The Sit-Down

In this special edition of The Sit-Down, we delve into our archives to revisit our guests’ favourite Wimbledon moments. We hear from Brits Tim Henman and Katie Boulter, who have thrived on home support at the All England Club and, in Henman’s case, have a spectators' vantage point named in his honour. We chat to Australian legends Pat Cash, Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and Pat Rafter about what it was like to feat...

Joanna Garland’s profile exploded at AO 2026 when she won through to the final of the 1 Point Slam at Rod Laver Arena, beating Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari and Donna Vekic along the way. She sat down with Viv and Matt to relive what was one of her greatest professional tennis experiences, and how things shifted for her in the aftermath. In this candid interview, Garland also shares stories from developing her...

In an episode we released almost two years ago, Viv sat down with then 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva ahead of Wimbledon 2024. She was one of the stars of the moment, having just reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros and rising to the brink of the top 20. Shortly after, she captured her first career WTA singles title in Iasi, then won an Olympic silver medal in doubles at the Paris 2024 Games. In this interview Andree...

This week, 22-time major doubles champion and Olympic gold medallist Todd Woodbridge joins us in the studio to take us back to where his love-affair with tennis began. A prodigious junior, Woodbridge quickly enjoyed success as a pro, cracking the top 20 in singles while also becoming one of the greatest doubles players of all time. After the highs of Grand Slams, tour life, Olympics and Davis Cup, Woodbridge transitioned to the med...

This week we’re joined by Paul Kilderry, Tennis Australia’s Director of Professional Tennis who was at Roland Garros as several Aussies scored career breakthroughs in Paris. There’s also plenty to look forward to with the grasscourt season approaching, a time when Aussie players traditionally thrive. Yet this was also a chance to reflect on Kilderry’s own tennis journey, which saw his family relocate to Flor...

In a rare episode of The Sit-Down conducted in the locker rooms of John Cain Arena, Kimberly Birrell joined the podcast when she was recently in Melbourne for Australia’s most recent Billie Jean King Cup tie. The 28-year-old reflects on a career journey interrupted by serious elbow injuries, which required surgery and made her doubt if her body would hold up to the rigours of professional tennis. What has followed has been a ...

At the recent Night of Champions fundraiser in Melbourne, Lleyton Hewitt revealed his three tennis dreams were Grand Slam success, reaching No.1, and Davis Cup glory. He achieved all three, reflecting on them in this special interview with Davis Cup teammate and fellow Aussie tennis icon Todd Woodbridge. Hewitt’s talent was obvious when as a 16-year-old, he upset Andre Agassi en route to his first career ATP title in Adelaide...

In August, Mary Carillo will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame alongside Roger Federer in what promises to be an unforgettable ceremony. Carillo will enter the Contributor Category, honouring those “who have made a transcendent impact” on tennis. Speaking to Viv and Matt from her home in Florida, Carillo – one of the sport’s best storytellers– recalled discovering the game as a chi...

Many people will know Stan Smith as the man behind the iconic adidas Stan Smith shoe, which is not surprising given there have been more than 100 million pairs sold and collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Stella McCartney. But Smith is also known for his legendary tennis career – among his seven Grand Slam titles were two singles majors (Wimbledon and the US Open) and he rose to world No.1 in the early 1970...

Ten years ago, Angelique Kerber won the Australian Open in a result that changed the course of her career. The German star, with Polish roots, had long been a top player. But a magical fortnight in 2016 saw her save a match point in the first round, beat Victoria Azarenka for the first time in seven tries in the quarters, then stun Serena Williams in a thrilling decider – the only time Serena ever lost an AO final. Not only d...

Aussie Billie Jean King Cup captain Sam Stosur’s obsession with the clay wasn’t always what it is today. As the clay-court season gets underway in Stuttgart, the 2010 Roland Garros finalist sits down with Matt and Viv to discuss how she learned to master the surface, and which European clay court she would most like to have replicated in her own home.

Originally published on 15/04/2024

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Valentin Vacherot joined Matt and Viv in Pod Laver Arena when he was the 30th seed at Australian Open 2026 – his first seeding at a Grand Slam tournament. This was staggering, because just over three months earlier, the Monégasque was ranked outside the top 200. Everything changed in Shanghai, where Vacherot qualified for the main draw, then upset five consecutive seeded opponents — including Novak Djokovic in the semif...

Jelena Ostapenko’s biggest career highlight came almost 10 years ago, days after turning 20, when she broke through for her first tour-level title at Roland Garros while ranked 47th. During AO 2026, when she sat down with Viv and Matt, the Latvian star revealed her career might have been easier to navigate had she won that Slam title at an older age. Still, Ostapenko’s journey has continued to deliver success; she peake...

Tennis icon Lindsay Davenport joined Viv and Matt during AO 2026 to reflect on a career that delivered three Grand Slam singles titles, the world No.1 ranking in both singles and doubles, and an Olympic gold medal. Davenport’s prodigious ball striking and clean power made her a standout figure among a WTA golden generation. She often battled fellow legends including Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, and Venus and Serena Williams i...

Teen sensation Joao Fonseca sat down with Viv at the Brisbane International in January. One of the game’s most exciting rising stars, the Brazilian began 2025 outside the top 100 and surged to a peak world No.25 on the back of two ATP titles and third-round finishes at two Slams. After an injury-marred start to 2026, Fonseca reminded onlookers of his potential when he powered into the Indian Wells fourth round — his bes...

At just 20 years of age and in only his second full year on tour, Learner Tien is striking a rare balance: keeping a level head while embracing the game’s biggest stages. Joining Viv and Matt on The Sit-Down during Australian Open 2026, Tien reflected on the qualities that have boosted his rapid rise into the world’s top 25. In just his second main-draw appearance in Melbourne, Tien strengthened his growing reputation a...

Fresh from claiming her fourth WTA singles title in Ostrava, Katie Boulter joins The Sit-Down to reflect on her return to the world’s top 100, and the challenges—and rewards—that have shaped her journey. The popular Brit speaks to Matt Trollope about her time spent with Princess Catherine at Wimbledon, the current state of British tennis, her new coach, and why she is determined to speak out against online bullyin...

In her first podcast interview, Alexandra Eala joins The Sit-Down as she continues a brilliant start to 2026. Fresh from her semifinal finish in Auckland, Eala sat down with Matt and Viv in Pod Laver Arena as she was preparing to make her Australian Open main-draw debut. The 20-year-old has gone on to win 10 of 16 matches this year and surged from outside the top 50 to a career-high No.31 since January. The rankings peak follows a ...

When Lorenzo Musetti joined Viv and Matt during AO 2026, he was flying. The Italian had entered the event as a new top-five star after his run to the final in Hong Kong to begin the season, and continued his vein of form through to the last eight in Melbourne. In his first Australian Open quarterfinal, he led Novak Djokovic two sets to love before injury intervened. Musetti has now reached the quarterfinals at all four majors, as h...