The Tennis Podcast

In his 12th year as a tennis professional, after winning multiple Grand Slam titles, the Davis Cup and two Olympic gold medals, Andy Murray has finally forced his way past Novak Djokovic to top the world rankings. A few hours after Murray underlined his new status by winning in Paris Bercy, David Law and Catherine Whitaker got together to reflect on a monumental achievement. What turned Murray into serial contender to the No. 1 player in the world? How big an impact did his coaching team of Ivan Lendl and Jamie Delgado have? Is there any asterisk next to Murray given the injuries to Federer and Nadal, and the decline of Djokovic’s form? And what of the future? Are we now at the start of an Andy Murray ‘era’? It’s all discussed, as is the current form and demeanour of Djokovic, heading into the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 next week. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dominika Cibulkova told the Tennis Podcast that winning the WTA Finals was the ‘happiest day of my life’, and the pod team convened afterwards to discuss it. With David in Dubai airport on route back from Singapore, and Catherine in the UK, they chatted about a week of thrilling matches in which there were a number of surprises. Plus, as Andy Murray continues to close on World Number One, Catherine and David discuss whether he will he get there before the end of the year. There’s also a big interview with the great Chris Evert. She tells David about her surprise at Angelique Kerber reaching World No.1, how impressed she’s been with Jo Konta, and how many more Slams she thinks Serena Williams will win. Asked about her relationship with Martina Navratilova, she gives a special insight into what it was like being the only two players left in the locker-room at the end of tournaments. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out

A star studded line up of players from the WTA Finals (and Andy Murray) join David (who is in Singapore) and Catherine (who has just got back from Vienna  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Since Catherine Whitaker and David Law last convened on the Tennis Podcast, Maria Sharapova’s sentence has been reduced by nine months, Andy Murray has won 20 sets out of 20 to move to within sight of World No.1, and Novak Djokovic has continued to struggle. On the day we recorded this edition, Serena Williams withdrew from the WTA Finals because of her ongoing shoulder issues, and Nick Kyrgios was fined and suspended for ’tanking’ in Shanghai, with that suspension being reduced to 3 weeks provided he sees a sports psychologist. So, there was plenty to talk about. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

He was the talk of Wimbledon for the first few days. The man who nearly quit the sport until his girlfriend told him not to, who entered pre-qualifying, won six matches, and made it into the main draw before bowing out to Roger Federer in round two. But as Marcus Willis tells David Law on the Tennis Podcast, he doesn't want to remembered for losing in the second round at Wimbledon. The journey to achieve more starts here, with masses of off-court training, a qualifying wild card at the Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna, and an invitation to compete for a winner-take-all cheque of $250,000 against Andy Murray, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Dominic Thiem, Tommy Haas and Goran Ivanisevic. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David & Catherine meet at a new London eaterie to discuss a barnstorming week in Wuhan for Petra Kvitova and how it affects the Race to Singapore, which is really hotting up. As well as an update on the podcast's newly assigned mascot (Rosie the dog), the Tennis Podcast team also review another #NextGen title on the ATP Tour and analyse Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from Beijing.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two weeks since the US Open podcasts and Catherine Whitaker has finally returned, joining up with David Law to review debut career titles for Alex Zverev and Lucas Pouille, a run to the final in Tokyo by Naomi Osaka, and to preview Wuhan. Catherine comes out firing, predicting that both Osaka and Zverev will be World No.1's. There's much Osaka/Zverev insight and excitement, much bewilderment at Dominic Thiem continuing to play every week, and a big debate about the proposed changes to the Davis Cup. The show also features a very surprising guest. So surprising, the presenters knew nothing about it until the guest appeared on the show. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Tennis Podcast is a downloadable tennis radio show presented by BBC Radio 5 Live and BT Sport tennis commentator David Law and Eurosport presenter Catherine Whitaker. This is a 2 minute flavour to introduce you to the sound of the show, the type of guests you will hear and the reason that David refuses to play Catherine at tennis. The Tennis Podcast is a weekly show throughout the year, with daily editions during Grand Slam tournaments and other big events. Since its launch in May 2012, more than 250 episodes have been produced, and the show has been downloaded more than 2 million times.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Juan Martin Del Potro came  close to hanging up his tennis racquet for good 18 months ago. In Glasgow he did what no man had ever done before - beating Andy Murray on home territory in the Davis Cup, as Argentina eventually knocked out the defending champions Great Britain.  After his win over Murray, he spoke to BBC 5 Live commentator and Tennis Podcast presenter David Law about the experience.  And, moments after Leonardo Mayer sealed victory with a win over Dan Evans, Law joined Murray’s former coach Miles Mclagan to discuss where the tie had been won and lost, o consider how long Murray might need away from the game to return energised, and to look ahead to the Davis Cup final between Argentina and Croatia.  The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After two gruelling weeks in which Stan Wawrinka stood a point from defeat against Britain's Dan Evans, and spent more than 20 hours on the court, it was Novak Djokovic's body that ultimately broke down in the final. A pulsating four-set tussle was won by Wawrinka - his third Grand Slam title - and afterwards the Telegraph's Tennis Podcast team got together to work out where it went right for Stan, and wrong for Novak. Eurosport presenter Catherine Whitaker and BBC 5 Live commentator David Law discussed the comments of Mats Wilander, in which the seven-time Grand Slam title winner said peak Wawrinka is the most exciting player in the world. And they wondered what has gone wrong with the body of Djokovic over the past few months since he won the French Open. Has he just overdone it over the past couple of years?     The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eight months ago, Angelique Kerber was match point down in the first round of the Australian Open. Eight months on, having saved that match point, she is the Australian Open and US Open champion, the World No.1, a Wimbledon runner-up, and an Olympic silver-medalist. After a classic 3-set tussle between Kerber and Karolina Pliskova, the Tennis Podcast’s team of Eurosport presenter Catherine Whitaker, BBC Radio 5 Live commentator David Law and Telegraph tennis correspondent Simon Briggs caught up to review it all while racing for the bus back to Manhattan. How has Kerber gone from solid Top Ten player to World No.1 inside a year? What next for Pliskova after her impressive wins over Venus and Serena Williams, and narrow defeat in the final? And who will win the men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka? The podcast team debate it all, and review a second Grand Slam doubles title in 2016 for Jamie Murray. The men’s singles final will be broadcast live on...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy

Novak Djokovic will take on Stan Wawrinka in the final of the US Open on Sunday, but the main question that needed answering on the Tennis Podcast on Friday night was: what on earth was Gael Monfils doing? Playing in his first Grand Slam semifinal for eight years, and with a 0-12 record against Djokovic, Monfils appeared to adopt ‘Rope-a-dope’ tactics, trying to mess Djokovic around to a point where he might lose his form. It didn’t work. Accusations of ‘tanking’ - not trying - were levelled from various quarters, but Monfils fiercely denied them. So what did happen?  Presenters Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live) describe the extent of the humidity felt in New York during the semifinals, and try to imagine what it would be like to play in.  During the podcast, Wawrinka walks past and he looks every inch the seasoned Grand Slam finalist after reaching the third of his career. He is yet to lose one.  This is the 250th edition of The Tennis Podcast, which...  See acast.com/privac

With a single double-fault, Serena Williams handed Karolina Pliskova a passage through to her first Grand Slam final, the World No.1 ranking to Angelique Kerber, and dashed her own chances of going ahead of Steffi Graf in the all-time list of Grand Slam title holders. Afterwards, David Law (BBC 5 Live) and Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) got together on the daily US Open Telegraph Tennis Podcast to discuss a couple of hours that shifted the tennis world on its axis.  Where was the Williams-Pliskova match won and lost? What caused Williams to double-fault at match point? Could her nerve be going? How big a factor was the knee injury that she revealed afterwards. Was it poor form to mention it? All discussed on the Tennis Podcast, as well as an assessment of the rise of Kerber, and a preview and predictions of the men’s semifinals. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Catherine Whitaker pre-warned that Kei Nishikori and Michael Chang had been plotting the downfall of Andy Murray on the practice court, and they got what they wanted in the US Open quarterfinals.  Murray had lost over five sets only twice in 8 years - both of them to Novak Djokovic - but for once he dipped into his enormous reserves and found nothing there. Afterwards, Catherine and David Law got together to discuss the match, Murray’s struggle to deal with some of the distractions on the court, and the possible reasons. They also cover the wins of Karolina Pliskova and Serena Williams, as the semifinals approach. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Caroline Wozniacki has looked anything but a Grand Slam finalist this year, but her excellent form has continued at the US Open and she will clash with Angelique Kerber on Thursday.  Catherine Whitaker and David Law took to the 5 Live commentary box to talk about it, and to preview Andy Murray's quarterfinal with Kei Nishikori. Catherine reveals some insight from a Nishikori/Chang practice session, and how Ivan Lendl threw them off the court, and then David reflects on a night-session that was all a bit of damp squib.  Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals of the US Open after his third opponent of the fortnight failed to finish. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

24 hours after Novak Djokovic sent out a statement of intent with a straight sets humbling of Kyle Edmund, Andy Murray responded with one of the most ruthless wins of his career against Grigor Dimitrov.  David Law commentated for BBC 5 Live on Murray’s 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win, Catherine Whitaker interviewed Murray on-court straight afterwards for Eurosport, and then Law and Whitaker got together to compare notes on The Tennis Podcast. Having reached 23 successive last 16 rounds at Grand Slams, was this Murray’s best performance ever at that stage of a major tournament? Will he and Djokovic be able to recreate those performances over the next few days to meet in the final on Sunday? What of Murray’s quarterfinal opponent Kei Nishikori? How did he look against the giant serving of Ivo Karlovic? And what of sentimental favourites Venus Williams and Juan Martin Del Potro? How did they get on? The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inf

Was it Novak Djokovic returning to his all-conquering self, or Kyle Edmund struggling to cope with the occasion that led to a fairly lopsided scoreline in their last 16 US Open clash?  In the Telegraph’s latest Tennis Podcast, David Law (BBC 5 Live) and Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) don’t entirely see eye to eye on the subject. Jo Konta had a difficult day in the fourth round, losing in straight sets to Anastasia Sevastova. Did she just hit the wall or was it a huge missed opportunity? More disagreements ensue. Rafael Nadal’s US Open came to an end at the hands at Lucas Pouille of France. Who? The Tennis Podcast team explain, and describe how he took his chance, while also remembering a Nadal forehand that might give the Spaniard nightmares.    The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One point away from the biggest win of his life, third round prize money already in his pocket, and finally fulfilling his obvious promise, Dan Evans was the talk of the town in New York on Saturday, even though he did eventually go down. Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport), David Law (BBC 5 Live) and Simon Briggs (Telegraph) assembled for their daily Tennis Podcast chat at Flushing Meadows, to review the day, and the 25 year old from Birmingham was the man they started with. Where did his match with Stan Wawrinka turn? How would he take the defeat, and what about his future? It’s all discussed on the latest show, and we hear from Evans himself, talking about the moment his attitude changed for the better off the court when he was ranked 772 in the world. The podcast team also review the performances of the Williams sisters in reaching the last 16, the trials and tribulations of Andy Murray in edging out Paolo Lorenzi of Italy, and they look ahead to a stunning Sunday.  Jo Konta...  See acast.com/privacy

Andy Murray has spent 11 years reaching the second week of Grand Slam tournaments, but he has never had the company of a fellow British singles player. That is about to change, assuming Murray makes it through against Paolo Lorenzi today. The Tennis Podcast team convened to discuss the performance from Kyle Edmund, who showed maturity and mental strength to go with his power and precision from the baseline. The British player beat John Isner 7-6 in the fourth set.  Could he even trouble the World Number One Novak Djokovic in the last 16? Is Djokovic a little undercooked after his last two opponents withdrew because of injury? Or is Edmund going to be schooled by one of the greatest tennis players of all time? Tennis Podcast presenters Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live) give their views on the latest show. They also discuss the extraordinary through-the-legs lob that Rafael Nadal hit to set up match point in his round three match, the comeback win of Madison...  See acast.com/p

The roof was given a thorough work-out after the mother of all rain storms on Thursday, and Andy Murray passed his own stern examination in match that was closer than the straight-sets score suggested.  The Tennis Podcast convened to discuss his progress, marvel at a fantastic win for Dan Evans and narrow defeat for Naomi Broadway, and to work out whether the additional ambient noise with the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium is likely to become an issue. We also hear an interview that Tennis Podcast presenter David Law did with Mats Wilander for BBC Radio 5 Live. In it, Wilander recalls when he won three Grand Slams in a year in 1988, and how and why he was unable to repeat the feat the following year.  The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.