Perfect tennis dinner companions, will ATP-WTA unity last, and is it ok to support Tennys Sandgren?

Roger Federer is back after six months away, and Catherine Whitaker has a pretty cool anecdote about what she saw moments before the 17-time Grand Slam champion took to the court against Jurgen Melzer.As for the match, how did he play in his four-set win? What are his prospects for the rest of the tournament? And how did Federer think Andy Murray would be influenced by coming into a Grand Slam tournament for the first time as the World No.1? We hear from him on The Tennis Podcast. Murray won in straight sets, but not comfortably, and there were narrow squeaks for Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka. The latter was a break down in the fifth, and drew gasps from the crowd when he nailed a forehand into a defenceless Martin Klizan at the net. Did he deliberately hit his opponent? David Law, who was commentating for BBC radio, gives his view. On the women’s side of the draw, Simona Halep is out and World No.1 Angelique Kerber looked a little vulnerable. Catherine and David assess what they’ve seen on day... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Jan 201730min

The Australian Open draw has been made, the Tennis Podcast’s Kickstarter targets have been met, and Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport), David Law (BBC 5 Live) and Simon Briggs (Telegraph) have convened to plot the next two weeks for Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and the rest. Which of the leading players can be most happy with their draws? Murray, who could face Federer in the quarters, or Novak Djokovic, who has Fernando Verdasco for his opener? Wawrinka, who could meet Nick Kyrgios in round 4, or Nadal who might meet Alex Zverev in the third round?On the women’s side, why is everyone so concerned about top seed Angelique Kerber? What does Serena’s route to the final look like? And what did Jo Konta do to deserve her horror draw?It’s all discussed in the latest Tennis Podcast, which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport, and during the Australian Open, Eurosport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Jan 201754min

One of the most pulsating first weeks of the tennis season that we can remember concluded with Novak Djokovic edging Andy Murray in the Doha final. What does that do to the balance of power with Murray the World No.1 but Djokovic a six-time Australian Open champion?In Brisbane, Grigor Dimitrov returned from the wilderness to beat three Top-10 players and win his first title in two and a half years. Is he back for good or is this just a token reminder of what might have been?Karolina Pliskova won the women’s event in Brisbane, and that tournament prompted our presenter David Law to make a big, early pick for the Australian Open women’s title. And it isn’t Pliskova. We discuss which rivalry makes for the best matches, and David has a spectacular rant about how Stan Wawrinka never gets picked by anyone to win anything. So does this mean he’s picking him?The Tennis Podcast is presented by David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport) and Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport), and produced in association with Telegraph... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Jan 201749min

Tennis Podcast listeners successfully funded the weekly show to continue in 2017, and so we are back!Catherine and David convene to discuss the seven tournaments that have started the new year with a bang, to talk about Andy Murray’s knighthood, to make their 2017 tennis wishes, and to delve into the Poll Vault.Nigel Sears, former coach of Ana Ivanovic and Daniella Hantuchova, and Murray’s father-in-law, tells us who he will be looking out for on the WTA circuit in 2017. He also gives us his thoughts on the retirement of Ivanovic, how he thinks Anne Keothavong will fair as Great Britain Fed Cup captain, and whether he will be addressing Murray as ‘Sir Andy’.The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport) and produced in association with Telegraph Sport. The podcast’s crowdfunding Kickstarter will end on January 14th at Noon UK time. If it reaches £15,000, the team will produce 45 daily podcasts at the Grand Slam tournaments in 2017. Go to... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Jan 201754min

After taking a break for a month, The Tennis Podcast is back for one last episode in 2016, and there is a lot for Catherine and David to cover.The awful knife attack suffered by Petra Kvitova, the retirement of Ana Ivanovic, and the Australian Open withdrawals of Juan Martin Del Potro and Madison Keys kick off the show. The coaching carousel has been spinning like a Rafael Nadal forehand, and Nadal’s new alliance with Carlos Moya is one of the main topics discussed. What to make of the separation of Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker, and Jo Konta and Esteban Carril? And what will Richard Krajicek bring to Milos Raonic? We also talk about Roger Federer’s return, his periscoped practice session, and Andy Murray winning Sports Personality of the Year for a third time. And finally, don’t forget that The Tennis Podcast is running a crowdfunding Kickstarter to try to keep the show going in 2017. Please go to Kickstarter.com and search Tennis Podcast if you would like to contribute. Direct link -... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Des 201649min

After 260 episodes and five years of The Tennis Podcast, we are asking for your help to keep it going in 2017, and to make it bigger and better than ever. To find out how, go to: https://goo.gl/NLHqvq Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Des 20164min

One of the most memorable Davis Cup finals in history, a 0-2 comeback from the one and only Juan Martin Del Potro, and a first triumph in Argentina's history.Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live, BT Sport) spend half of The Tennis Podcast talking about all of that, and the other half debating who warrants the Tennis Podcast 2016 Awards.Who is the player of the year? What was the biggest shock of 2016? Who had the biggest breakthrough? And who lays dubious claim to Meltdown of the Year?Those and many more are discussed on the penultimate Tennis Podcast of 2016. The Tennis Podcast is a weekly, downloadable tennis radio show which is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Nov 201644min

Argentina have been trying to win the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas for more than a hundred years, and after four failed final attempts, they will be hoping that this is their year.Ahead of their final against Croatia in Zagreb, the Tennis Podcast team of David Law and Catherine Whitaker get together to discuss their chances, the late selection of 37-year-old Ivo Karlovic - the oldest man to have played singles in a final since the 20's, and the journey of Juan Martin Del Potro.Who will win? It's discussed, with predictions from presenters and listeners.And before signing off, they reminisce about great Davis Cup finals from the past. This edition of The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by The Davis Cup by BNP Paribas. www.daviscup.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Nov 201633min