Our guest this week is wheelchair tennis legend Esther Vergeer. One of the sport’s greatest ever champions, Vergeer spoke to Catherine about how turning to sport helped her after she became paralysed from the waist down as a child, why she embraced using a mental coach throughout her career, what it’s like psychologically to be on a 470-match winning streak, the time she almost lost at the Beijing Paralympics, designing her own wheelchair, how she feels about the word “inspirational” to describe disabled athletes, and her hopes for more integration in the future.  The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced on Mondays and Thursdays, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments. SUPPORT THE TENNIS PODCAST We crowdfund The Tennis Podcast every December, with shout-outs, mascots and chances to take us on at predictions. For a reminder on December 1st - http://eepurl.com/gwWILX Or if you don’t want to wait and prefer to support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheTennisPodcast NEWSLETTER Sign up to get our news, offers, predictions and Matt’s Stat - http://eepurl.com/gbmzRX EMAIL We hope that the podcast helps to provide some form of escape during these challenging times. If you ever feel like writing to us, our e-mail is open – info@tennispodcast.net SOCIAL MEDIA  Twitter - https://twitter.com/TennisPodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetennispodcast/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/thetennispodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Esther Vergeer - Undefeated

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An eventful week in Monte Carlo means there's lots for Catherine, David and Matt to discuss, not least a return to form for Stefanos Tsitsipas. In what ways is he just a much better player on clay? And can he make sure his Monte Carlo title is not just a one off? There's also chat about Holger Rune's tweets, another week for Novak Djokovic without his top level, Casper Ruud's Finals problem, and Jannik Sinner's second defeat of the season. Elsewhere, we wrap up the results from the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, including Romania's comeback from 0-2 down against Ukraine, and Emma Raducanu inspiring Great Britain's incredible victory away to France on clay. This week, Rafael Nadal is getting ready to play his first match on clay in almost two years, but Carlos Alcaraz is out of Barcelona. 
OUR LINKS: Join The Barge! Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube.  Hannah’s latest column is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnCommunity 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 Twitter Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast) Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our Shop Read our New York Times profile Tennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tsitsipas rises again, Nadal is back and Raducanu inspires GB comeback

For the second week in a row, Danielle Collins headlines the pod after she kept her winning streak going in Charleston. Catherine, David and Matt try to find new things to say about her incredible form and wonder once again whether this puts her In The Mix at the remaining Grand Slams this year. Elsewhere there's chat about some surprise winners on the clay on the ATP Tour in the form of Matteo Berrettini, Hubert Hurkacz and Ben Shelton. We also discuss the news that the WTA Finals are heading to Saudi Arabia, Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from Monte Carlo, and some changes to doubles which are going to be trialled by the ATP in Madrid. 
OUR LINKS: Join The Barge! Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube.  Hannah’s latest column is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnCommunity 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 Twitter Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast) Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our Shop Read our New York Times profile Tennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Collins' streak continues as WTA heads for Saudi Arabia

David speaks to Goran Ivanisevic after his recent split from Novak Djokovic. Goran talks about what it was like coaching Djokovic over the last five years, the areas they worked on together, their on court dynamic, the reasons for the split, Djokovic's biggest rivals, how much time Djokovic might have left in the sport, and what's next for both of them. 
OUR LINKS: Join The Barge! Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube.  Hannah’s latest column is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnCommunity 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 Twitter Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast) Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our Shop Read our New York Times profile Tennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ivanisevic interview - coaching Djokovic, the split, and what’s next for Goran

Our post-Miami live show was mostly devoted to the two champions, Danielle Collins and Jannik Sinner. With the help of listener Vicki Spreadbury, Catherine distills why it means a lot to see a woman like Collins succeed, Matt explains why she's now a certified member of The Backhand List, and David wonders how much more she could achieve before she retires at the end of the year. As for Sinner, there's chat about the Novak Djokovic-ification of his game and his dominance over Daniil Medvedev and Grigor Dimitrov on finals weekend. There's also a preview of the clay court swing as tournaments in Charleston and Estoril get underway. Which players are we excited to see on the clay? And who's in need of some good results? 
ON LOCATION: The Tennis Podcast's coverage of the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami is sponsored by On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider! On Location can arrange the best tennis experiences imaginable to all of the biggest tournaments in the world, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open. Check out their amazing packages at Tours4Tennis.com OUR LINKS: Join The Barge! Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube.  Hannah’s latest column is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnCommunity 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 Twitter Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast) Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our Shop Read our New York Times profile Tennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Miami - Collins crowns final season; Sinner cements his status at the top

Catherine, David and Matt convene to discuss a busy few days in Miami.  The women’s final is set between Elena Rybakina and Danielle Collins and there’s chat about Rybakina’s resilient run so far, Collins’ more destructive path through, and what might happen in the final. How much has her decision to retire at the end of the season helped Collins on court? Should she be on The Backhand List? And why does Rybakina keep playing epics?  On the men’s side, the big headline has been Grigor Dimitrov’s incredible performance to beat Carlos Alcaraz. How did he do it? Has he ever played better? Can he keep it going against Alexander Zverev in the semis? And why does it take Alcaraz so long to adjust tactically to his opponent? There’s also a preview of Daniil Medvedev vs Jannik Sinner. Why does this feel like such an important match for Medvedev to win? Elsewhere, there’s reaction to the news that Andy Murray’s has ruptured his ankle ligaments and that Novak Djokovic has ended his five year partnership with Goran Ivanisevic. ON LOCATION: The Tennis Podcast's coverage of the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami is sponsored by On Location, the premium hospitality and experience provider! On Location can arrange the best tennis experiences imaginable to all of the biggest tournaments in the world, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open. Check out their amazing packages at Tours4Tennis.com OUR LINKS: Join The Barge! Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to also help us to produce the show year-round, receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts throughout 2024, including Tennis Re-Lived and Grand Slam review shows, read Hannah's Column and watch monthly live shows on YouTube.  Hannah’s latest column is available for Friends - https://bit.ly/HannahOnCommunity 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 Twitter Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast) Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our Shop Read our New York Times profile Tennis Podcast Terminology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Esther Vergeer - Undefeated

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