December 6, 2023 • 34 mins
Rafael Nadal is set to make his long-awaited return to tennis at the Brisbane International before returning to Melbourne for what could be his final Australian Open, Caroline Wozniacki has been granted a wildcard for the first Grand Slam of the year — the 2018 women's champion speaks exclusively to The AO Show about her fond relationship with the tournament, her fans and why she can't wait to be back, plus Taylor Fritz reveals his plans to spearhead Team USA to back-to-back glory during the second edition of the United Cup.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Why would drink Monday night?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Yes? You forgetting it?
Speaker 3 (00:04):
You're going right? Yes?
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Are you? Are you coming on Monday night? Johnn Are
you working it?
Speaker 4 (00:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Are you?
Speaker 3 (00:11):
One whine?
Speaker 4 (00:12):
Will do it?
Speaker 2 (00:12):
One wine?
Speaker 3 (00:13):
I'll do it.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (00:15):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the AO Show with me
John Hoovenas we're entering the awards season with the new
can Medal and the Australian Tennis Awards almost upon us,
which means the Aussie summer is just around the corner.
Here's what's coming up rough our on the doll back
for a crack at AO twenty four, so.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
We could just throwing it out there, get a Novak
Jocovic versus raf on the Dale first round match.
Speaker 5 (00:37):
A wild card for Wosney Eki, and a new perspective
on tennis.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
It's really incredible that I get another chance of competing
in Australia.
Speaker 5 (00:44):
And Taylor Fritz intent on making it two from two
for Team USA at the United Cup.
Speaker 6 (00:49):
We definitely are going back wanting to defone the title
and kind of just have to take it one at
a time.
Speaker 5 (00:54):
That's all ahead on The AO Show. As we record
today episode, we are eighteen days away from Christmas and
that's starting to ring panic in the years of many
round here. Welcome to the roundtable today, Viv Christy from
Australian Tennis magazine. Welcome, Viv, great to be here. Thanks,
John and Mattrolote from oz open dot Com. Welcome Matt hey, John, Hey, Viv.
(01:16):
Good to see both Christmas plans coming together or haven't
even turned your attention to that yet, Viv.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Yeah, it's a little bit too far away from me.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Actually, it's usually a week before kind of playing situation.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Would be the same. I haven't even really thought about Christmas.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
What did you say?
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Eighteen days until Christmas, which means twenty two days until
the un Nighter Cup. That's right, it's coming very soon
the new season and.
Speaker 5 (01:40):
We've got to get to our respective city, so that
cuts shorts out. I think I'm heading up to Sydney
on Boxing Day. But it's better than a lot of
the players. You probably have to miss Christmas in the
air or something.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
Right, Yeah, absolutely, it's a hectic time of year.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
Well, today on the show, we're going to have a
look through the full fields for the Brisbane International, which
kicks off thirty one December, and the Australian Open. The
entry list has just been formalized, kicking off January fourteen
and later on. Matt tell us who you're catching up
with this in this week's player interview.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I got it up with Caroline was Niaki our wildcard
announcement for the AOS. So that was a really really
good chat. Really exciting to get to talk to her,
and yeah, looking forward to seeing what she can do
in January.
Speaker 5 (02:24):
Caroline was Niaki to join us later. Now the Brisbane
International Rafael Nadal is the big announcement that came through
late last week, I think just before the weekend, a
wildcard to the Brisbane International and that is a huge
coup viv for Brisbane.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Yeah, absolutely, what great news for Brisbane. Everybody's been hanging
to know when Rafael Nadal's coming back, and now we
have a definitive, definitive date and yeah, you know what
a first day we could have it Brisbane. We've also
got Naomia Psaka coming back, so great vibes all around
for Brisbane.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
I think, what did you think of the way he
announced it with the Steven Spielberg style video.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
I wouldn't go that far, but it started off obviously
with the look back to the reason he's been off
to it for nearly the injury at the Australian Open,
which was really unfortunate. So it kind of started off
on a somber note, but then when the black and
white went into the color and then it was like,
I'm back, I'm healthy, I'm announcing that I'm going to
return in Brisbane, it was yeah, it was great news. Yeah,
(03:22):
so it's a long time away from the sports, so
it'll be fantastic having back.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
I got the sense that he was maybe tempering expectation
a little bit. But at the same time, I don't
think we'll be seeing Raffer unless he's fully ready to
be back and thinking that he can do a lot
of damage.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
I think return.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
You're right, I think he has tempered expectations. I read
an interview where he said, I'm not sure if it
was translated from Spanish, but he kind of said, I'm
actually giving myself I'm not putting his bigger expectations on myself,
which I've played with for my entire career, and that
I'm kind of yet giving myself permission to go with
the flow, go easy. But he said something liked be
kinder to myself and it's a different language from Raffa.
(03:59):
So I think it is that tempering of expectations. He's
thirty seven, he's been out for a year. This is
even for someone who struggled with injuries. This is uncharted
territory for him. He'll be unseeded in draws for the
first time forever. He's been in the top ten for
what was it nine hundred weeks or.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Something, seventeen and a half years.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yes, so this is I think the rest of the
players are also going to be like, oh my goodness,
I could get Rapha and Ndala in the first round
as a seed, which is something that's never been a thing.
So yeah, this is quite a different scenario. And yeah,
expectations tempered for sure.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
I think a lot of the players are being asked
about that this week since the announcement was made. It's
going to make for a very interesting draw when an
unseen and Nadal gets thrown into the mid Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
And again it's that sort of thing of the comeback
stars and the established players and a whole new tennis
landscape in some ways because in the field you've also
got Ben Shelton and Hogarune and so you've sort of
got this wide spectrum of players.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
So we could just throwing out there, get a Novak
Djokovic versus Rafhunderdale first round match at the Australia.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
Theoretically, So yes, what a prospect.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Also, I've in Brisbane among nine Grand Slam champions in total.
You mentioned Mari, I think and Osaka Sabilenka will be
there the number two, Elena Rabaik and I will be
there the number four. And we've also got Ostapenko as
a ranker, Kennan and Stevens. It's a mouthwatering lineup.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Mat It's so good. It's just so many Grand Slam champions,
so much talent. I just think when I hear the
name Sabalenka and Rebike and it just transports me back
to the AO final. It was such a good match. Yeah,
and they've played a couple of really good matches since then.
That's becoming quite a nice rivalry. So Yeah, when I
saw that they were kind of the top of the
women's entry list, I thought, imagine if we got that
rematch again as a taster for the AO, potentially, Brisbane's
(05:48):
got a lot to look forward to.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Yeah, and Brisbane so often is a sign of what
is to come at the Australian Open, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, it's a yes, a harbinger.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
I love that word.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
I'm glad that they used that word.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Maybe I could call my ca I'm looking for a
name to get to that later. Naami Asaka, what can
we realistically expect from the former world number one, four
time Grand Slam chap Well, again.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
I don't think Naomi would be targeting a comeback without
thinking that she can do some some real damage. I
think as soon as Australia. To be honest, I know
that she's been working really hard going by her social
media on the practice court, and she's looking really fit
from what I've seen, So yeah, nothing would surprise me.
Speaker 5 (06:31):
Getting some serving tips I saw on social media serving tips.
I said that in Inverted Commas from our own Nick Curios.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, it's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
And imagine, like I mean, Osaka is not struggling on
serve to begin with, She's got one of the best
news in the game, so imagine that she can tweak
it a little bit more with some tits from Nick.
She's done that before with Nick. I remember there was
something she posted and she was kind of sitting on
the baseline this might have been last year or the
year before kind of watching him serve so clearly she
likes curiosities. Maybe that's a model for but HER's is excellent.
(07:01):
I agree with you if she looked amazing in those
practice videos on social very fit, striking the ball really
well and has a history of coming back with little
match play. She's the type of play that seems to
be able to hit the ground running with not many
matches under her belt and can attain a high level.
And she is only still, she's only twenty six.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
And it has to help coming back to a tournament
that's you know, or a venue that's been so successful for
her as well.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Yeah, two time Australian Open champion. Good vibes here, Yeah, Naomi,
Naomi could do big things, but again it's draw dependent.
She's going to be another one of these players who's unseated.
I can't wait for that Australian Open draw in January.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
Well, I should also mention from a Brisbane perspective for
Aussie's in that field, including the local lady Kim Beryl,
plus Alexi Proper and Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson. But yes,
turning our attention to the Australian Open. Ozzie wild cards
for buryl Gadecki, Preston, Duckworth, Polman's and Walton, and as
(08:01):
we flagged off the top, Caroline Wozniaki has been awarded
a wildcard and viv That makes for some very excited
people in her camp, but also fans who are looking
forward to welcoming her return to Melbourne for the first
time in four years.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Yeah, I mean, Caro has always had some really great
matches in Australia.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
She really had great.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Results from the start in Melbourne. I think she made
the fourth round on her debut as a teenager, so yeah,
it's always been a happy.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
Place for her. She's played some incredible matches here.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
We all remember twenty eleven I think it was against
Lena that great semi final, and then of course went
on to win her first Grand Slam title here. So
she will come back with only happy memories and lots
of fans.
Speaker 5 (08:47):
So, Matt, you had the privilege of an extended interview
with her during the week. Tell us what she was
like to interview and how you generally found her.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
She was great and seemed obviously really excited to be
returning to Australia, made a point of saying like, yeah,
she's got such happy memories there, really looking forward to
get it. It's a long time four years that she
hasn't played. There's where she drew the curtain on her
career initially with another great match, even though she didn't
win it. It was seven five in the third set against
(09:16):
osterbur which when you think about what Oms has gone
on to do, that was a spectacular third round match. Yeah,
so no, it was great to chat to her. It
was really interesting to kind of find out what she's
been doing because she hasn't played since the US Open,
so that's quite a lot of time of court. But
it's quite from the sounds of things, it's quite strategic
and she's been working hard. The US Open gave her,
(09:36):
i know, I guess a bit of an indicative of
where she sits currently, and she said she took away
lessons of what she needs to work on for the
next year. So it's very much this kind of you know,
the Australian opens, this kind of long range goal that's
coming closer. So it was really interesting to talk to
her about that. And yeah, she was really generous with
her time.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
She's been pretty smart about her comeback so far, I
would suggest. So she's played three tournaments, made the fourth
round at the US Open, and beat Patrick Kovid along
the way.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
So yeah, I think it's a you know, a lot
to look forward to.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
Well, let's hear it now, Matt's interview with Caroline w Wassneiyaki.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
So, Carrie, Yes, thanks so much for joining us. Really
good to chat to you. I was just wondering, Yeah,
what have you been up to since we last saw
you on court at the US Open?
Speaker 3 (10:20):
A little bit of everything. My daughter started her little
preschool early learning, so she's been doing that. I've been
practicing a lot. We were also went to the Bahamas
on a little family trip vacation and enjoyed Thanksgiving there.
We yeah, we've seen the family, We've we've done a
(10:41):
bit of everything, but just really trying to lay low,
getting the best shape possible, obviously for the Australian Open
coming up soon. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
How did you pull up after the US Open?
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Surprisingly smooth. I think my first tournament was in Montreal
and I played my first match and I thought I
played surprisingly well for my first match back. But definitely
I was playing back to back matches and the next
day I was feeling very sorets. It's a big difference
practicing and playing practice sets from you know, playing a
(11:14):
real match, and that was a bit of a shock
to the system. But then, you know, I got another
couple of weeks and before the YEARS Open, and I
felt great. I feel like I played some good tennis
there and competed well and beat some great players, and
I was a bit you know, obviously it's the point
I didn't beat Coco, but she played great, and obviously
(11:36):
she ended up winning the tournament. But you know, I
think overall, I could be very, very pleased with how
I came back. My body held up great, which obviously
is always a question mark when you haven't played for
so long. And then on top of that, obviously I
had two kids and and basically didn't play tennis for
three years, so didn't touch a racket. So it was
(11:59):
it was great to be back. My body feels good,
and I knew what I needed to work on after
the US Open, and that's why I made the decision
to just kind of hunker down and start really preparing
my body and try and get in the best shape
possible coming into next year.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
And you said, yes, it's excited to return to Australia.
We're very excited about that news too. First time in
four years you'll be back at the Australian Open. Kind
of what memories does that bring back? And how excited
are you when you think about it, It's been four
years since you've been at Melbourne Park. What will it
be like to return.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
It's really incredible that I get another chance of competing
in Australia. I really thought when I retired in twenty
twenty that that was going to be my last tournament,
my last match, and there was a reason why I
decided to do it in Australias because it's so special
to me. I feel like I have so much support there.
I obviously won my first Grand Slam there and it's
(12:52):
just the Happy Slam, So that was why I made
the decision. But you know, Lo and Behold. Three years later,
I realized I still have something to give to the
sport and my passion is still there and I feel
like I'm still young enough to give in one last
try and I'm really really excited to be back in Australia.
(13:13):
I mean to bring the family there, my two kiddos
and for them to experience this incredible country. I'm just
so so thrilled, and obviously for me to play at
one of the biggest events in the world in front
of all these amazing fans, it's going to be incredible.
It's definitely going to be emotional coming back and I'm
really really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
That's awesome. I think we have a lot of Australian
listeners to this podcast, so yeah, I mean, do you
have a little bit of a message for them? It's
only five really, just five weeks away before the Australian
Open starts. Is coming around so fast.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
It's I can't believe that it's only five weeks away.
It feels like after they was open, I had so
much time to prepare and all of a sudden it's
really sneaking up on me. And I'm just so so
excited to be back. Melbourne is one of my most
favorite cities in the world and I care where to
show it to my family and my kids, and then
(14:05):
obviously I hope to play extremely well. It's obviously a
tournament that I feel very comfortable at. I love the balls,
I love the court, and I love the fans, and
I hope that that I get a nice well come
back when I see everyone there, and I'm sure I will.
It's it really is a special place, and I'm just
(14:26):
so excited to get another chance of playing on the
big quotes.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
I just wanted to go a little bit back to
the US Open you were talking about. You mentioned that
obviously you lost to Cocoa Gough, who went on to
win the tournament, and that was actually really interesting because
we got to take so soon into your comeback. We
got a bit of a and you would have gotten
a taste of playing literally one of the best players
in the world that won a Grand Slam and you
were one set away from winning with a little bit
(14:51):
It's obviously disappointing to lose, but with a bit of
distance and time. What did you take away from that
and what did you make of playing Coco?
Speaker 3 (14:59):
It was really great think for me going into this
first street tournaments and my comeback, I didn't really know
what to expect. I wanted to kind of see where's
my game at, where's my body at? And you know,
I hadn't played for three and a half years. I
hadn't played a competitive match at three and a half
years and your body fully changes after pregnancy, and I
had two of them, so, you know, and back to back,
(15:21):
and I just didn't know how everything was going to react,
how I was going to feel once I was back
out there and really competing, and to come back and
really play great tennis, beating obviously petrarch Fita and playing
really well, and you know, I felt like I was
(15:41):
right where I wanted to be. I think getting some
practice matches in before the tournament really helped me just
get the proper feel for the court and the balls
and everything else. And then obviously playing Coca who had
been playing extremely well, and felt like I was close
to win that match, but you know, I still just
missed a couple of things I felt in my game
(16:03):
and physically where I was like, I know where I
need to go, I know where I am, I know
where I need and want to be to be able
to beat the best players in the world and on
a consistent basis. And that's I think very encouraging that
I wasn't very far away, and I'm very confident and
comfortable coming into this new season having played those three
(16:24):
tournaments prior and just knowing that my game is great,
and now physically I just needed to step it up
a little bit more. For sure.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
You've mentioned obviously having two kids. That's what's made your
comeback so interesting and a little bit unusual. There's lots
of comebacks on the women's Tour, but almost all of
them are after they've had one child.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
You've had two.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
So what kind of challenges or extra challenges might that
have presented that makes you all come back a little different.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
I don't think I appreciated how having one child was
a lot less crazy in our household. My daughter Olivia,
she is amazing, but she is a fireball energy, and
she does not know how to walk. She only runs
everywhere and she tells everyone where to go and what
(17:13):
to do. And I mean, she is amazing, but she's
she's a lot. And James, our little one. He you know,
is the calm, chill, always happy little baby boy, and
he's easy. But the two of them together, I mean,
that is a full time job. If I'm not on
corter in the gym or getting treatment, you know that
(17:34):
you can find me running around after the kids in
one direction or the other. And I think sometimes I
just look at my husband and I go. I don't
think we appreciate how having one was a lot less
hectic over here, but I love it. Our family is awesome,
and I think, you know, obviously childbirth and the women's
body obviously changes, and it's it's a lot getting that
(17:58):
back into shape, not only how you feel, but also
getting everything kind of back to where it used to be.
And and you know, it's easier to get hurt, but
then after two children, I mean, that's a whole nother level.
And for me, you know, obviously, I my fitness and
my body when I'm coming back to play at the
(18:18):
highest level has to be at one hundred percent, and
it's definitely been a challenge, you know, and having to
learn to take baby steps and coming back and not
rushing everything was was for me mentally, you know, a
little tough because I've always been the person saying go, go, go,
and you know, given a go a thousand miles an
(18:39):
hour all the time. But at the same time, I
think I really also appreciate my body and what has
been able to do and how strong it is. And
I think mentally I'm a lot stronger on the court.
I think physically I've I've chosen to really build up
some of the strength that a few places that were
missing on my body, and I think, you know, really
(19:00):
getting it into I think probably the best shape of
my life. I think for me is one of the
most impressive things for me because that's something that I
didn't know kind of where it was going to be
and what was possible. And for me to feel as
physically great as I do and strong as I do,
I feel very proud of that. Yeah, that's incredible.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
I'm going to ask you another question about the fitness
because following you on social media when you were obviously
I think during COVID, when you were having kids and
you were retired, you seem to keep fit, you seem
to stay active. So I was interested kind of like
having kids and maintaining that. What kinds of things were
you doing for your health and fitness in that period,
And then how did it shift when you made the
decision to come back to professional tennis, because I'm assuming
(19:45):
you would have had to move into a different kind
of training.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Absolutely, for me, I love being in the gym, I
love staying fit, I love working out, and even throughout
my pregnancies, I was working out, so that was always
a priority. I just I feel a lot better mentally
what I when I do get a sweat in. And
you know, obviously I had the babies back to back,
so I was basically pregnant for two years straight. So
it was a lot of walking and making sure I
(20:09):
got a lot of steps in and I like to
do a lot of yoga and pilates. During that time.
I also did some weight training, but you know, something
that was a lot easier on my joints as well.
Whereas after having the babies and doing some rehab on everything,
I think getting back into the cardio and knowing that I,
you know, want to compete at the highest level in tennis,
(20:31):
I needed to really step up my cardio game. And
that was something because I had the strength throughout my
pregnancies that actually was somewhat easier than I thought. It
was definitely very hard in the beginning, but I quickly
my body quickly realized, Okay, we're back in the groove.
I can do this. And it was also interesting for
me because not only with the two kids, but with
(20:54):
my roomaturd arthritis. You know, that's something that badly on
a regular basis and a regular day to day base
as well. But again, I just really feel like I've
matured a lot mentally and just learning kind of what
works for me and what doesn't and how much I
can push myself and when it's time to say stop.
(21:14):
And I think I've gotten a lot more confident and
comfortable saying I can't do anymore right now. You know,
we need to stop. We need to take it easy.
I can do recovery, I can do other things, but
I can't push harder right now. And that's okay. And
that's also why I've given myself more time to really
get to the shape that I wanted to get to.
And yeah, it's different. We're on the phone right now
(21:38):
and talking here and it's eight pm and we're going
to be done, I don't know, in fifteen minutes, whatever
it may be. And I'm going to the gym after
because I put my kids to bed and that was
the time I had today. I had practice this morning tennis,
and then I had physio kind of during the kids
nap time, and I didn't have time to go to
(22:00):
the gym. So I'm going in a little bit. So
those are things that I also never appreciated before, how
much time I had on my hands to really train
and work out whenever I wanted, and now it's a
lot of days it's on my kids schedules as well.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Yeah, it just forces you to be flexible, and it's like, hey,
if it's going to be nine o'clock workout, it's better
than not at all.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Right, Exactly. I used to look at the people, you know,
when I was in my car driving it was dark
outside and people are running, and I would look at
now my husband and say, what are people doing at
nine and nine pm, ten pm? Running and working out?
And now I totally get it. Now I understand now
one of those people.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
You got it. Yeah, you guys just got to do
it on the kids schedule. I've got one or two
more questions, Caro. I wanted to know. I read your
Vogue piece obviously that was the comeback announcement, and he said,
one day late last year, I found myself setting up
a couple of sessions on the court and I just wondered,
what caused that little spark to come back? And you found, oh,
I want to set up a heat like, yeah, where
(23:02):
did that come from?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Honestly, it was more from boredom of doing the same
things in the gym and my yoga and pilates, and
I was just like, let me find my rackets, and
I found them in our storage room and I dusted
a couple of them off, and my friend who I've
been hitting with on a regular basis throughout my career,
(23:25):
I texted him and I said, hey, can we set
up once a week hit just that I can get
a sweat going and a little bit of cardio and
and you know, I know I can hit the ball
well and it will get me my heart rate up
and quickly. And that's kind of how it started. It
was really innocent, and I didn't really have any other
(23:45):
motives other than just trying to get back into shape
after James was born. And I think tennis has always
been such a huge part of my life, and I
was ready. I needed a break after playing for so
many years. And I didn't miss hitting balls at all,
and probably in three years I hit three or four times.
That's it. And all of a sudden, I just go, wow,
(24:07):
I miss hitting a clean ball. I miss hitting it
in the middle of the rackets. Let's just go out there,
get a sweat going, get the timing, and just have
fun with it. And it was a completely different mindset.
And I think that's also why I felt like I
hit the ball better than ever, because there was no pressure,
no reason to stress over anything. And I think that's
(24:27):
why it felt so comfortable and so good being out
there again.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
And I hope that's continuing into the comeback rock that
more freedom and less stress. Do you feel as stressed?
Speaker 3 (24:36):
Absolutely. I think seeing tennis from the outside and doing
some commentating and all of that, I got a completely
different perspective on tennis. Also having my kids and they
don't care. They just thrilled that I'm a home from work.
I tell Olivia I have to go to work, and
she goes, okay, but when you come back, can you
play with me? And she doesn't care if I want
(24:56):
to lost the match. She just wants to hang out
and she's thrilled to see me. So it just puts
things in perspective. I am so fortunate to be able
to play the game that I love and that I'm
pretty good at. And I think for me having that
perspective of it and enjoying playing in front of a
big crowd and being able to play the big tournaments,
(25:19):
it just gives me the freedom to know. Okay, you
know what, I don't know how long I have left
to play, but when I'm out there, I'm going to
give it my all. What I've worked on, I know
what I'm capable of, and I'm going to give it
one hundred percent. And if someone is going to beat me,
then congratulations, you were better than me on that day.
And I'm going to go home and work harder. But
(25:42):
I think having that great balance in my life has
really I think attribute to the fact that I feel
like I'm playing some amazing tennis and a lot more free.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
That's really nice to hear.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Thanks so much for your time, Caroline. This has been
a really great chat. Congratulations on the Australian Open wildcard.
It'll be really good to see you here in January.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Thank you so much. I can't wait. I'm really really
excited about it.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
Fantastic interview, Matt, congratulations on that. Oh thanks, really good stuff.
And thank you to Caroline for coming on the show.
We will be catching up with more tennis stars between
now and the start of next season as the AO
Show comes to an end for season five. It's hard
to believe this is episode sixty two. We've got a
few more before the end of the season then we
go for season six.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Congrats John, that's that's quite a record that you're a messing.
Speaker 5 (26:33):
Thank you headam, Thank you very much. Season six will
begin on twenty eighth of December, the day before the
United Cup starts all Bey and Sydney, but the action
will kick off in Perth and Group C is the
one we're putting a spotlight on today. Matt Australia USA
and Great Britain Taylor Fritz we spoke to during the week.
He's going to be leading Team USA alongside Jess Pigula,
(26:56):
and here's what he had to say about their title defense.
Speaker 6 (27:00):
Yeah, it was. It was a really fun vik. It
was such a good vie to I guess start last
year with a you know, winning the event, winning something
for your home country. I think it's you know, it's
a lot of fun one because everyone's excited to kind
of be back after the offseason and be back playing.
And it's also always fun to be playing a team
event with other people on your team because we're so
(27:22):
used to just playing by ourselves all the time. We
definitely are going back wanting to wanting to defund the
title and kind of just have to take it one
at a time, and yeah, get ourselves I think, you know,
the main goals to get ourselves out of the group
first and then get ourselves to Sydney and then you know,
then we'll go from there.
Speaker 5 (27:37):
So mate, no mistake, Team USA is going for back
to back.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
They had such a good time at the United Cup,
the initial United Cup. That was a real thing that
came out of this squad, the camaraderie between all of them.
And we managed to get an interview with Jess Pagoula
a couple of weeks ago, and she talked about like
they'd stayed in touch since the United Cup, following each
other's results. I think there was like a WhatsApp group
or take message group or something, and she said that
(28:02):
Taylor Fritz asked her to play the United Cup again
and she basically said, yeah, yeah, I'll come back and
defend our title. So yes, it's a different format, not
all not, it's not the same squad returning, but it's
headlined by the same two players, Fritz and Pagula to
top ten players, which makes the US team one of
the strongest ones in the competition. So returning will give them,
(28:23):
you know, automatically good vibes and what a fun group group.
See it's like the Grand Slam Nations group Britain, Australia US.
I think that's a really fun kind of subplot, Shane.
Speaker 5 (28:35):
They all can't go through to the Fight of Frans.
Speaker 2 (28:38):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, but yeah, who knows what will happen there.
But yeah, really excited to see how they go because
they were a really potent combination in twenty three.
Speaker 6 (28:46):
It's going to make get more kind of up grabs
for any tea because you know, one person can just
win they're their singles and then have a really good
performance in the mixed doubles and basically just went off
of that. I think last year gave us a very
big advantage with our team being so strong at the
two spots. You know, we never even had to come
down to a mixed doubles deciding match, and I think
(29:08):
it's going to be different this year. The mixed doubles
is going to play a much bigger part in it
because you know, with three matches instead of five, I
think the results can kind of just go anywhere.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
I feel like so Viv now only having to win
two matches to get through changes the complex of the
United Cup this year.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Yeah, it puts a really strong emphasis.
Speaker 4 (29:30):
On mixed doubles, doesn't it. So I think it's going.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
To be really exciting to see the players come out
and just fight so hard in the mixed doubles. And yeah,
talking of USA, of course, you've got Jess Pagoula, who
we know is such a great doubles player as well
as single. She's one of the few players that sort
of is up the top of the rankings in both disciplines.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
So makes it very very interesting.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
And we don't get that many opportunities to see high
quality mixed doubles. I mean, it's the four Grand Slams,
United Cup and the Olympics four years, like, it's really Yeah,
so this is when it kind of is centered more
and it becomes potentially more decisive and lots of ties.
I think that's cool. And then there's this added plot
line of there being the Olympics and a couple of
(30:13):
the teams are thinking of the United Cup as you know,
they're thinking forward to Paris twenty twenty four, and like
if they can get practice and gel a combination at
the United Cup and do well that could potentially resonate and.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
There's some fascinating dynamics in that you see. In terms
of doubles, you know, you've got Storm Hunter, who's now
the number one world's number one player for Australia, and yeah,
Alex Dimonor will potentially face his girlfriend Katie Bolter.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
Yeah, which is crazy.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
And then she could potentially be playing with Nori, who
we remember is one of Demono's best friends on tour
as well. So there's a fun dynamic between Australia and
Great Britain, but then Australia too. We don't exactly know
who the combination will be. We have some really deep sorry,
we have some really great players on the men's double side,
like Matt Ebden as well. Some selection conundrums potentially too.
(31:02):
It's exciting, well, no selection conundrums for Team USA. According
to Taylor Fritz.
Speaker 6 (31:07):
I'm definitely not gonna let anybody else play. It's going
to be I definitely plan on it being me and
just when it comes down to it, play mix.
Speaker 5 (31:14):
So Team USA begins its campaign on the thirty first
of December during the day against Great Britain and then
they have Australia on New Year's Day. The Aussies to
get underway on Friday, December twenty nine, the night session
against Great Britain. Get your tickets now United Cup dot Com. Well,
just before we wrap up, we should touch on the
next Gen atp finals last week, everyone was sort of
(31:38):
had an asterisk next to Arthur Fees to take that
one out, but young man from Serbia by the name
of Hamad Medjovich took him down in five sets, well
five fast, four sets. Matt.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Yes, there's one of many innovations at the next Gen
finals that's become a kind of signature of that event.
So how many next Gen finals that we had now
about or six of them? So Hamad joins a very
like an illustrious list.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
We've had winners like Janick Sinner, Stefano Sitzapass. I think
Alex Demonor made it a final or two there. So
you know, it is another one of those ones that
potentially predicts what a player can go on to do.
I mean, all of those players have either gotten into
the top ten or close to it. And he played
a big game, an exciting game the way he won
the final with that booming ace down the tee. But yeah,
(32:31):
he's definitely got a bright future and also some really
interesting Serbian tennis connections. Coach by Viktor Trotsky and I
think mentored by Novak Djokovic, so it's pretty amazing. Yeah, yeah,
so he's definitely one to watch.
Speaker 1 (32:46):
And Novak has also he's supported him, you know, for
quite a long time throughout his career as well, sort
of since he's younger days, so he's got some pretty
powerful support.
Speaker 5 (32:56):
There a glimpse into the future of men's tennis. Well,
let's have a glimpse into the next two weeks of
these two panelists here. What's happening for Christmas?
Speaker 1 (33:05):
Yeah, I'll be heading up to visit some family in
Country Victoria. It's always a kind of hectic time for us,
but a very enjoyable time. And then yeah, I'll be
heading up to Brisbane.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Sure that mine's pretty relaxed. I'm lucky my family's all
in Melbourne, so it's quite local for me and quite calm.
And then I'm staying on in Melbourne, so we'll be
watching all the United Cup and Brisbane international action from here.
And but yes, keeping an eye on what's coming up
with the Australian Open.
Speaker 3 (33:32):
What about you, John?
Speaker 5 (33:33):
Thank you? So hoping someone would ask, now we pick
up our new kitten socks next week.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Your kitten socks or your kitten is name socks a harbinger.
Speaker 5 (33:42):
I have to have to check that now. I thought
we're getting a kitten. No, we're getting we are getting
a kitten called socks.
Speaker 4 (33:47):
Very exciting time in my life.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
Yeah so, but then I'm heading off to Sydney a
few days later, so hopefully exactly not ideal timing from
that perspective. But I hope she likes tennis because I'm
going to leave the channel of nine.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
On Cats Love Tennis.
Speaker 4 (34:02):
Cat loves tennis.
Speaker 2 (34:03):
Yeah, so just they get very fixated on it moving
on the screen and I think the contrast in.
Speaker 4 (34:07):
The lines makes for some great social content.
Speaker 3 (34:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (34:10):
Good, well, I'll keep that in mind and keep a
camera rolling in the background just thin case. That's all
for this week's episode of The AO Show. Join us
again next week for the latest tennis news, views and interviews.
As we announced the newc and medallist. Happy birthday this
week to David Gofarn and AO twenty twenty two finalist
Daniel Collins. If you'd like to get in touch, you
(34:30):
can contact us viaur ozopen dot com, slash listen, or
email The AO Show at tennis dot com dot au
and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
While you're there, why not consider leaving a rating or
review so more fans can discover The AO Show
Why would drink Monday night?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Yes? You forgetting it?
Speaker 3 (00:04):
You're going right? Yes?
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Are you? Are you coming on Monday night? Johnn Are
you working it?
Speaker 4 (00:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Are you?
Speaker 3 (00:11):
One whine?
Speaker 4 (00:12):
Will do it?
Speaker 2 (00:12):
One wine?
Speaker 3 (00:13):
I'll do it.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (00:15):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the AO Show with me
John Hoovenas we're entering the awards season with the new
can Medal and the Australian Tennis Awards almost upon us,
which means the Aussie summer is just around the corner.
Here's what's coming up rough our on the doll back
for a crack at AO twenty four, so.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
We could just throwing it out there, get a Novak
Jocovic versus raf on the Dale first round match.
Speaker 5 (00:37):
A wild card for Wosney Eki, and a new perspective
on tennis.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
It's really incredible that I get another chance of competing
in Australia.
Speaker 5 (00:44):
And Taylor Fritz intent on making it two from two
for Team USA at the United Cup.
Speaker 6 (00:49):
We definitely are going back wanting to defone the title
and kind of just have to take it one at
a time.
Speaker 5 (00:54):
That's all ahead on The AO Show. As we record
today episode, we are eighteen days away from Christmas and
that's starting to ring panic in the years of many
round here. Welcome to the roundtable today, Viv Christy from
Australian Tennis magazine. Welcome, Viv, great to be here. Thanks,
John and Mattrolote from oz open dot Com. Welcome Matt hey, John, Hey, Viv.
(01:16):
Good to see both Christmas plans coming together or haven't
even turned your attention to that yet, Viv.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Yeah, it's a little bit too far away from me.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Actually, it's usually a week before kind of playing situation.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Would be the same. I haven't even really thought about Christmas.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
What did you say?
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Eighteen days until Christmas, which means twenty two days until
the un Nighter Cup. That's right, it's coming very soon
the new season and.
Speaker 5 (01:40):
We've got to get to our respective city, so that
cuts shorts out. I think I'm heading up to Sydney
on Boxing Day. But it's better than a lot of
the players. You probably have to miss Christmas in the
air or something.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
Right, Yeah, absolutely, it's a hectic time of year.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
Well, today on the show, we're going to have a
look through the full fields for the Brisbane International, which
kicks off thirty one December, and the Australian Open. The
entry list has just been formalized, kicking off January fourteen
and later on. Matt tell us who you're catching up
with this in this week's player interview.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I got it up with Caroline was Niaki our wildcard
announcement for the AOS. So that was a really really
good chat. Really exciting to get to talk to her,
and yeah, looking forward to seeing what she can do
in January.
Speaker 5 (02:24):
Caroline was Niaki to join us later. Now the Brisbane
International Rafael Nadal is the big announcement that came through
late last week, I think just before the weekend, a
wildcard to the Brisbane International and that is a huge
coup viv for Brisbane.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Yeah, absolutely, what great news for Brisbane. Everybody's been hanging
to know when Rafael Nadal's coming back, and now we
have a definitive, definitive date and yeah, you know what
a first day we could have it Brisbane. We've also
got Naomia Psaka coming back, so great vibes all around
for Brisbane.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
I think, what did you think of the way he
announced it with the Steven Spielberg style video.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
I wouldn't go that far, but it started off obviously
with the look back to the reason he's been off
to it for nearly the injury at the Australian Open,
which was really unfortunate. So it kind of started off
on a somber note, but then when the black and
white went into the color and then it was like,
I'm back, I'm healthy, I'm announcing that I'm going to
return in Brisbane, it was yeah, it was great news. Yeah,
(03:22):
so it's a long time away from the sports, so
it'll be fantastic having back.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
I got the sense that he was maybe tempering expectation
a little bit. But at the same time, I don't
think we'll be seeing Raffer unless he's fully ready to
be back and thinking that he can do a lot
of damage.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
I think return.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
You're right, I think he has tempered expectations. I read
an interview where he said, I'm not sure if it
was translated from Spanish, but he kind of said, I'm
actually giving myself I'm not putting his bigger expectations on myself,
which I've played with for my entire career, and that
I'm kind of yet giving myself permission to go with
the flow, go easy. But he said something liked be
kinder to myself and it's a different language from Raffa.
(03:59):
So I think it is that tempering of expectations. He's
thirty seven, he's been out for a year. This is
even for someone who struggled with injuries. This is uncharted
territory for him. He'll be unseeded in draws for the
first time forever. He's been in the top ten for
what was it nine hundred weeks or.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Something, seventeen and a half years.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yes, so this is I think the rest of the
players are also going to be like, oh my goodness,
I could get Rapha and Ndala in the first round
as a seed, which is something that's never been a thing.
So yeah, this is quite a different scenario. And yeah,
expectations tempered for sure.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
I think a lot of the players are being asked
about that this week since the announcement was made. It's
going to make for a very interesting draw when an
unseen and Nadal gets thrown into the mid Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
And again it's that sort of thing of the comeback
stars and the established players and a whole new tennis
landscape in some ways because in the field you've also
got Ben Shelton and Hogarune and so you've sort of
got this wide spectrum of players.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
So we could just throwing out there, get a Novak
Djokovic versus Rafhunderdale first round match at the Australia.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
Theoretically, So yes, what a prospect.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Also, I've in Brisbane among nine Grand Slam champions in total.
You mentioned Mari, I think and Osaka Sabilenka will be
there the number two, Elena Rabaik and I will be
there the number four. And we've also got Ostapenko as
a ranker, Kennan and Stevens. It's a mouthwatering lineup.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Mat It's so good. It's just so many Grand Slam champions,
so much talent. I just think when I hear the
name Sabalenka and Rebike and it just transports me back
to the AO final. It was such a good match. Yeah,
and they've played a couple of really good matches since then.
That's becoming quite a nice rivalry. So Yeah, when I
saw that they were kind of the top of the
women's entry list, I thought, imagine if we got that
rematch again as a taster for the AO, potentially, Brisbane's
(05:48):
got a lot to look forward to.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Yeah, and Brisbane so often is a sign of what
is to come at the Australian Open, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, it's a yes, a harbinger.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
I love that word.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
I'm glad that they used that word.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Maybe I could call my ca I'm looking for a
name to get to that later. Naami Asaka, what can
we realistically expect from the former world number one, four
time Grand Slam chap Well, again.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
I don't think Naomi would be targeting a comeback without
thinking that she can do some some real damage. I
think as soon as Australia. To be honest, I know
that she's been working really hard going by her social
media on the practice court, and she's looking really fit
from what I've seen, So yeah, nothing would surprise me.
Speaker 5 (06:31):
Getting some serving tips I saw on social media serving tips.
I said that in Inverted Commas from our own Nick Curios.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, it's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
And imagine, like I mean, Osaka is not struggling on
serve to begin with, She's got one of the best
news in the game, so imagine that she can tweak
it a little bit more with some tits from Nick.
She's done that before with Nick. I remember there was
something she posted and she was kind of sitting on
the baseline this might have been last year or the
year before kind of watching him serve so clearly she
likes curiosities. Maybe that's a model for but HER's is excellent.
(07:01):
I agree with you if she looked amazing in those
practice videos on social very fit, striking the ball really
well and has a history of coming back with little
match play. She's the type of play that seems to
be able to hit the ground running with not many
matches under her belt and can attain a high level.
And she is only still, she's only twenty six.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
And it has to help coming back to a tournament
that's you know, or a venue that's been so successful for
her as well.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Yeah, two time Australian Open champion. Good vibes here, Yeah, Naomi,
Naomi could do big things, but again it's draw dependent.
She's going to be another one of these players who's unseated.
I can't wait for that Australian Open draw in January.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
Well, I should also mention from a Brisbane perspective for
Aussie's in that field, including the local lady Kim Beryl,
plus Alexi Proper and Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson. But yes,
turning our attention to the Australian Open. Ozzie wild cards
for buryl Gadecki, Preston, Duckworth, Polman's and Walton, and as
(08:01):
we flagged off the top, Caroline Wozniaki has been awarded
a wildcard and viv That makes for some very excited
people in her camp, but also fans who are looking
forward to welcoming her return to Melbourne for the first
time in four years.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Yeah, I mean, Caro has always had some really great
matches in Australia.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
She really had great.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Results from the start in Melbourne. I think she made
the fourth round on her debut as a teenager, so yeah,
it's always been a happy.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
Place for her. She's played some incredible matches here.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
We all remember twenty eleven I think it was against
Lena that great semi final, and then of course went
on to win her first Grand Slam title here. So
she will come back with only happy memories and lots
of fans.
Speaker 5 (08:47):
So, Matt, you had the privilege of an extended interview
with her during the week. Tell us what she was
like to interview and how you generally found her.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
She was great and seemed obviously really excited to be
returning to Australia, made a point of saying like, yeah,
she's got such happy memories there, really looking forward to
get it. It's a long time four years that she
hasn't played. There's where she drew the curtain on her
career initially with another great match, even though she didn't
win it. It was seven five in the third set against
(09:16):
osterbur which when you think about what Oms has gone
on to do, that was a spectacular third round match. Yeah,
so no, it was great to chat to her. It
was really interesting to kind of find out what she's
been doing because she hasn't played since the US Open,
so that's quite a lot of time of court. But
it's quite from the sounds of things, it's quite strategic
and she's been working hard. The US Open gave her,
(09:36):
i know, I guess a bit of an indicative of
where she sits currently, and she said she took away
lessons of what she needs to work on for the
next year. So it's very much this kind of you know,
the Australian opens, this kind of long range goal that's
coming closer. So it was really interesting to talk to
her about that. And yeah, she was really generous with
her time.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
She's been pretty smart about her comeback so far, I
would suggest. So she's played three tournaments, made the fourth
round at the US Open, and beat Patrick Kovid along
the way.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
So yeah, I think it's a you know, a lot
to look forward to.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
Well, let's hear it now, Matt's interview with Caroline w Wassneiyaki.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
So, Carrie, Yes, thanks so much for joining us. Really
good to chat to you. I was just wondering, Yeah,
what have you been up to since we last saw
you on court at the US Open?
Speaker 3 (10:20):
A little bit of everything. My daughter started her little
preschool early learning, so she's been doing that. I've been
practicing a lot. We were also went to the Bahamas
on a little family trip vacation and enjoyed Thanksgiving there.
We yeah, we've seen the family, We've we've done a
(10:41):
bit of everything, but just really trying to lay low,
getting the best shape possible, obviously for the Australian Open
coming up soon. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
How did you pull up after the US Open?
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Surprisingly smooth. I think my first tournament was in Montreal
and I played my first match and I thought I
played surprisingly well for my first match back. But definitely
I was playing back to back matches and the next
day I was feeling very sorets. It's a big difference
practicing and playing practice sets from you know, playing a
(11:14):
real match, and that was a bit of a shock
to the system. But then, you know, I got another
couple of weeks and before the YEARS Open, and I
felt great. I feel like I played some good tennis
there and competed well and beat some great players, and
I was a bit you know, obviously it's the point
I didn't beat Coco, but she played great, and obviously
(11:36):
she ended up winning the tournament. But you know, I
think overall, I could be very, very pleased with how
I came back. My body held up great, which obviously
is always a question mark when you haven't played for
so long. And then on top of that, obviously I
had two kids and and basically didn't play tennis for
three years, so didn't touch a racket. So it was
(11:59):
it was great to be back. My body feels good,
and I knew what I needed to work on after
the US Open, and that's why I made the decision
to just kind of hunker down and start really preparing
my body and try and get in the best shape
possible coming into next year.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
And you said, yes, it's excited to return to Australia.
We're very excited about that news too. First time in
four years you'll be back at the Australian Open. Kind
of what memories does that bring back? And how excited
are you when you think about it, It's been four
years since you've been at Melbourne Park. What will it
be like to return.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
It's really incredible that I get another chance of competing
in Australia. I really thought when I retired in twenty
twenty that that was going to be my last tournament,
my last match, and there was a reason why I
decided to do it in Australias because it's so special
to me. I feel like I have so much support there.
I obviously won my first Grand Slam there and it's
(12:52):
just the Happy Slam, So that was why I made
the decision. But you know, Lo and Behold. Three years later,
I realized I still have something to give to the
sport and my passion is still there and I feel
like I'm still young enough to give in one last
try and I'm really really excited to be back in Australia.
(13:13):
I mean to bring the family there, my two kiddos
and for them to experience this incredible country. I'm just
so so thrilled, and obviously for me to play at
one of the biggest events in the world in front
of all these amazing fans, it's going to be incredible.
It's definitely going to be emotional coming back and I'm
really really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
That's awesome. I think we have a lot of Australian
listeners to this podcast, so yeah, I mean, do you
have a little bit of a message for them? It's
only five really, just five weeks away before the Australian
Open starts. Is coming around so fast.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
It's I can't believe that it's only five weeks away.
It feels like after they was open, I had so
much time to prepare and all of a sudden it's
really sneaking up on me. And I'm just so so
excited to be back. Melbourne is one of my most
favorite cities in the world and I care where to
show it to my family and my kids, and then
(14:05):
obviously I hope to play extremely well. It's obviously a
tournament that I feel very comfortable at. I love the balls,
I love the court, and I love the fans, and
I hope that that I get a nice well come
back when I see everyone there, and I'm sure I will.
It's it really is a special place, and I'm just
(14:26):
so excited to get another chance of playing on the
big quotes.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
I just wanted to go a little bit back to
the US Open you were talking about. You mentioned that
obviously you lost to Cocoa Gough, who went on to
win the tournament, and that was actually really interesting because
we got to take so soon into your comeback. We
got a bit of a and you would have gotten
a taste of playing literally one of the best players
in the world that won a Grand Slam and you
were one set away from winning with a little bit
(14:51):
It's obviously disappointing to lose, but with a bit of
distance and time. What did you take away from that
and what did you make of playing Coco?
Speaker 3 (14:59):
It was really great think for me going into this
first street tournaments and my comeback, I didn't really know
what to expect. I wanted to kind of see where's
my game at, where's my body at? And you know,
I hadn't played for three and a half years. I
hadn't played a competitive match at three and a half
years and your body fully changes after pregnancy, and I
had two of them, so, you know, and back to back,
(15:21):
and I just didn't know how everything was going to react,
how I was going to feel once I was back
out there and really competing, and to come back and
really play great tennis, beating obviously petrarch Fita and playing
really well, and you know, I felt like I was
(15:41):
right where I wanted to be. I think getting some
practice matches in before the tournament really helped me just
get the proper feel for the court and the balls
and everything else. And then obviously playing Coca who had
been playing extremely well, and felt like I was close
to win that match, but you know, I still just
missed a couple of things I felt in my game
(16:03):
and physically where I was like, I know where I
need to go, I know where I am, I know
where I need and want to be to be able
to beat the best players in the world and on
a consistent basis. And that's I think very encouraging that
I wasn't very far away, and I'm very confident and
comfortable coming into this new season having played those three
(16:24):
tournaments prior and just knowing that my game is great,
and now physically I just needed to step it up
a little bit more. For sure.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
You've mentioned obviously having two kids. That's what's made your
comeback so interesting and a little bit unusual. There's lots
of comebacks on the women's Tour, but almost all of
them are after they've had one child.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
You've had two.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
So what kind of challenges or extra challenges might that
have presented that makes you all come back a little different.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
I don't think I appreciated how having one child was
a lot less crazy in our household. My daughter Olivia,
she is amazing, but she is a fireball energy, and
she does not know how to walk. She only runs
everywhere and she tells everyone where to go and what
(17:13):
to do. And I mean, she is amazing, but she's
she's a lot. And James, our little one. He you know,
is the calm, chill, always happy little baby boy, and
he's easy. But the two of them together, I mean,
that is a full time job. If I'm not on
corter in the gym or getting treatment, you know that
(17:34):
you can find me running around after the kids in
one direction or the other. And I think sometimes I
just look at my husband and I go. I don't
think we appreciate how having one was a lot less
hectic over here, but I love it. Our family is awesome,
and I think, you know, obviously childbirth and the women's
body obviously changes, and it's it's a lot getting that
(17:58):
back into shape, not only how you feel, but also
getting everything kind of back to where it used to be.
And and you know, it's easier to get hurt, but
then after two children, I mean, that's a whole nother level.
And for me, you know, obviously, I my fitness and
my body when I'm coming back to play at the
(18:18):
highest level has to be at one hundred percent, and
it's definitely been a challenge, you know, and having to
learn to take baby steps and coming back and not
rushing everything was was for me mentally, you know, a
little tough because I've always been the person saying go, go, go,
and you know, given a go a thousand miles an
(18:39):
hour all the time. But at the same time, I
think I really also appreciate my body and what has
been able to do and how strong it is. And
I think mentally I'm a lot stronger on the court.
I think physically I've I've chosen to really build up
some of the strength that a few places that were
missing on my body, and I think, you know, really
(19:00):
getting it into I think probably the best shape of
my life. I think for me is one of the
most impressive things for me because that's something that I
didn't know kind of where it was going to be
and what was possible. And for me to feel as
physically great as I do and strong as I do,
I feel very proud of that. Yeah, that's incredible.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
I'm going to ask you another question about the fitness
because following you on social media when you were obviously
I think during COVID, when you were having kids and
you were retired, you seem to keep fit, you seem
to stay active. So I was interested kind of like
having kids and maintaining that. What kinds of things were
you doing for your health and fitness in that period,
And then how did it shift when you made the
decision to come back to professional tennis, because I'm assuming
(19:45):
you would have had to move into a different kind
of training.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Absolutely, for me, I love being in the gym, I
love staying fit, I love working out, and even throughout
my pregnancies, I was working out, so that was always
a priority. I just I feel a lot better mentally
what I when I do get a sweat in. And
you know, obviously I had the babies back to back,
so I was basically pregnant for two years straight. So
it was a lot of walking and making sure I
(20:09):
got a lot of steps in and I like to
do a lot of yoga and pilates. During that time.
I also did some weight training, but you know, something
that was a lot easier on my joints as well.
Whereas after having the babies and doing some rehab on everything,
I think getting back into the cardio and knowing that I,
you know, want to compete at the highest level in tennis,
(20:31):
I needed to really step up my cardio game. And
that was something because I had the strength throughout my
pregnancies that actually was somewhat easier than I thought. It
was definitely very hard in the beginning, but I quickly
my body quickly realized, Okay, we're back in the groove.
I can do this. And it was also interesting for
me because not only with the two kids, but with
(20:54):
my roomaturd arthritis. You know, that's something that badly on
a regular basis and a regular day to day base
as well. But again, I just really feel like I've
matured a lot mentally and just learning kind of what
works for me and what doesn't and how much I
can push myself and when it's time to say stop.
(21:14):
And I think I've gotten a lot more confident and
comfortable saying I can't do anymore right now. You know,
we need to stop. We need to take it easy.
I can do recovery, I can do other things, but
I can't push harder right now. And that's okay. And
that's also why I've given myself more time to really
get to the shape that I wanted to get to.
And yeah, it's different. We're on the phone right now
(21:38):
and talking here and it's eight pm and we're going
to be done, I don't know, in fifteen minutes, whatever
it may be. And I'm going to the gym after
because I put my kids to bed and that was
the time I had today. I had practice this morning tennis,
and then I had physio kind of during the kids
nap time, and I didn't have time to go to
(22:00):
the gym. So I'm going in a little bit. So
those are things that I also never appreciated before, how
much time I had on my hands to really train
and work out whenever I wanted, and now it's a
lot of days it's on my kids schedules as well.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Yeah, it just forces you to be flexible, and it's like, hey,
if it's going to be nine o'clock workout, it's better
than not at all.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Right, Exactly. I used to look at the people, you know,
when I was in my car driving it was dark
outside and people are running, and I would look at
now my husband and say, what are people doing at
nine and nine pm, ten pm? Running and working out?
And now I totally get it. Now I understand now
one of those people.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
You got it. Yeah, you guys just got to do
it on the kids schedule. I've got one or two
more questions, Caro. I wanted to know. I read your
Vogue piece obviously that was the comeback announcement, and he said,
one day late last year, I found myself setting up
a couple of sessions on the court and I just wondered,
what caused that little spark to come back? And you found, oh,
I want to set up a heat like, yeah, where
(23:02):
did that come from?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Honestly, it was more from boredom of doing the same
things in the gym and my yoga and pilates, and
I was just like, let me find my rackets, and
I found them in our storage room and I dusted
a couple of them off, and my friend who I've
been hitting with on a regular basis throughout my career,
(23:25):
I texted him and I said, hey, can we set
up once a week hit just that I can get
a sweat going and a little bit of cardio and
and you know, I know I can hit the ball
well and it will get me my heart rate up
and quickly. And that's kind of how it started. It
was really innocent, and I didn't really have any other
(23:45):
motives other than just trying to get back into shape
after James was born. And I think tennis has always
been such a huge part of my life, and I
was ready. I needed a break after playing for so
many years. And I didn't miss hitting balls at all,
and probably in three years I hit three or four times.
That's it. And all of a sudden, I just go, wow,
(24:07):
I miss hitting a clean ball. I miss hitting it
in the middle of the rackets. Let's just go out there,
get a sweat going, get the timing, and just have
fun with it. And it was a completely different mindset.
And I think that's also why I felt like I
hit the ball better than ever, because there was no pressure,
no reason to stress over anything. And I think that's
(24:27):
why it felt so comfortable and so good being out
there again.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
And I hope that's continuing into the comeback rock that
more freedom and less stress. Do you feel as stressed?
Speaker 3 (24:36):
Absolutely. I think seeing tennis from the outside and doing
some commentating and all of that, I got a completely
different perspective on tennis. Also having my kids and they
don't care. They just thrilled that I'm a home from work.
I tell Olivia I have to go to work, and
she goes, okay, but when you come back, can you
play with me? And she doesn't care if I want
(24:56):
to lost the match. She just wants to hang out
and she's thrilled to see me. So it just puts
things in perspective. I am so fortunate to be able
to play the game that I love and that I'm
pretty good at. And I think for me having that
perspective of it and enjoying playing in front of a
big crowd and being able to play the big tournaments,
(25:19):
it just gives me the freedom to know. Okay, you
know what, I don't know how long I have left
to play, but when I'm out there, I'm going to
give it my all. What I've worked on, I know
what I'm capable of, and I'm going to give it
one hundred percent. And if someone is going to beat me,
then congratulations, you were better than me on that day.
And I'm going to go home and work harder. But
(25:42):
I think having that great balance in my life has
really I think attribute to the fact that I feel
like I'm playing some amazing tennis and a lot more free.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
That's really nice to hear.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Thanks so much for your time, Caroline. This has been
a really great chat. Congratulations on the Australian Open wildcard.
It'll be really good to see you here in January.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Thank you so much. I can't wait. I'm really really
excited about it.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
Fantastic interview, Matt, congratulations on that. Oh thanks, really good stuff.
And thank you to Caroline for coming on the show.
We will be catching up with more tennis stars between
now and the start of next season as the AO
Show comes to an end for season five. It's hard
to believe this is episode sixty two. We've got a
few more before the end of the season then we
go for season six.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Congrats John, that's that's quite a record that you're a messing.
Speaker 5 (26:33):
Thank you headam, Thank you very much. Season six will
begin on twenty eighth of December, the day before the
United Cup starts all Bey and Sydney, but the action
will kick off in Perth and Group C is the
one we're putting a spotlight on today. Matt Australia USA
and Great Britain Taylor Fritz we spoke to during the week.
He's going to be leading Team USA alongside Jess Pigula,
(26:56):
and here's what he had to say about their title defense.
Speaker 6 (27:00):
Yeah, it was. It was a really fun vik. It
was such a good vie to I guess start last
year with a you know, winning the event, winning something
for your home country. I think it's you know, it's
a lot of fun one because everyone's excited to kind
of be back after the offseason and be back playing.
And it's also always fun to be playing a team
event with other people on your team because we're so
(27:22):
used to just playing by ourselves all the time. We
definitely are going back wanting to wanting to defund the
title and kind of just have to take it one
at a time, and yeah, get ourselves I think, you know,
the main goals to get ourselves out of the group
first and then get ourselves to Sydney and then you know,
then we'll go from there.
Speaker 5 (27:37):
So mate, no mistake, Team USA is going for back
to back.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
They had such a good time at the United Cup,
the initial United Cup. That was a real thing that
came out of this squad, the camaraderie between all of them.
And we managed to get an interview with Jess Pagoula
a couple of weeks ago, and she talked about like
they'd stayed in touch since the United Cup, following each
other's results. I think there was like a WhatsApp group
or take message group or something, and she said that
(28:02):
Taylor Fritz asked her to play the United Cup again
and she basically said, yeah, yeah, I'll come back and
defend our title. So yes, it's a different format, not
all not, it's not the same squad returning, but it's
headlined by the same two players, Fritz and Pagula to
top ten players, which makes the US team one of
the strongest ones in the competition. So returning will give them,
(28:23):
you know, automatically good vibes and what a fun group group.
See it's like the Grand Slam Nations group Britain, Australia US.
I think that's a really fun kind of subplot, Shane.
Speaker 5 (28:35):
They all can't go through to the Fight of Frans.
Speaker 2 (28:38):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, but yeah, who knows what will happen there.
But yeah, really excited to see how they go because
they were a really potent combination in twenty three.
Speaker 6 (28:46):
It's going to make get more kind of up grabs
for any tea because you know, one person can just
win they're their singles and then have a really good
performance in the mixed doubles and basically just went off
of that. I think last year gave us a very
big advantage with our team being so strong at the
two spots. You know, we never even had to come
down to a mixed doubles deciding match, and I think
(29:08):
it's going to be different this year. The mixed doubles
is going to play a much bigger part in it
because you know, with three matches instead of five, I
think the results can kind of just go anywhere.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
I feel like so Viv now only having to win
two matches to get through changes the complex of the
United Cup this year.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Yeah, it puts a really strong emphasis.
Speaker 4 (29:30):
On mixed doubles, doesn't it. So I think it's going.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
To be really exciting to see the players come out
and just fight so hard in the mixed doubles. And yeah,
talking of USA, of course, you've got Jess Pagoula, who
we know is such a great doubles player as well
as single. She's one of the few players that sort
of is up the top of the rankings in both disciplines.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
So makes it very very interesting.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
And we don't get that many opportunities to see high
quality mixed doubles. I mean, it's the four Grand Slams,
United Cup and the Olympics four years, like, it's really Yeah,
so this is when it kind of is centered more
and it becomes potentially more decisive and lots of ties.
I think that's cool. And then there's this added plot
line of there being the Olympics and a couple of
(30:13):
the teams are thinking of the United Cup as you know,
they're thinking forward to Paris twenty twenty four, and like
if they can get practice and gel a combination at
the United Cup and do well that could potentially resonate and.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
There's some fascinating dynamics in that you see. In terms
of doubles, you know, you've got Storm Hunter, who's now
the number one world's number one player for Australia, and yeah,
Alex Dimonor will potentially face his girlfriend Katie Bolter.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
Yeah, which is crazy.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
And then she could potentially be playing with Nori, who
we remember is one of Demono's best friends on tour
as well. So there's a fun dynamic between Australia and
Great Britain, but then Australia too. We don't exactly know
who the combination will be. We have some really deep sorry,
we have some really great players on the men's double side,
like Matt Ebden as well. Some selection conundrums potentially too.
(31:02):
It's exciting, well, no selection conundrums for Team USA. According
to Taylor Fritz.
Speaker 6 (31:07):
I'm definitely not gonna let anybody else play. It's going
to be I definitely plan on it being me and
just when it comes down to it, play mix.
Speaker 5 (31:14):
So Team USA begins its campaign on the thirty first
of December during the day against Great Britain and then
they have Australia on New Year's Day. The Aussies to
get underway on Friday, December twenty nine, the night session
against Great Britain. Get your tickets now United Cup dot Com. Well,
just before we wrap up, we should touch on the
next Gen atp finals last week, everyone was sort of
(31:38):
had an asterisk next to Arthur Fees to take that
one out, but young man from Serbia by the name
of Hamad Medjovich took him down in five sets, well
five fast, four sets. Matt.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Yes, there's one of many innovations at the next Gen
finals that's become a kind of signature of that event.
So how many next Gen finals that we had now
about or six of them? So Hamad joins a very
like an illustrious list.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
We've had winners like Janick Sinner, Stefano Sitzapass. I think
Alex Demonor made it a final or two there. So
you know, it is another one of those ones that
potentially predicts what a player can go on to do.
I mean, all of those players have either gotten into
the top ten or close to it. And he played
a big game, an exciting game the way he won
the final with that booming ace down the tee. But yeah,
(32:31):
he's definitely got a bright future and also some really
interesting Serbian tennis connections. Coach by Viktor Trotsky and I
think mentored by Novak Djokovic, so it's pretty amazing. Yeah, yeah,
so he's definitely one to watch.
Speaker 1 (32:46):
And Novak has also he's supported him, you know, for
quite a long time throughout his career as well, sort
of since he's younger days, so he's got some pretty
powerful support.
Speaker 5 (32:56):
There a glimpse into the future of men's tennis. Well,
let's have a glimpse into the next two weeks of
these two panelists here. What's happening for Christmas?
Speaker 1 (33:05):
Yeah, I'll be heading up to visit some family in
Country Victoria. It's always a kind of hectic time for us,
but a very enjoyable time. And then yeah, I'll be
heading up to Brisbane.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Sure that mine's pretty relaxed. I'm lucky my family's all
in Melbourne, so it's quite local for me and quite calm.
And then I'm staying on in Melbourne, so we'll be
watching all the United Cup and Brisbane international action from here.
And but yes, keeping an eye on what's coming up
with the Australian Open.
Speaker 3 (33:32):
What about you, John?
Speaker 5 (33:33):
Thank you? So hoping someone would ask, now we pick
up our new kitten socks next week.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Your kitten socks or your kitten is name socks a harbinger.
Speaker 5 (33:42):
I have to have to check that now. I thought
we're getting a kitten. No, we're getting we are getting
a kitten called socks.
Speaker 4 (33:47):
Very exciting time in my life.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
Yeah so, but then I'm heading off to Sydney a
few days later, so hopefully exactly not ideal timing from
that perspective. But I hope she likes tennis because I'm
going to leave the channel of nine.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
On Cats Love Tennis.
Speaker 4 (34:02):
Cat loves tennis.
Speaker 2 (34:03):
Yeah, so just they get very fixated on it moving
on the screen and I think the contrast in.
Speaker 4 (34:07):
The lines makes for some great social content.
Speaker 3 (34:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (34:10):
Good, well, I'll keep that in mind and keep a
camera rolling in the background just thin case. That's all
for this week's episode of The AO Show. Join us
again next week for the latest tennis news, views and interviews.
As we announced the newc and medallist. Happy birthday this
week to David Gofarn and AO twenty twenty two finalist
Daniel Collins. If you'd like to get in touch, you
(34:30):
can contact us viaur ozopen dot com, slash listen, or
email The AO Show at tennis dot com dot au
and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
While you're there, why not consider leaving a rating or
review so more fans can discover The AO Show
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