Roger Federer made it an extraordinary 20 Grand Slam singles titles with a 5-set win over Marin Cilic in the Australian Open final, and as he embarked on a celebration tour of television studio interviews, Catherine Whitaker and David Law try to make sense of his achievement on The Tennis Podcast.
Federer cried crocodile tears in his on-court victory speech, and the team discuss why he might have been so overcome with emotion.
They also analyse the match and the claustrophobic and heat and humidity that it could have been played in before the decision was taken, on the eve of the final, to shut the roof. Did that play into Federer’s hands? Was it the right decision? Did Cilic ever look likely to win? And why was their such a muted reaction when the underdog started to mount a comeback? All questions answered on the latest show.
As Federer, aged 36, contemplated another addition to his major title collection, Whitaker and Law discuss what it brings to his legacy, how much longer he might go on for, and how many more goals he has left.
The Tennis Podcast was produced daily throughout the Australian Open, presented by Catherine Whitaker (Eurosport) and David Law (BBC 5 Live), in association with Telegraph Sport and Eurosport.
The weekly podcast will return on Monday 5th February, and the show will be daily during the French Open, The Queen’s Club Championships, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Madrid - Swiatek wins true classic; Rublev defies illness to triumph
Madrid - Sabalenka sets up Swiatek showdown; Leading men struggle; Shirt-gate
Resurgent Rafa, meandering Madrid, but here comes Collins vs Sabalenka!
Rybakina, Ruud conquer clay, Rafa's ready to ‘die’ on Chatrier, and Muguruza retires
Tsitsipas rises again, Nadal is back and Raducanu inspires GB comeback
Collins' streak continues as WTA heads for Saudi Arabia
Ivanisevic interview - coaching Djokovic, the split, and what’s next for Goran
Miami - Collins crowns final season; Sinner cements his status at the top
Miami heats up; Djokovic shock split
Miami - Ruud’s rant, Halep’s spat and Murray’s throwback
Indian Wells - Swiatek, Alcaraz electric again
Indian Wells - Alcaraz buzz returns
Halep back, anti-doping system in tatters; Indian Wells update
Boulter & De Minaur, tennis' newest power couple
Paolini proves David wrong; Mensik and Fonseca arrive in style
Swiatek, Sinner roll on, but what's up with Alcaraz?
Rybakina returns, Humbert delivers and what is Holger Rune doing?
David's back! And tennis never went away
AO Day 15 - Sinner seizes maiden slam
AO Day 14 - Aryna's Aussie Double
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