Roland Garros Preview - 100 titles for Djokovic, can he still win a Slam?

The story on everyone’s lips on Day 3 at Roland Garros was the return of Serena Williams. The American beat Kristyna Pliskova 7-6, 6-4 to win her first Grand Slam match since giving birth. Catherine is joined by Simon Briggs, tennis correspondent for The Telegraph, to talk all about it. How well did Serena play? How will she cope with the tactical nous of Ashleigh Barty in the next round? And what was the story behind the catsuit she wore on court?Speaking of fashion, Simon thinks Kyle Edmund’s latest outfit might be inspired by Liquorice Allsorts. There’s plenty of chat about that, as well as Edmund’s tennis, which was mightily impressive. Tougher tests await the in-form Brit.Rafael Nadal was also a winner on Day 3 after overcoming the stern challenge posed by Simone Bolelli in their rain-interrupted match. How convincing was the 10-time champion? And has the cavalier Italian provided the blueprint for threatening Nadal?There’s also condemnation of Jack Sock’s behaviour. The American caused a stir during his first-round loss with a series of outbursts towards the umpire. Simon gives all the details and says it’s time for Sock to improve his “disrespectful attitude”.On Wednesday, Cameron Norrie will play his first ever match on the Philippe Chatrier court. Catherine has a sneaky feeling that he might cause an upset against Lucas Pouille…There will be daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the French Open, in association with Telegraph Sport. It is presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Touko 201821min

Despite some late drama, the Sunday start at Roland Garros had felt a little flat. Fortunately, that all changed on day two and there was plenty for David (at a wildlife centre) and Catherine (at the tennis) to talk about.While a number of big names may have taken to the court, it was the World No.190 Marco Trungelliti who stole the headlines. The lucky loser’s 9-hour road trip from Barcelona, which caught the imagination of everyone at Roland Garros, got the Hollywood finale it deserved as he defeated Bernard Tomic to reach the second round. Catherine and David delight in the sheer romance of the story.It was also a successful day from a British perspective as Cameron Norrie and Heather Watson won convincingly. Both players are talking with real confidence. How might they fare in the next round?Elsewhere, there were wins for Petra Kvitova, Caroline Wozniacki, Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic. Who impressed most?But there was no such luck for Wawrinka. His ranking will drop alarmingly after a first round loss to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. But is there a crumb of comfort to be found in the way Stan is speaking optimistically about his health?Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal was delayed by the rain and an inspired performance from Simone Bolelli. How much of a role did the heavy conditions play in that match?Looking ahead to Tuesday, Serena Williams will play her much-anticipated first Grand Slam match for 16 months. What can we expect from her return?There will be daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the French Open, in association with Telegraph Sport. It is presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Touko 201831min

As The Tennis Podcast turned six-years-old, Catherine & David celebrated by discussing the opening day of action at Roland Garros.But there was no cause for Johanna Konta to celebrate. The British No.1 lost in the first round at the French Open for the fourth consecutive year, beaten by Yulia Putintseva. Catherine gives us the lowdown on the talking points from Konta’s post-match press conference, which at one stage turned a little more feisty than usual. With these disappointing losses beginning to stack up for Konta, how concerned should we all be about her form?Elsewhere, there was a big shock as defending champion Jelena Ostapenko lost in straight sets to Kateryna Kozlova.Those upsets brought some much-needed drama to an opening day which felt underwhelming at times, and left Catherine & David debating the pros and cons of a Sunday start.There’s also a brief chat about Monday’s play, when a number of the big names will get their campaigns underway. Plus, David reveals how lucky loser Marco Trungelliti is making a 9-hour car journey to Paris from Barcelona in order to take up his place in the draw.There will be daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the French Open, in association with Telegraph Sport. It is presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Touko 201826min

As the French Open prepares to get underway at Roland Garros in Paris, Catherine Whitaker sits courtside as Serena Williams goes through her preparation for the year’s second Grand Slam tournament.What did Simona Halep and Jelena Ostapenko have to say ahead of Roland Garros? Catherine has been talking to them.Who is scheduled to meet Rafael Nadal as he tries to win his 11th French Open title? Catherine and David look at his likely route.And what on earth is Dominic Thiem doing playing and winning the Lyon tournament the day before a Grand Slam tournament gets underway? Is he not going to have worn himself out? Or does he know something we don’t?There’s talk of Kyle Edmund, Jo Konta, and a resurgent James Ward, who has reached the final in the Loughborough challenger tournament.There will daily editions of The Tennis Podcast throughout the French Open, in association with Telegraph Sport. It is presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Touko 201830min

Just moments after Rafael Nadal was crowned Champion in Rome for the eighth time, Catherine & David bask in the London sunshine to discuss the King of Clay's rain-assisted victory over Sascha Zverev, and the extraordinary performance of Elina Svitolina earlier in the day to dismantle an out-of-sorts Simona Halep. Other Rome talking points are also in the spotlight, including Karolina Pliskova's uncharacteristic outburst of on-court anger, and the WTA's decision not to disclose her punishment. Plus we ask for the thousandth time this year... Is Djokovic finally back?And with the main French Open warm-up events now done and dusted, David & Catherine examine the runners and riders for the second Grand Slam of the year - how likely is Jelena Ostapenko to repeat her heroics of 2017? And can Zverev really be considered second favourite for a maiden Grand Slam title?Oh, and of course there is mention of the Royal Wedding and a certain GOAT's attendance...The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly throughout the year and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments, in association with Telegraph Sport. It is presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Touko 201851min

Sheltering just metres from Craven Cottage and an army of angry Derby County football fans, David & Catherine digest the extraordinary and contrasting title wins in Madrid for Alex Zverev and Petra Kvitova. Who of the two will go further at Roland Garros? And why did David not think to ask that question as a poll vault?Plus there's analysis of Nadal's (not so) shock defeat to Dominic Thiem, and chat about the (not quite) biggest win of Kyle Edmund's career over Novak Djokovic. And speaking of Djokovic.. Mary Carillo gives her astoundingly excellent thoughts about what's going on with him and why, all via the medium of Whatsapp.All that as well as a Serena Williams comeback update, pronunciation corner, and a rare mention for Tom Okker. The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly throughout the year and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments, in association with Telegraph Sport. It is presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Touko 201854min

After a week when the Munich, Estoril and Prague titles were all won by home favourites, attention now turns to Madrid, which is a veritable who’s who of the best, healthy tennis players in the world. Catherine Whitaker, sitting in a car park, and David Law in a window-less room, go through a draw that has thrown up some corkers. The wins of Alexander Zverev in Munich, Petra Kvitova in Prague and Joao Sousa in Estoril are covered, and David wants to know why Portugal, where Sousa’s triumph was celebrated, has produced so few top players over the years.The awful stabbing of Monica Seles is remembered, 25 years on. Just how good could she have been if that had not happened?Seles features in many listeners’ memories of the best matches of the 1990s.The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly throughout the year and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments, in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport. It is presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Touko 201850min

After clinching his second 'undecima' of the season in Barcelona following yet another week of straight sets victories, David & Catherine meet in the pub to ponder what the miracle formula might be to muster a challenge to the King of Clay. Is Nadal's lack of competition hurting men's tennis? And how annoyed are we allowed to be at Roger Federer for denying us the chance to see the rivals face off on clay once more.Karolina Pliskova's Stuttgart win is also discussed, as is the surprise clay court form of her final opponent Coco Vandeweghe. Via the revolutionary medium of whatsapp, David is even able to share first hand secrets from Vandeweghe's coach, 1987 Wimbledon winner Pat Cash.There is talk of Dan Evans' return to action in Scotstoun (correct pronunciation clarified herein) following his 12 months drugs ban, and the 'cockle-warming' reunion of Stan Wawrinka with his former coach Magnus Norman. we trail the upcoming fly-on-the-wall HBO documentary about Serena Williams.The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly throughout the year and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments, in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport, and presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Huhti 201853min