The Tennis Podcast

For one last time at the 2026 US Open, Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts convene to discuss Alexander Zverev’s victory over Ben Shelton in the men’s final.
We start by analysing the match, including Zverev’s excellent management of the occasion and perfect tactics, as well as Shelton’s slow start and poor execution in key moments. There’s also chat about Zverev’s ball bouncing, whether we expected more from Shelton, and the bizarre moment where Zverev didn’t even realise he’d won.
We also discuss why Zverev, with two allegations of domestic abuse against him, both of which he denies, remains an uncomfortable champion for many people and why it feels important to keep talking about that.
Then, in part two, we throw it forward to 2027. Has Zverev made enough strides to overcome Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner if and when they’re back to full fitness? And where does Shelton fit into the landscape at the top of men’s tennis?
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.

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Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts react to Elena Rybakina winning her first US Open title, beating Aryna Sabalenka to underline her new status as the best player in the world.
Part one - We start by analysing the match and where it was won and lost, including Rybakina’s remarkable first set despite serving at just 27% and the way she comprehensively outplayed Sabalenka in the decider. As for the big picture, we discuss Sabalenka’s losing record in major finals, her frustration at the end of the match, Rybakina’s feat to win this title so soon after an Achilles injury, and whether she can push on and win the Career Slam.
Part two (41:50) - A round up of all the wheelchair, junior and doubles results from Saturday, including Alfie Hewett upsetting Tokito Oda and denying him a Calendar Slam in the men’s wheelchair singles final.
Part three (52:52) - Men’s final preview and predictions. Will Alexander Zverev claim a second Grand Slam title? Or will Ben Shelton become the first American man to win a major since 2003? And what will be the keys to the match up?
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.

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Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts discuss Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev reaching the men’s final at the US Open and look ahead to Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina in the women’s.
Part one - We react to Shelton’s electric night session win over fellow American Frances Tiafoe, the clear improvements in Shelton’s backhand, and how he’s carrying the mantle well of trying to be the first American man to win a major since Andy Roddick in 2003. Plus, what does the future hold for Tiafoe?
Part two (20:01) - We cover Zverev’s straight-sets victory against Karen Khachanov which saw him win only three more points in the match, but all the crucial ones in the two tiebreaks. What did Khachanov have to say about Zverev’s ball bouncing and how much of a feature will that be on Sunday? Why is Zverev not playing with authority like he did at Wimbledon? And will Shelton be able to step up against him in the final?
Part three (39:26) - We discuss Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend completing the the Career Grand Slam together before giving our women’s final preview and predictions. Why do we think Sabalenka will have the edge?
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.

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Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts convene at the end of women’s semi-final night as Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina booked a final showdown with contrasting wins.
Part one - We start by analysing Elena Rybakina’s comeback victory over Coco Gauff. How did she gradually take charge of the match? What happened to Gauff’s forehand? And how did Rybakina stay so calm and unaffected by the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd?
Part two (16:31) - We discuss Sabalenka’s incredible performance to defeat Jessica Pegula in straights. Is there anything Pegula could have done differently? How many more chances in Grand Slams will she have? And how is Sabalenka channelling her desperation to win this title into brilliant performances?
Part three (32:36) - Men’s semi-finals preview and predictions. Is Karen Khachanov the most dangerous opponent left in the draw for Alexander Zverev? Who will the crowd be cheering for and who will come through when American compatriots Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton face off in the night session?
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.

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Catherine Whitaker, David Law and Matt Roberts react to another day of US Open action, headlined by Elena Rybakina winning the match she needed to guarantee that she will be the new women’s world number one on Monday.
Part one - We cover two more compelling women’s quarter-finals as Rybakina beat Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff saved a couple of match points to defeat Mirra Andreeva. In what way does Rybakina becoming world number one signal a new era for the WTA? Will this run be a catalyst for Zheng? What happened to Gauff’s serve and forehand in the first two sets of her quarter-final? And how did she still manage to win the match?
Part two (24:53) - The men’s matches were far less interesting on Wednesday but we discuss Karen Khachanov reaching a third major semi-final after Alexander Blockx was forced to retire, and Alexander Zverev’s straight sets win against Botic van de Zandschulp. What is going on with Zverev’s ball bouncing? Will he pick up his form this tournament or not? And how much of an obstacle will Khachanov be for him in the semis?
Part three (39:22) - Preview and predictions for the women’s semi-finals. Can Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff set up an all-American final?
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.

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