Roland Garros Day 12 - Semis reviewed, Alcaraz-Djokovic previewed with Mary Carillo

The French Open for 2016 is upon us, the draws have been made, and Catherine Whitaker is in Paris for the fortnight. David Law isn't, but that doesn't stop them getting together to pour over the potential match-ups and make the usual batch of sweeping, and most likely ill conceived predictions. We hear from Magnus Norman, coach to Stan Wawrinka, about how you beat Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam tournament, from catherine about what Roland Garros is like (full of quiche, apparently) and from David about how the French Open caused him to fail his A-levels.  The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph. This preview edition of the Tennis Podcast is sponsored by Racquet Magazine, a new, print-only, quarterly tennis magazine which 'does justice to the game we love—from tennis' buccaneering past to its modern global culture'. Find out more: https://goo.gl/d6cgAH.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Maj 201639min

Serena Williams had not won a tournament all year, until now, and after lifting the trophy in Rome for a fourth time, Martina Navratilova told The Tennis Podcast that she is still very much the favourite for the French Open title.  The great Navratilova also thinks Novak Djokovic is still the one to beat on the men's side, even though Andy Murray's straight sets win over the Serb in the Rome final will have given hope to the rest. Presenters Catherine Whitaker and David Law convened to discuss the week that was in Rome, the emergence of Madison Keys, and to debate who Murray's next coach will be. It got a bit heated when the subject of Ivan Lendl came up. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Maj 201643min

Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray for a 12th time in 13 meetings to banish memories of his early loss to Jiri Vesely in Monte Carlo, and our presenter David Law now believes that he will go on to finally land that elusive Roland Garros crown. Law is joined by Catherine Whitaker from Madrid, who witness the Djokovic express close up in a final that became increasingly intriguing as it went on. There’s also talk of Simona Halep’s title win, the returning Serena Williams in Rome, and a poll about who is now favourite for the women’s title at the French Open in a few weeks time.  The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Maj 201627min

Four years of conversation between BBC 5 Live and BT Sportcommentator David Law and Eurosport Catherine Whitaker have led tothis point - the 200th edition of The Tennis Podcast.In it, we hear Catherine cringe as a snippet of episodes 1 and 2are played out, Roger Federer’s explanation for why he has pulledout of Madrid and his assessment of his clay court career, anddebate about Grigor Dimitrov, who made headlines with a spectacularon-court meltdown in Istanbul. Where to next for the man that hasoccupied the airwaves so often on the Tennis Podcast?There’s also Dan Evans discussion - he finally broke into theworld’s Top 100, and we mark, out of ten, how concerned we shouldbe about Federer’s recent injuries. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with TelegraphSport.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Maj 201632min

Another week, another significant step for Rafael Nadal. His 49th clay court title, his ninth Barcelona crown (to go with his nine Monte Carlo and Roland Garros victories), and the ever-growing feeling that he is back to his best.Catherine and David convene to reflect on his week, to talk about Angelique Kerber's win in Stuttgart, the rise of Laura Siegemund, and to remember the day that Roger Federer was given a cow to mark his first Wimbledon title. There is also an exclusive interview with Jo Durie, former World No.5 and two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. She talks about what it's like to lead a French Open semifinal by a set a a break, how she once played Pictionary in the locker-room with Chris Evert & Martina Navratilova, and what she thinks Jo Konta's future will hold. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Apr 20161h 2min

After a three-year absence, Rafael Nadal is back in the winner's circle in Monte Carlo, making it title No.9 in the process.After a week spent sunning herself in the principality, Catherine Whitaker describes the scenes she saw from courtside, and provides interview clips from Nadal, Monfils, Federer, Murray, and the conqueror of Novak Djokovic - Jiri Vesely. Talking with David Law, who was not in Monte Carlo, the pair discuss the significance of Nadal's win and Djokovic's defeat, review a stunning Fed Cup weekend, and play #WhatWasThePointInWinning in tribute to Vesely. The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with Telegraph Sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Apr 201645min

One of the longest-running and most glamorous tennis tournaments on the calendar is about to get underway in Monte Carlo. Catherine Whitaker is there, as are the best male players in the world. David Law isn’t (and boy is he letting everyone know about it…).That hasn’t stopped them getting together for a Tennis Podcast, nor has it prevented David from telling a story about how he once shared an elevator with Federer, moments after the great man, then only a teenager, had lost 7-5 in the third. ‘Why do I always lose the close matches?’ Federer asked. Find out what David said in response.Other Monte Carlo memories are discussed, the upcoming week is previewed, and we hear from Federer ahead of his return from surgery. Novak Djokovic also talks about his quest for that elusive first French Open, and Rafael Nadal explains how he thinks there is very little pressure when you keep on winning.We also hear your tennis ‘bucket lists’, and whether you prefer red, blue or green... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Apr 201636min

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