1 00:00:02,310 --> 00:00:04,850 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to The Sit Down. I'm Viv Christie, 2 00:00:04,990 --> 00:00:06,970 Speaker 1: Managing Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. 3 00:00:07,310 --> 00:00:08,230 Speaker 2: And I'm Bree Stewart. 4 00:00:08,369 --> 00:00:12,050 Speaker 3: I'm from the AO Show. So Viv, tell me, you're 5 00:00:12,100 --> 00:00:14,780 Speaker 3: sitting down with Jaslyn Hewitt-Shihadeh this week. 6 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:16,580 Speaker 2: Tell me why and a little bit about her. 7 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:20,680 Speaker 1: Jaslyn has worn so many hats in tennis, from professional 8 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: playing career to a high performance coach, tournament director and 9 00:00:25,140 --> 00:00:27,850 Speaker 1: many roles in between. And now she is the Director 10 00:00:27,890 --> 00:00:29,990 Speaker 1: of Player Relations at the WTA Tour. 11 00:00:30,370 --> 00:00:30,830 Speaker 2: Amazing. 12 00:00:30,850 --> 00:00:31,070 Speaker 4: Amazing. 13 00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:34,900 Speaker 1: Yeah, she's very passionate about giving back to the sport 14 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 1: and has some great insights for us. 15 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:42,280 Speaker 5: Jaslyn Hewitt Shahady, thank you very much for joining us 16 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:43,919 Speaker 5: on The Sit Down in studio today. 17 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 2: How are you? 18 00:00:44,740 --> 00:00:47,690 Speaker 4: I'm great, thanks. No, it's been a nice trip down 19 00:00:47,729 --> 00:00:51,390 Speaker 4: to Melbourne. We've got some sunshine out here finally. So, no, 20 00:00:51,430 --> 00:00:53,589 Speaker 4: it's always nice to come down to Melbourne and to 21 00:00:53,630 --> 00:00:54,450 Speaker 4: the tennis centre here. 22 00:00:54,910 --> 00:00:57,410 Speaker 1: I thought it'd be great if you could start from 23 00:00:57,570 --> 00:01:00,270 Speaker 1: the very beginning, really, and talk to us about how 24 00:01:00,350 --> 00:01:02,270 Speaker 1: you first got connected into tennis. 25 00:01:02,570 --> 00:01:05,070 Speaker 2: Yes, that was a very long time ago. 26 00:01:05,190 --> 00:01:09,390 Speaker 4: So, mum and dad, after their sporting careers had finished, 27 00:01:09,450 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 4: I'd played SA NFL in South Australia, in Adelaide, and 28 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 4: came over here to Victoria and was in the VFL 29 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:19,539 Speaker 4: for a couple of years with Richmond. They took up 30 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:25,990 Speaker 4: playing tennis socially back in Adelaide at Seaside Tennis Club. So, Yeah, 31 00:01:26,030 --> 00:01:28,590 Speaker 4: having an older brother, having a court in the backyard, 32 00:01:28,660 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 4: mum and dad played socially, so basically started with a 33 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:35,380 Speaker 4: racket in the hand from a very young age, was 34 00:01:35,500 --> 00:01:40,050 Speaker 4: always around the courts, had some really great family memories 35 00:01:40,110 --> 00:01:45,130 Speaker 4: about being at the Seaside Tennis Club every Saturday for 36 00:01:45,590 --> 00:01:48,210 Speaker 4: basically morning comp and then afternoon comp, so. 37 00:01:48,450 --> 00:01:50,850 Speaker 2: That's pretty much where it all started and then. 38 00:01:51,430 --> 00:01:56,090 Speaker 4: Yeah, was blessed to go as far as I did playing. 39 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,980 Speaker 4: So top 300, had some really good experiences travelling the world, 40 00:02:00,220 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 4: loved that part of it. It's always positive when you 41 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 4: get to get some extra time off school and get 42 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,639 Speaker 4: to travel the world as well. So, yeah, had a 43 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 4: good career playing, got to 300, but then, yeah, unfortunately 44 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:18,239 Speaker 4: broke my hand and then, yeah, life takes different pathways. 45 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:20,140 Speaker 5: I didn't know your dad played for Richmond, actually. I 46 00:02:20,180 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 5: married for Richmond. 47 00:02:22,740 --> 00:02:23,100 Speaker 6: Love that. 48 00:02:23,940 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 1: You obviously do come from a very sporting family, as 49 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:29,549 Speaker 1: you say. Were there ever any other sports that competed 50 00:02:29,570 --> 00:02:31,890 Speaker 1: for your attention? What did you most love about tennis? 51 00:02:32,350 --> 00:02:36,109 Speaker 4: Yeah, growing up, I still remember there was a night 52 00:02:36,230 --> 00:02:39,920 Speaker 4: after basketball training that was just starting to get too much. 53 00:02:40,060 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 4: So I used to play basketball, really enjoyed that. We 54 00:02:43,540 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 4: used to do athletics as well on a Friday night. 55 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 4: But then, yeah, tennis started to take over by the 56 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,660 Speaker 4: age of 12, 13, started going on some international trips 57 00:02:55,410 --> 00:02:59,470 Speaker 4: with Tennis Australia back in the day. So, yeah, basically 58 00:02:59,490 --> 00:03:01,070 Speaker 4: I had to make a choice and this is where 59 00:03:01,370 --> 00:03:03,870 Speaker 4: trying to get the right amount of hours. 60 00:03:03,550 --> 00:03:04,470 Speaker 2: And training in. 61 00:03:05,490 --> 00:03:08,049 Speaker 4: If you're going to pick one sport to make your 62 00:03:08,090 --> 00:03:11,079 Speaker 4: profession or that's your goal, you kind of got to 63 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,100 Speaker 4: go 100% in. So, Yeah, it was a tough decision 64 00:03:14,139 --> 00:03:17,260 Speaker 4: back in the day and I loved playing basketball, but yeah, 65 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 4: I was probably a little bit better at tennis. Had 66 00:03:22,660 --> 00:03:25,570 Speaker 4: a great coach in Peter Smith back in Adelaide, had 67 00:03:25,590 --> 00:03:27,510 Speaker 4: a really great support team there. Mum and dad were 68 00:03:27,570 --> 00:03:31,750 Speaker 4: always behind us, Slayton and myself. Even still now, they're 69 00:03:31,790 --> 00:03:36,070 Speaker 4: so supportive in our careers. So it's, yeah, it's been 70 00:03:36,090 --> 00:03:36,910 Speaker 4: a fantastic journey. 71 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:40,140 Speaker 1: You say it was a tough choice, but it must 72 00:03:40,180 --> 00:03:42,260 Speaker 1: have felt like the right choice in the end. As 73 00:03:42,300 --> 00:03:44,370 Speaker 1: you say, you had a pro career. I think that 74 00:03:44,380 --> 00:03:48,730 Speaker 1: went from say 1999 to about 2005. What are your 75 00:03:48,790 --> 00:03:50,190 Speaker 1: favourite memories from that time? 76 00:03:51,110 --> 00:03:53,330 Speaker 4: I'm not sure that the pro career was probably some 77 00:03:53,370 --> 00:03:56,290 Speaker 4: of the highlights. I think it's the juniors growing up 78 00:03:56,690 --> 00:03:59,460 Speaker 4: and a lot of the world junior teams that we 79 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:03,540 Speaker 4: went on, the tours that we went on. I was 80 00:04:03,620 --> 00:04:06,690 Speaker 4: in the Australian Institute of Sport with Craig Morris as 81 00:04:06,710 --> 00:04:10,290 Speaker 4: a coach and we had a fantastic team then. Melissa Dow, 82 00:04:10,350 --> 00:04:14,990 Speaker 4: Sam Stoza, Alicia Mollick were all some of the players 83 00:04:15,030 --> 00:04:18,570 Speaker 4: coming through. So I think it's the friendships and the 84 00:04:18,610 --> 00:04:23,110 Speaker 4: journeys that you go on, especially travelling. Back then we 85 00:04:23,130 --> 00:04:25,950 Speaker 4: went away for eight, nine, ten weeks in a row 86 00:04:26,270 --> 00:04:29,630 Speaker 4: with your mates. So we never came home during that 87 00:04:29,690 --> 00:04:31,930 Speaker 4: block and I think that built our resilience up to 88 00:04:32,890 --> 00:04:34,909 Speaker 4: When I was older, I'd spend six months of the 89 00:04:34,970 --> 00:04:37,940 Speaker 4: year away, basically leave as soon as the Aussie summer 90 00:04:37,950 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 4: was done. They have a couple of pro tours then 91 00:04:40,540 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 4: in going into April, similar schedule to what's. 92 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:45,060 Speaker 2: Here in Australia now. 93 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 4: And then you're in Europe until maybe October, November, and 94 00:04:48,380 --> 00:04:51,730 Speaker 4: then you come back. So I think those longer tours 95 00:04:51,790 --> 00:04:54,870 Speaker 4: when we were juniors actually assisted us build our resilience 96 00:04:54,990 --> 00:04:56,530 Speaker 4: and passion for the game. 97 00:04:56,870 --> 00:04:59,910 Speaker 2: And then, yeah, was able to build the career off that. 98 00:05:01,140 --> 00:05:03,530 Speaker 5: In preparing for this interview, I looked at your Instagram 99 00:05:03,650 --> 00:05:05,310 Speaker 5: account and there was this really nice photo of you 100 00:05:05,350 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 5: with Elka Kleisters. And I just, I have always, I 101 00:05:09,220 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 5: was wondering what that experience is like, because you referenced Leighton, 102 00:05:11,740 --> 00:05:15,910 Speaker 5: obviously two-time major champion, world number one, as a sibling 103 00:05:16,170 --> 00:05:19,570 Speaker 5: of a very famous tennis player. What is that experience like? 104 00:05:19,589 --> 00:05:21,850 Speaker 5: Because there are so many tennis players like that. I've 105 00:05:21,870 --> 00:05:24,650 Speaker 5: just finished reading Naomi Osaka's biography and there's a chapter 106 00:05:24,670 --> 00:05:28,630 Speaker 5: dedicated to Mari Osaka and there's Marko Djokovic and so many. 107 00:05:29,529 --> 00:05:31,570 Speaker 5: What was that like for you because your careers overlapped? 108 00:05:31,890 --> 00:05:32,770 Speaker 2: Yeah. 109 00:05:33,820 --> 00:05:36,220 Speaker 4: I always find that question interesting because I actually don't 110 00:05:36,260 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 4: know anything else. 111 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:39,260 Speaker 2: So I've always grown up. 112 00:05:39,380 --> 00:05:41,510 Speaker 4: Leighton was always doing well when he was 14, 15, 113 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:46,099 Speaker 4: 16 on international tours. So When I started doing the 114 00:05:46,140 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 4: same tours, that was exciting. When he was 15, he 115 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:52,260 Speaker 4: then qualified for the Aussie Open. When he was 16, 116 00:05:52,260 --> 00:05:58,090 Speaker 4: he won Adelaide. So coming from being 13, 14, 15, 117 00:05:58,089 --> 00:06:01,029 Speaker 4: when he's doing all these things, it's, yeah, I really 118 00:06:01,150 --> 00:06:05,719 Speaker 4: don't know much else. But the opportunities that that did 119 00:06:06,779 --> 00:06:11,620 Speaker 4: provide me were fantastic. So yeah, travelling with Elke, who 120 00:06:12,110 --> 00:06:14,310 Speaker 4: was in a similar position with me, with her sister Kim, 121 00:06:14,750 --> 00:06:17,230 Speaker 4: understanding the pressures and travelling. 122 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 2: And more of. 123 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:23,300 Speaker 4: The spotlight probably being on us as we're trying to 124 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:25,820 Speaker 4: make our way through the Pro Tour event. So not 125 00:06:25,860 --> 00:06:30,039 Speaker 4: necessarily being on the top tour there, but still working 126 00:06:30,100 --> 00:06:36,300 Speaker 4: our own pathways out. looking back at it, um, it 127 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,460 Speaker 4: is again, going back to those relationships in tennis, um, 128 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,859 Speaker 4: having Leighton being a strong part of the Davis cup team, uh, 129 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:45,159 Speaker 4: working with Nuke and Roche. 130 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:46,280 Speaker 2: And that whole family environment. 131 00:06:46,700 --> 00:06:50,570 Speaker 4: When I started working for tennis Australia, um, I had 132 00:06:50,630 --> 00:06:53,570 Speaker 4: one of the toughest years, um, as the AIS pro 133 00:06:53,589 --> 00:06:56,830 Speaker 4: tour coach on the road for about 46 weeks of. 134 00:06:56,850 --> 00:06:58,390 Speaker 2: The year and just, yeah. 135 00:06:58,830 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 4: But, um, I had Sandon Stolle, also Milo Bradley there, 136 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:07,730 Speaker 4: but Sandon, I was always around from Davis Cup days 137 00:07:08,050 --> 00:07:10,850 Speaker 4: and he was a great mentor for me on the 138 00:07:10,930 --> 00:07:12,130 Speaker 4: road on during that. 139 00:07:12,050 --> 00:07:12,790 Speaker 2: Period of time. 140 00:07:13,230 --> 00:07:17,210 Speaker 4: So it's definitely a second family there within the tennis community. 141 00:07:17,430 --> 00:07:19,850 Speaker 5: Yeah, for sure. And you also alluded as well to 142 00:07:19,890 --> 00:07:22,550 Speaker 5: your playing career ending with a broken hand. That's like 143 00:07:22,590 --> 00:07:26,420 Speaker 5: a pretty horrific injury. And I don't actually think I 144 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:28,820 Speaker 5: knew that part of your story very well. And like, yeah, 145 00:07:28,860 --> 00:07:31,180 Speaker 5: what was that like to, like, how did that happen? 146 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:34,180 Speaker 5: What was that like to confront and making that decision? Yeah, 147 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:36,980 Speaker 5: I can't play pro anymore because this is really tough 148 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:37,420 Speaker 5: to overcome. 149 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, so it was middle Sunday of Aussie Open. Leighton 150 00:07:40,300 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 4: was still in. I was going out with my ex-boyfriend, 151 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:46,930 Speaker 4: Joachim Johansson. Peter Luchak and I had just lost mixed 152 00:07:46,950 --> 00:07:50,970 Speaker 4: doubles to the black brother and sisters there. Pim Pim 153 00:07:50,990 --> 00:07:53,740 Speaker 4: lost to Agassi after serving a massive amount of aces 154 00:07:54,540 --> 00:07:57,700 Speaker 4: and then, yeah, next minute I've broken my hand and 155 00:07:57,860 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 4: ended up in hospital, booked in for surgery a couple 156 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:02,300 Speaker 4: days later. 157 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:04,860 Speaker 2: So all bandaged up. 158 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 4: I still remember being on centre court watching Leighton's matches 159 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 4: for a couple of the second week of the AO 160 00:08:11,060 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 4: there but Yeah, a plate and five screws in. I 161 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 4: got told that within six weeks I should be back 162 00:08:16,340 --> 00:08:20,420 Speaker 4: out on the court. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and just 163 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 4: kept playing through pain. It was kind of like this 164 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 4: vibration sensation when I was making impact with the ball. 165 00:08:27,070 --> 00:08:29,630 Speaker 4: So six months later, I had the plate and screws 166 00:08:29,690 --> 00:08:32,770 Speaker 4: taken out and then tried it a little bit again 167 00:08:33,110 --> 00:08:35,030 Speaker 4: after that, but it just was never the same. It 168 00:08:35,070 --> 00:08:38,170 Speaker 4: was affected by heat and cool and just the nerves 169 00:08:38,230 --> 00:08:40,859 Speaker 4: and things were a bit bit out of whack. So, 170 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,420 Speaker 4: but yeah, I believe everything happens for a reason. And 171 00:08:44,470 --> 00:08:48,910 Speaker 4: it was at that point that, yeah, my next career 172 00:08:48,950 --> 00:08:50,150 Speaker 4: pathway in tennis began. 173 00:08:50,590 --> 00:08:53,230 Speaker 6: But you have worn a lot of hats in tennis. 174 00:08:53,250 --> 00:08:59,340 Speaker 1: You've been pro player, high performance coach, personal trainer, massage therapist, 175 00:08:59,510 --> 00:09:00,620 Speaker 1: tournament director. 176 00:09:01,460 --> 00:09:02,300 Speaker 5: Your CV's amazing. 177 00:09:02,380 --> 00:09:05,660 Speaker 6: Yeah, player welfare, broadcasting. 178 00:09:05,780 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 1: You've worked in the women and girls space and now 179 00:09:08,260 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 1: player relations. 180 00:09:09,630 --> 00:09:12,430 Speaker 6: Is there any one area that stands out for you 181 00:09:12,450 --> 00:09:12,850 Speaker 6: the most? 182 00:09:13,870 --> 00:09:18,390 Speaker 4: No, I think it's all played a massive component into 183 00:09:18,410 --> 00:09:22,559 Speaker 4: where I am today. So it's all contributed to probably 184 00:09:22,700 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 4: each area and each stage of my own development, building 185 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:33,099 Speaker 4: myself up to be a businesswoman was what was the 186 00:09:33,140 --> 00:09:34,900 Speaker 4: next thing or what was the next area that I 187 00:09:34,970 --> 00:09:39,870 Speaker 4: could then evolve or improve my current place of work. 188 00:09:40,370 --> 00:09:47,780 Speaker 2: So within my initial role in Adelaide, I got the 189 00:09:47,820 --> 00:09:49,860 Speaker 2: role as the high. 190 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 4: Performance strength and conditioning coach, then having to upskill myself 191 00:09:53,830 --> 00:09:56,970 Speaker 4: as a tennis coach with Rowan Fisher down there. So 192 00:09:57,730 --> 00:10:01,060 Speaker 4: that then built in and then was able to get 193 00:10:01,100 --> 00:10:03,820 Speaker 4: the manager role in Sydney with Sandon. 194 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 2: What was that 2009 so it's. 195 00:10:07,590 --> 00:10:11,850 Speaker 4: Everything seems to evolve and keep building and it was 196 00:10:11,890 --> 00:10:15,470 Speaker 4: probably my passion to actually give back and continue to 197 00:10:15,550 --> 00:10:20,609 Speaker 4: improve what services or offerings were out for me then 198 00:10:20,809 --> 00:10:24,550 Speaker 4: as a player and then also as a coach. And 199 00:10:24,590 --> 00:10:27,810 Speaker 4: that's one thing I'm really excited about, the role that 200 00:10:27,830 --> 00:10:32,890 Speaker 4: I'm in now with the WTA and also the coach 201 00:10:32,929 --> 00:10:37,319 Speaker 4: inclusion program that we've launched and partnered with Tennis Australia for. 202 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 1: Did you ever imagine that tennis would open so many 203 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: doors for you? 204 00:10:42,100 --> 00:10:44,439 Speaker 4: No, to be honest, when I stopped playing, I didn't 205 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:47,440 Speaker 4: pick up a racket for 12 months. So I didn't 206 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:51,080 Speaker 4: really want much to do with the sport. I wanted 207 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:54,700 Speaker 4: to create my own pathway within that. But yeah, after 208 00:10:54,700 --> 00:10:57,120 Speaker 4: 12 months, I felt I had some really good people 209 00:10:57,170 --> 00:11:00,429 Speaker 4: that gave back to me in being really good. 210 00:11:00,330 --> 00:11:01,069 Speaker 2: Hitters for me. 211 00:11:02,330 --> 00:11:05,290 Speaker 4: Louise Stacey and Luke Smith, Brett Smith back in the 212 00:11:05,330 --> 00:11:07,810 Speaker 4: day in Adelaide. And that's where I just walked into 213 00:11:07,850 --> 00:11:09,550 Speaker 4: Tennis SA and I said, if you need a hitter, 214 00:11:09,580 --> 00:11:11,060 Speaker 4: I'm more than happy to jump on court. 215 00:11:11,620 --> 00:11:12,960 Speaker 2: They go, what have you done? 216 00:11:13,020 --> 00:11:16,870 Speaker 4: And then my strength and conditioning background was able to 217 00:11:17,010 --> 00:11:19,069 Speaker 4: open up a door there and the rest is pretty 218 00:11:19,110 --> 00:11:19,730 Speaker 4: much history. 219 00:11:19,809 --> 00:11:20,890 Speaker 6: So fantastic. 220 00:11:21,070 --> 00:11:23,510 Speaker 5: Yeah, that is fantastic. And the progression that you've gone 221 00:11:23,530 --> 00:11:26,420 Speaker 5: into now, which I find interesting. So working for the WTA, 222 00:11:26,740 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 5: your previous roles have all been with like TA or 223 00:11:29,100 --> 00:11:31,580 Speaker 5: SA in New South Wales. So what's it like shifting 224 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 5: to more of an international tennis lens than just an 225 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:34,820 Speaker 5: Aussie tennis lens? 226 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:39,670 Speaker 4: Yeah, probably working with the National Academy in New South Wales, 227 00:11:39,730 --> 00:11:42,550 Speaker 4: we did have a strong focus on being an international 228 00:11:42,590 --> 00:11:45,250 Speaker 4: level of of player and what we wanted that to 229 00:11:45,290 --> 00:11:47,179 Speaker 4: look like. And we've been able to reap the rewards 230 00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 4: of that with, um, all the New South Wales guys, uh, 231 00:11:50,700 --> 00:11:53,500 Speaker 4: in the, in the top of the, uh, top hundred now, 232 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:57,400 Speaker 4: which has been fantastic. So we, we always had, um, 233 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:01,250 Speaker 4: an international focus or best of best practice focus for 234 00:12:01,290 --> 00:12:05,430 Speaker 4: what we wanted to do. So, um, it's nice, um, 235 00:12:05,590 --> 00:12:08,949 Speaker 4: for me, it's probably more so the, the international travel and, 236 00:12:09,210 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 4: and that level of tournament versus necessarily, um, what that 237 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:15,430 Speaker 4: focus of the international level was. 238 00:12:15,990 --> 00:12:17,870 Speaker 5: And so, yeah, speaking of that, you were telling us 239 00:12:18,190 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 5: before we started that it's mainly based, you're based in Sydney, 240 00:12:21,140 --> 00:12:23,220 Speaker 5: mainly in Australia, but there is a big travel component. 241 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:25,179 Speaker 5: So yeah, what is the, what will you be doing 242 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:26,410 Speaker 5: in player relations. 243 00:12:26,130 --> 00:12:26,650 Speaker 6: At the WTA? 244 00:12:27,500 --> 00:12:31,020 Speaker 4: Yes. So I'm travelling about three months of the year 245 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:37,120 Speaker 4: to various tournaments. Player relations has a large, broad scope 246 00:12:37,260 --> 00:12:40,570 Speaker 4: from making sure that the players are well looked after. 247 00:12:40,610 --> 00:12:43,770 Speaker 4: The WTA was actually created by the players for the players. 248 00:12:44,270 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 4: So we have a lot of player council meetings. uh, 249 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:51,839 Speaker 4: meetings and feedback that we've received from the players that 250 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 4: we then look to execute to continue to improve what 251 00:12:55,300 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 4: the tour looks like for them. So, um, that varies 252 00:12:58,980 --> 00:13:01,850 Speaker 4: every day is different, depends on what the demands is, 253 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 4: depends on, um, the amount of staff that we can 254 00:13:04,970 --> 00:13:06,030 Speaker 4: have there on site. 255 00:13:06,490 --> 00:13:08,910 Speaker 2: Um, kind of got to be a jack of all trades. 256 00:13:08,950 --> 00:13:09,430 Speaker 2: You might be. 257 00:13:09,370 --> 00:13:13,050 Speaker 4: Working with marketing and media one day. Um, you might 258 00:13:13,070 --> 00:13:16,050 Speaker 4: be then working with the coaches another day. So part 259 00:13:16,070 --> 00:13:18,609 Speaker 4: of my role is also the, um, working with the 260 00:13:18,650 --> 00:13:22,980 Speaker 4: coaches program. So other than the accredited coaches, um, yeah, 261 00:13:23,059 --> 00:13:25,960 Speaker 4: trying to really build on our, our female coaching network 262 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 4: out there, um, on the tour, um, just because there 263 00:13:29,220 --> 00:13:32,660 Speaker 4: are so many, um, challenges, um, and barriers for females 264 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:34,890 Speaker 4: to get on the tour in the first place. 265 00:13:34,970 --> 00:13:35,210 Speaker 6: So. 266 00:13:35,670 --> 00:13:38,390 Speaker 5: Yeah. Well, that follows into the next question perfectly. So 267 00:13:38,429 --> 00:13:42,070 Speaker 5: this WTA coach inclusion program you referred to before something 268 00:13:42,110 --> 00:13:44,719 Speaker 5: obviously that is very important to you and you're passionate about. 269 00:13:44,740 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 5: So what, why is this? And maybe you could talk 270 00:13:46,820 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 5: a little bit about what that program will bring. 271 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:52,530 Speaker 4: Yeah. So probably for me, I'm passionate about is having 272 00:13:52,550 --> 00:13:55,710 Speaker 4: a good role model and mentor when, um, I was 273 00:13:55,750 --> 00:13:59,429 Speaker 4: coming up and having more females, um, coaching and, and 274 00:13:59,550 --> 00:14:02,820 Speaker 4: on the tour, um, as a high performance coach myself, 275 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 4: it is, it has been a challenge, uh, raising two 276 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:11,900 Speaker 4: boys and being a, um, Yeah, player development coach. So 277 00:14:12,500 --> 00:14:16,380 Speaker 4: that is always a challenge. But this role, we are 278 00:14:16,420 --> 00:14:20,810 Speaker 4: providing great mentorship for the players, sorry, for the coaches, 279 00:14:21,910 --> 00:14:26,510 Speaker 4: where we will then partner the coaches up with pro 280 00:14:26,530 --> 00:14:28,750 Speaker 4: tour coaches that are already out there. 281 00:14:29,610 --> 00:14:30,390 Speaker 2: It's a great. 282 00:14:30,190 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 4: Opportunity for them to build their network. And that's one thing, 283 00:14:34,140 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 4: the main barrier that we find is A lot of 284 00:14:37,100 --> 00:14:40,940 Speaker 4: players will have a hitting partner that will organically grow 285 00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 4: into that relationship and then have that next step. Unfortunately, 286 00:14:45,460 --> 00:14:49,420 Speaker 4: we don't necessarily see enough hitting partners out there being females. 287 00:14:50,420 --> 00:14:52,780 Speaker 4: So it's how do we then create that network and 288 00:14:52,820 --> 00:14:55,660 Speaker 4: environment for our female coaches to be in and around 289 00:14:56,830 --> 00:15:03,630 Speaker 4: and get their knowledge, analytical skills, how they then relate 290 00:15:03,670 --> 00:15:06,220 Speaker 4: to the player which is one thing we're finding is 291 00:15:06,700 --> 00:15:10,450 Speaker 4: very strong with a lot of the female players, is 292 00:15:10,730 --> 00:15:13,370 Speaker 4: they're finding that female coaches are actually relating to them 293 00:15:13,390 --> 00:15:14,010 Speaker 4: a lot stronger. 294 00:15:14,540 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: Do you think that tennis is becoming somewhere that more 295 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 1: female coaches can thrive? 296 00:15:20,470 --> 00:15:22,970 Speaker 4: Definitely, but I think it also depends on the stage 297 00:15:23,010 --> 00:15:28,310 Speaker 4: of the coach's life and journey. And that was definitely 298 00:15:28,410 --> 00:15:31,950 Speaker 4: one challenge for myself, even staying in, working for Tennis 299 00:15:31,990 --> 00:15:35,380 Speaker 4: Australia and being on court until late in the evenings 300 00:15:35,500 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 4: and trying to come home and put your family and 301 00:15:37,940 --> 00:15:40,820 Speaker 4: kids to sleep at nine o'clock at night. So I 302 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:43,860 Speaker 4: do understand that the role does have the demands on it, 303 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,540 Speaker 4: but it is a very inclusive place to work. 304 00:15:48,100 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 2: We do have. 305 00:15:49,650 --> 00:15:51,930 Speaker 4: This year we've got five female coaches that are coaching 306 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 4: top 50 players in the world, whereas you look back 307 00:15:54,140 --> 00:15:57,800 Speaker 4: a couple of years, we only had five female coaches 308 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:01,940 Speaker 4: coaching top 150 players in the world. So that top 309 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:04,580 Speaker 4: end and where we're wanting to see it, this program 310 00:16:04,620 --> 00:16:08,250 Speaker 4: has had some really great success. We've had about 20 311 00:16:08,250 --> 00:16:11,270 Speaker 4: applicants come through the North American program. We've had two 312 00:16:11,750 --> 00:16:14,930 Speaker 4: seasons of that. They're just about to start their third season. 313 00:16:15,870 --> 00:16:19,130 Speaker 4: third round of the Northern American Swing, we've got the 314 00:16:19,470 --> 00:16:21,950 Speaker 4: Tennis Australia program that will launch in Hong Kong at 315 00:16:21,970 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 4: the 250, which will be fantastic. So working with Nicole 316 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,180 Speaker 4: Pratt and Belinda Colaneri there that will be delivering this 317 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 4: as part of the Women's and Girls Initiative from Tennis Australia. 318 00:16:31,940 --> 00:16:35,870 Speaker 4: So it's great to have that collaboration and support with 319 00:16:35,970 --> 00:16:39,930 Speaker 4: Tennis Australia and the WTA both coming together. We've also 320 00:16:39,990 --> 00:16:43,710 Speaker 4: got one kicking off early December in London with the 321 00:16:43,790 --> 00:16:48,410 Speaker 4: LTA as well. So looking to try to cover the 322 00:16:48,430 --> 00:16:52,790 Speaker 4: globe with this initiative. And yeah, we've got a few 323 00:16:53,090 --> 00:16:54,930 Speaker 4: coaches that have come through the program and now Billie 324 00:16:54,950 --> 00:16:57,750 Speaker 4: Jean King Cup captains. So we've got some really good 325 00:16:57,790 --> 00:16:59,140 Speaker 4: success stories out there from it. 326 00:16:59,470 --> 00:17:03,420 Speaker 1: You mentioned earlier that women players respond really well to 327 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:07,980 Speaker 1: having a women's coach. What are the differences between sort 328 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:11,139 Speaker 1: of coaching a female player and a male player, do 329 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:11,740 Speaker 1: you think? 330 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:15,950 Speaker 4: I don't think there's much difference Differences for coaching a 331 00:17:16,250 --> 00:17:18,670 Speaker 4: female or a male, I probably think it's the way 332 00:17:18,730 --> 00:17:22,570 Speaker 4: that the coach handles the situation with the female player. 333 00:17:23,770 --> 00:17:27,909 Speaker 4: I think the emotions of what a female player and 334 00:17:27,970 --> 00:17:32,060 Speaker 4: how they handle their emotions there and how that coach 335 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,380 Speaker 4: is then reacting to that, I think that can probably 336 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:42,460 Speaker 4: be misunderstood in some relationships that it's just always put down, oh, 337 00:17:42,619 --> 00:17:46,490 Speaker 4: she's emotional or she's this. Whereas some days the player 338 00:17:46,530 --> 00:17:52,060 Speaker 4: may just prefer to have a training day, may have 339 00:17:52,220 --> 00:17:55,140 Speaker 4: a day off, may have other areas. And I think 340 00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:59,260 Speaker 4: it's that understanding of the whole player themselves that probably 341 00:17:59,300 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 4: the female coach is more willing to dive deeper into. And, yeah, 342 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:09,719 Speaker 4: emotions are scary and having those deep conversations, especially for 343 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 4: tennis coaches when you're not necessarily– taught a psych degree 344 00:18:14,060 --> 00:18:17,159 Speaker 4: on how to handle those. I think it's probably the 345 00:18:17,220 --> 00:18:21,480 Speaker 4: empathy or the maternal instinct that females and female coaches 346 00:18:21,580 --> 00:18:24,510 Speaker 4: have that they can really connect better. Who are some 347 00:18:24,550 --> 00:18:27,550 Speaker 4: of the coaches that you look back on with, you know, 348 00:18:27,609 --> 00:18:30,510 Speaker 4: great fondness or really motivated you or inspired you? 349 00:18:31,150 --> 00:18:33,510 Speaker 2: For me, I was always surrounded by male coaches. 350 00:18:33,850 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 4: So the one hitter that I did have, and she 351 00:18:37,980 --> 00:18:43,900 Speaker 4: was fantastic, was Louise Stacey. So she played Aussie Open juniors, 352 00:18:44,980 --> 00:18:46,610 Speaker 4: tried on the tour for a little bit as well. 353 00:18:46,660 --> 00:18:49,729 Speaker 4: So as a female mentor, I did have her around. 354 00:18:50,930 --> 00:18:53,850 Speaker 4: But for me, probably my main two coaches that I 355 00:18:53,930 --> 00:18:56,650 Speaker 4: really clicked with were Peter Smith from a very young age, 356 00:18:57,550 --> 00:18:59,210 Speaker 4: as well as Craig Morris during my. 357 00:18:59,130 --> 00:19:01,090 Speaker 2: Years with the AIS. 358 00:19:01,170 --> 00:19:05,770 Speaker 3: So I think both the way that those two went 359 00:19:05,850 --> 00:19:08,830 Speaker 3: about their coaching was actually understanding you and giving you 360 00:19:08,869 --> 00:19:13,629 Speaker 3: that full holistic development with how they're handling you and 361 00:19:14,010 --> 00:19:15,430 Speaker 3: how they're, how. 362 00:19:15,369 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 2: You're learning as a person. 363 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:21,020 Speaker 4: So yeah, I don't think it's, it's black and white 364 00:19:21,060 --> 00:19:24,219 Speaker 4: that males can't, can't do a really good job, but 365 00:19:24,260 --> 00:19:27,379 Speaker 4: I think that that connection between the player and the 366 00:19:27,420 --> 00:19:28,970 Speaker 4: coach really has to be strong. 367 00:19:29,109 --> 00:19:29,530 Speaker 6: Of course. 368 00:19:30,090 --> 00:19:32,169 Speaker 5: And I think we've seen that actually, it was Kostjuk 369 00:19:32,210 --> 00:19:34,230 Speaker 5: that's been talking about since she moved to working with Sandra, 370 00:19:34,330 --> 00:19:35,290 Speaker 5: is it Sandra Zaniewska? 371 00:19:35,450 --> 00:19:35,690 Speaker 4: Yes. 372 00:19:35,790 --> 00:19:39,429 Speaker 5: Exactly what you said about just having those conversations and 373 00:19:39,470 --> 00:19:41,700 Speaker 5: relating just Sandra gets her in a way that maybe 374 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 5: a male coach didn't and not that the male coaches 375 00:19:44,340 --> 00:19:47,389 Speaker 5: were bad it's just a different relationship But she's also 376 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:50,300 Speaker 5: having her career best year. So, you know, maybe that 377 00:19:50,340 --> 00:19:51,380 Speaker 5: works for her. 378 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:52,400 Speaker 2: No, exactly. 379 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,820 Speaker 4: And that's one thing that Marta and Sandra have been 380 00:19:55,859 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 4: fantastic within this program. So when we've had the coaches 381 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:02,280 Speaker 4: in the final stages of the program, they'll partner up 382 00:20:02,380 --> 00:20:04,439 Speaker 4: with a touring coach. And we've had some of our 383 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:08,410 Speaker 4: coaches partner with Sandra and then been privileged to have 384 00:20:08,450 --> 00:20:11,169 Speaker 4: some insights from Marta as well. And that's definitely one 385 00:20:11,230 --> 00:20:15,950 Speaker 4: thing that was spoken very openly about is that relationship 386 00:20:15,990 --> 00:20:17,330 Speaker 4: and understanding of the athlete. 387 00:20:17,930 --> 00:20:20,490 Speaker 5: Now, we've asked you about which coaches you enjoyed working with. 388 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:22,179 Speaker 5: We also know that you worked with players. And you 389 00:20:22,220 --> 00:20:24,140 Speaker 5: alluded to before, a lot of the players coming through 390 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:26,659 Speaker 5: New South Wales have gone on to great things. Who 391 00:20:26,700 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 5: were some of your favourite players to guide and coach 392 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:30,680 Speaker 5: in some of those great relationships you've had? 393 00:20:30,900 --> 00:20:34,780 Speaker 4: Yeah, probably my main strongest relationship would have been with 394 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 4: Gabby De Silva-Fick. So she's around 400 now in the world. 395 00:20:39,140 --> 00:20:42,500 Speaker 4: WTA had some injuries up and down the last couple 396 00:20:42,540 --> 00:20:44,919 Speaker 4: of years, but yeah, the last six months really starting 397 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:48,220 Speaker 4: to step it up. So working with her day in, 398 00:20:48,260 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 4: day out, the commitment from the family, it is that 399 00:20:50,940 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 4: whole holistic relationship that you build with the family because there's, 400 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:59,270 Speaker 4: they're trusting so much of you as a coach. the 401 00:20:59,290 --> 00:21:02,390 Speaker 4: amount of hours that you're with their son or daughter. 402 00:21:03,390 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 4: But yeah, working with Gabby has been very rewarding for 403 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:10,680 Speaker 4: me and to see where she's still continuing to go. 404 00:21:10,700 --> 00:21:18,350 Speaker 4: Also had some great trips with Olivia Gadecki and Annalee 405 00:21:18,390 --> 00:21:22,310 Speaker 4: Paulus and Tina Smith. So yeah, it's been fantastic to 406 00:21:22,830 --> 00:21:24,590 Speaker 4: to see how Liv's done in the last week. 407 00:21:24,630 --> 00:21:25,990 Speaker 5: Yeah, she's the woman of the hour, isn't she? 408 00:21:26,010 --> 00:21:26,590 Speaker 2: Exactly. 409 00:21:27,150 --> 00:21:30,090 Speaker 4: So, no, so proud of her to see where she 410 00:21:30,170 --> 00:21:34,390 Speaker 4: is now. So, taking some time off to reset herself 411 00:21:34,470 --> 00:21:37,530 Speaker 4: and now watching her soar is just fantastic to see. 412 00:21:38,609 --> 00:21:40,430 Speaker 5: Now, I guess you've stayed so connected with the game 413 00:21:40,490 --> 00:21:43,609 Speaker 5: even since you stopped playing yourself, which was 2005. And 414 00:21:43,930 --> 00:21:47,649 Speaker 5: in that time since then, how do you see women's 415 00:21:47,690 --> 00:21:51,320 Speaker 5: tennis having kind of progressed i guess we're in this 416 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:53,770 Speaker 5: we're in an era now a lot of people we 417 00:21:53,790 --> 00:21:55,950 Speaker 5: talk to say like it's never been more it's never 418 00:21:55,990 --> 00:21:59,550 Speaker 5: been more physical and powerful there is an incredible depth 419 00:21:59,609 --> 00:22:02,170 Speaker 5: in the sport that maybe we've never seen before we've 420 00:22:02,190 --> 00:22:04,900 Speaker 5: got some players emerging that like eager and arena they've 421 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 5: won like five slams and three slams like what do 422 00:22:08,540 --> 00:22:10,040 Speaker 5: you when you watch women's tennis now and you're actually 423 00:22:10,060 --> 00:22:12,119 Speaker 5: involved with the tour what do you think of the 424 00:22:12,140 --> 00:22:13,550 Speaker 5: current state of women's tennis. 425 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 2: It's very impressive where it's at at the moment. 426 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:21,500 Speaker 4: Watching, as you touched on, the physicality of the players is, yeah, 427 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:25,609 Speaker 4: it's just improved in light years over the last decade 428 00:22:25,660 --> 00:22:28,770 Speaker 4: or so, and I think it continues to. The amount 429 00:22:28,869 --> 00:22:31,330 Speaker 4: of data and information that the coaches are getting to 430 00:22:31,390 --> 00:22:34,050 Speaker 4: continue to improve and tweak, I think the sports science 431 00:22:34,109 --> 00:22:38,060 Speaker 4: part of the coach and the whole team within that 432 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:43,090 Speaker 4: environment is, yeah, it just continues to help getting that 433 00:22:43,170 --> 00:22:50,340 Speaker 4: player fitter, stronger. They're impressive athletes out there and walking 434 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:53,620 Speaker 4: around at the tournaments, I actually, in Australia, I feel 435 00:22:53,660 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 4: like at the shops. 436 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:57,350 Speaker 2: I'm decent height. 437 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:02,129 Speaker 4: I actually feel very short when I'm walking around the tour. 438 00:23:02,290 --> 00:23:05,650 Speaker 2: So these women are like, yeah, another foot taller than me. 439 00:23:05,750 --> 00:23:07,090 Speaker 2: It's just ridiculous. 440 00:23:07,130 --> 00:23:10,980 Speaker 4: So No, definitely the physicality, but I think technology also 441 00:23:11,090 --> 00:23:12,570 Speaker 4: plays a massive part in that as well. 442 00:23:12,990 --> 00:23:13,210 Speaker 5: Sure. 443 00:23:14,109 --> 00:23:16,869 Speaker 1: You alluded to it earlier, but the current state of 444 00:23:16,930 --> 00:23:19,730 Speaker 1: Australian tennis, what do you make of it? And especially 445 00:23:19,790 --> 00:23:21,750 Speaker 1: the promising crop of young women. 446 00:23:22,070 --> 00:23:27,080 Speaker 4: Yes. I'm always proud to look at what a program 447 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 4: when we had the National Academy in New South Wales 448 00:23:29,540 --> 00:23:31,680 Speaker 4: and what we're able to achieve there. We had a 449 00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:35,200 Speaker 4: great bunch of coaches there that were dedicated. The culture, 450 00:23:35,300 --> 00:23:39,200 Speaker 4: blue wool tennis culture that we have installed that was 451 00:23:39,740 --> 00:23:44,150 Speaker 4: led by Demon back in the day when he was around. And, yeah, 452 00:23:44,190 --> 00:23:46,790 Speaker 4: watching all of those guys, I love giving Leighton a 453 00:23:46,810 --> 00:23:49,450 Speaker 4: little bit of a nudge that most of his Davis 454 00:23:49,470 --> 00:23:52,030 Speaker 4: Cup team did come from New South Wales and also 455 00:23:52,070 --> 00:23:56,340 Speaker 4: that Cruz is a New South Wales boy as well. So, no, 456 00:23:56,580 --> 00:23:59,580 Speaker 4: it's fantastic to see them do so well, but it's 457 00:23:59,619 --> 00:24:01,680 Speaker 4: not just the ones that are out on the tour 458 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:04,120 Speaker 4: that were able to make that transition. We've had so 459 00:24:04,180 --> 00:24:09,630 Speaker 4: many great... athletes, um, and also people that have come 460 00:24:09,670 --> 00:24:12,070 Speaker 4: through the program. So the ones that have gone to 461 00:24:12,190 --> 00:24:16,810 Speaker 4: us college, unfortunately, um, a handful or a lot of 462 00:24:16,850 --> 00:24:19,070 Speaker 4: those have actually stayed over in the college and coaching. 463 00:24:19,150 --> 00:24:22,370 Speaker 4: So we're missing out on that talent that was homegrown 464 00:24:22,430 --> 00:24:24,830 Speaker 4: and they've had a great opportunity, you know, hex fees 465 00:24:24,869 --> 00:24:26,810 Speaker 4: go to college. And then we've got some that have 466 00:24:26,830 --> 00:24:31,080 Speaker 4: stayed there. We've got others that are lawyers, uh, in Sydney. So, um, 467 00:24:31,890 --> 00:24:35,210 Speaker 4: it's really impressive to see where, where tennis can take 468 00:24:35,250 --> 00:24:38,340 Speaker 4: you and the opportunities that it can provide. And yes, 469 00:24:38,420 --> 00:24:41,460 Speaker 4: we definitely celebrate the guys that are up there on 470 00:24:41,500 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 4: the top, but there's a lot of different pathways. 471 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:46,680 Speaker 2: And I think probably my journey speaks to that. 472 00:24:46,940 --> 00:24:50,280 Speaker 6: Yeah, absolutely. I just have to throw in one last question. 473 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:50,820 Speaker 2: I'm sorry. 474 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:54,379 Speaker 1: Listening to you talk, the thing that strikes me the most, 475 00:24:54,590 --> 00:24:57,090 Speaker 1: as much as tennis is an individual sport, it's been 476 00:24:57,150 --> 00:25:00,270 Speaker 1: all about the team for you. Everything comes back to team. 477 00:25:00,350 --> 00:25:02,330 Speaker 1: So is that one of the great fallacies of tennis, 478 00:25:02,369 --> 00:25:04,149 Speaker 1: that it's such an individual sport? 479 00:25:04,810 --> 00:25:08,830 Speaker 4: I think it definitely– it is an individual sport, I 480 00:25:08,869 --> 00:25:11,619 Speaker 4: would say, until you're about 14 and under. And then 481 00:25:11,690 --> 00:25:14,260 Speaker 4: you start to really work out who your good mates 482 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:17,620 Speaker 4: are on the court and you're able to travel the world. 483 00:25:17,640 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 4: You're all in the same position together. 484 00:25:19,900 --> 00:25:21,899 Speaker 2: You might be slumming it in hotel rooms. 485 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:23,990 Speaker 4: I think you have a lot of story about the 486 00:25:24,030 --> 00:25:27,930 Speaker 4: Challenger guys and sleeping in cars and those sorts of things, 487 00:25:27,990 --> 00:25:30,430 Speaker 4: but they're the memories that also make it as well. 488 00:25:30,970 --> 00:25:34,669 Speaker 2: So it is, yeah, I always refer to it as 489 00:25:34,970 --> 00:25:35,870 Speaker 2: a tennis family. 490 00:25:36,190 --> 00:25:40,750 Speaker 4: And I do strongly believe that that was probably instilled 491 00:25:40,790 --> 00:25:44,150 Speaker 4: in in myself through Leighton and through the Davis Cup 492 00:25:44,170 --> 00:25:47,330 Speaker 4: team because the way that Newkin Roach were always looking 493 00:25:47,430 --> 00:25:50,210 Speaker 4: after those boys and the way that Leighton um looks 494 00:25:50,300 --> 00:25:54,120 Speaker 4: after that next generation with the Orange Boys um how 495 00:25:54,140 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 4: he had um Hayden Jones and Charlie Camu the last 496 00:25:59,140 --> 00:26:02,660 Speaker 4: few years as Orange Boys um really building what that 497 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 4: um that environment is and what that culture is and 498 00:26:06,260 --> 00:26:08,270 Speaker 4: I think if that's led from the top with the 499 00:26:08,310 --> 00:26:12,109 Speaker 4: Davis Cup team and that always, yeah, filtered down with us. 500 00:26:12,869 --> 00:26:15,640 Speaker 1: Well, it's been great hearing about your experiences. Thank you 501 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:16,740 Speaker 1: so much for joining us. 502 00:26:16,980 --> 00:26:19,820 Speaker 5: No worries. Good luck with the next part of your career, 503 00:26:19,859 --> 00:26:22,420 Speaker 5: this new move into the WTA and the women's coaching space. 504 00:26:22,540 --> 00:26:25,260 Speaker 5: It's awesome and we look forward to seeing what happens there. 505 00:26:25,540 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 2: Thank you. Yes, it's very exciting. 506 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:30,370 Speaker 4: I'm looking forward to Hong Kong and kicking it off 507 00:26:30,410 --> 00:26:32,109 Speaker 4: there before we get to wrap it up during the 508 00:26:32,150 --> 00:26:32,650 Speaker 4: Aussie Open. 509 00:26:32,970 --> 00:26:38,830 Speaker 3: LL. So Viv, Jaslyn just finished on talking about how 510 00:26:38,869 --> 00:26:42,180 Speaker 3: tennis becomes such a family, such a community. And I 511 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 3: think that's one of the things I get out of 512 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:46,180 Speaker 3: the most when I talk to tennis players, how much 513 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:50,030 Speaker 3: of a community feel this sport can be. It's obvious 514 00:26:50,050 --> 00:26:52,570 Speaker 3: that her and Leighton grew up in a very, very 515 00:26:52,630 --> 00:26:56,910 Speaker 3: sports centric family. So I guess that that family aspect 516 00:26:56,970 --> 00:26:59,190 Speaker 3: is just ingrained in everything they do. 517 00:26:59,490 --> 00:27:01,780 Speaker 1: Yeah, it was interesting that she said that she has 518 00:27:01,859 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 1: never known anything else other than growing up as Leighton's sister, 519 00:27:05,580 --> 00:27:08,220 Speaker 1: which obviously created some pressure for her, but she used 520 00:27:08,300 --> 00:27:10,700 Speaker 1: it in a really positive way. And yeah, I love 521 00:27:10,740 --> 00:27:13,540 Speaker 1: the fact that she talks about how relationships are everything 522 00:27:13,580 --> 00:27:14,359 Speaker 1: to her in tennis. 523 00:27:14,980 --> 00:27:16,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you'd need it to be. 524 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:19,619 Speaker 3: And Jaslyn said that some of her main inspirations in 525 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:23,619 Speaker 3: terms of females in Australia were Alicia Mollick and Sam Stoza. 526 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:29,170 Speaker 3: We obviously know that they're amazingly phenomenal women. athletes and players. 527 00:27:29,210 --> 00:27:32,590 Speaker 3: So for Jaslyn, what do you think the main kind 528 00:27:32,630 --> 00:27:35,670 Speaker 3: of element of their personalities is why she was so 529 00:27:35,730 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 3: inspired by them? 530 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:38,900 Speaker 1: I think it was what we were actually just talking about, 531 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:41,560 Speaker 1: that they are real team players and she got to 532 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:43,720 Speaker 1: spend time with them in a team environment. 533 00:27:43,980 --> 00:27:44,420 Speaker 2: I love it. 534 00:27:44,619 --> 00:27:44,899 Speaker 3: Yeah. 535 00:27:45,380 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 1: You know, she's passionate about giving opportunities to women in tennis. 536 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:51,840 Speaker 1: So yeah, really positive person to have around. 537 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 3: Is this actually kind of like, just the next step 538 00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:58,300 Speaker 3: for her and her career going into the WTA. 539 00:27:58,619 --> 00:27:59,620 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely. 540 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:02,400 Speaker 1: And she talks a lot about how every role she's 541 00:28:02,440 --> 00:28:05,159 Speaker 1: taken something, she's learned something in every role and taken 542 00:28:05,180 --> 00:28:07,740 Speaker 1: it into the next role. One of her past roles 543 00:28:08,180 --> 00:28:10,419 Speaker 1: at Tennis Australia is in the women and girls space. 544 00:28:10,619 --> 00:28:14,220 Speaker 1: And now she has such a great opportunity to further 545 00:28:15,030 --> 00:28:16,680 Speaker 1: influence that in a really positive way. 546 00:28:16,980 --> 00:28:19,570 Speaker 2: That's really exciting. Yeah, it's definitely exciting. 547 00:28:20,130 --> 00:28:22,530 Speaker 1: And we'll be back next week with another episode of 548 00:28:22,550 --> 00:28:24,590 Speaker 1: The Sit Down. In the meantime, you can tune in 549 00:28:24,609 --> 00:28:26,650 Speaker 1: to John and the team on the AO Show Weekly 550 00:28:26,750 --> 00:28:29,440 Speaker 1: on Thursday. Details for how to contact us are in 551 00:28:29,460 --> 00:28:32,159 Speaker 1: the show notes. Remember to subscribe, rate and review. 552 00:28:32,780 --> 00:28:34,720 Speaker 3: And Matt will be back with you next week. 553 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:38,240 Speaker 2: How exciting. It is exciting, but thanks for joining us, Brie. 554 00:28:38,380 --> 00:28:39,390 Speaker 2: You're welcome. Anytime.