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

With the ATP Finals just a couple of days away, Catherine and David get together on The Tennis Podcast to preview all the major storylines and make some predictions.After Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are heavily favoured to come through their groups, but who do Catherine and David think will join them in the semi-finals? Is Kevin Anderson the tournament’s dark horse? Can Marin Cilic overcome his recent habit of losing from a winning position? And might John Isner capitalise on his late-entry?Elsewhere, Grad Matt was on the ground at the O2 on media day, and he’s told David and Catherine all about what the players have been saying, including Federer’s comments about his scheduling and the developing ‘aggro’ between Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, has opened up in a rare newspaper interview with Simon Briggs of Telegraph Sport, part of which you can hear on the podcast. Why did Djokovic feel ‘guilty’ after having surgery? Was he surprised that he lost motivation to compete? And how has fatherhood changed him?Finally, the Telegraph’s Charlie Eccleshare gives his impressions of the Next Gen Finals in Milan. Which players stood out? Does the event offer a glimpse into tennis’ future? And which of the rule experiments stand a chance of coming into effect on the main tour? The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Nov 201853min

As 2018 draws to a close, a new man has arrived on the scene, beaten the best players and won the biggest title of his life. His name is Karen Khachanov. In a Tennis Podcast to review Paris, the Tennis Podcast team analyse the performance of the big Russian, how he ended the winning run of Novak Djokovic in the final, and what he might do next. Will he win a Slam before Zverev or Tsitsipas?The return to form of Roger Federer is discussed, whether he and Cilic choked against Djokovic, and the Elite Trophy victory of Ash Barty in Zhuhai is covered.Catherine Whitaker and David Law are joined by a special guest as the Next Gen Finals and ATP Finals are previewed, and the lack of top Americans as part the Fed Cup final is lamented.The Tennis Podcast is published every Monday throughout the year, and daily at the Grand Slam tournament. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Nov 201855min

After a few weeks apart, Catherine and David are back together in London for this week’s show, with Elina Svitolina’s sensational title run in Singapore at the top of the agenda. Why did nobody see it coming? Can she now ‘do a Wozniacki’ and go on to win her first Grand Slam next year?The other major storylines from the WTA Finals are also discussed, including Wozniacki’s rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.In Basel, Roger Federer won the 99th title of his career, but what should we make of his week? Did he find form just in time for the ATP Finals or did his run just paper over some cracks?Elsewhere, the past week featured yet another case of ‘tennis player treats ballkid badly’, this time involving Stefanos Tsitsipas. His behaviour is bemoaned, but his public apology is commended.As the tour heads to Paris, Nadal and Djokovic are locked in a battle for the World No.1 ranking, but they’re also coming under increasing pressure to cancel their controversial exhibition in Saudi Arabia. They’ve both been talking about the issue, and Catherine and David give their reaction.In coaching news, Andre Agassi has been spotted in Paris helping out Grigor Dimitrov. Could it be the start of a successful partnership? Can Agassi rebuild his reputation as a coach after a failed stint with Djokovic? Is Dimitrov the perfect pupil? Catherine and David can’t wait to find out.Finally, there’s time for the long-awaited segment on Tennis Chokes.The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Okt 201858min

Catherine and David began a recent episode of The Tennis Podcast by delving deep into Kyle Edmund’s ongoing title drought. This time, a mere two weeks later, they start by lauding Edmund’s emotional maiden title victory in Antwerp. How significant is it that he’s got the monkey off his back?Edmund was one of three young titlists on the ATP Tour this week. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov were the other two. Out of that triumvirate, who will have the best career?On the women’s side, Daria Kasatkina won a thrilling final in Moscow against the marvellous Ons Jabeur. It was a match that turned on its head after Phillipe Dehaes delivered a rousing message during a coaching timeout. But should it be allowed? In light of Patrick Mouratoglou’s comments on Twitter, in which he made a strong case in favour of on-court coaching, Catherine and David re-open the debate.Elsewhere, Wimbledon announced the introduction of final set tiebreaks at 12-12 from next year. Is that a good decision? Only a tiny number of matches even reach 12-12 in the deciding set, so why has the news received such attention?Last but not least, with the WTA Finals in full-swing, Catherine and David give their take on the week so far. Why is the court so slow? Is round-robin the best format? And who is the favourite to win the title?The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Okt 201856min

Novak Djokovic looks as if he has stepped in a time machine and taken us all back to 2015, such is the level of tennis he is producing in the second half of 2018. In the latest Tennis Podcast, Catherine Whitaker and David Law get together to look back on Djokovic's victory in Shanghai, where he didn't lose a set and never looked likely to. Who, when, where and how is anyone going to stop him? Or will his level inevitably drop?The man he beat in the final - Borna Coric - has made major strides recently, and his journey is reviewed, and Roger Federer comes into view after a so-so week in which he reached the semis but went down comfortably to Coric. What would be the tipping point for Federer to call it a day? And why do people get so upset when anyone dares to bring it up? Well, we do it on The Tennis Podcast.The latest Davis Cup frustrations are discussed, events on the WTA Tour in Hong Kong and Tianjin covered, and while recording the podcast, news breaks of Juan Martin del Potro suffering what sounds like a very serious injury.The Tennis Podcast is produced weekly in association with Telegraph Sport, and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Okt 201855min

Inspired by a certain Tennis Podcast presenter’s loss from match point up, David and Catherine begin this week’s show by discussing the phenomenon of ‘choking’ in sport. What causes it? And what’s the biggest choke in tennis history?In Beijing this week, Kyle Edmund didn’t choke, but he did miss a big opportunity to win his first ATP title. How important is it that he overcomes this hurdle sooner rather than later?Two men who have got the title-winning bug, however, are Daniil Medvedev and Nikoloz Basilashvili. David and Catherine hail their respective victories in Tokyo and Beijing, as well as their rise up the rankings in 2018. Why do their efforts seem to slip under the radar compared to those of Shapovalov and Tsitsipas?Caroline Wozniacki, meanwhile, won her first Premier Mandatory title since 2011, doing so without dropping a single set in Beijing. After a few months of injury and poor form, where did this flawless week come from?There’s also time to salute Kevin Anderson’s good nature, debate the different merits of one-handed and two-handed backhands, and discuss the excellent news that Britain will be hosting a Fed Cup tie for the first time since 1993.Catherine ends the show with two bits of advice: 1) Check out Jo Konta’s cute new dog. 2) Consider checking in to Agnieszka Radwanska’s tennis-themed hotel.The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Okt 201854min

2018 has been a turbulent year for tennis, with warring factions and uncertainty over where the sport is heading. In this week’s podcast, Simon Briggs joins David and Catherine to discuss the political state of the sport.How optimistic can we be that the governing bodies will eventually find a solution that works best for tennis rather just their own agendas? Will the sport produce a Davis Cup that works as well as golf’s Ryder Cup? And what will happen about on-court coaching?Briggs reveals the contents of his recent conversation with Wimbledon’s Phillip Brook, who admitted to him that the level of political tension within tennis may be at an all-time high. Despite the ongoing background noise, there has been lots of compelling action throughout Asia in the past week, including a title for Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan. Catherine and David are really impressed by her immense appetite for the sport. Can she rule the women’s game for years to come? Plus, with the WTA Race to Singapore coming to an end, what are her chances of sneaking into the top eight?Bernard Tomic was also a title winner last week, in Chengdu. His ups and downs have been well-documented, but Catherine and David agree that it’s nice to see him become a force once again. The wins of Yoshihito Nishioka and Margarita Gasparyan, who have both suffered serious injury in the past, are also discussed.Finally, there’s reaction to the viral clip of Fernando Verdasco giving short shrift to a ball boy in Shenzhen. Why should ball kids have to pick up players’ towels? And will this incident lead to much-needed change?The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Okt 201856min

There’s a lot to cover on the new Tennis Podcast.For the second week in a row, David and Catherine begin by talking about the form of Naomi Osaka. The Japanese reached the final in Tokyo to back up her US Open title. Why was that so impressive? And just how well did Karolina Pliskova have to play to beat her?Elsewhere, Andy Murray has decided that he will shut down his 2018 season after Shenzhen and Beijing in order to focus on being in the best possible shape for Australia. David and Catherine agree that it's a smart move.There’s also discussion about Serena’s complicated relationship with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Mohamed Lahyani’s suspension by the ATP, and more progress for Dominic Thiem on hard courts. Plus, tribute is paid to Mikhail Youzhny following his retirement.Finally, this week saw the second edition of the Laver Cup. What do David and Catherine think of the event? And what does the future hold for it?The Tennis Podcast is uploaded weekly throughout the year and daily at the Grand Slam tournaments. It is produced in association with Telegraph Sport and sponsored by Amazon Prime Video. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Sep 201853min