael Nadal takes to the court for the first time in seven months, Catherine and David discuss their first ever memories of the great man, and go through those of our listeners. And, in our big interview, Andy Murray ponders his start to 2013, looks forward to the grass court season, and welcomes back Nadal himself.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

BBC broadcaster John Inverdale joins Catherine and David to discuss the mens' singles final and assess where it was won and lost. And, as a man who worked alongside the great Fred Perry on BBC Radio, John gives a unique insight into the last British man before Murray to win a Grand Slam singles title.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded a few hours before the women's final, Catherine and David look ahead to Victoria Azarenka vs. Li Na, and Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray. They also discuss whether Azarenka deserved the hard time she received from the watching world after the semifinals.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the Australian Open in its second week, we speak to the great Martina Hingis, who reached the final six times in a row. Can anyone stop Serena Williams? What would she advise a player to do against Williams? And what is her opinion of some of the up-and-coming stars? Are the age rules right these days given that Hingis was the World No.1 at 16 and retired at 22? What does she think of Andy Murray, and the impact of Ivan Lendl, and would she ever like to take a similar coaching role? All questions answered. After the five-set classic between Stanislas Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic, we also ask you whether it’s time for a 5th set tie-break in the final set of all Grand Slam tournaments.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The second round is complete (almost), the third round line-up is just about set, and Catherine and David are here to talk it through. Inevitable arguments take place about who is looking the best out of Federer, Djokovic and Murray, Catherine puts her neck on the line with ivanovic vs. Jankovivc and Venus vs. Sharapova, and the subject of Federer's pink shoelaces is discussed. In some depth.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In our first Australian Open Extra, Catherine and David are joined by Sunday Times Tennis Correspondent Barry Flatman to talk through the first couple of days of action in Melbourne. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer cruised through, Serena Williams had a scare when she twisted an ankle, and her protege Sloane Stephens and Laura Robson both continued their rise with comfortable wins. On Tuesday, the tennis world received some very sad news about the Executive Chairman and President of the ATP, Brad Drewett, who is stepping down from his role because of ill health.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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.