The Sit-Down

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 i...

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 th...

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 h...

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 f...

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 stun...

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 ...

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&mdas...

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 i...

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...

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 catap...

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...

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 fon...

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. Wheth...