The Tennis Podcast

In 2010, Andy Murray went through to the semifinals of the Australian Open for the first time when Rafael Nadal retired with injury. His opponent in the final four was Marin Cilic. He then met Roger Federer in the final.Eight years on, Nadal retired with injury from a Grand Slam match for only the second time in his career. It was also at the Australian Open, and the result is that a British player will once again be playing against Marin Cilic for a place in the final, and Roger Federer might again be waiting. This time though, Murray is at home recovering from hip surgery, and the name on everyone’s lips is Kyle Edmund.After a tumultuous day of tennis, presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law, who are in Melbourne for Eurosport and BBC Radio 5 Live respectively, sat down with Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs to try to make sense of what they had seen.Will Edmund go another step and reach the final? What do the team think will happen between Madison Keys and Angelique Kerber, and Simona Halep a

Novak Djokovic found himself ‘playing in front of a mirror’ according to The Tennis Podcast team, as he was knocked out of the Australian Open by Hyeon Chung at the fourth round stage.Chung out-Djokovic’d Djokovic, pounding whiplash groundstrokes, hitting lines, reaching seemingly irretrievable balls in a blur of speed, and doing the splits when forced out wide. After winning 7-6, 7-5, 7-6 Chung was given a standing ovation inside the Rod Laver Arena. On the podcast, concern turned to the health of Djokovic, who admitted he was in a bad way with his elbow, and that he was back to the drawing board.Elsewhere, World No.96 Tennys Sandgren defeated Dominic Thiem in 5 sets, and will now meet Chung in the quarters. Is that clash, between the World No’s 97 and 54 one of the most unlikely last eight clashes ever? In the other quarterfinal in the bottom half of the draw, Roger Federer will take on Tomas Berdych for a 26th time. Federer leads the head-to-head 19-6, winning their last eight clashes. Can Berdych to

Grigor Dimitrov vs. Nick Kyrgios was ‘instant classic’ material, and only made better from a British perspective in that the winner plays Kyle Edmund, who is into his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.On the Tennis Podcast afterwards, David Law said the match between Dimitrov and Kyrgios was a ‘win-win’ for tennis, but not everyone agrees. Did Kyrgios cross the line with his ranting in the direction of his support team? Or is it time to cut him some slack and celebrate a brilliant performance and an even better one from his opponent? Regarding Dimitrov, is he finally ready to fully deliver on his enormous talent?Edmund’s four-set win over Seppi again saw him fight back from behind to prevail, becoming the first British man not named Andy Murray to reach an Australian Open quarterfinal in 33 years. What do the Tennis Podcast team think of his chances against Dimitrov?There’s also discussion of Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic’s tricky tussles as they set up a quarterfinal clash, and the ever-improving Caroline Wozniac

Simona Halep produced an incredible feat of fitness and fire to save three match points and win 15-13 in the final set against Lauren Davis, and afterwards The Tennis Podcast team got together to marvel at it. They were joined by British No.3 Naomi Broady, and while chatting, Andy Murray began a jetlag fuelled Q & A session on Twitter. So, Broady told Catherine Whitaker and David Law about the Andy Murray she knows, and also gave a backstage insight into Nick Kyrgios. Later, Whitaker and Law reflected on Angelique Kerber's comfortable win over Maria Sharapova. Is she now the favourite for the title?Meanwhile, what happened to Alexander Zverev, the fourth seeded German that everyone's been talking about? Beaten in a fifth set by Hyeon Chung, how much should be read into another disappointing Grand Slam loss? And what did Roger Federer say to Zverev in a quiet locker room moment afterwards?The podcast team also discuss the progress of the wonderfully named Tennys Sandgren, and Lleyton Hewitt'

On a day when temperatures exceeded 40 degrees for a second day in a row, the last thing Kyle Edmund would have wanted was a 5-set, near 4-hour match, but that’s what he got, and he came through it. Catherine Whitaker was the first person to speak to him afterwards, for Eurosport, and Simon Briggs sat watching him for the full duration. They give the lowdown on what he went through to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open, and what they make of his chances against Andreas Seppi next.Later, the win scored by Nick Kyrgios over Jo Wilfried Tsonga is dissected by Whitaker and David Law, and they assess how the Australian public is taking to the man who sampled victory on Rod Laver Arena for the first time. Whitaker reports what Kyrgios’ fourth round opponent Grigor Dimitrov was doing before taking to the court against Andrey Rublev, there’s discussion about Roger Federer’s quotes about the potential for a player union and a greater piece of Grand Slam revenues, and the WTA Finals moving to Shenzhen for te

As temperatures exceed 40 degrees celcius on day four of the Australian Open, Catherine & David question why on earth the heat policy wasn't invoked, and indeed whether there should even be a heat policy (some merciless people seem to think there shouldn't!).They also analyse those that survived the withering conditions - including a warrior-like Novak Djokovic, who 'out-bluffed' Gael Monfils in the heat of the day - and those that didn't, including third seed Garbina Muguruza, seventh seed David Goffin and Britain's Jo Konta.The Australian Open will be live on Eurosport from midnight, with radio commentary available on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.The Tennis Podcast will be produced daily throughout the Australian Open, in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded live from the Eurosport Green Room during Grigor Dimitrov's epic five setter with American Mackenzie McDonald, former World No 2 Alex Corretja shares his thoughts on all things Australian Open, including heat waves, big match pressure and who he thinks will win the men's and women's titles.He also joins David & Catherine in talking through the dramatic events of the day, including second seed Caroline Wozniacki snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and a 'highly stressful' three set win for Nick Kyrgios. There was also a statement win for Rafael Nadal, shock defeats for form players Belinda Bencic and Julia Georges, and an incredible breakthrough for 15 year-old Marta Kostyuk.The Australian Open will be live on Eurosport from midnight, with radio commentary available on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.The Tennis Podcast will be produced daily throughout the Australian Open, in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informat

Aus Open Day 2 - Novak Djokovic Is Back With A Bang But What Did He Say About That Player Meeting?Novak Djokovic was front and centre on Tuesday, both on and off the court, as he played a competitive tennis match for the first time since Wimbledon and then addressed reports about his role in the Player Meeting on Friday.In the latest Tennis Podcast, we hear his post-match press conference in which he denied talking about a potential boycott, insisted he had been misrepresented in reports, and said he merely wanted to get the players together to discuss certain ‘topics’ amongst themselves. We get the reaction of Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs on the podcast.On the court, Djokovic was imperious on his return, and he was joined by Stan Wawrinka. Podcast presenter David Law is joined by former Top 50 player Jil Craybas to assess how they looked, examine the form of Maria Sharapova in her first match since testing positive at the event two years ago, and predict who will win the men’s and women’s even

On an opening day when big names were beaten and all of them American, and Kyle Edmund scored arguably the most important victory of his career, the main topic of conversation at the Australian Open was about Novak Djokovic’s player meeting intervention.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Catherine Whitaker and David Law are here to tell you all the tales from the interview room ahead of the Australian Open. From Roger Federer's mind games to Stan Wawrinka's tough times, to Billie Jean King's stand against the Margaret Court Arena.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the first Grand Slam tournament of 2018 upon us, Catherine Whitaker and David Law are in Melbourne, and were joined by Telegraph Tennis Correspondent to dissect the draws of the Australian Open.Who has the best road to the final? What are the outstanding first round matches? And who is likely to clash in the last 16 and onwards? The team talk it through. The fitness of Novak Djokovic is discussed, as his difficult draw.Aside from the potential match-ups, one of the main tournament talking points was why the Australian Open chose to have Maria Sharapova in the place of Serena Williams to launch the tournament at the official draw. The pod team get stuck in.And on the subject of Serena, they cover the remarkable story told in Vogue Magazine about the complications and health setbacks Williams suffered during and after the birth of her daughter, how she has dealt with having to play against her sister Venus, and the role she feels she wants to play in the sport in the future.The Tennis Podcast will be produ

Andy Murray has taken the plunge and gone under the knife after his frustrated attempts to come back from a hip injury.David Law, deserted by an ill Catherine Whitaker, gives his verdict on whether Murray has made the right call, and what happens next. He is also joined by Telegraph Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs to talk about Murray and other main stories ahead of the Australian, and leading coach Nigel Sears to run through the long list of players on the WTA Tour competing for major honours this year.The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly, in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andy Murray's Agony; As the 2018 tennis season kicks off in earnest, there are still some notable absences, probably most notable the man who was World No 1 this time last year, Andy Murray, who has made a gut-wrenching statement declaring that he may require surgery on his injured hip. That is discussed, along with the continued injury absence of Murray's rival, Novak Djokovic, and the persistent speculation surrounding Serena Williams' return to Tour action.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 1973 Battle of the Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was a landmark event in so many ways, and this cinematic telling of the story has been reviewed extensively in recent months. But not by Catherine Whitaker of The Tennis Podcast. Not until now. In this special edition podcast, Catherine gives her verdict on the film as a piece of entertainment, including her views on the performances of Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carrell as Bobby Riggs.Catherine and David Law also discuss sexism and attitudes to sexual orientation in tennis, how far we have come, and how far we still have to go.The Tennis Podcast is presented by broadcasters Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport, BBC 5 Live) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). It is produced weekly throughout the year, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments, in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. www.TheTennisPodcast.net  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the whopping four weeks of tennis' off-season well underway, Catherine & David are missing the sport so much they've decided to record a special '2017 Awards' edition of `The Tennis Podcast, which includes hotly disputed categories such as 'player of the year', 'meltdown of the year' and 'comeback of the year'.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We want to continue to produce the Tennis Podcast in 2018, and to make it better than ever. But to do that, we need your help! Please take just 5 minutes to hear why we are asking, and how you can help us.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As France lift the tenth Davis Cup title in their illustrious history, and the first following a 16 year drought, Catherine reports in for a final time from Lille to recount one of the most electric moments in French tennis history. Pouille was the hero of the hour, clinching the fifth and decisive rubber, so what could this experience propel him to achieve in his individual career? And what of David Goffin, a hero in his own right for Belgium, but leaving Lille bitterly empty-handed. Hear the thoughts of Catherine and David, as well as a very moving exclusive interview with French Team Captain Yannick Noah.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the aftermath of France's scintillating four set doubles victory over Belgium, Catherine reports in from Lille to tell David about what French Captain Yannick Noah has said is the greatest atmosphere he's ever experienced. With France now leading 2-1, they can clinch their first Davis Cup title in 16 years if Tsonga seals victory over Goffin on Sunday. But what Goffin forces a fifth and decisive rubber....?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emphatic victories for the Belgian Number One David Goffin & French Number One Jo Wilfried Tsonga have left the Davis Cup Final poised at 1-1 going into day two, which leaves David & Catherine to speculate about who will take to the court in the crucial doubles rubber. We get insights from Team Captains Johan Van Herck and Yannick Noah, and we hear the visceral reaction of the 27,000 fans inside the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On the eve of the Davis Cup Final between France and Belgium, Catherine reports in from the 29000 seater Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille to bring us all the news from the draw, as well as an exclusive insight from French Team Captain Yannick Noah as to why he made some quite controversial 11th hour changes to his team selection.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.