January 21, 2025 • 20 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for Wednesday 22 January 2025, New Zealand tennis superstar Erin Routliffe talks about her incredible run in the world of doubles - make two semi-finals at the Australian Open.
D'Arcy delivers an opinion piece on why the Super Smash needs to change and join the Big Bash.
Plus, NZ Herald rugby writer Phil Gifford joins the panel to discuss the future of domestic T20 cricket in New Zealand.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks b.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
HIA. Welcome on into the Sports FX podcast. My name
is Darcy Walter Grave in his home of all the
sports news you need to know and some you probably
didn't feature on the podcast. Today will kick things off
with Aaron Routlift double tennis exponent appearing at the point
and end of the Ossie Open in both women's doubles
and mixed doubles as well. We'll talk to her about that,
(00:44):
the approach and the energy behind one of the world's
biggest and most exciting Grand Slam events. After that, I
got some opinions Smash Bash, Crash Lash, you get the
genuine idea what's going on with the future of Big
Bash the Super Smash. Do these two T twenty franchise
tournaments need to be combined as one like in the NRL,
(01:06):
like in the A League, like in the NBA, like
in Super Rugby. Let's get trans Tasman on it. And
after that, Nathan Lehmitt joins us in the chamber as
we talk some of the big sports stories of the day.
That's our plan, so let's get amongst. In other news,
Spaniel Carlos al Chaav admits he was outplayed in a
(01:28):
four seat quarter final defeat to Novak Djokovic at the
Ossie Tennis Open. Al Kaav won the first set that
was overpowered by Djokovic, who's on the hunt for a
twenty fifth Grand Slam and eleventh title in Melbourne.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Most of the of the crucial points was it went
to his side. So I mean, when when Noah, it's
as planned. This level is really difficult to find, to
find to find the way.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Former Football Ferns coach Jetka Klinkov has a new job.
New Zealand Herald's a Bonnie Janssen gives us the report.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
Four months after giving up her post with New Zealand
following an investigation into an employment related matter. Clenkov has
been named to take charge of the Czech national team.
The fifty year old has remained in a high performance
role with the national body following that investigation. A group
of players then told The Herald they had expressed concerns
(02:25):
to the national body over inappropriate behavior. She's signed on
with her home nation until the twenty twenty seven World Cup,
saying it's the right time to return home.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
And New Zealand's newest the men's National surfing champ, already
has his sites firmly set on the Olympic Games. Sixteen
year old Alexis Owen is three days into his tenure
as the National surf champion after victory in Taranaki. Owen's
already got a site set on representing his city and
country at the highest level.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
My main goal right now is definitely to try and
make Olympics, either eight or twenty thirty two.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Definitely definitely try and make Olympics at least once in MYRAA.
Speaker 5 (03:05):
Leading off X.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
We've got just the Ticket's horse Fix News Talks.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
IVY and it's one of our favorites. Aaron ra outlif
at the Aussie Open, hi eron how are you hi?
Speaker 1 (03:18):
I'm good?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
How are you well? Probably not as tired as you are.
You really been quite a lot off, didn't you? Mixed
doubles women's doubles all on the same day. Is that sensible?
Do you think?
Speaker 6 (03:27):
Erin, Yeah, it's all good. It's normal at slams. I
think a lot of people when you play doubles in
mixed you get doubled up. So it's just something new.
I mean, it's a good, good problem to have.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
What do you how do you go about preparing for
something like that? You've done it before playing, As you said,
it's something that happens. Is there a particular method to
go about putting your best foot forward in both fixtures?
Speaker 6 (03:50):
Just focusing on like the first one match at a time.
I think, just preparing with the heat. I hid dreaded
a lot, proper nutrition, all that stuff, getting enough sleep. Yeah,
just the basic thing.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
So nothing's changed, just a matter of following process. It's
that symbol, yeah, exactly when it comes to the disciplines
and how you play with each partner. With Michael Wall,
with Gabby, how does that adjust in your preparation? What's
the difference in exchanges with the female and or male.
Speaker 6 (04:23):
They're both pretty positive and they bring a good energy,
so it's not too different. Honestly. The only main thing
is with Gabby I play on the duce side. With Mike,
I play on the ID, so that's pretty different, so
I have to adjust my game a little bit.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Wait, so is that a personal preference? So just the
way the cookie crumbles.
Speaker 6 (04:42):
Gabby likes to play on the ad and Mike likes
to play on the deuce, so I just played the
other one.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Used today After what happened, you were very complimentary of Gabby,
and I think you got a bit Caussie on a chat.
She saved your ass and a few other nice expletives too,
So you.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Got to love that.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
We've got a lot of love for Gabby, haven't you.
Speaker 6 (05:01):
Yeah, yeah, she was amazing yesterday at the nut. I
was struggling a little bit with my serve and she
was h yeah, start up there.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
So what happens in between you're playing today with Michael,
then you're playing your women's doubles matches. As far as now,
it's getting to the point at end, what happens with training,
What happens with setting yourself up? What's the process?
Speaker 6 (05:25):
It's just a hit for thirty minutes before every match.
There's not really any training. It's just warm ups. Now, yeah,
that's it. And so you're just like in the gym
for like forty five minutes before that and then you
warm up and then play your match.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
So when you're playing, so you're ranked second seed, so
you've obviously got favoritism. I don't know what your history's
like at Margaret Court specifically, what difference does that make
You're taking on Gadecki and Peers. Where do they sit
in the widest scheme of things and what do they
bring to the court? Do you think?
Speaker 6 (05:55):
Erin, Yeah, they're a great team. They've had three really
good wins and we haven't played Australians yet and so
we've actually had the crowd on our side with all
the Kiwis coming here to it's been awesome. So maybe
today they all might they might have more of the crowd,
but I'm sure the cues will still come and support.
(06:17):
But yeah, I mean they're both really good players. Mike
knows Peers pretty well, I know Gadeki. Yeah, we're just
excited to get the opportunity to play.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Does that make for a more entertaining match for the
players themselves? That you know the people over the net
and I presume this is quite common? Does that just
add an extra but a spark to the fixture, maybe
lessen the aggression? Possibly?
Speaker 6 (06:41):
No, we all know each other by this point. We're
playing the same people every week basically. The only one
that is different is like when we play mixed. Obviously,
we don't know the men that well, and the men
don't know the women that well. But yeah, now at
this point we know everybody, so everybody knows everybody.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
You've mentioned the hate before, Aaron, and dealing with that.
I don't know what we're looking like today because I'm
hiding an air conditioning. But again, something you just have
to keep. There's any specific method you use there, No, the.
Speaker 6 (07:13):
Last few days were really hot, but it's cool, doubt
a lot. It's like only twenty degrees today, and I
think it'll be like that for the rest of the tournament.
You just use ice packs on changeovers, hydra, yeah, just
the basics stuff. But yeah, it's not gonna be too
hot for the rest of the tournaments.
Speaker 7 (07:29):
That's nice.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
I think I know what you're gonna say here, Aaron Rautler.
But the energy from victory in one discipline, does that
transfer to the next discipline? Light you get it going today?
Does that mean in your semi final in the women's
doubles it adds a little extra You have to kind
of separate it all out.
Speaker 6 (07:47):
I don't even think about the anything except for the
match that I'm playing in the moment, like I'll focus
on the one today. I'm not even thinking about my semi,
my woman's semi. To be honest, I just am going
one match at a time.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
So when I bring it up, you get a bit like,
I'll come on, mate, Really, I've told you're mony focusing
on the one, you know, But we can't help ourselves.
We're interested in what happens wait Thursday or Friday. So
you're not angry, No, no, god, no, I understand people.
Speaker 6 (08:13):
People always are like, oh, what's happening in the future.
You think about winning, winning the tournament, blah blah blah.
But nah, that's not something we think about because you
got to focus on what you need to do.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
They hear them now the phrase be present, very very important.
But I'm not gonna be priison and I'm going to
look forward. It's number two seeds playing number three seats.
What's your history like with the oppositions? Off the pinko
and say, I think it's how you pronounce your name.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
They're a new teams, so we've played them separately quite
a few times, but never together. So yeah, it'll be
a great match. There are two amazing doubles players, Grand
Slam winners like multiple times so yeah, we're we're excited
and we're ready, and yeah, we'll do our We'll watch
them play a little bit and uh yeah, figure out
(08:59):
how we're how we're gonna try and win.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
I'm gonna be impressed with how fay you've come considering
gavid Rowski with it brace kancer scare, and she took
a bit of time off, which hold the proceedings somewhat understandably.
So so her returned to the court and the success
you're having it says a lot about her mental strength
and about your support as well. Hearin.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
Yeah, that was a heavy thing to deal with last year,
and all credit to her. She's been absolutely incredible. It's
it just makes everything you know she achieved and we
achieved together even better. Obviously, very happy to be on
the other side of it, and she'll have to, you know,
keep up with her health and her checks and all
that stuff. But yeah, it was definitely really scary. I've
(09:44):
never known anyone near me to have a cancer scare,
so yeah, it was it was a lot, But honestly,
it's incredible to be besides somebody that you know has
such an inspiring story.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
I suppose it puts into perspective what you're doing for
a living. It's just a net and a couple of bulls, right, yeah.
Speaker 6 (10:02):
Exactly, it's exactly what it did. It really brings perspective
to everything for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
And one last thing for you, Aaron, and I don't
know how much you watched last night. It's probably way
past your bedtime or so me. I eventually turned into
about two in the morning. But how good Novak Djokovic
and his game.
Speaker 6 (10:20):
It was.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
It was extraordinary watching him and al Karez. What a
display of tennis.
Speaker 6 (10:25):
Yeah, it was crazy they had to play in the quarters.
I'm sure it was an amazing match. I watched like
one set and a half and then I had to
fall asleep. But yeah, no, he's incredible.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Yeah, I'll tell you what you need to do is
go and watch the third set. It is quite extraordinary.
And on that note, I hate to tell you what
to do, but you know what it's like. Aaron Rautler,
thanks so much for your time, watching you the best,
not only for today, but of course for the doubles
matches as well. On send ou regards to Gabby and
we'll talk again soon, I know. Thanks for your time.
Speaker 7 (10:52):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news, how
news Talks.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
BSh, Bess Smiths, Mass, whatever you call it. T twenty
franchise cricket plainly is here to stay. And let's face it,
like it.
Speaker 7 (11:10):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
It's really dominating the cricket landscape. So the question has
to be asked, why to earth are Australia and New
Zealand not in cahoots when it comes to T twenty
franchise cricket. We have the Big Bash and the Super Smash,
and I'm sure you would agree that the Big Bash
is the superior product. Why is this, well, the Australian
(11:35):
competition bigger and badder, a better quality of player, a
better quality of broadcast, a better quality of commentators. Out
and out, it's just a bigger, bad a better competition.
I don't want for you to think I'm belittling the
Super Smash, although on the surface of it I suppose
i am, but it just hasn't got the same traction
(11:58):
as the Big Bash, the older Australian cousin. And I
think that if the Smash and the Bash we're to combine,
we get a couple of teams from New Zealand to
join the party over in Australia, bring some of those
fixtures over here and play a majority of them in Australia.
This would gain a massive amount of eyeballs on this
(12:19):
side of the ditch. I don't see how it could fail. Yeah, sure,
there'll be issues around what teams don't progress. Do you
run with a Wellington or a Canterbury or Northern or Central?
Speaker 7 (12:31):
The list goes on, and.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
In order to make that onme lood of a T
twenty competition, some eggs are going to have to be broken.
I'm sure that the powers that be are looking into
this and I'd like to think that it will accelerate
over time. I love Super Smash, I love going along
to the events, but there's something about the Super Smash
that doesn't quite bring the same energy that the Big
(12:55):
Bash does. And if you look at the nature of
competition in the NRL and the MBLVA League and Super Rugby,
you know how good trans Tasman competition is. What you
call it the Super Big Bash Smash, It doesn't matter,
but I'd love to see this come together as a
(13:15):
unit as one.
Speaker 7 (13:17):
How's that the Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
I joined him in now in the chamber, news talks,
there b sporting journalists and podcast around everything else. You
want to launch Adham, Nathan Lenim.
Speaker 7 (13:31):
Get a mate, How are you hey, Darcy? I well,
thank you, great to have you on board.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
So the Super Smash and the Big Bash want to pash?
Get on the Lash? How do we slay? I could
go on all day?
Speaker 7 (13:42):
This is right, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (13:44):
This needs to come together as one as a unit surely. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
Well, I mean it's interesting because the A and Z
Premiership are facing the exact same conundrum obviously with netball
and do they join Australia's Super Netball competition. The short
answer is yes, because you have to always look at
it from a business model perspective. So Superspmanash is not
getting people along, it's not getting the TV ratings. In
other words, it's not making money. It can't be sustained.
(14:10):
And the unfortunate reality of that is if you want
to join the Aussie League, they're not going to take
on all six teams.
Speaker 7 (14:17):
You've got to cut it down to two three two
three max.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
I mean you look at basketball breakers have one team yep,
Warriors have been the only team in the nrfages. Hopefully
that'll change in the years to come, but the NRL's
in a far different place in terms of moneymaking a league.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
I've got two teams, Well what about Super Rugby House,
they're combo working. Basically, there are neighbors. We should really
accelerate the trains Tasman next way, especially in cricket, because
we're not really yesterday's team anymore. We've got some very
good cricket players.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
New Zealand could put together a couple of really really
good T twenty sides, so to join the Big Bash
and have a couple of TV teams in there. I'd
love that. The Big Bash is a great product and
it does work in Australia. New Zealand could get in
on that. I think that'd be fantastic and sort of
revitalize the domestic cricket scene. I think in New Zealand.
The flip side of that is you're going to have
(15:10):
to cut sixty percent of the jobs in terms of
staff coaches, let alone the players. So there's going to
be far more limited opportunity for our fringe players domestic
players to be actually getting that high quality opposition. It's
sort of a case of the rich get Richard Paul
get poorer.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
I think it's fair to say, but what in New
Zealand cricket, what is their primary job? What is their
primary concern? Is it looking after the well being of
the provinces of the smaller clubs? Is it looking after
the advance of new players? Is looking after the fan base?
Is that were what are they actually trying to do?
And that's what they're going to look at before they
start making decisions like that.
Speaker 5 (15:47):
Yeah, well, they don't want to get into the same
situation I guess, as maybe New Zealand rugby can is.
Speaker 7 (15:54):
In terms of the All Blacks, it's all on Black.
Speaker 5 (15:57):
Yeah, the All Blacks are the be all and end all,
and then we've seen the domestic NPC sort of will
to wayh in the effects that that's had, So they
don't want to get into that situation. But I do
think ultimately the nzc are going to be judged on
the performance of the Black Caps and having two high
quality tides in this in the Big Bash, the sort
of group of top players in the country getting that
(16:19):
sort of exposure all the time, You've got to think
that's going to improve the Black.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
But the Aussies want us. It's the other thing, isn't it.
Why would they even entertain the fact that US wrecking
their party?
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Well, I guess it depends on the numbers they've got
in their books right now. If their competition works great
now and they're making lots of money, you might think, well,
why would they want to tamper with that? Why would
they want to risk ruining the books? Because of course
you introduce a couple of New Zealand teams, there's a
there's a hefty amount of extra travel that's involved Perth.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Anyway, they've got to go from Brisbane to Tasmania.
Speaker 7 (16:50):
Complicates it just complicates things more.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
I think they'd want assurances that the New Zealand audience,
the crowd, that the engagement would be as good over
here as we have with the Warriors and with the
New Auckland A League side. They'd want some assurance that
they're not just going to bring in two teams that
don't have such a great following and They're not actually
going to be made king extra money.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Out and I'm not going to play all the games
at the outer over at eden Pa exactly exactly. Hey,
Aaron routlift them in the absolute field day the last
couple of years, isn't she She's like the doubles go
to do we appreciate her talent as sports fans here
in ze?
Speaker 7 (17:25):
Is she going to get nominated for Halberg as.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Everybody gets nominated for a nominated for one?
Speaker 7 (17:31):
I mean, I don't think she does get the recognition
that you know. I mean, and how do you measure that?
I guess is a question. We say that a lot.
Speaker 5 (17:39):
We've been saying that a lot about Chris Wood in
the Premier League. But Aaron Routlift is the absolute top
of the world in her sport and what she does,
which is doubles in tennis. And it's a bit difficult
because doubles doesn't get anywhere near the recognition as singles
tennis is it. But she is, you know, she's right
up there. Is she's one of the top players. Think
(18:01):
you know, you're talking about Alcarez Sinner, all of the
top you know, singles players in the world. She would
be among those names. And if we're looking at it
from a doubles perspective. And the other thing is she
was really downplaying her hopes before the Aussie Open. I
actually had a chat to her a week or two
before the tournament. She said, because obviously she missed the
ASP Classic because she had a rib injury, and said, look,
(18:24):
I really haven't had much preparation for this at all.
I haven't had much time with Gabby. We're not expecting
to burst.
Speaker 7 (18:30):
Out of the blocks.
Speaker 5 (18:31):
And they've ripped straight through to the semi finals of
a major, first major of the year, not much prepping.
They've already gone to the last four pairs, so and
I mean they could go all the way, they could
win another major.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
And she's the most lovely person, so warm, so great
to speak to. She's disarmingly honest and pleasant. It's so
good to have her on board. And long may she continue.
Aaron rout with him keep talking to us as well.
Nathan Lynn, thanks for yours, fella, Talk soon.
Speaker 7 (18:57):
Thanks you.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Dosing the Sporting Agenda, It's Sports Fix with Jason Vine
and Darcy Walter Grave.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
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(19:30):
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(19:50):
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Speaker 1 (19:58):
For more from News Talk sed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on Iartradio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks b.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
HIA. Welcome on into the Sports FX podcast. My name
is Darcy Walter Grave in his home of all the
sports news you need to know and some you probably
didn't feature on the podcast. Today will kick things off
with Aaron Routlift double tennis exponent appearing at the point
and end of the Ossie Open in both women's doubles
and mixed doubles as well. We'll talk to her about that,
(00:44):
the approach and the energy behind one of the world's
biggest and most exciting Grand Slam events. After that, I
got some opinions Smash Bash, Crash Lash, you get the
genuine idea what's going on with the future of Big
Bash the Super Smash. Do these two T twenty franchise
tournaments need to be combined as one like in the NRL,
(01:06):
like in the A League, like in the NBA, like
in Super Rugby. Let's get trans Tasman on it. And
after that, Nathan Lehmitt joins us in the chamber as
we talk some of the big sports stories of the day.
That's our plan, so let's get amongst. In other news,
Spaniel Carlos al Chaav admits he was outplayed in a
(01:28):
four seat quarter final defeat to Novak Djokovic at the
Ossie Tennis Open. Al Kaav won the first set that
was overpowered by Djokovic, who's on the hunt for a
twenty fifth Grand Slam and eleventh title in Melbourne.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Most of the of the crucial points was it went
to his side. So I mean, when when Noah, it's
as planned. This level is really difficult to find, to
find to find the way.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Former Football Ferns coach Jetka Klinkov has a new job.
New Zealand Herald's a Bonnie Janssen gives us the report.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
Four months after giving up her post with New Zealand
following an investigation into an employment related matter. Clenkov has
been named to take charge of the Czech national team.
The fifty year old has remained in a high performance
role with the national body following that investigation. A group
of players then told The Herald they had expressed concerns
(02:25):
to the national body over inappropriate behavior. She's signed on
with her home nation until the twenty twenty seven World Cup,
saying it's the right time to return home.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
And New Zealand's newest the men's National surfing champ, already
has his sites firmly set on the Olympic Games. Sixteen
year old Alexis Owen is three days into his tenure
as the National surf champion after victory in Taranaki. Owen's
already got a site set on representing his city and
country at the highest level.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
My main goal right now is definitely to try and
make Olympics, either eight or twenty thirty two.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Definitely definitely try and make Olympics at least once in MYRAA.
Speaker 5 (03:05):
Leading off X.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
We've got just the Ticket's horse Fix News Talks.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
IVY and it's one of our favorites. Aaron ra outlif
at the Aussie Open, hi eron how are you hi?
Speaker 1 (03:18):
I'm good?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
How are you well? Probably not as tired as you are.
You really been quite a lot off, didn't you? Mixed
doubles women's doubles all on the same day. Is that sensible?
Do you think?
Speaker 6 (03:27):
Erin, Yeah, it's all good. It's normal at slams. I
think a lot of people when you play doubles in
mixed you get doubled up. So it's just something new.
I mean, it's a good, good problem to have.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
What do you how do you go about preparing for
something like that? You've done it before playing, As you said,
it's something that happens. Is there a particular method to
go about putting your best foot forward in both fixtures?
Speaker 6 (03:50):
Just focusing on like the first one match at a time.
I think, just preparing with the heat. I hid dreaded
a lot, proper nutrition, all that stuff, getting enough sleep. Yeah,
just the basic thing.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
So nothing's changed, just a matter of following process. It's
that symbol, yeah, exactly when it comes to the disciplines
and how you play with each partner. With Michael Wall,
with Gabby, how does that adjust in your preparation? What's
the difference in exchanges with the female and or male.
Speaker 6 (04:23):
They're both pretty positive and they bring a good energy,
so it's not too different. Honestly. The only main thing
is with Gabby I play on the duce side. With Mike,
I play on the ID, so that's pretty different, so
I have to adjust my game a little bit.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Wait, so is that a personal preference? So just the
way the cookie crumbles.
Speaker 6 (04:42):
Gabby likes to play on the ad and Mike likes
to play on the deuce, so I just played the
other one.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Used today After what happened, you were very complimentary of Gabby,
and I think you got a bit Caussie on a chat.
She saved your ass and a few other nice expletives too,
So you.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
Got to love that.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
We've got a lot of love for Gabby, haven't you.
Speaker 6 (05:01):
Yeah, yeah, she was amazing yesterday at the nut. I
was struggling a little bit with my serve and she
was h yeah, start up there.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
So what happens in between you're playing today with Michael,
then you're playing your women's doubles matches. As far as now,
it's getting to the point at end, what happens with training,
What happens with setting yourself up? What's the process?
Speaker 6 (05:25):
It's just a hit for thirty minutes before every match.
There's not really any training. It's just warm ups. Now, yeah,
that's it. And so you're just like in the gym
for like forty five minutes before that and then you
warm up and then play your match.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
So when you're playing, so you're ranked second seed, so
you've obviously got favoritism. I don't know what your history's
like at Margaret Court specifically, what difference does that make
You're taking on Gadecki and Peers. Where do they sit
in the widest scheme of things and what do they
bring to the court? Do you think?
Speaker 6 (05:55):
Erin, Yeah, they're a great team. They've had three really
good wins and we haven't played Australians yet and so
we've actually had the crowd on our side with all
the Kiwis coming here to it's been awesome. So maybe
today they all might they might have more of the crowd,
but I'm sure the cues will still come and support.
(06:17):
But yeah, I mean they're both really good players. Mike
knows Peers pretty well, I know Gadeki. Yeah, we're just
excited to get the opportunity to play.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Does that make for a more entertaining match for the
players themselves? That you know the people over the net
and I presume this is quite common? Does that just
add an extra but a spark to the fixture, maybe
lessen the aggression? Possibly?
Speaker 6 (06:41):
No, we all know each other by this point. We're
playing the same people every week basically. The only one
that is different is like when we play mixed. Obviously,
we don't know the men that well, and the men
don't know the women that well. But yeah, now at
this point we know everybody, so everybody knows everybody.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
You've mentioned the hate before, Aaron, and dealing with that.
I don't know what we're looking like today because I'm
hiding an air conditioning. But again, something you just have
to keep. There's any specific method you use there, No, the.
Speaker 6 (07:13):
Last few days were really hot, but it's cool, doubt
a lot. It's like only twenty degrees today, and I
think it'll be like that for the rest of the tournament.
You just use ice packs on changeovers, hydra, yeah, just
the basics stuff. But yeah, it's not gonna be too
hot for the rest of the tournaments.
Speaker 7 (07:29):
That's nice.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
I think I know what you're gonna say here, Aaron Rautler.
But the energy from victory in one discipline, does that
transfer to the next discipline? Light you get it going today?
Does that mean in your semi final in the women's
doubles it adds a little extra You have to kind
of separate it all out.
Speaker 6 (07:47):
I don't even think about the anything except for the
match that I'm playing in the moment, like I'll focus
on the one today. I'm not even thinking about my semi,
my woman's semi. To be honest, I just am going
one match at a time.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
So when I bring it up, you get a bit like,
I'll come on, mate, Really, I've told you're mony focusing
on the one, you know, But we can't help ourselves.
We're interested in what happens wait Thursday or Friday. So
you're not angry, No, no, god, no, I understand people.
Speaker 6 (08:13):
People always are like, oh, what's happening in the future.
You think about winning, winning the tournament, blah blah blah.
But nah, that's not something we think about because you
got to focus on what you need to do.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
They hear them now the phrase be present, very very important.
But I'm not gonna be priison and I'm going to
look forward. It's number two seeds playing number three seats.
What's your history like with the oppositions? Off the pinko
and say, I think it's how you pronounce your name.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
They're a new teams, so we've played them separately quite
a few times, but never together. So yeah, it'll be
a great match. There are two amazing doubles players, Grand
Slam winners like multiple times so yeah, we're we're excited
and we're ready, and yeah, we'll do our We'll watch
them play a little bit and uh yeah, figure out
(08:59):
how we're how we're gonna try and win.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
I'm gonna be impressed with how fay you've come considering
gavid Rowski with it brace kancer scare, and she took
a bit of time off, which hold the proceedings somewhat understandably.
So so her returned to the court and the success
you're having it says a lot about her mental strength
and about your support as well. Hearin.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
Yeah, that was a heavy thing to deal with last year,
and all credit to her. She's been absolutely incredible. It's
it just makes everything you know she achieved and we
achieved together even better. Obviously, very happy to be on
the other side of it, and she'll have to, you know,
keep up with her health and her checks and all
that stuff. But yeah, it was definitely really scary. I've
(09:44):
never known anyone near me to have a cancer scare,
so yeah, it was it was a lot, But honestly,
it's incredible to be besides somebody that you know has
such an inspiring story.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
I suppose it puts into perspective what you're doing for
a living. It's just a net and a couple of bulls, right, yeah.
Speaker 6 (10:02):
Exactly, it's exactly what it did. It really brings perspective
to everything for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
And one last thing for you, Aaron, and I don't
know how much you watched last night. It's probably way
past your bedtime or so me. I eventually turned into
about two in the morning. But how good Novak Djokovic
and his game.
Speaker 6 (10:20):
It was.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
It was extraordinary watching him and al Karez. What a
display of tennis.
Speaker 6 (10:25):
Yeah, it was crazy they had to play in the quarters.
I'm sure it was an amazing match. I watched like
one set and a half and then I had to
fall asleep. But yeah, no, he's incredible.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Yeah, I'll tell you what you need to do is
go and watch the third set. It is quite extraordinary.
And on that note, I hate to tell you what
to do, but you know what it's like. Aaron Rautler,
thanks so much for your time, watching you the best,
not only for today, but of course for the doubles
matches as well. On send ou regards to Gabby and
we'll talk again soon, I know. Thanks for your time.
Speaker 7 (10:52):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news, how
news Talks.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
BSh, Bess Smiths, Mass, whatever you call it. T twenty
franchise cricket plainly is here to stay. And let's face it,
like it.
Speaker 7 (11:10):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
It's really dominating the cricket landscape. So the question has
to be asked, why to earth are Australia and New
Zealand not in cahoots when it comes to T twenty
franchise cricket. We have the Big Bash and the Super Smash,
and I'm sure you would agree that the Big Bash
is the superior product. Why is this, well, the Australian
(11:35):
competition bigger and badder, a better quality of player, a
better quality of broadcast, a better quality of commentators. Out
and out, it's just a bigger, bad a better competition.
I don't want for you to think I'm belittling the
Super Smash, although on the surface of it I suppose
i am, but it just hasn't got the same traction
(11:58):
as the Big Bash, the older Australian cousin. And I
think that if the Smash and the Bash we're to combine,
we get a couple of teams from New Zealand to
join the party over in Australia, bring some of those
fixtures over here and play a majority of them in Australia.
This would gain a massive amount of eyeballs on this
(12:19):
side of the ditch. I don't see how it could fail. Yeah, sure,
there'll be issues around what teams don't progress. Do you
run with a Wellington or a Canterbury or Northern or Central?
Speaker 7 (12:31):
The list goes on, and.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
In order to make that onme lood of a T
twenty competition, some eggs are going to have to be broken.
I'm sure that the powers that be are looking into
this and I'd like to think that it will accelerate
over time. I love Super Smash, I love going along
to the events, but there's something about the Super Smash
that doesn't quite bring the same energy that the Big
(12:55):
Bash does. And if you look at the nature of
competition in the NRL and the MBLVA League and Super Rugby,
you know how good trans Tasman competition is. What you
call it the Super Big Bash Smash, It doesn't matter,
but I'd love to see this come together as a
(13:15):
unit as one.
Speaker 7 (13:17):
How's that the Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
I joined him in now in the chamber, news talks,
there b sporting journalists and podcast around everything else. You
want to launch Adham, Nathan Lenim.
Speaker 7 (13:31):
Get a mate, How are you hey, Darcy? I well,
thank you, great to have you on board.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
So the Super Smash and the Big Bash want to pash?
Get on the Lash? How do we slay? I could
go on all day?
Speaker 7 (13:42):
This is right, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (13:44):
This needs to come together as one as a unit surely. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
Well, I mean it's interesting because the A and Z
Premiership are facing the exact same conundrum obviously with netball
and do they join Australia's Super Netball competition. The short
answer is yes, because you have to always look at
it from a business model perspective. So Superspmanash is not
getting people along, it's not getting the TV ratings. In
other words, it's not making money. It can't be sustained.
(14:10):
And the unfortunate reality of that is if you want
to join the Aussie League, they're not going to take
on all six teams.
Speaker 7 (14:17):
You've got to cut it down to two three two
three max.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
I mean you look at basketball breakers have one team yep,
Warriors have been the only team in the nrfages. Hopefully
that'll change in the years to come, but the NRL's
in a far different place in terms of moneymaking a league.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
I've got two teams, Well what about Super Rugby House,
they're combo working. Basically, there are neighbors. We should really
accelerate the trains Tasman next way, especially in cricket, because
we're not really yesterday's team anymore. We've got some very
good cricket players.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
New Zealand could put together a couple of really really
good T twenty sides, so to join the Big Bash
and have a couple of TV teams in there. I'd
love that. The Big Bash is a great product and
it does work in Australia. New Zealand could get in
on that. I think that'd be fantastic and sort of
revitalize the domestic cricket scene. I think in New Zealand.
The flip side of that is you're going to have
(15:10):
to cut sixty percent of the jobs in terms of
staff coaches, let alone the players. So there's going to
be far more limited opportunity for our fringe players domestic
players to be actually getting that high quality opposition. It's
sort of a case of the rich get Richard Paul
get poorer.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
I think it's fair to say, but what in New
Zealand cricket, what is their primary job? What is their
primary concern? Is it looking after the well being of
the provinces of the smaller clubs? Is it looking after
the advance of new players? Is looking after the fan base?
Is that were what are they actually trying to do?
And that's what they're going to look at before they
start making decisions like that.
Speaker 5 (15:47):
Yeah, well, they don't want to get into the same
situation I guess, as maybe New Zealand rugby can is.
Speaker 7 (15:54):
In terms of the All Blacks, it's all on Black.
Speaker 5 (15:57):
Yeah, the All Blacks are the be all and end all,
and then we've seen the domestic NPC sort of will
to wayh in the effects that that's had, So they
don't want to get into that situation. But I do
think ultimately the nzc are going to be judged on
the performance of the Black Caps and having two high
quality tides in this in the Big Bash, the sort
of group of top players in the country getting that
(16:19):
sort of exposure all the time, You've got to think
that's going to improve the Black.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
But the Aussies want us. It's the other thing, isn't it.
Why would they even entertain the fact that US wrecking
their party?
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Well, I guess it depends on the numbers they've got
in their books right now. If their competition works great
now and they're making lots of money, you might think, well,
why would they want to tamper with that? Why would
they want to risk ruining the books? Because of course
you introduce a couple of New Zealand teams, there's a
there's a hefty amount of extra travel that's involved Perth.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Anyway, they've got to go from Brisbane to Tasmania.
Speaker 7 (16:50):
Complicates it just complicates things more.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
I think they'd want assurances that the New Zealand audience,
the crowd, that the engagement would be as good over
here as we have with the Warriors and with the
New Auckland A League side. They'd want some assurance that
they're not just going to bring in two teams that
don't have such a great following and They're not actually
going to be made king extra money.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Out and I'm not going to play all the games
at the outer over at eden Pa exactly exactly. Hey,
Aaron routlift them in the absolute field day the last
couple of years, isn't she She's like the doubles go
to do we appreciate her talent as sports fans here
in ze?
Speaker 7 (17:25):
Is she going to get nominated for Halberg as.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Everybody gets nominated for a nominated for one?
Speaker 7 (17:31):
I mean, I don't think she does get the recognition
that you know. I mean, and how do you measure that?
I guess is a question. We say that a lot.
Speaker 5 (17:39):
We've been saying that a lot about Chris Wood in
the Premier League. But Aaron Routlift is the absolute top
of the world in her sport and what she does,
which is doubles in tennis. And it's a bit difficult
because doubles doesn't get anywhere near the recognition as singles
tennis is it. But she is, you know, she's right
up there. Is she's one of the top players. Think
(18:01):
you know, you're talking about Alcarez Sinner, all of the
top you know, singles players in the world. She would
be among those names. And if we're looking at it
from a doubles perspective. And the other thing is she
was really downplaying her hopes before the Aussie Open. I
actually had a chat to her a week or two
before the tournament. She said, because obviously she missed the
ASP Classic because she had a rib injury, and said, look,
(18:24):
I really haven't had much preparation for this at all.
I haven't had much time with Gabby. We're not expecting
to burst.
Speaker 7 (18:30):
Out of the blocks.
Speaker 5 (18:31):
And they've ripped straight through to the semi finals of
a major, first major of the year, not much prepping.
They've already gone to the last four pairs, so and
I mean they could go all the way, they could
win another major.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
And she's the most lovely person, so warm, so great
to speak to. She's disarmingly honest and pleasant. It's so
good to have her on board. And long may she continue.
Aaron rout with him keep talking to us as well.
Nathan Lynn, thanks for yours, fella, Talk soon.
Speaker 7 (18:57):
Thanks you.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Dosing the Sporting Agenda, It's Sports Fix with Jason Vine
and Darcy Walter Grave.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Darn dusted. That's sport Fix for another day. This is
released Monday through Friday, hosted by myself, Darcy Watergrave and
or Jason Pine. If you've enjoyed it, please subscribe. It'll
come directly to your inbox Monday through Friday and Telly
friends and family as well, so they can enjoy all
the fun and games that Sports Fix has to offer.
(19:30):
Of course, there's other sport broadcasting mechanisms here at news
Talk ZIRB, Sports Talk being our finest Monday through Friday
seven to eight. Myself or Jason Pine gin into that
and you can respond to what we say our eight
hundred and eighty ten eighty and over the weekend the
Pine Man has the gig twelve till three Saturday and
(19:50):
Sunday with weekend sport. We'll look forward to your joining
all of our broadcasts. You look after yourself more. Catch
again tomorrow here on the Fix.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
For more from News Talk sed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
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