1 00:00:01,970 --> 00:00:03,370 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to The Sit Down. 2 00:00:03,390 --> 00:00:06,130 Speaker 2: I'm Viv Christie, Managing Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. 3 00:00:06,390 --> 00:00:09,460 Speaker 3: And I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for ozopen.com. And Viv, 4 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:12,140 Speaker 3: tell us why we're sitting down with Nick Kyrgios this week. 5 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:15,820 Speaker 2: Because he has announced that he'll be back this Australian summer. 6 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:19,540 Speaker 2: He is playing his first tour event at the Brisbane International. 7 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:23,060 Speaker 2: So Nick returns after a long injury break. He spent 8 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,620 Speaker 2: the best part of two seasons sidelined. He comes back with, 9 00:00:27,260 --> 00:00:29,639 Speaker 2: I think, new perspective and, yeah, lots to add to 10 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:30,060 Speaker 2: the sport. 11 00:00:30,310 --> 00:00:30,590 Speaker 4: Yeah. 12 00:00:30,670 --> 00:00:32,380 Speaker 3: And we discovered that when the two of us sat 13 00:00:32,409 --> 00:00:35,580 Speaker 3: down with Nick at Pat Rafter Arena for what ended 14 00:00:35,620 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 3: up being a really wide ranging chat about a lot 15 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,240 Speaker 3: of things. We obviously spoke about the comeback, but Nick's 16 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:42,379 Speaker 3: a great talker, great student of the game and has 17 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:45,040 Speaker 3: been involved from a media perspective. So we had lots 18 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 3: to chat about with him. 19 00:00:45,979 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 2: Nick was so generous with his time. This is a 20 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,530 Speaker 2: longer interview than usual for us, but well worth settling 21 00:00:51,590 --> 00:00:57,300 Speaker 2: in to hear what he has to say. Well, Nick, firstly, 22 00:00:57,340 --> 00:00:59,470 Speaker 2: thank you for joining us on the sit down. It's 23 00:00:59,510 --> 00:01:00,810 Speaker 2: great to see you back on court again. 24 00:01:01,490 --> 00:01:03,590 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been, uh, I've, I've hit a lot of 25 00:01:03,610 --> 00:01:05,910 Speaker 4: tennis balls in the last year and a half, but 26 00:01:05,930 --> 00:01:07,690 Speaker 4: they haven't been proper ones. They've been like the furry 27 00:01:07,810 --> 00:01:11,209 Speaker 4: ones and literally starting out with, you know, under tens 28 00:01:11,250 --> 00:01:13,230 Speaker 4: balls and building it up every couple of months and 29 00:01:13,650 --> 00:01:16,550 Speaker 4: finally able to come out here again on a beautiful court, 30 00:01:16,590 --> 00:01:20,410 Speaker 4: like the Brisbane arena and, and officially be, you know, 31 00:01:20,450 --> 00:01:24,210 Speaker 4: announced to plays is an insane moment that I thought 32 00:01:24,230 --> 00:01:26,820 Speaker 4: that I wouldn't get back to. Um, But yeah, I'm 33 00:01:26,860 --> 00:01:28,660 Speaker 4: super excited. Obviously had a bit of fun today with 34 00:01:28,900 --> 00:01:31,540 Speaker 4: Leighton's son, Cruz, and Cooper. And it's good to be 35 00:01:31,580 --> 00:01:33,700 Speaker 4: back out there amongst it. You know, there's a different 36 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 4: energy to the Aussie summer that I think that I've missed. 37 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:39,340 Speaker 2: So six weeks or so out from the comeback, what 38 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:41,500 Speaker 2: are the emotions as you look forward to that? 39 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:45,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, I'm a bit nervous. I think it's 40 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:47,260 Speaker 4: only natural to feel that way. And I think it's healthy. 41 00:01:48,180 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 4: It just means I care about how I'm going to 42 00:01:50,620 --> 00:01:54,090 Speaker 4: perform and the pressure of It's interesting because I got asked, like, 43 00:01:54,130 --> 00:01:56,250 Speaker 4: why would I put myself back in that position? And 44 00:01:56,430 --> 00:01:58,770 Speaker 4: I think it's just something that us tennis players, us 45 00:01:58,810 --> 00:02:00,590 Speaker 4: Aussie tennis players, really miss about the Australians. So I'm 46 00:02:00,630 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 4: playing in front of our fans. They are some of 47 00:02:03,380 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 4: the best fans in the world as well. So, yeah, 48 00:02:06,340 --> 00:02:08,340 Speaker 4: I'm just super excited. I feel like I'm in the 49 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:09,980 Speaker 4: best shape of my life. I've been training really hard 50 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:11,459 Speaker 4: and I'm going to continue to do that over the next, 51 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:14,340 Speaker 4: you know, six to eight weeks and we'll give it 52 00:02:14,370 --> 00:02:14,650 Speaker 4: a crack. 53 00:02:15,190 --> 00:02:17,910 Speaker 2: You're returning to the scene of one of your seven 54 00:02:18,050 --> 00:02:20,770 Speaker 2: career titles, the only one that you won in Australia. 55 00:02:21,220 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 1: What's the significance of that? 56 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 4: I just think the court in general really plays towards 57 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 4: my game style. It's very fast. It's great serving conditions. 58 00:02:30,220 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 4: The only thing I don't like, it's a bit humid. 59 00:02:32,860 --> 00:02:36,290 Speaker 4: I forgot how humid this place is. I was sweating 60 00:02:36,430 --> 00:02:39,389 Speaker 4: literally in the first five minutes. So, yeah, look, I 61 00:02:39,410 --> 00:02:40,910 Speaker 4: just think it's amazing. You look at some of the 62 00:02:40,930 --> 00:02:43,290 Speaker 4: past champions here. I mean, this tournament's always stacked with 63 00:02:43,310 --> 00:02:46,709 Speaker 4: amazing talent and there's going to be some great players here. 64 00:02:46,730 --> 00:02:49,310 Speaker 4: And we've talked briefly about the Australian players and how 65 00:02:49,350 --> 00:02:52,239 Speaker 4: good they've been over the last, you know, year or two. 66 00:02:52,419 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 4: Some of them are having career best years, career best titles. 67 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:57,430 Speaker 4: So it's an exciting time for men's tennis in Australia. 68 00:02:58,150 --> 00:03:00,690 Speaker 3: What's it like hitting with crews when you've hit with Leighton? 69 00:03:01,310 --> 00:03:06,510 Speaker 4: It's funny. It's not weird, but I definitely give him, 70 00:03:07,070 --> 00:03:08,910 Speaker 4: you know, some stick for it. And I, you know, 71 00:03:08,990 --> 00:03:11,859 Speaker 4: I like trash talking a little bit, but no, it's cool. 72 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:14,660 Speaker 4: And as I said, I had a conversation with Leighton 73 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:17,220 Speaker 4: yesterday about potentially returning to the Davis Cup lineup. So 74 00:03:17,260 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 4: just having these conversations again and being a part of it, 75 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,890 Speaker 4: hitting with these guys, And just playing, you know, competing 76 00:03:21,910 --> 00:03:24,870 Speaker 4: with him is something that I just, I genuinely thought 77 00:03:24,910 --> 00:03:27,410 Speaker 4: wasn't going to be possible again. But yeah, it's a 78 00:03:27,430 --> 00:03:30,090 Speaker 4: bit strange, like me obviously playing, and I've competed against 79 00:03:30,130 --> 00:03:33,299 Speaker 4: his dad a lot, and now competing against him, it's funny. 80 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's very full circle. 81 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 4: Yes. 82 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:37,740 Speaker 3: What have you missed most in your time away from tennis? 83 00:03:37,780 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 3: It sounds like it's the competitiveness. 84 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, I missed, I mean, I did compete a lot, 85 00:03:42,140 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 4: you know, off the court. I mean, it can be anything, 86 00:03:44,220 --> 00:03:45,880 Speaker 4: it can be a computer game, video game, anything, like 87 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:48,780 Speaker 4: a board game, I'll compete a little bit too hard. 88 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,740 Speaker 4: But I guess it's just actually the sport of, and 89 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:53,460 Speaker 4: I think winning, like when you win a tennis match, 90 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:56,350 Speaker 4: you know, the routine, actually the routine of winning a 91 00:03:56,370 --> 00:03:58,750 Speaker 4: tennis match, getting physio, going back to the hotel and 92 00:03:58,790 --> 00:04:00,570 Speaker 4: enjoying that win with your team. I think that's what 93 00:04:01,250 --> 00:04:04,410 Speaker 4: our team, in 2022, we were experiencing that so much. 94 00:04:04,450 --> 00:04:06,730 Speaker 4: It just became part of our culture of, you know, 95 00:04:06,750 --> 00:04:09,030 Speaker 4: going to the courts, getting it done and enjoying those 96 00:04:09,070 --> 00:04:10,780 Speaker 4: wins together. And I think that's what I missed most 97 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:14,740 Speaker 4: was doing it with my team and having success together. 98 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:15,580 Speaker 4: I think that's what I missed most. 99 00:04:16,260 --> 00:04:17,700 Speaker 3: We were also going to ask you if there was 100 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,690 Speaker 3: a specific moment, because you've been out for two years effectively, 101 00:04:21,370 --> 00:04:24,070 Speaker 3: if there was a moment where you felt the burning 102 00:04:24,089 --> 00:04:27,110 Speaker 3: desire properly to return again. And was it that conversation 103 00:04:27,130 --> 00:04:28,890 Speaker 3: with Novak at Wimbledon or was there another time where 104 00:04:28,910 --> 00:04:30,500 Speaker 3: you watched something happen and you're like, God, I'd love 105 00:04:30,510 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 3: to be out there again? 106 00:04:31,380 --> 00:04:35,260 Speaker 4: I definitely went through a lot of dips, like energy lows, 107 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 4: highs and lows throughout the last 18 months. There were 108 00:04:37,779 --> 00:04:39,380 Speaker 4: times where I was super motivated to like, all right, 109 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:40,740 Speaker 4: I want to start the rehab. I want to, sorry. 110 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:42,659 Speaker 4: I want to, you know, I want to get going. 111 00:04:42,700 --> 00:04:43,940 Speaker 4: I want to be better. And then there was times 112 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:45,300 Speaker 4: where I was like, I don't want to play anymore. 113 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 4: You know, this is too hard. Like I was having 114 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:48,980 Speaker 4: pain in my hand and my wrist. And I was like, 115 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 4: this is not going to get better. Like I didn't 116 00:04:50,580 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 4: want to do the work required. And I guess I 117 00:04:53,089 --> 00:04:54,510 Speaker 4: had a really good team around me. And then I 118 00:04:54,550 --> 00:04:56,370 Speaker 4: went to Wimbledon and I tried to, you know, I 119 00:04:56,390 --> 00:04:58,430 Speaker 4: announced on Twitter that I'd be hitting with some of 120 00:04:58,450 --> 00:05:00,250 Speaker 4: the players there. And Novak was caught, I hit with 121 00:05:00,270 --> 00:05:03,990 Speaker 4: him for three days. And he, that's when I actually 122 00:05:04,029 --> 00:05:06,310 Speaker 4: realized that, you know, I was only starting to serve then. 123 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 4: And then he was like, it doesn't look like you've 124 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 4: had surgery. You're moving really well. You're playing really well. 125 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 4: And That's when I looked at my team. I was like, OK, 126 00:05:12,339 --> 00:05:14,170 Speaker 4: maybe we're on the right track. Maybe we can return. 127 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,490 Speaker 4: And six months later, here we are. So that was 128 00:05:17,510 --> 00:05:20,010 Speaker 4: probably the turning moment when Novak said that. I was like, OK, 129 00:05:20,029 --> 00:05:22,710 Speaker 4: we're doing something right here. And we're gearing for a 130 00:05:22,750 --> 00:05:23,570 Speaker 4: return at some stage. 131 00:05:24,380 --> 00:05:27,299 Speaker 2: Sounds like Novak was one of the players that really 132 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:28,740 Speaker 2: supported you in the comeback. 133 00:05:29,220 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 1: Were there any other players that really reached out? 134 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,430 Speaker 4: Look, I think whether a player wants me to come 135 00:05:34,460 --> 00:05:36,860 Speaker 4: back or not, That's one thing, but whether the sport 136 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 4: needs it, I think is another. I don't think there'd 137 00:05:39,660 --> 00:05:42,380 Speaker 4: be too many happy faces seeing me back on tour. 138 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,540 Speaker 4: You know, I had a lot of friends, but I 139 00:05:44,540 --> 00:05:45,820 Speaker 4: also had a lot of people that I didn't get 140 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:47,779 Speaker 4: along with, which I think is completely normal in sport. 141 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 4: And I think the tennis world needs a bit more 142 00:05:50,110 --> 00:05:53,370 Speaker 4: of that. But yeah, I mean, look, there's been plenty 143 00:05:53,390 --> 00:05:55,510 Speaker 4: of supporters. You know, the American players I'm all pretty 144 00:05:55,550 --> 00:05:57,390 Speaker 4: close with and they gave me a lot of support 145 00:05:57,430 --> 00:06:00,229 Speaker 4: as well. But I think people that I've drawn inspiration from, 146 00:06:00,270 --> 00:06:02,730 Speaker 4: probably like Dominic Thiem, someone like that who went through 147 00:06:02,750 --> 00:06:05,690 Speaker 4: a major surgery recently And his one actually wasn't even 148 00:06:06,089 --> 00:06:08,270 Speaker 4: as severe as mine. And to see him just get 149 00:06:08,310 --> 00:06:09,990 Speaker 4: back to a challenger level and play some Grand Slams 150 00:06:10,029 --> 00:06:12,050 Speaker 4: was a bonus where I want to get back there 151 00:06:12,070 --> 00:06:14,779 Speaker 4: and win some, you know, some big matches. So I've 152 00:06:14,820 --> 00:06:17,400 Speaker 4: really drawn. And obviously we know the severity of people 153 00:06:17,420 --> 00:06:20,460 Speaker 4: that have had wrist injuries before. Del Potro, team, like 154 00:06:20,500 --> 00:06:22,660 Speaker 4: these guys haven't got back to where they were. And 155 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:25,340 Speaker 4: I don't think that's a fair... For me, I want to, 156 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:27,279 Speaker 4: but I don't know. We'll see how my level is 157 00:06:27,300 --> 00:06:28,500 Speaker 4: when I get back. But I don't know if it's 158 00:06:28,540 --> 00:06:30,650 Speaker 4: a fair... I guess, goal to have in mind to 159 00:06:30,670 --> 00:06:32,549 Speaker 4: get back to, you know, making a grand slam final 160 00:06:32,589 --> 00:06:35,330 Speaker 4: after such a severe injury. But we'll see. But I 161 00:06:35,350 --> 00:06:38,230 Speaker 4: think there have been some supportive tennis players. That's good. Yeah. 162 00:06:38,390 --> 00:06:40,580 Speaker 3: It's obviously been particularly the nature of the injury being 163 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,740 Speaker 3: so rough. Have there been– it's hard to maybe see 164 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:44,840 Speaker 3: a positive in the time away and the challenges, but 165 00:06:44,860 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 3: have there been any silver linings? 166 00:06:46,460 --> 00:06:49,590 Speaker 4: Yeah. I mean, look, spending time with my family, you know, 167 00:06:49,610 --> 00:06:51,550 Speaker 4: my partner and just, you know, my brother has two 168 00:06:51,589 --> 00:06:54,180 Speaker 4: kids now. You know, I think– as an Australian tennis player, 169 00:06:54,220 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 4: you travel so much of the year and, you know, 170 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:58,380 Speaker 4: all these tennis guys will tell you, you miss, I think, 171 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,469 Speaker 4: significant moments with your loved ones and your best friends 172 00:07:01,529 --> 00:07:04,610 Speaker 4: and your people that you would ideally want to spend 173 00:07:04,630 --> 00:07:06,050 Speaker 4: all the time with. You don't get to see them 174 00:07:06,070 --> 00:07:08,630 Speaker 4: at all. So I think the positive of being injured 175 00:07:08,670 --> 00:07:10,170 Speaker 4: was I was able to catch up on so many 176 00:07:10,230 --> 00:07:12,710 Speaker 4: other things off the court as well that needed my attention. 177 00:07:12,740 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 4: You know, obviously a lot of business ideas that I had, 178 00:07:16,100 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 4: you know, I started, you know, I was very proactive 179 00:07:17,860 --> 00:07:19,690 Speaker 4: in my time away and just spent time with my 180 00:07:19,710 --> 00:07:21,570 Speaker 4: loved ones and then people that I thought I'd missed 181 00:07:21,670 --> 00:07:24,630 Speaker 4: out so much time, like went from literally 15 to 25. 182 00:07:24,630 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 4: I felt like I didn't even spend time with my 183 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 4: family because I was always traveling for tennis. So now 184 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 4: I definitely feel like I caught that time up. 185 00:07:32,540 --> 00:07:34,420 Speaker 3: Do you feel also younger? People talk about having like 186 00:07:34,540 --> 00:07:36,790 Speaker 3: long periods of time actually refreshing them because you're not 187 00:07:36,830 --> 00:07:38,790 Speaker 3: pounding your body, you're not traveling, there's no jet lag. 188 00:07:38,830 --> 00:07:42,430 Speaker 3: So you know, you're 29, but are you physically 29? 189 00:07:42,410 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 3: Do you know what I mean? You said on the 190 00:07:44,060 --> 00:07:45,740 Speaker 3: court before that you were like, I'm old now, but 191 00:07:45,780 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 3: it's like, you're kind of young for 29. 192 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 4: I actually feel as if I'm like 70 or something. 193 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:53,220 Speaker 4: I feel like I've had so many experiences and I've, 194 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:54,750 Speaker 4: you know, I've dealt with a lot of things in 195 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,070 Speaker 4: my life and I've, you know, you know, being in 196 00:07:57,090 --> 00:07:59,130 Speaker 4: the spotlight at 18 and going through the experience, I 197 00:07:59,150 --> 00:08:00,850 Speaker 4: feel like I've gone through a lot for a person 198 00:08:01,010 --> 00:08:03,290 Speaker 4: and I feel like I feel a lot older than 29, 199 00:08:03,290 --> 00:08:04,810 Speaker 4: that's for sure. And people will assume I'm a lot 200 00:08:04,870 --> 00:08:07,830 Speaker 4: older because I was on tour at 17. But yeah, 201 00:08:07,850 --> 00:08:10,230 Speaker 4: I definitely, like mentally, I do feel a bit, I guess, 202 00:08:10,270 --> 00:08:12,190 Speaker 4: new to the tour again, where, you know, just like 203 00:08:12,210 --> 00:08:14,350 Speaker 4: going into the locker room, like just before having a shower, 204 00:08:14,370 --> 00:08:17,030 Speaker 4: just feeling that again and doing those things kind of 205 00:08:17,050 --> 00:08:18,750 Speaker 4: feels a little bit new, which is good because there 206 00:08:18,770 --> 00:08:20,230 Speaker 4: was parts where I was like, oh, here we go, 207 00:08:20,270 --> 00:08:22,730 Speaker 4: another tennis center, another this, another that. But yeah, I 208 00:08:22,750 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 4: know what you mean, but I definitely, I don't know if, Physically, 209 00:08:25,260 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 4: I feel younger. I don't know about that. 210 00:08:27,420 --> 00:08:29,050 Speaker 3: So we have to ask, when you do come back, 211 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:30,830 Speaker 3: who are you most looking forward to playing? 212 00:08:31,010 --> 00:08:34,710 Speaker 4: Oh, I've got a couple of answers there. But look, 213 00:08:34,970 --> 00:08:37,870 Speaker 4: I think the tennis world right now is in a, 214 00:08:38,650 --> 00:08:40,510 Speaker 4: it's definitely the changing of the guard. I think we 215 00:08:40,809 --> 00:08:44,100 Speaker 4: all understand that Rafa and Fed's not being there anymore. 216 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,900 Speaker 4: And I think this is, you could comfortably say it's 217 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:50,189 Speaker 4: the back end of Novak's career now. Yeah. You know, 218 00:08:50,309 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 4: it's open, but, you know, you've got the likes of, 219 00:08:52,370 --> 00:08:55,530 Speaker 4: you know, Alcaraz, Holgaroon, Yannick Sinner, like these guys that are, 220 00:08:55,990 --> 00:08:58,130 Speaker 4: you know, vying for that next kind of mantle. But 221 00:08:58,150 --> 00:09:01,350 Speaker 4: I would love to play, obviously, Yannick Sinner at some stage. 222 00:09:01,850 --> 00:09:04,250 Speaker 4: Hopefully not my first match back, but I doubt he'd 223 00:09:04,270 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 4: play Brisbane. But, you know, look, that's probably... That would 224 00:09:09,020 --> 00:09:12,620 Speaker 4: be circled on my calendar for sure. And I don't know, 225 00:09:12,660 --> 00:09:15,020 Speaker 4: it's always fun playing Tizzy Pass. I think we all... 226 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,660 Speaker 4: I think that's a very healthy one for the tennis world. 227 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:18,710 Speaker 3: OK, awesome. 228 00:09:18,730 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 4: Yeah. 229 00:09:19,670 --> 00:09:22,730 Speaker 2: You came so close to winning a Grand Slam title 230 00:09:22,929 --> 00:09:26,370 Speaker 2: at Wimbledon. How much of a motivation is it to 231 00:09:26,410 --> 00:09:28,300 Speaker 2: go one better than that? 232 00:09:28,460 --> 00:09:31,380 Speaker 4: I think that's probably one of the only things keeping 233 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:33,459 Speaker 4: me around the sport. I mean, obviously, I think I've 234 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 4: got a lot more tennis to play for my fans, 235 00:09:35,220 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 4: but I think a Grand Slam is the only thing 236 00:09:39,850 --> 00:09:42,530 Speaker 4: that's kind of missing, I think, in Australian tennis in general. 237 00:09:42,630 --> 00:09:44,150 Speaker 4: You know, we've got, you know, Alexi Popper winning a 238 00:09:44,170 --> 00:09:47,290 Speaker 4: Masters event, you know, Demons vying for titles, but I 239 00:09:47,330 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 4: think that at the end of the day, that all 240 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,660 Speaker 4: means nothing if you don't finish. I think that's the 241 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 4: only thing that people really care about in tennis career 242 00:09:53,179 --> 00:09:55,270 Speaker 4: is how many grand slams you have. And did I 243 00:09:55,309 --> 00:09:56,850 Speaker 4: think that the doubles grand slam was going to calm 244 00:09:56,910 --> 00:09:58,530 Speaker 4: it down? To be honest, no. I knew that the 245 00:09:58,570 --> 00:09:59,740 Speaker 4: critics were always gonna be like oh he doesn't have 246 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 4: a singles one still after i want a doubles one 247 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,980 Speaker 4: and i agree with them like i am a singles 248 00:10:04,020 --> 00:10:06,880 Speaker 4: player and i i i've put in so much work 249 00:10:06,900 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 4: to be a good singles player and i was two 250 00:10:09,380 --> 00:10:11,710 Speaker 4: sets away a set and a half away from winning 251 00:10:12,010 --> 00:10:14,870 Speaker 4: you know a tennis event that makes you tennis immortality 252 00:10:14,929 --> 00:10:17,329 Speaker 4: so that's definitely a driver. I mean, I hear it 253 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:18,829 Speaker 4: every day that, Oh, he hasn't won a Grand Slam. 254 00:10:18,850 --> 00:10:20,370 Speaker 4: Like the amount of times I've heard that it's going 255 00:10:20,390 --> 00:10:21,189 Speaker 4: to drive me insane. 256 00:10:21,530 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 3: Most people haven't though. 257 00:10:23,260 --> 00:10:25,540 Speaker 4: I know, but like they say that, Oh, he's one 258 00:10:25,559 --> 00:10:28,179 Speaker 4: of the most talented players like this or that, that there's, 259 00:10:28,220 --> 00:10:29,780 Speaker 4: I think there's a lot that comes with that, which is, 260 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 4: it's good in a way, but it's also a curse 261 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:34,660 Speaker 4: because people want you to win so bad. 262 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:35,890 Speaker 3: Yeah. 263 00:10:35,910 --> 00:10:39,030 Speaker 2: Your first Grand Slam back will be your home Grand Slam. 264 00:10:39,250 --> 00:10:41,189 Speaker 2: How special is it to play at the Australian Open? 265 00:10:41,230 --> 00:10:43,930 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been extremely tough missing that event the last 266 00:10:43,950 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 4: two years. Um, not because I'm sitting there, you know, 267 00:10:48,429 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 4: watching other people play. You know, I love watching other 268 00:10:51,179 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 4: Aussies play at the Australian Open. I love the stories created. 269 00:10:53,580 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 4: I love the opportunities that they have. And it can 270 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:57,780 Speaker 4: change careers. It honestly can. You make a run at 271 00:10:57,800 --> 00:11:00,340 Speaker 4: the Australian Open and we see, you know, all these 272 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:02,079 Speaker 4: young Aussies have good runs and then, you know, it 273 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:04,580 Speaker 4: kicks off their career. But for me, it's just, there's 274 00:11:04,620 --> 00:11:07,490 Speaker 4: a different feeling playing in Australia. And, you know, I 275 00:11:07,510 --> 00:11:09,290 Speaker 4: played my first, I mean, I played Australian Open juniors 276 00:11:09,309 --> 00:11:11,670 Speaker 4: when I was 15 years old and it just seemed 277 00:11:11,710 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 4: like that time of the year was always special for Aussies. 278 00:11:14,020 --> 00:11:15,620 Speaker 4: You know, it was Aussie summer. Even this time, you're 279 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:17,960 Speaker 4: all hanging out together, training together. You can feel the 280 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,059 Speaker 4: energy kind of heating up a little bit and I 281 00:11:20,100 --> 00:11:22,440 Speaker 4: can't wait to get out there and just feel, you know, 282 00:11:22,460 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 4: I'm just going to soak up every little moment because 283 00:11:24,470 --> 00:11:26,829 Speaker 4: it could be my last one. Um, and I'm not 284 00:11:26,850 --> 00:11:28,130 Speaker 4: going to take it for granted. Even if I win 285 00:11:28,150 --> 00:11:29,730 Speaker 4: or lose, I'm going to enjoy the stadium. I'm going 286 00:11:29,750 --> 00:11:32,470 Speaker 4: to enjoy all the, the, the tough moments, the adversity 287 00:11:32,510 --> 00:11:33,950 Speaker 4: moments and just enjoy it all. 288 00:11:34,290 --> 00:11:37,010 Speaker 2: Do you have a favorite moment from your Australian Open 289 00:11:37,030 --> 00:11:37,430 Speaker 2: so far? 290 00:11:39,230 --> 00:11:44,970 Speaker 4: I think, Ooh, that's a tough one. Um, I mean, obviously, yeah, 291 00:11:45,250 --> 00:11:47,250 Speaker 4: I mean, it's been, it's been amazing. Um, I think 292 00:11:47,850 --> 00:11:49,929 Speaker 4: obviously the doubles has got to be up there. Um, 293 00:11:50,370 --> 00:11:52,030 Speaker 4: you know, I never thought I'd win a doubles against them. 294 00:11:52,210 --> 00:11:54,929 Speaker 4: Literally never. I thought the singles one would come at 295 00:11:55,150 --> 00:11:56,949 Speaker 4: maybe at some stage, if not, but I'd never thought 296 00:11:56,990 --> 00:11:58,250 Speaker 4: I'd get close to winning a doubles one and it 297 00:11:58,290 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 4: just happened. Um, I think the Kachanov match, uh, in 298 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:05,820 Speaker 4: the third round of the Australian Open, when it was 299 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:09,040 Speaker 4: like a four hour, 50 hour, four, four hours and 300 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:11,730 Speaker 4: 50 minute grind. And, It was probably one of the 301 00:12:11,770 --> 00:12:14,030 Speaker 4: most insane energy I've ever been a part of. The 302 00:12:14,070 --> 00:12:16,490 Speaker 4: crowd was absolutely going insane and it was special. 303 00:12:17,190 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 3: Now, that was on John Kane Arena. 304 00:12:18,340 --> 00:12:19,150 Speaker 4: Yes. Obviously. 305 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:21,579 Speaker 3: That's such a big part of your A.O. story, that court. 306 00:12:21,620 --> 00:12:22,940 Speaker 3: You've almost kind of made it your own. 307 00:12:22,980 --> 00:12:23,180 Speaker 4: Yeah. 308 00:12:23,820 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 3: We actually did some research into your record. Do you 309 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:26,940 Speaker 3: know your record on that court? 310 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:28,420 Speaker 4: No. No. I don't know. 311 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 3: Could you guess how many matches you played and won 312 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:30,490 Speaker 3: on it? 313 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 4: It would be close to probably 15, I reckon. 314 00:12:33,420 --> 00:12:34,699 Speaker 3: Yeah. 315 00:12:34,700 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 4: 15 and 15. Maybe 12 and 3 or something. Exactly. 316 00:12:37,620 --> 00:12:38,800 Speaker 3: That's what your record is. 12 and 3. 317 00:12:38,780 --> 00:12:38,959 Speaker 4: Yeah. 318 00:12:38,980 --> 00:12:39,350 Speaker 2: There you go. 319 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 4: So. 320 00:12:40,870 --> 00:12:42,910 Speaker 3: Um, that was what we're going to ask you. So yeah, 321 00:12:42,929 --> 00:12:45,329 Speaker 3: you've won 12, lost three. So it's an 80% record. 322 00:12:45,370 --> 00:12:47,750 Speaker 3: So what is it about that court that brings out 323 00:12:47,770 --> 00:12:49,530 Speaker 3: your best? Cause it is by far your best record 324 00:12:49,550 --> 00:12:50,910 Speaker 3: at the AO of all the court. In fact, you 325 00:12:50,929 --> 00:12:52,430 Speaker 3: played on it so much more than all the other ones, 326 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:54,140 Speaker 3: but you pretty much never. 327 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 4: Lose on it. Um, I think it's just, I don't know. 328 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,939 Speaker 4: It's just something about the speed. The court just feels amazing. 329 00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:02,179 Speaker 4: I think I just love the dimensions of, even though 330 00:13:02,260 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 4: every single court's in the same dimensions, just the backdrop 331 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:08,179 Speaker 4: and everything about it. I like how the crowd's really close. Um, 332 00:13:09,210 --> 00:13:11,290 Speaker 4: I'm not too sure. I really want to put a 333 00:13:11,330 --> 00:13:13,250 Speaker 4: petition in when I'm done to call it the Curious 334 00:13:13,429 --> 00:13:16,490 Speaker 4: Court instead of John Kane Arena. I think, I genuinely 335 00:13:16,550 --> 00:13:18,320 Speaker 4: think if we call it the Curious Court, it would be, 336 00:13:18,510 --> 00:13:20,160 Speaker 4: it'd be a lot more, it would be a lot cooler. 337 00:13:20,179 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 4: And I think people would be like, it would create 338 00:13:22,260 --> 00:13:24,099 Speaker 4: a bit more buzz. Are you playing the Curious Court? Like, 339 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 4: cause then it's like known for being a bit of 340 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:29,680 Speaker 4: a chaotic zoo, like, you know, atmosphere, I think. And 341 00:13:29,700 --> 00:13:31,500 Speaker 4: then people will think about some of the best times 342 00:13:31,540 --> 00:13:33,890 Speaker 4: I had on it and, just how chaotic the crowd 343 00:13:33,910 --> 00:13:36,449 Speaker 4: was going. Like sometimes I was like, this place is 344 00:13:36,790 --> 00:13:39,370 Speaker 4: ridiculously loud. And it was a bit of like a 345 00:13:39,429 --> 00:13:41,670 Speaker 4: zoo out there. I think, yeah, I mean, I don't 346 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,320 Speaker 4: know what it is about that court, but I don't know. 347 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:45,140 Speaker 4: Hopefully I'll be able to play on it again this year. 348 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:47,900 Speaker 4: And if not, you know, I'm happy to play on Rod. 349 00:13:48,580 --> 00:13:51,440 Speaker 3: So is it actually like, are the crowd different compared 350 00:13:51,460 --> 00:13:53,380 Speaker 3: to say Rod Laver? Because you've had some pretty wild 351 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,530 Speaker 3: matches on Kia in that doubles run and you've played 352 00:13:55,550 --> 00:13:58,370 Speaker 3: on MCA as well. But there's something maybe a bit 353 00:13:58,380 --> 00:14:00,450 Speaker 3: specific about JCA. Is it, I don't know, the ground 354 00:14:00,490 --> 00:14:02,250 Speaker 3: passes or the fact that the seats come right down 355 00:14:02,290 --> 00:14:02,809 Speaker 3: to the court? 356 00:14:02,830 --> 00:14:05,410 Speaker 4: Yeah, I do like the fact that it's very accessible 357 00:14:05,429 --> 00:14:07,350 Speaker 4: for the fans. The fans are right there. They're having 358 00:14:08,070 --> 00:14:10,230 Speaker 4: ongoing conversations with me. I think they've realised that I 359 00:14:10,250 --> 00:14:12,310 Speaker 4: really feed off it and they're obviously a bit boozy 360 00:14:12,350 --> 00:14:14,350 Speaker 4: around that time as well, like 5pm-ish. 361 00:14:15,350 --> 00:14:17,390 Speaker 3: Yes, that's the hour you're off and on. 362 00:14:17,970 --> 00:14:19,250 Speaker 4: And I don't know, it's just something about that court. 363 00:14:19,270 --> 00:14:21,630 Speaker 4: I think the crowd of Rod Laver are a bit 364 00:14:21,650 --> 00:14:24,690 Speaker 4: more tame and they're a bit more, I guess, classy. 365 00:14:25,870 --> 00:14:29,710 Speaker 4: But I don't... think I fit into that kind of description. 366 00:14:29,730 --> 00:14:31,430 Speaker 4: So I think I'd love to play on John Kane again. 367 00:14:31,710 --> 00:14:32,030 Speaker 4: I love it. 368 00:14:32,050 --> 00:14:33,530 Speaker 3: Well, we'll see, I guess we'll see where you're scheduled 369 00:14:33,550 --> 00:14:34,070 Speaker 3: when you come back. 370 00:14:34,170 --> 00:14:34,790 Speaker 4: Yes. Yes. 371 00:14:35,850 --> 00:14:39,050 Speaker 2: Um, when you look back on your career as a whole, what, 372 00:14:39,310 --> 00:14:40,270 Speaker 2: what are you most proud of? 373 00:14:41,750 --> 00:14:45,610 Speaker 4: Uh, I think, I think how much I've kind of, 374 00:14:45,910 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 4: I guess, changed and matured over my, my, the course 375 00:14:48,900 --> 00:14:51,060 Speaker 4: of my career. I think I'm very much still a child. 376 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:54,380 Speaker 4: I'm very much still youthful and I love to have fun. And, um, 377 00:14:54,420 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 4: but I think, you know, I think I was, um, 378 00:14:57,300 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 4: Earlier in my career I didn't really I don't know 379 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:02,590 Speaker 4: I just I think I enjoy it now because I 380 00:15:02,630 --> 00:15:05,590 Speaker 4: know that the window that I've had as an athlete 381 00:15:05,710 --> 00:15:08,050 Speaker 4: and the success I've had is not normal and it's 382 00:15:08,210 --> 00:15:10,590 Speaker 4: very like I'm very lucky to have had that success 383 00:15:10,670 --> 00:15:13,090 Speaker 4: but also I worked very hard but not many athletes 384 00:15:13,130 --> 00:15:15,070 Speaker 4: are able to say that they've you know going to 385 00:15:15,090 --> 00:15:16,630 Speaker 4: the top of their sport and then really knocked on 386 00:15:16,650 --> 00:15:19,170 Speaker 4: the door of you know getting to the ultimate prize 387 00:15:19,210 --> 00:15:22,210 Speaker 4: and I think these injuries made me realize that you know, 388 00:15:22,230 --> 00:15:23,510 Speaker 4: I got to be grateful for it and I can't 389 00:15:23,550 --> 00:15:25,980 Speaker 4: be so, I can't be so selfish, I guess. And 390 00:15:26,300 --> 00:15:28,380 Speaker 4: when I come back to, I want instant titles, I 391 00:15:28,420 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 4: want grand slams. Like it's not, that's not how the 392 00:15:31,020 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 4: sport works. Sometimes it's my day and sometimes it's not. 393 00:15:33,180 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 4: And I think I'm just really proud of, I couldn't, 394 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:36,940 Speaker 4: I would never be saying that at the start of 395 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:39,700 Speaker 4: my career. I'd be, you know, really like probably too 396 00:15:39,740 --> 00:15:42,350 Speaker 4: confident or too arrogant to, you know, say that, no, 397 00:15:42,370 --> 00:15:43,770 Speaker 4: I want more, I want more all the time, which 398 00:15:43,810 --> 00:15:45,930 Speaker 4: is not bad. But I think now it's like, I've 399 00:15:45,950 --> 00:15:47,430 Speaker 4: done the work to get back and everything now is 400 00:15:47,490 --> 00:15:50,050 Speaker 4: a bonus. And, you know, there's a younger generation coming 401 00:15:50,070 --> 00:15:52,110 Speaker 4: in now and the banging over there is insane. 402 00:15:53,710 --> 00:15:57,150 Speaker 3: Yeah. 403 00:15:58,430 --> 00:16:00,380 Speaker 4: I just think that I'm really proud of how much 404 00:16:00,430 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 4: I've kind of matured. Tennis is, I think makes you 405 00:16:02,340 --> 00:16:04,420 Speaker 4: mature as a person. You know, you do everything alone, 406 00:16:04,460 --> 00:16:08,460 Speaker 4: you travel alone. Um, it does mature you very quickly. Um, 407 00:16:09,220 --> 00:16:12,840 Speaker 4: obviously more often, not, maybe not me as quick as others, 408 00:16:12,860 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 4: but I'm finally to that point where I think I've 409 00:16:14,820 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 4: matured a lot. So. 410 00:16:16,470 --> 00:16:19,570 Speaker 2: On the flip side, it's obviously a long career. Are 411 00:16:19,590 --> 00:16:22,030 Speaker 2: there any periods where you look back at any matches 412 00:16:22,110 --> 00:16:23,870 Speaker 2: or times in your career saying, I wish I could 413 00:16:23,890 --> 00:16:24,390 Speaker 2: do that again? 414 00:16:24,550 --> 00:16:28,990 Speaker 4: Oh, I don't think I regret moments in my career, 415 00:16:29,010 --> 00:16:31,690 Speaker 4: to be honest. I think every little moment happened for 416 00:16:31,750 --> 00:16:34,010 Speaker 4: a specific reason. I think I kind of look at 417 00:16:34,030 --> 00:16:35,930 Speaker 4: it as like a building block. You take one moment out, 418 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,820 Speaker 4: I think the structure kind of falls down. And I'm 419 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:40,880 Speaker 4: not saying I had great moments. I've had some absolutely 420 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:45,970 Speaker 4: diabolical moments on the court, meltdowns, tantrums, fines. I wouldn't 421 00:16:46,010 --> 00:16:48,430 Speaker 4: condone it for the future generations. But at the same time, 422 00:16:48,490 --> 00:16:50,590 Speaker 4: I think that I'm man enough now to say that, 423 00:16:50,790 --> 00:16:55,710 Speaker 4: you know, they weren't like, would I do it again? Maybe, 424 00:16:56,270 --> 00:16:58,170 Speaker 4: but they're not the right, that wasn't the right way 425 00:16:58,250 --> 00:17:00,470 Speaker 4: to conduct myself. But I did have fun. I think 426 00:17:00,530 --> 00:17:03,890 Speaker 4: at the end of my career, I did it my 427 00:17:03,930 --> 00:17:05,909 Speaker 4: way and I had fun. And that's the message that 428 00:17:05,950 --> 00:17:08,070 Speaker 4: I think from my career. It's like, you can be authentic, 429 00:17:08,090 --> 00:17:11,450 Speaker 4: you can be yourself and you can still kind of find, 430 00:17:11,550 --> 00:17:14,530 Speaker 4: navigate yourself your own way. your own way there. You 431 00:17:14,550 --> 00:17:16,389 Speaker 4: don't need to like, there's not one specific path to 432 00:17:16,410 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 4: get there. Sure. 433 00:17:17,859 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 2: Um, I heard of this interview. I, I did pull 434 00:17:20,460 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 2: out something, um, which was your first Australian tennis magazine cover. 435 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:26,980 Speaker 4: The funny thing is, I do remember this because my 436 00:17:27,020 --> 00:17:31,369 Speaker 4: mom has this frame in my house in Canberra outside 437 00:17:31,420 --> 00:17:33,389 Speaker 4: my room. So I say this all the time. 438 00:17:33,710 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: That's awesome. What do you think when you see it? 439 00:17:36,010 --> 00:17:37,350 Speaker 1: Do you recognize that Nick? 440 00:17:37,609 --> 00:17:40,410 Speaker 4: Uh, I do recognize it. I recognize a kid that 441 00:17:40,730 --> 00:17:43,410 Speaker 4: had no idea what he was stepping into. Honestly, like, 442 00:17:44,090 --> 00:17:47,669 Speaker 4: I was still at the Melbourne Academy when we were 443 00:17:47,690 --> 00:17:49,730 Speaker 4: there and I was living in Melbourne at the time 444 00:17:49,770 --> 00:17:52,730 Speaker 4: with the Guccione family and I was just a young kid, 445 00:17:53,109 --> 00:17:55,250 Speaker 4: just probably still in school at that time. And yeah, 446 00:17:55,290 --> 00:17:58,330 Speaker 4: that's it. I had no idea what the rollercoaster was 447 00:17:58,369 --> 00:18:00,910 Speaker 4: going to be like, to be honest. 448 00:18:01,530 --> 00:18:04,880 Speaker 1: Is there any advice you would give to that Nick? 449 00:18:05,470 --> 00:18:08,900 Speaker 3: Yeah, so that Nick is, that's AO 2014 Nick, even 450 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:11,060 Speaker 3: before Wimbledon, that photo is. 451 00:18:11,859 --> 00:18:15,580 Speaker 4: I would probably just say, Um, I'd probably say not 452 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:19,720 Speaker 4: to take criticism too hard at that time. I think 453 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:21,980 Speaker 4: I was a very, I was an emotional kid and 454 00:18:22,100 --> 00:18:26,410 Speaker 4: I was, um, very like, I was a sensory person. 455 00:18:26,450 --> 00:18:29,790 Speaker 4: Like I took comments very personally. So I would tell 456 00:18:29,830 --> 00:18:33,770 Speaker 4: myself maybe not to take the criticism too hard, um, 457 00:18:33,869 --> 00:18:37,669 Speaker 4: because it really, it really affected me. Uh, so I'd 458 00:18:37,690 --> 00:18:40,619 Speaker 4: probably say just continue to be that showman that you 459 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 4: have inside you, but there was going to be, I 460 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:44,250 Speaker 4: didn't realise that it was going to be such a, 461 00:18:45,140 --> 00:18:47,280 Speaker 4: I didn't realise I was going to send such shockwaves, 462 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,570 Speaker 4: I guess, through the tennis world, I guess. And I 463 00:18:49,590 --> 00:18:51,450 Speaker 4: was 18. I had no idea that I was able 464 00:18:51,510 --> 00:18:53,510 Speaker 4: to do that. I was a kid from Canberra, still 465 00:18:53,530 --> 00:18:54,970 Speaker 4: in school. Like, I didn't know I was going to 466 00:18:54,990 --> 00:18:58,330 Speaker 4: send shockwaves through the global tennis world. So I'd say 467 00:18:58,369 --> 00:19:00,330 Speaker 4: just don't take criticism too hard. 468 00:19:00,410 --> 00:19:04,230 Speaker 2: From that perspective that you have now, what life lessons 469 00:19:04,250 --> 00:19:05,619 Speaker 2: do you think you can take from tennis? 470 00:19:06,780 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 4: Um, I guess you have to be an amazing problem 471 00:19:08,980 --> 00:19:12,070 Speaker 4: solver on the tennis court. Um, you're always adapting as well. 472 00:19:12,150 --> 00:19:15,409 Speaker 4: It's the one sport where it's played all around the world, uh, 473 00:19:15,450 --> 00:19:19,310 Speaker 4: different time zones, different diet, different cultures. Um, you know, 474 00:19:19,330 --> 00:19:21,570 Speaker 4: you're always uncertain. You never know what time exactly you're 475 00:19:21,590 --> 00:19:23,209 Speaker 4: going to play. Only sometimes you never know. You could 476 00:19:23,230 --> 00:19:24,570 Speaker 4: play for an hour and a half, play for five 477 00:19:24,630 --> 00:19:26,990 Speaker 4: hours at a grand slam. There's so many variables in 478 00:19:27,010 --> 00:19:30,090 Speaker 4: tennis where no other sport can, can understand that. Like 479 00:19:30,130 --> 00:19:33,360 Speaker 4: what other sport has so many question marks of your performance? 480 00:19:33,420 --> 00:19:37,810 Speaker 4: I think the problem solving and, you realize that nothing's 481 00:19:37,830 --> 00:19:40,190 Speaker 4: perfect in life too. The greatest of all time have 482 00:19:40,290 --> 00:19:43,530 Speaker 4: only won over just over half the points they've ever played. 483 00:19:43,650 --> 00:19:45,730 Speaker 4: you know roger federer won 54 percent of points so 484 00:19:46,150 --> 00:19:49,780 Speaker 4: he's losing like pretty much every second point he's playing 485 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:52,000 Speaker 4: so like the ability to pick yourself up after having 486 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,159 Speaker 4: a bad day or you know you could have a 487 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:56,740 Speaker 4: bad relationship and anything you gotta understand it you know 488 00:19:56,760 --> 00:19:58,460 Speaker 4: you gotta pick yourself back up and i think tennis 489 00:19:58,540 --> 00:20:01,160 Speaker 4: is a very good um teacher that because you can't 490 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 4: win you're not winning every week you know you're losing 491 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:06,340 Speaker 4: pick yourself back up go again so yeah you've got 492 00:20:06,359 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 4: to be a fast learner and a good. 493 00:20:07,619 --> 00:20:11,350 Speaker 2: Loser I noticed today when you were hitting with Cruz, 494 00:20:11,390 --> 00:20:12,649 Speaker 2: you were giving. 495 00:20:12,630 --> 00:20:13,370 Speaker 1: Lots of advice. 496 00:20:13,450 --> 00:20:13,690 Speaker 4: Yeah. 497 00:20:14,070 --> 00:20:15,530 Speaker 1: Could you ever see yourself as a coach? 498 00:20:16,570 --> 00:20:20,830 Speaker 4: Possibly. I mean, me and Jordan Thompson always joked about 499 00:20:20,869 --> 00:20:23,139 Speaker 4: like me and him would take like kids away on 500 00:20:23,180 --> 00:20:25,460 Speaker 4: a tour and we would be the coaches. That'd be 501 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:28,260 Speaker 4: a fun tour. I would probably do it like at 502 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:31,119 Speaker 4: some stage. I think I do enjoy, I actually do 503 00:20:31,140 --> 00:20:34,350 Speaker 4: enjoy watching. I mean, obviously from a commentating standpoint, I 504 00:20:34,369 --> 00:20:37,170 Speaker 4: enjoy watching and enjoy watching And I'm not a very 505 00:20:37,270 --> 00:20:40,540 Speaker 4: critical commentator. I don't like when commentators, you know, beat 506 00:20:40,580 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 4: down or are too critical because it's not easy out there. 507 00:20:43,260 --> 00:20:45,300 Speaker 4: And in today's day and age, the game is so physical. 508 00:20:45,340 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 4: But I could see myself one day maybe, you know, 509 00:20:48,060 --> 00:20:51,660 Speaker 4: I enjoy giving people, you know, advice or tactical, you know, 510 00:20:51,780 --> 00:20:53,679 Speaker 4: advice and then seeing them trying to execute that. I 511 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:56,580 Speaker 4: think I could see myself one day doing that. But, yeah, 512 00:20:56,619 --> 00:20:57,520 Speaker 4: I mean, it's a bit of fun. 513 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:01,020 Speaker 2: It has been an amazing year in Australian tennis, as 514 00:21:01,100 --> 00:21:01,980 Speaker 2: you mentioned earlier. 515 00:21:02,619 --> 00:21:02,899 Speaker 4: Have you. 516 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:06,340 Speaker 2: We're heading into the Davis Cup finals, which Australia will 517 00:21:06,500 --> 00:21:07,020 Speaker 2: be a part of. 518 00:21:07,580 --> 00:21:09,140 Speaker 1: Have you missed being a part of all that? 519 00:21:09,300 --> 00:21:12,440 Speaker 4: Definitely. I love the team environment. I love being a 520 00:21:12,460 --> 00:21:16,119 Speaker 4: part of that team. You know, they're some of my 521 00:21:16,140 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 4: closest friends. You know, Thanasis, Jordan Thompson. I'm so happy 522 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:23,010 Speaker 4: for Jordan to see how well he's gone. Top 30 523 00:21:23,010 --> 00:21:25,650 Speaker 4: in the world. And we literally grew up and played 524 00:21:25,690 --> 00:21:28,810 Speaker 4: the exact same tournaments together from eight years old. We 525 00:21:28,869 --> 00:21:30,710 Speaker 4: played each other at Wimbledon and to see him having 526 00:21:30,730 --> 00:21:33,520 Speaker 4: success is so cool. So, I do miss it, but 527 00:21:33,540 --> 00:21:36,419 Speaker 4: at the same time, these guys are all capable. And 528 00:21:36,460 --> 00:21:38,719 Speaker 4: I think, you know, I was kind of the first one, 529 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 4: I guess, knock on the door and show that it 530 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:43,879 Speaker 4: was possible. And then these guys started believing and, you know, 531 00:21:43,940 --> 00:21:46,679 Speaker 4: now they're all having some amazing success. Alexi's getting, you know, 532 00:21:46,700 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 4: coming out of his shell and he's understanding what he 533 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 4: needs to do at the highest level to execute. And it's, 534 00:21:51,900 --> 00:21:54,439 Speaker 4: they're more than capable to win it, you know, without me, 535 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 4: you know, and the fact that I even had a 536 00:21:57,260 --> 00:21:59,180 Speaker 4: conversation with Leighton yesterday that he thinks that I'm able 537 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:01,820 Speaker 4: to still add value is a positive for me. But yeah, 538 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:03,960 Speaker 4: I miss the team environments. I love them. You know, 539 00:22:03,980 --> 00:22:06,300 Speaker 4: I love, I do miss the home and away aspect 540 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:07,959 Speaker 4: of Davis Cup, I will say. That was the most 541 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:09,800 Speaker 4: special thing ever. You know, I remember we played a 542 00:22:09,820 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 4: tie out here against USA and it was some of 543 00:22:13,500 --> 00:22:16,129 Speaker 4: the coolest atmosphere ever. So yeah, I mean, I do 544 00:22:16,170 --> 00:22:16,830 Speaker 4: miss being out there. 545 00:22:17,190 --> 00:22:19,250 Speaker 3: You've alluded a couple of times today about like the 546 00:22:19,270 --> 00:22:21,330 Speaker 3: business side of tennis and the entertainment. We really like 547 00:22:21,350 --> 00:22:23,710 Speaker 3: tennis players that are cognizant of the business side because 548 00:22:23,750 --> 00:22:27,830 Speaker 3: it's more than just hitting balls. If you had the, 549 00:22:28,460 --> 00:22:30,119 Speaker 3: capacity to do this if there's one thing you could 550 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,980 Speaker 3: immediately or quickly change that you think could help tennis 551 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:34,119 Speaker 3: like what what would that be. 552 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:38,950 Speaker 4: Um i would make grand slams the best of three 553 00:22:39,010 --> 00:22:43,310 Speaker 4: up until the quarterfinals um i think it would save 554 00:22:43,350 --> 00:22:45,770 Speaker 4: us a lot of effort on scheduling you know the 555 00:22:45,790 --> 00:22:47,970 Speaker 4: first week scheduling gets out of control i think with 556 00:22:48,230 --> 00:22:51,200 Speaker 4: both the men's side and the women's side playing best 557 00:22:51,220 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 4: of five and sometimes the women's matches go long best 558 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:57,429 Speaker 4: of three I mean, men's matches aren't finishing until like 2, 559 00:22:57,430 --> 00:22:59,490 Speaker 4: 3 a.m. and it's just not sustainable, I don't think. 560 00:22:59,530 --> 00:23:01,670 Speaker 4: And I think if you made it best of three 561 00:23:01,690 --> 00:23:04,550 Speaker 4: up until the quarterfinals, you'd see some guys break through 562 00:23:04,830 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 4: to the quarterfinals, but then obviously the better players would 563 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:09,680 Speaker 4: end up winning obviously best of five anyway. So I 564 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:11,659 Speaker 4: think a best of three up until the quarterfinals and 565 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:13,139 Speaker 4: then from then on it's best of five. That's what 566 00:23:13,160 --> 00:23:15,300 Speaker 4: I would immediately change to Grand Slam. It would save 567 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:17,300 Speaker 4: a lot of stress of scheduling and it would make 568 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:19,240 Speaker 4: it more, the first couple of weeks would be more 569 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:21,850 Speaker 4: exciting because some of these top players as well, they 570 00:23:21,869 --> 00:23:23,710 Speaker 4: lose the first set in the earlier rounds and they're, 571 00:23:24,330 --> 00:23:26,220 Speaker 4: right away back against the wall. How many times have 572 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:28,220 Speaker 4: we seen one of the best players in the draw 573 00:23:28,240 --> 00:23:29,780 Speaker 4: lose the first set and you're just like, he's going 574 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 4: to come back and win anyway. Like, it's actually boring. Where, like, 575 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:36,480 Speaker 4: if Novak goes down a set or even when Lee too, 576 00:23:36,540 --> 00:23:38,220 Speaker 4: I think he won a set against Alcaraz early on. 577 00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:40,430 Speaker 4: That was one set all and then it's one set. 578 00:23:41,530 --> 00:23:45,050 Speaker 4: That could change Lee's entire career. He beat Alcaraz at 579 00:23:45,090 --> 00:23:47,370 Speaker 4: the centre quarter. You've completely, you become a name. So 580 00:23:47,750 --> 00:23:49,710 Speaker 4: I think that would be a cool thing to change. 581 00:23:49,730 --> 00:23:50,300 Speaker 3: I love that. 582 00:23:50,609 --> 00:23:51,190 Speaker 4: Have you got any other? 583 00:23:51,290 --> 00:23:52,250 Speaker 3: I've got you on a roll. 584 00:23:52,270 --> 00:23:54,330 Speaker 4: Have you got any other? I love stuff like this. 585 00:23:54,890 --> 00:23:57,830 Speaker 4: I would have players mic'd up as well. I think, 586 00:23:58,290 --> 00:23:58,469 Speaker 4: you know. 587 00:23:58,490 --> 00:23:59,850 Speaker 3: In like officially sanctioned tournaments. 588 00:23:59,950 --> 00:24:03,609 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah. I think, like if you watch the NBA, 589 00:24:03,650 --> 00:24:08,130 Speaker 4: they give their like, obviously the uniform or the kit 590 00:24:08,150 --> 00:24:10,350 Speaker 4: you're going to wear, they professionally put like a mic 591 00:24:10,450 --> 00:24:13,330 Speaker 4: inside the shirt around the collar so you can feel it. 592 00:24:13,369 --> 00:24:13,909 Speaker 3: Oh, you can't feel it. 593 00:24:14,230 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 4: And I think not doing that has been absurd for me. 594 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:22,129 Speaker 4: Like why would you not? have like Novak or Alcaraz 595 00:24:22,270 --> 00:24:25,490 Speaker 4: or them mic'd up to hear what they're saying or 596 00:24:25,650 --> 00:24:27,550 Speaker 4: even before the points, like you see some of these 597 00:24:27,750 --> 00:24:30,570 Speaker 4: amazing athletes, I do it myself sometimes, before every point 598 00:24:30,609 --> 00:24:32,790 Speaker 4: they're self-talking to themselves. Like why would you not have 599 00:24:32,910 --> 00:24:35,770 Speaker 4: the content that you could create from that already would 600 00:24:37,090 --> 00:24:38,850 Speaker 4: have tennis fans glued to their phone? I mean, I've 601 00:24:38,869 --> 00:24:40,290 Speaker 4: got heaps, but that's. 602 00:24:40,190 --> 00:24:42,010 Speaker 3: Another one I would do. 603 00:24:42,070 --> 00:24:45,229 Speaker 4: I think from like a fan's standpoint and I would 604 00:24:45,250 --> 00:24:49,429 Speaker 4: do mixed doubles at Masters events. Oh, wow. Because what 605 00:24:49,450 --> 00:24:52,790 Speaker 4: other sport can you get your favourite female athlete and 606 00:24:52,830 --> 00:24:55,109 Speaker 4: your favourite male athlete competing on the same side of 607 00:24:55,130 --> 00:24:58,490 Speaker 4: the net for, like, good prize money? It's not possible. Like, 608 00:24:58,550 --> 00:25:00,330 Speaker 4: you don't see it in any other sport, really. So 609 00:25:00,369 --> 00:25:03,010 Speaker 4: I think Masters events should... Instead of men's doubles and 610 00:25:03,030 --> 00:25:04,330 Speaker 4: women's doubles, it should be mixed. 611 00:25:04,650 --> 00:25:06,340 Speaker 1: So would you play mixed doubles? 612 00:25:06,340 --> 00:25:07,300 Speaker 4: 100% I would, yeah, definitely. 613 00:25:07,340 --> 00:25:08,440 Speaker 1: And who would you love to play with? 614 00:25:08,460 --> 00:25:11,160 Speaker 4: Oh, I mean, there's plenty of good players I'd love 615 00:25:11,180 --> 00:25:14,560 Speaker 4: to play with, past and present. I mean, look, if 616 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:18,169 Speaker 4: I play... I've had the... the honour of playing with 617 00:25:18,210 --> 00:25:21,600 Speaker 4: Serena and Venus. I would have liked to play with Ash. 618 00:25:21,609 --> 00:25:22,570 Speaker 3: Wow, not many people can say that. 619 00:25:22,590 --> 00:25:25,310 Speaker 4: Yeah. I would have loved to have played with Ash 620 00:25:25,350 --> 00:25:28,619 Speaker 4: Barty at some stage. I think she, I think, was 621 00:25:28,700 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 4: by far one of the most talented female players to 622 00:25:31,359 --> 00:25:33,419 Speaker 4: ever play the game. I think we would have done 623 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:34,620 Speaker 4: some damage on the court for sure. 624 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:35,899 Speaker 1: Absolutely. 625 00:25:36,060 --> 00:25:36,439 Speaker 3: We miss that. 626 00:25:36,460 --> 00:25:37,180 Speaker 2: Definitely. 627 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:39,320 Speaker 3: And I guess the media, your role moving into the 628 00:25:39,340 --> 00:25:41,360 Speaker 3: media is a form of the business side because it's promotion. 629 00:25:41,740 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 3: What's your favourite interview that you've ever done? Apart from 630 00:25:43,820 --> 00:25:44,500 Speaker 3: this one, obviously. 631 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 4: Yeah, this one's been great so far. I really like 632 00:25:47,340 --> 00:25:49,800 Speaker 4: doing pre-game interviews. I did a bit of that at 633 00:25:49,820 --> 00:25:50,939 Speaker 4: the US Open. I feel like. 634 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:51,659 Speaker 3: Like walking on. 635 00:25:51,900 --> 00:25:54,459 Speaker 4: Yes. You know, just as you're interviewing some of these 636 00:25:54,510 --> 00:25:58,330 Speaker 4: players before they're going on, you can really feel their energy. 637 00:25:59,350 --> 00:26:02,750 Speaker 4: You know, obviously post-match, everyone's kind of relieved or, you know, 638 00:26:02,770 --> 00:26:04,830 Speaker 4: whatever emotions they feel, but it's not as... You could 639 00:26:04,850 --> 00:26:06,130 Speaker 4: cut the tension with a knife. You know, I did 640 00:26:06,310 --> 00:26:10,200 Speaker 4: Taylor Fritz and Francis Tiafoe at the US Open and... 641 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:13,300 Speaker 4: I could feel the nervous energy off them when I was, 642 00:26:13,460 --> 00:26:14,940 Speaker 4: you know, right next to them. And I was almost 643 00:26:14,980 --> 00:26:18,660 Speaker 4: a bit nervous because I could, I just know being 644 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:20,870 Speaker 4: in that position, they struggled to sleep the night before. 645 00:26:21,590 --> 00:26:23,150 Speaker 4: All they could think about was the media, you know, 646 00:26:23,210 --> 00:26:26,250 Speaker 4: saying who's going to, like, it was so good. And 647 00:26:26,290 --> 00:26:27,810 Speaker 4: I knew that I had the power to get a 648 00:26:28,010 --> 00:26:30,370 Speaker 4: cheeky little answer out of both of them. But I think, 649 00:26:30,750 --> 00:26:32,909 Speaker 4: you know, commentating and this side of things in the 650 00:26:32,950 --> 00:26:35,790 Speaker 4: tennis world is so underrated because when someone turns on TV, 651 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:38,899 Speaker 4: they might not know, like, we're not talking about the 652 00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:41,010 Speaker 4: fans that have followed the sport. for 20 years. We're 653 00:26:41,030 --> 00:26:43,390 Speaker 4: talking about new fans, bringing them to the game. They're 654 00:26:43,410 --> 00:26:44,970 Speaker 4: not going to know anything about these players. So the 655 00:26:45,030 --> 00:26:47,649 Speaker 4: commentating needs to be up to, like, it needs to 656 00:26:47,690 --> 00:26:48,980 Speaker 4: be up to date, I guess, in a way. And 657 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:51,340 Speaker 4: it needs to be, like, kind of how the generation 658 00:26:51,380 --> 00:26:53,260 Speaker 4: is now. They can't concentrate for more than a couple 659 00:26:53,280 --> 00:26:55,119 Speaker 4: of minutes. So it needs to be, like, loud. It 660 00:26:55,140 --> 00:26:56,900 Speaker 4: needs to be energetic for a 20 second, 30 second. 661 00:26:56,920 --> 00:26:58,740 Speaker 4: And that might get it, that might grab a new fan. 662 00:26:58,780 --> 00:27:01,139 Speaker 4: So I'm just trying to grow the sport as much 663 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:03,290 Speaker 4: as I can, I guess, on both sides of the spectrum. 664 00:27:03,310 --> 00:27:05,990 Speaker 4: But it hasn't been easy, let me tell you. No. 665 00:27:06,460 --> 00:27:08,350 Speaker 3: Well, you've obviously, though, enjoyed, as you said, like you 666 00:27:08,369 --> 00:27:10,389 Speaker 3: want to stay in the commentary. Yeah, you really enjoy 667 00:27:10,410 --> 00:27:10,890 Speaker 3: it and. 668 00:27:10,810 --> 00:27:12,450 Speaker 4: You're obviously good at it. 669 00:27:13,090 --> 00:27:15,190 Speaker 3: What's some, like has it given you a new appreciation 670 00:27:15,210 --> 00:27:16,910 Speaker 3: of how the media operates or has it given you 671 00:27:17,109 --> 00:27:20,530 Speaker 3: like a way of looking at, I remember, it might 672 00:27:20,550 --> 00:27:23,580 Speaker 3: have been Storm Sanders when she told us, when she 673 00:27:23,619 --> 00:27:25,800 Speaker 3: moved into coaching, she said it completely revolutionized the way 674 00:27:25,820 --> 00:27:27,780 Speaker 3: she approached her own game because she was viewing it 675 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:30,480 Speaker 3: from a different way. And so she became really tactically aware. 676 00:27:30,500 --> 00:27:30,580 Speaker 4: Yeah. 677 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:32,859 Speaker 3: And so is it similar with commentary? You're viewing the 678 00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:35,460 Speaker 3: game differently. So do you take that into your own tennis? 679 00:27:35,720 --> 00:27:37,100 Speaker 4: A little bit. I mean, I haven't had a coach 680 00:27:37,140 --> 00:27:39,240 Speaker 4: for now like seven years. So I already feel as 681 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:42,860 Speaker 4: if I tactically am very switched on about my game. 682 00:27:42,900 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 4: And I do, I study film and I watch other 683 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:47,350 Speaker 4: players and I know every other player's strength and weakness 684 00:27:47,380 --> 00:27:50,050 Speaker 4: back to front. It's more so just, I just love 685 00:27:50,090 --> 00:27:52,350 Speaker 4: having fun with it. Like I feel like I've only 686 00:27:53,310 --> 00:27:56,010 Speaker 4: watched and played tennis for 20 years. Like it's really 687 00:27:56,090 --> 00:27:58,020 Speaker 4: easy to get in there and just be funny and 688 00:27:58,170 --> 00:28:00,199 Speaker 4: and and drop a you know some knowledge on some 689 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:03,000 Speaker 4: fans if someone's doing a specific thing I just I 690 00:28:03,040 --> 00:28:06,200 Speaker 4: really enjoy it and I think tennis commentating right now 691 00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:08,080 Speaker 4: needs a bit of needs a bit of a shake-up 692 00:28:08,140 --> 00:28:08,400 Speaker 4: I think. 693 00:28:09,119 --> 00:28:11,840 Speaker 1: Was there anything that surprised you about being a commentator? 694 00:28:12,300 --> 00:28:15,040 Speaker 4: How mean some of the commentators are yeah I mean 695 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:21,130 Speaker 4: like I I guess when you've really played and you understand, like, 696 00:28:21,170 --> 00:28:23,830 Speaker 4: the futures and the challenges, like, how many players there 697 00:28:23,970 --> 00:28:25,840 Speaker 4: are on a global scale in our heart is to 698 00:28:25,910 --> 00:28:28,820 Speaker 4: actually make it into the top 128 players to make 699 00:28:28,859 --> 00:28:32,580 Speaker 4: a Grand Slam. I don't, like, sometimes I don't like 700 00:28:32,619 --> 00:28:35,820 Speaker 4: how much, you know, I mean, not to mention names, 701 00:28:35,859 --> 00:28:39,260 Speaker 4: but someone like Johnny Mac, like, he'll just say, like, oh, 702 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:41,410 Speaker 4: this guy, like, who is this guy? It's like, dude, 703 00:28:41,430 --> 00:28:44,190 Speaker 4: this guy's, like, top 120 in the world. Like, he deserves, 704 00:28:44,230 --> 00:28:46,510 Speaker 4: he completely deserves to be there. He might have battled 705 00:28:46,550 --> 00:28:49,770 Speaker 4: through three rounds of qualifying and that was... our job 706 00:28:49,810 --> 00:28:52,170 Speaker 4: as commentators is to study these players and know their 707 00:28:52,210 --> 00:28:55,250 Speaker 4: journey and hopefully get their name out there. We can't 708 00:28:55,270 --> 00:28:58,010 Speaker 4: just continually promote the same players over and over again. 709 00:28:58,050 --> 00:28:59,469 Speaker 4: You know, there are some good players out there that 710 00:28:59,690 --> 00:29:02,850 Speaker 4: no one knows. So that's my, I take that into 711 00:29:02,870 --> 00:29:04,820 Speaker 4: account when I like commentating, I like to really get 712 00:29:04,840 --> 00:29:05,190 Speaker 4: it out there. 713 00:29:05,710 --> 00:29:06,190 Speaker 3: That's awesome. 714 00:29:06,380 --> 00:29:06,540 Speaker 4: Yeah. 715 00:29:06,880 --> 00:29:08,260 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's actually quite a few young ones that are 716 00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:10,740 Speaker 3: coming through, like new voices in the sport. It's been really, 717 00:29:10,920 --> 00:29:12,980 Speaker 3: it's helped freshen it up, but it can keep going 718 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:13,260 Speaker 3: that way. 719 00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:15,400 Speaker 4: It needs to go that way because, I mean, you 720 00:29:15,420 --> 00:29:18,120 Speaker 4: look at, for the last 20 years, the sport's only 721 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:21,490 Speaker 4: really promoted four or five players and then they go 722 00:29:21,510 --> 00:29:23,890 Speaker 4: and then it's like then what happens to the sponsors 723 00:29:23,910 --> 00:29:26,580 Speaker 4: and then people lose interest and so the sport essentially 724 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:27,260 Speaker 4: will lose money. 725 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:30,860 Speaker 3: Yeah that's true um did I have another question I 726 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:33,140 Speaker 3: think oh yeah so in your commentary who have you 727 00:29:33,180 --> 00:29:35,910 Speaker 3: most enjoyed watching oh that's a good one. 728 00:29:38,420 --> 00:29:41,480 Speaker 4: I really liked... I enjoyed doing Demonar and Thompson at 729 00:29:41,500 --> 00:29:44,380 Speaker 4: the US Open. That was a fun one. Obviously because, 730 00:29:44,660 --> 00:29:47,180 Speaker 4: you know, I'm close with both of them, but I 731 00:29:47,220 --> 00:29:49,240 Speaker 4: think I've watched... I've done a lot of Novak matches 732 00:29:49,560 --> 00:29:51,500 Speaker 4: and he frustrates the hell out of me because I 733 00:29:51,930 --> 00:29:54,530 Speaker 4: hate doing his matches early on in slams because he 734 00:29:55,730 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 4: just plays around with his food for like four hours and... 735 00:29:58,910 --> 00:30:00,469 Speaker 4: And I'm like, you could have, I could have been 736 00:30:00,550 --> 00:30:03,130 Speaker 4: in my hotel an hour and a half ago and 737 00:30:03,170 --> 00:30:04,830 Speaker 4: he'll be up to, that's the love. And then he'll 738 00:30:04,850 --> 00:30:08,010 Speaker 4: lose the third and he'll start complaining and then he'll 739 00:30:08,030 --> 00:30:09,290 Speaker 4: go to his box and then it will be a seven, 740 00:30:09,330 --> 00:30:11,130 Speaker 4: six and the fourth. And I'm like, dude, and I'll say, 741 00:30:11,150 --> 00:30:13,650 Speaker 4: I'm like, do you just enjoy keeping me here? Cause 742 00:30:13,710 --> 00:30:15,970 Speaker 4: he knows that I'm in there. And then he starts 743 00:30:15,990 --> 00:30:18,830 Speaker 4: like losing focus. And then I'm like, like I, he 744 00:30:18,890 --> 00:30:20,990 Speaker 4: frustrates the hell out of me. I hate doing Novak's matches. 745 00:30:22,520 --> 00:30:23,840 Speaker 4: But I've done a lot of outgrows as well and 746 00:30:23,860 --> 00:30:26,240 Speaker 4: I think that's probably one of my favourite to watch 747 00:30:26,300 --> 00:30:29,200 Speaker 4: because he's so exciting and he always has something up 748 00:30:29,220 --> 00:30:30,880 Speaker 4: his sleeve that I think this tennis world hasn't seen 749 00:30:30,900 --> 00:30:31,780 Speaker 4: and he's going to keep evolving. 750 00:30:32,060 --> 00:30:33,120 Speaker 3: You haven't played him yet, have you? 751 00:30:33,180 --> 00:30:33,780 Speaker 4: Not yet, no. 752 00:30:33,900 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 3: I think he's the only one in the top ten? 753 00:30:35,840 --> 00:30:36,520 Speaker 4: Yes, yep. 754 00:30:37,080 --> 00:30:38,020 Speaker 3: Well, that could be fun. 755 00:30:38,060 --> 00:30:39,420 Speaker 4: Yeah, that'll be fun, yeah. 756 00:30:39,900 --> 00:30:41,390 Speaker 3: And I guess my last one on this side of 757 00:30:41,410 --> 00:30:43,610 Speaker 3: things is in the... So you've been out... Yeah, you've 758 00:30:43,630 --> 00:30:46,790 Speaker 3: played one match since October 2022. The sport has evolved 759 00:30:46,830 --> 00:30:47,350 Speaker 3: a bit since then? 760 00:30:47,470 --> 00:30:47,570 Speaker 4: Yeah. 761 00:30:48,210 --> 00:30:49,970 Speaker 3: Um, what have you made of how it's progressed and 762 00:30:49,990 --> 00:30:51,550 Speaker 3: maybe some of the new players that have come along 763 00:30:51,870 --> 00:30:53,730 Speaker 3: in your absence? Like what, what are you coming back to? 764 00:30:53,750 --> 00:30:57,230 Speaker 4: Um, I think, yeah, the, the sports kind of, I 765 00:30:57,260 --> 00:30:59,660 Speaker 4: think the courts have kind of slowed down everywhere. So 766 00:31:00,180 --> 00:31:02,780 Speaker 4: I think you see more, more of the, you know, 767 00:31:02,940 --> 00:31:04,800 Speaker 4: all rounder type of game style. Now you don't see 768 00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:07,040 Speaker 4: a serve dominant players anymore. I mean, there's a couple 769 00:31:07,060 --> 00:31:10,630 Speaker 4: in the top 10, you know, Taylor Fritz, um, You know, 770 00:31:10,730 --> 00:31:13,050 Speaker 4: Hubie Hercash was in the top 10 for a while there. 771 00:31:13,150 --> 00:31:15,530 Speaker 4: And those were really the two guys that only were 772 00:31:15,710 --> 00:31:18,690 Speaker 4: in sort of the stat-wise of serve bots. You know, 773 00:31:19,170 --> 00:31:21,469 Speaker 4: those players that were just serve dominant. But you look 774 00:31:21,490 --> 00:31:23,770 Speaker 4: at everyone in the top 10 now, everyone's a great mover. 775 00:31:24,110 --> 00:31:27,050 Speaker 4: You know, you've got Alcaraz, Sinner, Holger Ruhn, like Demon, 776 00:31:27,070 --> 00:31:30,190 Speaker 4: like these guys move insane. And so guys like me 777 00:31:30,230 --> 00:31:32,840 Speaker 4: that are, you know, 6'4, 6'5, I think we kind 778 00:31:32,880 --> 00:31:35,120 Speaker 4: of have to, you know, keep adapting our game and 779 00:31:35,140 --> 00:31:36,460 Speaker 4: figure out how we're going to beat these kind of 780 00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:38,760 Speaker 4: small guys that move like gazelles out there. So I 781 00:31:38,800 --> 00:31:42,440 Speaker 4: think the sport... as kind of a like it's it's 782 00:31:42,520 --> 00:31:45,220 Speaker 4: favoring these guys that are more all-rounded type of players 783 00:31:45,240 --> 00:31:48,840 Speaker 4: that have really no weakness um they're incredible returners and 784 00:31:48,860 --> 00:31:50,240 Speaker 4: that you know you look at someone like sin he's 785 00:31:50,320 --> 00:31:53,800 Speaker 4: moving end range and hitting the absolute he's knocking the 786 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:55,520 Speaker 4: ball as hard as he can and you just wouldn't 787 00:31:55,800 --> 00:31:57,900 Speaker 4: all these courts are kind of playing all the same 788 00:31:57,940 --> 00:32:00,420 Speaker 4: speeds now where at Wimbledon you could kind of negate 789 00:32:00,460 --> 00:32:02,620 Speaker 4: that you know by serving big and you know taking 790 00:32:02,660 --> 00:32:04,100 Speaker 4: cuts at it but you can't really do that anymore 791 00:32:04,140 --> 00:32:07,670 Speaker 4: so I think the game is a bit Yeah, it's 792 00:32:07,690 --> 00:32:08,470 Speaker 4: different now for sure. 793 00:32:08,630 --> 00:32:10,650 Speaker 3: So are you preparing with your comeback? Are you preparing 794 00:32:10,670 --> 00:32:11,430 Speaker 3: for it with that in mind? 795 00:32:11,510 --> 00:32:13,890 Speaker 4: I think I have to. I think I'm not going 796 00:32:13,910 --> 00:32:16,170 Speaker 4: to beat some of these guys now by trying to 797 00:32:16,210 --> 00:32:18,390 Speaker 4: out-rally them. That's just not possible. I think Medvedev was 798 00:32:18,410 --> 00:32:20,330 Speaker 4: the first one that changed that, playing five metres behind 799 00:32:20,370 --> 00:32:23,040 Speaker 4: the baseline, and then these other guys started coming through. 800 00:32:23,780 --> 00:32:25,540 Speaker 4: You just have to have variation. Someone like me has 801 00:32:25,560 --> 00:32:29,940 Speaker 4: to have variation, keep them guessing, two big first serves, 802 00:32:29,980 --> 00:32:31,720 Speaker 4: trying to take some risk because you're not going to 803 00:32:31,740 --> 00:32:34,400 Speaker 4: beat these guys playing their type of game style, which 804 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:36,480 Speaker 4: is rallying and trying to out-rally them. It's not possible. 805 00:32:38,740 --> 00:32:41,810 Speaker 2: Um it's a really famous quote in tennis that pressure 806 00:32:41,920 --> 00:32:45,070 Speaker 2: is a privilege a Billie Jean King quote what what 807 00:32:45,110 --> 00:32:46,070 Speaker 2: does that mean to. 808 00:32:45,970 --> 00:32:53,330 Speaker 4: You um yeah I think not everyone can deal with 809 00:32:53,730 --> 00:32:55,830 Speaker 4: you know especially you see that quote as you walk 810 00:32:55,870 --> 00:32:58,310 Speaker 4: out to Arthur Ashe Stadium and when you really walk 811 00:32:58,370 --> 00:33:01,050 Speaker 4: out there on a night session and the whole you 812 00:33:01,070 --> 00:33:04,780 Speaker 4: know the stadium's completely packed and there's a constant buzz 813 00:33:04,800 --> 00:33:07,490 Speaker 4: because it's so loud in there and you're getting balls 814 00:33:07,530 --> 00:33:08,650 Speaker 4: as you're about to serve and you look up and 815 00:33:08,690 --> 00:33:11,150 Speaker 4: it's like a wall of people just glaring down at you. 816 00:33:11,670 --> 00:33:14,090 Speaker 4: I think that's when you realise that not everyone's cut 817 00:33:14,170 --> 00:33:17,270 Speaker 4: out for, you know, and people don't want to be 818 00:33:17,290 --> 00:33:19,630 Speaker 4: in that position. I think when you realise that you're 819 00:33:19,670 --> 00:33:22,420 Speaker 4: under that much pressure and you have anxiety and you 820 00:33:22,440 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 4: realise that you've got, you know, eyes at you and 821 00:33:24,260 --> 00:33:27,260 Speaker 4: you've got to hit a tennis ball on the line, 822 00:33:27,320 --> 00:33:29,520 Speaker 4: that's when you realise that, yeah, you are a special 823 00:33:29,560 --> 00:33:32,390 Speaker 4: type of person and you've got you've worked to put 824 00:33:32,410 --> 00:33:34,870 Speaker 4: yourself in that position, but not everyone's capable of dealing 825 00:33:34,910 --> 00:33:38,050 Speaker 4: with it and executing under pressure. So, you know, I 826 00:33:38,070 --> 00:33:40,450 Speaker 4: had the luxury of playing on that court so many times. 827 00:33:41,750 --> 00:33:46,060 Speaker 4: And it's daunting sometimes, you know, and you got five 828 00:33:46,120 --> 00:33:47,660 Speaker 4: people in your box that look at you and they 829 00:33:47,700 --> 00:33:49,520 Speaker 4: understand how you are as a person off the court. 830 00:33:49,540 --> 00:33:52,860 Speaker 4: And then all of a sudden you're this, I guess, 831 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:55,540 Speaker 4: another person in the middle of this arena that's full 832 00:33:55,680 --> 00:33:58,160 Speaker 4: staring at you. It's strange because then I get off 833 00:33:58,180 --> 00:34:00,489 Speaker 4: the court and I'm like, you just nick again. So 834 00:34:00,530 --> 00:34:04,219 Speaker 4: it's like a very, interesting dynamic of if you want 835 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:06,220 Speaker 4: to be that person, because it's hard. It's hard to 836 00:34:06,260 --> 00:34:08,060 Speaker 4: be in that, I guess, a pressure cooker all the time. 837 00:34:08,260 --> 00:34:12,339 Speaker 2: Yeah. I can't help noticing your cap with the word resilient. 838 00:34:12,980 --> 00:34:15,890 Speaker 2: What quality do you think has served you most in 839 00:34:15,910 --> 00:34:16,870 Speaker 2: your career so far? 840 00:34:17,850 --> 00:34:21,049 Speaker 4: I've been very resilient, I think. You know, there have 841 00:34:21,070 --> 00:34:24,430 Speaker 4: been times where I didn't want to be a part 842 00:34:24,469 --> 00:34:27,140 Speaker 4: of the tennis world anymore. I was really struggling with 843 00:34:27,160 --> 00:34:29,580 Speaker 4: mental health. I was struggling with so many different things. 844 00:34:29,640 --> 00:34:33,790 Speaker 4: And I just kept kind of I guess trying to 845 00:34:34,090 --> 00:34:36,610 Speaker 4: just keep moving forward. You know, I think I strongly 846 00:34:36,670 --> 00:34:39,430 Speaker 4: believe that you never stay still. You either, you know, 847 00:34:39,489 --> 00:34:42,430 Speaker 4: move slightly in the right direction or you move slightly backwards. 848 00:34:43,550 --> 00:34:46,790 Speaker 4: So I think I've just been extremely resilient. Honestly, I just, 849 00:34:46,989 --> 00:34:49,779 Speaker 4: I'm really proud to be here again at the, you know, 850 00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:52,070 Speaker 4: Aussie summer and just being able to compete. And I 851 00:34:52,090 --> 00:34:54,700 Speaker 4: think I'm carrying myself in the right way. So yeah, 852 00:34:54,719 --> 00:34:56,279 Speaker 4: I'd probably say resilience, probably one of them. Yeah. 853 00:34:57,080 --> 00:35:00,060 Speaker 2: And just to finish up, as you look ahead to, 854 00:35:00,500 --> 00:35:03,860 Speaker 2: the Aussie summer and your comeback overall, what's the, is 855 00:35:03,880 --> 00:35:06,799 Speaker 2: there a focus or a particular goal that you're striving for? 856 00:35:07,380 --> 00:35:10,600 Speaker 4: Well, I mean, I don't, I didn't want to enter 857 00:35:10,620 --> 00:35:13,060 Speaker 4: the tournament just to, just to play again. You know, 858 00:35:13,120 --> 00:35:15,650 Speaker 4: I do want to win. That's ultimately my goal. I'm 859 00:35:15,670 --> 00:35:17,210 Speaker 4: not going to sit here and say I'm the favourite. 860 00:35:17,370 --> 00:35:20,069 Speaker 4: Absolutely not. But I do believe that I'm able to, 861 00:35:20,090 --> 00:35:22,630 Speaker 4: you know, walk, I want to walk away from the 862 00:35:22,690 --> 00:35:25,759 Speaker 4: Aussie summer with some great memories and, and that doesn't 863 00:35:25,780 --> 00:35:28,940 Speaker 4: mean winning the tournament. That means maybe competing against one 864 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:30,299 Speaker 4: of the best in the world, and I might come 865 00:35:30,320 --> 00:35:32,239 Speaker 4: up short, but I realise that, wow, my level's still 866 00:35:32,260 --> 00:35:34,480 Speaker 4: there after everything that I've gone through. That's a success, 867 00:35:35,140 --> 00:35:36,900 Speaker 4: and I want to do it, and I want to 868 00:35:36,920 --> 00:35:38,819 Speaker 4: carry myself in the right way. If I lose a match, 869 00:35:38,840 --> 00:35:40,180 Speaker 4: I want to look the opponent in the eye and say, 870 00:35:40,200 --> 00:35:42,580 Speaker 4: too good. I want to be able to just walk 871 00:35:42,600 --> 00:35:44,640 Speaker 4: away from the other summer and feel good about my 872 00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:47,359 Speaker 4: performance and the amount of work I put in and 873 00:35:47,980 --> 00:35:50,060 Speaker 4: hopefully give the crowd a bit of a different show. 874 00:35:50,360 --> 00:35:51,820 Speaker 2: We can guarantee that one's going to happen. 875 00:35:52,040 --> 00:35:54,569 Speaker 3: And we're looking forward to the draw. Because, yes, you're 876 00:35:54,610 --> 00:35:56,450 Speaker 3: the ultimate dangerous floater in the drawer, I guess. 877 00:35:56,710 --> 00:35:59,350 Speaker 4: I guess so. I mean, it's a question mark, isn't it, 878 00:35:59,489 --> 00:36:02,090 Speaker 4: of what they're going to get. And I think at 879 00:36:02,130 --> 00:36:03,890 Speaker 4: this point in my career, people do understand that it's 880 00:36:03,910 --> 00:36:05,819 Speaker 4: going to be a bit of a roll the dice 881 00:36:05,840 --> 00:36:07,700 Speaker 4: of what they're going to get. So, I mean, that's 882 00:36:07,719 --> 00:36:09,560 Speaker 4: how you prepare. You just prepare for anything. 883 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:11,830 Speaker 1: Well, we can't wait to see it. 884 00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:12,190 Speaker 4: I appreciate it. 885 00:36:12,200 --> 00:36:13,280 Speaker 1: And wish you all the best. 886 00:36:13,400 --> 00:36:14,379 Speaker 4: Thank you so much, guys. Thanks, Nick. 887 00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:14,819 Speaker 3: That's been great. 888 00:36:18,219 --> 00:36:21,310 Speaker 2: Well, Matt, Nick returns to tennis with some pretty lofty 889 00:36:21,370 --> 00:36:23,810 Speaker 2: goals as he should with, as you know, considering the 890 00:36:23,870 --> 00:36:27,230 Speaker 2: talent he has. But I also think it's such a 891 00:36:27,270 --> 00:36:29,469 Speaker 2: win for him to even be back on court after 892 00:36:29,530 --> 00:36:31,790 Speaker 2: everything that he's gone through. So really looking forward to 893 00:36:31,830 --> 00:36:32,589 Speaker 2: seeing that this summer. 894 00:36:32,820 --> 00:36:33,140 Speaker 4: Yeah. 895 00:36:33,410 --> 00:36:35,359 Speaker 3: And there were like so many things that he said 896 00:36:35,380 --> 00:36:37,339 Speaker 3: in that interview. It was really like, it was really 897 00:36:37,360 --> 00:36:38,920 Speaker 3: compelling to listen to him speak, but there were quite 898 00:36:38,940 --> 00:36:41,779 Speaker 3: a few surprising things that he said. Like, I really 899 00:36:41,820 --> 00:36:43,799 Speaker 3: love drilling down with him about all of like the 900 00:36:43,840 --> 00:36:45,799 Speaker 3: business side of tennis and how he'd market it and 901 00:36:45,840 --> 00:36:47,870 Speaker 3: package it up. And he was saying that he would 902 00:36:48,300 --> 00:36:50,779 Speaker 3: you know, maybe adopt a three-set format early in the 903 00:36:50,820 --> 00:36:53,580 Speaker 3: tournament and switch back to five sets in the quarterfinals. 904 00:36:53,620 --> 00:36:55,660 Speaker 3: And he wants more of an emphasis on mixed doubles. 905 00:36:55,719 --> 00:36:58,029 Speaker 3: Like they were, I thought they were, I wasn't expecting 906 00:36:58,050 --> 00:36:59,270 Speaker 3: him to say those things, but I thought they were 907 00:36:59,310 --> 00:37:00,330 Speaker 3: really cool innovations. 908 00:37:00,840 --> 00:37:02,719 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's obvious to me that he spent a lot 909 00:37:02,739 --> 00:37:05,359 Speaker 2: of time thinking about tennis in his time away from 910 00:37:05,440 --> 00:37:07,890 Speaker 2: actually playing. And he's taken a lot from his commentary 911 00:37:08,010 --> 00:37:10,690 Speaker 2: career as well. So he's really thought about it. And yeah, 912 00:37:10,790 --> 00:37:13,589 Speaker 2: on that mixed doubles topic, he would love to play with, 913 00:37:13,610 --> 00:37:15,510 Speaker 2: or would have loved to have played with Ash Barty. 914 00:37:15,650 --> 00:37:18,750 Speaker 2: Wouldn't that have been an amazing sight? 915 00:37:19,210 --> 00:37:21,920 Speaker 3: Would have been wonderful. Well, we hope you enjoyed listening 916 00:37:21,940 --> 00:37:23,700 Speaker 3: to that as much as we enjoyed doing the interview. 917 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:26,239 Speaker 3: We'll be back again next Monday with another episode of 918 00:37:26,260 --> 00:37:27,779 Speaker 3: The Sit Down, where we bring you our chat with 919 00:37:28,120 --> 00:37:31,470 Speaker 3: WTA supervisor Donna Kelso. And in the meantime, you can 920 00:37:31,489 --> 00:37:33,740 Speaker 3: listen to John and Bree and the team this Thursday 921 00:37:33,880 --> 00:37:34,900 Speaker 3: on the AO Show Weekly. 922 00:37:35,060 --> 00:37:37,120 Speaker 2: Details for how to contact us are in the show notes. 923 00:37:37,260 --> 00:37:39,430 Speaker 2: And please subscribe, rate and review. 924 00:37:39,830 --> 00:37:40,669 Speaker 1: See you next week, Matt. 925 00:37:40,930 --> 00:37:41,540 Speaker 4: Do it again then, Viv.