The Sit-Down

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.

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.

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.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee 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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee 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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT@toddwoodbridgeSee 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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee 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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee 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.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, 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.

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.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT@brieparkerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@MattyAT@brieparkerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT@brieparkerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.