December 25, 2024 • 57 mins
We’re back with a new season and a new name! Grand Slam champions Sam Stosur and Todd Woodbridge join Jon Hoevenaars and Brie Stewart to preview the season and reveal their break-out player predictions (Mirra Andreeva, Holger Rune, Flavio Cobolli and Joao Fonseca), their dream Australian Open final match-ups (Aryna Sabalenka v Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner v Carlos Alcaraz, Gauff v Iga Swiatek, and Nick Kyrgios v Carlos Alcaraz), and what they'd like to see more of in 2025. Vic Rudnikov checks in with USA No.1 Gauff about teaming up with Olympic mixed doubles partner Taylor Fritz for the United Cup, while tournament director Stephen Farrow joins us from Perth on the eve of the group stage. Plus, Brie reveals her “contentious” top 5 Christmas songs, with something for (nearly) everyone…
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello, and welcome to the Tennis for episode one of
a brand new season of the podcast and Merry Christmas.
Wherever you're listening or indeed watching.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
For the very first time, we are coming to you
on YouTube as well as all your regular podcast platforms.
You can watch this entire episode on the Australian Open
YouTube channel.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Today.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
On the Tennis, we'll be having a look at twenty
twenty five through the Crystal Ball to see what might
be in store for next year and what we'd like
to see. Vic Rudnikov checks in with Team USA number
one Coco Goth and tournament director Steven Farrow joins us
on the eve of the United Cup. That's all ahead
on the Tennis with me, John Huvenas and an angelic
assembly of tennis identities.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Angelic yep that for.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
A while, Todd Woodbridge, Sam Stosa, Merry Christmas to Christmas.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
And our team and everybody watching on YouTube.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
What's the season? What's the Christmas season had in store
for you guys? A highlight so far.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
I had a weekend off just before this record was
so nice, just a normal weekend. I'm looking forward to
Christmas Day. I do all the cooking. Yeah. Yeah, I've
bought the ham and everything to glaze it. I've got
a turkey stuff with macadam and april cot to go,
and then I'm doing beef Wellington as well, so I've
(01:18):
got them.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
But not a huge party. I love that it's Christmas.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Any free seats at your table?
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Are you on the tools? Sound Christmas?
Speaker 3 (01:32):
I was, but now we're not hosting anymore, so I'm
kind of and we've got to bring some stuff. But yeah,
we don't have everyone coming to a house and I
don't have to do that's the meat and all of
that stuff, so be a little more chilled.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Yeah. And you've got a big one though.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Don't you a big one?
Speaker 5 (01:47):
And I'm having a friend over cooking together.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Mister bean stuff.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Yeah, We're going to do it together. Get some food
on Christmas Eve.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
We do have a ham already that was gifted to
us to a friend that's already.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Gone away, and her and I just going to cool.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Yeah and have a lunch. You better get your late
recipes done.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
And you know I've already She's not very good at
the organization that way, but I've already written down what
we're going to do.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Good Yeah, I've already had my hooven As family Christmas,
but I've got the in laws family Christmas coming up
South African style, so more of a Christmas Eve tradition
for there.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
And so I mean not this Christmas, but the next
Christmas is going to be very different, right Sam, baby
on the way for me? Yeah right? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (02:32):
When did you in March?
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Straight after the Australian Summer of tennis? Good time better
than during this.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Sometimes it's best to count the days in the lead
up to enough said plenty to get through. Today will
be casting a spotlight over the upcoming season and discussing
some things that we think we might see or that
we'd like to see. And so we did a bit
last week on the show retrospectively looking at twenty twenty
four with Pratty and Pete. But today we're going to
(02:59):
ask the questions who will be the breakout player of
twenty twenty five, What would be your dream Australian Open final,
What do you want to see more of next year?
And also what are you personally hoping to do or achieve?
So we're going to start at the top with Sam Stosa,
who will be the breakout player?
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Sam of twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Well, I mean, I know we've all heard of mir
Andreva already, but she hasn't created the top ten yet.
She's gone relatively deep in some slams, but I think
twenty twenty five could be the year that we see
her take that next step to the next level of
a Grand Slam, hit the top ten, and then really
kind of solidify herself as one of the top players
on the WHIMS Tour. So it's always hard to back
(03:39):
it up, but I think she's kind of done that
this year and now she really feels probably more like
she belongs there and everything. So I think we potentially
see Mirror hit the top ten.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
So what she got in her game and what's she missing?
What can she add? Ooh? I would say physicality, like strength. Mean,
she's a young teenage, so she's going to get physically stronger,
and then that's going to give more weight of shot
because the skill set is really there, I think.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
And also I think as she gets that, you can
kind of see that she's still a teenager as well,
because she's getting deep in some of these events and
then you see it gets maybe a little bit mentally
tired as well, so it's not just the physical side,
but I think that'll get stronger and then her mental
game will also get stronger. But with that, yeah, the
maturity will come into play.
Speaker 6 (04:27):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Yeah she was your wasn't she your rising stuff? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (04:30):
Last week on the show? Yeah, I love Miro and Drever.
Yeah she's really cool.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
All right, Todd? What about you? Who would be your
breakout player at twenty?
Speaker 7 (04:37):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
I procrastinated for a long time about trying to always
because I'm looking going you know, they've made it, they haven't, will?
They not sure having they're going well, so you go
through them. I was sort of really looking at the
man's going through the top hundred, and then I kind
of landed on Holgaruna because you know, two years ago
he was there and really knocking on the door, and
(04:59):
then and this last twelve months was just okay. And
I think that he has had that time to sit back,
reflect improve on things. So so often happens when you
burst onto the scene and you get great results, everyone
works you out, and then you've got to go away
and pick your game and improve it again. And I
think that that's been the period he's been going through
(05:20):
and so coming into twenty twenty five. I think that
he should be ready to be back in some semis
of slams and then contending, because as we know, you
only need one of those guys to lose early, whether
it be an Alcaraz or a sinner or something happens
and bang, there's an opportunity at the moment for people.
So I think watch out for him, and look, I
(05:41):
like him in a sense that he's an antagonist a
little in our game, and he brings that contrast, and
it's not normally me that likes an antagonist. I just
feel I'm a bit more of the opposite of that.
But I really do think that he's good for the
game and I'd love to see him in that space again.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Because it's it's probably the one area it's the the
maturity of mind for holder, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Yeah, Well, it's a little bit like a Noreva in
a way, is that you can see him after a
period of time really come off his levels. And that's
got to do with being understanding the intensity, what's required,
the focus, and he seems to burn a lot of
energy away from the court as much as on it,
and he's got to learn to be able to somehow
(06:27):
chill away and then just bring full energy when he
gets to the court, and that's just experience.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely, I think again you learn that along
the way.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
You can't.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Just very few players, I think have that innately, and
you kind of do have to go through the hard yards.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
Maybe some hard losses.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Oh geez, I could have gone further there, but I
let myself down in this area. So it is certainly
something that you learn as you go on. I learned
that lesson. I have no doubt that's how I help
myself win the US Open because I learned a lesson
from the year before playing at the US Open. So yeah,
I think if you're open to seeing everything and what
(07:04):
you can actually work on and build on, it's yeah,
it's there to be kind of unpicked and then yeah,
made a real focus.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
All right, All eyes on holda aruna for twenty twenty
five bre your breakout player prediction.
Speaker 5 (07:17):
I've just got a bit random, haven't I. I've gone
with an Italian, so Flavio Caboli. He got to the
QUALIFIAWS in Beijing. He's twenty two. He likes Lasagna, some
of the usual for an Italian, but yeah, I just
think he's doing some interesting things, young upcoming. I don't know,
(07:39):
there's just something about him.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
I'm at labor Cup top. Yeah, I'm with you. That
was some a couple of those Italian guys I was
sort of in my list. Yeah, no, I like your choice.
I think that what's been fascinating about the Italian players
in this last four or five years. So I'll get
in trouble for saying this, but back in the day,
(08:02):
most players played in their cultural in a cultural way
of their their countries, and the Italians were, oh, you know,
the hands are going whatever not. Today can't be bothered.
And that's changed. The Sinner's brought a very different mentality
to Italian tennis. Yeah, it's it's structured, it's disciplined. They're there,
(08:25):
they're focus, they're concentrated. And it wasn't like that, I
can promise you. It was throw coins on the court,
what do you mean? And stuff like that. And so
I really think that culturally their tennis has changed, and
that's why they've got this depth. They're nothing like there
used to be, and it's and it's good for tennis.
(08:46):
It's to watch, it's so good to watch. So I'm
with you.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
Oh good, because I was like, this is random, but
that's what I'm feeling.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
We had Matteo Anuldi on last week's show and he
was because we think we asked the question, what is
what is behind? How do you explain the rise of
Italian tennis? He said Sinner was a huge factor, of course,
but that's only been in the last four or five years.
But just because they're often from small towns not necessarily
have a lot of tennis focus. They're exposed to a
(09:14):
lot more sports, but he said he mentioned that having
that small town mentality with a quality coach was very
helpful for them to be able to become effectively become
a big fish in a small pond and then gain
the confidence to go on. And when you've got a
role model like Youanick Sinner, then the sky's the limit.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
Yeah, he basically said, it gives you belief you can
do it too. And he said that the friendship amongst
all those young Italians coming up is helping as well,
because they're kind of like a little family.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Now, Yeah, it's like a stray Atennas at the moment,
how many are in the top hundred on the men's side.
One gets through. If you can get there, I can. Yeah,
I've been beatn you for years and then that's sort
of what happens. Who is that for you? Growing up
as a as a young professional player. Was there someone
that's so okay, this is possible?
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I mean I remember hitting with Alisha when I was
fifteen at the French Open. I was there for juniors
and I don't know why, but somehow I hit with
her on the indoor court there and I was just.
Speaker 4 (10:11):
Like, oh my god, I'm hitting with Alisha Mollett.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
This is amazing and kind of thought, oh, that's where
I want to be, so yeah, she was Probably that
moment really sticks out for me to be like, I
want to do what you're doing.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
And it's come true again in the last twelve months
as well with your rocke.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
You keep kicking her.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I'm not intentional.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
My breakout player for twenty twenty five is a young
Brazilian man who's just absolutely wiped the floor at the
ATP Next Gen Finals, winning taking all before him and
winning it Fonseka. It was an incredible performance. He is
a blistering player with plenty of spice in his game.
He beat the likes of Artafez, jachub Men, sik van
(10:55):
Aska and Tin in the final to win it, and
I just see big things. All the talk from the
from the young guys coming through is that he's he's
sort of that's a little bit like We're Sinner was
four or five years ago.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Yeah, it was the same type of thing that it
was not a matter of if, it was just a
matter of when. Great for Brazilian tennis though. You haven't
seen a lot of men in the last two decades
right now, not since the Gustar War curtain. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
So yeah, he's someone who I think will be the
breakout player of twenty twenty five. Of course already in
the I think in the top fifty, but I think
he's going to go another level.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
I watched some of whose I was watching a women's
match and he was on the court next door at
the us OPA. Now I thought, who's this guy? And
that whole crowd was erupting. He had all the Brazilians there.
The atmosphere was off the chart. So yeah, he's a
He is a really exciting play and I think he
brings everyone energy with him in the energy.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
So box office yeap okay, our second question then, Sam,
what would be your dream Australian Open singles final in
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Look, maybe not, it wouldn't be a surprise final potentially
in Saberlanca and golf, but I'd really like seeing their
rivalry happen. At the moment, it's currently five to four.
They've had some really close matches, obviously huge matches US
Open final and here in the Aussie Open, in the
Semis last year, and it's kind of you could go
either way on any given day, and I think seeing
(12:21):
two of the best players in the world go at
it time and time again and actually bringing their best
tennis is exciting. So I think that's probably the rivalry at.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
The moment on the women's side.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
So I think we'd be in for a treat if
we got to see that in Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Are they both players who can control the game that
they want to play or is it more on sable
Anca's racket on any given day.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
I think a lots on Sabalanca for me, on her focus, nerves,
the ability to finish matches, which is obviously improved. I
think a lot of it starts with her absolutely.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Okay, So Todd, then what is your dream Australian and final.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Well, mine's easy because they haven't played in a Grand
Slam final yet, and that's Alcoraz and Sinner and Iris.
I've called a couple of their matches a quarter of
US Open. I think it was Sammy's rolling garross ridiculous
tennis tennis that I didn't think we would see this
early after the departure of Roger and Rafa. I didn't
(13:22):
think the quality would be there in a young player
to be able to play the levels that they have,
and to see that to start the year off would
be phenomenal because you know, really they've dominated the Grand
Slams the last year, but they need to play each
other in a fine for us to really get a
feel of like who handles it the best in that moment.
(13:46):
So because the contrast that they have when they play
against each other is fantastic. There's that little bit more
nuanced from Alcaraz with the slice backhand, and he definitely
is a much better finisher and volier at net than
what Sinner is. But then Sinner's got this great ability
to step up and on second serve returns and just
lean in and power and I just yeah, you salivate
(14:09):
just thinking about it. You like that matchup?
Speaker 4 (14:11):
I do, do you know?
Speaker 5 (14:12):
I actually had both of Sam and Todd's matchups and
then went for something else. But to come up with them, well,
I've gone with Igar and Coco, yeah, because I love Sableanca.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
But I was like, maybe it's time to.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
Have a new champion here, yeah, and that could make
things a little bit more interesting.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
And we've not really seen Iger do too much.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Here in Australia at the Australian Open, so I thought
that could be really fun and interesting. And I think
Eager and Cocoa when they play is also interesting.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
So that's why I went.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
With who gets the points for you out of ten matchups?
And Giger and Coco in a final.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
Here, I'd probably give Goff more of a.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Leaning interesting, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
Yeah, And that's what history would say right like it does.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
But then there's a new coaching team and hopefully they're
in the off season. They've been running over to the
backhand corner and hitting some sliced backhands a defensive shot
to play, yeah, if they have. Seriously, that's the gap
one shot, one shot required for her to go to
another level here. And that's to be get a defensive
ball to get it back into play and get back
neutral into the court. If she can have been working
(15:23):
on that, I promise you you'll see a different look
from Eager. It will allow her to use her fourhand
better and set things up and she's never had She
doesn't have that shot, doesn't use it at all.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
How is it possible for a player who has been
number one in the world, five time major champion to
not have a basic shot like that? Is it a
basic shot?
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Yeah, it is shitty, But I guess maybe she's also
been so good at being able to get out there
with the two hands, and she is so physical and
being able to I guess dominate points early.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
Yeah, she hasn't really needed it.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
She trained to go out there to the back and
corner on the left foot, open stance and be able
to muscle a ball with two hands back. That was
her defensive backhand. But that's good. But what it doesn't do.
It doesn't allow you to take pace off, float the
ball a little deeper so that you get an extra
yard or meter to get back to the center of
the court. It also doesn't allow you to hit a
(16:22):
shorter ball to bring your opponent forward slightly. So really
it's just adding to a repertoire. And if you think
about how good she's been and then you go, well,
if she can learn that and add that, oh here
we go. And that's totally what I think this new
coaching team. If I was in that team, that would
be my focus because then she can use her forehand
(16:45):
way better on this court. At the Australian Open. Nice
the remaining puzzle piece potentially for Sante.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Let's see if we see it at AO twenty five.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Well, if you need me, I'll be here an eleven o'clock.
If the TV career doesn't work out, I've got mit
and I come into the studio. That is true.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
I talked to the producers later on My dream Ossie
Open final matchup would be Nick Kurios and Carlos al Karaz.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Oh yeah, I haven't even played each other yet.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Yeah, that would be good.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
And I know it's some might say, well it's wishful
thinking because you know, curious a lot of water going.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
To the look to get to the final, but you
might get him in an early round.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Yeah, you're true, But I mean, like if he if
he does win six matches and gets to the final, right,
which proves his fitness and proves he's got the game.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
How would it play out? Curios alcraz I actually have
no idea. That's a big if. It's a massive if.
But I'm just wondering.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
I mean, because we saw Curios got to the Wimbledon
final twenty twenty two and was really found out by
a different level of Novak Djokovic, I wonder if a
similar thing would happen here.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
I mean, this is his domain though, this is his backyard.
That's a crystal baller. I think you've got to put
that one in for twenty six. Oh, okay six twenty seven,
not this year. I'll add it to the rundown. Yeah, anyway,
I can always dream.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Yeah, Sam, what do you want to see more of
in twenty twenty five tennis wise?
Speaker 6 (18:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (18:15):
I wasn't too sure what my answer was going to
be on this, but I guess spending time on court
in the coaching capacity now, I'd love to see better
second serve placements from players.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
I think.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
I just think as professionals they can kind of add
that in a little bit more. I think there's too
many body serves going in when it's just kind of
a bit like I'm getting in the box. So yeah,
just kind of test that. I don't know, it's hard
to say. Tennis is moving so quick.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
So what if we see more variety of placement. What
does that do to the product of the tennis that
we're watching? What will we see more of?
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Well, I think you just, as the server, you set
yourself up for being in a better position after your
second serve than not. And at least on the women's side,
the girls return so well and if it's just you know,
they kind of know where it's going middle box, they
can step in and crack that thing and get on
top of the point so quickly and so easily, and
(19:14):
that's you know, incredible for the returner. But I'd like
to say, Okay, well, let's see if the server can
really kind of hold that a little bit more. And
I think the last year or so, eager Elena and
Arena have definitely kind of pushed the boundaries on that
second serve already you can see that they've improved their
second serves in the last twelve to eighteen months, and
(19:34):
so I'd like to see the rest of the field
sort of go down that way.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
And better rallies would ensue. I imagine, Well, yeah, I
guess it would construction.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Yeah, like you can, that's what I was looking for.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Yeah, so Bake Sam would hit the kickser if you
could land a short to the backhand, get them reaching
out here so that they're not getting that big strike
and then start to open up the court with a forehand.
So that's that's what they it's all about. It's constructing
a point from the serve and not putting it in
to see what happens. It should the returner shouldn't be
(20:08):
constructing the point. It should be the server's role. And
I think it flips at times in women's tennis, doesn't Yeah, absolutely,
okay Todd. What do you want to see more of
next year? I want to see more Australians slaying it
in Grand slams. When you look at the results that
we had this year, Alex in singles, reaching quarters all
over the place, time to get to semis in a
(20:30):
final if things go well for him. Our double success
was extraordinary. Olympic medals to go with it, I mean,
and then the number of men in the top hundred,
it's just been a great year, so that's got to continue.
You want to see that continue. And then the other
part is on the women's side. For Australian tennis. It
(20:51):
was a little sparse there for eighteen months or so
once we had injuries. But all of a sudden, Olivia's
in the top hundred. You've got Emerson Jones's number one
junior in the world. You've got Taylor Preston that's starting
to knock on the door and be in there as well.
So it's exciting times for Sam and a bit more
work to do because they're going to take time to
get to the other part. But on the men's side
of things, it's Grand Slam titles, phenomenal. Keep it up, boys.
Speaker 1 (21:15):
Question for each of you, who's closer Alex Demonora, Alexi
Poprin to winning a Slam or to get let's say,
getting to.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
A final of a Slam. What about Jordan you can
throw Jordan's Yeah, well, Jordan's going to do the I
think Jordan and Alexi go to do the knocking on
the door to the quarters. That's a hard thing because
you start to believe in get to the quarters regularly,
and that's what Alex has done. You went through that, right,
I didn't, but you watch them do it and then
you start to believe, and then it's easier to get
(21:42):
there because a seating is allowing you not to come
up against somebody massive in those first few rounds, and
then you get through. So I think I think it's
Alex at the moment. And now we'll see, you know,
maybe that earlier question, maybe Alexi is one of those
that is another breakthrough in a different way for his
one his master series, and now this year is about
(22:04):
depth of result in majors and consistently doing that.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
And Sam, from a women's perspective of your I know
you don't like to play favorites, you can't really, but
who do you believe could go deepest at the AO
twenty five.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Look, I mean that's a hard question. Obviously, Oliviy's in there.
We just said she's the one in the top hundred
at the moment, and she does have a big game
and she made the final of the five hundred this
year and has that capability. And then we've got a
bunch of players who are going to be in on
wild cars. But one person I really want to kind
of shout out to is my joint. She's finished the
year at one hundred and sixteen or one hundred and eighteen,
(22:42):
started the year at six hundred and eighty something. She's
had one year on tour and she's got herself really
knocking on the door of top hundred. So I think
talk about solidifying a year now, this will be the
next jump. She will play more tour events, she'll be
able to get in more get more opportunities. But yeah,
I think she's got a real chance to kind of
crack that top hundred and then hopefully be able to
(23:05):
stay there and solidify that. But look, there's four of
them within one hundred and twenty in the world, so
it'd be great to see Dash and Isla back there.
Kim Birrell's also she got to one hundred. Now she's
finished one hundred and fourteen, so she's knocking on the
door again. So yeah, fingers crossed, it won't be too
long till we see them all actually take that jump.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Nice Bree, What about you? What do you want to
see more of next year?
Speaker 5 (23:25):
This probably isn't politically right, but I want to see
a bit more intensity, and I think it's great that
all the players are really good friends now and all
that kind of stuff. But I think we need to
see a little bit more fight on court, not like
aggressive fight.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
Yeah you know what I mean, he just boxing l.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Yeah, they're also nice.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
You know.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
Back in the nineties, it was.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Like, ah, I've got a theory why that's that way though, right, Well,
because we've got a microphone under their nose everywhere we go. True,
you've got a camera following them in every there's no
privacy they've got nowhere that way though, one's more privacy.
(24:06):
But yeah, I want more. But do you know, here's
the thing. You want the access, but they're not going
to give it because there they're literally got under a
microscope every single point and moment they walk into the
grounds of the tennis day and so they're all they're
all just playing it safe and they've got to Yeah,
like that's where we may have this balance a little
(24:27):
a little wrong about actually how much content we want
and where you need to have those moments where it's
all in and then I can tell you, like, if
there's no cameras on the outside locker rooms, I think
but usely, you know, the outside courts used to be
a ripper to see some things go. But now they're
all live streamed right and everything, so that the actual
(24:49):
referees office they can be watching everything. There's another warning.
Whereas we used to get away with a little bit
more out there, but the on the bigger courts who
used to behave a bit more because there was all
the cameras. Yeah, was everywhere. Brother, So it's changed.
Speaker 5 (25:03):
I think you've yeah proven to be why it's different.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
But I reckon. I think so because I knew I
could get away with the little racket throw out on
court thirteen, but not on not on arena.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
So you played your first match yet way down in
the in the garden to play a lot out the
back here.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
I'm hoping to see new player rivalries.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
They're there.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
They are what makes tennis tick. It's the heartbeat of tennis.
We need rivalries. We've seen the emergence of some great
ones in the women's game the last two three years.
I just think we need more. I'd love to see
also some new stars and old stars create robberies, for
example Sable Anchor and Asuka. I feel like there's potential
for a great rivalry Goth, for a Biknner and maybe
(25:48):
someone new like fresh, your guy hoole, got runa to
your to your opening point about who'll be the break
up player?
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Maybe a Runa al karaze, Yeah, some somewhere where he
can be at that level all the time to be
able to really make that happen.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
So more rivalries, you know, just two or three for
the women, two or three for the member. They're the
sort of things that we can forecast in a drawer,
look at the brack and go, okay, we're on here.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
It could be on, you know.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
So that's what I'm hoping to see finally, Sam before
we get to the break, and Cocoa GoF to join
us before the break. What are you personally hoping to
do or achieve in twenty twenty five?
Speaker 3 (26:23):
This might sound weird to a few people, but I
want to be more physically active because I've really dropped
the ball since I retired, and I haven't been doing
too much. So I think, you know, it's been two years,
the time has come now to actually step up.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
And do a little bit more.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Do you hit much.
Speaker 4 (26:40):
Depends on the week.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Like during wimbed and I hit nearly every day and
I loved it, and then I didn't hit a ball
for three months because just of circumstance. But I love hitting,
Like going out and having a hit would be my
number one preference for exercise and sort of something to
do physically. But got a new bike, so I need
to make sure I'm actually here, helmet.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
You don't trust a balance or something. You know, what
is it? A roadbike, a mountain bike, a hybrid?
Speaker 3 (27:10):
Yeah, a bit of a hybrid to road bike with
gravel ties, So I don't know the real skinny ones
that I have to be scared of. So yeah, I
just need to, you know, get in that habit again.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
Okay, Todd, what do you want to do next year?
They're crazy? I just want to get back to some
normality of routine for me. This year has been the
busiest year of my life, twenty twenty four, starting off
with an AO and tipping point that was, you know,
filming one hundred and sixty shows of that, just leading
(27:43):
into Christmas, into the AO short break into the French
straight into Wimbledon, into Olympics, Paralympics, Labor Cup, and then
I'm still doing season two, tipping pointing to one hundred and
something shows and then we throw in you know, my
normal tennis stuff in and around that that we do.
(28:04):
So once we get through the AI, I'll have a
final fifty odd shows of tipping Point for season two
that ten weeks. No, that'll take me about five about
five weeks and then and then we're into like I
can focus back on tennis for that for the year
and there'll be you know, an intensity of breaks and
(28:25):
really getting back into that. So I'm looking forward to that.
It's been unbelievable. It's not a complaint, it's just one
of those years it's just exhausted. You just really I
really want that time to be able to do your
work and have the balance of your own time at
the same time, if that makes sense, because this has just.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
Been one of those years where it's like, whoa, Yeah,
it sounds like you've reached your tipping point, Normost, but
I'm not giving up yet. Jackpot temptation on the way
for you're in twenty twenty five, brig, what are you
personally hoping to ache?
Speaker 5 (28:54):
Well, I do a bit of painting, and I haven't
had much Well, I haven't done it much this year,
So I want to get back into painting and paint
more stuff because it's really.
Speaker 4 (29:02):
Good for my brain.
Speaker 5 (29:04):
And I want to learn a language I'm thinking, but
I doubt i'll have Look, I'm already.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
I'm already reniering on it.
Speaker 5 (29:11):
I just doubt i'll have the patience stick a bit
to its.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
As soon as you've verbalized you saying I'm taking it, like, hang.
Speaker 5 (29:16):
On, hang on, let's not put that out into the world.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Palette or brush. I do.
Speaker 5 (29:21):
I'm acrylic on canvas, but I want to get more
into oils as well. Yeah, and I do like mixed
media stuff. So there's always a bit.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Of sounds like your jo or something, a little bit
that is true. It's like the physical representation. Yeah, one language,
if you had to choose.
Speaker 4 (29:40):
I think Japanese or Spanish.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Do you speak language? No, I wish I did, todd No, No,
it's amazing language of love.
Speaker 6 (29:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:49):
Yeah, we're we're lucky.
Speaker 4 (29:50):
I don't even know that one.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Very good.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Maybe that's something we can put on your wish list
for twenty twenty five. For me, just quickly before we
get to Coco, I'd like to become a more patient person.
And I say this in general, but also because I'm
about to become a father in March. For the first
time with a little daughter on the way. But patience
is something that doesn't come very naturally to me.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Truly. I wouldn't have doesn't feel like that, I know,
but yeah, trust me. At home it's a different case.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
So yeah, just kind of taking things as they come
and not getting too caught up in the detail of
not being able to get to a place on time
or not being able to achieve everything I had set
my mind.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
That's all changing.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
It's going to change. The fact is will I deal
well with it? So patience for me is to keep
be more patient and gentle.
Speaker 4 (30:42):
I think you're giving yourself a good run up, so
that's good.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
Ready for March, Yeah, yeah, I'll have I'll have four
weeks to reset after the Australian summer and then off
we go.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
Wildest ride of my life. Yeah absolutely.
Speaker 1 (30:54):
Coco Golf is one of the brightest young stars in tennis,
and she's beginning her season for the first time the
United Cup in Perth as part of Team USA. The
twenty year old recently caught up with Vick Rudnikov to
discuss the upcoming Australian summer of tennis.
Speaker 8 (31:13):
Welcome Koko, Thank you for joining me today.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
Thanks thanks for having me.
Speaker 8 (31:18):
Well, you've ended twenty twenty four on a high note
at the WTA Finals. How are you feeling coming into
the Australian summer.
Speaker 7 (31:25):
Oh yeah, I'm.
Speaker 9 (31:25):
Really excited going into the Australian summer. I feel like
the end of the year Sean, so hoping to start
the year off strong down.
Speaker 8 (31:33):
Under United Cup debut. What makes Team USA stand out
from the pack?
Speaker 4 (31:39):
I guess uh.
Speaker 9 (31:41):
I think obviously with me and Taylor, we both had
pretty strong end of the years this year, with him
making the finals of the ATP Finals and finals of
Yes Open and me doing well at the end of
the year. So I feel like we're both coming out
of an off a lot of good hardcourt success. So
hoping to carry that on too and down Under in Perth.
Speaker 8 (32:03):
Like you said, reuniting with Taylor Fritz, who you played
Olympics with, what did you gain from that experience.
Speaker 9 (32:09):
I think I just learned a little bit more about
his game and his style of play. I definitely think
we'll hopefully be better on barn court than we were
on clay. So yeah, I think I think I've learned
a lot about how he likes to play mixed doubles.
It's a little bit different than how I like to play,
but hopefully we can can mesh well and you will
have a little bit more time, I think to prepare
(32:31):
for it to considering Olympics was so fast, so I
think we'll have we'll have more time to properly prepare
for the mixed doubles event, which I know is really
important in the United Cup format.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 8 (32:43):
And in Paris you were chosen to be co flag
bearrow with Lebron James, which is so cool. But what
does it mean to represent your country on the world stage.
Speaker 9 (32:52):
Oh, it means a lot to me, and you know,
I think for me, I think United Cup is such
a unique event and there's no other event like it
in tennis and Connor and any sport honestly that I'm
thinking about it. So I think it's really cool to
bring both men's sport and women's sport on equal scale
(33:13):
and equal competition, and I think that's something really exciting
and hopefully can appeal to not just tennis fans but
also non tennis fans as well.
Speaker 8 (33:21):
Yeah, and it's your first time visiting Perth as well.
How are you feeling going to a new city that
isn't Melbourne.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Yeah, I'm actually excited.
Speaker 9 (33:29):
I said in a previous interview that it's not often
onto where we get to experience new city for the
first time. So I can't remember the last time I've
been to a city for the first time, so I'm
really excited to go to Perth and learn more about
just Western Australia in general. I've never been to Western Australia. Yeah,
I've only been in Melbourne and Adelaide, so I'm super
(33:51):
excited to go out there and experience something new, and hopefully,
if we do well, experienced Sydney as well, which is
another place I haven't been to.
Speaker 8 (34:00):
And with Canada and Croatia in your group, you'll most
likely face Vekis and Fernandez. What are you expecting from them?
Speaker 2 (34:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 9 (34:08):
Donna, I just played her at the Olympics this year
and I lost. And she's a very aggressive player. She
has a great fourhand and she can't win her it's
like kind of on any part of the court, so
I think that's gonna be a tough match. And Layla,
I've never played her before, but I've known her since
since I was like eleven years old. We were playing
Gears together, so this will be our first time playing
(34:30):
on like this pro scale, professional event, so I'm super
excited for that. I think she's super fast athletic player.
She's a lefty, which is not common on tour at all.
So both matches are very tough matches to start the
year off, but I'm looking forward to them.
Speaker 8 (34:46):
I think it's safe to say you're one of the
faces of gen Z in tennis. How does it feel
to be a figure ahead of your generation.
Speaker 9 (34:54):
I guess I don't look at it is that, yeah,
But you know, obviously I know, like tennis, a lot
of people look up to me and in my generation
as well. But for me, it's just doing something that
I love and and I have an opportunity to inspire
other people to do what they love. You know, I
don't take for granted, and you know, especially like when
(35:15):
I'm on TikTok, I think a lot of people sometimes
forget that we're you know, athletes are also hugans do
Like sometimes I'll get comments like saying, oh, I didn't
know she did that, or I didn't know she like
ghost the store, And I remember I did a friends
giving meal and somebody's like, I know, I thought you
would have a chef. I'm like, no, I'm just like
a girl that plays tennis and other than that, my
(35:36):
life is pretty normal.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
So I think for me, it's.
Speaker 9 (35:39):
Just just have an opportunity to do what I love
and inspire people to do what they love, but also
knowing that their dreams aren't as far away as people
think they are.
Speaker 8 (35:49):
Yeah, incredible. Well, thank you so much for chatting with
me today, Coker. We can't wait to see you on court.
Speaker 6 (35:54):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Well.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
The Australian Summer Tennis kicks off December twenty seven and
it all starts with the United Cup which gets underway
in Perth and then Sydney the next day. And we're
joined by the tournament director of the United Cup, Stephen Farrow,
from Perth. Good morning to you, Stephen, good morning. How
are the conditions over there and the Jewel of West Australia.
Speaker 7 (36:21):
Well, it's really really hot. It was forty degrees yesterday.
We're gonna have forty degrees again today. We've had a
lot of the players arriving and actually quite excited about
coming into the heat from the cold of Europe.
Speaker 6 (36:32):
But the Areada's all set ready to go.
Speaker 7 (36:34):
We've had some players practicing, so we're feeling.
Speaker 4 (36:36):
Really good, amazing.
Speaker 5 (36:38):
So with some of those players arriving, I think I
saw Zverev and Felix arrive. What's the mood on the
ground at the moment.
Speaker 6 (36:46):
It's always really positive.
Speaker 7 (36:48):
I mean, the players are always so excited to when
they arrive and they get here and get into the sunshine,
and I mean the first thing that Zverev wanted to
talk about when he arrived yesterday was whether he and
his girlfriend could go and see the Quakers because he's
been with he's obviously been with Hot One Cup a
couple of times, and he told her how great it was,
and so that was the main thing that he was
focused on yesterday. But yeah, I mean, generally, it's also
(37:11):
Christmas time. It's Christmas time, It's United Cup. What could
be better?
Speaker 2 (37:16):
Nothing, So, Stephen, one of the key things about United
Cup is the matchups that we get. And you know,
when I'm talking about the tournament, it's so rare that
you'll get two number one players from a country, you
know the likes of Golf and Leila Fernandez and Taylor
Fritz taking on an Alexander z Verev, like you don't.
(37:38):
You don't get those matches till the quarters and semis
of majors a lot of the time. How good is
it to have that in your field? Yeah, it's pretty.
Speaker 7 (37:47):
Amazing actually, And you look at some of those matches
in the group stage, like you say, I mean you've
got you know, donal Viki's playing Leila Fernandez and Cocoa
Golf as well. I mean those matches, like you said,
there's sort of latter stages of one thousands grands of
actions and they're straight from the off.
Speaker 6 (38:02):
So I think it means, you know, you would know
much better than me.
Speaker 7 (38:05):
But from a playing perspective, you've got to be right
on it right from the beginning. There's no room to
sort of play your way into a tournament. But I
also think I think the players quite like that as well.
That's certainly sort of the feedback we get, and particularly
first week of the year. I think to sort of
quickly have to get back to your level is something
which which they seem to enjoy. I mean, obviously if
they lose, they obviously won't enjoy it, but that's certainly
the message that we get before the competition, but then
(38:27):
they get.
Speaker 2 (38:28):
That chance to have another match anyway, right, so you
actually go, oh, hang on, I've got to pick myself
back up because of the group stages.
Speaker 7 (38:35):
That's what's unique. Yeah, exactly right, exactly right. And then
obviously with the format, it's not just dependent on you
to get through. You know, you've got the other singles,
You've got the Mixed doubles to come as well, so
there's always that chance. And I think one of the
things that's really really really exciting about the competition this
year is quite how open it is. We were talking
about this as a team last night, where realistically there's
(38:57):
they are multiple teams that could come through and win
this competition and you can't really call it, which I
think is so exciting.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
So the mixed doubles, you've got this new time out
rule innovation, How is that going to work? And was
there any talk about bringing that up in the singles?
Speaker 7 (39:18):
Yeah, for sure, we would do it. We'd do it
throughout the competition from a in terms of how it's
going to work. This is something that we've been pushing
for for a number of years because we think that
we think there's all sorts of things that tennis could
embrace from other sports that it doesn't. And whilst tennis
has been forward thinking with things like electronic line calling
and stuff like that, things that could really make the
(39:38):
game more exciting and compelling for the fan. There's all
sorts of things that I think we could be looking at,
I think for this competition. Because you've got the unique
role of the captain, there's a lot more we can
do with that.
Speaker 6 (39:50):
And the timeout.
Speaker 7 (39:51):
Idea, so that will that will only apply during the
mixed doubles and the captain will press it.
Speaker 6 (39:56):
Is literally a big red button.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
I've seen a lot of I love that.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
It's uh, you can't miss it.
Speaker 7 (40:02):
I'm just wondering what happens when someone leans on it
accidentally as well. But anyway, so the captain will press
it and then there'll be a sixty second time out,
the players will come to the bench, they'll have the
chance to confer, and then on we go, on we
go with the match.
Speaker 6 (40:17):
It can only be used when your team is serving, which, yeah,
why is that? I hope you can move beyond that.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
Yeah, I thought, what is there a reason? Is it
just to get started? I mean, isn't that the whole concept?
Is that both teams get that same option, whether you
be receiving or serving.
Speaker 6 (40:34):
Yeah, so yes, I agree.
Speaker 7 (40:36):
I think I think it's always it's always a bit
of a journey with these things with the A t
P and WTA for really good reasons because obviously they're.
Speaker 6 (40:44):
Responsible for the rules of the tour all.
Speaker 7 (40:45):
Year round, and I think that they they're always a
little bit reluctant to push too much with something early
on and it get dismissed. So you know, we're it's
a it's a small step and we've got to really
something really cool planed for the whole sort of d
stadium takeover and there's really dramatic music that's going to
be played. I think if, if, when it happens, it's
(41:06):
going to be a really cool moment.
Speaker 1 (41:08):
Sam, as a former captain of the Australian United Cup team,
that'd be a pressure moment for you to know when
to push and what to do with those sixty seconds.
Speaker 3 (41:16):
Well, I guess being up to the captain and you
kind of yeah, you want to make sure you've got
something to say.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
And I'm going to be a huge advocate for having
it at both ends of the court, because I mean
if you if you were playing against me, and I'd
be definitely on breakpoint as the return I was serving,
I would be taking a time out because you'd be
guaranteed a double would follow. So that's that's what it's for,
right to change my game. Yeah, So anyways, I think
(41:47):
the concepts good and I'm going to keep working on it.
Speaker 6 (41:49):
For you, Stephen, Thank you appreciate the support.
Speaker 1 (41:53):
So you've got teams in what you've got nine teams
is that in Perth and nine teams in Sydney. And
then how the final system work beyond the group stage.
Speaker 7 (42:03):
Well, we have we have two quarter finals in each city.
So we'll finish up in Perth on the first of
January with the two quarter finals. There'll be two winners
that will then fly over to Sydney on the Thursday
morning and then they'll have the Friday on site, perhaps
seeing in Sydney to get used to the used to
the environment there, and then they will meet the two
quarter final winners from Sydney the semifinals on the fourth
(42:24):
of January.
Speaker 1 (42:26):
There you go, and Germany the defending champion. Team USA
was the inaugural champion, so who else could mix it
with them? In twenty twenty five.
Speaker 6 (42:34):
Well, I just think I said before, I just think
it's really really open.
Speaker 7 (42:37):
I mean we were talking yesterday about the check team,
which no one's really no one really would necessarily talk
about the check team. But you look at the players
with Mashaka and Mukova playing for Check here, I mean
they've they're a really really strong team. Italy as well,
with Paolini was obviously that's an unbelievable year last year.
Speaker 6 (42:54):
Kabali's a great player.
Speaker 7 (42:56):
Poland, Poland, I would say probably you would think, given
how they've played in this competition, might be slight favorites
just because they are in Sydney and they have been in
Sydney before and their Sydney all the way through. But
you know, we'll have to see with those guys, well,
I mean Australia will have a good chance. I mean,
you know, you guys will will certainly have a view
on that. But Alex obviously offer absolutely magnificent year. Really
(43:17):
excited to see how Olivia Gadeki does in this competition.
There's just there's just so many potential winners here, so
it's it's anyone's guests really in terms of who's going
to emerge. There's not very many teams that you would
think won't get through, so it just makes for an
incredibly open competition.
Speaker 5 (43:37):
I'm surprised you didn't say great Britain, Stevens, so well
done on that.
Speaker 4 (43:42):
For avoiding.
Speaker 5 (43:44):
So for fans who are joining us at Ken Roswell
Arena in Sydney and ric Arena in Perth, what can
I expect?
Speaker 7 (43:54):
Well, this this competition has a really unique atmosphere because
it's a team competition and because it's you know, you're
you're turning up to support your country and it's everything
that comes with that. And you know, I think you've
got two people in the studio there who've played for
their country and know what that environment is like when
you get the passionate fans. One of the great things
about Australia is you've got so many different people from
(44:16):
around the world. So you know, we've got thousands of
people from the Chinese community here in Perth coming to
cheer on China, the Croatian community, the Italian community in Sydney,
so it's almost like a home match for those countries,
but in Australia, and so I think that's that unique passionate,
intense atmosphere, tribal atmosphere as well, is something that we
(44:37):
don't see that often in tennis, certainly outside the team competitions,
and I think that just makes for an even more
exciting and engaging competition.
Speaker 5 (44:46):
Yeah, it's a lot of fun. I do love it.
It's my favorite tournament. Not that you have favorites for
you're allowed. Yeah, I love I actually love it.
Speaker 4 (44:56):
I think I am no, but I love it.
Speaker 1 (44:58):
In any guys, one way to start the Australian summer
of tennis. Steven, Thank you so much for joining us
on the tennis and all the best to you and
your team for the next.
Speaker 2 (45:07):
Couple of weeks of competition.
Speaker 6 (45:09):
Thanks very much.
Speaker 1 (45:10):
Great to have Steven joining us from Perth. So much
to look forward to. That kicks off December twenty seven
bre This year, throughout twenty twenty four, you've delivered some cracking.
Speaker 4 (45:19):
Top fives and some bad ones.
Speaker 1 (45:21):
Yeah, this is a new season, this is the tennis
Australian summer, so we need to kick off on a
really positive note.
Speaker 2 (45:26):
So what's your top five for today?
Speaker 4 (45:29):
Top five Christmas songs?
Speaker 2 (45:31):
I like it. No, that's good.
Speaker 5 (45:32):
We've gone completely away from Tennis just for this episode.
And yeah, and I've put some contentious things in here.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
Contentious, I think, so contentious Christmas songs.
Speaker 5 (45:42):
Well, no, not well yeah kind of. I just feel
like John will be like, you've missed the great The
buttons are in your control, start with I know. All right, okay,
ready yep. Five So number five.
Speaker 4 (45:56):
Blue Christmas by Elvish. Yeah, it's a good one.
Speaker 5 (46:00):
It nineteen fifty seven hit when I still have it
on record. It was my parents record and we used
to play it every Christmas, that whole album.
Speaker 2 (46:08):
I'm vinyl on vinyl. Yeah, that's the way.
Speaker 4 (46:11):
Yeah, So that's my five.
Speaker 2 (46:13):
It's a sad song, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (46:16):
I'll have a Blue Christmas without you. Yeah, probably is
a bit pressing, but it's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (46:23):
Don't listen to the lyrics to No. All right, what's four.
Speaker 4 (46:28):
Baby It's cold outside?
Speaker 6 (46:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (46:31):
Yeah, because I love that too. It was by Frank Lossa,
recorded in nineteen forty four.
Speaker 4 (46:36):
But I think it's probably.
Speaker 5 (46:37):
One of the top re recorded kind of Christmas songs
because obviously Frank Sinatra did it and Ella Fitzgerald apparently
it was never written to be for Christmas, but became
a Christmas song.
Speaker 2 (46:49):
Because of the season, is it?
Speaker 1 (46:51):
Yeah, Wolf not here but yeah in northern Hemisphere. Baby
it's cold outside. Yeah, I can see that snuggling up
to ones and ones. I think there are other Christmas
songs that deal with those themes.
Speaker 4 (47:03):
Yeah, totally.
Speaker 2 (47:06):
He's ripping them apart. Where are the traditional ones? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (47:11):
Good one? Okay three? How to Make Gravy by Poor Kelly.
Speaker 2 (47:18):
Oh national viewers and listeners.
Speaker 5 (47:21):
Yeah, I'm gonna explain it. So it's an Australian song
and Paul Kelly is one of our top Australian singer
songwriters and he wrote this, I think in twenty ten. Yeah,
and it's about a bit of a weird Christmas kind
of song because it's about a criminal who is writing
(47:44):
this letter home to his.
Speaker 4 (47:46):
Family from jail.
Speaker 5 (47:48):
Ye. I've seen all these themes lately about how like
in Britain there's all these songs about the beautiful season
and the food, and then we our top Christmas songs
about a crim in jail.
Speaker 1 (48:01):
But it's a heartfelt song of long, long and learning to.
Speaker 4 (48:04):
Be He doesn't want his wife to be hit on
by his.
Speaker 2 (48:08):
Brother and that's fair enough.
Speaker 4 (48:10):
It gets better.
Speaker 2 (48:11):
We have I think that's.
Speaker 4 (48:11):
The twenty first of December.
Speaker 5 (48:13):
We know we call Gravy Day because he's penning this
letter to his wife and family on the twenty first
of December, and that's generally when you start to make gravy.
Speaker 2 (48:23):
And that's the title of the song.
Speaker 4 (48:24):
Yeah, how to make Gravy.
Speaker 1 (48:27):
Yeah, it's quite song though, it's definitely going to listen
to it get out.
Speaker 4 (48:32):
I like the song.
Speaker 2 (48:32):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (48:33):
The only one I know so fast I'm going with it.
Speaker 5 (48:36):
I'm sure I've heard the other two, but it's just
so aussy.
Speaker 2 (48:39):
It is good, it's raw and it's emotional.
Speaker 5 (48:42):
It's beautiful, but then when you get to the bottom
of what it's about, it's been.
Speaker 2 (48:46):
Like, oh, we've touched on some dark themes.
Speaker 5 (48:50):
Just you know, Australia's criminal history, The Green Button of
Co fairy Tale of New York by the Pokes. I'm
not familiar with the it's the just played Christmas song
in the UK in the twenty first century, so it's
an Irish pub Christmas song.
Speaker 4 (49:07):
It goes like do do do do do do do
do do do do?
Speaker 2 (49:11):
Yeah, Okay, oh, I'm going to have to go and
listen to more fairy tale.
Speaker 4 (49:16):
Did you say the fairy Tale of New York?
Speaker 5 (49:18):
Okay, so, but an Irish it's an Irish Chris pub
Christmas song.
Speaker 1 (49:23):
About New York. Yeah, everybody, Yeah, getting on the ship. Yeah,
the over the Atlantic.
Speaker 2 (49:29):
We've locked them up, we've sent them away. So far
with so far, with loneliness.
Speaker 1 (49:37):
Hopefully the last one Santa something, please get a bit
of bow Woodbridge in the next.
Speaker 5 (49:44):
Jordan was like, you better just sild night because bo sings.
And I was like, oh, but then it all just
seems like I'm sucking up the top that I actually
removed it.
Speaker 1 (49:53):
Yeah, well, bring us home with something that, you know,
just restores the mood a little bit.
Speaker 4 (49:58):
Okay, why all for Christmas?
Speaker 2 (50:01):
Is you by Mariah carry It's bound to happen.
Speaker 4 (50:04):
Yeah, because so it got.
Speaker 5 (50:06):
It's obviously a massive, amazing She's the Queen of Christmas,
Mariah Kerry. And it was in Mean Girls, and then
it recently has had an even bigger resurgence because it
was a TikTok trend where if you heard the initial
bars of the song, everyone was like, oh my god,
Christmas is here, and it became this viral and a
TikTok moment.
Speaker 1 (50:26):
It's a one second number one. It's a one second
recognize that one. I was also in love actually as
I was taken through last Yeah, for the first time.
Speaker 2 (50:35):
Yeah, that's pretty good list.
Speaker 1 (50:37):
But yeah, no traditional ones, I note there, and yeah.
Speaker 5 (50:41):
But there's just so many good non traditional ones, that's true.
Speaker 1 (50:45):
I just like First Noel is my favorite underrated.
Speaker 2 (50:51):
Underrated John did.
Speaker 4 (50:52):
Try to influence my list, and obviously it didn't work.
Speaker 1 (50:54):
If you haven't listened in a while, get the first
Noel on your on your set. But I did watch
a very musical Christmas and Bo did a wonderful and
complex rendition of Silent he did.
Speaker 2 (51:06):
Yeah, that was the cast of Dear Evan Hansen and
their music director put that all together. So it starts
traditionally and then goes into up more upbeats on at
night with wonful harmonies from the whole place and not
easy to do. You're a singer, I'm not, but yeah, challenging. Yeah,
he's come a long way. Hoping to get him in
studio job open he's He and the cast are opening
(51:28):
Carols by Candlelight for Challenging on Christmas Eve, So get
ready for that. I think I believe the sing come
all you faithful, so you'll be having.
Speaker 1 (51:35):
Another beautiful song. You've got a favorite Christmas song?
Speaker 2 (51:38):
Sam, Not really.
Speaker 3 (51:40):
I mean Eve's just been singing jingle bells every day
and every single moment.
Speaker 4 (51:45):
So that's all that I have going through my head.
Speaker 1 (51:47):
It's a good meeting potatoes Christmas line and length.
Speaker 3 (51:50):
No, I've just put on the whatever you know Spotify
letting go.
Speaker 2 (51:54):
I like bing Crosby and White Christmas.
Speaker 5 (51:58):
Yeah, that's actually quite a good one.
Speaker 2 (52:00):
Have you ever seen a white Christmas? No? No, Well,
fifty years nearly of Australian opens.
Speaker 1 (52:06):
It seems like across the equator snow done last long
here except in two thousand and six. I believe we
had we did have a snow in Melbourne. You might
not have seen it. Crazy stuff, well done on. You're
on your top five, thought provoking, contentious, indeed, finally to finish,
(52:27):
it's been a long episode of the Tennis and I
hope you've enjoyed the first episode of season seven of
the pod, but Ace of the Week, where we share
a non tennis highlight from our week past or to come.
Speaker 2 (52:37):
So Sam, what's lighting up your Christmas world? Eve?
Speaker 3 (52:40):
You've got an early Christmas present from a couple of
aunties friends of ours, and it is this giant unicorn
that is pink and purple. It's the most magnificent thing
you've ever seen. It's splayed so its legs are all
out and she's had it for three days and it
just gets carried around room to room, laid.
Speaker 4 (52:59):
On, slept plush plush to blush toy.
Speaker 3 (53:02):
Anyone in Australia that kmar you could not miss this.
It's it's like a new member of the family sat
on the chair when we had breakfast together yesterday.
Speaker 4 (53:12):
So this thing is amazing.
Speaker 3 (53:14):
Uni So Uni Uni comes everywhere now around the house.
Speaker 4 (53:18):
So that has been a highlight.
Speaker 2 (53:21):
I think has Uni ridden in the Porsche yet it
won't be long. Love it Todd your of the week. Look,
it's und apologetically you know, one of those weeks for
me because it was the opening of Dear Evan Hanson
in Melbourne, yes and opening and I was just just yeah, incredible.
So did he lift for his hometown?
Speaker 6 (53:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (53:43):
It was really stressful. You know, like he's been sitting
in his pocket really well comfortable and healthy vocally healthy,
but you know that that audience was full of people
that he knew that he's grown up with the industry,
people that are all got eyes on it. There's theater
critics as everything. Pressure, so it was a lot of
pressure and he just you know, he and the whole
(54:04):
team just nailed it and it was quite interesting to
see him relax after night, which was a Wednesday of
last week, and then he can really just sit in
it now. And you know a lot of a lot
of people that are coming into the Aussie Open that
you're not going to get every session, you know, they
can get over to the I want to.
Speaker 4 (54:23):
Go see it too, and hopefully it doesn't end.
Speaker 2 (54:25):
No, we've got a couple of weeks after the a.
Speaker 1 (54:27):
Okay, good y, but that that was massive podcast excuse
you know.
Speaker 2 (54:32):
And the other thing is really weird for me. It's
really weird is that I've been driving around Melbourne and
all of a sudden, like a tram comes by and
my bloody son's on the train. How would you deal
with that? There's enough.
Speaker 4 (54:43):
So well, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (54:44):
It was extraordinary, extraordinary week for the family. Hopefully get
him on the pod for all the sit well, you know,
he knows a lot about tennis. Off see him. He's
grown up around tennesse he knows everything and was he
really yeah, yeah, pretty much. I mean he doesn't follow
it as much as he used to, but it's been
a bit of his well, it's like the crossover. I
know a lot of his world and he knows a
lot of mine. So he's been to a lot of
(55:05):
Wimbledon's a lot of Austrain Open. So yeah, I like
it Ace of the week.
Speaker 4 (55:10):
As everyone knows.
Speaker 5 (55:11):
I've recently moved house and my dog and cat are
getting along much better in.
Speaker 4 (55:16):
The new house.
Speaker 2 (55:17):
Really, they probably felt that they had to stick together.
Speaker 4 (55:20):
Yeah, and a bit more.
Speaker 1 (55:21):
Yeah, maybe go overseas with an exchange student you don't
like in Melbourne.
Speaker 2 (55:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (55:26):
Yeah, it's just the best they've ever been together. The
dogs four and a half and the cat's fourteen, so
it's a bit of an age girl. And the cat
takes no prisoners, like the cat chases the dog as
well as the dog chases a cat, which I think
is quite cute because he's always playing. But they've got
into the habit of sleeping together more and all that
kind of stuff, which I'm really liking. It makes my
(55:47):
heart happy, better energy. Yeah, well, that's what I thought.
The house must just be better for them.
Speaker 2 (55:53):
I wonder if they have like you know, the animal
version of the Chinese you know what's it called? Cat?
A waving cart? No, no, no, no, when they happened, Yeah,
that's it.
Speaker 1 (56:10):
It's better to take your word for it, is that
it cutting the dog dumpling?
Speaker 4 (56:17):
And what else do you up for me? Dumpling and
dumpling and bacon?
Speaker 2 (56:22):
Bacon?
Speaker 5 (56:23):
Who's who dumplings the dog? Bacon's the cat?
Speaker 1 (56:27):
Yeah, good questions, Sam, We're all wondering for me. Looking
forward to rolling the I have been rolling the arm
over in a bit of backyard cricket already. Oh yeah,
last weekend. Jeez, the rotator cuffs carefully and yeah, and
that because I bowl left left arm. That is not
an arm I used to anything else, so got to
got to protect it. But great, great catching up with
(56:47):
the family. My dad, as I've talked about before, he's
been on well over the past eight years.
Speaker 2 (56:52):
But he's doing well at the moment. Now what are
we now?
Speaker 1 (56:55):
Three generations and coming together. It's just a wonderful time
of year. And hoping to do the same with my
wife's family as well. Before it all kicks off, which
is tomorrow when you're watching this, but you can join
us again next week for the latest episode of the
Tennis and don't forget to like and subscribe to stay
(57:16):
across everything happening in the world of the tennis. Thanks
for joining us, Todd.
Speaker 2 (57:21):
Very Christmas, everybody, Happy holidays all of those that celebrate
differently as well.
Speaker 1 (57:28):
Yeah, have a great week in tennis and a happy
new Year.
Hello, and welcome to the Tennis for episode one of
a brand new season of the podcast and Merry Christmas.
Wherever you're listening or indeed watching.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
For the very first time, we are coming to you
on YouTube as well as all your regular podcast platforms.
You can watch this entire episode on the Australian Open
YouTube channel.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Today.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
On the Tennis, we'll be having a look at twenty
twenty five through the Crystal Ball to see what might
be in store for next year and what we'd like
to see. Vic Rudnikov checks in with Team USA number
one Coco Goth and tournament director Steven Farrow joins us
on the eve of the United Cup. That's all ahead
on the Tennis with me, John Huvenas and an angelic
assembly of tennis identities.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Angelic yep that for.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
A while, Todd Woodbridge, Sam Stosa, Merry Christmas to Christmas.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
And our team and everybody watching on YouTube.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
What's the season? What's the Christmas season had in store
for you guys? A highlight so far.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
I had a weekend off just before this record was
so nice, just a normal weekend. I'm looking forward to
Christmas Day. I do all the cooking. Yeah. Yeah, I've
bought the ham and everything to glaze it. I've got
a turkey stuff with macadam and april cot to go,
and then I'm doing beef Wellington as well, so I've
(01:18):
got them.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
But not a huge party. I love that it's Christmas.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Any free seats at your table?
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Are you on the tools? Sound Christmas?
Speaker 3 (01:32):
I was, but now we're not hosting anymore, so I'm
kind of and we've got to bring some stuff. But yeah,
we don't have everyone coming to a house and I
don't have to do that's the meat and all of
that stuff, so be a little more chilled.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Yeah. And you've got a big one though.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Don't you a big one?
Speaker 5 (01:47):
And I'm having a friend over cooking together.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Mister bean stuff.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Yeah, We're going to do it together. Get some food
on Christmas Eve.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
We do have a ham already that was gifted to
us to a friend that's already.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Gone away, and her and I just going to cool.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Yeah and have a lunch. You better get your late
recipes done.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
And you know I've already She's not very good at
the organization that way, but I've already written down what
we're going to do.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Good Yeah, I've already had my hooven As family Christmas,
but I've got the in laws family Christmas coming up
South African style, so more of a Christmas Eve tradition
for there.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
And so I mean not this Christmas, but the next
Christmas is going to be very different, right Sam, baby
on the way for me? Yeah right? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (02:32):
When did you in March?
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Straight after the Australian Summer of tennis? Good time better
than during this.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Sometimes it's best to count the days in the lead
up to enough said plenty to get through. Today will
be casting a spotlight over the upcoming season and discussing
some things that we think we might see or that
we'd like to see. And so we did a bit
last week on the show retrospectively looking at twenty twenty
four with Pratty and Pete. But today we're going to
(02:59):
ask the questions who will be the breakout player of
twenty twenty five, What would be your dream Australian Open final,
What do you want to see more of next year?
And also what are you personally hoping to do or achieve?
So we're going to start at the top with Sam Stosa,
who will be the breakout player?
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Sam of twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Well, I mean, I know we've all heard of mir
Andreva already, but she hasn't created the top ten yet.
She's gone relatively deep in some slams, but I think
twenty twenty five could be the year that we see
her take that next step to the next level of
a Grand Slam, hit the top ten, and then really
kind of solidify herself as one of the top players
on the WHIMS Tour. So it's always hard to back
(03:39):
it up, but I think she's kind of done that
this year and now she really feels probably more like
she belongs there and everything. So I think we potentially
see Mirror hit the top ten.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
So what she got in her game and what's she missing?
What can she add? Ooh? I would say physicality, like strength. Mean,
she's a young teenage, so she's going to get physically stronger,
and then that's going to give more weight of shot
because the skill set is really there, I think.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
And also I think as she gets that, you can
kind of see that she's still a teenager as well,
because she's getting deep in some of these events and
then you see it gets maybe a little bit mentally
tired as well, so it's not just the physical side,
but I think that'll get stronger and then her mental
game will also get stronger. But with that, yeah, the
maturity will come into play.
Speaker 6 (04:27):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Yeah she was your wasn't she your rising stuff? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (04:30):
Last week on the show? Yeah, I love Miro and Drever.
Yeah she's really cool.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
All right, Todd? What about you? Who would be your
breakout player at twenty?
Speaker 7 (04:37):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
I procrastinated for a long time about trying to always
because I'm looking going you know, they've made it, they haven't, will?
They not sure having they're going well, so you go
through them. I was sort of really looking at the
man's going through the top hundred, and then I kind
of landed on Holgaruna because you know, two years ago
he was there and really knocking on the door, and
(04:59):
then and this last twelve months was just okay. And
I think that he has had that time to sit back,
reflect improve on things. So so often happens when you
burst onto the scene and you get great results, everyone
works you out, and then you've got to go away
and pick your game and improve it again. And I
think that that's been the period he's been going through
(05:20):
and so coming into twenty twenty five. I think that
he should be ready to be back in some semis
of slams and then contending, because as we know, you
only need one of those guys to lose early, whether
it be an Alcaraz or a sinner or something happens
and bang, there's an opportunity at the moment for people.
So I think watch out for him, and look, I
(05:41):
like him in a sense that he's an antagonist a
little in our game, and he brings that contrast, and
it's not normally me that likes an antagonist. I just
feel I'm a bit more of the opposite of that.
But I really do think that he's good for the
game and I'd love to see him in that space again.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Because it's it's probably the one area it's the the
maturity of mind for holder, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Yeah, Well, it's a little bit like a Noreva in
a way, is that you can see him after a
period of time really come off his levels. And that's
got to do with being understanding the intensity, what's required,
the focus, and he seems to burn a lot of
energy away from the court as much as on it,
and he's got to learn to be able to somehow
(06:27):
chill away and then just bring full energy when he
gets to the court, and that's just experience.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely, I think again you learn that along
the way.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
You can't.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Just very few players, I think have that innately, and
you kind of do have to go through the hard yards.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
Maybe some hard losses.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Oh geez, I could have gone further there, but I
let myself down in this area. So it is certainly
something that you learn as you go on. I learned
that lesson. I have no doubt that's how I help
myself win the US Open because I learned a lesson
from the year before playing at the US Open. So yeah,
I think if you're open to seeing everything and what
(07:04):
you can actually work on and build on, it's yeah,
it's there to be kind of unpicked and then yeah,
made a real focus.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
All right, All eyes on holda aruna for twenty twenty
five bre your breakout player prediction.
Speaker 5 (07:17):
I've just got a bit random, haven't I. I've gone
with an Italian, so Flavio Caboli. He got to the
QUALIFIAWS in Beijing. He's twenty two. He likes Lasagna, some
of the usual for an Italian, but yeah, I just
think he's doing some interesting things, young upcoming. I don't know,
(07:39):
there's just something about him.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
I'm at labor Cup top. Yeah, I'm with you. That
was some a couple of those Italian guys I was
sort of in my list. Yeah, no, I like your choice.
I think that what's been fascinating about the Italian players
in this last four or five years. So I'll get
in trouble for saying this, but back in the day,
(08:02):
most players played in their cultural in a cultural way
of their their countries, and the Italians were, oh, you know,
the hands are going whatever not. Today can't be bothered.
And that's changed. The Sinner's brought a very different mentality
to Italian tennis. Yeah, it's it's structured, it's disciplined. They're there,
(08:25):
they're focus, they're concentrated. And it wasn't like that, I
can promise you. It was throw coins on the court,
what do you mean? And stuff like that. And so
I really think that culturally their tennis has changed, and
that's why they've got this depth. They're nothing like there
used to be, and it's and it's good for tennis.
(08:46):
It's to watch, it's so good to watch. So I'm
with you.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
Oh good, because I was like, this is random, but
that's what I'm feeling.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
We had Matteo Anuldi on last week's show and he
was because we think we asked the question, what is
what is behind? How do you explain the rise of
Italian tennis? He said Sinner was a huge factor, of course,
but that's only been in the last four or five years.
But just because they're often from small towns not necessarily
have a lot of tennis focus. They're exposed to a
(09:14):
lot more sports, but he said he mentioned that having
that small town mentality with a quality coach was very
helpful for them to be able to become effectively become
a big fish in a small pond and then gain
the confidence to go on. And when you've got a
role model like Youanick Sinner, then the sky's the limit.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
Yeah, he basically said, it gives you belief you can
do it too. And he said that the friendship amongst
all those young Italians coming up is helping as well,
because they're kind of like a little family.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Now, Yeah, it's like a stray Atennas at the moment,
how many are in the top hundred on the men's side.
One gets through. If you can get there, I can. Yeah,
I've been beatn you for years and then that's sort
of what happens. Who is that for you? Growing up
as a as a young professional player. Was there someone
that's so okay, this is possible?
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I mean I remember hitting with Alisha when I was
fifteen at the French Open. I was there for juniors
and I don't know why, but somehow I hit with
her on the indoor court there and I was just.
Speaker 4 (10:11):
Like, oh my god, I'm hitting with Alisha Mollett.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
This is amazing and kind of thought, oh, that's where
I want to be, so yeah, she was Probably that
moment really sticks out for me to be like, I
want to do what you're doing.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
And it's come true again in the last twelve months
as well with your rocke.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
You keep kicking her.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I'm not intentional.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
My breakout player for twenty twenty five is a young
Brazilian man who's just absolutely wiped the floor at the
ATP Next Gen Finals, winning taking all before him and
winning it Fonseka. It was an incredible performance. He is
a blistering player with plenty of spice in his game.
He beat the likes of Artafez, jachub Men, sik van
(10:55):
Aska and Tin in the final to win it, and
I just see big things. All the talk from the
from the young guys coming through is that he's he's
sort of that's a little bit like We're Sinner was
four or five years ago.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Yeah, it was the same type of thing that it
was not a matter of if, it was just a
matter of when. Great for Brazilian tennis though. You haven't
seen a lot of men in the last two decades
right now, not since the Gustar War curtain. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
So yeah, he's someone who I think will be the
breakout player of twenty twenty five. Of course already in
the I think in the top fifty, but I think
he's going to go another level.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
I watched some of whose I was watching a women's
match and he was on the court next door at
the us OPA. Now I thought, who's this guy? And
that whole crowd was erupting. He had all the Brazilians there.
The atmosphere was off the chart. So yeah, he's a
He is a really exciting play and I think he
brings everyone energy with him in the energy.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
So box office yeap okay, our second question then, Sam,
what would be your dream Australian Open singles final in
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Look, maybe not, it wouldn't be a surprise final potentially
in Saberlanca and golf, but I'd really like seeing their
rivalry happen. At the moment, it's currently five to four.
They've had some really close matches, obviously huge matches US
Open final and here in the Aussie Open, in the
Semis last year, and it's kind of you could go
either way on any given day, and I think seeing
(12:21):
two of the best players in the world go at
it time and time again and actually bringing their best
tennis is exciting. So I think that's probably the rivalry at.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
The moment on the women's side.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
So I think we'd be in for a treat if
we got to see that in Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Are they both players who can control the game that
they want to play or is it more on sable
Anca's racket on any given day.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
I think a lots on Sabalanca for me, on her focus, nerves,
the ability to finish matches, which is obviously improved. I
think a lot of it starts with her absolutely.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Okay, So Todd, then what is your dream Australian and final.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Well, mine's easy because they haven't played in a Grand
Slam final yet, and that's Alcoraz and Sinner and Iris.
I've called a couple of their matches a quarter of
US Open. I think it was Sammy's rolling garross ridiculous
tennis tennis that I didn't think we would see this
early after the departure of Roger and Rafa. I didn't
(13:22):
think the quality would be there in a young player
to be able to play the levels that they have,
and to see that to start the year off would
be phenomenal because you know, really they've dominated the Grand
Slams the last year, but they need to play each
other in a fine for us to really get a
feel of like who handles it the best in that moment.
(13:46):
So because the contrast that they have when they play
against each other is fantastic. There's that little bit more
nuanced from Alcaraz with the slice backhand, and he definitely
is a much better finisher and volier at net than
what Sinner is. But then Sinner's got this great ability
to step up and on second serve returns and just
lean in and power and I just yeah, you salivate
(14:09):
just thinking about it. You like that matchup?
Speaker 4 (14:11):
I do, do you know?
Speaker 5 (14:12):
I actually had both of Sam and Todd's matchups and
then went for something else. But to come up with them, well,
I've gone with Igar and Coco, yeah, because I love Sableanca.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
But I was like, maybe it's time to.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
Have a new champion here, yeah, and that could make
things a little bit more interesting.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
And we've not really seen Iger do too much.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Here in Australia at the Australian Open, so I thought
that could be really fun and interesting. And I think
Eager and Cocoa when they play is also interesting.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
So that's why I went.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
With who gets the points for you out of ten matchups?
And Giger and Coco in a final.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
Here, I'd probably give Goff more of a.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Leaning interesting, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
Yeah, And that's what history would say right like it does.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
But then there's a new coaching team and hopefully they're
in the off season. They've been running over to the
backhand corner and hitting some sliced backhands a defensive shot
to play, yeah, if they have. Seriously, that's the gap
one shot, one shot required for her to go to
another level here. And that's to be get a defensive
ball to get it back into play and get back
neutral into the court. If she can have been working
(15:23):
on that, I promise you you'll see a different look
from Eager. It will allow her to use her fourhand
better and set things up and she's never had She
doesn't have that shot, doesn't use it at all.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
How is it possible for a player who has been
number one in the world, five time major champion to
not have a basic shot like that? Is it a
basic shot?
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Yeah, it is shitty, But I guess maybe she's also
been so good at being able to get out there
with the two hands, and she is so physical and
being able to I guess dominate points early.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
Yeah, she hasn't really needed it.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
She trained to go out there to the back and
corner on the left foot, open stance and be able
to muscle a ball with two hands back. That was
her defensive backhand. But that's good. But what it doesn't do.
It doesn't allow you to take pace off, float the
ball a little deeper so that you get an extra
yard or meter to get back to the center of
the court. It also doesn't allow you to hit a
(16:22):
shorter ball to bring your opponent forward slightly. So really
it's just adding to a repertoire. And if you think
about how good she's been and then you go, well,
if she can learn that and add that, oh here
we go. And that's totally what I think this new
coaching team. If I was in that team, that would
be my focus because then she can use her forehand
(16:45):
way better on this court. At the Australian Open. Nice
the remaining puzzle piece potentially for Sante.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Let's see if we see it at AO twenty five.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Well, if you need me, I'll be here an eleven o'clock.
If the TV career doesn't work out, I've got mit
and I come into the studio. That is true.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
I talked to the producers later on My dream Ossie
Open final matchup would be Nick Kurios and Carlos al Karaz.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Oh yeah, I haven't even played each other yet.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Yeah, that would be good.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
And I know it's some might say, well it's wishful
thinking because you know, curious a lot of water going.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
To the look to get to the final, but you
might get him in an early round.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Yeah, you're true, But I mean, like if he if
he does win six matches and gets to the final, right,
which proves his fitness and proves he's got the game.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
How would it play out? Curios alcraz I actually have
no idea. That's a big if. It's a massive if.
But I'm just wondering.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
I mean, because we saw Curios got to the Wimbledon
final twenty twenty two and was really found out by
a different level of Novak Djokovic, I wonder if a
similar thing would happen here.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
I mean, this is his domain though, this is his backyard.
That's a crystal baller. I think you've got to put
that one in for twenty six. Oh, okay six twenty seven,
not this year. I'll add it to the rundown. Yeah, anyway,
I can always dream.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Yeah, Sam, what do you want to see more of
in twenty twenty five tennis wise?
Speaker 6 (18:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (18:15):
I wasn't too sure what my answer was going to
be on this, but I guess spending time on court
in the coaching capacity now, I'd love to see better
second serve placements from players.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
I think.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
I just think as professionals they can kind of add
that in a little bit more. I think there's too
many body serves going in when it's just kind of
a bit like I'm getting in the box. So yeah,
just kind of test that. I don't know, it's hard
to say. Tennis is moving so quick.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
So what if we see more variety of placement. What
does that do to the product of the tennis that
we're watching? What will we see more of?
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Well, I think you just, as the server, you set
yourself up for being in a better position after your
second serve than not. And at least on the women's side,
the girls return so well and if it's just you know,
they kind of know where it's going middle box, they
can step in and crack that thing and get on
top of the point so quickly and so easily, and
(19:14):
that's you know, incredible for the returner. But I'd like
to say, Okay, well, let's see if the server can
really kind of hold that a little bit more. And
I think the last year or so, eager Elena and
Arena have definitely kind of pushed the boundaries on that
second serve already you can see that they've improved their
second serves in the last twelve to eighteen months, and
(19:34):
so I'd like to see the rest of the field
sort of go down that way.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
And better rallies would ensue. I imagine, Well, yeah, I
guess it would construction.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Yeah, like you can, that's what I was looking for.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Yeah, so Bake Sam would hit the kickser if you
could land a short to the backhand, get them reaching
out here so that they're not getting that big strike
and then start to open up the court with a forehand.
So that's that's what they it's all about. It's constructing
a point from the serve and not putting it in
to see what happens. It should the returner shouldn't be
(20:08):
constructing the point. It should be the server's role. And
I think it flips at times in women's tennis, doesn't Yeah, absolutely,
okay Todd. What do you want to see more of
next year? I want to see more Australians slaying it
in Grand slams. When you look at the results that
we had this year, Alex in singles, reaching quarters all
over the place, time to get to semis in a
(20:30):
final if things go well for him. Our double success
was extraordinary. Olympic medals to go with it, I mean,
and then the number of men in the top hundred,
it's just been a great year, so that's got to continue.
You want to see that continue. And then the other
part is on the women's side. For Australian tennis. It
(20:51):
was a little sparse there for eighteen months or so
once we had injuries. But all of a sudden, Olivia's
in the top hundred. You've got Emerson Jones's number one
junior in the world. You've got Taylor Preston that's starting
to knock on the door and be in there as well.
So it's exciting times for Sam and a bit more
work to do because they're going to take time to
get to the other part. But on the men's side
of things, it's Grand Slam titles, phenomenal. Keep it up, boys.
Speaker 1 (21:15):
Question for each of you, who's closer Alex Demonora, Alexi
Poprin to winning a Slam or to get let's say,
getting to.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
A final of a Slam. What about Jordan you can
throw Jordan's Yeah, well, Jordan's going to do the I
think Jordan and Alexi go to do the knocking on
the door to the quarters. That's a hard thing because
you start to believe in get to the quarters regularly,
and that's what Alex has done. You went through that, right,
I didn't, but you watch them do it and then
you start to believe, and then it's easier to get
(21:42):
there because a seating is allowing you not to come
up against somebody massive in those first few rounds, and
then you get through. So I think I think it's
Alex at the moment. And now we'll see, you know,
maybe that earlier question, maybe Alexi is one of those
that is another breakthrough in a different way for his
one his master series, and now this year is about
(22:04):
depth of result in majors and consistently doing that.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
And Sam, from a women's perspective of your I know
you don't like to play favorites, you can't really, but
who do you believe could go deepest at the AO
twenty five.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Look, I mean that's a hard question. Obviously, Oliviy's in there.
We just said she's the one in the top hundred
at the moment, and she does have a big game
and she made the final of the five hundred this
year and has that capability. And then we've got a
bunch of players who are going to be in on
wild cars. But one person I really want to kind
of shout out to is my joint. She's finished the
year at one hundred and sixteen or one hundred and eighteen,
(22:42):
started the year at six hundred and eighty something. She's
had one year on tour and she's got herself really
knocking on the door of top hundred. So I think
talk about solidifying a year now, this will be the
next jump. She will play more tour events, she'll be
able to get in more get more opportunities. But yeah,
I think she's got a real chance to kind of
crack that top hundred and then hopefully be able to
(23:05):
stay there and solidify that. But look, there's four of
them within one hundred and twenty in the world, so
it'd be great to see Dash and Isla back there.
Kim Birrell's also she got to one hundred. Now she's
finished one hundred and fourteen, so she's knocking on the
door again. So yeah, fingers crossed, it won't be too
long till we see them all actually take that jump.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Nice Bree, What about you? What do you want to
see more of next year?
Speaker 5 (23:25):
This probably isn't politically right, but I want to see
a bit more intensity, and I think it's great that
all the players are really good friends now and all
that kind of stuff. But I think we need to
see a little bit more fight on court, not like
aggressive fight.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
Yeah you know what I mean, he just boxing l.
Speaker 4 (23:42):
Yeah, they're also nice.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
You know.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
Back in the nineties, it was.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Like, ah, I've got a theory why that's that way though, right, Well,
because we've got a microphone under their nose everywhere we go. True,
you've got a camera following them in every there's no
privacy they've got nowhere that way though, one's more privacy.
(24:06):
But yeah, I want more. But do you know, here's
the thing. You want the access, but they're not going
to give it because there they're literally got under a
microscope every single point and moment they walk into the
grounds of the tennis day and so they're all they're
all just playing it safe and they've got to Yeah,
like that's where we may have this balance a little
(24:27):
a little wrong about actually how much content we want
and where you need to have those moments where it's
all in and then I can tell you, like, if
there's no cameras on the outside locker rooms, I think
but usely, you know, the outside courts used to be
a ripper to see some things go. But now they're
all live streamed right and everything, so that the actual
(24:49):
referees office they can be watching everything. There's another warning.
Whereas we used to get away with a little bit
more out there, but the on the bigger courts who
used to behave a bit more because there was all
the cameras. Yeah, was everywhere. Brother, So it's changed.
Speaker 5 (25:03):
I think you've yeah proven to be why it's different.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
But I reckon. I think so because I knew I
could get away with the little racket throw out on
court thirteen, but not on not on arena.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
So you played your first match yet way down in
the in the garden to play a lot out the
back here.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
I'm hoping to see new player rivalries.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
They're there.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
They are what makes tennis tick. It's the heartbeat of tennis.
We need rivalries. We've seen the emergence of some great
ones in the women's game the last two three years.
I just think we need more. I'd love to see
also some new stars and old stars create robberies, for
example Sable Anchor and Asuka. I feel like there's potential
for a great rivalry Goth, for a Biknner and maybe
(25:48):
someone new like fresh, your guy hoole, got runa to
your to your opening point about who'll be the break
up player?
Speaker 2 (25:53):
Maybe a Runa al karaze, Yeah, some somewhere where he
can be at that level all the time to be
able to really make that happen.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
So more rivalries, you know, just two or three for
the women, two or three for the member. They're the
sort of things that we can forecast in a drawer,
look at the brack and go, okay, we're on here.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
It could be on, you know.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
So that's what I'm hoping to see finally, Sam before
we get to the break, and Cocoa GoF to join
us before the break. What are you personally hoping to
do or achieve in twenty twenty five?
Speaker 3 (26:23):
This might sound weird to a few people, but I
want to be more physically active because I've really dropped
the ball since I retired, and I haven't been doing
too much. So I think, you know, it's been two years,
the time has come now to actually step up.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
And do a little bit more.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Do you hit much.
Speaker 4 (26:40):
Depends on the week.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Like during wimbed and I hit nearly every day and
I loved it, and then I didn't hit a ball
for three months because just of circumstance. But I love hitting,
Like going out and having a hit would be my
number one preference for exercise and sort of something to
do physically. But got a new bike, so I need
to make sure I'm actually here, helmet.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
You don't trust a balance or something. You know, what
is it? A roadbike, a mountain bike, a hybrid?
Speaker 3 (27:10):
Yeah, a bit of a hybrid to road bike with
gravel ties, So I don't know the real skinny ones
that I have to be scared of. So yeah, I
just need to, you know, get in that habit again.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
Okay, Todd, what do you want to do next year?
They're crazy? I just want to get back to some
normality of routine for me. This year has been the
busiest year of my life, twenty twenty four, starting off
with an AO and tipping point that was, you know,
filming one hundred and sixty shows of that, just leading
(27:43):
into Christmas, into the AO short break into the French
straight into Wimbledon, into Olympics, Paralympics, Labor Cup, and then
I'm still doing season two, tipping pointing to one hundred and
something shows and then we throw in you know, my
normal tennis stuff in and around that that we do.
(28:04):
So once we get through the AI, I'll have a
final fifty odd shows of tipping Point for season two
that ten weeks. No, that'll take me about five about
five weeks and then and then we're into like I
can focus back on tennis for that for the year
and there'll be you know, an intensity of breaks and
(28:25):
really getting back into that. So I'm looking forward to that.
It's been unbelievable. It's not a complaint, it's just one
of those years it's just exhausted. You just really I
really want that time to be able to do your
work and have the balance of your own time at
the same time, if that makes sense, because this has just.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
Been one of those years where it's like, whoa, Yeah,
it sounds like you've reached your tipping point, Normost, but
I'm not giving up yet. Jackpot temptation on the way
for you're in twenty twenty five, brig, what are you
personally hoping to ache?
Speaker 5 (28:54):
Well, I do a bit of painting, and I haven't
had much Well, I haven't done it much this year,
So I want to get back into painting and paint
more stuff because it's really.
Speaker 4 (29:02):
Good for my brain.
Speaker 5 (29:04):
And I want to learn a language I'm thinking, but
I doubt i'll have Look, I'm already.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
I'm already reniering on it.
Speaker 5 (29:11):
I just doubt i'll have the patience stick a bit
to its.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
As soon as you've verbalized you saying I'm taking it, like, hang.
Speaker 5 (29:16):
On, hang on, let's not put that out into the world.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Palette or brush. I do.
Speaker 5 (29:21):
I'm acrylic on canvas, but I want to get more
into oils as well. Yeah, and I do like mixed
media stuff. So there's always a bit.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Of sounds like your jo or something, a little bit
that is true. It's like the physical representation. Yeah, one language,
if you had to choose.
Speaker 4 (29:40):
I think Japanese or Spanish.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Do you speak language? No, I wish I did, todd No, No,
it's amazing language of love.
Speaker 6 (29:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:49):
Yeah, we're we're lucky.
Speaker 4 (29:50):
I don't even know that one.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Very good.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Maybe that's something we can put on your wish list
for twenty twenty five. For me, just quickly before we
get to Coco, I'd like to become a more patient person.
And I say this in general, but also because I'm
about to become a father in March. For the first
time with a little daughter on the way. But patience
is something that doesn't come very naturally to me.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Truly. I wouldn't have doesn't feel like that, I know,
but yeah, trust me. At home it's a different case.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
So yeah, just kind of taking things as they come
and not getting too caught up in the detail of
not being able to get to a place on time
or not being able to achieve everything I had set
my mind.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
That's all changing.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
It's going to change. The fact is will I deal
well with it? So patience for me is to keep
be more patient and gentle.
Speaker 4 (30:42):
I think you're giving yourself a good run up, so
that's good.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
Ready for March, Yeah, yeah, I'll have I'll have four
weeks to reset after the Australian summer and then off
we go.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
Wildest ride of my life. Yeah absolutely.
Speaker 1 (30:54):
Coco Golf is one of the brightest young stars in tennis,
and she's beginning her season for the first time the
United Cup in Perth as part of Team USA. The
twenty year old recently caught up with Vick Rudnikov to
discuss the upcoming Australian summer of tennis.
Speaker 8 (31:13):
Welcome Koko, Thank you for joining me today.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
Thanks thanks for having me.
Speaker 8 (31:18):
Well, you've ended twenty twenty four on a high note
at the WTA Finals. How are you feeling coming into
the Australian summer.
Speaker 7 (31:25):
Oh yeah, I'm.
Speaker 9 (31:25):
Really excited going into the Australian summer. I feel like
the end of the year Sean, so hoping to start
the year off strong down.
Speaker 8 (31:33):
Under United Cup debut. What makes Team USA stand out
from the pack?
Speaker 4 (31:39):
I guess uh.
Speaker 9 (31:41):
I think obviously with me and Taylor, we both had
pretty strong end of the years this year, with him
making the finals of the ATP Finals and finals of
Yes Open and me doing well at the end of
the year. So I feel like we're both coming out
of an off a lot of good hardcourt success. So
hoping to carry that on too and down Under in Perth.
Speaker 8 (32:03):
Like you said, reuniting with Taylor Fritz, who you played
Olympics with, what did you gain from that experience.
Speaker 9 (32:09):
I think I just learned a little bit more about
his game and his style of play. I definitely think
we'll hopefully be better on barn court than we were
on clay. So yeah, I think I think I've learned
a lot about how he likes to play mixed doubles.
It's a little bit different than how I like to play,
but hopefully we can can mesh well and you will
have a little bit more time, I think to prepare
(32:31):
for it to considering Olympics was so fast, so I
think we'll have we'll have more time to properly prepare
for the mixed doubles event, which I know is really
important in the United Cup format.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 8 (32:43):
And in Paris you were chosen to be co flag
bearrow with Lebron James, which is so cool. But what
does it mean to represent your country on the world stage.
Speaker 9 (32:52):
Oh, it means a lot to me, and you know,
I think for me, I think United Cup is such
a unique event and there's no other event like it
in tennis and Connor and any sport honestly that I'm
thinking about it. So I think it's really cool to
bring both men's sport and women's sport on equal scale
(33:13):
and equal competition, and I think that's something really exciting
and hopefully can appeal to not just tennis fans but
also non tennis fans as well.
Speaker 8 (33:21):
Yeah, and it's your first time visiting Perth as well.
How are you feeling going to a new city that
isn't Melbourne.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Yeah, I'm actually excited.
Speaker 9 (33:29):
I said in a previous interview that it's not often
onto where we get to experience new city for the
first time. So I can't remember the last time I've
been to a city for the first time, so I'm
really excited to go to Perth and learn more about
just Western Australia in general. I've never been to Western Australia. Yeah,
I've only been in Melbourne and Adelaide, so I'm super
(33:51):
excited to go out there and experience something new, and hopefully,
if we do well, experienced Sydney as well, which is
another place I haven't been to.
Speaker 8 (34:00):
And with Canada and Croatia in your group, you'll most
likely face Vekis and Fernandez. What are you expecting from them?
Speaker 2 (34:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 9 (34:08):
Donna, I just played her at the Olympics this year
and I lost. And she's a very aggressive player. She
has a great fourhand and she can't win her it's
like kind of on any part of the court, so
I think that's gonna be a tough match. And Layla,
I've never played her before, but I've known her since
since I was like eleven years old. We were playing
Gears together, so this will be our first time playing
(34:30):
on like this pro scale, professional event, so I'm super
excited for that. I think she's super fast athletic player.
She's a lefty, which is not common on tour at all.
So both matches are very tough matches to start the
year off, but I'm looking forward to them.
Speaker 8 (34:46):
I think it's safe to say you're one of the
faces of gen Z in tennis. How does it feel
to be a figure ahead of your generation.
Speaker 9 (34:54):
I guess I don't look at it is that, yeah,
But you know, obviously I know, like tennis, a lot
of people look up to me and in my generation
as well. But for me, it's just doing something that
I love and and I have an opportunity to inspire
other people to do what they love. You know, I
don't take for granted, and you know, especially like when
(35:15):
I'm on TikTok, I think a lot of people sometimes
forget that we're you know, athletes are also hugans do
Like sometimes I'll get comments like saying, oh, I didn't
know she did that, or I didn't know she like
ghost the store, And I remember I did a friends
giving meal and somebody's like, I know, I thought you
would have a chef. I'm like, no, I'm just like
a girl that plays tennis and other than that, my
(35:36):
life is pretty normal.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
So I think for me, it's.
Speaker 9 (35:39):
Just just have an opportunity to do what I love
and inspire people to do what they love, but also
knowing that their dreams aren't as far away as people
think they are.
Speaker 8 (35:49):
Yeah, incredible. Well, thank you so much for chatting with
me today, Coker. We can't wait to see you on court.
Speaker 6 (35:54):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Well.
Speaker 1 (35:59):
The Australian Summer Tennis kicks off December twenty seven and
it all starts with the United Cup which gets underway
in Perth and then Sydney the next day. And we're
joined by the tournament director of the United Cup, Stephen Farrow,
from Perth. Good morning to you, Stephen, good morning. How
are the conditions over there and the Jewel of West Australia.
Speaker 7 (36:21):
Well, it's really really hot. It was forty degrees yesterday.
We're gonna have forty degrees again today. We've had a
lot of the players arriving and actually quite excited about
coming into the heat from the cold of Europe.
Speaker 6 (36:32):
But the Areada's all set ready to go.
Speaker 7 (36:34):
We've had some players practicing, so we're feeling.
Speaker 4 (36:36):
Really good, amazing.
Speaker 5 (36:38):
So with some of those players arriving, I think I
saw Zverev and Felix arrive. What's the mood on the
ground at the moment.
Speaker 6 (36:46):
It's always really positive.
Speaker 7 (36:48):
I mean, the players are always so excited to when
they arrive and they get here and get into the sunshine,
and I mean the first thing that Zverev wanted to
talk about when he arrived yesterday was whether he and
his girlfriend could go and see the Quakers because he's
been with he's obviously been with Hot One Cup a
couple of times, and he told her how great it was,
and so that was the main thing that he was
focused on yesterday. But yeah, I mean, generally, it's also
(37:11):
Christmas time. It's Christmas time, It's United Cup. What could
be better?
Speaker 2 (37:16):
Nothing, So, Stephen, one of the key things about United
Cup is the matchups that we get. And you know,
when I'm talking about the tournament, it's so rare that
you'll get two number one players from a country, you
know the likes of Golf and Leila Fernandez and Taylor
Fritz taking on an Alexander z Verev, like you don't.
(37:38):
You don't get those matches till the quarters and semis
of majors a lot of the time. How good is
it to have that in your field? Yeah, it's pretty.
Speaker 7 (37:47):
Amazing actually, And you look at some of those matches
in the group stage, like you say, I mean you've
got you know, donal Viki's playing Leila Fernandez and Cocoa
Golf as well. I mean those matches, like you said,
there's sort of latter stages of one thousands grands of
actions and they're straight from the off.
Speaker 6 (38:02):
So I think it means, you know, you would know
much better than me.
Speaker 7 (38:05):
But from a playing perspective, you've got to be right
on it right from the beginning. There's no room to
sort of play your way into a tournament. But I
also think I think the players quite like that as well.
That's certainly sort of the feedback we get, and particularly
first week of the year. I think to sort of
quickly have to get back to your level is something
which which they seem to enjoy. I mean, obviously if
they lose, they obviously won't enjoy it, but that's certainly
the message that we get before the competition, but then
(38:27):
they get.
Speaker 2 (38:28):
That chance to have another match anyway, right, so you
actually go, oh, hang on, I've got to pick myself
back up because of the group stages.
Speaker 7 (38:35):
That's what's unique. Yeah, exactly right, exactly right. And then
obviously with the format, it's not just dependent on you
to get through. You know, you've got the other singles,
You've got the Mixed doubles to come as well, so
there's always that chance. And I think one of the
things that's really really really exciting about the competition this
year is quite how open it is. We were talking
about this as a team last night, where realistically there's
(38:57):
they are multiple teams that could come through and win
this competition and you can't really call it, which I
think is so exciting.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
So the mixed doubles, you've got this new time out
rule innovation, How is that going to work? And was
there any talk about bringing that up in the singles?
Speaker 7 (39:18):
Yeah, for sure, we would do it. We'd do it
throughout the competition from a in terms of how it's
going to work. This is something that we've been pushing
for for a number of years because we think that
we think there's all sorts of things that tennis could
embrace from other sports that it doesn't. And whilst tennis
has been forward thinking with things like electronic line calling
and stuff like that, things that could really make the
(39:38):
game more exciting and compelling for the fan. There's all
sorts of things that I think we could be looking at,
I think for this competition. Because you've got the unique
role of the captain, there's a lot more we can
do with that.
Speaker 6 (39:50):
And the timeout.
Speaker 7 (39:51):
Idea, so that will that will only apply during the
mixed doubles and the captain will press it.
Speaker 6 (39:56):
Is literally a big red button.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
I've seen a lot of I love that.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
It's uh, you can't miss it.
Speaker 7 (40:02):
I'm just wondering what happens when someone leans on it
accidentally as well. But anyway, so the captain will press
it and then there'll be a sixty second time out,
the players will come to the bench, they'll have the
chance to confer, and then on we go, on we
go with the match.
Speaker 6 (40:17):
It can only be used when your team is serving, which, yeah,
why is that? I hope you can move beyond that.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
Yeah, I thought, what is there a reason? Is it
just to get started? I mean, isn't that the whole concept?
Is that both teams get that same option, whether you
be receiving or serving.
Speaker 6 (40:34):
Yeah, so yes, I agree.
Speaker 7 (40:36):
I think I think it's always it's always a bit
of a journey with these things with the A t
P and WTA for really good reasons because obviously they're.
Speaker 6 (40:44):
Responsible for the rules of the tour all.
Speaker 7 (40:45):
Year round, and I think that they they're always a
little bit reluctant to push too much with something early
on and it get dismissed. So you know, we're it's
a it's a small step and we've got to really
something really cool planed for the whole sort of d
stadium takeover and there's really dramatic music that's going to
be played. I think if, if, when it happens, it's
(41:06):
going to be a really cool moment.
Speaker 1 (41:08):
Sam, as a former captain of the Australian United Cup team,
that'd be a pressure moment for you to know when
to push and what to do with those sixty seconds.
Speaker 3 (41:16):
Well, I guess being up to the captain and you
kind of yeah, you want to make sure you've got
something to say.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
And I'm going to be a huge advocate for having
it at both ends of the court, because I mean
if you if you were playing against me, and I'd
be definitely on breakpoint as the return I was serving,
I would be taking a time out because you'd be
guaranteed a double would follow. So that's that's what it's for,
right to change my game. Yeah, So anyways, I think
(41:47):
the concepts good and I'm going to keep working on it.
Speaker 6 (41:49):
For you, Stephen, Thank you appreciate the support.
Speaker 1 (41:53):
So you've got teams in what you've got nine teams
is that in Perth and nine teams in Sydney. And
then how the final system work beyond the group stage.
Speaker 7 (42:03):
Well, we have we have two quarter finals in each city.
So we'll finish up in Perth on the first of
January with the two quarter finals. There'll be two winners
that will then fly over to Sydney on the Thursday
morning and then they'll have the Friday on site, perhaps
seeing in Sydney to get used to the used to
the environment there, and then they will meet the two
quarter final winners from Sydney the semifinals on the fourth
(42:24):
of January.
Speaker 1 (42:26):
There you go, and Germany the defending champion. Team USA
was the inaugural champion, so who else could mix it
with them? In twenty twenty five.
Speaker 6 (42:34):
Well, I just think I said before, I just think
it's really really open.
Speaker 7 (42:37):
I mean we were talking yesterday about the check team,
which no one's really no one really would necessarily talk
about the check team. But you look at the players
with Mashaka and Mukova playing for Check here, I mean
they've they're a really really strong team. Italy as well,
with Paolini was obviously that's an unbelievable year last year.
Speaker 6 (42:54):
Kabali's a great player.
Speaker 7 (42:56):
Poland, Poland, I would say probably you would think, given
how they've played in this competition, might be slight favorites
just because they are in Sydney and they have been in
Sydney before and their Sydney all the way through. But
you know, we'll have to see with those guys, well,
I mean Australia will have a good chance. I mean,
you know, you guys will will certainly have a view
on that. But Alex obviously offer absolutely magnificent year. Really
(43:17):
excited to see how Olivia Gadeki does in this competition.
There's just there's just so many potential winners here, so
it's it's anyone's guests really in terms of who's going
to emerge. There's not very many teams that you would
think won't get through, so it just makes for an
incredibly open competition.
Speaker 5 (43:37):
I'm surprised you didn't say great Britain, Stevens, so well
done on that.
Speaker 4 (43:42):
For avoiding.
Speaker 5 (43:44):
So for fans who are joining us at Ken Roswell
Arena in Sydney and ric Arena in Perth, what can
I expect?
Speaker 7 (43:54):
Well, this this competition has a really unique atmosphere because
it's a team competition and because it's you know, you're
you're turning up to support your country and it's everything
that comes with that. And you know, I think you've
got two people in the studio there who've played for
their country and know what that environment is like when
you get the passionate fans. One of the great things
about Australia is you've got so many different people from
(44:16):
around the world. So you know, we've got thousands of
people from the Chinese community here in Perth coming to
cheer on China, the Croatian community, the Italian community in Sydney,
so it's almost like a home match for those countries,
but in Australia, and so I think that's that unique passionate,
intense atmosphere, tribal atmosphere as well, is something that we
(44:37):
don't see that often in tennis, certainly outside the team competitions,
and I think that just makes for an even more
exciting and engaging competition.
Speaker 5 (44:46):
Yeah, it's a lot of fun. I do love it.
It's my favorite tournament. Not that you have favorites for
you're allowed. Yeah, I love I actually love it.
Speaker 4 (44:56):
I think I am no, but I love it.
Speaker 1 (44:58):
In any guys, one way to start the Australian summer
of tennis. Steven, Thank you so much for joining us
on the tennis and all the best to you and
your team for the next.
Speaker 2 (45:07):
Couple of weeks of competition.
Speaker 6 (45:09):
Thanks very much.
Speaker 1 (45:10):
Great to have Steven joining us from Perth. So much
to look forward to. That kicks off December twenty seven
bre This year, throughout twenty twenty four, you've delivered some cracking.
Speaker 4 (45:19):
Top fives and some bad ones.
Speaker 1 (45:21):
Yeah, this is a new season, this is the tennis
Australian summer, so we need to kick off on a
really positive note.
Speaker 2 (45:26):
So what's your top five for today?
Speaker 4 (45:29):
Top five Christmas songs?
Speaker 2 (45:31):
I like it. No, that's good.
Speaker 5 (45:32):
We've gone completely away from Tennis just for this episode.
And yeah, and I've put some contentious things in here.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
Contentious, I think, so contentious Christmas songs.
Speaker 5 (45:42):
Well, no, not well yeah kind of. I just feel
like John will be like, you've missed the great The
buttons are in your control, start with I know. All right, okay,
ready yep. Five So number five.
Speaker 4 (45:56):
Blue Christmas by Elvish. Yeah, it's a good one.
Speaker 5 (46:00):
It nineteen fifty seven hit when I still have it
on record. It was my parents record and we used
to play it every Christmas, that whole album.
Speaker 2 (46:08):
I'm vinyl on vinyl. Yeah, that's the way.
Speaker 4 (46:11):
Yeah, So that's my five.
Speaker 2 (46:13):
It's a sad song, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (46:16):
I'll have a Blue Christmas without you. Yeah, probably is
a bit pressing, but it's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (46:23):
Don't listen to the lyrics to No. All right, what's four.
Speaker 4 (46:28):
Baby It's cold outside?
Speaker 6 (46:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (46:31):
Yeah, because I love that too. It was by Frank Lossa,
recorded in nineteen forty four.
Speaker 4 (46:36):
But I think it's probably.
Speaker 5 (46:37):
One of the top re recorded kind of Christmas songs
because obviously Frank Sinatra did it and Ella Fitzgerald apparently
it was never written to be for Christmas, but became
a Christmas song.
Speaker 2 (46:49):
Because of the season, is it?
Speaker 1 (46:51):
Yeah, Wolf not here but yeah in northern Hemisphere. Baby
it's cold outside. Yeah, I can see that snuggling up
to ones and ones. I think there are other Christmas
songs that deal with those themes.
Speaker 4 (47:03):
Yeah, totally.
Speaker 2 (47:06):
He's ripping them apart. Where are the traditional ones? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (47:11):
Good one? Okay three? How to Make Gravy by Poor Kelly.
Speaker 2 (47:18):
Oh national viewers and listeners.
Speaker 5 (47:21):
Yeah, I'm gonna explain it. So it's an Australian song
and Paul Kelly is one of our top Australian singer
songwriters and he wrote this, I think in twenty ten. Yeah,
and it's about a bit of a weird Christmas kind
of song because it's about a criminal who is writing
(47:44):
this letter home to his.
Speaker 4 (47:46):
Family from jail.
Speaker 5 (47:48):
Ye. I've seen all these themes lately about how like
in Britain there's all these songs about the beautiful season
and the food, and then we our top Christmas songs
about a crim in jail.
Speaker 1 (48:01):
But it's a heartfelt song of long, long and learning to.
Speaker 4 (48:04):
Be He doesn't want his wife to be hit on
by his.
Speaker 2 (48:08):
Brother and that's fair enough.
Speaker 4 (48:10):
It gets better.
Speaker 2 (48:11):
We have I think that's.
Speaker 4 (48:11):
The twenty first of December.
Speaker 5 (48:13):
We know we call Gravy Day because he's penning this
letter to his wife and family on the twenty first
of December, and that's generally when you start to make gravy.
Speaker 2 (48:23):
And that's the title of the song.
Speaker 4 (48:24):
Yeah, how to make Gravy.
Speaker 1 (48:27):
Yeah, it's quite song though, it's definitely going to listen
to it get out.
Speaker 4 (48:32):
I like the song.
Speaker 2 (48:32):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (48:33):
The only one I know so fast I'm going with it.
Speaker 5 (48:36):
I'm sure I've heard the other two, but it's just
so aussy.
Speaker 2 (48:39):
It is good, it's raw and it's emotional.
Speaker 5 (48:42):
It's beautiful, but then when you get to the bottom
of what it's about, it's been.
Speaker 2 (48:46):
Like, oh, we've touched on some dark themes.
Speaker 5 (48:50):
Just you know, Australia's criminal history, The Green Button of
Co fairy Tale of New York by the Pokes. I'm
not familiar with the it's the just played Christmas song
in the UK in the twenty first century, so it's
an Irish pub Christmas song.
Speaker 4 (49:07):
It goes like do do do do do do do
do do do do?
Speaker 2 (49:11):
Yeah, Okay, oh, I'm going to have to go and
listen to more fairy tale.
Speaker 4 (49:16):
Did you say the fairy Tale of New York?
Speaker 5 (49:18):
Okay, so, but an Irish it's an Irish Chris pub
Christmas song.
Speaker 1 (49:23):
About New York. Yeah, everybody, Yeah, getting on the ship. Yeah,
the over the Atlantic.
Speaker 2 (49:29):
We've locked them up, we've sent them away. So far
with so far, with loneliness.
Speaker 1 (49:37):
Hopefully the last one Santa something, please get a bit
of bow Woodbridge in the next.
Speaker 5 (49:44):
Jordan was like, you better just sild night because bo sings.
And I was like, oh, but then it all just
seems like I'm sucking up the top that I actually
removed it.
Speaker 1 (49:53):
Yeah, well, bring us home with something that, you know,
just restores the mood a little bit.
Speaker 4 (49:58):
Okay, why all for Christmas?
Speaker 2 (50:01):
Is you by Mariah carry It's bound to happen.
Speaker 4 (50:04):
Yeah, because so it got.
Speaker 5 (50:06):
It's obviously a massive, amazing She's the Queen of Christmas,
Mariah Kerry. And it was in Mean Girls, and then
it recently has had an even bigger resurgence because it
was a TikTok trend where if you heard the initial
bars of the song, everyone was like, oh my god,
Christmas is here, and it became this viral and a
TikTok moment.
Speaker 1 (50:26):
It's a one second number one. It's a one second
recognize that one. I was also in love actually as
I was taken through last Yeah, for the first time.
Speaker 2 (50:35):
Yeah, that's pretty good list.
Speaker 1 (50:37):
But yeah, no traditional ones, I note there, and yeah.
Speaker 5 (50:41):
But there's just so many good non traditional ones, that's true.
Speaker 1 (50:45):
I just like First Noel is my favorite underrated.
Speaker 2 (50:51):
Underrated John did.
Speaker 4 (50:52):
Try to influence my list, and obviously it didn't work.
Speaker 1 (50:54):
If you haven't listened in a while, get the first
Noel on your on your set. But I did watch
a very musical Christmas and Bo did a wonderful and
complex rendition of Silent he did.
Speaker 2 (51:06):
Yeah, that was the cast of Dear Evan Hansen and
their music director put that all together. So it starts
traditionally and then goes into up more upbeats on at
night with wonful harmonies from the whole place and not
easy to do. You're a singer, I'm not, but yeah, challenging. Yeah,
he's come a long way. Hoping to get him in
studio job open he's He and the cast are opening
(51:28):
Carols by Candlelight for Challenging on Christmas Eve, So get
ready for that. I think I believe the sing come
all you faithful, so you'll be having.
Speaker 1 (51:35):
Another beautiful song. You've got a favorite Christmas song?
Speaker 2 (51:38):
Sam, Not really.
Speaker 3 (51:40):
I mean Eve's just been singing jingle bells every day
and every single moment.
Speaker 4 (51:45):
So that's all that I have going through my head.
Speaker 1 (51:47):
It's a good meeting potatoes Christmas line and length.
Speaker 3 (51:50):
No, I've just put on the whatever you know Spotify
letting go.
Speaker 2 (51:54):
I like bing Crosby and White Christmas.
Speaker 5 (51:58):
Yeah, that's actually quite a good one.
Speaker 2 (52:00):
Have you ever seen a white Christmas? No? No, Well,
fifty years nearly of Australian opens.
Speaker 1 (52:06):
It seems like across the equator snow done last long
here except in two thousand and six. I believe we
had we did have a snow in Melbourne. You might
not have seen it. Crazy stuff, well done on. You're
on your top five, thought provoking, contentious, indeed, finally to finish,
(52:27):
it's been a long episode of the Tennis and I
hope you've enjoyed the first episode of season seven of
the pod, but Ace of the Week, where we share
a non tennis highlight from our week past or to come.
Speaker 2 (52:37):
So Sam, what's lighting up your Christmas world? Eve?
Speaker 3 (52:40):
You've got an early Christmas present from a couple of
aunties friends of ours, and it is this giant unicorn
that is pink and purple. It's the most magnificent thing
you've ever seen. It's splayed so its legs are all
out and she's had it for three days and it
just gets carried around room to room, laid.
Speaker 4 (52:59):
On, slept plush plush to blush toy.
Speaker 3 (53:02):
Anyone in Australia that kmar you could not miss this.
It's it's like a new member of the family sat
on the chair when we had breakfast together yesterday.
Speaker 4 (53:12):
So this thing is amazing.
Speaker 3 (53:14):
Uni So Uni Uni comes everywhere now around the house.
Speaker 4 (53:18):
So that has been a highlight.
Speaker 2 (53:21):
I think has Uni ridden in the Porsche yet it
won't be long. Love it Todd your of the week. Look,
it's und apologetically you know, one of those weeks for
me because it was the opening of Dear Evan Hanson
in Melbourne, yes and opening and I was just just yeah, incredible.
So did he lift for his hometown?
Speaker 6 (53:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (53:43):
It was really stressful. You know, like he's been sitting
in his pocket really well comfortable and healthy vocally healthy,
but you know that that audience was full of people
that he knew that he's grown up with the industry,
people that are all got eyes on it. There's theater
critics as everything. Pressure, so it was a lot of
pressure and he just you know, he and the whole
(54:04):
team just nailed it and it was quite interesting to
see him relax after night, which was a Wednesday of
last week, and then he can really just sit in
it now. And you know a lot of a lot
of people that are coming into the Aussie Open that
you're not going to get every session, you know, they
can get over to the I want to.
Speaker 4 (54:23):
Go see it too, and hopefully it doesn't end.
Speaker 2 (54:25):
No, we've got a couple of weeks after the a.
Speaker 1 (54:27):
Okay, good y, but that that was massive podcast excuse
you know.
Speaker 2 (54:32):
And the other thing is really weird for me. It's
really weird is that I've been driving around Melbourne and
all of a sudden, like a tram comes by and
my bloody son's on the train. How would you deal
with that? There's enough.
Speaker 4 (54:43):
So well, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (54:44):
It was extraordinary, extraordinary week for the family. Hopefully get
him on the pod for all the sit well, you know,
he knows a lot about tennis. Off see him. He's
grown up around tennesse he knows everything and was he
really yeah, yeah, pretty much. I mean he doesn't follow
it as much as he used to, but it's been
a bit of his well, it's like the crossover. I
know a lot of his world and he knows a
lot of mine. So he's been to a lot of
(55:05):
Wimbledon's a lot of Austrain Open. So yeah, I like
it Ace of the week.
Speaker 4 (55:10):
As everyone knows.
Speaker 5 (55:11):
I've recently moved house and my dog and cat are
getting along much better in.
Speaker 4 (55:16):
The new house.
Speaker 2 (55:17):
Really, they probably felt that they had to stick together.
Speaker 4 (55:20):
Yeah, and a bit more.
Speaker 1 (55:21):
Yeah, maybe go overseas with an exchange student you don't
like in Melbourne.
Speaker 2 (55:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (55:26):
Yeah, it's just the best they've ever been together. The
dogs four and a half and the cat's fourteen, so
it's a bit of an age girl. And the cat
takes no prisoners, like the cat chases the dog as
well as the dog chases a cat, which I think
is quite cute because he's always playing. But they've got
into the habit of sleeping together more and all that
kind of stuff, which I'm really liking. It makes my
(55:47):
heart happy, better energy. Yeah, well, that's what I thought.
The house must just be better for them.
Speaker 2 (55:53):
I wonder if they have like you know, the animal
version of the Chinese you know what's it called? Cat?
A waving cart? No, no, no, no, when they happened, Yeah,
that's it.
Speaker 1 (56:10):
It's better to take your word for it, is that
it cutting the dog dumpling?
Speaker 4 (56:17):
And what else do you up for me? Dumpling and
dumpling and bacon?
Speaker 2 (56:22):
Bacon?
Speaker 5 (56:23):
Who's who dumplings the dog? Bacon's the cat?
Speaker 1 (56:27):
Yeah, good questions, Sam, We're all wondering for me. Looking
forward to rolling the I have been rolling the arm
over in a bit of backyard cricket already. Oh yeah,
last weekend. Jeez, the rotator cuffs carefully and yeah, and
that because I bowl left left arm. That is not
an arm I used to anything else, so got to
got to protect it. But great, great catching up with
(56:47):
the family. My dad, as I've talked about before, he's
been on well over the past eight years.
Speaker 2 (56:52):
But he's doing well at the moment. Now what are
we now?
Speaker 1 (56:55):
Three generations and coming together. It's just a wonderful time
of year. And hoping to do the same with my
wife's family as well. Before it all kicks off, which
is tomorrow when you're watching this, but you can join
us again next week for the latest episode of the
Tennis and don't forget to like and subscribe to stay
(57:16):
across everything happening in the world of the tennis. Thanks
for joining us, Todd.
Speaker 2 (57:21):
Very Christmas, everybody, Happy holidays all of those that celebrate
differently as well.
Speaker 1 (57:28):
Yeah, have a great week in tennis and a happy
new Year.
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Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!