The Sit-Down

Tennis Australia

The Sit-Down brings you in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures from the world of tennis. From players to coaches, analysts, and tennis legends, each episode delves into their stories, revealing personal anecdotes and unique perspectives on the game. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just starting to explore the world of tennis, The Sit-Down brings you conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in every week for an authentic, unfiltered chat with the personalities who’ve helped shape the sport of tennis.

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117 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes117

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March 8 · 17 min
Learner Tien: "It landed in a soft place in my heart"
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 2 · 42 min
Katie Boulter: finding her place on court and her voice off it
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 23 · 12 min
Alexandra Eala: the Filipina trailblazer taking Asian tennis to new heights
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 16 · 11 min
Lorenzo Musetti: a top-five star and more complete than ever
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 8 · 18 min
Jennifer Capriati: her first podcast 25 years after winning AO 2001
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
January 19 · 22 min
Stan Wawrinka: a former champion on farewelling Australia
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 22, 2025 · 41 min
Daria Kasatkina: her journey to representing Australia
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 15, 2025 · 32 min
Dr Carolyn Broderick: the evolution of health and wellness in tennis
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 8, 2025 · 27 min
Alex de Minaur: “I would love nothing more than a deep AO run”
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 1, 2025 · 38 min
Heath Davidson: candid, resilient, and more motivated that ever
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 24, 2025 · 29 min
Patrick Kypson: the American with a golden ticket to AO 2026
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 17, 2025 · 34 min
Casey Dellacqua: the spark that lit a golden run
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 10, 2025 · 22 min
Maya Joint: the ongoing rise of Australia's new No.1 woman
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @jackson_mansell @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 2, 2025 · 29 min
Judy Murray (Part 2): building a women's tennis workforce
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 27, 2025 · 31 min
Mark Philippoussis: falling in love with tennis "all over again"
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 20, 2025 · 30 min
Daria & Luke Saville: Aussie tennis’ favourite couple in first podcast interview together
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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 13, 2025 · 21 min
Zizou Bergs: "happy but not satisfied" in breakout season
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. iHeart Spotify Apple Podcasts PodLink Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT @jackson_mansell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 6, 2025 · 21 min
Priscilla Hon: "unlocking" her brain to become a top-100 player
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. iHeart Spotify Apple Podcasts PodLink Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 29, 2025 · 17 min
Rinky Hijikata: doubles superstar targeting solo success
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. iHeart Spotify Apple Podcasts PodLink Host handles: @jackson_mansell @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 22, 2025 · 36 min
Judy Murray: what it takes to raise two Grand Slam champions
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. iHeart Spotify Apple Podcasts PodLink Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.