The Tennis

From qualifying to an equal-best Grand Slam performance, Sumit Nagal provided a feel-good story of Australian Open 2024. His broader journey to become India’s top-ranked singles player is equally compelling, with Nagal transitioning to tennis from his first sporting love of cricket. The 27-year-old joins Viv and Matt from Mumbai to discuss the challenges, breakthroughs, and inspirational figures who have shaped his career – and why he can’t wait to combine his sporting passions in his highly anticipated return to Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our final episode of the season, Jon, Brie, Pratty and Pete reveal their choices for most eye-catching player, most surprising Grand Slam result, favourite tennis moment, and rising star of season 2024. Matteo Arnaldi is the first international player to arrive for the Australian Summer of Tennis — the Italian young gun joins the show to discuss his ‘honorary Australian’ status after recently buying a home in Melbourne with his girlfriend Mia Savio. Plus we discuss the wildcards for AO 2025 and unveil the charity match schedule for Opening Week, featuring the likes of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin and Zheng Qinwen. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American youngster Alex Michelsen sits at a career-high world No.41 as he heads to Jeddah to compete in the Next Gen ATP Finals. The 20-year-old recently sat down with Viv and Matt during a rare break at home in California to discuss his meteoric rise. Michelsen began season 2024 ranked 97th and soared thanks to reaching two ATP finals — Newport and Winston-Salem — and winning more than 30 singles matches, including against top-10 opponent Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos. Michelsen, now coached by 2005 US Open semifinalist Robby Ginepri, attributes his vast improvement to strengthening his varied game and taking advantage of his 6’4” frame. He hopes to finish the year strong at the Next Gen event (as the No.2 seed) before turning his attention to the Australian Summer of Tennis. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian tennis has lost one of its most celebrated champions, Neale Fraser. Known for his unmatched left-handed serve, unwavering sportsmanship, and remarkable achievements on and off the court, 'Frase' left an indelible mark on the sport. A dominant force in the 1950s and early 1960s, he won 19 Grand Slam titles—including the US triple crown twice—captained Australia's Davis Cup team to four historic victories, and remained a steadfast ambassador for tennis throughout the latter years of his life. Four of his protégés John Fitzgerald, John Newcombe, Darren Cahill and Todd Woodbridge reflect on Fraser's influence on their lives and on the sport. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex de Minaur and Matt Ebden have capped career-best seasons by taking home the Newcombe Medal at the 2024 Australian Tennis Awards, while Darren Cahill has been recognised for his ongoing work with world No.1 Jannik Sinner with the award for Coaching Excellence – Performance. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley and Storm Hunter share their highlights of the evening and preview the upcoming Australian Summer of Tennis. Victoria Rudnikov hits the Blue Carpet to quiz the stars about the first thing they do when they get home from an overseas trip, with which other player they would like to trade places for a day, and what they want more of in 2025. Plus, Daria and Luke Saville join the show to reflect on 2024 and share some big news for next season! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Viv and Matt sat down with Paul McNamee in April, the conversation naturally shifted to his time as tournament director of the Australian Open. McNamee held the role from 1995 till 2006, a period of extraordinary growth for the tournament. During this time, the AO's status rose to match the other Grand Slams, its brand identity was refreshed, and it attracted new audiences. This peaked during AO 2005, the tournament's centenary year, with the men's final between Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin attracting some of the biggest domestic TV numbers in ratings history. With Australian Open 2025 just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to relive McNamee’s memories of his time in charge. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iga Swiatek has returned to the court after completing her mandatory one-month anti-doping ban — Casey Dellacqua discusses the impact on the five-time Grand Slam champion. Novak Djokovic has been unveiled as the star attraction for the Brisbane International, which he hasn’t played since 2009, opening the possibility of a 2022 Wimbledon final rematch with Nick Kyrgios. With just over a month till AO 2025, GIG analysts Simon Rea and Levi Huddleston put forward their best cases for first-time Australian Open title winners: Carlos Alcaraz v Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff v Emma Navarro. Plus, Brie reveals the top 5 rankings risers inside the top 60 for 2024. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been almost a year since John Millman retired from professional tennis at AO 2024, drawing the curtains on an impressive 15-year playing career. The former world No.33 sits down with Todd Woodbridge to discuss his enjoyment of rediscovering a stable lifestyle and reconnecting with family and friends — two things he seldom experienced during his decade-and-a-half on the tour. Yet the Queenslander also reveals how the rhythm of international travel was baked into his DNA, which he has since countered by keeping himself busy with a return to study. Millman also shares his career highlights, including his famous 2018 win over Roger Federer to reach the US Open last eight, and his pride at representing Australia —particularly his Davis Cup debut against Belgium in 2017 and as Aussie No.1 during the team’s win over Brazil in 2020. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT @toddwoodbridge See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner has steered Italy to its second successive Davis Cup title in Malaga, ending Australia’s hopes in the semifinals — Aussie Billie Jean King Cup coach Nicole Pratt and former Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald analyse why the Italians have proved so successful over the past two years. In an announcement that’s shocked the tennis world, Novak Djokovic has unveiled Andy Murray as one of his new coaches for the Australian summer — the team unpacks how Murray can help his rival’s quest for major title 25 at AO 2025. Plus The Sit-Down’s Matt Trollope joins reveals the top five performers of 2024. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt sits down with Australian legend and Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt at the United Cup Draw. The former world No.1 reflects on his run to the final of Australian Open where he navigated a tough draw during a buzzing fortnight in 2005. One of his wins came in five sets over a teenage Rafael Nadal, which gave fans an early glimpse of the Spaniard's talent just months before his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. Before Hewitt celebrates the 20th anniversary of his run to the final, his attention turns to November’s Davis Cup Finals, where Australia is bidding to win the competition for the first time since 2003. With Hewitt at the helm of a team of players enjoying career-best seasons, could this be the year Australia reigns again? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has overtaken Iga Swiatek in the WTA rankings due to a little-known rule — Casey Dellacqua makes the case for why the Australian Open champion deserves the mantle while The Sit-Down’s Viv Christie helps preview the WTA Finals. Analyst Simon Rea shines the data spotlight on rising superstar Mirra Andreeva and Stockholm champion Tommy Paul. And we preview the third instalment of the United Cup, kicking off the Australian summer of tennis just after Christmas. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.