Episodes

  • The Sit-Down with Donna Kelso
    Nov 25 2024

    The Australian Open holds a special place in Donna Kelso's heart; it was where she officiated her last match as a chair umpire — the women's final of AO 1998. The Sydneysider has since held an ongoing role as a WTA supervisor, which sees her travel the world and visit incredible locations as the tour traverses the globe. It's the continuation of a long-running connection to tennis for Kelso, who picked up the sport as a child after winning a racquet in a colouring competition, and who progressed to calling lines as a teenager at the NSW Open. She sat down with Viv and Matt to discuss her tennis journey, her trailblazing role as a female gold-badge chair umpire, her best on-court moments as a tennis official, and her famous shoe collection.

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    Host handles:
    @Viv_Christie
    @MattyAT

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    24 mins
  • Nadal’s last dance, Italy’s BJK Cup glory, Sinner’s massive pay day
    Nov 21 2024

    The tennis world has bid farewell to Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga — we pay tribute to the King of Clay with a special Australian Open tribute. Meanwhile, Netherlands has progressed to the semifinals against Germany, and Australia is set for a quarterfinal showdown with USA, with Italy or Argentina to follow. AusOpen.com’s Rhys de Deugd is on the ground in Malaga, where Italy’s women have returned to the top of the world with an inspired performance in the Billie Jean King Cup finals led by Jasmine Paolini. GIG analyst Simon Rea casts a spotlight over year-end tour champions Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff five weeks out from the Australian Summer of Tennis. Plus, Nick Kyrgios is primed and ready for his much-anticipated comeback at the Brisbane International.

    AusOpen.com
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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    50 mins
  • The Sit-Down with Nick Kyrgios
    Nov 18 2024

    Nick Kyrgios has outlined his comeback intentions, announcing he will play the Brisbane International before returning to the Grand Slam stage at Australian Open 2025. Viv and Matt sit down with the former world No.13, who has played just one match in the past two years due to injuries. The worst of those was a wrist problem, which required reconstructive surgery, but Kyrgios has recovered and feels fitter than he has in years. Will he be able to scale the heights of 2022, when he was a Wimbledon finalist and US Open quarterfinalist? Only time will tell. But the 29-year-old is thrilled to be back and has revealed he was looking forward to putting on a show for fans, while having learned a lot about both himself and the sport from his recent time in the commentary booth.

    AusOpen.com
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    Host handles:
    @Viv_Christie
    @MattyAT

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    38 mins
  • Coco top of the pops, Sinner & Zverev sail into semis in Turin
    Nov 14 2024

    As forecast by Storm Hunter, Coco Gauff has silenced her critics to win the season-ending WTA Tour Finals, leaving Zheng Qinwen, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Jess Pegula in her wake. Jannik Sinner and Alex Zverev have booked their semis spots at the ATP Finals with commanding performances in the group stage, with Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud still in contention — Casey Dellacqua and John Fitzgerald discuss the results from Riyadh and the current standings in Turin. 53 days out from the first Grand Slam of the year, AO tournament director Craig Tiley joins the show to discuss the ever-evolving entertainment landscape of the Australian Open and what he’s most looking forward to. Plus, we reveal the seven Australian players nominated for Newcombe Medal ahead of the Australian Tennis Awards in December.

    AusOpen.com
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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    42 mins
  • The Sit-Down with Jill Craybas
    Nov 11 2024

    Almost 20 years ago, Jill Craybas produced one of the great Grand Slam upsets, defeating Serena Williams to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon — a career-best result. The former US college player, who also holds a communications degree, sat down with Matt to reflect on a professional career that saw her crack the top 40 and win the WTA Japan Open title. Since retiring in 2013, she has emerged as a notable voice in tennis media — including as a part of Australian Open’s World Feed commentary team. Craybas discusses in detail her career highlights, her favourite memories, and how she marvels at the modern stars of the game.

    AusOpen.com
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    Host handles:
    @Viv_Christie
    @MattyAT

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    30 mins
  • Aryna, Qinwen & Coco into WTA semis, Demon ATP Finals bound!
    Nov 7 2024

    Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff have secured semifinals spots at the WTA Finals leaving Iga Swiatek relying on Gauff to beat Barbora Krejcikova to stay alive. Storm Hunter and John Fitzgerald discuss Swiatek's challenge, Gauff's form, and Elena Rybakina's potential with new coach Goran Ivanisevic in her corner. Alex de Minaur has broken a 20-year drought by becoming the first Australian singles player since Lleyton Hewitt to reach the ATP Tour Finals. We catch up with Donna Vekic 50 days out from her favourite event the United Cup, and Brie reveals her top 5 musically talented tennis players.

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    42 mins
  • The Sit-Down with Daria & Luke Saville
    Nov 4 2024

    Viv and Matt are joined by not one, but two guests: Daria and Luke Saville. During a rare week at home in Melbourne together, the Savilles left dog Tofu with Dasha's mum and sat down for their first proper interview together. In a wide-ranging chat, they recall how they met as juniors, Daria's relocation to Australia, and how their professional tennis careers have unfolded in tandem: hitting together, offering each other advice, and learning from one another, shining a light on their various strengths as players, and their respective coaching ambitions. Also, Viv refreshes Luke's memory with his original letter to Australian Tennis Magazine 20 years ago!

    AusOpen.com
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    Host handles:
    @Viv_Christie
    @MattyAT

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    31 mins
  • WTA Finals showdown, Aussies shine in Paris, Demon’s race to Turin
    Oct 31 2024

    Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek enter the WTA Finals as the hot favourites among six other contenders for the year-end title. Meanwhile, Aussie gun Alex de Minaur is in the hunt for vital points in Paris to edge out Andrey Rublev for a maiden spot at Turin — experts Storm Hunter and Luke Saville make the case for why he deserves to become the first Australian man since Lleyton Hewitt to qualify for the year-end event. Carlos Alcaraz continues to impress with his candid and authentic answers in media conferences, but just how hard is it to be transparent and sincere as a professional tennis player? Our panel discuss the challenges for the modern player. Plus, Brie reveals her top five player rivalry nicknames.

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    39 mins