The Tennis Podcast

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.

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.