The Tennis

Tennis Australia

Get the latest news from the Australian Open every day of the main draw! Then follow the tours through the year with weekly episodes covering all the big events, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.

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353 episodes
Updated Dec 24, 2025

Episodes353

Newest first

Oct 21, 2024 · 28 min
The Sit-Down with Jaslyn Hewitt-Shehadie
Jaslyn Hewitt-Shehadie has worn many hats in tennis, from professional player to high-performance coach, tournament director, and her current position as WTA Director of Player Relations. Jaslyn sits down with Matt and Viv to share insights from her extensive journey in the sport and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Hewitt-Shehadie also explains her passion for giving back to the sport that she considers a family of sorts. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT @brieparker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 17, 2024 · 47 min
Sinner sews up No.1, Nadal nears the end, Thommo's Jude Law moment
A month out from the ATP Finals, Jannik Sinner has already locked in the year-end No.1 ranking, while fellow Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka is attempting to do the same in the WTA. Storm Hunter and John Fitzgerald react to Rafael Nadal’s retirement announcement and share their favourite 'Rafa' attributes and moments from the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s career. Aussie hero Jordan Thompson joins The AO Show to reflect on his best season yet and shares the unusual moment he met Jude Law before his quarterfinal win over Nadal in Brisbane in January. Plus, the next batch of players unveiled for the United Cup and Brisbane International. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 14, 2024 · 20 min
The Sit-Down with Talia Gibson
Rising Australian star Talia Gibson joins The Sit-Down to discuss her sizzling form, which has seen her scoop three consecutive ITF titles on the Australian Pro Tour and build a 14-match winning streak. The 20-year-old now sits at a career-high world No.128 and has her sights set on bigger goals, such as direct entry to Grand Slams and an elite top-100 ranking. Born in Perth but now based in Brisbane, Gibson has been honing her game under the watchful eye of Codie George, an emerging Australian female coach whom she credits for several valuable tennis lessons that are helping her now. Gibson, who reached the final round of Wimbledon and US Open qualifying in 2024, is one of several young Aussie players trending upwards and hopes to maintain her stellar form on the Pro Tour in the build-up to the Australian Summer of Tennis in 2025. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @MattyAT @brieparker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 10, 2024 · 45 min
AO 2025 Launch: get set for the greatest Australian Open yet!
88 days out from Australian Open 2025, The AO Show presented by Mastercard is at THE LUME Melbourne for the AO Launch. Casey Dellacqua and Todd Woodbridge unpack some of the key rivalries that could be renewed in the first Grand Slam of the year, including between defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and two-time winner Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. The Aussies are on the march, with likely seedings for comeback kid Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin in career-best form, while Olivia Gadecki leads a sparkling women’s contingent for the home brigade. Plus, AO Tournament Director Craig Tiley reveals what fans can look forward to in January. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 7, 2024 · 15 min
The Sit-Down with Michael Chang (Part 2)
In Part 2 of their sit-down with Michael Chang, Viv and Matt chat to the former world No.2 about his success in Asia where he won 12 of his 34 career titles, including the first edition of the Beijing tournament in 1993. Chang recalls the enormous support he received in the region and reflects on how the sport has evolved there in the 30 years since, including the construction of purpose-built venues. After his playing days, Chang eventually moved into coaching and discusses how he jumped at the opportunity to work with Japanese star Kei Nishikori, a player he helped guide into the top five and the 2014 US Open final. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT @brieparker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 3, 2024 · 41 min
Alcaraz sinks Sinner in Beijing, Djokovic hunting 100th title in Shanghai
Carlos Alcaraz has toppled Jannik Sinner for the third time this year to snatch the title in Beijing, while Chinese surprise packet Zhang Shuai has ended a record 24-match losing streak to join compatriot Zheng Qinwen in the women’s quarterfinals. Title favourite Aryna Sabalenka has a last 8 date with Karolina Muchova — Australian Billie Jean King Cup coach Nicole Pratt reveals why the Czech’s game troubles the two-time Australian Open champion. Four-time champion Novak Djokovic is hunting his 100th ATP title in Shanghai among a star-studded draw featuring nine of the top 10 men. And could we see firebrand Nick Kyrgios back on court in time for Australian Open 2025 in under 100 days’ time? AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 30, 2024 · 26 min
The Sit-Down with Andrea Petkovic
Professional player-turned-analyst Andrea Petkovic sits down with Matt and Viv to reflect on her illustrious career, which saw her crack the WTA top 10, reach the Roland Garros semifinals in 2014, and reach three major quarterfinals in a breakout 2011 season. The German’s playing career spanned multiple generations, beginning when she took her first steps on the professional tour in the mid-2000s and ending when she retired at the 2022 US Open, coinciding with Serena Williams’ swansong. Ever the curious mind, Petkovic has kept herself busy since retiring, especially in the media as a writer, commentator, and podcaster. Her perspective on the sport is sharp, insightful and nuanced, as evidenced in this chat from Berlin prior to the Laver Cup. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 26, 2024 · 42 min
Big names in Beijing for Asian swing, Team Europe snatches Laver Cup in Berlin
After leading Team Europe to victory in the Laver Cup, Carlos Alcaraz resumes his rivalry with US Open champion Jannik Sinner in a Beijing field brimming with talent, while the Spaniard’s winning doubles partner Casper Ruud is in Tokyo where he could be on track for a semifinal showdown with his Laver Cup opponent Ben Shelton. Commentator Peter Marcato joins the panel to discuss the recent surge in Chinese men’s tennis, while Dan Imhoff turns his focus to five players to watch, including Australia’s Alexei Popyrin and Paula Badosa. Plus, Brie reveals her top five social media moments out of the first week in China. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 23, 2024 · 21 min
The Sit-Down with Olivia Gadecki
Olivia Gadecki is Australia’s latest success story of 2024 after her recent maiden WTA singles final in Guadalajara. The 22-year-old sits down with Viv and Matt to discuss what clicked during a breakthrough week in Mexico, which vaulted her to a career-high world No.81 and Australia's No.1 WTA player. Gadecki is the first Aussie woman to reach a 500-level singles final since Ash Barty, a fellow Queenslander who’s been a guiding light to the rising star. Now entrenched in the top 100, with new scheduling and competitive opportunities opening up, Gadecki is hoping to maintain her momentum in the build-up to the 2025 Australian summer. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 19, 2024 · 46 min
Laver Cup preview: Team Europe unleashes Alcaraz in Berlin, ‘Fire and Ice’ age comes to an end
Outgoing captains John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg are set to lead their teams one last time at Laver Cup Berlin. Carlos Alcaraz heads a star-studded European team including Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev, while the American trio of Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe have joined forces with Francisco Cerundolo, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Alejandro Tabilo as Team World attempts its title defence. Todd Woodbridge is on the ground in Berlin with Mark Petchey and Sam Smith to preview the event and reveal their championship predictions, while Duncan McKenzie-McHarg speaks to Roger Federer, Alcaraz and Kokkinakis. Victoria Rudnikov looks back at the last six instalments of the event and the storied rivalry of the ‘Fire and Ice’ captains, and we reveal the first group of players for United Cup 2025 with fewer than 100 days till the Australian summer of tennis. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 16, 2024 · 18 min
The Sit-Down with Torben Beltz
Following his long stint with Angelique Kerber, esteemed German coach Torben Beltz is entering a new phase of his career. The 47-year-old sits down with Viv to discuss the highs of his 20-year partnership with Kerber, including her AO title that kick-started an unforgettable 2016 season. Beltz also relives his own playing career, which began at club level in Germany and took him through the US college system before he coached several WTA stars. Having grown up during a boom ignited by Steffi Graf and Boris Becker, Beltz believes tennis is enjoying another surge in his homeland, helped by Germany’s 2024 United Cup victory – which he captained – and that Berlin is hosting the Laver Cup, plus a healthy competitive culture. As he contemplates his next steps, Beltz also reveals the emerging German players to look out for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 12, 2024 · 46 min
US Open wrap: Aryna's and Jannik's bookend trophies, Tiley forecasts AO 2025
Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner are the first pair of Australian Open champions to salute at Flushing Meadows in the same year since Steffi Graf and Mats Wilander in 1988 — Casey Dellacqua and Todd Woodbridge analyse the champions’ performances against American finalists Jess Pegula and Taylor Fritz and cast a long gaze to the Australian Open. AO tournament director Craig Tiley joins the show to preview AO 2025 and celebrate recent achievements by Aussies abroad including US Open men’s doubles champs Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson, and teenager Emerson Jones – Australia’s first junior girls world No.1 since Jelena Dokic in 1998. Plus, content queen Brie is back from the ‘Big Apple’ to share her top 5 social media posts from the US Open. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 9, 2024 · 27 min
The Sit-Down with John Fitzgerald
Who better to sit down with during a Davis Cup week than John Fitzgerald, a member of two winning Australian teams in the 1980s, who later captained Australia to the 2003 title? Fitzy joins Viv and Matt to reflect on those incredible memories, plus his glittering doubles career that saw him rise to world No.1 and win all four Grand Slam titles. He's encouraged by Australia's continued success on the doubles court — most recently Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson's US Open triumph and Matt Ebden and John Peers’ Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games. Fitzy also recalls his own Olympic experiences of 1988 and 1992, the friendships he formed out of successful doubles partnerships, and his excitement at the current generation of rising stars. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 5, 2024 · 40 min
US Open week 2: Sinner and Sabalenka still on top, four Americans in semis!
Australian Open champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka have won their AO final rematches against Daniil Medvedev and Zheng Qinwen to book their spots in the US Open semifinals. Jess Pegula has joined fellow American Emma Navarro in the last four and the pair could meet in the championship decider, while Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will battle it out for a spot in the men's final, ending an 18-year drought for Americans. Nicole Pratt and Simon Rea join Jon and Viv to analyse the big stories from week 2 including Alexei Popyrin’s historic win over Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur’s heartbreaking loss to Jack Draper. Plus Vic Rudnikov previews the all-American men’s semifinal. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 2, 2024 · 29 min
The Sit-Down with Simon Rea
Viv and Matt have always wanted to sit down with Simon Rea, a colleague who began his tennis journey in his native New Zealand. Emerging through the NZ junior pathway to become a national champion and Davis Cup representative, he completed a journalism degree as a US college player. He later transitioned to high performance coaching, which brought him to Melbourne and saw him link up with Nick Kyrgios, whose breakthrough run to the Wimbledon 2014 quarterfinals he recalls in vivid detail, as well as his time coaching Sam Stosur. Now Senior Manager of Game Analysis at Tennis Australia, Rea discusses his coaching philosophy, the renewed interest in New Zealand tennis, and how his data team is helping Australia's current crop of stars. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 29, 2024 · 45 min
US Open week 1: Pop and Djok to lock horns, Osaka back in style
Alexei Popyrin has lined up a third-round clash with Novak Djokovic in a testing first week that’s also seen Thanasi Kokkinakis upstage Stefanos Tsitsipas and Chris O’Connell outclass Nicolas Jarry. Storm Hunter and John Fitzgerald join the show to discuss the big stories, including two-time champion Naomi Osaka who’s scored her first top-10 win since 2020 against Jelena Ostapenko. Top seeds Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have battled through the early stages, but some big battles loom on the horizon. Brie Stewart reveals her top 5 observations from her time in New York, and Jon shares a major development in Ace of the Week. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 26, 2024 · 16 min
The Sit-Down with Alexei Popyrin
Alexei Popyrin is riding a sweet wave after his recent ATP Masters 1000 triumph in Montreal. He enters the US Open with a career-high ranking and is seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time. The 25-year-old sat down with Viv and Jon to talk milestone breakthroughs, Aussie inspiration, and the sacrifices that are helping to turn his long-held tennis dreams into reality. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 22, 2024 · 40 min
US Open preview: Sinner clear to play, Sabalenka sizzles in Cincy, Demon’s back!
Jannik Sinner will take his place in the US Open draw after he was cleared by an independent tribunal of all wrongdoing — Todd Woodbridge and Casey Dellacqua discuss the outcome and the implications for the world No.1. Cincinnati champion Aryna Sabalenka is in form and the favourite to take the women’s crown in New York, but can any of the Americans rise to the occasion? 2001 men’s champion Lleyton Hewitt reveals his thoughts on the Aussie men who could pose a threat, including Montreal champ Alexei Popyrin who joins us on The AO Show. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 19, 2024 · 15 min
The Sit-Down with Michael Chang
Michael Chang remains the youngest man to win a Grand Slam title following his historic triumph at Roland Garros in 1989. But, as he reveals in this episode of The Sit-Down, the former world No.2 often felt more at home on the North American hard courts, where he won titles in Toronto, Indian Wells and Cincinnati — the latter of which where he reached four consecutive finals and won twice. Now 52 years old and living in California, Chang sits down with Viv and Matt to reflect on his incredible career as a player and coach, and how buoyed he is by the current state of the game. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 15, 2024 · 35 min
Pop masters Montreal, Pegs conquers Canada, points up for grabs in Cincy
Alexei Popyrin has scored the biggest title of his career while Jess Pegula has become the first woman since Martina Hingis to go back to back on Canadian soil — Casey Dellacqua and Simon Rea cast a magnifying glass over the champions and who’s looking the goods in Cincinatti. Alex de Minaur is continuing his recovery from his Wimbledon hip injury as he looks to make his mark on the US hardcourt swing. Stefanos Tsitsipas has parted ways with his father Apostolos as coach, teaming up with Greek Davis Cup captain Dimitris Hatzinikolaou, which got the panel talking about the pitfalls of parent-coaches. Plus, Brie reveals her top 5 things to do in New York ahead of her trip to the US Open. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.