The AO Show

The tennis world has bid farewell to Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga — we pay tribute to the King of Clay with a special Australian Open tribute. Meanwhile, Netherlands has progressed to the semifinals against Germany, and Australia is set for a quarterfinal showdown with USA, with Italy or Argentina to follow. AusOpen.com’s Rhys de Deugd is on the ground in Malaga, where Italy’s women have returned to the top of the world with an inspired performance in the Billie Jean King Cup finals led by Jasmine Paolini. GIG analyst Simon Rea casts a spotlight over year-end tour champions Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff five weeks out from the Australian Summer of Tennis. Plus, Nick Kyrgios is primed and ready for his much-anticipated comeback at the Brisbane International. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Kyrgios has outlined his comeback intentions, announcing he will play the Brisbane International before returning to the Grand Slam stage at Australian Open 2025. Viv and Matt sit down with the former world No.13, who has played just one match in the past two years due to injuries. The worst of those was a wrist problem, which required reconstructive surgery, but Kyrgios has recovered and feels fitter than he has in years. Will he be able to scale the heights of 2022, when he was a Wimbledon finalist and US Open quarterfinalist? Only time will tell. But the 29-year-old is thrilled to be back and has revealed he was looking forward to putting on a show for fans, while having learned a lot about both himself and the sport from his recent time in the commentary booth. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As forecast by Storm Hunter, Coco Gauff has silenced her critics to win the season-ending WTA Tour Finals, leaving Zheng Qinwen, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Jess Pegula in her wake. Jannik Sinner and Alex Zverev have booked their semis spots at the ATP Finals with commanding performances in the group stage, with Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud still in contention — Casey Dellacqua and John Fitzgerald discuss the results from Riyadh and the current standings in Turin. 53 days out from the first Grand Slam of the year, AO tournament director Craig Tiley joins the show to discuss the ever-evolving entertainment landscape of the Australian Open and what he’s most looking forward to. Plus, we reveal the seven Australian players nominated for Newcombe Medal ahead of the Australian Tennis Awards in December. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 20 years ago, Jill Craybas produced one of the great Grand Slam upsets, defeating Serena Williams to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon — a career-best result. The former US college player, who also holds a communications degree, sat down with Matt to reflect on a professional career that saw her crack the top 40 and win the WTA Japan Open title. Since retiring in 2013, she has emerged as a notable voice in tennis media — including as a part of Australian Open’s World Feed commentary team. Craybas discusses in detail her career highlights, her favourite memories, and how she marvels at the modern stars of the game. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff have secured semifinals spots at the WTA Finals leaving Iga Swiatek relying on Gauff to beat Barbora Krejcikova to stay alive. Storm Hunter and John Fitzgerald discuss Swiatek's challenge, Gauff's form, and Elena Rybakina's potential with new coach Goran Ivanisevic in her corner. Alex de Minaur has broken a 20-year drought by becoming the first Australian singles player since Lleyton Hewitt to reach the ATP Tour Finals. We catch up with Donna Vekic 50 days out from her favourite event the United Cup, and Brie reveals her top 5 musically talented tennis players. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viv and Matt are joined by not one, but two guests: Daria and Luke Saville. During a rare week at home in Melbourne together, the Savilles left dog Tofu with Dasha's mum and sat down for their first proper interview together. In a wide-ranging chat, they recall how they met as juniors, Daria's relocation to Australia, and how their professional tennis careers have unfolded in tandem: hitting together, offering each other advice, and learning from one another, shining a light on their various strengths as players, and their respective coaching ambitions. Also, Viv refreshes Luke's memory with his original letter to Australian Tennis Magazine 20 years ago! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The two best WTA players of 2024 Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek enter the Tour Finals as the hot favourites among six other contenders for the year-end title. Meanwhile, Aussie gun Alex de Minaur is in the hunt for vital points in Paris to edge out Andrey Rublev for a maiden spot at Turin — experts Storm Hunter and Luke Saville make the case for why he deserves to become the first Australian man since Lleyton Hewitt to qualify for the year-end event. Carlos Alcaraz continues to impress with his candid and authentic answers in media conferences, but just how hard is it to be transparent and sincere as a professional tennis player? Our panel discuss the challenges for the modern player. Plus, Brie reveals her top five player rivalry nicknames. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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.

A month out from the ATP Finals, Jannik Sinner has already locked in the year-ending No.1 ranking, with fellow Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka attempting to do the same in the WTA. Aussie favourites 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. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify See 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.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @MattyAT @brieparker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.