In short
Wimbledon Day 11 live coverage, focused on the women’s semifinals—Karolina Muchova’s epic 7-6(10-12), 6-1, 7-6(12-10) win over Coco Gauff, plus Linda Noskova’s 6-4, 6-4 win over Marta Kostyuk. The episode also discusses tactical/mental takeaways (match points, time violations, shot selection), and previews the men’s semifinals order of play.
Guests
No named guests appear in the transcript; it’s hosted by the Tennis Podcast team (speakers include David and Matthew, plus mentions of BBC Radio commentary and Laura Robson in commentary).
Key claims
- Muchova “shouldn’t” have beaten Gauff in a major third-set match, but did by saving match point and raising aggression in the tiebreak.
- Gauff’s match point drop shot and overall net play were pivotal; her forehand reliability in big moments was questioned.
- Noskova’s slice/return game “quietly devastates” opponents; Kostyuk felt she “wasn’t allowed” to make a match of it.
Notable examples
- Muchova saved a match point in the third-set tiebreak; Gauff double-faulted at 7-all.
- Muchova had a right-side “stitch” (confirmed in press) during the tiebreak.
- Noskova repeatedly used an acute, curving slice/serve pattern to win points.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOWomen's Semi-Finals Overview
0:45 to 3:45
Recap of the Women's Semi-Finals featuring Mukova and Goff.
“Won by Mukova 7-6 in the third, 12-10 in the tie break after two hours and 35 minutes and saving a match point along the way.”
Match Highlights: Mukova vs. Goff
3:45 to 6:45
Detailed analysis of the pivotal moments in the match.
“She's sad, she's disappointed, but she knows what she was part of today.”
Tiebreak Tension
6:45 to 9:45
Discussion on the critical tiebreak moments and player reactions.
Goff's Strategy and Performance
9:45 to 12:00
Analyzing Goff's match strategy and her performance under pressure.
“and Goff had come up with a great cross-court forehand pass there.”
Reflections on the Match
12:00 to 14:00
Final thoughts on the implications of the match and performances.
“Texted us after the first set saying, oh, French Open's happening again, basically.”
Gauff's Tactical Shift at Wimbledon
14:00 to 16:42
Exploring Gauff's approach to the net and its impact on her game.
“I mean, Goff's willingness to come to the net today and her success up there as well was so notable.”
Gauff's Resilience After Semi-Final Loss
16:42 to 17:50
Discussing Gauff's mindset and perspective after her tough loss.
“after losing a Wimbledon semi-final from match point and playing that shot on match point.”
Mukova's Rise and Unique Style
17:50 to 19:11
Analyzing Mukova's playing style and her popularity within tennis.
“Remembering that all the all-time greats have gone through this.”
The Evolution of Mukova's Career
19:11 to 21:43
Reflecting on Mukova's journey and her recent successes on tour.
“And she came in here with that record that we talked about with four straight round one losses here.”
Preparing for the Wimbledon Final
21:43 to 24:14
Concerns and considerations for Mukova ahead of the final match.
“is the mook of a fang question mark put to bed now completely yeah yeah I think so I mean look she's not technically she's she's not done anything here she hasn't done before.”
Show all 22 chapters
Noskova's Impressive Performance
24:14 to 28:00
Highlighting Noskova's standout qualities and match against Kostiuk.
“They're both going to have that to deal with.”
Analyzing the Semi-Final Match
28:00 to 30:51
Discussion on the semi-final match between Kostiuk and Noskova, evaluating performance and strategies.
Kostiuk's Performance Review
30:51 to 33:18
Review of Kostiuk's performance, her mindset, and areas for improvement.
“It wasn't quite that extreme, but Anissa Mova just got the better of it last year.”
Future Prospects for Kostiuk
33:18 to 35:48
Discussion on Kostiuk's potential as a Grand Slam contender and future matches.
“I mean, she's proved she's got the goods.”
Wimbledon Stats and Insights
35:48 to 40:01
Insights on Wimbledon finals statistics and player achievements leading up to the final.
“career slam has suddenly come into view yeah you know in a way that before this tournament I would have thought, oh, well, Wimbledon is going to be an obstacle.”
Upcoming Matches and Predictions
40:01 to 42:01
Preview of upcoming matches and predictions for the finals.
“Because she did have the TK Maxx patch back.”
Upcoming Semi-Final Match Discussion
42:01 to 50:31
The hosts discuss the implications of the order of play for the upcoming semi-finals.
“And second on is Yannick Sinner against Novak Djokovic.”
Arthur Ferry's Medical Update
50:31 to 54:00
Insights into Arthur Ferry's recent procedure for nosebleeds and its timing during the tournament.
“What do we think is going to happen in these two semifinals?”
Predictions and Closing Thoughts
54:00 to 56:00
The hosts make predictions for the semi-finals and reflect on the excitement of the tournament ahead.
Wimbledon Day 11 Recap
56:00 to 56:46
The hosts reflect on their experiences covering a thrilling day at Wimbledon.
“david which trust me you do uh bbc radio five live to be fair i did get my fair share today didn't i got to do the first and third sets of golf against um mukava today and that was an Absolute privilege and pleasure.”
Listener Shout-Outs and Community
56:46 to 59:00
The hosts give shout-outs to listeners, sharing their stories and connections.
“Before you said in the museum, I was going to say that doesn't narrow it down for me.”
Promoting the Podcast
59:00 to 1:00:14
Discussion on how listeners can promote the podcast and stay connected.
“Hamish Christie, hopefully I can get a selfie with you.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:10Hello and welcome to the Tennis Podcast live from Wimbledon and presented by Barclays, the official banking partner of Wimbledon.
0:19Matt Roberts:It is day 11 of the Championships Women's Semi-Finals Day, which has become a bit of a banker for good matches in recent times. And boy, did we get that today. Two good semifinals won by two Czech players, Linda Noškova and Karolina Mukova. But the match that today will be remembered for is the first of the two semifinals between Coco Goff and Karolina Mukova. Won by Mukova 7-6 in the third, 12-10 in the tie break after two hours and 35 minutes and saving a match point along the way. People don't beat Coco Goff, David, in majors in this kind of match. It doesn't happen. How did Karolina Mukova do it?
1:09David Law:It's a great question. I find myself wondering that because Coco Goff kind of had her right where she wants her in that scenario. I'm sure she didn't want to lose the first set 6-2 and she was getting comprehensively outplayed in that. But once she'd levelled, once she'd got it into the meat of a third and deciding set and Matt had provided me with a stat a few days ago to say that she'd won 18 of her most recent 21 three set matches at Grand Slam tournaments that had gone up to 19 out of 22 following the Pagula win at that point I feel like really Goff should be a heavy favorite really because you could tell the effect it had been having on Mukova trying to trying to carry on and continue executing this incredibly expressive game that she has and she was doing a great job of it obviously the second set was six one and one sided but when it went into a a real throw down affair at the end of the match you know I sort of I was in awe of Mukova for keeping up with her frankly but when it was in the in the match tie break and there was a time violation at eight all and I realize I'm jumping ahead here but this is what really sticks with me there was a time violation on Mukova's server eight all and she seemed to just go at that point and the point she played was she just about rolled a serve in and her immediate backhand sailed a mile long.
2:38David Law:She's match point down. I thought the match was over even before the next point and then when the match point took place and Goff hit pretty much the perfect serve and had a mid-court forehand to put her way to put her in the final and hit a drop shot from shoulder height into the bottom of the net. I don't think I've probably been more shocked in a commentary box than that and that's where I had the privilege of watching this match on BBC Radio but enormous credit I think needs to go to Mukova for hanging in giving herself the chances and eventually taking them and I just loved this match so much I loved the sporting nature between the two of them Goff must have applauded Mukova shots three or four times in the match.
3:29David Law:There were lots of nods of the head from Mukova and sort of wry smiles at the extraordinary things Goff was doing. And it genuinely was one where I felt sorry that there had to be a loser in it. And I think that that is what Goff takes away from this as well. She's sad, she's disappointed, but she knows what she was part of today. Two grown-ups on the court, as well as two brilliant tennis players. cameraman Matthew was en route to Wimbledon during this match
3:59Matt Roberts:and didn't get to watch it live knew who the winner was but didn't know about the fun and games along the way so we just got to show him the sequence of points from Atoll and got to experience Matthew's live reactions which really was quite a cathartic experience actually and really summed up the whole occasion, which is still rattling around in my brain, that sequence of points, and I think will be for a very, very long time.
4:35Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, Matthew definitely had more of a look of disgust than I had on my face at the time, I suppose. Oh, Lord, that's what we got from Matthew. But, you know, it was actually like the whole tiebreak was a bit of a fever dream. I mean, I thought it started with tremendous quality, actually. And by this stage, we should say that Mukova was feeling it physically. She was clutching at her right side. I believe Laura Robson's court side felt that it was a stitch, and Mukova has confirmed that in press. So it's a great observation from Laura there. But we weren't really sure what it was. We knew she was feeling it physically.
5:15Catherine Whitaker:But at that moment, she stepped up her aggression and played the tiebreak much more aggressively than she played a lot of the rest of the match. And she was pulling it off. I mean, there was a serve volley early in the tiebreak from Mukova off her toes with a volley onto the line. And then there was a diving volley to win the point as well. And it was just so good. The quality was so high. But Goff was staying with her. She was down a mini break, but she was keeping it close. She wasn't getting too far behind. and then it got really really nervy the tiebreaker and at seven all goff hit the most awful double fault shank and there had been very few double faults from goff through the match it was not the story of this match but there was one right there and then it was one of those where it's oh it was a horror it was a comedy yeah double fault the ball went the wrong way yeah it was a disaster no it's just not what you need at that point she recovered won the next point then we had the time violation the aborted ball toss from mukova and goff gets to that match point and look we're going to be talking about that shot for a long long time i think i think she should have committed and hit the forehand i think it probably tells you how little she trusts her forehand in a big moment that she didn't but she'd been she'd been so good all day up at the net I just think hit the forehand to a corner commit to it and force Mukova to hit a pass and then you've got two ways to win the point you might hit an outright winner on the forehand or you might win it on the next shot she will say and she did say and she may well be right to say I'd hit a lot of good drop shots and Mukova was far in the court she was pretty deep and if I make it everyone thinks I'm a genius the problem is I think it bounces on her and as David said she hits it at kind of shoulder height she's a little unsure of what shot to hit and she just doesn't have the touch in the moment it goes it goes bottom of the net see I I think
7:21Matt Roberts:she was right to not hit the forehand I mean of course if the forehand is reliable hit it properly and do exactly what you said I think she was right not to trust it in that moment I don't have an issue with the shot selection obviously having seen the execution terrible decision but like i don't i don't think in the circumstances knowing what we do about goss forehand it was it was the wrong i mean it will never know do we mukova says well i was going to get there anyway even if she made it which was an incredible reaction that there's this still which i'm sure lots of people watching and listening have seen of like the moment Goff hits the shot and how far back in the court Mukova is in that moment and it looks like god Coco it didn't need to be very good like all you had to do was vaguely get it over the net and you're winning the point but Mukova says no I was getting there.
8:14I suppose the thing is as well with a shot selection like that on match point that is when touch is probably the most difficult to achieve it's so easy to say that
8:24David Law:sitting here i i thought i understand that shot selection you know because i think if she clears that net she's winning that point i know that mokov had set off she thought she was going to get there but i don't think there was anything wrong with that shot selection what i found very interesting was when golf was asked about it she said yeah what i what i perhaps could have done in hindsight is done a slice down the line with the forehand and i'm thinking that is not an
8:48Matt Roberts:option i thought of at all but she had i do like that shot of the slice the slice forehand down the line you know i'm sort of thinking well isn't it just there for you to just swipe at um but look
9:02David Law:again it's never very easy said that about the second serve a couple of points earlier that she
9:07Matt Roberts:hit in the wrong direction though couldn't you like and and the thing and the thing is there
9:12Catherine Whitaker:was still so much drama after the drop shot right right because the you know this now this now levels it up nine all and then Mukhova plays a delightful point and hits a lovely lob over over Goff to set up her match point and then we get just as dramatic a moment almost as as the drop shot which is Goff hitting a forehand pass beyond Mukhova at the net after Mukhova just slips at the net in real time I thought she might have left it but actually watching it back she definitely slips and Goff had come up with a great cross-court forehand pass there. But, you know, again, I'm thinking, oh, Mukova maybe could have done more with the volley.
9:54Catherine Whitaker:So there's such drama. And we're now at 10 all and they've both had match point. They've both had chances. And then credit again to Mukova for the next point she played, bossing it with her forehand. She hit several good forehands and eventually hit a winner. And then on match point, she hit a backhand down the line that Goff couldn't retrieve over the net, and that was it. So, you know, they both responded to moments where they'd had letdowns by raising their game and coming up with great shots. It was so dramatic, and I was so pleased that the third set was like that because the first two sets were quite...
10:33Catherine Whitaker:I found them a bit disappointing, actually. I was really intrigued by the match, but neither of them were playing well at the same time. It's very much like the Goff-Pagula match in that way.
10:41David Law:And this was better, but it took off in a third set.
10:45Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, and when the third set was Nip and Tark and they were holding serves, the drama was building and the tension was building and it was magnificent.
10:53Matt Roberts:And again, the Goff-Pagula match and countless other Goff matches at majors, particularly in the latter stages of majors, just made me think Mookovan needed to put her away in two sets. Mookovan needed to keep doing what she was doing in the first set because as soon as Goff turns it into this kind of match, Goff wins them. Certainly at this stage of majors. I just can't get over the fact that Mookova won this kind of a match against Coco Goff. I find that extraordinary, really. Just such an achievement. I think it is one of the biggest achievements in the sport right now to beat Coco Goff at a major deep in a third set.
11:34Matt Roberts:Yeah.
11:34Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, it strapped me watching it in the first set. It's such a singular experience watching Goff in a match like this because any other player who didn't really have their game in that first set was being outplayed by someone playing a beautiful brand of grass court tennis. I'd have thought, well, this is going to be over in two sets. But with Goff, I just trust her. I just trust her to get into the match.
11:58Matt Roberts:Our mate Dave texted us. He was here today. Texted us after the first set saying, oh, French Open's happening again, basically. I've got another dud on my hand what was the one he had that time?
12:08Catherine Whitaker:he had Svantec winning Love and Love and he had a Rabatkin withdrawal and then he had a Caspar Rude situation yeah and then an Andrescu situation yeah he got unlucky on his trip to the French Open and he texted a why always me type text after the first set and I said Dave it's Goff
12:29Matt Roberts:have some faith
12:30Catherine Whitaker:and look even in that first set she, Gough, had a 15-40 and didn't convert. She had a love 40 and didn't convert. There were chances there, and I thought she would draw from that and draw some belief. The thing is, though, what I did doubt a little bit was that I thought it would be harder for her to find her rhythm against Mukovo than it had been against Benchik and Pagula, these, you know, quite steady baseliners. Gough had the time and hit just a lot of balls to be able to find rhythm in those matches, But she even did it against Mukova, who was giving her different looks and trying to take her rhythm away and play with variety.
13:10Catherine Whitaker:So for Goff to do that and get into this match, it's incredible. And it's particularly incredible over best of three, I think. You know, there were men's players over time who I've thought, well, first set doesn't matter too much. They've got loads of time. Djokovic being a prime example. There was that year he almost won the Canada Slam. He kept losing first sets in majors, but you backed him to get into the match. But he's got the five sets. Goff doesn't, but it seems that she's able to use that kind of deadline and that, well, I need to get something going to actually help her grow in a match rather than feel the pressure and shrink.
13:46Catherine Whitaker:It's an incredible thing that she pulls off. So, yeah, to your point, for Mukova to resist that and find her game again in the third set, which did drop off in the second, was remarkable. and it was also just such a nice match to watch because of the all-core nature of it. I mean, Goff's willingness to come to the net today and her success up there as well was so notable.
14:10Matt Roberts:I really hope that's not just a grass thing for Goff. I think that could be a real key for her. I realise it might feel like more of a sticking plaster than a cure for the forehand situation, but maybe that's OK at this stage in her career. I don't know, but it definitely, that forward intent, I think it's good anyway, because she's so athletic, she's got such good reach, she's not a mukova at the net, but she's got decent touch, so I think it's a good tactic in itself, but it also improves her forehand to just have that forward intent, she's sort of caught off balance, or weight falling backwards less, I think when she's thinking like that.
14:56David Law:When we were latter stages of the third set and we were just taken by virtually every point, one or other of these two were at the net to finish things off and looked at the stats and Goff had been to the net more than 30 times and then we were in the middle of the third set. And actually what I think she does incredibly well at the net is trust herself. She doesn't panic. She doesn't sort of say, oh, I'm at the net and I haven't won the point already. you know she does back her ability to just fend off passing shots and I think that was really getting in Mukava's head that she couldn't seem to pass her she got one pass beyond her right at the end of the match that felt like a one-off because everything else she was either reading or reacting to and making it and I think Zverev does that very well at the net you know sometimes Sometimes you think, well, he's just a sitting duck.
15:52David Law:And then suddenly, out of nowhere, he extends an arm. And definitely Goff has got that. And I think it could be a blueprint for the future, not just on grass as well. Because I think it does cover up the frailties on the forehand side in particular. She plays it better moving forward anyway. And she has to play fewer of them if she's moving it moving forwards.
16:14Matt Roberts:She might have to play more, you know, drop shots. Forehand drop shots. I think that's all there for her. The beauty is, because she's so young, she can almost look at seven years of her career and say, OK, well, that was that. Right, now let's do this. I think this is a new phase for her. Federer, that was the advice you gave Alcaraz, wasn't it? To think of your career in terms of five-year chunks. Koko Goff's going to be OK, isn't she? I think she was absolutely as devastated as you'd expect after losing a Wimbledon semi-final from match point and playing that shot on match point. But she also said that even walking off the court, I was feeling like that was a lot of fun and taking pride in having been part of a match like that.
17:02Matt Roberts:And she also said, I know that every champion has had this in their careers. And she said, I know Federer had match points here in a Wimbledon final. and she talked about Sinner having them in the French Open final. She was like, this happens to great players. It's my turn today. I can process this. And she said it will make it sweeter the next time I do win a match like this. It was all... I mean, we expect it from Goff, don't we, to be that well adjusted? But it is extraordinary. She does make me feel now that she will win a Wimbledon.
17:39David Law:And it's not just because of that attitude, which I think is a very healthy one. It's because I think she probably has unlocked something as a blueprint for the future. But you're right. I mean, I think that's a really clever way of thinking of it. Remembering that all the all-time greats have gone through this. And how cool is it to have a bit of perspective? And I do believe her. Because I watched her very close up as she was walking off the court. and just an acknowledgement that this was a really special match.
18:09Matt Roberts:I love that. In terms of Mukovo, of course, I think you have to admit that Goff winning, Goff going for a Wimbledon title, in terms of cut through and a story that can spread outside of tennis, Goff's the one, isn't she? But inside tennis, there could not be more excitement, I don't think, than there is for Karolina Mukhofer. Like, she is...
18:38David Law:She's a real favourite.
18:40Matt Roberts:She is such a favourite. It feels like, come on, Mukhofer, well, she deserves a Grand Slam, she deserves a Wimbledon, like, does feel like the sport is willing her on, you know?
18:52Catherine Whitaker:Yes, I completely agree with that. You know, everyone has their own favourite styles of play and all that kind of stuff, but, like, most people you speak to say, oh, I love Mukhofer's tennis. Everyone gets a bit sort of dreamy-eyed talking about Mukova's tennis and the classical nature of it. And it's always, everyone has always thought it should work on the grass. And she came in here with that record that we talked about with four straight round one losses here. And it had been her worst slam. Okay, she'd reached a couple of quarter finals. She shows she can play on it. And she obviously won the title in the build-up.
19:28Catherine Whitaker:She will be closing in around 15 minutes. Please take it. exit gates and take all your belongings with you. We hope you've enjoyed your day at Wimbledon and wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Thank you. Oh, Christ. Out of ten? Three. Three! I couldn't hear him because I was listening to you. It was... Listen to it back, David, and you'll understand why I gave you a three. It was absolutely shocking. In the chat, how many do I deserve?
20:03Matt Roberts:I wasn't expecting you to duck out. I wanted to leave you to it. I was expecting us to be the backing of singers to your... Did you remember to practice? Please say you didn't. Honestly, David, I didn't think I needed to. I approached that a bit caballi-like. You're brutal, aren't you? And laid a similar sized egg, I would say. Honestly, Matt Roberts used to be such a nice lad. Now he's savage. Where were we? Karolina Mukava.
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20:32Catherine Whitaker:Mukava. her tennis, grass and she's missed so many majors through injuries and she's missed so much time on tour and she felt like one that might get away you don't want her to be a what if player you never wanted to have that feeling about Mukava and for a number of years we kind of did but in the last year or so ever since she came back from an injury which I thought could be really career ruining, I mean watching her here last year when she couldn't properly couldn't properly hit the backhand it felt like oh she she might just be hanging on to her career now because as good as her slice is she needs the two-handed backhand and she couldn't hit it and here we are a year later and everything's changed and she's had a real run of health and fitness and she's used the tour as well I think to to build up some of the fangs that I've honestly I have doubted in the past that but she got over the line and won titles and I think that all builds confidence of being able to make it through draws and win the big matches and close the winning points and yeah it she looks ready now
21:43Matt Roberts:is the mook of a fang question mark put to bed now completely
21:50Catherine Whitaker:yeah yeah I think so I mean look she's not technically she's she's not done anything here she hasn't done before. She saved match point to reach a Grand Slam final at the French Open a few years ago. And maybe I should have put it to bed then. But I did still have the doubts in terms of actually being able to win titles and that kind of stuff. And she's done that now, plus this again. She's gone toe-to-toe with Goff in this environment and come out on top. I don't think you can do that without fans. You can't do that without fans. And that's the thing. She may lose matches from ahead.
22:25David Law:it happens to everybody but there's at some point you you have a test of your mettle yeah and she's
22:31Matt Roberts:passed that today yeah do we have any concerns about her physically i know that it was a stitch that she was experiencing it was unbelievably hot today then they were playing in the the worst of the conditions um and i do totally believe her that that's that's what was going on a heck of a call from Laura Robson in commentary but I do think today took a lot out of her as well and you know preparing for a Wimbledon final is going to be its own kind of exhausting I would have thought and it is due to be hot again on Saturday we are back in Catherine talks about the weather a lot territory boy do I wish we weren't is that a concern she was she was perfectly pleasant impressed she's a delight Mook of her but she definitely seemed exhausted I would say yeah I
23:27David Law:think she was I don't feel talking to her listening to her watching her still serve at 114 miles an hour after she was sort of touching her her side I don't feel that there's an injury there that is going to stop her competing I think that it probably is what she said I do believe that Are you worried about the tank though at all? I don't think so because of the length of the match that she's likely to have and Noschkovic isn't the same sort of player as Goff. She's not going to be asked the sort of questions physically that she was asked today and I do feel like the best part of 48 hours is enough.
24:07David Law:She's a really good athlete. There's a stone left unturned there. I think the biggest problem will be nerves.
24:14Catherine Whitaker:I was going to say, do you think?
24:15David Law:They're both going to have that to deal with. You know, this is a first-time Wimbledon occasion for both of them with all the pomp and ceremony of Wimbledon's final day. And it's 4pm and it's quite late, you know. There's a lot of time to think about it all.
24:30Catherine Whitaker:Oh, the stillness. Yes. I'm getting nervous just thinking about the pre-match stillness.
24:35Matt Roberts:But look, it was the first time for both of them today playing opponents that had been on Centre Court before and they both won, the two first-timers. And actually the club, I think, invited them to both do the walk onto Centre Court this morning and have a hit on Centre Court this morning. Moukhova and Nozkova together is the two that hadn't had that opportunity before. And I'm quite sure that helped, by the way. And I'm glad that happened because I don't want a semi-final to be decided by some sort of experience deficit of that kind, certainly. So that gives me hope that they dealt with that each so well today.
25:21Matt Roberts:But yeah, I do share that concern. I'd love it if they could both come out on Saturday and feel themselves and play well, because it could be a really good match.
25:34David Law:I think that that's another good match-up in terms of just the way they're playing. And because Mukova has these incredible hands on the defence, even if Noshkiva's hitting big, I think she can manipulate the ball back. So very interested in seeing how it goes. But yeah, massive day for them both. It's just the biggest day of their careers, isn't it? Pam's back in the chat and she has announced this by saying, Pam is back. Of course she has. Pam is back. What a semi-final day. Yes, Pam. Agreed.
26:16Matt Roberts:Right, Linda Nozkova, 6-4, 6-4 over Marta Kostiuk. A serve quality rating today, David, of 9.5 for Nozkova. Wow. And, you know, I didn't get to watch all of it because I was in the press conferences for Goff and Muka.
26:32David Law:but watched a lot you know we had the phone on didn't we in the press comments while we were waiting for them and the sheer number of times I saw Linda Noschkova burn Kostiuk today with her slice out wide serve it has to be one of the most devastating serves in tennis right now it it sort of it doesn't move that fast but she gets such an acute angle on it and then it carries on curving away and I saw this happen against Mertens in the previous round you know a full extended arm and a lunge and players are still not really able to deal with it and and it was almost like a cheat code she would just go back to that and then win a point um so I'm not surprised I think she she is quietly devastating Linda Noschkova she quietly just knocks you out the tournament and And I think you must wonder as an opponent, did I really play the match?
27:32Did I really get a chance to go through? Because I just seemed to come on the court and the next thing I know I was walking off it again. Because there's so little drama about the way Linda Noshkova plays.
27:46David Law:She's just devastating in that sort of understated way. And quite brilliant ball striker. great temperament she showed today I thought and yeah all credit to her yeah I think everything
28:02Catherine Whitaker:that David just described as so well like suited the conditions they walked out onto as well on center court you know like two and a half hour first semi-final in the heat of the day everyone needed needed a break you know like everyone needed to try and get some air con if they could or just go to the loo fill up water like and then they walked out and it was it was a bit flat on center court and it's totally understandable but that just I think allowed both players actually to settle quite quickly and I thought they both they both did that but you kind of you know a kind of bit of fire and ice Kostiuk and Noskova and you I just always thought in that kind of scenario Noskova would be able to just play her tennis I think not I think Kostiuk needs a bit more of a spark to kind of get going and Noskova is is so quietly devastating as David said and Kostiuk threw in a really poor game on serve at 4-5 just under pressure from the Noskova return she hits it hard and flat and deep and it's a hard ball to control but Kostiuk didn't control it all that well and then double faulted at 15 40 and that was it the set was over and it was kind of at that moment really that everyone like okay tuned back in I'm ready now for this semi-final and Noska was already up a set she went up a break as well at the start of the second and then Kostiuk had a flurry and did the things that she did against Paolini and made a miracle return to stay in a game got her forehand firing got the break back got it back level and I thought okay she's she's building something maybe she can grow into this match but it took something very special to be able to lift her level above Noskova's who was just like at a constant eight and a half out of ten you know like seriously good and then the same thing happened at the end of end of the second set has happened at the first and Noskova just gets the break and that's it the match is quite suddenly over and she's she's so good on the grass Noskova that her hands on the return she hits this two-handed slice return that just floats back but lands deep and just puts the opponent in a difficult position and then she takes over with her deep ground strokes and flat hits she's very very good and she's got the serve to to roll through her own service games and i think there's been it's been impressive to have won a title before wimbledon kept it going on the grass.
30:38Catherine Whitaker:She quickly became the highest seed left in her half. And it just doesn't feel like anything has phased her whatsoever. She's just kept playing her game match after match. And that, I think, is a big improvement from 12 months ago where, you know, I always mention it, but that match with Anissa Mova, I kind of look back now and think of it as a bit like that sort of Sabalenka-Osaka match from the US Open where, you know, Osaka went on and reached the final, won the title. It wasn't quite that extreme, but Anissa Mova just got the better of it last year. But that was a stressful match on both sides of the net.
31:12Catherine Whitaker:And I just think Noskova's lowered the temperature a bit that she plays at. And it's allowing her to produce this stunning tennis.
31:21Matt Roberts:Kostjik's take on the match was exactly the same as both of yours. She said, I didn't have a chance. I wasn't allowed to really make a match of it today in the way I would have wanted. and that kind of helps me feel very much at peace with what happened there very quickly. She said, today couldn't have been more different to Paris. She said, today there was a match. Like, I was in the match. I just wasn't able to do anything with that because of how good she was. Whereas in Paris, she wasn't in the match. She didn't show up. She showed up today. It's just, there was nothing to be done because Kisnoshkova was that good.
32:00David Law:I take her at her word as to how she felt on the court. And I definitely enjoyed that flurry that you mentioned from Kosciuk in the second set. But I also still think, compared to the other tennis I saw from the other players today, there were some unforced errors that you just can't get away with in this scenario. And the end of each set, she did tighten.
32:27Matt Roberts:Does that, look it's a sample size of two and she's very young and she's improving all the time. She's in this phase of rapid improvement. But does that place any question mark in your mind about Kostiuk as the big match, big stage player? Like in terms of a Grand Slam contender because that is how we're thinking of her now.
32:49David Law:I think if she can continue on this path and I actually think it's really healthy that her view is that I don't really have regrets today and so back to work. I think that's a lot easier for her to process and carry on for next time. But I think she will need to improve on that in the future. And my guess is that by playing a couple of these big matches, she will improve for next time. Or certainly improve for the future. I mean, she's proved she's got the goods. That's why, actually, what happened today I thought was a bit disappointing. Because I didn't, I know that this is a very different type of opponent to what she faced with Jasmine Paolini.
33:33David Law:I realise that. You know, you get more chance to play in that match than when you're playing Noskova. Like I said, you just can suddenly realise that the thing's over. but I think that she could have done a better job today I think she could have tightened up her game a little bit stayed with Noshkova and given herself a chance for the flurry to be at the right time it was played when she was trying to come back I do find it fascinating and amazing that tennis players and I'm sure all athletes basically just can't allow themselves to believe in the concept of having regrets they're like
34:15Matt Roberts:i mean i mean lots of people talk like this don't they like i don't have any regrets because if i hadn't made that mistake i wouldn't be where i am now and like but you don't know where you would have been and like gough said that didn't she about the match point i don't have any regrets i'm like you sure you wouldn't have liked to do that differently it is an interesting one isn't it sometimes in life you have to make yourself okay she may be right and i may be wrong but she played
34:40David Law:the match she knows what it's like to be on the end of the noskova tennis shots i don't i can only say what i'm looking at um but i i just see i do see it a little differently to how she's described it there but if but if she is also sort of self protecting a little bit i also completely understand that um and uh i i hope it happens for kosciuk because she's one of my favorite players to watch i think she's great for the game um and i hope she gets her moment and i do believe she will i think she's that good on so many services she could win any of the grand slams in terms of suitability i think do you agree matt yes i i i not going to make yourself unpopular in czechia sorry in ukraine like you are in uh in the philippines sorry jim matt can't afford to piss off any more nations
35:35Catherine Whitaker:i think i agree with david's point that she can now plan any surface and she's a she's a all surface threat and i think that also goes for golf you know like i think suddenly for golf the career slam has suddenly come into view yeah you know in a way that before this tournament I would have thought, oh, well, Wimbledon is going to be an obstacle. I kind of think she might get an Australian Open one day, and now this feels on as well. I think for Kostiuk, she's got shots at winning majors. Look, I do think she's in a great run of form right now. I don't think she's going to be winning, what was it, 22 of 23 matches all the time.
36:20Catherine Whitaker:you know I think she's gonna have dips and gonna have spells where she's not this consistent but I trust her and that coaching setup I think it's one of the most healthy sounding coaching setups on tour and the improvements she's made this year I I think she's definitely got shots at majors ahead of her for sure I've got some stats for the final yes please uh the first ever Wimbledon final between two women who've saved match point along the way Noskova saved match point against Kostea Mukovo obviously today against Goff I'd forgotten that it's also the first this is from Opta, this is the first Wimbledon singles final at Wimbledon between two players who've won lead up events on grass at WTA level since 1990 with Ratalova and Zina Garrison that was and Mookova has beaten three straight slam champions in the second week to reach the final and she's become the sixth player to do that after Chris Everett, Serena, who did it twice Rabatkinner and Anzibar Matthew just interjected Yes, no, not Steffi Kroff No, these are Wimbledon stats, Matthew No, no.
37:44Actually, that is a Grand Slam stat. French Open 999. Sellers, Davenport, Ingers. In the second week?
37:53Catherine Whitaker:All in the second week? Quarters, semis, final. Sorry, guys. Is that a Matt Roberts or is that an Opta? That's Opta, yeah. Who is Matthew taking down here? Let's check it. Let's check it live. Okay. So Matthew thinks, off the top of his head, Graf 99 French Open she beat Davenport Celes Hingis no but Hingis was in the final this is to reach the final oh you just didn't listen did you Matthew I'm trying to concentrate he said I'm trying to concentrate I think we need new stuff next year Andy eats your crisps borrows Sorry, yeah. Ever heard of anyone borrowing crisps? No. You have now. Us neither.
38:49Who, I will ask you this again tomorrow and on Saturday in our preview show,
38:54Matt Roberts:which I think we're doing at midday on both the finals days. Correct. We'll have two podcast days or rather two show days on Saturday and Sunday. We do a preview at midday just for YouTube Live and Lon Live if you want to watch it later. but it will go out of date quite quickly and that's why we don't put it up as a podcast. So I will ask you this question multiple times over the next 36 hours and you have the right to change your time at any point. Right at this moment, who do you think is winning that final?
39:28Catherine Whitaker:Mukava. At this moment, I think I might go Noskova.
39:35David's always... David's been the Mukava guy right the way through this tournament and it's gone well so far. Do I get some credit? Yes. Absolutely. Hey!
39:44Catherine Whitaker:If I get Noskova credit. Sure. Who picked Ostapenko and Aravalo for the mixed? They can have some credit. David. No, I didn't. Oh, you. You did, I think. One of us did. It wasn't me. I'm sure that was a very informed... We definitely went Storm Hunter, didn't we?
40:00Matt Roberts:I think I did go for Ostapenko, yeah. Big surprise.
40:08Yeah. Can we go for TK Maxx here?
40:11Matt Roberts:Anyone having that as a headline? No? Because she did have the TK Maxx patch back. I think you won that one as well because I said she'd have none of these things. Oh, well, TK Maxx were back in for the final and I bet that's not a decision they regret. Ostapenko and Aravalo, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, the comeback win in the mixed doubles final over Swarm Hunter and Mark Polmans. Yelena Ostapenko truly having the last laugh over Laura Siegmund. by lifting the trophy.
40:41Catherine Whitaker:She took over that final. Yeah. Like, they were down, and suddenly Ostapenko got those ground strokes firing. Nearly took Polmans' head off at one stage. Yeah. That is her signature move at this point, isn't it? Very impressive comeback, and very nice scenes with Aravalo's son, Oh, yes. Marcelito, coming on the court at the end. That was lovely. He's the first ever women and champion from El Salvador. Oh, brilliant. Game set and max, says Hannah. And that is game set and max for the partner, isn't it? She's won it there. Excellent, excellent stuff. Congratulations to Ostapenko and Aravalo.
41:26Matt Roberts:We have Harry Heliovaro and Henry Patton to play. Marcelo Aravalo and Matej Pavic in the men's doubles final. They both won through their semifinals today. And we had a shock in the women's doubles. Katarina Siniarkova and Taylor Townsend, the top seeds, lost today to Kristina Medinovich and Guo Han Yu, the 10th seed, in the quarterfinals. Good news for Defani. Phew.
41:55Catherine Whitaker:Good.
41:55Matt Roberts:Clears the path for Defani. Excellent.
41:58Catherine Whitaker:They're first up in the semis tomorrow.
42:00Matt Roberts:yes they play Shuko Aoyama and Unshuo Liang
42:05Catherine Whitaker:this one's going to open the floodgates isn't it David once they get one
42:08Matt Roberts:yeah yeah right yeah that's how it goes shall we have a look at tomorrow's order of play if I can find it I think we all know what's on there but I'll get it up in front of me anyway because it is actually somewhat unexpected Maybe not the matches themselves that are on centre court, but the order in which they're happening starts at 1.30, starting with Arthur Ferry against Alexander Zverev. And second on is Yannick Sinner against Novak Djokovic. Now, obviously, Novak Djokovic and Yannick Sinner, the two semi-finalists that played their quarterfinals the day before Ferry and Zverev, they played theirs on Tuesday.
42:50Matt Roberts:so have had the extra day of rest and it tends to be customary though obviously not official policy that the players that booked their spots first play the first semi-final this has been changed lots of people were quite shocked by that I mean I was surprised I didn't feel any type of way about it personally but I it certainly was a surprise when that order of play landed obviously a lot lot of speculation about what factors might have gone into that whether it was the BBC asking for something because they've got the World Cup game which is an 8pm kickoff tomorrow night.
43:33Catherine Whitaker:Yeah correct. My Spain.
43:35Matt Roberts:Spain and obviously if you're playing the second semi-final that would almost certainly at least partially clash. Speculation about whether ESPN for whom Arthur Ferry bless him not as big a deal as he is here in the UK the emphasis for them I would expect very much to be on Sina Djokovic and the latest slot is far better for a US audience whether that was the biggest sort of push for this and then also player requests I mean it is it is going to be hot and unpleasant again tomorrow and Yannick Sina is not going to love that and playing later it'll still be hot but it'll be better and probably the second half of the match will be under the roof what do you think was going on David?
44:18David Law:Well I don't think that this was a BBC call they were in a position whereby there are pros and cons to Ferry playing first and second I think Ferry is probably their priority as a British player and he really has moved the needle here I think there were nearly 4 million people watching in the afternoon yesterday when Ferry played his match there'll be more tomorrow and the benefits from their perspective of him going in the first match are that it doesn't clash with the football and it can go on BBC One, which is the bigger channel, the bigger audience. However, if he were to be in the second match and later on, it would be in prime time when all people are home from work and kids are home from school and people have finished for the day, more people certainly.
45:09David Law:So there are definitely benefits on both sides, but then you would be clashing with the World Cup match and the BBC are screening that World Cup match. So I think the BBC were happy enough, basically, is my understanding, either way. But there was definitely preference shown from other broadcasters for this order. And as you rightly say, Sinner Djokovic internationally is the one. That is the one that people want to have in their best airtime. and if it's later in the day here, certainly in the US, it's more in the middle of their day and more in the afternoon. So that works for them. Player-wise, I find it very interesting.
45:51David Law:I think that there probably were requests that went in. Players put requests in all the time. And I could imagine that the two voices that would have been heard here are Sinner and Djokovic's. I don't think anybody's going to listen to Ferry if he did ask for anything. I don't really think anybody's going to listen to Zverev if he asks for something. You know, they'll listen, but they ain't going to act upon it. Yeah, they politely say, good to know, Arthur. Kids will bear that in mind. And actually, when I initially sort of mentioned it on commentary to Leon Smith about this order, my sense initially was that he wasn't overjoyed about it, really, because obviously this is a lot less recovery time.
46:32David Law:He then said, look, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter either way. So, you know, OK. But Djokovic, would he have asked for a later match? That's an interesting question. He doesn't love the heat. And if he can get it indoors with still conditions late on and be able to bring out the level of the Australian Open, that would probably suit him more. But for Yannick Sinner, although it's going to start very hot, it's probably going to end a lot cooler. That might benefit him as well. I think the single biggest player benefit here is to Yannick Sinner.
47:11Matt Roberts:I don't think Novak Djokovic in isolation would love playing in the conditions that we had today. And I think if it weren't Yannick Sinner and we hadn't seen what we saw in Australia and in Paris and Shanghai, etc. Djokovic would like the extra rest and the slightly cooler conditions and the potential for it to finish under the roof. I think bigger than all of those things is the fact that you're playing the guy that has the big problem.
47:44Matt Roberts:So I think Djokovic should not have requested the latest start. I'm quite sure that Sina did. I feel pretty convinced that ESPN did as well. And that was probably the single biggest factor. But I would love to know what Novak Djokovic wanted. And look, whatever he pushed for, I'm sure he was right. Like, I doubt he would get that wrong. And I'm sure he's smart, isn't he? He would have weighed it all up. But from the outside, knowing what I know, I would be telling him to push for playing in the heat of the day and trying to expose Yannickson as a killer's heel.
48:25Catherine Whitaker:Yeah, look, I agree with you. That was my take as well. I just think maybe these greats think about themselves. And Djokovic is thinking, well, I'd rather play later because that's going to bring out my best tennis. That's where I'm going to feel most comfortable on court. Which he's proved he can win with. Totally.
48:50Matt Roberts:But Juan Manuel Sarundolo has proved what you need to win with.
48:55Catherine Whitaker:There are two ways. Yeah.
48:58Matt Roberts:Yeah.
48:59Catherine Whitaker:But the thing is, that's outside of his control, how Yannick Sinner feels in the heat. And Djokovic wants to control what he can. But I also think it's probably mostly an ESPN thing. But actually, I'm with David. I think it helps Ferry. I really do. I was very worried about what we described happened with Kostyuk and Noskova today. I was worried about that for Ferry. that place was deserted and there was no energy in the building for the first 45 minutes of the match and that hurt Kostchuk probably I think it wouldn't have been as bad because for a Brit I think people might have made more of an effort to get back out there but if you'd have had four and a half hours of Sinner and Djokovic there's no way it would have been packed if Sinner and Djokovic has gone anything over like two and a half hours
49:51David Law:the one that comes back to mind is Songer against Ferrer at the French Open when they followed Djokovic and Nadal onto the court and the French crowd needed a break. Yeah. And they had no energy to... And poor old Joe Wilfred Sungra had been waiting backstage all these hours, watching the telly, wondering when he's going on. I think it is far harder. And that wasn't in heat like this. And sorry to bang on about it, but it is really bad now. It is like it was in Paris. It's... Yeah. We're suddenly singing the praises of appliancesdirect.co.uk. Oh, yeah. Is it good? It's great. It's great. Better late than never, eh?
50:30Told you you'd be prepared for the next heat wave. What do we think is going to happen in these two semifinals?
50:39Catherine Whitaker:I do think Zverev's going to win. Matthew's shaking his head. Shaking his head. As he was earlier when I was reading out my stat. Matthew wants to go blonde, you see. Yeah, being one match away from blonde Matthew would be so fun. but I do think Zverev's going to win. I think he's going to show the level. I think Ferry will have a flurry, and four sets wouldn't surprise me. I think he's playing really well, Ferry, and deserves to be here, but Zverev's steadiness over five sets, that big serve, his experience, I do back him. David? Yeah, I feel so. virtually word for word you're on your own Matthew on your own what about the second semi-final
51:33I think Sin is going to win I think Sin is going to win
51:38Catherine Whitaker:and do you think Djokovic is going to because I think Sin is going to win as well but I think Djokovic might find his level for a period but not be able to sustain it like Australia I think it will be closer than some of his matches he's had with Sinner before this year's Australian Open, but I don't think he'll pull off the Australian Open again. I think it could be like the Australian Open final. Do you think Sinner will play better than we've seen so far? Yeah. Yeah, I do as well. I think it's almost one of the first times we will have seen him
52:10David Law:searching for his level and then finding it. I don't think we're going to go the whole of this tournament without him finding it. Matthew, who do you think Ferry's going to be playing in Sunday's final? he's thinking folks doesn't work brilliantly in the meantime doesn't work brilliantly does it somebody not on camera being silent can we have your verdict while we wait or not yet I think Zverev I agree I think I have a I could see four sets I think a a fairy flurry sounds like an ice cream a flurry isn't that's not a nautical term
52:50Matt Roberts:is it but that doesn't quite... We can workshop that. And I think...
53:00I'm so tempted to go for Djokovic, you know. Well, do then! But I don't...
53:04Matt Roberts:I think if actually my life depended on it, I would go for Sinner. He's 39. I can't be picking a 39-year-old... And he played over five hours. ...in 36 degrees over the world number one. But he's that guy who won 24 of these. I think I give Djokovic slightly more chance than you do on the basis of what you two have just said. Like, there is just a... I give him quite a big chance. Do you?
53:28Catherine Whitaker:I think it'll be a close match. Okay. Matthew, have we... You've decided? Tennis will win. No, not an answer I'm willing to accept. Tennis will win. I mean, that's what he said. You can't do an insane pick in one... An insanely bold pick in one semi-final and then say tennis will win in the other. I think Sinner. Sinner.
53:51that's how close it is Matthew took 10 minutes to come to that by the way great story from
53:57Catherine Whitaker:Tom Kershaw in the times today about Ferry having a yes having a procedure uh to to stop the nosebleeds he had it after the Bergs match I believe yes you know during this tournament
54:10Matt Roberts:yeah and I did speak to um official doctor of the tennis podcast Felicity um who also gave matt some concussion based medical advice earlier this week shout out felicity um it's not that big of a deal no the concussion or the she was very worried about the concussion very very worried um have you checked on matt have you checked on that as he has he texted you in the last hour um no but i think it's just sticking a she called it a silver something they do it in it's not a big deal i don't think but but better than having nose i just i just think like sorting it out mid-tournament is quite it's quite a sort of good thing to do because he said he'd
54:53Catherine Whitaker:had them you know he'd had nosebleeds sort of in his career so he's like made a decision this
54:58Matt Roberts:tournament i've got to sort it out she also said this might be too much sort of medical context but she also said that um nosebleeds are big this season she said she's had more people coming to the surgery for nosebleeds than ever before it's a very after fairy thing to do isn't it just sort it out just sort it out with a procedure mid-tournament it's not a problem i thought i'd do that if i know arthur ferry david and i think we do by now this is very typical arthur um do you think you'll get a set do you think you'll make it fun you're not so sure i think he'll get to a tie break okay and then he won't win it that is textbook plucky brit stuff that hurts me to say but i think that's because i like him i really and i love watching him and you'll be commentating on him yes yes and also i want to be able to do a full set which because i do set two and four if you get a fourth i thought you said a full set no fourth i want to do a full set in set two i'm just being completely selfish here i just want to do two sets all right okay and if you want to hear david which trust me you do uh bbc radio five live to be fair i did get my fair share today
56:05David Law:didn't i got to do the first and third sets of golf against um mukava today and that was an Absolute privilege and pleasure.
56:14Matt Roberts:Okay, so that's tomorrow. We'll be back again, not before time of 8pm. Yep. For tomorrow. I won't be waiting for Ylenos Topenko tomorrow, so that's something. I suspect the tennis will take us up to and maybe even beyond 8pm. We might be coming... We could be looking at curfew. Yeah, we might be coming right off the back of the matches, which is always fun, isn't it? Not the lack of sleep, but the adrenaline. That's fun. hello to Phoebe our Wimbledon mascot who is doing what I hope to be doing very soon sleeping off a day of excitement look at that look at that lovely face she looks like she's that's what Billie Jean looks like when she does her little running in her sleep and the sort of little yelps like she's chasing squirrels in her sleep hello to Bodie Maisie and Roger our mascots hello to our top folks and executive producers Greg Chris and Jeff let's have some shout out to Matt we have
57:10Catherine Whitaker:Henrietta Bradshaw Hi Henrietta Hello Henrietta And this is a gift shout out from her sister Amelia Aww Aww So nice And they say we are more like tennis twins than just sisters Oh We follow the tennis podcast team around going to the live show in London before Wimbledon last year and attending both Wimbledon history conferences Yay Well presumably we met Henrietta and Amelia then Yes I believe you may even have chatted about dogs in the museum afterwards. Oh, I remember that. Before you said in the museum, I was going to say that doesn't narrow it down for me. Do you want to jog Catherine's memory?
57:51Just a reminder of when she looked at dogs. Well, no, that doesn't help at all because... Happens all the time. Happens a lot. People quite often start conversations with me just with their phone already open. I know, but you do seem to be able to pick them out of a line-up. Yeah. No, I do remember chatting in the museum about dogs. That was lovely.
58:07Catherine Whitaker:And Henrietta and Amelia were at Wimbledon, I think, on the 1st of July last week. Aww. So I hope you had a great day. Very Jane Austen-y names, as Hannah is pointing out in the chat.
58:21Matt Roberts:Love that. Hello, Henrietta and Amelia.
58:24Catherine Whitaker:And finally, we have Hamish Fraser. Hello, Hamish.
58:29Matt Roberts:Hello, Hamish.
58:29Catherine Whitaker:He says, I listen with my wife, Christy. and they are from, well, I've got written here, Sydney, Melbourne. Maybe Hamish is from Sydney and Christy's from Melbourne. Australia. Australia.
58:47Tennis Hamish is, don't know why I've gone down that cold a sack. Neil Fraser, for the surname. Yeah, very good. And Australian. Very good. Hamish, please accept that.
58:59Catherine Whitaker:and Hamish says we stumbled across the pod a few years back now but neither of us can remember how or when it's fine to Christy's internal embarrassment I'm a shameless promoter and have managed to get selfies with David and Matt at the last two Australian Opens
59:13Matt Roberts:awesome just me to go
59:16Catherine Whitaker:we'll be at the Australian Open in 2027 and have booked tickets for the French in 2027 to complete our Grand Slam brilliant incredible
59:25David Law:anybody wants to shamelessly promote the tennis podcast by telling everybody they know. That's fine. Hamish Christie, hopefully I can get a selfie with you. Maybe they actually don't want a selfie with me. I'm going to suspect they doubt that. Like David with the... The Scots guy who was shouting across the roof at John Mackina and I thought he was here for us.
59:44Catherine Whitaker:Turned out not. There was a brief moment before recording yesterday where David introduced himself to people who had no idea who he was. By the end of it, I think they were big fans.
59:57turns out they were here to heckle john mackenroyd who would have thought it yeah absolutely okay hamish christy amelia and henrietta thank you ever so much for being friends of the tennis podcast if you would like to become a friend of the tennis podcast then the link is in our show
1:00:14Matt Roberts:notes we will be back tomorrow folks after those two blockbuster men's singles semi-finals not before 8pm. Keep an eye across YouTube. Hit that like and subscribe button. Subscribe to our newsletter. Link also in the show notes. Keep across our socials at the Tennis Podcast on Instagram and you will know when we are going live after those men's singles semifinals. We are part of the Athletic Podcast Network. Thank you for listening and watching and being with us tonight on day 11 of Wimbledon 2026. We'll see you tomorrow.
From the publisher
Catherine, David and Matt react live to women’s semi-finals day as Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova ensured there will be a Czech winner on Saturday.
We start with Muchova’s extraordinary win over Coco Gauff in a final set tiebreak. How did Muchova manage to beat Gauff over the distance? What was Gauff thinking with that drop shot on her match point? And do we have any concerns about Muchova when it comes to physicality and nerves in the final?
As for the second semi-final (26:15), we talk about Noskova’s remarkable poise and temperament which saw her produce another brilliant performance, and debate the extent to which Marta Kostyuk could have done more.
We also look ahead to the men’s semi-finals (42:12) and in particular the order of them, which sees Arthur Fery vs Alexander Zverev scheduled first, and Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner on second. What might have contributed to this switch? And who will it benefit?
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