The Sit-Down with John Fitzgerald

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.

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.

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek enter the WTA 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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee 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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee 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.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee 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.

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.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifySee 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.