US Open Day 11 - Bad, Bizarre, Brilliant: Women’s semis reviewed; Men’s semis preview

Roger Federer returned to action after 405 days and two knee surgeries with a 3-set win over Dan Evans before a 3-set loss to Nikoloz Basilashvili in Doha. Catherine, David and Matt discuss how it felt to watch him play again, what we made of his two performances, whether we were surprised or in any way alarmed by how quickly he faded physically, and our immediate reaction to his decision to skip Dubai next week. Elsewhere, who has more potential out of Fritz and Shapovalov? How has Rublev reached the semi-finals in Doha without even playing a match? How good was Muguruza to beat Sabalenka for the second week running? And what happened to Pegula against Mertens? The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCASTWe are crowdfunded for 2021 but if you’d like to receive a reminder e-mail in December when our next campaign goes live, then you can sign up here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILXNEWSLETTERSign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRXEMAILWe hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.netSOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Mars 20211h 3min

Roger Federer is back! In this episode, Catherine, David and Matt react to his pre tournament press conference in Doha as he prepares for his first match since January 2020. Did he consider retirement while he was out injured? How confident is he that the knee will hold up? What are his main goals for the season? And is he still motivated by the Grand Slam race?We also cover the main stories from last week, including another step forward for Andrey Rublev, a first victory on home soil for Diego Schwartzman, a dominant week for Petra Kvitova, and a first title for the talented Clara Tauson. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCASTWe are crowdfunded for 2021 but if you’d like to receive a reminder e-mail in December when our next campaign goes live, then you can sign up here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILXNEWSLETTERSign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRXEMAILWe hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.netSOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Mars 20211h 1min

We discuss what we’ve seen so far this week in Doha and Rotterdam, including a barnstormer between Garbine Muguruza and Aryna Sabalenka, progress for Kei Nishikori, the end of Stefanos Tsitsipas’ losing streak in doubles, and Andy Murray’s 7-5, 6-2 defeat against Andrey Rublev. Hear part of Murray’s fascinating post match press conference in which he explains why he was disappointed in his performance and why he will continue to demand a lot of himself. There’s also news of Marcus Willis’ retirement and the discovery of Juan Manuel Cerúndolo. Then, we move on to answering more listener questions. In best-of-five set matches, should there be a games-won threshold that the losing player must reach after two sets to trigger five sets? Is there such a thing as a straight-sets classic? What is our best prediction of what Federer can achieve when he returns? And if we could choose any current players to face off on any court on any surface, who would we pick? The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCASTWe are crowdfunded for 2021 but if you’d like to receive a reminder e-mail in December when our next campaign goes live, then you can sign up here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILXNEWSLETTERSign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRXEMAILWe hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.netSOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Mars 20211h 2min

We’re back! Catherine and David catch up and discuss what’s been happening since the Australian Open, including Andy Murray’s comeback in Montpellier, titles for Iga Swiatek and David Goffin, the latest Hall of Fame nominations, and tweets from John Isner about the ATP being a ‘broken system’. Then, in part two, we dive into some listener questions, chosen by guest editor Simon Pearce. Is percentage of second serves won the most underrated but critical statistic in tennis? Who would be involved in our ultimate mixed doubles match? What role did tennis play in rescuing David from the Lost Law Years? Should the tours be regionalised post pandemic to make the sport more economically viable? And should women play best-of-five sets at majors? The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCASTWe are crowdfunded for 2021 but if you’d like to receive a reminder e-mail in December when our next campaign goes live, then you can sign up here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILXNEWSLETTERSign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRXEMAILWe hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.netSOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Mars 20211h 1min

If Saturday was all about Naomi Osaka opening up a gap between herself and the rest of the field, then Sunday was all about Novak Djokovic closing the gap in the Grand Slam Race. After he beat Daniil Medvedev in a surprisingly one-sided final, his18th major title was the subject of our final podcast from the 2021 Australian Open. Why was the match not as close as we expected? Could Medvedev have done anything differently? Why did Djokovic 'need' this title? What might his schedule look like in the future as he worries less about his ranking? And how did Goran Ivanisevic stoke up the Grand Slam Race?The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCASTWe are crowdfunded for 2021 but if you’d like to receive a reminder e-mail in December when our next campaign goes live, then you can sign up here - http://eepurl.com/gwWILXNEWSLETTERSign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRXEMAILWe hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.netSOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Feb 20211h 7min

On Saturday, Naomi Osaka beat Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 to set herself apart. It was her 21st consecutive match win, her 4th Grand Slam title, and her 2nd Australian Open crown. Her 12-0 record at the quarter-finals and beyond in majors is unmatched by anyone else in the Open Era.We look back on where the final was won and lost, reflect on Osaka’s journey to this point and her place in the game, consider her potential on grass and clay, and discuss what the future might hold for Brady. There’s also a preview of tomorrow's men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev. How can you back against Djokovic in an Australian Open final? But why do we have a feeling for Medvedev? The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.NEWSLETTERSign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRXEMAILWe hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.netSOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Feb 202156min

Just when Stefanos Tsitsipas thought he’d scaled his Everest by beating Rafael Nadal, he ran into Daniil Medvedev. The Russian picked apart Tsitsipas’ game for his 12th consecutive win over a Top-10 player to set up a final meeting with Novak Djokovic. In part one of this podcast we discuss the match, including the way the crowd influenced both players, the deceptive brilliance of Medvedev, whether Tsitsipas was fatigued, the simmering aggro, and Medvedev’s shot of the tournament contender. In part two, we speak to Simon Briggs to get his views on Medvedev’s appeal in the UK, to hear about his interview with Naomi Osaka’s fitness trainer, to discuss the news that the Australian Open is set to cost Tennis Australia $100m, and to ponder what’s next for the sport in these uncertain times. The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.NEWSLETTERSign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRXEMAILWe hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.netSOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Feb 20211h 3min

Day 11 of this Australian Open was a classic day of Grand Slam semi-final tennis, defined by tournament favourites underlining their credentials, an ageing great dealing with the heaviness of defeat, and two inexperienced players anxiously trying to defeat their nerves and each other to reach a first major final. It left us with lots to reflect on and lots to look forward to on the podcast.Osaka shines bright - what makes her so special? Interpreting Serena’s wave goodbye Will Serena get to 24 and does it matter? (Featuring a small argument) Brady survives epic last game to reach first major final - can she trouble Osaka?Djokovic hits peak form at the right timeWhat next for Aslan Karatsev? Medvedev vs. Tsitsipas preview The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.NEWSLETTERSign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRXEMAILWe hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.netSOCIAL MEDIA Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Feb 20211h 1min