The Tennis Podcast

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.

The Olympic Tennis event has produced stories which have had The Tennis Podcast presenters, David Law and Catherine Whitaker, swooning. David wonders whether Andy Murray can use his gold medal triumph to launch a successful assault at the US Open, Catherine claims bragging rights in the prediction stakes, and the bickering continues as Toronto begins. In an exclusive interview, Cliff Drysdale tells the Tennis Podcast how the sport has changed since he reached the US Open final more than 45 years ago, and the emotions he went though when he led the players to boycott Wimbledon in 1973.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Olympic Games have arrived in London, and tennis returns to Wimbledon. David and Catherine discuss their favourite Olympic tennis memories and look at the draws for the 2012 event. In an exclusive interview, World No.8 Janko Tipsarevic talks about the Davis Cup triumph which propelled him into the Top Ten, which of the Top 4 players he would like to play 'for his life', and what he wants to do after retirement.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded an hour after the men's singles final at Wimbledon, David and Catherine review Roger Federer's achievement in winning a 17th Grand Slam tournament and returning to No.1. They talk about Andy Murray, speculate about if and when he will win one, and pay tribute to Serena Williams. The Tennis Podcast also features an exclusive interview with Pat Cash, who won the Wimbledon title 25 years ago.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the first week of Wimbledon complete, David and Catherine get together to review the most stunning upset the tournament has ever known, analyse the form of the remaining contenders, and come up with their predictions for week two. Catherine plumps for two new champions, David sticks to his guns, and then there's the our in-depth, exclusive interview. In Episode 5, it is with Mark Philippoussis, who tells us about his mindset going into that fateful match against Pete Sampras at the Australian Open, his hope to have children, and why he disagrees with Marat Safin about the merits of Andy Murray employing Ivan Lendl as his coach.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Wimbledon preview, including a dissection of Andy Murray's awful draw, more predictions (will David ever learn?, plus an exclusive interview with the man known as 'Baby Fed' - Grigor Dimitrov.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What did Michael Chang think when his coach told him that fourth round run would be a good result in the 1989 French Open? How did he cope with being the youngest-ever French Open champion? And who does he think is the most talented player in history? Find out in an exclusive, in-depth interview in Episode 3 of The Tennis Podcast. Meanwhile, with the clay court season reaching its climax and the grass court season about to begin, David Law and Catherine Whitaker ponder whether Novak Djokovic can complete the most extraordinary tennis comeback in history to hold all four Slams at the same time. All this is brought to you from inside The Queen's Club, home of the AEGON Championships, and it all gets a bit much for David.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After an embarassing Frech Open prediction, David holds his hands up in Episode 2, Catherine tries not to gloat and they talk Grand Slam upsets. Later, Gaston Gaudio tells The Tennis Podcast what John McEnroe's last words of advice were before the 2004 French Open final.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Presented by tennis commentator David Law, the first episode of The Tennis Podcast features an exclusive, in-depth interview with former World No.1 Carlos Moya, predictions for the French Open, and a number of disagreements.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.