Davis Cup - Italy vs. Spain final; Who needs Sinneraz?
The Davis Cup Final for 2025 is set, and even though Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are not there, it still features Italy and Spain!Part One00.00 General euphoria from Catherine, David and Matt after a brilliant couple of semifinals ensured that Italy and Spain would meet in the Davis Cup title. There’s a blow-by-blow account of how and why we’re now all ‘Cobolli guys’, his incredible tie-break against Zizou Bergs, and the beautiful friendship between the younger Italian and his team partner Matteo Berrettini. Part Two31.00 Spain vs. Germany went down to the doubles and what a battle that was. The trio talk about how the absence of Alcaraz and Sinner (and Lorenzo Musetti) has enabled Pedro Martinez, Pablo Carreno Busta, Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli to shine.Part Three41.17 Punchy predictions are called for a delivered ahead of the Davis Cup final. Who are we all going for?Check out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
22 Nov 202554min
Davis Cup - Semis set after doubles drama
Catherine, David and Matt discuss a dramatic few days at the Davis Cup Finals. There’s chat about Spain coping with Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal, a doubles classic won by Germany against Argentina, a moment of madness from Corentin Moutet, and Italy’s homecoming as champions. Plus, predictions for Italy vs Belgium and Spain vs Germany in the semis.You can keep up to date with the Davis Cup Finals on the Davis Cup Instagram, TikTok and X, you can sign up to the free official Davis Cup newsletter at Daviscup.com and you can follow all the action on the newly updated World Cup of Tennis app, which brings together the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge. Search 'World Cup of Tennis' on App Store or Play Store to download for freeBecome a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 Nov 202551min
Davis Cup Finals - Can Italy Threepeat without Sinner?
Catherine, David & Matt preview the 2025 tennis season’s denouement - the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy. Part One (00:00) - With Matt reporting from the ground in Bologna, the team look ahead to the first two quarter finals; France vs Belgium, and defending Champions Italy vs Austria. How will Italy cope with the absence of their two best singles players Sinner & Musetti? And can Paul Henri Mathieu complete a redemptive arc from devastating defeat as a player in the 2002 final, to captaining a winning French side in 2025?Part Two (33:22) - A preview of the second two quarter finals; Spain vs Czechia - a tie that many think will determine the outcome of the whole competition - and Germany vs Argentina. Does David Ferrer have questions to answer and a point to prove as Spain captain? And after of years of saying he’d never play the Davis Cup in its new format, why is Alexander Zverev lining up for Germany?Part Three (53:47) - Punchy predictions for how the week will unfold and who will be holding the trophy come Sunday. You can keep up to date with the Davis Cup Finals on the Davis Cup Instagram, TikTok and X, you can sign up to the free official Davis Cup newsletter at Daviscup.com and you can follow all the action on the newly updated World Cup of Tennis app, which brings together the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge. Search 'World Cup of Tennis' on App Store or Play Store to download for freeBecome a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 Nov 20251h 9min
ATP Finals - Sinner takes it all
After the final match of the ATP Tour season, Catherine David & Matt are joined by Charlie Eccleshare in Turin to discuss the latest edition of the Sinneraz rivalry, and another astonishing ATP Finals title for Jannik Sinner, who is now undefeated on indoor hard courts for two full seasons. Part One 00:00 - In depth analysis of Sinner's straight sets win over Alcaraz in front of a giddy Italian crowd. What makes Sinner so good on an indoor court, how big an impact has his new-found variety had on his match up with Alcaraz? And how worried should we be about Alcaraz's hamstring injury that seemed to plague him in the second half of the match?There's also discussion of the rivalry in general, where it goes from here and whether men's tennis is precariously reliant on its two biggest superstars. Part Two 54:33 - The team discuss a doubles title for Harri Heliövaara and Henry Patten, beating Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury in the final, as well as a dominant showing generally for British doubles players at the year-end finals. There's also a deep dive on the comments from ATP CEO Andrea Gaudenzi in Turin this week, defending his controversial move to extend 1000 events to 12 days in length. Plus there's a look ahead to the week ahead at the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, where Matt will be reporting from on-site.Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 Nov 20251h 18min
Can anyone stop another Sinner-Alcaraz final?
David and Matt discuss the Group Stages of the ATP Finals with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner seemingly on yet another collision course in Turin. Part one - Bjorn Borg Group (00:00 - 20:55). We react to Felix Auger-Aliassime’s nervy victory in the decisive match against Alexander Zverev, take stock of the German’s season, and cover how Sinner has cruised to a 3-0 record. Part two - Jimmy Connors Group (20:56 - 42:28). There’s chat about Carlos Alcaraz securing the year-end number one spot, a brilliant performance but ultimately elimination for Taylor Fritz, a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Alex de Minaur, and some magical Lorenzo Musetti scenes. Part three - Doubles and SFs Predictions (42:29 - 58:14). Do De Minaur and Auger-Aliassime stand a chance against Sinner and Alcaraz? Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 Nov 202558min
Will Rybakina’s title be the first of many?
Catherine, David and Matt discuss Elena Rybakina’s title victory in Riyadh and preview the ATP Finals in Turin as the field is finally set. Part one - WTA Finals (00:00 - 49:38). We cover Rybakina’s incredible performance to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 7-6(0) in the final and ponder what it might mean for the future. There’s also chat about Sabalenka’s brilliant victory over Amanda Anisimova in the semi-finals, the triumph of Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova in the doubles, and The Athletic’s Matt Futterman delivers some powerful final reflections on his experience of the event. Part two - ATP Finals Preview (49:39 - 1:10:45). We react to the absurd situation in Athens as Novak Djokovic won a remarkable 101st title, breaking Lorenzo Musetti’s heart, but then withdrew from the ATP Finals allowing Musetti to participate in his place. After all that, what might happen in Turin? Part three - Reaction to our Jack Draper interview (1:10:46 - 1:24:06) Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
8 Nov 20251h 24min
The Big Jack Draper Interview
Catherine, David and Matt are joined by the current British No.1 and Indian Wells champion Jack Draper for an exclusive, wide-ranging interview. Having been forced to shut down his season early due to an arm injury, Draper talks through some of the highs and lows of the year, updates us on his preparation for next season, and delves deep into the current scheduling issues on the ATP Tour.Part one (00:00 - 29:59) - Jack tells us about the arm pain that blighted the second half of his 2025 season, and takes a deeper look at the way that injuries and his relationship with his body in general have shaped his career so far. There's also chat about what it's like to be part of the Alcaraz-Sinner generation, the way the word "pressure" is thrown around when it comes to Wimbledon, and how he is preparing for 2026.Part two (30:00 - 1:09:40) - Having opened up a bit on social media recently about scheduling issues, Jack speaks to us in depth about the calendar, detailing the toll that the 12-day Masters are taking on the players. There's debate about revenue-sharing, exhibitions, the off-season, and what needs to change for tennis to protect its players better.Part three (1:09:41 -1:43:50) - We get into the more light-hearted stuff with Jack including the experience of the US Open mixed doubles, his idolisation of Rafael Nadal, his relationship with Andy Murray, and The Traitors. Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 Nov 20251h 43min
WTA semis set - who wins it all?
Part One - Serena Williams Group. With Anisimova beating Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek to qualify, we’re officially at the ‘silencing the doubters’ stage of our prediction. We analyse Anisimova’s improving performances through the week, offer some reflections on Swiatek’s curious season, and discuss the remarkable form of Rybakina at this tournament so far. Can she keep it up? Part Two - Steffi Graf Group (23:00). We cover Aryna Sabalenka’s flawless record, including an impressive victory in a Roland Garros final rematch against Coco Gauff, and we make sure to pay some much needed respect to Jessica Pegula’s record. Part Three - Semi-final predictions, doubles results, and a very exciting podcast announcement! (36:22) Become a Friend of The Tennis PodcastCheck out our new merch shop! Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6 Nov 20251h 1min
