The Tennis Podcast

The Australian Open draw is out, and so is The Tennis Podcast, dissecting and previewing what is to come over the next fortnight. Catherine Whitaker is in the UK to present the tournament’s  Highlights Show on Eurosport, David Law is in Melbourne for BBC Radio 5 Live, and so is the Telegraph’s correspondent Simon Briggs. Andy Murray was drawn in the opposite half of the draw to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, meaning he can only face one of them. According to Simon Briggs, Murray has the ideal draw. It’s not just an opinion, Briggs has crunched the numbers. ‘Mathematically, Murray has the perfect draw,” Briggs tells The Tennis Podcast.  “He is scheduled play lowest possible seed in all four rounds leading up to the final (R3 - No.32 Joao Sousa, R4 - No.16 Bernard Tomic, QF - No.8 David Ferrer, SF - No.4 Stan Wawrinka). The odds of that happening are 256-1. He had some rough draws last year, but if he doesn’t do well this time we certainly can not blame the draw - he’s...  See acast.com/privacy for

With Catherine back from Doha, and David about to set off to Melbourne, the Putney Exchange shopping centre once again plays host to half an hour of chat about the latest goings-on in the tennis world. When Novak Djokovic thrashed Rafael Nadal in Doha, Catherine didn't know where to look. When Victoria Azarenka rolled back the years in Brisbane, did she become the favourite for the title? And was the win of Milos Raonic over Roger Federer a taste of things to come?  It's all discussed here on The Tennis Podcast, in association with The Telegraph. Meanwhile, Andy Murray signs up to play in the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club, where he will go for a record fifth title.       See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first Tennis Podcast of 2016, Catherine Whitaker is in Doha (for BeIn Sports), David Law is in London (for BT Sport) and they both come together to preview the new season. Will Andy Murray ever be World No.1? Will Agnieszka Radwanska ever win a Grand Slam title? And what next for Kyle Edmund, who made such a splash in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final, and then won Tie Break Tens. Catherine speaks to him to find out. The awarding of SI Sports Person of the Year to Serena Williams is also discussed, as is the off-season coaching carousel.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After 12 months of tennis, 85 episodes of The Tennis Podcast, and some incredible highlights, the 2015 season has come to a close. In our final show of the year, Catherine and David debate the 2015 Tennis Podcast Awards, with the final verdict from special guest Alan Mills - the Wimbledon Referee of 23 years.  Who is the Player of the Year, The Most Improved, and who had the most spectacular hairstyle (good or bad)? Merry Christmas one and all, thanks for listening, and have a happy new year!    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tennis Legend John McEnroe speaks exclusively to the Tennis Podcast about Andy Murray's Davis Cup win, 2016 hopes and why he believes one of the secrets to beating Djokovic is to smile more.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the bowels of the iconic Royal Albert Hall Jamie Murray settles in for an exclusive chat with The Tennis Podcast. Has the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas win sunk in yet? How nervous was he during that doubles rubber? And what are his plans for the off-season ahead of teaming with Bruno Soares? This is the only place to find out. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Great Britain has won the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, completing a journey from the brink of Division 4 - Euro Africa Zone 3 - to lifting the cup in the space of just five years. Telegraph Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs joins David Law review the final, talk about its significance for the legacy and future of Andy Murray, and Jeremy Bates - the first man ever to pick Andy Murray for a Davis Cup team - remembers what Murray was like in that very firs tie.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Great Britain is one Andy Murray victory away from winning a first Davis Cup by BNP Paribas in 79 years, and after a thrilling doubles rubber, David is joined by Eurosport commentator Chris Bradnam and Davis Cup winner Henri Leconte to review day two. Leconte, meanwhile remembers how he helped France to victory over the United States in 1991. Barely able to walk, he was coaxed off his chair by Yannick Noah, and trained himself into fighting condition to down Pete Sampras.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After an intriguing first two rubbers of the Davis Cup final between Belgium and GB, David is joined by Eurosport commentator Simon Reed, and pundit Colin Fleming to dissect the ins and outs of day one, including a standout two sets from Kyle Edmund.  The trio analyse Edmund's performance, as well as Andy Murray's efforts against Ruben Bemelmens to level the tie at 1-1. Plus the trio look ahead to Saturday's all-important doubles rubber.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a week of uncertainty, the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final is all set to take place in Ghent, Belgium, and The Tennis Podcast brings you the lowdown from courtside on the day that the draw was made. Joining presenter David Law were the Telegraph’s Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs and British Eurosport presenter Rob Curling to discuss the news that Kyle Edmund will make his debut (IN THE FINAL!), and Andy Murray will open against the unheralded Ruben Bemelmans. What has the atmosphere been like in Belgium with all that has been going on? What are the strategies behind the team selections, and who will win? We also hear from a ‘pumped’ Murray, and Paul Hutchins - the captain of the team when Britain last reached the final in 1978. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and supported by BNP Paribas, the bank for a changing world. www.wearetennis.com    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amid the dismantling of the O2 Arena tennis court, David & Catherine meet to digest a fascinating World Tour Finals ending in the 'Groundhog Day scenario' of an emphatic Novak Djokovic victory. So has this been the most dominant ever tennis season from one individual? And will the Serb remain as dominant in 2016? Plus we discuss a breakthrough week for Rafael Nadal, and look ahead to the Davis Cup Final, the staging of which is currently mired in doubt and fear due to the terror alert in the Belgian capital.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The draw has been made, the groups are set, and the ATP World Tour Finals are about to get underway. So, it’s time for a pre-tournament Tennis Podcast to talk it over. David Law and Catherine Whitaker pick their semifinalists, finalists and champion. And in an interview conducted with Tim Henman a few weeks ago, we discover that the great man will be at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final, as a fan!    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the tennis of Novak Djokovic once again suggesting that the 'Big Four' has become a 'Big One', Andy Murray now takes to the clay to try to balance preparation for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final with a need to concentrate on the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02. Phew! John McEnroe tells us about 1978, when he played his first Davis Cup singles rubbers in the final against Great Britain. He also predicts victory for Britain this time. Meanwhile, Catherine and David reveal their tennis wish for 2016. It involves Venus Williams.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Agnieszka Radwanska is the champion of the 2015 WTA Finals in Singapore, Roger Federer edged Rafael Nadal in the 34th instalment of their rivalry, and Andy Murray has confirmed that he intends to play the ATP World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena. Catherine and David get together to talk it over, and we also hear about a new teenage generation of American players who have a nation expecting.  Oh, and Catherine is furious with someone.  The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.     See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marat Safin is an exclusive guest on the Tennis Podcast this week. The two-time Grand Slam champion talks to our reporter David Lewy at the Kia Motor Champions Cup about facing Federer, his major titles, and the racquets he smashed along the the way. He also gives an insight into his new life in Parliament and explains why he feels Grand Slam titles were harder to win in the era in which he played.  Meanwhile, Catherine Whitaker is in Singapore for the WTA Finals and talks to David Law about the vibe ahead of the year-end event.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a week where Novak Djokovic won yet another Masters Series title in Shanghai and cemented his place even more firmly as the most dominant player on the ATP World Tour, David & Catherine meet (you guessed it, in the Putney Exchange shopping centre) to discuss his stranglehold over the rest. Is he getting better? How do you stop him? And why he isn’t held in the same esteem as previously dominant players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?  Other topics from the world of tennis this week include Nick Kyrgios, who is edging closer to triggering a ban after incurring another fine in Shanghai, plus David & Catherine’s thoughts on which, if any, of the current crop of ‘young guns’ is best equipped to pose a future challenge to Djokovic.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal for the seventh time in eight meetings, Catherine Whitaker and David Law discuss whether Nadal will ever be a dominant force again. Also in Beijing, Garbine Muguruza emerged triumphant in the WTA Premier Mandatory tournament. Will she win a Grand Slam title in 2016? And, in a week when Catherine was 'swanning around Mallorca' on the ATP Champions Tour, the result was an exclusive interview with Alex Corretja in which he described what it was like to coach Andy Murray. He also reminisces about his first practice session with a 16-year-old Rafael Nadal.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After yet more breakthroughs for the new British Number One and World No.49 Jo Konta, fellow BT Sport commentator Anne Keothavong tells David Law that she thinks Konta could make it into the World's Top 20 by Wimbledon 2016.  Plus David & Catherine Whitaker debate the future of Serena Williams - how deep an impact will her US Open loss to Vinci prove to have? - and the amazing success of her sister and newly crowned Wuhan Open Champion Venus.  All that, plus plenty more talking points, including whether Andy Murray deserves his inclusion in 'The Big 4', and debate over whether Grigor Dimitrov will ever fulfil his potential.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What are the most unbelievable things that have happened in tennis in the last 11 years? And what will happen over the next 11? All discussed by David & a gravelly-voiced Catherine as well as Andy Murray's bold revelation that he may miss the ATP World Tour Finals in order to prepare for the Davis Cup final.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Great Britain is into a Davis Cup final for the first time since 1978, and the Tennis Podcast reviews a week in which Andy Murray shouldered his nation’s fortunes successfully, yet again.   Telegraph Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs joins Tennis Podcast presenters David Law (BBC Radio 5 Live) and Catherine Whitaker to talk about Murray’s exploits, carried out, as we discover on the show, with a bad back.   Lleyton Hewitt’s glorious Davis Cup playing career also came to an end in Glasgow, and he reflects on 17 years at the top of the sport, while also paying tribute to Murray.   Finally, Leon Smith talks exclusively to The Tennis Podcast and says that Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund and James Ward now have to ‘prove why I should pick you’ for the final against Belgium, in Belgium, 27-29 November.     Belgium are into their first final since 1904.   The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph, and supported by BNP Paribas, the bank for a changing world.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy