With a week to go until the US Open, Roger Federer has joined Andy Murray in beating Novak Djokovic in a big final to throw the year’s final Grand Slam tournament wide open.
In the latest Tennis Podcast, produced in association with The Telegraph, presenter David Law talks to co-host Catherine Whitaker, who was courtside at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, about Federer’s latest age-defying feat.
After 17 years as a professional, he appeared to ‘invent’ new strokes in Cincinnati, while playing more aggressively at the net than at any other time in his career. Could this lead to an extraordinary 18th Grand Slam title in New York? We hear his post-match reaction as he explains why he is hitting his backhand better than ever, and how he decided to celebrate with his twin daughters.
Meanwhile, are these worrying moments for Djokovic fans? After the final, he explained how short of form he feels and therefore how well he did to reach the final at all. Catherine and David argue about the significance of his defeats heading into the year’s final major championship.
What of Andy Murray? Is his record of only one set won and 11 lost against Federer a concern?
Elsewhere, Serena Williams is closing in on a calendar-year Grand Slam. After a week of apparent on-court nervousness and anxiety, how significant was her win over Simona Halep to win in Cincinnati?
And, as news of Nick Kyrgios’ additional sanctions drops during the show, Catherine and David debate whether it is a suitable punishment, and what the repercussions will be.
The Tennis Podcast is produced in association with The Telegraph.
