The Tennis Podcast

Catherine, David and Matt capture another day at Roland Garros which saw Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils say goodbye, Elina Svitolina and Casper Ruud survive, and more players succumb to hot conditions. Part one - Day session. We cover Svitolina’s hard fought win over Anna Bondar, overcoming her recent difficulties in that match up. What makes Bondar tricky for her? And how did she come through? Elsewhere, there’s chat about Amanda Anisimova’s winning return, a tough day for Zheng Qinwen, and Rafael Jodar’s emphatic victory. Part two - Night session (38:31). Gael Monfils ended his Roland Garros career with a 6-0 final set loss to Hugo Gaston. Why was this such a weird match? And how will Monfils be remembered? We also pick the bones out of an even more bizarre five-setter between Casper Ruud and Roman Safiullen. Part three - Mousquetaire of the day and Day 3 Order of Play (56:21). Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

At the end of a hot and steamy day in Paris, Catherine, David and Matt wrap up the main results from Roland Garros, headlined by Novak Djokovic’s win in the night session. Part one - Men’s results. We cover Djokovic’s four set win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, assess just how much trouble he was in, and whether he can use this performance as a springboard. We also go in depth into Nishesh Basavarredy’s journey after his excellent win over Taylor Fritz. Elsewhere there’s chat about Alexander Zverev’s victory, Joao Fonseca setting up a meeting with Dino Prizmic, a typical Alejandro Davidovich Fokina experience, and our first watery shits moment of the tournament. Part two - Women’s results (35:17). We start with Hailey Baptiste’s thrilling win over Barbora Krejcikova as she survived two match points against her. How does she keep doing this? There’s also drama to discuss between Magda Linette and Tereza Valentova, an emotional win on a tough day for the incredibke Marta Kostyuk, and reports on Fran Jones and Caty McNally’s impressive comeback wins. Part three (56:46) - We introduce and crown Mousquetaire of the Day before a look ahead to Monday’s order of play. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

On the eve of the French Open, Catherine, David and Matt are joined by The Athletic’s Ava Wallace to preview the tournament and make some predictions. Part one - We react to the sad news that Arthur Fils has withdrawn, talk about what it means for the landscape of men’s tennis as the significant injuries pile up, and provide a further update on the player’s media action. Part two (15:58) - We talk about some of the main headlines from qualifying and pick out the best matches on the day one Order of Play. Part three (36:41) - We have an extraordinary interview with Oleksandra Oliynykova who talks about her experience of being a Ukrainian on tour, with a war going on at home. To finish the show, we make our predictions for the tournament. Who will reach the final from the men’s bottom half? And can Coco Gauff defend her title? Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and Matt report from media day at Roland Garros as the top players cut short their media commitments in a protest over prize money and treatment from the Grand Slams. Part one - We discuss how today’s protest played out and whether it met our expectations. Why did it all feel a little bit flat? In what way could it have been successful? And what is next for this movement? Part two (18:14) - Away from the protest, what did the players have to say in their press conferences? We discuss Aryna Sabalenka’s positive update on her fitness, a huge shift from Emma Raducanu as she detailed working with Andrew Richardson again, how to interpret Novak Djokovic’s comments about his preparation, and Taylor Fritz’s reality check over his knee. Part three (58:15) - We react to concerning reports about Arthur Fils’ fitness and pay tribute to our colleague, Howard Fendrich of the Associated Press, who sadly passed away earlier this week. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts are in Paris where the Roland Garros draws have taken place as players plan to protest the prize money on offer by limiting their media commitments. Part one - Carlos Alcaraz is out of Wimbledon (00:00 - 12:57) Our reaction, what it means for Alcaraz, and what it means for men’s tennis. Part two - Roland Garros draws. (12:57 - 50:07) We break down the main headlines from Thursday’s draw ceremony at The Orangerie. Is this the year Jelena Ostapenko vs Iga Swiatek finally happens here? Which round one matches pop off the page? And can anyone possibly stop Jannik Sinner? Part three - Players plan media walk out to protest Grand Slam prize money (50:07) How effective could the planned action be? Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and Matt convened for a live show to discuss Elina Svitolina crowning one of the all-time great title runs, Jannik Sinner completing his set of all the Masters titles, and what it all means for Paris. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 33:48). What made the final between Svitolina and Coco Gauff so compelling? How did Svitolina’s victory show off her evolution as a player? And what’s the status of The Mix heading into Roland Garros? Part two - ATP (33:49 - 1:13:22) We cover Sinner’s tough semi-final win over Daniil Medvedev and his more straightforward victory in the final against Casper Ruud. Could he win all the Masters 1000 events this year? How much mental and physical fatigue is he battling? And who - or what - can stop Sinner is Paris? Part three - The week ahead (1:13:23 - 1:26:33). Emma Raducanu has reunited with Andrew Richardson - are we hopeful? Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and Matt review an eventful few days of action in Rome and look ahead to finals weekend. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 44:40). We discuss how Elina Svitolina and Coco Gauff have both reached the final, including Svitolina’s remarkable wins on back-to-back nights over Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek, as well as Gauff’s battling victory over Mirra Andreeva and gradual improvement in form. Who has the edge in the final? Plus, we analyse Swiatek’s tournament and wonder what it means for Roland Garros, and we hear Pam Shriver’s observations from her time coaching in Rome. Part two - ATP (44:41 - 1:15:10). We start with Jannik Sinner’s record-breaking run as he sweeps through the field while managing some fatigue. But there’s plenty of chaos around Sinner to discuss, including a thrilling win for Daniil Medvedev against Martin Landaluce, a late-night, smoke-interrupted epic between Luciano Darderi and Rafael Jodar, and some very graceless quotes from Alexander Zverev. There’s collective joy that Arthur Fils will be fit for Roland Garros and sadness that Lorenzo Musetti has withdrawn. Part three - News (1:15:11 - 1:37:03). We react to the news that Andy Murray will coach Jack Draper for the grass court season and give our thoughts on Carlos Alcaraz’s Vanity Fair cover. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and the Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare look back on a dramatic opening week at Rome’s Foro Italico. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 16:41). Charlie brings us up to speed on the latest stand off between the top players and the Grand Slams over prize money, and Aryna Sabalenka’s bold claim that the players are prepared to boycott in order to achieve the revenue share they think they deserve. Is it all hot air? Do the players have a point or are they being greedy? Part two - WTA (16:41 - 50:09). After Charlie explains the bizarre circumstances around Emma Raducanu’s pre tournament withdrawal, we get into the nitty gritty of the women’s results so far, including a shock early defeat and injury scare for the World Number One Sabalenka. Part three - ATP (50:09). Injury and illness drama also dominated the early stages of the men’s event, with Djokovic compromised by stomach issues and Dino Prizmic capitalising in spectacular fashion. Is Dino finally happening? And is there anyone left standing between Darth Sinner and a maiden title in Rome? Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠: https://bit.ly/FriendOfTheTennisPodcast Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠new merch shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.thetennispodcast.net/shop 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): http://eepurl.com/gbmzRX Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (@thetennispodcast): / djqzbwwmk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine, David and Matt are joined by The Athletic’s Matt Futterman to discuss finals weekend in Madrid and what it might all mean for Roland Garros. Part one - ATP (00:00 - 38:00). We start with Jannik Sinner’s demolition of Alexander Zverev and what it told us about their match up and the gap between Sinner and everyone else in the field in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz. Why was Zverev so poor in the final? Is Sinner in a mix of one at Roland Garros? And who or what might be his biggest obstacles? Part two - WTA (38:01 - 1:05:01). We discuss Marta Kostyuk winning the biggest title of her career over Mirra Andreeva, the keys to that victory, and whether this puts her in contention to win in Paris. Plus, can Andreeva learn to do that really hard thing of separating self-worth from results, and why does The Mix feel bigger on the women’s side? Part three - Rome preview (1:05:02 - 1:22:11) Full details of the Mike Dickson Award can be found here. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and Matt look ahead to the women’s final and the men’s semis in Madrid. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 29:59). The Athletic’s Matt Futterman provides a report from on the ground in Madrid before we discuss Hailey Baptiste’s thrilling upset of Aryna Sabalenka as well as the paths that Mirra Andreeva and Marta Kostyuk have taken to the final. Part two - ATP (30:00 - 56:16). After Jannik Sinner’s impressive victory over Rafael Jodar, can Arthur Fils stop him? In the other semi-final, we discuss how Alexander Blockx has got there to face Alexander Zverev. Part three - News (56:17 - 1:12:07). Jack Draper is out of Roland Garros and will drop outside of the Top 100. We also have some insight into Emma Raducanu’s coaching developments… Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and Matt catch up on all things Madrid - a tournament which has been hit by a bout of apparent food poisoning, but with plenty of interesting plot lines still developing. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 32:38). We cover Post Puke Gauff’s gutsy victory over Sorana Cirstea, Elena Rybakina coming through a couple of testing three setters, and a nice run for Hailey Baptiste. Plus, David fills us in on the return to form of Caty McNally and we make some predictions for the week ahead. Part two - ATP (32:39 - 1:05:44) Rafael Jodar’s win over Joao Fonseca was the standout moment of the tournament so far. How did Jodar win it? What happened to Fonseca in the decider? And did their match prove how good they are or reveal some potential weaknesses? There’s also chat about Lorenzo Musetti beginning to rediscover his confidence, some wild Terence Atmane scenes, and debate about who might come through the bottom half to (probably) face Jannik Sinner in the final. Part three - News (1:05:45 - 1:21:51). We get some ⁠extra information from the ITIA⁠ about Marketa Vondrousova’s case and we react to the news that Portia Archer has left her role as WTA CEO. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and Matt convened for an emergency live show to react to the sad news that defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from next month's Roland Garros due to a wrist injury. We discussed what this means for Alcaraz, how it might affect Jannik Sinner going for the Career Slam, and the different feel the tournament will have without Alcaraz. Who can step up in his absence? Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Part one - WTA (00:00 - 32:07). We start with Elena Rybakina’s title in Stuttgart which takes her to the top of the WTA Race for 2026. What were the keys to her victory? How did she come through an extraordinary match with Leylah Fernandez? And what might this mean for the rest of the clay court swing? There’s also chat about Karolina Muchova’s brilliant run and another loss from a set up for Iga Swiatek. But were there some positive signs for Swiatek in her defeat to Mirra Andreeva? Over in Rouen, we cover Marta Kostyuk’s victory in an all-Ukrainian final against Veronika Podrez. Part two - ATP (32:08 - 1:05:08). Arthur Fils is a title winner again and David is a very happy man! We discuss Fils’ level to beat Lorenzo Musetti, Rafael Jodar and Andrey Rublev in Barcelona before David makes a very big prediction. In Munich, we analyse Ben Shelton’s improvement on clay and an emotional week for Flavio Cobolli. Part three - News and Madrid preview (1:05:09 - 1:28:49). We cover the news that Marketa Vondrousova is facing investigation for refusing a doping test before looking through the Madrid draws. How concerning is Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal? Full details of the second edition of the Mike Dickson Award can be found here. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine and Matt are together for a mid week catch up with events in Stuttgart, Barcelona, Munich and Rouen in full swing. Part one - ATP (00:00 - 34:41). How concerning is Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from Barcelona with a wrist injury? We react to his press conference and discuss the difficulty of his clay court season scheduling. Elsewhere in Barcelona, Lorenzo Musetti has picked up some much-needed wins and now plays Arthur Fils, while Rafael Jodar has become the favourite for the title. In Munich, there’s excitement ahead of Joao Fonseca vs Ben Shelton but also more dispiriting Stefanos Tsitsipas scenes. Part two - WTA (34:42 - 59:02). We look ahead to a brilliant quarter-final line-up in Stuttgart, despite a slow start to the event. Iga Swiatek’s new era is underway and we chat about her win over Laura Siegemund and preview her match against Mirra Andreeva. And can Coco Gauff keep up her perfect record against Karolina Muchova? Part three - News (59:03 - 1:34:58). We discuss tennis’ place in the quickly changing landscape of Saudi investment in sport, with reports that the WTA Finals will not be renewing in Riyadh. Could Czechia or Poland be good hosts? There’s also bits and pieces from Roland Garros’s pre tournament press conference, retirement announcements from Jamie Murray and Roberto Bautista Agut, and a Rafael Nadal documentary coming to Netflix. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and Matt are here to look back on the first Sinner-Alcaraz match of the 2026 season. Part one - Monte Carlo (00:00 - 30:59). We discuss Jannik Sinner’s victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the final and how it sets up their rivalry and the clay court season ahead. In what way did Sinner cope best with the windy conditions? How much confidence will he take from his? And how might Alcaraz respond? There’s also chat about the gap between them and the rest of the field after Sinner’s comprehensive win over Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals as well as a final word on Valentin Vacherot’s incredible run. Part two - Linz and BJK Cup (31:00 - 59:29). Lilli Tagger’s run may have stopped in the quarter-finals, but the fun continued in Linz as Anastasia Potapova made it all the way to the final, only to lose to Mirra Andreeva. Just how impressive was that win for Andreeva? What’s the significance of her doing it without Conchita Martinez in her box? And how do we look back on the first edition of Linz on indoor clay? In the BJK Cup, we cover Great Britain’s shock win in Australia, USA’s defeat to Belgium, a compelling comeback from the Czechs to beat Switzerland, and a devastating day for Bianca Andreescu and Canada. Part three (59:30 - 1:21:01) - Preview and predictions for the week ahead which sees Alcaraz go to Barcelona and Iga Swiatek return in Stuttgart. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Part one (00:00 - 41:30) David and Matt catch up on all things Monte Carlo which has seen Daniil Medvedev get double bagelled, Jannik Sinner actually drop a set, Valentin Vacherot win some thrillers, Joao Fonseca look impressive, and Alexander Zverev come back from the brink of defeat. How might the rest of the week unfold? Part two (41:31 - 56:11) - The Lilli Tagger show in Linz and a preview of the BJK Cup Qualifiers. Part three (56:12 - 1:04:21) - Aryna Sabalenka withdraws from Stuttgart and Holger Rune announces his comeback. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

Catherine, David and Matt are together to discuss the start of the clay court season and a fascinating week of coaching changes on both tours. Part one - Coaching carousel (00:00 - 33:55). With the news that Iga Swiatek has hired Francisco Roig, we talk about whether her training block in Mallorca with Rafael Nadal can help inspire her for the clay court season ahead. Could this be just the boost Swiatek needs? What are some of the potential challenges in this partnership with Roig? Elsewhere, there’s a rundown of how Roig ditched Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard who has now hired Greg Rusedski, and Amanda Anisimova’s ongoing search for a new coach. Part two - WTA and ATP Tour Results (33:56 - 1:10:50). We cover Jessica Pegula’s title run in Charleston which was filled with three set matches, Matt makes an unsolicited Pegula prediction, and there’s a note on the importance of Charleston offering equal prize money and the incredible story of finalist Yulia Starodubtseva. On the men’s side, Tommy Paul won his first clay court title in Houston and Rafael Jodar made everyone pay attention to his talent by winning the title in Marrakech. Plus, David gets to talk about two of his favourite things - the Drop Shot Dragon and playing football with Diego Maradona - thanks to Marco Trungelliti and Roman Andres Burruchaga both having career best weeks. Part three - Monte Carlo Preview (1:10:50 - 1:24:13). Will we get our first Jannik Sinner-Carlos Alcaraz match of 2026? Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

David, Catherine and the Athletic's Matt Futterman had plenty to talk about after Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka completed the rare Double Sunshine Double with their Miami Open titles. Part one - ATP (00:00 - 37:45) We start with the extraordinary dominance of Jannik Sinner who has won the Indian Wells & Miami titles without dropping a set. With the points gap quickly closing on Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner is being open about his desperation to reclaim the top spot in men's tennis - will he do it, and if so, when? Part two - WTA (37:45 - 1:08:23) We cover Aryna Sabalenka's imperious run to the Miami title, including her significant final victory over resurgent Coco Gauff. How does Sabalenka manage to peak at every tournament she plays, and is Gauff coming good at just the right time? Part three - News (1:08:24 - 1:35:17) The WTA finals is set to move from Saudi Arabia - we wonder why, and where to? Plus there's discussion of Amanda Anisimova's shock coaching split and what it might lead to, and a general preview of the clay court season ahead (with punchy predictions). Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

After a dramatic few days in Miami, there’s lots to discuss for Catherine and David, who are holding the fort while Matt gets stopped by fans at Gatwick airport. Part one - (00:00 - 18:25) Shortly after discussing Iga Swiatek’s crisis of form and confidence on the last pod, news broke that Wim Fissette had been axed from the Swiatek team. Is it the right move? And who will the for the former World Number One now turn to for answers? Part two - (18:25 - 47:25) WTA - A dream semi final line up is set in Miami with yet another instalment of the rivalry of the moment between Aryna Sabalebka and Elena Rybakina, plus an intriguing clash between the resurgent Coco Gauff and a peaking Karolina Muchova. Who will win the title from here? Plus some reporting on the ground in Miami from the Athletic’s Matt Futterman. Part three - ATP (47:25) Arthur Fils’ comeback hits new heights after a scintillating victory over Tommy Paul to reach the Miami semi finals. David revels in every moment of it, but also warns that Jiri Lehecka is a tricky hurdle standing between Fils and the final. In the other half of the draw, Jannik Sinner is not just hunting down a Sunshine Double, but hunting down Carlos Alcaraz and his much coveted #1 spot. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.

It was a rainy first few days of Miami but things have picked up since then and a couple of big shocks - defeats for Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz - have left Catherine, David and Matt with plenty to discuss. Part one - WTA (00:00 - 43:51) We start with Swiatek’s defeat to Magda Linette as she opened up about the tennis “nightmare” she’s experiencing on court. What’s going wrong for her? And where does this leave her heading into the clay? Elsewhere there’s chat about Talia Gibson’s brilliant run, a return to form for Zheng Qinwen, a breakthrough win for Hailey Baptiste against Elina Svitolina, and a Last 16 line up filled with compelling matches. Part two - ATP (43:52 - 1:13:57) We cover Seb Korda’s wild win over Alcaraz which saw him choke in the second set but then regain his composure to win in three. Can Korda back up this win and take advantage of a wide-open top half of the draw? Arthur Fils might have something to say about that after he destroyed Stefanos Tsitsipas. There’s also chat about some of the young players impressing in Miami and some unexpected aggro between Corentin Moutet and Danielle Collins. Part three - News (1:38:58 - 1:32:21) Wimbledon’s expansion plans clear a big hurdle and video review technology is coming. Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠ 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.