The Tennis Podcast

Inspired by the returning Juan Martin del Potro, BBC 5 Live and BT Sport commentator David Law, and Eurosport presenter Catherine Whitaker discuss the most memorable tennis comebacks of all time - those that turned out well, and those that didn't Hear about Seles returning from being stabbed. Agassi's response to plummeting to 141 in the world. Capriati being irrelevant in the game for 5 years and returning to win Slams. Clijsters having a baby and then winning big. And many more.  The Tennis Podcast is produce in association with Telegraph Sport.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Roger Federer has won more Grand Slam singles titles (17), and spent more weeks as World No.1 than anyone in history. Rafael Nadal has won 14 major wins, including 9 French Open crowns, and Olympic singles gold. But is that it? Will either win another major title in their careers? The Tennis Podcast team (BBC 5 Live and BT Sport commentator David Law, and Eurosport commentator Catherine Whitaker) convened to debate the issue and ask for listener’s opinions in a poll. The results were not what they expected.  Also, will Angelique Kerber back up her Australian Open title with further big wins? Which is more likely - a single Andy Murray major title in 2016, or a Novak Djokovic golden Grand Slam (Olympic gold and all four Grand Slam singles titles?). Both are debated in the latest episode.  The podcast team also welcomes veteran broadcaster and writer Richard Evans on to the show to pay tribute to the late tennis, commentator Gerald Williams. The Tennis Podcast is produced...  See acast.com/privacy for

After running the podcast single-handed for a fortnight of the Australian Open, David Law is rejoined by TV's Catherine Whitaker to share notes about what went on in Melbourne. Catherine reveals the tears that flowed in the Eurosport studios, her highlights and lowlights of the tournament, and her concern that it will take 'a Soderling moment' to provide a different Grand Slam male champion. A fabulous Fed Cup weekend is reviewed, but is there something we can do to make the thing more easily understood? We talk about Great Britain boasting six players in the singles Top 100 for the first time in three decades, and discuss Rafael Nadal, who has signed up to return to the Aegon Championships at The Queen's Club in June.  The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Novak Djokovic made it Grand Slam title No.11 to draw level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, and afterwards Simon Briggs of the Telegraph and Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim joined David Law to talk about it. It was straight sets for Djokovic over Murray, but not straightforward, and the trio discussed whether Boris Becker or Ivan Lendl were the biggest reasons for the shift in power in the Djokovic/Murray rivalry. Meanwhile, after Angelique Kerber made her dreams come true by winning her first major title, the podcast team assess the state of mind of Serena Williams. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.     See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ahead of the Australian Open men's final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, the BBC Radio 5 Live commentary team get together to assess the chances of Murray in his fifth attempt at winning the title. In the final he faces the ultimate challenge, the 'Everest' of tennis, in the form of Novak Djokovic. Goran Ivanisevic talks to the pod team to explain why it is such a nightmare trying to coach against him. In his opinion, Djokovic can break all records. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.            See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It took 5 sets and more than 4 hours, but Andy Murray finally set up another final against Novak Djokovic after defeating Milos Raonic at the Australian Open, and the Tennis Podcast team got together afterwards to discuss it. The Telegraph’s Chief Sports Feature Writer Oliver Brown joined Tennis Correspondent Simon Briggs and BBC 5 Live commentator David Law to talk about how Murray came back from two sets to one, marvel at the tennis shown by Raonic, and wonder whether there’s any way Murray can beat Djokovic in the final. Plus, with Serena Williams aiming to match the exploits of Steffi Graf by winning a 22nd Grand Slam, they assess the chances of Graf’s compatriot Angelique Kerber in keeping Williams at bay. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Novak Djokovic was Boris Becker-like in his presence in the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday night, and despite a spirited Roger Federer fightback, it was Djokovic who reached yet another Grand Slam final.  David Law is joined by Telegraph Sport's Simon Briggs to talk it through, before going on to discuss the journey of Johanna Konta, which finally came to an end at the Australian Open in the semifinals. Plus, Serena Williams was a destructive as ever. And, with Andy Murray due to take on Milos Raonic of Canada, we hear from Murray's coach of last year - Jonas Bjorkman - and Carlos Moya, the man guiding Raonic in 2016. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.        See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Everything went to form on day nine at the Australian Open, with victory for Serena over Sharapova, and wins for Federer and Djokovic. It all means that a dream semifinal between Federer and Djokovic - the 45th match between them - will take place on Thursday. Who will win? David Law and special guest Chris Clarey of the New York Times break it down, and the conclusion might surprise you. And what about Victoria Azarenka? Blazing through the draw, the Belorussian is the second best player in the world we think, but can she beat Serena? And what is she really like? Chris Clarey lets us know.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a stressful middle Saturday, in which the coach of Ana Ivanovic (Nigel Sears) was taken ill but since discharged from hospital, his son-in-law Andy Murray can look ahead to a fourth round clash with Bernard Tomic. We speak to Todd Woodbridge about Tomic - what makes him tick? What does he need to do to break the Top Ten? Woodbridge tells us. And what about Nick Kyrgios? We get a view from the great Australian doubles player on that, too.  Meanwhile, another fourth round blockbuster is Stan Wawrinka vs. Milos Raonic. We talk to Alex Corretja about Raonic's new coach, Carlos Moya. And with Jo Konta on the brink of reaching a first Grand Slam quarterfinal, we hear from the last British woman to do it - Jo Durie.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After an emotional night when Lleyton Hewitt's 20-year career came to an end, his first coach Darren Cahill joins BBC 5 Live tennis commentator David Law on the Tennis Podcast to discuss his fabulous career. Cahill remembers the 12-year-old that turned up at his door 'dressed in Agassi gear' and says that he was already a pro, even at that age. Memories of Hewitt's greatest achievements are discussed, what he was like to coach, and what Cahill thinks we can expect of Hewitt the coach. Craig Willis, the Australian Open's on-court announcer, is another special guest, as is Great Britain doubles player Colin Fleming, who lets us know what Andy Murray is in for in trying to be a tennis playing father.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After Monday’s allegations of suspected match-fixing, Telegraph Sport’s Simon Briggs joins Tennis Podcast presenter David Law (BBC 5 Live) to give his view on the situation, review a day in which Johanna Konta beat Venus Williams, and Andy Murray cruised through in style against Alex Zverev. Pat Rafter, a two-time Australian Open champion, also joins the show to reminisce about Lleyton Hewitt, who is playing in his final tournament. And Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith reviews a day in which Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep both crashed out.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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.