Afleveringen
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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.
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This week we're joined by former world No.1 Kim Clijsters, who spoke to Matt from Indian Wells -—a tournament where she is a two-time champion. Clijsters was in the Californian desert in her role as honorary president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where she met with some of this year's inductees as well as connecting with local student athletes as part of the ITHOF's Be Legendary program. Clijsters' current role is one of many she continues to hold within the sport; she has also coached, owns an academy, appeared in legends events and has done media work. She's a lifelong fan of the sport and it shines through in this interview, during which she reflects on her glittering career, her incredible comeback as a mother, the last of four Grand Slam titles she won at AO 2011 and the top players she loves watching today.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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After his playing career, Sven Groeneveld answered an ad in a tennis magazine that saw him head to Japan and take the first steps in what has become a legendary coaching career. The Dutchman has worked with an incredible roster of Grand Slam champions, including Monica Seles, Mary Pierce, Michael Stich, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Bianca Andreescu. He has also led the Swiss Tennis Federation, overseeing the coaches who developed a young Roger Federer. Groeneveld sits down with Viv and Matt at the Australian Open, which he's attended since 1992, and which has left him with many unforgettable memories, including Pierce's breakthrough 1995 title. A passionate student of the game, Groeneveld dives into his coaching philosophy, how he navigates players' needs on the road, and his current roles coaching Sorana Cirstea and Taro Daniel.
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Former world No.3 Ivan Ljubicic sits down with Viv Christie to reflect on a career that delivered highs such as winning the Davis Cup title for Croatia in 2005, a semifinal run at Roland Garros in 2006, qualifying for the ATP Finals in both those years, and the Indian Wells Masters title in 2010. His achievements went beyond the tennis court; Ljubicic was also elected to the ATP Player Council and forged strong relationships with his peers, serving him well as he moved into coaching and player management. He coached Milos Raonic and Roger Federer, guiding the latter to three Grand Slam singles titles and learning some valuable lessons from the Swiss legend along the way. Ljubicic, who was born in Bosnia & Herzegovina before relocating to Italy amid the Yugoslav War, recalls in vivid detail a sometimes-challenging yet ultimately fulfilling career that continues in the sport to this day.
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After the most inspired period of her career so far, Kim Birrell has climbed to a career-high world No.75 ranking and is Australia’s new women’s No.1. The Queenslander sat down with producer Victoria Rudnikov to discuss her recent milestones, including a quarterfinal appearance at the Brisbane International, qualifying for the AO 2025 women’s singles draw and a runner-up finish in an all-Australian mixed doubles final at her home Grand Slam. Birrell also looks ahead to the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifier tie in Brisbane, where she will represent her nation in a home tie for the first time. Following a career that was earlier interrupted by serious injury, Birrell brings hard-gained perspective and a firm appreciation for some inspirational figures – including fellow Australians Sam Stosur and Nicole Pratt – who have helped that rise.
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Former world No.2 Magnus Norman has gained recognition as a sought-after coach since his retirement from playing in 2003. During AO 2025, Norman took Viv and Matt back to the beginning of his tennis journey, where he began developing his game during the Swedish tennis boom of the 1980s and drew inspiration from countryman Stefan Edberg. Initially a serve-volleyer, Norman evolved into a world-class baseliner and peaked during a stunning 2000 season, reaching the Australian Open semifinals and Roland Garros final, and coming within one victory of the world No.1 ranking. After experiencing the 'normal' life of office work in the early days of his retirement, the lure of tennis proved strong. He went on to coach Robin Soderling and Stan Wawrinka, helping guide the latter to three Grand Slam titles in a remarkable partnership spanning more than a decade.
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Wang Qiang’s defeat of Serena Williams in 2020 was one of the great Australian Open upsets. Her coach at the time was Thomas Drouet who, from his home in Monaco, joins Matt to relive his protégé’s epic triumph. Wang is one of many high-profile players Drouet has coached; he helped guide Marion Bartoli to the Wimbledon title in 2013, and has worked with AO finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and doubles world No.1 Timea Babos. Having also served as Rafael Nadal’s hitting partner during his Monte Carlo Masters campaigns, Drouet has translated his tennis expertise into ‘The Cards Challenge’, an interactive card game helping players at all levels develop and hone their games.
Read more about Drouet's recollections of Wang's win over Williams.
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Diana Shnaider is making major moves, rising from outside the top 100 at the start of the 2024 season to a career-high world No.12 by the end of the year. The 20-year-old recently sat down with Viv and Matt at AO 2025 to discuss her growing list of milestones, including multiple titles in singles and doubles, plus an Olympic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games. Shnaider also discusses her special friendship with fellow phenom—and doubles partner—Mirra Andreeva, her famous bandana, the importance of balance, and why she isn't fussed by the weight of expectation.
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From his humble beginnings as a college-level intern, Tony Godsick has forged an unparalleled career as an agent to the stars, representing the likes of Monica Seles, Roger Federer, Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton. Now president and CEO of TEAM8, Godsick sits down with Viv and Matt during AO 2025 to give a rare inside view of his work with some of the world’s most iconic athletes. He shares the origin story of the Laver Cup, and its significance in honouring the sport’s history and illuminating its future. Godsick also provides some sage career and life advice, a mastermind of the business of tennis.
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Viv and Matt are joined by Corey Gauff, father of world No.3 Coco, who's through to the quarterfinals of Australian Open 2025. But you won’t see Corey in Gauff's courtside entourage; in 2023 he decided it was more helpful to watch her matches unfold in a room off court – one of many insights gleaned in a fascinating interview with a man who has an incredible perspective on raising and guiding a child phenom who burst to superstardom as a teenager. Corey Gauff, a former collegiate footballer, saw an athletic career for his daughter, but also recognised the importance of education, life balance, and, most of all, having fun on the tennis court. He recounts Coco's tennis journey, and his role within it, in this candid conversation.
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Few players have as impressive an Australian Open CV as Victoria Azarenka, who joins Viv and Matt ahead her AO 2025 campaign. The 35-year-old first competed at Melbourne Park as a junior 20 years ago when she won the 2005 girls' singles title. And she joined rarified air by winning the women's singles title at the same tournament she'd conquered as a junior, triumphing in 2012 — her first Grand Slam singles title, which catapulted her to world No.1. She defended her title in 2013 and remained the last woman to go back-to-back at the AO until countrywoman Aryna Sabalenka emulated her feat in 2024. Now a mother to eight-year-old Leo, Azarenka is candid and reflective at this stage of her career, and even more motivated to leave the sport in a better place than she found it.
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Pat Rafter is one of Australia’s most beloved athletes; the 2002 Australian of the Year who scaled the highest heights in tennis. The former world No.1 and two-time US Open champion sits down with Matt to reflect on his storied career, which also featured two Wimbledon finals, semifinals at all four majors, two ATP Masters titles, and many other notable milestones. Since retiring in 2001, Rafter still follows the game but has since explored the world beyond tennis. He lives on a farm in rural New South Wales, which he revegetated to improve the habitat for koalas. He is involved with the Byron Bay fashion label Rallee, vintage-inspired athleisurewear for racket-sport players. And he's an ambassador for Padel, one of tennis's complementary disciplines, which we watched him play before recording this interview.
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In just a matter of days, Martina Hingis will celebrate the 30th anniversary of her Australian Open debut, where in 1995 she played her first Grand Slam tournament and won her first match at just 14 years of age. Two years later, she won the title, the first of three in a row and an incredible six consecutive AO finals. She loved the conditions so much she installed several Rebound Ace courts at her home and training bases, and fondly recalls her memories of her time and milestones in Melbourne. She set several records with her performances, some of which are being recalled now thanks to the achievements of the current generation. Hingis, still an avid follower of tennis, is well aware of this and loves watching many of today's stars — continuing a relationship with a sport which has shaped her life and brought immense joy.
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The Sit-Down is your vantage point to the world of tennis, the latest podcast from AO Originals. Each week, you’ll hear a candid conversation with a notable tennis identity, delving into their achievements, challenges, and career-defining moments. From Grand Slam champions to coaches and tennis insiders, we go beyond forehands and backhands to learn more about some of the sport’s most interesting people. Whether you're a tennis nerd, a passionate fan, or you’re just discovering the sport, The Sit-Down has something for everyone. Listen to Season 1 episodes via The Tennis.
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