The Tennis Podcast

French Open Day 9 - Sabalenka shines as Serena announces return 02.06.2026 1t 7min

Catherine, David and Matt wrap up another eventful day, headlined at Roland Garros by Aryna Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka in the night session, and elsewhere in the tennis world by the news that Serena Williams is making a comeback. Part one - We discuss Sabalenka’s statement win, how the match-up against Osaka reveals just how much she’s improved as a player over the years, and the use of Sabalenka’s drop shot. Elsewhere, victories for Diana Shnaider, Maja Chwalinska and Anna Kalinskaya are covered. Part two (22:04) - On an extraordinary day for Italy, we react to Matteo Arnaldi’s crazy late night win over a devastated Frances Tiafoe, Flavio Cobolli s*** on his pants but still winning, and Matteo Berrettini making it back to a Grand Slam quarter-final. Plus, Felix Auger-Aliassime is quietly through to the last eight. Should he be the favourite to make the final? Part three - Day 10 Order of Play & predictions and our reaction to Serena Williams announcing her comeback (47:14)Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Day 8 - Kostyuk and stress send Swiatek packing 01.06.2026 1t 10min

This crazy French Open took yet another twist on Sunday as Iga Swiatek was beaten by Marta Kostyuk before a thrilling Joao Fonseca performance in the night session. Catherine, David and Matt recorded on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the end of it all. Part one - We unpack Swiatek’s loss. Where did it go wrong for her? Will she ever rediscover her best form? How did the combination of Kostyuk's game and match nerves unsettle her? And what can Kostyuk go on to achieve at this tournament? We look ahead to her quarter-final showdown with fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. On the men’s side, there’s chat about Rafael Jodar surviving another five setter to set up a meeting with Alexander Zverev. Part two (39:28) - Reaction to an electric night session win for Joao Fonseca over Casper Ruud. Part three (59:38) - We cover the surprising news that Naomi Osaka vs Aryna Sabalenka will be in the night decision and discuss what that decision says about the French Tennis Federation.Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Day 7 - Gauff falls, so who’s in the title Mix now? 30.05.2026 1t 23min

Catherine, David and Matt review yet another dramatic day at Roland Garros, headlined by defeat for defending champion Coco Gauff to Anastasia Potapova.Part one - Women’s draw. We discuss how Gauff’s loss unfolded, the extraordinary level and resilience of Potapova, and where this leaves Gauff going into the grass court season. Plus, all the talking points from Amanda Anisimova’s loss to Diane Parry, including #sneezegate, and a look ahead to Naomi Osaka’s blockbuster clash with Aryna Sabalenka. How much chance does Osaka have? Could it possibly be night session?Part two - Men’s draw (40:56) We get stuck into the wave of marathon matches, including emotional wins for Matteo Berrettini and Juan Manuel Cerundolo, as well as a massive opportunity for Francisco Cerundolo against Zachary Svajda. The only guy to win in straight sets was Flavio Cobolli. How far can he go?Part three - Redoing The Mix after a week of carnage and a Day 8 preview, including Swiatek vs Kostyuk and Ruud vs Fonseca (1:08:24).Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Day 6 - Djokovic downed as Fonseca comes of age 30.05.2026 1t 24min

At the end of another extraordinary day at this year’s French Open, Catherine, David and Matt are together at Tennis Podcast Towers in Paris to discuss an historically wide-open men’s tournament following Joao Fonseca’s incredible win over Novak Djokovic.Part one - Men’s draw. How did Fonseca mount his comeback from two sets down against Djokovic? What did it feel like in the stadium? And what does this mean for both players and the rest of this tournament? Elsewhere, we cover Casper Ruud saving match points to survive Tommy Paul by the skin of his teeth, a gritty win for Rafael Jodar, and Jakub Mensik’s remarkable physical revival. Part two - Women’s draw (50:38). Marta Kostyuk vs Iga Swiatek is on and we’re excited. Can Kostyuk take advantage of being the underdog? We also chat about Jim Teichmann’s upset win over Karolina Muchova, her noisy fan club, and the way she’s returned to the sport after taking a break from it last year. Plus, Sorana Cirstea wins 6-0 6-0, Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina have set up a fourth round clash, and more players have spoken out about the hazards at the back of the court after Zeynep Sonmez’s fall. Part three - A look ahead to the Day 7 Order of Play and the FFT’s statement about sexist remarks made by Adolfo Daniel Vallejo (1:11:01).Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Day 5 - Sinner STUNNED! What happened, and what now? 28.05.2026 1t 19min

Catherine, David and Matt react to Jannik Sinner’s loss at Roland Garros, a result which blows the whole tournament wide open.Part one - Men’s draw. We discuss how Sinner’s dramatic defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo unfolded as his 6-3 6-2 5-1 lead evaporated and his body wilted in the heat. How did Sinner explain what happened in his press conference? And what does it mean for the tournament? Ben Shelton, the fifth seed, has already failed to capitalise, while 17-year-old Frenchman Moise Kouame lit up Lenglen again.Part two - Women’s draw (49:25). We cover another day of convincing wins for Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova, a big win for Naomi Osaka, and more very special scenes involving Oleksandra Oliynykova.Part three - Mousquetaire of the day and Day 6 Order of Play, including Novak Djokovic vs Joao Fonseca in the day session (1:07:21).Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Day 4 - A frenzy of drama, injuries and upsets 27.05.2026 1t 10min

Catherine, David and Matt convene at the end of a quite crazy day at Roland Garros, headlined by Elena Rybakina’s defeat in a final set tiebreak.Part one - Women’s results. This was a very good day for Iga Swiatek, right? She beat Sara Bejlek, Jelena Ostapenko lost to Magda Linette, and Rybakina was beaten by Yulia Starodubtseva. We discuss all of those matches and their ramifications. Does this propel Swiatek to title favourite? Elsewhere, we cover a devastating injury for Hailey Baptiste, a sad exit for Jasmine Paolini, and some spectacular, no-notes aggro between Tamara Korpatsch and Wang Xinyu.Part two - Men’s results (27:24). We get stuck into all things Novak Djokovic - his enthralling win over Valentin Royer in almost four hours beneath the blazing hot sun and his punchy press conference afterwards. How much will this match have taken out of him and what could it mean for his tournament? In the next round he’ll face Joao Fonseca who came back from two sets down to beat Dino Prizmic. There’s also some distressing Jakub Mensik scenes, a crazy story about Alejandro Davidovich Fokina being abandoned by his coach, and a big reunion between David and the Drop Shot Dragon.Part three - Mousquetaire of the day and Day 5 Order of Play (1:00:25)Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Day 3 - Is the sun Sinner’s most dangerous opponent? 27.05.2026 1t 11min

It was a bit of a weird day at Roland Garros, bookended by a couple of big upsets, with Daniil Medvedev and Jessica Pegula both losing. Catherine, David and Matt discuss it all as we finally completed round one. Part one - Men’s results. We cover Medvedev’s loss to Adam Walton and his poor record generally at the French Open. Felix Auger-Aliassime survived in a fifth set tiebreak, but with that part of the draw looking pretty light, can he keep it going and reach his semi-final seeding? Elsewhere, Jannik Sinner eased through, but will he keep getting the night session slot? Part two - Women’s results (34:06). We react to Pegula’s shock defeat to Kim Birrell, Naomi Osaka’s sparkly outfit reveal, and good starts for Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka. Part three - Sensation/mousquetaire of the day and a cracking Day 4 Order of Play (53:43).Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Day 2 - Svitolina, Ruud survive scares 26.05.2026 1t 8min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Day 1 - Djokovic fights through, but how did he look? 25.05.2026 1t 9min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Preview, Arthur’s agony and an extraordinary Oliynykova interview 23.05.2026 1t 18min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Media Day - A boycott of sorts, but did it work? 22.05.2026 1t 7min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

French Open Draws - Swiatek vs. Ostapenko could be ON! 21.05.2026 1t 7min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

Rome - Svitolina, Sinner’s stunning title wins 17.05.2026 1t 26min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

Rome - So is Swiatek back, or what? 15.05.2026 1t 37min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

Rome brings drama, but boycott talk dominates 10.05.2026 1t 19min

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/FriendOfTheTennisPodcastCheck out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠new merch shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.thetennispodcast.net/shopSign 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/gbmzRXFollow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (@thetennispodcast): / djqzbwwmk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Madrid - What do Sinner & Kostyuk's titles mean for the French Open mix? 03.05.2026 1t 22min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

Madrid - Sabalenka stopped, but what about Sinner? 01.05.2026 1t 12min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

Madrid - Can Rafael Jodar fill the Alcaraz void? 27.04.2026 1t 21min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

Emergency pod - Alcaraz out of Roland Garros 24.04.2026 43min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.

Arthur Fils - future Roland Garros champion? 20.04.2026 1t 28min

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 Podcast⁠Check 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.