The Tennis Podcast

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario won the Roland Garros title three time, including her incredible victory as a 17-year-old in 1989. The Spaniard joins Catherine Whitaker to talk about her new role as a WTA Finals Ambassador, the Legends Classic she will play against Martina Navratilova in Singapore, and to look ahead to week two of the 2015 French Open. Will Rafa Nadal win a 10th title? Yes, she says. How did she amass a 4-3 career record against Serena Williams? Arantxa explains all. And what were her memories of that incredible first win in Paris?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The draw has been made for the French Open, and Catherine Whitaker is joined in the media cafe in Roland Garros by esteemed French journalist Carol Bouchard. What to make of a quarterfinal that could pit Djokovic against Nadal? What does that mean for the winner, for Federer, for Murray, for everyone!?   What is Amelie Mauresmo really like? Carol gives us the lowdown. And who does she think will come out on top in the GB vs. France Davis Cup tie?    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The great Martina Navratilova joins David to talk about her childhood memories, her rivalry with Chris Evert, and her thoughts on the game today. Who does she think will come out on top in the upcoming French Open? Which of the young guns most excites her? Can Serena Williams surpass Steffi Graf Grand Slams singles titles won? And Serena vs. Martina - what would have happened? Plus, Rafael Nadal's battle with nerves, Novak Djokovic's dominance, and Andy Murray's opportunity.   Finally, Catherine Whitaker returns from our European clay court swing with a spring in her step and plenty of thoughts, opinions and dodgy predictions.         See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a stunning final victory for Andy Murray over Rafael Nadal in Madrid, Catherine Whitaker is joined courtside by tennis journalist Alix Ramsay to discuss his performance and assess Greg Rusedski’s view that he is now second favourite for the French Open. And what of Nadal? Plus, a Rome preview, including the return of Novak Djokovic.     See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Given Novak Djokovic's 2015 heorics, just whose era over the last year has been the greatest? Was it Federer in 2006? Nadal in 2010? Or does Djokovic today beat them both? Catherine and David debate the issue passionately. Our special guest is the last man to captain Great Britain to the Davis Cup final - Paul Hutchins, who recalls the final in which John McEnroe played his first ever Davis Cup rubber, how he got the best out of the Lloyd brothers, and what he thinks Dan Maskell might have made of tennis today.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Following his early loss to Fabio Fognini in Barcelona, David and Catherine debate the French Open prospects of Rafael Nada, and discuss the potential threat of 'Agassi-like' Kei Nishikori. On the women's side, topics include the 'sophomore freefall' of Genie Bouchard and the split between Agnieszka Radwanska and Martina Navratilova.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded courtside in Monte Carlo just minutes after the final, Catherine Whitaker is joined by World Feed television commentator and former player Robbie Koenig to review another title for Novak Djokovic. Can anyone beat him, and if so, by whom, how, when and where? Where is Rafa Nadal in his progress towards and intended tenth French Open title, and what of the other runners and riders?          See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jeremy Bates beat Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Boris Becker during his career, but he's never experienced anything like the ten days of Wimbledon in 1992. In an in-depth chat with David Law, Bates describes the trance he was in after missing out on match point for a place in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, the circus that followed, and why Andy Murray's tennis will benefit from him being married. Bates also talks about tennis today, and expresses his view about who will win the French Open. "Djokovic all the way."  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David takes time out of his busy commentary schedule to join Catherine for a discussion of all things Miami Open, including the brilliance of Serena Williams & Novak Djokovic, the rise of Carla Suarez Navarro & signs of progress for Andy Murray. PLUS we debate the merits of on court coaching, and give Catherine plenty of grief for her terrible predictions.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The man in charge of British Tennis, LTA CEO Michael Downey, exclusively talks to David & Catherine about his blueprint for progress - 'it starts with participation and ends with participation' - GB Davis Cup success & the importance of Andy Murray.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David & Catherine meet up in their favourite Putney coffee shop to pick over the bones of two sensational Indian Wells finals and look ahead to the Miami Open. Who is the best player in the world over three sets, is Novak Djokovic made of elastic, and isn't it time we started talking about Timea Bacsinszky? Plus, we discuss Rafa's decision to return to the AEGON Championships and the Queen's Club in June.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David & Catherine reunite in their favourite Putney shopping centre to discuss all the action from Indian Wells, including Serena Williams' hugely anticipated return, other great tennis comebacks & the biggest win of Heather Watson's career so far.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Miles Maclagan and Telegraph Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs join David Law in Glasgow to talk about Great Britain's win over the United States to reach the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup World Group. Will Britain beat France? Where will it be played? Can Andy Murray have a big clay court season? Will Laura Robson return to her best?   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the middle-east swing of tournaments culminated, top Tour coach Nigel Sears, who now commentates for BT Sport, joined David Law to talk about the greatest female tennis players of all time, life as a tour coach, and to preview upcoming Davis Cup tie between GB and USA.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The author of Winning Ugly, and one of the greatest coaches the game has ever known - Brad Gilbert - joined Catherine Whitaker at the ATP Champions Tour event in Delray Beach to talk about coaching against Federer and Sampras, joining forces with Agassi, and how he comes up with those nicknames. Add to that, a prediction for a New No.1 in the world, his thoughts on Kyrgios, Kokkinakis, Zverev et al, and some advice for David Law ...        See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After making his debut on the ATP Champions Tour in Delray Beach, James Blake joined Catherine Whitaker to talk about what it was like to face a peak Roger Federer, his expectations for Andy Murray, his own life since retiring from the sport, and what he believes is the best way to develop young tennis players.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lleyton Hewitt is planning to play just three more tournaments, aside from Davis Cup, before retiring at the 2016 Australian Open. On the day that the Aegon Championships at The Queen's Club announced that Hewitt has been guaranteed a wild card for an event he has won four times, we are joined by Tournament Director Stephen Farrow to look back on Hewitt's glorious career.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After two weeks of tumultuous tennis, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams stood head and shoulders above the rest. David Law and Gigi Salmon look back.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Within minutes of Serena Williams' 19th Grand Slam title, David joined ESPN tennis commentator Chris Fowler to review a dramatic final, discuss Serena's impact in the United States, and to talk about his job. Meanwhile, Catherine and David argue about the quality of the match and look ahead to Murray vs. Djokovic.      See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What are Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova really like? On the eve of their Australian Open final clash, we put that question to Chris Clarey of the New York Times - a man that has spent many hours in their company. We get Chris to give us his predictions, review Stan Wawrinka vs. Novak Djokovic and look ahead to Andy Murray vs. Djokovic.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.