The Sit-Down

Aussie Billie Jean King Cup captain Sam Stosur’s obsession with the clay wasn’t always what it is today. As the clay-court season gets underway in Stuttgart, the 2010 Roland Garros finalist sits down with Matt and Viv to discuss how she learned to master the surface, and which European clay court she would most like to have replicated in her own home.Originally published on 15/04/2024 AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valentin Vacherot joined Matt and Viv in Pod Laver Arena when he was the 30th seed at Australian Open 2026 – his first seeding at a Grand Slam tournament. This was staggering, because just over three months earlier, the Monégasque was ranked outside the top 200. Everything changed in Shanghai, where Vacherot qualified for the main draw, then upset five consecutive seeded opponents — including Novak Djokovic in the semifinals — to reach his first ATP Masters final. There, he faced cousin Arthur Rinderknech, and won that match too, to become one of the sport’s unlikeliest champions in just his seventh tour-level event. The 27-year-old has adjusted impressively to his new position in the game and has continued winning, recently reaching the fourth round in Miami to rise to the brink of the top 20. As he recounts his story, we learn about his talented tennis family, his journey through the US college system, and his connection with the Monte Carlo Masters – a tournament he would love to win more than a Grand Slam title. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jelena Ostapenko’s biggest career highlight came almost 10 years ago, days after turning 20, when she broke through for her first tour-level title at Roland Garros while ranked 47th. During AO 2026, when she sat down with Viv and Matt, the Latvian star revealed her career might have been easier to navigate had she won that Slam title at an older age. Still, Ostapenko’s journey has continued to deliver success; she peaked at world No.5 not long before reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 2018, and she’s reached a total of six major quarterfinals, plus won eight more WTA titles since her Parisian triumph — most recently last year’s prestigious Stuttgart crown over world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final. She’s also flourished on the doubles court, winning the 2024 US Open and forming a popular partnership with the legendary Hsieh Su-Wei. Ostapenko’s high-octane ballstriking and on-court expressiveness have earned her global fandom, and the 28-year-old hopes for a top-10 return as she focuses on her consistency and mindset in 2026. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tennis icon Lindsay Davenport joined Viv and Matt during AO 2026 to reflect on a career that delivered three Grand Slam singles titles, the world No.1 ranking in both singles and doubles, and an Olympic gold medal. Davenport’s prodigious ball striking and clean power made her a standout figure among a WTA golden generation. She often battled fellow legends including Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, and Venus and Serena Williams in her Grand Slam finals. The last major final was in 2000 at the Australian Open, a beloved tournament where many of her career milestones came. Since retiring in 2008, Davenport has coached Madison Keys, worked as a highly respected tennis analyst and broadcaster, served as captain of the US Billie Jean King Cup team and also helps guide son Jagger, one of the world’s top juniors who now competes in college tennis for Stanford. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teen sensation Joao Fonseca sat down with Viv at the Brisbane International in January. One of the game’s most exciting rising stars, the Brazilian began 2025 outside the top 100 and surged to a peak world No.25 on the back of two ATP titles and third-round finishes at two Slams. After an injury-marred start to 2026, Fonseca reminded onlookers of his potential when he powered into the Indian Wells fourth round — his best result at a Masters tournament. Armed with explosive power and an impressively mature outlook for a 19-year-old, Fonseca opens up about the players he’d love to face, the rivalries he’d love to form, the people who have made his journey possible, and how he spends his time away from the court as his rapid rise continues. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At just 20 years of age and in only his second full year on tour, Learner Tien is striking a rare balance: keeping a level head while embracing the game’s biggest stages. Joining Viv and Matt on The Sit-Down during Australian Open 2026, Tien reflected on the qualities that have boosted his rapid rise into the world’s top 25. In just his second main-draw appearance in Melbourne, Tien strengthened his growing reputation against the game’s biggest names, stunning Daniil Medvedev for a second straight year to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. With plenty already achieved, the grounded young star remains firmly focused on what comes next, and with the support of high-profile coach Michael Chang, the bigger milestones still to come – perhaps in his home state of California, where he is competing as the 25th seed at the unofficial "fifth Grand Slam". AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh from claiming her fourth WTA singles title in Ostrava, Katie Boulter joins The Sit-Down to reflect on her return to the world’s top 100, and the challenges—and rewards—that have shaped her journey. The popular Brit speaks to Matt Trollope about her time spent with Princess Catherine at Wimbledon, the current state of British tennis, her new coach, and why she is determined to speak out against online bullying. With her marriage to Alex de Minaur approaching, Boulter also reveals what she loves — and what she suspects she’ll never quite love — about Australia, and why she believes 2026 will be her best year yet. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In her first podcast interview, Alexandra Eala joins The Sit-Down as she continues a brilliant start to 2026. Fresh from her semifinal finish in Auckland, Eala sat down with Matt and Viv in Pod Laver Arena as she was preparing to make her Australian Open main-draw debut. The 20-year-old has gone on to win 10 of 16 matches this year and surged from outside the top 50 to a career-high No.31 since January. The rankings peak follows a memorable week in Dubai where she upset top-10 player Jasmine Paolini en route to the quarterfinals. It came less than a year after the breakthrough run that placed her firmly on the global radar. With upsets of AO 2025 champion Madison Keys and world No.2 Iga Swiatek, Eala stormed into the semifinals and cracked the world's top 100. She also electrified a passionate fanbase, and her matches are now famous for the atmospheric support she receives from the Philippine diaspora as she continues making history for her country. The success comes amid an upward trend for Asian tennis — particular for Southeast Asian women — as Eala brings fresh energy and new storylines to tennis. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Lorenzo Musetti joined Viv and Matt during AO 2026, he was flying. The Italian had entered the event as a new top-five star after his run to the final in Hong Kong to begin the season, and continued his vein of form through to the last eight in Melbourne. In his first Australian Open quarterfinal, he led Novak Djokovic two sets to love before injury intervened. Musetti has now reached the quarterfinals at all four majors, as his hardcourt game evolves to match the success he has already experienced on clay and grass courts. The 23-year-old discusses that evolution, the vintage quality of his game — anchored by a one-handed backhand that draws rave reviews — and the many highlights he has already enjoyed in his burgeoning career. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in more than 20 years, Jennifer Capriati returned to the Australian Open, a tournament that produced some of her greatest career success. She was in Melbourne to present the women's singles trophy on the 25th anniversary of her maiden Australian Open title and first Grand Slam triumph. Capriati's AO 2001 came more than a decade after she emerged as a teen prodigy, only to suffer burnout and spend significant time away from the game. Also in 2001, she won Roland Garros and rose to world No.1, and in 2002, returned to Melbourne Park to defend her title in an unforgettable final during which she saved four championship points. Injuries forced her into an early retirement in 2004, yet the American icon remains closely connected to the game. During her long-awaited Australian return, she joined Viv and Matt in Pod Laver Arena for her very first podcast interview, reflecting on a remarkable and deeply compelling career journey. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our first episode of 2026, Viv and Matt are joined by Stan Wawrinka for a live-recorded interview on the Grand Slam Oval fan stage. Wawrinka is embarking on his final season on tour, drawing a close to a glittering pro career of more than 20 years. That career vaulted to the next level when the Swiss star broke through for his first Grand Slam singles title at Australian Open 2014, beating Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal along the way in a famous victory. Wawrinka would go on to win Roland Garros and US Open trophies to cement himself among the legends of the game. Now 40 years old and a wildcard entry at AO 2026, Wawrinka opened up ahead of his 20th campaign at Melbourne Park about his career, his mentality, his memories, what lies ahead in 2026 – and what life might look like when he hangs up his racquets for good. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our final episode of The Sit-Down for 2025, Viv and Matt are joined by Daria Kasatkina, who in March made the switch to representing Australia. It was a big decision in an emotionally intense season that the 28-year-old ended early due to burnout. Now more refreshed, Kasatkina chatted from her base in Spain, where she is preparing for her first Summer of Tennis representing the green and gold. She takes listeners right back to the beginning: how her parents, both professional athletes themselves, set her up for success, and how she developed her crafty, nuanced style of play. She reflects on her junior Slam success, memories of watching idol Rafael Nadal, and career milestones which include cracking the top 10 in 2018 and reaching the 2022 Roland Garros semifinals. Plus, there’s some hot tennis takes in there too. This is a candid conversation with one of the sport’s more thoughtful stars, and one who is excited to continue representing her adopted nation – where she loves the nature, coffee and people – in 2026.   AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carolyn Broderick joins Viv and Matt in Pod Laver Arena to give listeners an insight into her role as Chief Medical Officer at Tennis Australia and for the Australian Open. Hundreds of tennis players are soon to arrive in Australia in January, the majority from a Northern Hemisphere winter. It means they face a huge adjustment — after having traversed multiple time zones — when they begin preparing and competing in the Australian summer. We learn about the “self-sufficient medical centre” that operates for four weeks at the AO, staffed by a multi-disciplinary team that offers physical and mental health services, plus annual scans and checks for players who might not be able to easily access these given their constant travel schedule. We also hear about Broderick’s roles with the Australian Olympic and Billie Jean King Cup teams, her work in academic and children’s health spheres, and how she juggles it all while pursuing her many passions outside of work. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a brief off-season, 2026 preparations are already underway for Alex de Minaur, who joined Viv and Matt on this week’s episode from his base in Monte Carlo. The Aussie No.1 enjoyed the chance to reflect on his 2025 season, during which he reached his first AO quarterfinal and won his 10th career ATP title in Washington DC – while also overcoming burnout and shifting perspective – to achieve his highest year-end ranking. Those performances saw him nominated once again for the prestigious Newcombe Medal, awarded to Australia’s most outstanding player and ambassador for the sport. ‘Demon’, as he is affectionately known, also dived into his passion for collecting vintage cars, his wedding plans, how he switches between English and Spanish, plans for his foundation, and how he’d love nothing more than a deep run at Australian Open 2026. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wheelchair tennis star Heath Davidson, whose profile exploded after he and partner Dylan Alcott claimed quad doubles gold for Australia at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, joins Viv and Matt this week in Pod Laver Arena. Davidson’s prominence in the sport, and wheelchair tennis advocacy, have helped shape the upcoming summer of tennis; January will see wheelchair events integrated into the United Cup and the Brisbane and Adelaide Internationals leading into Australian Open 2026. More motivated than ever to compete during the new-look summer, Davidson remains a fixture in the top 10 at age 38, all the more inspiring given the hurdles he was forced to overcome – including addiction, homelessness and “falling into the wrong crowd” – during his teens and 20s, a time he recounts in candid detail during this wide-ranging interview. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American Patrick Kypson joined The Sit-Down this week in a great place in his career. The 26-year-old sits at a peak ranking of No.117, thanks to results on the Challenger circuit which also helped him secure a main-draw wildcard at Australian Open 2026. After missing three months of 2025 due to a foot stress fracture and dropping outside the world’s top 450, Kypson soared when he returned, winning four ATP Challenger titles and benefitting from a commitment to more aggression and a better transition game to compliment the counterpunching instincts he honed from childhood on the green clay courts of North Carolina. During this interview Viv and Matt also learned about Kypson’s connection with leading Americans on the ATP Tour, his journey through the US college system, and what he’s targeting when his 2026 season begins Down Under. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A revered name in modern Australian tennis, Casey Dellacqua is universally admired for her on-court achievements, commentary insights and humility through success. The West Australian-turned-Sydneysider played eight Grand Slam finals through her peak, claiming the French Open mixed doubles title in 2011. A famous partnership with Ash Barty delivered finals at all four Slams, but her name first went up in lights after a defeat of Amelie Mauresmo and a fourth-round run at AO 2008. Her singles career is oft underappreciated; Dellacqua progressed to at least the third round at every major. The former world No.26 stepped into Pod Laver Arena to tell Matt and Viv about the moment that flipped her career "on its head",  victories she claimed through periods of physical and emotional turmoil and her current life with the "best job in the world". AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last time Maya Joint sat down with us, in April, she was the world No.78 preparing to make her Billie Jean King Cup debut for Australia. Seven months on, she's a two-time WTA title winner, ranked 32nd and was the first player selected to lead the Culture Amp Australian Billie Jean King Cup team into action for this week's Play-offs in Hobart. Joint's return to The Sit-Down gave us a chance to chat to the teenager about just how far she's come, and the fact she's put herself in contention for a Grand Slam seeding in 2026. Now living in Melbourne, Joint joined Jackson Mansell in Pod Laver Arena to discuss her most recent career highlights, how she's adjusting to the brighter glare of the spotlight, her thoughts on representing Australia, plus what she's doing off court to celebrate her successes and maintain work-life balance. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles: @jackson_mansell@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second part of Matt's chat with Judy Murray, the Scottish matriarch talks about her passion for the investment in and visibility of women's sports. Inspired by the Billie Jean King quote, "if you don't use your voice, nobody will hear you," Murray discusses her work in the women and girls space, including with the WTA to foster more tennis opportunities at a grassroots level in Saudi Arabia — current home of the WTA Finals — and in her previous role as British Fed Cup captain, where she brought more women into high-performance roles. Be sure to check out Part 1 of The Sit-Down with Judy Murray, in which she discusses raising her Grand Slam champion sons Andy and Jamie. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Philippoussis joins Viv Christie in Pod Laver Arena to reflect on a career that saw him crack the top 10, reach two Grand Slam finals and star in two triumphant Australian Davis Cup teams. The Melburnian's star soared when he stunned world No.1 Pete Sampras as a teenager, in his home city, at Australian Open 1996, and two years later appeared in his first major final at the 1998 US Open. Philippoussis admits his second major final defeat, to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2003, was more painful to process. Yet just a few months later he ended that year on a high, playing through a torn pectoral muscle to clinch the winning rubber over Spain at Rod Laver Arena, which saw Australia crowned 2003 Davis Cup champions. Since retiring, Philippoussis has pursued an interest in fashion yet has remained connected to the sport through legends events and coaching, revealing how much he enjoys watching the current generation of men's and women's stars. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee 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 in 2024, 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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since making his ATP-level debut on home soil in Antwerp, Belgian Zizou Bergs has made methodical progress in his career. From his position outside the top 500 then, to cracking the top 50 this year, Bergs has emerged as a compelling player on court with a well-rounded attitude to life off it. In this week’s episode, we share Jackson Mansell’s interview with Bergs in Sydney at last month’s Davis Cup tie, when Bergs helped Belgium to a 3-2 win over Australia at Ken Rosewall Arena. In a wide-ranging chat we learn of the origin of his name, his dedication to improvement and extracting the very best from himself, his breakout run at Roland Garros in 2024, and how he emphasises reading, learning and overall self-improvement in his time away from the court. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT@jackson_mansellSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having competed on tour for the better part of a decade, 27-year-old Priscilla Hon is enjoying her best season to date. The Queenslander this week made her top-100 debut, reward for a purple patch of form during which she has flourished on the biggest stages. After qualifying for Wimbledon, Hon did the same at the US Open, going on to reach the third of the main draw in a career-best Slam performance. She then headed to the China Open and powered into the third round, her best WTA 1000 result. Hon joined Viv and Matt on screen from Beijing — where she also reached the doubles semifinals alongside Karolina Muchova — and talked candidly about what's been clicking in 2025 as well as her "up-and-down" journey to this point. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles: @Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his burgeoning pro career, Rinky Hijikata has shone on the doubles court. At just 21 years of age, he combined with fellow Aussie Jason Kubler to win Australian Open 2023, and in 2025 reached the Wimbledon men’s doubles alongside Dutchman David Pel. Those results have given Hijikata invaluable exposure to the pressure of huge moments on the game’s biggest stages; experience he hopes to translate to his singles game. As he discusses with Jackson Mansell on this week’s episode, the Sydneysider – who’d made a rare return to his hometown for Australia’s Davis Cup tie against Belgium — was keen to put physical niggles behind him in a bid to improve on his career-high singles ranking of world No.62. Inspired by Australian legend Lleyton Hewitt and Japanese icon Kei Nishikori, Hijikata discusses his journey — which went through the US college system — to arrive at this point. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles: @jackson_mansell@Viv_Christie@MattyAT  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judy Murray says it’s ‘incredible’ when she reflects on the fact her sons, Andy and Jamie Murray, emerged from Scotland to become world No.1s and Grand Slam champions in singles and doubles, respectively. Judy began playing the game in Scotland as a child back when the country had barely any tennis infrastructure or elite pathway to follow – and it was one she helped create and grow, at a grassroots level, when she introduced her sons to the game. Murray sits down with Matt on this week’s episode – the first of a two-part chat – to discuss her journey in the game, her sons’ progression to the top of the sport, her stint as the British Fed Cup captain, and the growth of the women’s game, where she now works, for the WTA, as a community ambassador. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yannick Noah, inspired by Arthur Ashe who recognised his talent and nurtured his potential, went on to craft an inspirational career of his own. In 1983, the 23-year-old became the first Frenchman in 37 years to lift the Roland Garros men’s trophy. He became world No.1 in doubles, an Australian Open semifinalist, and peaking at world No.5 in singles, became the highest ranked Frenchman in history. Yet it was team tennis that he cherished most: as Davis Cup captain, he guided France to three titles. Now preparing for the next chapter in his iconic tennis story – leading Team Europe as captain at Laver Cup San Francisco – Noah joined The Sit-Down to reflect on the highs and lows of his own career and the many life lessons it has provided. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_ChristieSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Hall's wheelchair tennis CV makes for heady reading, and at the US Open he sat down with Matt to reflect on a career delivering him Paralympic singles gold, nine AO and eight US titles, six year-end No.1 finishes and induction into multiple Halls of Fame. He was in New York for the 20th anniversary of the US Open wheelchair tournament's inaugural edition at Flushing Meadows, the first time he'd returned to the city since that 2005 US Open – his last Slam campaign in a professional career spanning more than 15 years. Although he initially struggled in the early stages of retirement, Hall eventually made his way back into the sport as a coach, consultant, advisor, ambassador, and instructor, and continues to profoundly impact the sport that brought him incredible joy. All this, plus many more fascinating stories throughout his journey, are detailed in his recently-released autobiography, Superbeast, which is available to purchase via Amazon. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLink Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rennae Stubbs is an icon of tennis, both in Australia and the US. Now a commentator for ESPN, Stubbs earned her credentials through a No.1 doubles ranking, Olympic representation in four consecutive Games and six Grand Slam titles in the early 2000s. The last major final of her distinguished career was a loss to Venus and Serena Williams - the latter of whom she went on to coach. Stubbs has also worked with Karolina Pliskova, Sam Stosur and Eugenie Bouchard, consistently delivering ranking rises if not major titles. In this conversation during the 2025 American swing, the Sydney-born champion reflects on her friendship with Steffi Graf, the Australian "enclave" that bred a generation of stars and the range of parenting styles she's encountered through her eventful tennis life. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Chang stepped into the ATP Tour in 1988 - an era in which US tennis wasn't short of headliner prospects. By 1989 though, at 17 years old, he'd roared past the likes of Jim Courier, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras to become the first American of his generation to claim a Grand Slam title. The Roland Garros champion remains the youngest man to win any major but, as he reveals in this Sit-Down, the Californian performed best on the North American hard courts. Chang won two and reached four consecutive finals in Cincinnati, as well as lifting trophies in Toronto, Indian Wells and Miami, among other American tournaments. Following his playing career, the former world No.2 guided Kei Nishikori to the 2014 US Open Final and, since Wimbledon 2025, has worked with teenage sensation Learner Tien.  Originally published on 19/08/2024 and 07/10/2024 AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of this week’s International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction — where Maria Sharapova and the Bryan brothers join the sport’s elite — president Patrick McEnroe joined The Sit-Down to discuss the power of tennis history. A former Australian Open semifinalist, Roland Garros doubles champion and record-breaking Davis Cup captain, McEnroe is passionate about the game’s rich past and reminding fans that greatness isn’t measured by Grand Slams alone. He shares his vision for the Hall of Fame, reflects on his role in the creation of the Laver Cup, explains why players feel “inspired” by it, and why fulfilling one particular dream remains his “proudest moment”. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian and Casper Ruud are among the most successful father-son duos in professional tennis history. Christian put Norwegian tennis on the map in the 1990s, becoming the first player from his country to crack the top 40 and reach the second week of a Grand Slam in the Open era. These were milestones Casper matched in the early 2020s, then surpassed by appearing in three Grand Slam finals and peaking at world No.2. Christian and Casper joined Viv and Matt on this week's episode to discuss their respective journeys, and how the lessons Christian learned during his time on tour, and in the commentary booth, helped shape Casper's path to the top -- with Christian guiding as coach. They were speaking from Cincinnati as Casper builds up to the US Open, where three years ago he came within one match win of the No.1 ranking. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Jelena Dokic stunned Martina Hingis in the first round of Wimbledon 1999, the Australian qualifier became a global superstar, ultimately peaking at world No.4 in one of the strongest eras of women’s tennis. Dokic has since gone on to become a highly-respected broadcaster and this week won a Logie -- an Australian television award -- for her documenary Unbreakable. Dokic sat down with Matt and Viv to relive her careers highs, recounting her upset of Swiss superstar Hingis in vivid detail, her experience of competing against so many WTA icons, and how her run to the medal rounds of the Sydney 2000 Olympics remains one of her proudest achievements. Originally published on 24/06/2024See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an episode originally published in 2024, Alexei Popyrin was riding a sweet wave after his ATP Masters 1000 triumph in Montreal, a result meaning he entered the US Open with a career-high ranking and seeded at a major for the first time. The rising Australian star sat down with Viv Christie and Jon Hoevenaars to talk milestone breakthroughs, Aussie inspiration, and the sacrifices that helped to turn his long-held tennis dreams into reality.  Originally published on 26/08/2024 iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie @MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a coaching career spanning several decades, Brad Stine has guided Jim Courier to multiple Grand Slam titles and the world No.1 ranking, while also enjoying fruitful partnerships with the likes of Mardy Fish, Sebastian Grosjean and Kevin Anderson. Now, during a vibrant era for American tennis, Stine is the long-time coach of Tommy Paul, who has reached multiple career milestones under his mentorship. In this edition of The Sit-Down, the highly respected coach reflects on his beginnings in the sport, his award-winning career, and shares some core principles of his highly successful coaching philosophy. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_ChristieSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a coaching career spanning four decades, Greg Crump has guided a trio of Australians to the world No.1 wheelchair tennis ranking and provided a multitude of players to a life-changing start in the sport. With an enduring passion for creating opportunities through wheelchair tennis, Crump is now guiding a new generation of competitive players and was recently named ITF Wheelchair Tennis Coach of the Year. Crump caught up with Viv and Matt to discuss his long career in wheelchair tennis, and some bold ideas for its future growth.  iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian legends Ken Rosewall and Mal Anderson are two players whose tennis careers overlapped in both the amateur and professional eras, and who continue to remain connected today. Rosewall, then 37, beat 36-year-old Anderson to win the ‘golden oldies’ final at Australian Open 1972, and 53 years later he remains the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era. Rosewall’s longevity has been revisited given the achievements of Novak Djokovic, who last week became the oldest Wimbledon men’s semifinalist behind Rosewall in the Open era and who has received multiple Australian Open trophies from Rosewall at Rod Laver Arena. Matt sat down with both Rosewall and Anderson in Brisbane during an Australian Billie Jean King Cup tie, after Rosewall had presented Anderson with his recently-recovered International Tennis Hall of Fame ring – 25 years after his induction ceremony in Newport. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handle:@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian coach Craig Tyzzer sat down with Viv and Matt in the days ahead of Wimbledon, a tournament where he helped guide Ash Barty to the 2021 title. The victory, which saw Barty achieve a life-long dream, came amid a challenging season with COVID-19 protocols and quarantine requirements forcing Tyzzer, Barty and their team to remain on the road for nine straight months. He reflects on that experience and how his career focus shifted when Barty retired in March 2022, just six weeks after her iconic Australian Open singles triumph. Tyzzer, who has coached at the elite level since the 1990s, is now working with the next generation of young Aussie female players in the development pathway while keenly following the action on the WTA Tour, where Barty once ruled for more than 100 weeks at world No.1. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the eve of Wimbledon, Tim Henman sits down with AusOpen.com's Jackson Mansell to discuss his memories of his most storied Grand Slam. From watching his idol, Bjorn Borg, on Centre Court as a six-year-old to reaching the semifinals on four occasions, the All England Club has become a second home for the former world No.4. Years after Henman carried the hopes of a nation at his home Grand Slam, new British No.1 Jack Draper leads a strong British contingent. Henman speaks about Draper’s chances at Wimbledon 2025, his memories of playing in Australia and his upcoming involvement with the Laver Cup.iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@jackson_mansell@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost exactly a year ago, Storm Hunter appeared as a guest on The Sit-Down in the midst of rehabbing a ruptured Achilles. While the tennis tours were in the throes of the grasscourt season, Hunter was watching from afar, in the middle of Melbourne's winter. After nine months out of the game the Aussie star is back on tour, and within a short period has boosted her doubles ranking back inside the world's top 100 after falling as low as No.1482 in March. Viv and Matt wanted to check back in with her, and Hunter joined the podcast during her week in Berlin as The Sit-Down's first returning guest. During the chat she shares the highs and lows of her comeback so far, including how she's navigated the psychological aspects of returning to elite-level competition plus her experience of the WTA's historic return to the Queen's Club tournament after more than 50 years. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Todd Woodbridge jumps into the hosting chair to chat to doubles-rival-turned-partner — and long-time friend — Jonas Bjorkman. The Swede was a star in both singles and doubles, rising as high as No.4 in singles shortly after reaching the 1997 US Open semifinals, and peaking at No.1 in the tandem game, winning a total of nine Grand Slam doubles titles. Five of those came with Woodbridge in a fruitful period from 2001-2004, during which the pair claimed three consecutive Wimbledon trophies as well as the Australian Open 2001 crown in just their second tournament together. Bjorkman has since transitioned to a successful post-tennis career, something Woodbridge revealed has inspired and shaped his own journey after retiring from playing. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli always thrived during the claycourt season. He is a two-time Roland Garros champion from his four finals appearances, and a two-time Italian Open champion, winning his 1961 final against Aussie legend Rod Laver. In fact, his name is forever associated with the Rome Masters given one of the show courts there is named in his honour. Frequently lauded as the world's most beautiful tennis court thanks to its sunken position, marble terraces and surrounding statues, it was where producer Ursin Caderas caught up with Pietrangeli during the prestigious tournament. One of the game’s great players and personalities, Pietrangeli touches on his start in pro tennis as a linesman, the contrast between generations, this golden era of Italian tennis and why champions are born and not built. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The timing couldn't be better to feature Garbine Muguruza, who sat down with Viv and Matt before she was due to fly to Paris for the closing stages of Roland Garros -- a tournament she won in 2016 to cement her status as a tennis superstar. Not long after that is Wimbledon, where the Spaniard also won in 2017 to hoist her second major singles trophy. Muguruza reflected on those peaks, as well as how it felt to reach world No.1, something she achieved a month after her Wimbledon victory. After some challenging years on tour Muguruza rebounded to reach the Australian Open 2020 final, where she suffered what she described as the most painful defeat of her career. Another high point came in 2021 when she triumphed at the WTA Finals -- the elite eight-player event where she became tournament director after retiring from the sport last year.    iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanasi Kokkinakis joins Viv and Matt in Pod Laver Arena as he continues his rehab from pectoral attachment surgery. It’s the perfect time to talk to the Australian star coinciding with the start of Roland Garros — the site of his best Grand Slam results and a thrilling succession of five-set epics in 2024. This time around, he's making his commentary debut, joining Nine’s Wide World of Sports team to cover the Roland Garros action from Australia. Kokkinakis also opens up about his enduring Australian Open memories, connections with fellow Aussies on tour, and the lessons he's learned throughout a see-sawing career. He also takes an entertaining trip down memory lane thanks to some exclusive archive footage from his junior career. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's guest is Patrick McEnroe, who joined Viv and Matt in the studio during AO 2025 for a wide-ranging chat about his unique tennis career. The Australian Open is his favourite event, the tournament where he broke through for his first Slam singles semifinal in 1991 and also reached that year's doubles final. He also upset Boris Becker en route to the fourth round in 1995, making Melbourne Park the happiest of hunting grounds. Since his playing days McEnroe became the longest-serving US Davis Cup captain, remains a veteran tennis broadcaster and is now president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, giving him an incredible perspective on the sport. McEnroe also describes his experience of coming up behind older brother John, a legend of the sport with whom Patrick combined to win his first ATP doubles final, and also encountered across the net in his first singles final. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian star Destanee Aiava is this week's guest on The Sit-Down, just days before she flies to Europe ahead of her main-draw debut at Roland Garros, where she has been awarded a wildcard. Aiava, 25, has enjoyed a brilliant nine-month span, starting when she qualified at the US Open last August. She replicated that feat at Australian Open 2025, an unforgettable run where her match-point-saving exploits, iconic outfits and ultimate loss to Danielle Collins created global headlines. Her results have helped her return to the brink of the world's top 150 and just a few spots shy of her career-high ranking of world No.147 -- a mark she set eight years ago as a 17-year-old phenom. A lot has changed in the years since for the Melburnian, who takes Viv and Matt through her tennis journey, her deep appreciation for the sport, and what she's targeting beyond 2025. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian rising star Maya Joint is this week's guest on The Sit-Down, speaking to Matt in Brisbane in what was her very first podcast interview. Joint was in the Queensland capital as part of Australia's Billie Jean King Cup team and was selected thanks to impressive form; in 2025 she has cracked the top 100 and at one point was the world's second-highest ranked teenager. The 19-year-old grew up and developed her game in the US city of Detroit but now represents Australia, where her father -- a pro squash player -- was born. We hear Maya's perspective on her stunning rankings rise, her experience of doing more media, how she approaches facing top players and adjusts to life at bigger tournaments and on larger show courts, and what she's targeting next, all while continuing her studies. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Viv and Matt bring you their chat with Sandra Zaniewska, notable for being one of the few women coaching at the elite level on the professional tour. Zaniewska, a former pro player from Poland, transitioned into coaching when she began an informal partnership with friend and fellow pro Petra Martic. The 33-year-old has gone on to coach multiple WTA players and now works with Marta Kostyuk, the rising Ukrainian star who under Zaniewska's guidance has risen as high as world No.16 and this week will feature in the fourth round of the Madrid Open. In this reflective interview Zaniewska discusses her career path, her coaching philosophy, who helped her get to this point, her nomadic existence and how she sees the game today.  Listen to the Sit-Down with Marta Kostyuk here. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of this week's upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier in Brisbane, we sat down with Team Australia's Ellen Perez. A member of the Australian team who reached the 2022 Finals, Perez is now one of the nation’s most experienced players. The hard-hitting baseliner recently held a top 10 doubles ranking, has won two ITF singles titles and has reached 10 Grand Slam quarterfinals across the doubles and mixed doubles events. As a member of the WTA Players' Council, Perez is passionate about representing her peers. She tells Viv and Matt why she loves this off-court commitment and the reason Australia is well placed leading into this year's Billie Jean King Cup event.  Book your ticket to the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier here. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We caught up with former top 10 star Chanda Rubin when she was in Melbourne as part of the AO commentary team, returning to a tournament site where she reached the 1996 semifinals -- her best Grand Slam result. That year Rubin beat Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in a record-breaking quarterfinal before teaming with the Spaniard to win the women's doubles title. Yet while that, plus her peak world No.6 ranking, both occurred in 1996, Rubin believes she was at her best in 2002 and 2003, when she competed in one of the strongest periods in women's tennis and even scored a win over world No.1 Serena Williams in the midst of the 'Serena Slam' era. These highs capped a successful comeback from double knee surgery, but injuries returned in 2004 and ultimately cut short her career. Following her final match in 2006, Rubin completed a university degree and has emerged as a popular voice in the tennis media, making it especially fascinating to get her views on her career, her rivals, and the sport today. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former world No.4 Tomas Berdych joined Viv and Matt in the Pod Laver Arena studio during Australian Open 2025, an event where Czechs Jiri Lehecka, Tomas Berdych and Jakub Mensik all reached at least the third round. This was especially pleasing to Berdych, who in September took on the role as Czech Davis Cup captain after earlier working as Lehecka's coach. This evolution in his tennis journey followed a playing career which ended in 2019 and delivered highs such as 13 ATP titles, the 2010 Wimbledon final -- where he beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic along the way -- and back-to-back Davis Cup titles for his country in 2012 and 2013. Berdych enjoyed the chance to reflect on this and other highlights (like AO semifinals in 2014 and 2015) as well as giving his thoughts on the current era of emerging stars in this engaging interview. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.