The Tennis Podcast

Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts gather at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre at the end of the fourth day of action at the US Open, which saw Carlos Alcaraz produce the best tennis of the men’s tournament so far, and Aryna Sabalenka show signs of tension off the court, while winning serenely on it.
Part One - We discuss Carlos Alcaraz’s four set win over Jaime Faria. How is it possible that he’s playing this well after 5 months on the sidelines with a wrist injury? Will he be able to keep it up when the draw throws tougher challenges his way? Meanwhile, Ben Shelton continues his bumpier progress through the draw and Frances Tiafoe gets a straight setter on the board, but 12th seed Rafael Jodar suffers a shocking defeat.
Part Two (29:13) - Aryna Sabalenka was untroubled in her second round match on Arthur Ashe Stadium but she remains in combative mood in the press conference room. Elsewhere Jessica Pegula and Karolina Muchova notched up one sided victories, while Paula Badosa setup an intriguing second round clash with title favourite Coco Gauff.
Part Three (47:44) - Hot off the press we dig into Carlos Alcaraz’s press conference comments that he plans to take longer breaks in his schedule from now on, since the requirements of the ATP calendar are currently ‘impossible’. Will this finally shock the ATP into action? Plus a breakdown of Thursday’s order of play and what to look out for on another jam packed schedule.
Thank you to Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours Tours4Tennis.com/Podcast, the Premium Hospitality and Experience provider for supporting our US Open coverage.
They can organise your dream tennis-watching experience at the biggest tournaments in the world, inducing the WTA Finals held this year at Indian Wells, 8th-15th November.
Just go to Tours4Tennis.com/Podcast and use the code DEUCE5 at checkout for 5% off.

5% off select WTA Finals packages with code DEUCE5 at tours4tennis.com/podcast. Valid 8/24/26 through 9/30/26. New bookings only; applies to base package price; subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other offers. Subject to On Location's Purchase Policy and Terms of Use.

For ad-free listening and bonus content, Become a Friend.
Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠new merch shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Cut The Faff t-shirts coming soon!
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)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts convene to discuss a rain-affected day at the US Open which ended with top seed Alexander Zverev coming within two points of defeat before eventually winning at 1:55am.
Part one - Men. We react to Zverev’s win over Lorenzo Sonego, including the dazzling tennis played at times by the Italian, the lateness of it all, and whether Zverev has played himself into form or not. Elsewhere, we cover Flavio Cobolli’s first ever comeback from two sets down and a win for the incomparable Gael Monfils on his 40th birthday.
Part two (28:51) - We discuss Coco Gauff’s first round victory over Zeynep Sonmez and how it revealed the tough viewing experience for tennis fans inside the Arthur Ashe stadium at night. Plus, a nervy opening win for Madison Keys, a better-than-expected performance from Elena Rybakina, a strong start for Alexandra Eala, and a big win for Yulia Putintseva over Belinda Bencic in a match where Bencic was fortunate not to be defaulted.
Part three (53:54) - A look ahead to Wednesday’s order of play which still has some first round matches left to finish, as well as Jessica Pegula and Ben Shelton with potentially tricky matches on Ashe.
Thank you to Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours Tours4Tennis.com/Podcast, the Premium Hospitality and Experience provider for supporting our US Open coverage.
They can organise your dream tennis-watching experience at the biggest tournaments in the world, inducing the WTA Finals held this year at Indian Wells, 8th-15th November.
Just go to Tours4Tennis.com/Podcast and use the code DEUCE5 at checkout for 5% off.

5% off select WTA Finals packages with code DEUCE5 at tours4tennis.com/podcast. Valid 8/24/26 through 9/30/26. New bookings only; applies to base package price; subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other offers. Subject to On Location's Purchase Policy and Terms of Use.

For ad-free listening and bonus content, Become a Friend.
Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠new merch shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Cut The Faff t-shirts coming soon!
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)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts react to Carlos Alcaraz’s round one victory as he made his highly-anticipated return from injury.
Part one - Day session. We discuss Alcaraz’s strong performance to beat Roman Safiullin, how it felt to be watching him play tennis again, and his prospects for the rest of the tournament. Elsewhere, there’s chat about what Arthur Fils needs to do to improve his Grand Slam record after a shock defeat, honesty from Amanda Anisimova about her coaching situation, and a big win for Zheng Qinwen.
Part two - Night session (45:48). We react to Ben Shelton’s recovery from a bad start to beat Tallon Griekspoor and Frances Tiafoe’s impressive grit to defeat Martin Damm Jr. How much did Shelton and Tiafoe feel the home pressure? Plus, a comfortable win for Iga Swiatek and an uncomfortable one for Naomi Osaka.
Part three (1:03:24). We cover the US Open’s controversial new partnership with Kalshi and look ahead to Day 3 which will wrap up the first round.

Thank you to Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours Tours4Tennis.com/Podcast, the Premium Hospitality and Experience provider for supporting our US Open coverage.
They can organise your dream tennis-watching experience at the biggest tournaments in the world, inducing the WTA Finals held this year at Indian Wells, 8th-15th November.
Just go to Tours4Tennis.com/Podcast and use the code DEUCE5 at checkout for 5% off.

5% off select WTA Finals packages with code DEUCE5 at tours4tennis.com/podcast. Valid 8/24/26 through 9/30/26. New bookings only; applies to base package price; subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other offers. Subject to On Location's Purchase Policy and Terms of Use.

For ad-free listening and bonus content, Become a Friend.
Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠new merch shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Cut The Faff t-shirts coming soon!
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)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts react to Novak Djokovic’s first ever opening round defeat at the US Open as he vomited, winced and cried during a gruelling loss to Mariano Navone.
Part one - We discuss all the talking points from Djokovic’s exit, including the way Djokovic suffered physically throughout the match, his tears as he was unable to pull through, and why it leaves him facing an uncertain future in the sport.
Part two (20:24) - A round up of the day’s other results and stories including comfortable wins for Jessica Pegula and Daniil Medvedev, defeat for Barbora Krejcikova, and a comeback win for Jaume Munar over Terence Atmane in a dramatic match which brought the rules over cramping into sharp focus.
Part three (51:43) - A look ahead to Monday’s order of play which sees the long-awaited return of Carlos Alcaraz.
For ad-free listening and bonus content, Become a Friend.
Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠new merch shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Cut The Faff t-shirts coming soon!
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)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine, David and Matt catch up after an incredible day spent watching Mary Carillo and Roger Federer get inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Part one - We discuss our amazing experience in Newport, why Mary Carillo means so much to us, the moment Mirka introduced Roger, and how the Hall of Fame totally won us over.
Part two (30:29) - We cover some more pre tournament press conferences as the likes of Novak Djokovic, Arthur Fils, Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek spoke to the media. Plus, new USTA boss Craig Tiley was quizzed on some important event issues.
Part three (47:21) - A look ahead to the day one order of play which feels like quite a soft launch.
For ad-free listening and bonus content, Become a Friend.
Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠new merch shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Cut The Faff t-shirts coming soon!
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)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.