The AO Show

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.

Iga Swiatek has returned to the court after completing her mandatory one-month anti-doping ban — Casey Dellacqua discusses the impact on the five-time Grand Slam champion. Novak Djokovic has been unveiled as the star attraction for the Brisbane International, which he hasn’t played since 2009, opening the possibility of a 2022 Wimbledon final rematch with Nick Kyrgios. With just over a month till AO 2025, GIG analysts Simon Rea and Levi Huddleston put forward their best cases for first-time Australian Open title winners: Carlos Alcaraz v Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff v Emma Navarro. Plus, Brie reveals the top 5 rankings risers inside the top 60 for 2024. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee 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.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner has steered Italy to its second successive Davis Cup title in Malaga, ending Australia’s hopes in the semifinals — Aussie Billie Jean King Cup coach Nicole Pratt and former Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald analyse why the Italians have proved so successful over the past two years. In an announcement that’s shocked the tennis world, Novak Djokovic has unveiled Andy Murray as one of his new coaches for the Australian summer — the team unpacks how Murray can help his rival’s quest for major title 25 at AO 2025. Plus The Sit-Down’s Matt Trollope joins reveals the top five performers of 2024. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee 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.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee 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.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee 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.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.