Novak Djokovic won his opening round match at Roland Garros on Monday without too much fuss, but he sparked a potential political row after writing the phrase ‘Kosovo is the heart of Serbia’ in the customary post-match camera signing. We discuss what he was referring to, why it's a controversial statement, and the rest of what he had to say in the Serbian part of his press conference. Elsewhere, Catherine, David and Matt discuss throwback wins for Sloane Stephens, Stan Wawrinka and Elina Svitolina, as well as sad times for Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jack Draper and Dominic Thiem. There’s also exhilaration at Carlos Alcaraz’s performance and exasperation (again) at the night session scheduling. WIN WITH WILSON!We have teamed up with Wilson, providers of the official ball at Roland Garros, to give away fantastic packs of Roland Garros limited edition products to two Tennis Podcast listeners!The prize packages will include:1 Roland Garros Bag for 9 racquets 1 Roland Garros Edition racquet (either a Blade 98 or Clash 100) 1 pack of Luxilon Roland Garros String 2 cans of Roland Garros Clay Court balls.To be in with a chance of winning this amazing pack of Wilson gear, ENTER https://forms.wilson.com/gb_thetennispodcast_rolandgarros_2023/?ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells in March so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's no longer such as thing as a slow Sunday start at Roland Garros. Catherine, David and Matt discuss Lucas Pouille's comeback continuing, the tension on court and in the press conference room between Aryna Sabalenka and Marta Kostyuk, Karolina Muchova's "upset" win over Maria Sakkari, a survival act by Stefanos Tsitsipas against Jiri Vesely, lots of fun from Constant Lestienne, and meeting Arthur Fils in the interview room. ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells in March so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. DisclaimerThe coupon code "FINALSLAM" works when you purchase eligible 2023 US Open Ticket + Hospitality Packages until May 31, 2023, at 11:59pm Eastern Time. You can only use the code once, and it cannot be used with other discounts or on previous purchases. You'll see your savings when you add an eligible package to your cart and use the code at the checkout. This offer does not apply to hotel packages or other events from Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours or On Location and its subsidiaries. If you have any questions, email info@tours4tennis.com. See onlocationexp.com's purchase policy for more information.OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shortly after attending media day at Roland Garros, Catherine, David and Matt react to what the players had to say. There's chat about Stefanos Tsitsipas' coaching set up, Coco Gauff's forehand, Iga Swiatek's health, Aryna Sabalenka and Daniil Medvedev's developing relationships with clay, the way Carlos Alcaraz is taking everything in his stride, and much more. ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells in March so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. DisclaimerThe coupon code "FINALSLAM" works when you purchase eligible 2023 US Open Ticket + Hospitality Packages until May 31, 2023, at 11:59pm Eastern Time. You can only use the code once, and it cannot be used with other discounts or on previous purchases. You'll see your savings when you add an eligible package to your cart and use the code at the checkout. This offer does not apply to hotel packages or other events from Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours or On Location and its subsidiaries. If you have any questions, email info@tours4tennis.com. See onlocationexp.com's purchase policy for more information.OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine, David and Matt have arrived in Paris and attended the Roland Garros draw ceremony! What do we make of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic being in the same half? Has David changed his mind about Daniil Medvedev not being in The Mix? What are the most eye-catching round matches of the women's draw? Is this a good draw or a bad draw for Aryna Sabalenka? And much more. ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells in March so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. DisclaimerThe coupon code "FINALSLAM" works when you purchase eligible 2023 US Open Ticket + Hospitality Packages until May 31, 2023, at 11:59pm Eastern Time. You can only use the code once, and it cannot be used with other discounts or on previous purchases. You'll see your savings when you add an eligible package to your cart and use the code at the checkout. This offer does not apply to hotel packages or other events from Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours or On Location and its subsidiaries. If you have any questions, email info@tours4tennis.com. See onlocationexp.com's purchase policy for more information.OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another week in tennis, another tournament where the women were treated as second class citizens. This time, the singles final didn’t start until 11pm and the doubles final took place on a non-televised court. There were some reasons for this - rain being the obvious one - but Catherine, David and Matt discuss why this shouldn’t be acceptable.  There’s also chat about Anhelina Kalinina’s great week before her unfortunate retirement in the final through injury, debate about whether Rome champions Elena Rybakina and Daniil Medvedev are in The Mix for Roland Garros, and much enjoyment from Medvedev’s dance/twist/whatever that was after he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas. Elsewhere, we discuss the fact that Simona Halep has been charged with a second and separate doping offence, and we look ahead to the French Open as qualifying gets underway. ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells in March so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been quite a day in tennis as Rafael Nadal held a press conference to announce that he will be missing Roland Garros while he takes an extended break from the sport in an attempt to recover from the injury he sustained at the Australian Open. He also said that he plans to retire after the 2024 season. In this show we react to that news, discuss the reasons behind his decisions, ponder what his farewell tour may be like, and offer some reflections on one of the greatest players this sport has ever seen.We also go through the main talking points from the last few days in Rome - Carlos Alcaraz's shock defeat to Fabian Marozsan, aggro unexpectedly involving Cameron Norrie, Holger Rune's brilliance to beat Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek's injury, and a thrilling run of form from Jelena Ostapenko. What does it all mean for Roland Garros?Finally, David speaks to Christopher Clarey, who, after 30 years, is leaving The New York Times to become a full-time author.ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells last month so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Rome has been underway for a few days now, we pick off this episode where we left off, by discussing the fallout from the women’s doubles final ceremony in Madrid where the players were not allowed to speak. Four days after the event, the tournament finally apologised, but not before Jessica Pegula had had more to say and a piece by Matt Futterman in the New York Times had drawn attention to the large scale inequalities faced by women in tennis. Catherine, David and Matt discuss all of that before getting on to the main headlines from Rome so far, including the wonder of Court Pietrangeli, total dominance from Iga Swiatek, a surprise defeat for Aryna Sabalenka against Sofia Kenin, impressive performances by Marketa Vondrousova which have left us wondering if she’s happening again, better signs from Novak Djokovic, and a defiant victory by Holger Rune against Fabio Fognini and the Italian crowd. ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells last month so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a thrilling finals weekend in Madrid with Aryna Sabalenka getting revenge on Iga Swiatek before Carlos Alcaraz survived a great performance by Jan-Lennard Struff to defend his title. Catherine is back home and she joins David and Matt to review it all. Is Sabalenka-Swiatek now a legitimate rivalry? Will Sabalenka be able to take this form to Rome and Roland Garros? And did Struff provide a blueprint for facing Alcaraz?Sadly, the great tennis was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that the women's doubles finalists - Victoria Azarenka, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Jessica Pegula & Coco Gauff - were not allowed to give speeches on court. What happened? Why did it happen? What might it have to do with #cakegate? Why have the tournament not put out an official explanation? And in what way did this incident feed into the idea that the WTA players don't receive equal treatment in Madrid? Elsewhere, we cover Andy Murray winning a Challenger title in Aix-en-Provence, Rafael Nadal withdrawing from Rome, and Veronika Kudermetova's sponsorship with one of Russia's gas and oil giants. ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells last month so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iga Swiatek will face Aryna Sabalenka's in Saturday's Madrid final which means the rivalry we've all wanted is officially happening. David, Catherine (in Madrid) and Matt talk through how both players have got there, Swiatek's intensity and focus this week, and the way in which Sabalenka is embracing the prospect of a rematch with the world number one. On the men's side, we look ahead to the Carlos Alcaraz vs Borna Coric and Aslan Karatsev vs Jan-Lennard Struff semi-finals. Yes, you read that correctly, Karatsev and Struff have made it all the way to the last four. We chat about how this run has come out of nowhere for Karatsev, the way in which Struff went toe-to-toe with a jaded-looking Stefanos Tsitsipas, and how much their qualifying match will affect Friday's semi. Elsewhere, we react to the news that Emma Raducanu will be out of action for several months while she recovers from hand and ankle surgery, and we discuss why it's time for Madrid to stop having model ball girls. ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells last month so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Madrid well underway, Catherine, David and Matt catch up to discuss everything that's happened so far. There's chat about an impressive win for Maria Sakkari over the improving-but-not-there-yet Paula Badosa, more forehand woes for Coco Gauff, Mayar Sherif becoming the first Egyptian to reach a WTA 1000 quarter-final, and the thrilling run of 15/16 year old Mirra Andreeva to the fourth round. On the men's side, Holger Rune brought the aggro (of course), Dominic Thiem came so close to beating Stefanos Tsitsipas, we all had a fun time watching Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Carlos Alcaraz has ignited after a slow start. ON LOCATION:This edition of The Tennis Podcast is brought to you in association with On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider. On Location took us to Indian Wells last month so we can vouch for the brilliant experiences they provide at tennis tournaments. They provide packages via Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours to all of the four Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, which is on sale now, with fantastic seats, hospitality and hotel packages available for the year’s final major event at Flushing Meadows in New York. Go to OnLocationEXP.com/TTP to see what they have to offer. OUR LINKS:Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to help us to produce the show year-round, and receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2023, including Tennis Re-Lived, listener questions pods, and Grand Slam review shows. Friends also get a 5% discount on Steve Furgal's International Tennis Tours.Sign up to receive our Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, predictions, and more)Follow us on TwitterFollow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast)Subscribe to our YouTube channel.Check out our ShopRead our New York Times profileTennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.