logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
1h 5m

Madrid - Sabalenka, Alcaraz win again; W...

David Law, Catherine Whitaker, Matt Roberts
About this episode

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 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.

Up next
Today
US Open Day 1 - Did Medvedev go too far this time?
Catherine, David and Matt react to an opening day of the US Open which saw a couple of extraordinary moments and matches involving raucous crowds. Part one - Men’s results. We start by reacting to all the late night drama involving Daniil Medvedev, Benjamin Bonzi, a photographer, ... Show More
1h 2m
Yesterday
US Open - The Big Preview
Catherine, David and Matt are joined by Charlie Eccleshare from The Athletic ahead of the first Sunday start at the US Open. Part one - Press conferences. We cover the news that Novak Djokovic might be about to work with Monica Seles, good vibes from both Carlos Alcaraz and Iga S ... Show More
1h 23m
Aug 23
US Open Draw - A big Osaka prediction
Catherine, David and Matt are together at Flushing Meadows to dissect the US Open draws and analyse what’s been said on media day. Part one - Women’s draw. We cover why we think this draw is good news for Iga Swiatek, the potential for Elena Rybakina to be a problem for Aryna Sab ... Show More
1h 18m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 12
The Maria Sharapova Interview | Served with Andy Roddick
Maria Sharapova joins Andy Roddick on the Served Podcast to talk her career, her business ventures post-retirement, and motherhood. Andy and Maria talk about her induction into the Hall of Fame coming up next week and take a look back at some of the iconic moments from her career ... Show More
1h 43m
Feb 2025
The US Open is CHANGING, Simona Halep Retires, Bad Quality Balls, and more!
On this week's episode of Served with Andy Roddick, Andy is joined by Jon Wertheim for a quick Racket Rundown, presented by Wilson, to discuss Alcaraz, Bencic, and more. Then, Andy and Jon sit down with US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster and Eric Butorac, Senior Director ... Show More
1h 10m
Apr 2025
What do Rory McIlroy & Carlos Alcaraz have in common? Plus Federer eyes return & Emma’s coaching search news
What do Rory McIlroy and Carlos Alcaraz have in common? Both know what it feels like to carry expectation on the biggest stage — and both delivered. - Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim break down the biggest storylines this week: - How did Rory McIlroy finally conquer The Masters pre ... Show More
1 h
Jan 2025
QUICK SERVED: Australian Open Day 10 - Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic, Badosa Upsets, and more
A Quarter Final Match that felt like a Final - Andy Roddick sits down to recap Day 10 of the 2025 Australian Open where the popcorn match of the evening was Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic meeting in the Quarter Finals. Paula Badosa upsets Coco Gauff as she enters her first Gra ... Show More
18m 27s
Aug 19
Special Guest Victoria Mboko & 2025 Cincinnati Open Recap
Andy Roddick is joined by, 2025 Canadian Open Winner & World No. 24, Victoria Mboko. Andy and Victoria talk about her winning run in Montreal, growing up with competitive older siblings, and getting ready for the US Open. Andy also gives a 2025 Cincinnati Recap of the finals betw ... Show More
50m 54s
Jan 2025
QUICK SERVED: Australian Open Day 9 - Is Novak Right? Navarro Survives, Swiatek & Sinner Advance
Day 9 of the 2025 Australian Open, Andy Roddick gives us today's Quick Served. Andy talks about the Novak Djokovic situation with the press ahead of the Carlos Alacaraz Quarter Final match. Madison Keys beats Elena Rybakina to secure her spot in the Quarter Finals as well as Emma ... Show More
24m 52s
Feb 2025
MADISON KEYS - 2025 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Champion - joins the show along with her coach & husband Bjorn Fratangelo
On this very special podcast, Andy Roddick is joined by Madison Keys and her coach/husband Bjorn Fratangelo! Fresh off Keys' 2025 Australian Open victory, the two join the show to talk about the Australian Summer, how they balance their relationship as a couple AND as player/coac ... Show More
2h 3m
Aug 15
5 SETTER: Roger Federer Returns, US Open Updates, & more
5 SETTER: This Week in Racket Sports, where we bring you the top five headlines across tennis, padel, pickleball, and more. In this episode, we cover the biggest stories shaking up the world of racket sports: 1. Monica Seles reveals her fight with myasthenia gravis 2. Roger Feder ... Show More
8m 19s
Jun 28
2025 Wimbledon Draw Breakdown | Andy Roddick & Jon Wertheim Predict the Winners!
It’s time for one of our favorite Grand Slam traditions — the Draw Special, now for Wimbledon 2025! Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim sit down to break down the entire men's and women's draw ahead of Wimbledon 2025, analyzing key matchups, potential upsets, and who they think will li ... Show More
1h 6m
Jul 8
QUICK SERVED: Wimbledon Day 9 - Semi-Final Bound | Alcaraz vs Fritz & Sabalenka vs Anisimova
Day 9 of Wimbledon 2025, Andy Roddick is here to recap some of the highlights! Andy talks about Taylor Fritz beating Karen Khachanov and Carlos Alcaraz beating Cam Norrie to set the first half of the men's semi-finals. He also goes into the women's matchup between Sabalenka and A ... Show More
20m 36s