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

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Okt 201530min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Okt 201539min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Okt 201540min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Okt 201532min

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Sep 201533min

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Sep 201518min

The Murray brothers’ five-set win over Sam Groth and Lleyton Hewitt was ‘one of the most memorable days in British tennis history’, according to British Eurosport pundit Annabel Croft. With Great Britain standing one Andy Murray match win away from a Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final for the first time since 1978, Croft joined David Law (BBC 5 Live) and Catherine Whitaker on the Tennis Podcast to talk about an epic doubles encounter.  "I've never experienced an atmosphere in my life like the one in this arena today,” said Croft. “It’s one of the most memorable days in British tennis history and Judy Murray said to me in New York that winning the Davis Cup is one of Andy’s major ambitions." Sitting courtside in Glasgow as Bernard Tomic was put through his paces on Saturday evening, the Tennis Podcast team speculated about whether any changes to the team are likely.  ‘‘It is just such a conundrum for the Aussies over who to pick,” said Croft. "From what I’m seeing I think it might well be... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Sep 201520min

Former British Davis Cup player Greg Rusedski has backed Britain to go on from their 1-1 overnight scoreline to reach the final of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas for the first time in 37 years. In a guest appearance on Tennis Podcast, Rusedski told presenters David Law and Catherine Whitaker that Andy Murray is looking better than ever, and believes he will play in Saturday’s doubles and carry Britain to victory on Sunday,  Captains Leon Smith and Wally Masur give their verdicts on day one, with Masur confirming the identity of his doubles pairing. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph and supported by BNP Paribas, the bank for a changing world. Greg Rusedski is a pundit for British Eurosport.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Sep 201520min