Catherine Whitaker
@CWhitakerSport
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Sports broadcaster for @PrimeVideoUK @Eurosport_UK & @BBCSport. Co-host of the @tennispodcast. Here for animal capers/cuteness, feminism & obscure sports stats.
London
Joined April 2014
Here’s a thing that World Number One and freshly crowned French Open Champion Iga Swiatek was asked in her press conference today. Presenting without comment because there are no words.
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Hey tennis 👋🏻 I love you but please stop shafting women with your scheduling. It is entirely foreseeable that a men’s semi final will last longer than two hours, and a women’s final should start at a designated time, not ‘once the men are done with the spotlight’.
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5hrs45 on court. 4:05am finish. ‘I want to go to bed’ says Andy Murray. He’s always been the most human of all the super humans.
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I have no idea how to sum up what I just saw from metal-hipped Andy Murray but I absolutely f***ing loved it with every fibre of my being.
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You have 3.7 million followers and are telling them an 18 year old girl who you didn’t know existed a week ago doesn’t have the mental toughness to be great, on the basis of a situation about which you don’t even have the full details? Shame on you.
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‘Thank you so much, but this is about the tournament.’ And that right there is why Sue Barker is an icon, an inspiration and a true pro. ❤️
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I’m so desperate for women to play best of five sets at slams, but not to justify their equal pay 🙄, but rather because best of 5 is the ultimate format of the game, and women players plus fans of women’s tennis (which really should be all tennis fans) should not be denied it.
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I just watched Alcaraz courtside and I feel like one of those people that saw Oasis in a pub in 1990.
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For me, Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player of all time. Not only did she win 23 Major titles, but she forced a reevaluation of how we perceive & value female athletes, particularly black female athletes. What a legacy.
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I don't really understand people that don't like Andy Murray. But if there's any left after watching this then there's no hope for them. An extraordinary glimpse inside (literally, at one point) one of Britain's greatest ever sportspeople.
Raw. Emotional. Inspiring. It’s @andy_murray like you’ve never seen him before. Resurfacing. Coming to #PrimeVideo on Friday 29 November.
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Why showing emotion isn't a sign of weakness, in the words of @andy_murray on @primevideouk.
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I live in fear of getting my period during a week when I’m presenting on TV. And that involves no strenuous physical activity, policing of my toilet breaks (unless working with a very diligent floor manager) or requirement to wear white. It’s time to talk about periods.
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He might not be the hero that the majority of tennis wants, but @andy_murray is absolutely the hero it needs.
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Ash Barty, gosh. She leaves a cavernous hole in tennis - she had become the bar against which others tested themselves. But I’m blown away by her bravery and self assurance. Good luck to her in whatever’s next, and farewell to the sliced backhand of dreams ❤️.
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I can only hope to spend the rest of my natural born life wilting in the way that Serena, Halep, Svitolina and Strycova did today.
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@steftsitsipas @raresgaitan @GadzhiIman Well it sounds like you’ve got it all figured out so I’ll leave it there. I only wish I had the privilege of not believing in the patriarchy.
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There’s really no way to say ‘we won an award’ without sounding like a twat so here’s a cute dog posing with it to take the edge off the twattery.
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To everyone that has said kind things about Saturday, thank you. It’s been the ultimate privilege to bask in Emma Raducanu’s reflected glow, and what a glow it is. Massive proud Mum vibes about the whole @primevideosport talent and production team. What a wild US Open ride.
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I struggle with stifling heat at the best of times, but today I have my period, and I reckon it makes everything ~25% harder to deal with - aching, cramping, clumsiness etc. Probably worth bearing in mind when we watch women play tennis today.
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For anyone wondering why Jo Konta might sometimes be defensive with the press, just take a moment to think what it might be like to have this inaccurate, vitriolic and sexist BS written about you, and whether it would make you feel inclined to bear your soul.
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@steftsitsipas @raresgaitan @GadzhiIman Hey Stefanos, modern feminist here 👋🏻. Just wondered what you’re basing this assessment on? How you’ve educated yourself on the female experience of life/the world? What your understanding of the patriarchy is? Happy to discuss anytime.
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@ChrissieEvert @Martina If I could like this tweet more than once then I sure as heck would ❤.
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Stop the count. The comeback of the year award has been won by Coco Andreescu 😍
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Call me an idealist, but I've always believed in the sort of feminism that doesnt come at Dominic Thiem's expense.
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Pam is not only helping coach @DonnaVekic to her greatest success in years, but as this brilliant piece points out, she’s also forcing tennis to confront a conversation that it sadly doesn’t seem ready to have. Keep going @PHShriver
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I should add, it was one question in an otherwise brilliant press conference. Thoughtful, pertinent questions from journalists and considered, insightful answers from Swiatek. Which is what the player, and the media deserves.
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14 and out from Wimbledon 2022 with these lovely lads ❤️
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Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. #FreePengShuai #WhereIsPengShuai.
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'It'll be gone before you know it' = casually devastating.
“Dear Andy. ” ✍️ . @andy_murray pens a note to his younger self, with some advice for his Wimbledon debut ✨. #Wimbledon #WithAmex
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What’s even better than seeing Serena back dominating the Arthur Ashe stadium? Seeing @ChrissieEvert back dominating the airwaves ❤️
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Who knew self isolation could be this eventful. One minute you’re watching Ozark in your pyjamas the next you’re on @BBCNews talking about the world number one being deported.
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I think anyone who doesn't believe in equal prize money should have the guts to go to both Halep and Wozniacki's post final press conference, look them in the eye and explain why they are less valuable men. Dare you all.
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That's not a line judge folks, that's Dominic Thiem returning a second serve on a hard court. #CoupeRogers
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There’s a lot to love about the Iga’s Bakery website ( but the review page is really where the fun times are at.
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‘The worst day I had on a tennis court in my life’ 💔
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Ps I’m loving Djokovic v Alcaraz as much as anyone. I just want to live in a world where women don’t pay the price for a great men’s match. Or a mediocre men’s match. Or really any men’s match.
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FWIW I think sport should be continuing, with an adjustment in tone to reflect the mood of the nation. Sport is an escape, & a constant in a world of change. On @primevideosport and the @TennisPodcast we’ll be continuing to cover the US Open for those that do want to follow it.
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Rome prize money next week. Same points, same status, same stage. The only thing that would make this bearable is if Taylor Swift wrote a song about it.
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Women’s football delaying the news on BBC1 is absolutely MASSIVE. Ps Robin Cowan is such a great commentator.
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Andreescu vs Azarenka. On paper, and in reality, the match of the day.
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Daniil Medvedev 2, Citizens of New York City 0. Tennis is all about match ups.
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Tonight’s @TennisPodcast recording was delayed because I was making friends with a three legged cat. I hope you all understand. Day One #AusOpen pod up soon
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How can I not retweet this 🤷🏼♀️❤️🐶.
I’m a dog person, dating way back to my childhood. 🐶 . This good girl belongs to my friend @CWhitakerSport of the @TennisPodcast. She named her after me. This is Billie Jean. #NationalDogDay
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I’m really pleased we live in a world where people make biscuits of Emma Raducanu, and I’m really glad I have friends that buy me Emma Raducanu biscuits for my birthday. However will I eat her?
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Some pretty demoralising quotes emerging via @BenRothenberg. This image suddenly feels so important.
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There are so many millions of things to be said about this, but just for one. in an age of toxic masculinity and rising male suicide rates, this is a powerful powerful watch. This right here is how to be a boy @arobertwebb.
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My submission to the tennis quokka selfie hall of fame
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Bananarama Tribute act coming soon. PS Three women in a studio covering men's tennis is freaking awesome. As are both these ladies.
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I haven't made them grandparents, but hosting a forum with @BillieJeanKing on gender equality in sport is my strongest play yet at making my parents proud.
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@ChrissieEvert As a British taxpayer, as far as I’m concerned he repayed his debt to us all when he was made to walk behind his mother’s coffin with the world watching aged 11. Good luck to him.
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My phone just autocorrected ‘Ruud’ to ‘Ruusuvuori’ and if there’s ever been a more niche autocorrect than that then I really want to hear about it.
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that only child bearing women can be caring, feeling human beings.
Must be that maternal instinct. This moment warmed our heart. @serenawilliams 🤗 @D_Yastremska. #AusOpen
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For all those concerned @TennisPodcast listeners making enquiries, my phone is made of Raducanu-esque stuff. It lives to fight another day despite being on a spin cycle longer than Emma was on court.
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Billie Jean King’s mantra is to ‘go for it’. How perfect that she should hand the AO Trophy tonight to a woman that won the title by doing just that 💜
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I got a vaccine, a sticker and a compliment from the nurse about my left deltoid muscle. Good day.
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Wordle since moving to the NY Times.
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Thanks @WomensSport for drawing attention to this. My answer is no, it’s not right and never has been for women. Wimbledon excel at implementing change while preserving tradition. It can be done if the will is there.
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Genuinely exciting to have ATP & WTA tennis on the same UK platform for the first time I can remember. I'll be presenting both for @primevideosport alongside a team of gems, starting in Indian Wells. 🤗Ok, smug tweet over.
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Be still my aching heart. This happened yesterday ❤️
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If you know someone that has racially abused England players, been violent towards Italian fans or tried to storm Wembley, and you think it’s not ok, tell them. Social pressure is such an important weapon. They’re more likely to listen to you then the perceived woke brigade.
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Tennis has finally created the perfect metaphor for the patriarchy.
The latest on the proposed WTA event at The Queen’s Club from 2025 - it rests on approval from the ATP, with players concerned about having to play on used courts the following week
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Best of three for men and women week one. Best of five for both from 1/4s onwards. Two three set matches per session week one, one five set match per session for week two. A solution that solves multiple problems.
"There's a reason no other sport is doing it.". Is it fair to expect athletes to play during the middle of the night?. @CorbinMiddlemas and @CWhitakerSport contemplate whether the @AustralianOpen needs to change its schedule. #Offsiders #AusOpen #tennis
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Leading the way after a record breaking short dance, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir interestingly reluctant to talk about tomorrow being their last dance together. Will be emotional either way. #FigureSkating #PyeongChang2018
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Difficult to find words to pay tribute to an all-time great champion, athlete, competitor and feminist, but we've tried on the latest @TennisPodcast . Andy, you'll be missed terribly, and deserve a better ending than this.
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Goodbye yellow brick road. Hello beautiful memories 😍
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It was a difficult story to hear, but also a privilege to be trusted with something so important. Thank you, Pam for sharing such a painful and personal experience. It will undoubtedly provoke thought and change.
This is not an easy story for me to tell, but it is time. You can listen to my story on the @TennisPodcast - You can read my story @TelegraphSport -
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If tennis has a politeness problem, Jelena Ostapenko might be the solution.
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Wish I could show this tweet to 16 year old me who camped overnight for @Wimbledon tickets WITHOUT A TENT. So exciting.
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Me with people who are unmoved by Andy Murray's comeback.
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You know that wonderful feeling when a brilliant writer writes something that reflects everything that’s in your brain but you could never adequately express? That’s what @barneyronay has done today. Thank you Barney and please everyone give this a read.
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Unsurprisingly @jonathanliew has written a definitive and beautiful tribute to Andy Murray. To be consumed only with tissues and a stiff drink:.
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So perfect that this happened on the night that tennis’ future thrust itself into the present. The future was only ever possible because of the Original 9. What a night indeed!.
The Original 9 members in attendance at the #USOpen were honored on Arthur Ashe with rings to recognize our induction into the @TennisHalloFame. The important history of our sport and the exciting next generation, all in one place. What a night!
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This has really made ‘the day I didn’t get Taylor Swift tickets’ a bit more bearable.
🎙️ The best podcasts of 2022 include "Normal Gossip," "Ruined," "The Tennis Podcast," and "Borderline Salty"
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Looking forward to the next time i hear the argument that women's tennis just doesn't have the 'stars' of the men's game at the moment, hence less prize money & exposure. Most TV networks will be unable to broadcast one of the women's SF's tomorrow. Good luck creating stars.
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