The Tennis Podcast

On the eve of another Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer Grand Slam semifinal, Catherine and David mull over the possibilities and come to a conclusion about who will win. They also discuss the incredible rise of Stanimal, and the women's final between Li Na and Dominika Cibulkova.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Stanislas Wawrinka defeats Novak Djokovic in a stunning run at the Australian Open, we talk to his coach Magnus Norman, who Mats Wilander called 'the best coach in the world'. Norman explains why he advises ex-players to coach kids first, and what he thinks Wawrinka will do next.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We all had a little chuckle when David's pick for the women's semifinals, Petra Kvitova, lost in round one, but when his pick for the men's title, Juan Martin Del Potro, lost in the second, it prompted a full-force guffaw, and an inquest. While we were at it, we looked at the third round match-ups and beyond.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With David having picked Petra Kvitova to reach the semifinals (she lost first round), and Juan Martin Del Potro (his pick for the title) losing the first set of his first round match, an emergency Tennis Podcast episode was swiftly convened on day three of the Australian Open.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the year's first Grand Slam title begins in Melbourne, Catherine and David look ahead to who will be the runners and riders that matter. What do they think of the legends coming back into the sport to coach the top players? Who will have the greatest impact? And is David still sticking with Juan Martin Del Potro to win the title?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You thought the tennis season drew to a close with the Davis Cup final, but no, it all ends at the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall in London. There, Catherine and David chatted to Annabel Croft, and Goran Ivanisevic - as he lay half-naked on the treatment table.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Radek Stepanek achieved his dream by winning the Davis Cup in 2012 and hopes to help the Czech Republic successfully defend it this week. What does he remember about the moment he won? The first 30 seconds, he tells us, nothing at all! In an interview with David Law a month afterwards, Stepanek explains his horror at realising he forgot to shake his opponent's hand immediately afterwards.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer, Catherine and David got together to discuss the other semifinal and look ahead to the final. Oh, and to talk to every man in the draw, and a couple of other tennis stars.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After an early discussion about who would be the World No.1 player in the rain (obviously), David and Catherine get down to the serious business of predicting who will come through the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena in London. There's also chat about the Fed Cup final, which saw a depleted Russia trounced by Italy. So where were the Top 10 Russian players?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the Great Storm hits the UK, David and Catherine hunker down for a chat about Serena Williams' victory at the WTA Championships, the sight of Dimitrov playing Federer, and a massive prediction made at 30 seconds notice.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Laura Robson needs a coach. Martina Navratilova wants to be a coach. Is it a perfect match? Andy Murray is out for the season. Will he ever reach No.1? Roger Federer can't hit a barn door at the moment. Should he retire? And what was he like when he was young? We speak to the man that he grew up idolising, and who beat Federer in his first final.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Episode 51, Catherine and David review and the US Open and debate whether Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal will break the records of Steffi Graf and Roger Federer. And we hear from Mario Ancic, whose career was cut short, but who is making a good life for himself outside of tennis.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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.