
In this special edition of The Sit-Down, we delve into our archives to revisit our guests’ favourite Wimbledon moments. We hear from Brits Tim Henman and Katie Boulter, who have thrived on home support at the All England Club and, in Henman’s case, have a spectators' vantage point named in his honour. We chat to Australian legends Pat Cash, Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and Pat Rafter about what it was like to feature on the final Sunday. Wimbledon was also significant for former world No.1s Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza and Stan Smith, all of whom reflected on their triumphs at SW19. Viv and Matt also got the inside story of Ash Barty’s 2021 triumph from Craig Tyzzer – the man who coached her to her most coveted title. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 29
37 min

Joanna Garland’s profile exploded at AO 2026 when she won through to the final of the 1 Point Slam at Rod Laver Arena, beating Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari and Donna Vekic along the way. She sat down with Viv and Matt to relive what was one of her greatest professional tennis experiences, and how things shifted for her in the aftermath. In this candid interview, Garland also shares stories from developing her game in Chinese Taipei, how she’s come to be based in the Netherlands, and her connection to the UK, where she was born. And that’s where she’ll be this week, competing in Wimbledon qualifying as she chases her dream of playing in the main draw at the All England Club, and where she hopes to take another step closer to a top-100 debut. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 22
32 min

In an episode we released almost two years ago, Viv sat down with then 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva ahead of Wimbledon 2024. She was one of the stars of the moment, having just reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros and rising to the brink of the top 20. Shortly after, she captured her first career WTA singles title in Iasi, then won an Olympic silver medal in doubles at the Paris 2024 Games. In this interview Andreeva showcased her strikingly mature personality and unique perspective on the game, discussing her love of all surfaces, comparisons with Martina Hingis, and working with former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, as well as what she was reading and studying. Within two years, Andreeva has risen to become the sport’s newest Grand Slam champion with her recent victory at Roland Garros, making this a particularly fascinating listen given she alludes to the mindset which would ultimately propel her to a major title. (Episode originally published 5 August 2024). AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 15
15 min

This week, 22-time major doubles champion and Olympic gold medallist Todd Woodbridge joins us in the studio to take us back to where his love-affair with tennis began. A prodigious junior, Woodbridge quickly enjoyed success as a pro, cracking the top 20 in singles while also becoming one of the greatest doubles players of all time. After the highs of Grand Slams, tour life, Olympics and Davis Cup, Woodbridge transitioned to the media, where he has built an award-winning broadcast career. Because there was so much to dive into, we’ll bring you a second part of this interview in the coming weeks, where the nine-time Wimbledon men’s doubles champion reflects on his highlights and memories from the All England Club. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 7
38 min

This week we’re joined by Paul Kilderry, Tennis Australia’s Director of Professional Tennis who was at Roland Garros as several Aussies scored career breakthroughs in Paris. There’s also plenty to look forward to with the grasscourt season approaching, a time when Aussie players traditionally thrive. Yet this was also a chance to reflect on Kilderry’s own tennis journey, which saw his family relocate to Florida so he could attend the famed Nick Bolletieri academy as an elite junior. Following his playing career – during which he beat Grand Slam champions Richard Krajicek and Pat Rafter and also won three doubles titles – he has worked as a coach, player agent and tournament director, each role forging strong connections and coming with a wealth of stories, many of which he shares in this absorbing episode. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 1
39 min

In a rare episode of The Sit-Down conducted in the locker rooms of John Cain Arena, Kimberly Birrell joined the podcast when she was recently in Melbourne for Australia’s most recent Billie Jean King Cup tie. The 28-year-old reflects on a career journey interrupted by serious elbow injuries, which required surgery and made her doubt if her body would hold up to the rigours of professional tennis. What has followed has been a period of sustained success; Birrell peaked at world No.60 and has entrenched herself in the top 100, also enjoyed a stint as Aussie No.1, and is competing more regularly at the biggest tournaments against the game’s best. After a sizzling start to 2026, the Queenslander has bigger goals in sight, sharing her dreams for Wimbledon and beyond. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 25
32 min

At the recent Night of Champions fundraiser in Melbourne, Lleyton Hewitt revealed his three tennis dreams were Grand Slam success, reaching No.1, and Davis Cup glory. He achieved all three, reflecting on them in this special interview with Davis Cup teammate and fellow Aussie tennis icon Todd Woodbridge. Hewitt’s talent was obvious when as a 16-year-old, he upset Andre Agassi en route to his first career ATP title in Adelaide, vision we unearthed from the archive. And it wasn’t long before Hewitt peaked on the Grand Slam stage, first in doubles at the 2000 US Open – beating top seeds Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde along the way to his first doubles major – and a year later in singles, when he toppled the mighty Pete Sampras for his first singles Slam in New York. What followed were more glittering achievements, such as the 2002 Wimbledon singles title, a leading role in Australia’s Davis Cup triumph of 2003 – a team he now leads passionately as captain – and a run to the Australian Open 2005 final, making him the last Aussie man to progress that far in Melbourne. Hewitt’s incredible recall and storytelling add texture and context to these achievements, as he takes fans behind the curtain for his greatest career moments and discusses the influential figures who helped him along the way. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 18
41 min

In August, Mary Carillo will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame alongside Roger Federer in what promises to be an unforgettable ceremony. Carillo will enter the Contributor Category, honouring those “who have made a transcendent impact” on tennis. Speaking to Viv and Matt from her home in Florida, Carillo – one of the sport’s best storytellers – recalled discovering the game as a child in New York City, where she joined the same local club as John McEnroe. They were later coached by the legendary Harry Hopman and went on to win the 1977 Roland Garros mixed doubles title together. While Carillo’s pro career, in which she rose to world No.33 in singles, was cut short by knee injuries, she was quickly discovered and shone as a tennis broadcaster – calling some of the sport’s greatest matches, covering its defining eras and rivalries, and blazing a trail for women in commentary. Her broadcasting career has since expanded well beyond tennis, spanning Olympics coverage, documentary making and even national dog shows, while earning multiple awards – including six Emmys and three prestigious Peabodys. Approaching her 50th year as a broadcaster, Carillo still covers, and clearly adores, tennis – a passion that shines throughout this memorable interview. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 11
33 min

Many people will know Stan Smith as the man behind the iconic adidas Stan Smith shoe, which is not surprising given there have been more than 100 million pairs sold and collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Stella McCartney. But Smith is also known for his legendary tennis career – among his seven Grand Slam titles were two singles majors (Wimbledon and the US Open) and he rose to world No.1 in the early 1970s. He was also a part of seven triumphant US Davis Cup teams, many times battling it out with a golden generation of Australian legends in one of the sport's most enduring rivalries. The American star was one of the original players to use tennis as a platform for other great achievements — he campaigned against apartheid, set up his own academy, developed Stan Smith events and even became an author. He’s also a former president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Tennis is the thread throughout Smith's lifetime, and as you will hear in this interview, the sport is all the richer for having him in it. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 4
33 min

Ten years ago, Angelique Kerber won the Australian Open in a result that changed the course of her career. The German star, with Polish roots, had long been a top player. But a magical fortnight in 2016 saw her save a match point in the first round, beat Victoria Azarenka for the first time in seven tries in the quarters, then stun Serena Williams in a thrilling decider – the only time Serena ever lost an AO final. Not only did the triumph set the stage for a season that Kerber finished at world No.1, but it made the lefty an enduring favourite among Aussie fans at Melbourne Park. Since retiring at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kerber has been busy with family life. Yet her return to the AO in 2026, and her time in the studio with Viv and Matt, allowed the three-time major champion to reflect on her career journey, her glittering achievements, her connection with fans, and what it was like to compete against her rivals – many of whom remain her friends. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 27
17 min
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