Indian Wells - Andreeva and Draper are the real deal

Novak Djokovic completed his fourth Indian Wells / Miami double, won a record 28th Masters 1000 title, and prompted the question of whether there is anyone or anything that can stand between him and a Golden Grand Slam in 2016.David Law and Catherine Whitaker convene to discuss who, when and where someone might get in his way after the World No.1 continued his global dominance. Victoria Azarenka also won her second successive big title, raising further questions over the form of Serena Williams. At 34, is this the beginning of the end for one of the greatest players of all time?Also, what’s been wrong with Andy Murray over the past few weeks?And with John Isner revealing that Roger Federer is a fan of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), David remembers the late 90’s when Federer would do locker-room impersonations of American wrestling stars. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Apr 201637min

Four years ago, Jamie Murray had more doubles partners than months in a year, couldn’t reach the final of a futures tournament in Loughborough and looked as if he was going to retire. Now, he’s the World No.1In the latest Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker and David Law discuss his huge, history-making achievement, and that of Jo Konta and Heather Watson reaching the last 16 in Miami.There’s a recap of the events that have followed since Novak Djokovic sparked an equal prize money debate a week ago, discussion of a rare occurrence - Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer withdrawing from a tournament through ill health, and memories of Miami, which used to be called the 5th Slam.And listeners and presenters come together for a cathartic admission of their most rubbish tennis predictions, including ‘I picked Ryan Harrison for Top 10’, ‘I said Roger Federer would retire in 2008’, and ‘I thought Novak Djokovic would be a one-slam wonder’. Oops.The Tennis Podcast is produced in... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Mar 201640min

On a day when we expected to be headlining with Azarenka’s win over Serena Williams, instead all the talk was of Indian Wells Tournament Director Raymond Moore’s astonishing comments about the women’s game, and a response from Novak Djokovic that reopened the equal prize money debate.David Law and Catherine Whitaker review what was said by whom, and react to it. Does Djokovic have a point? Is it time the debate was put to bed by making tennis equal pay for equal play? Or is it just too depressing for words that equality isn’t simply seen as the right thing in 2016?The wins of Azarenka and Djokovic are also discussed, as is the resurgence of Rafael Nadal. In an exclusive interview, we also talk to Jez Green, the man that helped to make Andy Murray the physical juggernaut he is today, and who is now in charge of the fitness of 18-year-old German prodigy Alexander Zverev. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Mar 201642min

It’s been a turbulent couple of months for the boss of men’s tennis  - ATP Executive Chairman and President Chris Kermode, who is a guest on this week’s Tennis Podcast, which is produced in association with the Telegraph. An investigative report into suspicious betting patterns by the BBC and Buzzfeed led to allegations of match-fixing on the eve of the Australian Open in January, an independent review was hastily called by Kermode and the other governing bodies to look at make-up, funding and performance of the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), and then the sport’s anti-doping process was thrown into the spotlight last week following Maria Sharapova’s revelation about a positive drug-test.In a wide-ranging, 30-minute interview, Kermode, who has just been re-elected for a further three years, tells David Law about how the independent review into the TIU will work, how players are kept up-to-date with changes to the anti-doping banned list, and how the sport needs to educate the next... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Mar 20161h

She was expected to announce her retirement, but instead Maria Sharapova revealed even more shocking news in a Los Angeles press conference - she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, which she said she had been taking for ten years for a health condition, but which had been added to the banned list at the start of 2016.In the latest Tennis Podcast, you can hear Sharapova's statement in full, and presenters David Law and Catherine Whitaker discuss the implications for Sharapova and the sport. Also, with Andy Murray finally subduing Kei Nishikori after 4 hours and 54 minutes, and Novak Djokovic coming back from two sets to one down in Belgrade, the pair could be on a collision course in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in July.Is Murray's decision to prioritise the Davis Cup a sign that the media has been under-appreciating the completion all along? And will Djokovic put his hand up for the quarterfinals in this jam-packed Olympic year?Finally, the Tennis... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Mar 201647min

Andy Murray On Fatherhood, 10 Years At The Top, And Plans To Play Into His Mid-30'sAndy Murray has just become a father, celebrated ten years since his first ATP title, and now returns to work to start the defence of the Davis Cup, which Britain won in November. In an exclusive interview, Murray talks to Catherine Whitaker on the Tennis Podcast about his relief at arriving home from Australia in time for the birth of his daughter, Sophia, his hour on the phone with coach and fellow new-parent Amelie Mauresmo, and his memories of that first ATP title in San Jose. As he explains, it was his first trip anywhere with Kim Sears, the woman that would become his wife.How did it feel to see his brother Jamie win a Grand Slam doubles title? How will he organise his year with the Olympics to consider? And how long does he see himself playing for? Murray answers them all in this week’s show.Presenters Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Stephen Farrow,  Aegon Championships... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Mar 201634min

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

23 Feb 201650min

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

15 Feb 201636min