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Who will win the singles titles at Australian Open 2026? On the season finale of The Tennis, Xave and Brie are joined by Todd Woodbridge, Jaimee Fourlis, and Simon Rea to debate this week’s Big Question. The panel also reacts to news of Stan Wawrinka’s impending retirement, Nick Kyrgios returning to the Brisbane International, and previews the must-see matches at United Cup 2026, including Alex de Minaur v Casper Ruud and Emma Raducanu v Naomi Osaka. Plus, Italian star Matteo Arnaldi drops by Pod Laver Arena with a life update as he prepares for the Australian summer. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to The Tennis family! Stay tuned for ‘Pod Laver Arena’ coming this January. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our final episode of The Sit-Down for 2025, Viv and Matt are joined by Daria Kasatkina, who in March made the switch to representing Australia. It was a big decision in an emotionally intense season that the 28-year-old ended early due to burnout. Now more refreshed, Kasatkina chatted from her base in Spain, where she is preparing for her first Summer of Tennis representing the green and gold. She takes listeners right back to the beginning: how her parents, both professional athletes themselves, set her up for success, and how she developed her crafty, nuanced style of play. She reflects on her junior Slam success, memories of watching idol Rafael Nadal, and career milestones which include cracking the top 10 in 2018 and reaching the 2022 Roland Garros semifinals. Plus, there’s some hot tennis takes in there too. This is a candid conversation with one of the sport’s more thoughtful stars, and one who is excited to continue representing her adopted nation – where she loves the nature, coffee and people – in 2026.   Listen to the full episode here. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam ceiling in 2026? Daria and Luke Saville join Brie and Xave to debate this week’s Big Question. The panel reacts to Carlos Alcaraz's shock split from long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, Djokovic returning to the Adelaide International, the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah, and the WTA’s new partnership with Mercedes-Benz. Plus, more exciting player updates for the Australian Summer of Tennis, including the Grand Slam champions joining Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios in the AO 1 Point Slam, and Emma Raducanu and Barbora Krejcikova headlining the Hobart International. And the Aussie stars reveal which tennis legends they would invite over for dinner and what they would cook. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Carolyn Broderick joins Viv and Matt in Pod Laver Arena to give listeners an insight into her role as Chief Medical Officer at Tennis Australia and for the Australian Open. Hundreds of tennis players are soon to arrive in Australia in January, the majority from a Northern Hemisphere winter. It means they face a huge adjustment—after traversing multiple time zones—when they begin preparing and competing in the Australian summer. We learn about the “self-sufficient medical centre” that operates for four weeks at the AO, staffed by a multi-disciplinary team that offers physical and mental health services, plus annual scans and checks for players who might not be able to easily access these given their constant travel schedule. We also hear about Broderick’s roles with the Australian Olympic and Billie Jean King Cup teams, her work in academic and children’s health spheres, and how she juggles it all while pursuing her many passions outside of work. Listen to the full episode here. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner aside, which two players have the best rivalry in tennis? Todd Woodbridge and Rhys de Deugd join Brie and Xave to tackle this week's Big Question. The panel also share their highlights from this week's Australian Tennis Awards where Alex de Minaur secured his fourth Newcombe Medal, and discuss the upcoming WTA Awards, including whether Mirra Andreeva, Amanda Anisimova or Ekaterina Alexandrova is the Most Improved Player. Plus, tournament director Craig Tiley stops by to preview Australian Open 2026, including Opening Week, where Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios will battle it out in the 1 Point Slam and Matteo Berrettini will headline the Red Bull BassLine event.AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a brief off-season, 2026 preparations are already underway for Alex de Minaur, who joined Viv and Matt on this week’s episode from his base in Monte Carlo. The Aussie No.1 enjoyed the chance to reflect on his 2025 season, during which he reached his first AO quarterfinal and won his 10th career ATP title in Washington DC – while also overcoming burnout and shifting perspective – to achieve his highest year-end ranking. Those performances saw him nominated once again for the prestigious Newcombe Medal, awarded to Australia’s most outstanding player and ambassador for the sport. ‘Demon’, as he is affectionately known, also dived into his passion for collecting vintage cars, his wedding plans, how he switches between English and Spanish, plans for his foundation, and how he’d love nothing more than a deep run at Australian Open 2026. Listen to the full episode here. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which WTA player will win their maiden Grand Slam next year? That’s this week's Big Question. Aussie tennis star Ellen Perez and Luke Saville join Brie and Xave to discuss the contenders. The panel also reacts to Serena Williams re-entering the ITIA testing-pool and previews the upcoming ATP Awards, including whether Joao Fonseca or Valentin Vacherot will win Breakthrough Player of the Year. The captains have been unveiled for United Cup, Luke and Ellen give their thoughts on Stan Wawrinka, Lleyton Hewitt, Tim Henman, Petros Tsitsipas and first-time captains Lucas Pouille and Gabriela Dabrowski. Plus, Brie shares her Top 5 unmissable things this Australian summer. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wheelchair tennis star Heath Davidson, whose profile exploded after he and partner Dylan Alcott claimed quad doubles gold for Australia at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, joins Viv and Matt this week in Pod Laver Arena. Davidson’s prominence in the sport, and wheelchair tennis advocacy, have helped shape the upcoming summer of tennis; January will see wheelchair events integrated into the United Cup and the Brisbane and Adelaide Internationals leading into Australian Open 2026. More motivated than ever to compete during the new-look summer, Davidson remains a fixture in the top 10 at age 38, all the more inspiring given the hurdles he was forced to overcome – including addiction, homelessness and “falling into the wrong crowd” – during his teens and 20s, a time he recounts in candid detail during this wide-ranging interview. Listen to the full episode here. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italy has completed the first Davis Cup three-peat in more than half a century — and without its top two players Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti! Aussie stars Daria Saville and Jaimee Fourlis join Xave and Rhys de Deugd to discuss the first of our Big Questions: who’s next in line to join Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the new ‘Big 3’ of the ATP, with some surprising answers. As Holger Rune continues his rehab from Achilles surgery, Dasha offers him some advice to avoid burnout. Inspired by Drake’s latest tennis photoshoot, Xave takes a look at the celebrities who’ve had more than a passing interest in tennis. And Vic is back with her latest AO vox pops with 36 days until Australian Open 2026. Listen to The Sit-Down with Patrick Kypson AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American Patrick Kypson joined The Sit-Down this week in a great place in his career. The 26-year-old sits at a peak ranking of No.117, thanks to results on the Challenger circuit which also helped him secure a main-draw wildcard at Australian Open 2026. After missing three months of 2025 due to a foot stress fracture and dropping outside the world’s top 450, Kypson soared when he returned, winning four ATP Challenger titles and benefitting from a commitment to more aggression and a better transition game to compliment the counterpunching instincts he honed from childhood on the green clay courts of North Carolina. During this interview Viv and Matt also learned about Kypson’s connection with leading Americans on the ATP Tour, his journey through the US college system, and what he’s targeting when his 2026 season begins Down Under. Listen to the full episode here. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It smells like team spirit in the tennis world this week! Davis Cup is in full swing, the United Cup draw has been unveiled, and Maya Joint saves match point to secure the Australian team a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. Acting captain Nicole Pratt and Jaimee Fourlis join Brie and Xave to share their behind-the-scenes insights into Australia's triumph. The panel also discusses Jannik Sinner's ATP Finals title defence, Carlos Alcaraz ending the year at No.1, Roger Federer's impending induction into the 2026 International Tennis Hall of Fame, and the intriguing doubles pairing of Lleyton Hewitt with his son, Cruz. And in honour of the off-season beginning, Brie shares her Top 5 Player Holiday Destinations. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A revered name in modern Australian tennis, Casey Dellacqua is universally admired for her on-court achievements, commentary insights and humility through success. The West Australian-turned-Sydneysider played eight Grand Slam finals through her peak, claiming the French Open mixed doubles title in 2011. A famous partnership with Ash Barty delivered finals at all four Slams, but her name first went up in lights after a defeat of Amelie Mauresmo and a fourth-round run at AO 2008. Her singles career is oft underappreciated; Dellacqua progressed to at least the third round at every major. The former world No.26 stepped into Pod Lover Arena to tell Matt and Viv about the moment that flipped her career "on its head",  victories she claimed through periods of physical and emotional turmoil and her current life with the "best job in the world".Listen to the full episode here. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Elena Rybakina crowned WTA Champion for the first time, attention turns to Turin where Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are in battle for the season-ending title. Brie and Dan (AusOpen.com) are joined by Simon Rea and Sam Stosur to break down the biggest stories of the week, including Novak Djokovic’s 101st career title in Athens, Rybakina’s rampaging end to the season in Riyadh and Alex de Minaur’s heartache in Turin. Simon casts a spotlight over the games of Alcaraz and Sinner to see how they stack up against each other and the panel discusses the ups and downs of Alex de Minaur’s career-best season following his loss to Lorenzo Musetti. And Vic Rudnikov checks in from Hobart with Aussie star Kim Birrell ahead of the weekend’s Billie Jean King Cup round-robin play-off tie against Brazil and Portugal. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last time Maya Joint sat down with us, in April, she was the world No.78 preparing to make her Billie Jean King Cup debut for Australia. Seven months on, she's a two-time WTA title winner, ranked 32nd and was the first player selected to lead the Culture Amp Australian Billie Jean King Cup team into action for this week's Play-offs in Hobart. Joint's return to The Sit-Down gave us a chance to chat to the teenager about just how far she's come, and the fact she's put herself in contention for a Grand Slam seeding in 2026. Now living in Melbourne, Joint joined Jackson Mansell in Pod Laver Arena to discuss her most recent career highlights, how she's adjusting to the brighter glare of the spotlight, her thoughts on representing Australia, plus what she's doing off court to celebrate her successes and maintain work-life balance.Listen to the full episode with Maya Joint here. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify  Host handles: @jackson_mansell@MattyAT   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova are the first players through to the semifinals at Riyadh - who else will join them? Xave and Brie are joined by Daria Saville and Simon Rea to break down the biggest stories to come out of the WTA Finals, including Iga Swiatek's shock early exit. The panel also examines the tight race to Turin as Félix Auger-Aliassime and Lorenzo Musetti battle for the eighth spot and Jannik Sinner regaining the No.1 ranking, Kimberley Birrell and Maya Joint’s recent good form in Asia, Rohan Bopanna's retirement announcement, and the upcoming Battle of the Sexes showdown between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios. Plus, Brie quizzes the panel on the iconic WTA Finals photoshoot. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.