1 00:00:02,340 --> 00:00:05,120 Speaker 1: Hi everyone and welcome to another episode of The Sit Down. 2 00:00:05,420 --> 00:00:07,590 Speaker 1: I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for AusOpen.com. 3 00:00:07,810 --> 00:00:10,810 Speaker 2: And I'm Viv Christie, Managing Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. 4 00:00:10,970 --> 00:00:13,510 Speaker 2: And Matt, this week you managed to catch up with 5 00:00:13,550 --> 00:00:16,349 Speaker 2: a great guest. Tell me why you are sitting down 6 00:00:16,410 --> 00:00:17,290 Speaker 2: with Leighton Hewitt. 7 00:00:17,610 --> 00:00:20,099 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, we went up and caught him at the 8 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:22,889 Speaker 1: United Cup draw, which was last Monday, and which is 9 00:00:22,930 --> 00:00:25,329 Speaker 1: actually for a bit of context for listeners is probably 10 00:00:25,370 --> 00:00:27,700 Speaker 1: why you can hear a bit of like construction noise around. 11 00:00:28,100 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: After the draw, they were kind of disassembling the stage 12 00:00:30,380 --> 00:00:32,180 Speaker 1: and packing up around us as we were talking. 13 00:00:32,220 --> 00:00:34,160 Speaker 3: So it was a little bit of a live site 14 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:34,580 Speaker 3: as it were. 15 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: But I actually really wanted to talk with him about 16 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: what's coming up for him because in January, it will 17 00:00:39,979 --> 00:00:42,540 Speaker 1: be the 20th anniversary of his run to the final 18 00:00:42,700 --> 00:00:47,729 Speaker 1: at AO 2005. And also we are soon to release 19 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,450 Speaker 1: the full match on YouTube of his fourth round win 20 00:00:50,830 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: over Rafael Nadal. And we're actually going to be writing 21 00:00:53,420 --> 00:00:54,580 Speaker 1: a bit about that too. So it was kind of 22 00:00:54,620 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 1: like we got nostalgic with Leighton. We talked to him 23 00:00:57,180 --> 00:00:59,260 Speaker 1: about his memories of that run and how much of 24 00:00:59,380 --> 00:01:02,300 Speaker 1: kind of a moment that was in Australia, how much 25 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:05,340 Speaker 1: audience came along with that ride. And it was really 26 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:07,330 Speaker 1: cool to hear his memories and how, you know, he 27 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:09,890 Speaker 1: remembers it in such detail. And then, of course, the 28 00:01:09,910 --> 00:01:11,950 Speaker 1: Davis Cup finals are coming up and he's the team captain. 29 00:01:11,990 --> 00:01:14,150 Speaker 1: So while I had him, we also thought about it 30 00:01:14,170 --> 00:01:15,610 Speaker 1: would be a good chance to chat about the Aussies' 31 00:01:15,650 --> 00:01:17,770 Speaker 1: chances there and what a great season it's been for 32 00:01:17,790 --> 00:01:18,270 Speaker 1: the green and gold. 33 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,580 Speaker 2: Well, whether it's the past, the present or the future, 34 00:01:21,620 --> 00:01:24,040 Speaker 2: there's a lot of ground to cover with Leighton, so 35 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:25,220 Speaker 2: let's hear what he has to say. 36 00:01:28,500 --> 00:01:30,060 Speaker 1: Leighton, thanks very much for joining us today. 37 00:01:30,220 --> 00:01:30,559 Speaker 3: No worries. 38 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: We're catching you at the United Cup draw, but I 39 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:36,580 Speaker 1: think what I want to do is throw forward to 40 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:40,000 Speaker 1: January because it will be the 20th anniversary of your 41 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 1: run to the final at AO 2005. Can you believe 42 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 1: that was 20 years ago? 43 00:01:44,459 --> 00:01:47,930 Speaker 4: No, it goes pretty quick when you think about it. Yeah, 44 00:01:47,950 --> 00:01:50,700 Speaker 4: certain parts of it, I guess, doesn't feel that long ago. 45 00:01:50,740 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 4: And then there's other times when it feels like, yeah, 46 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:56,020 Speaker 4: the game keeps going to new levels all the time. 47 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:58,470 Speaker 3: And it does feel like, yeah, a long time ago. 48 00:01:58,550 --> 00:02:02,350 Speaker 4: But yeah, obviously some great memories over that whole summer 49 00:02:02,370 --> 00:02:05,330 Speaker 4: of 2005 for me, not just at the Australian Open, 50 00:02:05,350 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 4: but leading into it. And I think that sort of 51 00:02:07,140 --> 00:02:10,540 Speaker 4: built up then. I guess the expectation and obviously the 52 00:02:10,590 --> 00:02:12,620 Speaker 4: crowd involvement over the couple of weeks down in Melbourne. 53 00:02:12,830 --> 00:02:14,090 Speaker 1: Yeah, because you won Sydney as well. 54 00:02:14,150 --> 00:02:15,070 Speaker 3: Yeah, the week before. 55 00:02:15,150 --> 00:02:15,570 Speaker 4: Yeah. 56 00:02:15,650 --> 00:02:17,810 Speaker 1: So what is the memory that stands out for you 57 00:02:17,850 --> 00:02:20,350 Speaker 1: most about that summer? Because there were so many highlights 58 00:02:20,389 --> 00:02:22,650 Speaker 1: for you. Is there one that you're like, oh, that 59 00:02:22,669 --> 00:02:23,070 Speaker 1: was awesome? 60 00:02:23,669 --> 00:02:24,190 Speaker 3: Oh, not really. 61 00:02:24,250 --> 00:02:26,650 Speaker 4: I guess in the end, yeah, when you come so close, 62 00:02:26,710 --> 00:02:29,989 Speaker 4: I guess the last match you win to... To get 63 00:02:30,030 --> 00:02:32,970 Speaker 4: into the final, so probably the semi-final win against Andy Luddick, 64 00:02:33,350 --> 00:02:35,930 Speaker 4: and actually I had to come back from a set 65 00:02:35,970 --> 00:02:38,910 Speaker 4: down in that match, and the second and third sets 66 00:02:38,950 --> 00:02:43,430 Speaker 4: were extremely tight as well. So probably just the satisfaction 67 00:02:43,450 --> 00:02:45,070 Speaker 4: of getting over the line in that match to know 68 00:02:45,090 --> 00:02:46,750 Speaker 4: that I'd given myself a chance to play on the 69 00:02:46,790 --> 00:02:48,910 Speaker 4: last Sunday at the Australian Open. 70 00:02:49,510 --> 00:02:51,799 Speaker 1: And it was the centenary year of the AO that year, 71 00:02:51,820 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 1: and I remember Alicia also made the quarters of the women's. 72 00:02:53,860 --> 00:02:55,740 Speaker 1: There was such a buzz around the Aussies that year. 73 00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:58,220 Speaker 1: Do you reckon that contributed, a buzz around the Aussies 74 00:02:58,260 --> 00:03:00,400 Speaker 1: and the tournament, Did that contribute. 75 00:02:59,980 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 3: To your performance, do you think? 76 00:03:01,460 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 4: Well, it certainly helped, but I think every year that 77 00:03:03,700 --> 00:03:05,940 Speaker 4: I played, I got unbelievable support. 78 00:03:06,020 --> 00:03:07,300 Speaker 3: So I don't think there was any different. 79 00:03:07,340 --> 00:03:10,470 Speaker 4: I think it was purely that I was a contender 80 00:03:10,490 --> 00:03:12,929 Speaker 4: that particular year, that it obviously built up to a 81 00:03:13,150 --> 00:03:16,630 Speaker 4: bigger thing because I was making a run. Plus, it 82 00:03:16,669 --> 00:03:18,310 Speaker 4: felt like, to be honest, that I probably had the 83 00:03:18,370 --> 00:03:21,630 Speaker 4: toughest draw from the very first round that I'd ever 84 00:03:21,669 --> 00:03:22,590 Speaker 4: had in a Grand Slam. 85 00:03:23,010 --> 00:03:25,019 Speaker 3: To be honest, every single match I had. 86 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 4: Tough opponents, and in those particular rounds, you'd probably have 87 00:03:29,190 --> 00:03:31,630 Speaker 4: expected them all to be second week of a major. 88 00:03:31,750 --> 00:03:31,930 Speaker 1: Yeah. 89 00:03:32,190 --> 00:03:34,090 Speaker 4: So I felt like I was playing this epic match 90 00:03:34,150 --> 00:03:34,850 Speaker 4: every second day. 91 00:03:35,690 --> 00:03:37,950 Speaker 3: And obviously, my matches never went that quick either. 92 00:03:37,970 --> 00:03:40,890 Speaker 4: So, yeah, they felt like obviously long, drawn-out battles, I think, 93 00:03:40,910 --> 00:03:42,550 Speaker 4: for everyone sitting across Australia. 94 00:03:43,030 --> 00:03:44,589 Speaker 1: Well, I was literally going to ask you about that. 95 00:03:44,650 --> 00:03:47,250 Speaker 1: I have an undying memory. I'd finished Year 12, and 96 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:49,180 Speaker 1: I hadn't gone to uni yet. So I was on break, 97 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: and we were at a house party, and you were playing... 98 00:03:52,020 --> 00:03:55,220 Speaker 1: nalbandia in the quarterfinals and the party stopped and started 99 00:03:55,250 --> 00:03:57,100 Speaker 1: gathering around the tv and watching you and you won 100 00:03:57,310 --> 00:03:59,070 Speaker 1: i think 10a in the field yeah and there was 101 00:03:59,110 --> 00:04:01,910 Speaker 1: just that sense of like the entire country getting behind 102 00:04:01,930 --> 00:04:03,690 Speaker 1: you and then the saffron final had four or five 103 00:04:03,710 --> 00:04:07,370 Speaker 1: million viewers were you conscious of how big the following 104 00:04:07,390 --> 00:04:08,770 Speaker 1: was of what was going on and did you like 105 00:04:08,830 --> 00:04:09,490 Speaker 1: embrace it. 106 00:04:09,430 --> 00:04:12,450 Speaker 4: Or yeah no no i certainly embraced that and i 107 00:04:12,470 --> 00:04:16,430 Speaker 4: think um You can feel it, I guess, when you're 108 00:04:16,450 --> 00:04:19,089 Speaker 4: at the tournament. But in terms of viewers watching at home, obviously, 109 00:04:19,110 --> 00:04:20,600 Speaker 4: you've got very little idea. 110 00:04:20,620 --> 00:04:23,380 Speaker 1: Did you know that they were all though tuning in 111 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 1: like that? 112 00:04:23,779 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 3: Probably not that big, to be honest. But yeah, it 113 00:04:26,940 --> 00:04:27,420 Speaker 3: was awesome. 114 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,700 Speaker 4: Obviously, I think the Nalbandian match might have been played 115 00:04:29,740 --> 00:04:32,180 Speaker 4: on Australia Day as well at the time. So there 116 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:36,150 Speaker 4: were fireworks going off mid-match. When we were playing, we 117 00:04:36,190 --> 00:04:37,830 Speaker 4: had the roof open. So there was a lot of 118 00:04:37,870 --> 00:04:40,810 Speaker 4: stuff going on. And that turned into this absolute epic 119 00:04:41,130 --> 00:04:43,710 Speaker 4: five-set match as well. But as I said, it felt 120 00:04:43,750 --> 00:04:46,070 Speaker 4: like every match was nearly an epic match. I had 121 00:04:46,100 --> 00:04:48,559 Speaker 4: to play Rafa in the round of 16, you know, 122 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:50,900 Speaker 4: and normally you'd be playing him in, you know, quarter, 123 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:53,260 Speaker 4: semis or finals of Grand Slam, and that was a 124 00:04:53,300 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 4: day match which went the distance five sets as well. So, yeah, 125 00:04:57,420 --> 00:04:59,430 Speaker 4: I felt like I was just playing all these massive 126 00:04:59,490 --> 00:05:02,730 Speaker 4: matches and obviously, yeah, it ended. 127 00:05:02,589 --> 00:05:04,470 Speaker 3: Up in the final. I was going to ask you 128 00:05:04,490 --> 00:05:05,770 Speaker 3: about the Rafa match, obviously. 129 00:05:05,810 --> 00:05:08,089 Speaker 1: So you played him in 0-4 at the AO in 130 00:05:08,110 --> 00:05:09,930 Speaker 1: the third round, beat him in straight sets. A year on, 131 00:05:10,230 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 1: he took you to five. you know getting through that 132 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 1: must have been a huge confidence boost but what did 133 00:05:14,260 --> 00:05:16,420 Speaker 1: you notice about that match like how quickly he'd come 134 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:17,720 Speaker 1: on the difference in. 135 00:05:17,700 --> 00:05:19,359 Speaker 4: The 12 months well even though I played him in 136 00:05:19,380 --> 00:05:20,990 Speaker 4: the third round the year before you knew how good 137 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:23,150 Speaker 4: a player he was going to be um I think 138 00:05:23,190 --> 00:05:24,970 Speaker 4: I said at the time that this kid's you know 139 00:05:24,990 --> 00:05:27,309 Speaker 4: going to win the French Open someday I didn't realize 140 00:05:27,330 --> 00:05:29,710 Speaker 4: it was going to be the next year um so 141 00:05:29,830 --> 00:05:32,580 Speaker 4: it was pretty amazing and then yeah I yeah it 142 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 4: was a tough battle and in the end I probably 143 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:38,210 Speaker 4: got him physically, believe it or not. He was obviously 144 00:05:38,250 --> 00:05:40,110 Speaker 4: still pretty young at the time, but we played on 145 00:05:40,350 --> 00:05:43,390 Speaker 4: a day match on Centre Court in Wadlow Arena, extremely 146 00:05:43,430 --> 00:05:46,229 Speaker 4: hot conditions. And then when I won the fourth set, 147 00:05:46,270 --> 00:05:48,050 Speaker 4: I just felt physically I was able to get on 148 00:05:48,089 --> 00:05:50,190 Speaker 4: top of him and ended up running away. 149 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:50,620 Speaker 3: With the fifth set. 150 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:53,340 Speaker 1: Three or four months later, he went on to win 151 00:05:53,580 --> 00:05:55,820 Speaker 1: Roland Garros. So your prediction came true. It was so 152 00:05:55,860 --> 00:05:58,239 Speaker 1: soon after that. Did you think he was ready then 153 00:05:58,279 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: to win a major? 154 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:02,820 Speaker 4: His game style suited play. So he was able to 155 00:06:02,940 --> 00:06:05,610 Speaker 4: do things... You could tell on the hard court how 156 00:06:05,650 --> 00:06:07,150 Speaker 4: hard it was going to be on a clay court 157 00:06:07,190 --> 00:06:09,670 Speaker 4: to try and play against that kind of player, playing 158 00:06:09,710 --> 00:06:13,830 Speaker 4: that style was something completely different to what you'd seen before. 159 00:06:14,580 --> 00:06:17,620 Speaker 4: And for such a young kid at 17, 18 years old, 160 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:21,140 Speaker 4: physically he was in very good shape in terms of 161 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:24,500 Speaker 4: able to go toe-to-toe against men, which not a lot 162 00:06:24,540 --> 00:06:25,539 Speaker 4: of juniors are able to do. 163 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:27,700 Speaker 1: He's now just announced his retirement. There was all that 164 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:30,470 Speaker 1: talk about how his punishing style of play wouldn't lead 165 00:06:30,510 --> 00:06:33,490 Speaker 1: to career longevity, and he played for 20 years are 166 00:06:33,610 --> 00:06:35,610 Speaker 1: you i think a lot to do with how mentally 167 00:06:35,650 --> 00:06:37,750 Speaker 1: tough he is so as well i think there was 168 00:06:38,230 --> 00:06:40,830 Speaker 1: a lot of times that he played through pain and 169 00:06:40,870 --> 00:06:42,750 Speaker 1: he was probably one of the greatest players to ever 170 00:06:42,790 --> 00:06:44,250 Speaker 1: be able to do that i think and get the 171 00:06:44,290 --> 00:06:45,550 Speaker 1: most out of himself. 172 00:06:45,230 --> 00:06:48,710 Speaker 4: In very tough positions um that he puts his body 173 00:06:48,730 --> 00:06:51,349 Speaker 4: through but that was his style of tennis and and 174 00:06:51,390 --> 00:06:52,950 Speaker 4: how he got the most out of himself. 175 00:06:53,310 --> 00:06:55,979 Speaker 1: Just on davis cup and the year for australian tennis 176 00:06:56,010 --> 00:06:58,180 Speaker 1: in general it's been one of the better years for 177 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:00,990 Speaker 1: Australian tennis. So many highlights and it's all kind of 178 00:07:01,010 --> 00:07:03,330 Speaker 1: dovetailing into it. Back in the final eight, we've made 179 00:07:03,350 --> 00:07:05,750 Speaker 1: the last few years of finals. It's not just Demon 180 00:07:05,790 --> 00:07:06,150 Speaker 1: at the top. 181 00:07:06,170 --> 00:07:06,850 Speaker 3: We've got such depth. 182 00:07:07,330 --> 00:07:09,110 Speaker 1: How do you think we'll go this year and kind 183 00:07:09,130 --> 00:07:11,460 Speaker 1: of like what's the feeling around and the momentum around 184 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:12,760 Speaker 1: Australian tennis this time? 185 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 3: Oh, it's a great feeling around everyone. 186 00:07:14,660 --> 00:07:17,020 Speaker 4: And it's important in the team aspect that it's not 187 00:07:17,060 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 4: just one or two players that Feeling great. 188 00:07:19,860 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, you want everyone going there feeling. 189 00:07:21,660 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 4: Like they're playing their part and doing the job that 190 00:07:24,180 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 4: you need them to do. And I think my whole 191 00:07:26,100 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 4: squad feels like that at the moment, which is great. 192 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 4: They feel like they're in career best form. Whether they're 193 00:07:30,620 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 4: playing singles or doubles or, you know, having to play 194 00:07:33,060 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 4: practice sets against other players, you know, they're all pushing 195 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 4: each other to get better, which has been really important. 196 00:07:39,260 --> 00:07:41,790 Speaker 4: And that's helped us, I think, get so many guys 197 00:07:41,820 --> 00:07:42,950 Speaker 4: in the top 100 now in the. 198 00:07:42,890 --> 00:07:45,340 Speaker 3: World where they grew with it. they belong there on the. 199 00:07:45,300 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 4: Tour a lot of guys are career high rankings as 200 00:07:48,100 --> 00:07:50,500 Speaker 4: well we've won obviously double slams this year we won 201 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:53,870 Speaker 4: the gold medal as well in doubles and then Alex 202 00:07:53,910 --> 00:07:56,010 Speaker 4: has cemented himself as a top 10 player as well 203 00:07:56,090 --> 00:08:00,430 Speaker 4: so so many positives obviously we go into Malaga and 204 00:08:00,450 --> 00:08:02,530 Speaker 4: the Davis Cup quarterfinals have to play the US which 205 00:08:02,590 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 4: is a tough ask but yeah we're obviously trying to 206 00:08:06,220 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 4: navigate our way through that and depending on the matchups 207 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,230 Speaker 4: and trying to get that right and hopefully we can 208 00:08:11,250 --> 00:08:13,130 Speaker 4: give ourselves a chance you know we go there and 209 00:08:13,310 --> 00:08:15,210 Speaker 4: we've got to win three matches you know and and 210 00:08:15,250 --> 00:08:17,330 Speaker 4: that's sort of the thinking is we've got to navigate 211 00:08:17,390 --> 00:08:19,730 Speaker 4: our way of of getting through three of these matches 212 00:08:19,770 --> 00:08:21,530 Speaker 4: and we can hold up the trophy but uh it's 213 00:08:21,590 --> 00:08:22,170 Speaker 4: certainly not going. 214 00:08:22,090 --> 00:08:23,630 Speaker 1: To be easy no well you guys have done it 215 00:08:23,790 --> 00:08:25,630 Speaker 1: you've gotten you've won the two matches before i guess 216 00:08:25,650 --> 00:08:27,890 Speaker 1: they know they can do it like you said what's 217 00:08:27,930 --> 00:08:29,530 Speaker 1: the difference to get one more. 218 00:08:30,370 --> 00:08:32,310 Speaker 4: Uh well we yeah i don't think the boys have 219 00:08:32,330 --> 00:08:34,530 Speaker 4: done too much wrong a little bit especially last year 220 00:08:34,550 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 4: we're Awfully unlucky in the Popper match against Arnoldic. 221 00:08:38,260 --> 00:08:40,059 Speaker 3: He had so many break point opportunities. 222 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,340 Speaker 4: And if he'd break early in the first set, I 223 00:08:42,380 --> 00:08:43,900 Speaker 4: have no doubt that he would have run away with 224 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:44,300 Speaker 4: that match. 225 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 3: And we just weren't quite able to get over the 226 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:46,580 Speaker 3: line there. 227 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 4: And if we're able to give ourselves a chance in 228 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:52,939 Speaker 4: a live doubles for the Davis Cup final, I know 229 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 4: who I'm backing. 230 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,890 Speaker 3: So, you know, people don't understand how close we were. 231 00:09:00,550 --> 00:09:03,729 Speaker 2: Matt, congratulations. That was such a good interview with Leighton. 232 00:09:03,830 --> 00:09:04,170 Speaker 1: Thanks, Viv. 233 00:09:04,820 --> 00:09:07,900 Speaker 2: Finishing on the Davis Cup, you know, it just brings 234 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:11,100 Speaker 2: back so many memories of Leighton and the Davis Cup. 235 00:09:11,220 --> 00:09:14,959 Speaker 2: And for me, Leighton at Rod Laver Arena specifically is 236 00:09:15,220 --> 00:09:17,839 Speaker 2: probably one of my most enduring memories in tennis. I 237 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:22,730 Speaker 2: remember that semifinal in 2003. He was down two sets 238 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:27,710 Speaker 2: and I, if my memory is correct, 3-5 against Roger Federer. And, yeah, 239 00:09:27,750 --> 00:09:29,910 Speaker 2: just a couple of points away from losing that match, 240 00:09:29,929 --> 00:09:31,570 Speaker 2: which he went on to win in five sets. 241 00:09:32,030 --> 00:09:32,390 Speaker 4: And then. 242 00:09:33,260 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 2: He beat Juan Carlos Ferrero also in five sets in 243 00:09:36,059 --> 00:09:38,479 Speaker 2: the final to lead Australia to the title. 244 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:40,579 Speaker 1: And that's the last time we won the Davis Cup 245 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,260 Speaker 1: and we've come incredibly close since then, as he discussed 246 00:09:43,300 --> 00:09:45,620 Speaker 1: in the interview. It has been such a great year 247 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 1: for Aussie tennis. They are bringing such momentum into the 248 00:09:48,140 --> 00:09:51,050 Speaker 1: final eight. It'll be really interesting to see how they go. 249 00:09:51,070 --> 00:09:53,990 Speaker 1: It sounds like he's pretty buoyed about the team's chances. 250 00:09:54,390 --> 00:09:56,969 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think, like you said, it's been such a 251 00:09:56,990 --> 00:09:59,810 Speaker 2: great year for Aussie tennis generally and they all kind 252 00:09:59,850 --> 00:10:02,810 Speaker 2: of get along really well and support each other during 253 00:10:02,850 --> 00:10:06,170 Speaker 2: the year. So I think it'll be all positives when 254 00:10:06,210 --> 00:10:07,250 Speaker 2: they head to Spain. 255 00:10:07,820 --> 00:10:09,960 Speaker 1: And what about if we're going down memory lane, what 256 00:10:09,980 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 1: do you remember about that Centenary Australian Open in 2005? 257 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:15,199 Speaker 1: I hadn't started working in tennis yet, but I think 258 00:10:15,220 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: you were. Yes, yes. 259 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:18,479 Speaker 2: I've been working in tennis forever, Matt. 260 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,020 Speaker 1: So I do remember- I was soon to join you. 261 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 2: I do remember it really well. I mean, there was 262 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:27,620 Speaker 2: just so much excitement. It just felt like everyone was 263 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:32,410 Speaker 2: along for the ride. And it had been such a 264 00:10:32,429 --> 00:10:35,770 Speaker 2: long time since we had an Aussie finalist in Melbourne. 265 00:10:35,850 --> 00:10:38,490 Speaker 2: So yeah, there was a lot of excitement, a lot 266 00:10:38,530 --> 00:10:41,429 Speaker 2: of support. And even When he lost the match, of 267 00:10:41,470 --> 00:10:44,729 Speaker 2: course there was disappointment, but it was a great champion 268 00:10:44,770 --> 00:10:49,050 Speaker 2: in Marat Safin and a great quality final as well. So, yeah, 269 00:10:49,190 --> 00:10:51,650 Speaker 2: I felt like the buzz went on for quite some time. 270 00:10:51,809 --> 00:10:52,710 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was brilliant. 271 00:10:53,170 --> 00:10:55,750 Speaker 1: And Viv, in preparing for this interview, you let me 272 00:10:55,850 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 1: in on an incredible stat I'd never heard before relating 273 00:10:58,980 --> 00:11:00,160 Speaker 1: to Leighton at Rod Laver Arena. 274 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, an incredible fact about Leighton is he only ever 275 00:11:04,700 --> 00:11:09,210 Speaker 2: played one match One Australian Open match outside Rod Laver Arena, 276 00:11:09,270 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 2: which was his very first appearance in 1997. He was 277 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,540 Speaker 2: just 15 years old and he played on court three 278 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 2: against Sergi Bruguera. 279 00:11:18,100 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 1: Wow. 280 00:11:18,620 --> 00:11:21,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, and in the, you know, 20-year Australian Open career, 281 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:23,679 Speaker 2: he played every other match on Rod Laver Arena. 282 00:11:24,059 --> 00:11:25,860 Speaker 1: And then, of course, those couple of Davis Cup matches 283 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:29,100 Speaker 1: as well. Exactly. So, yeah, what a storied history. Thanks 284 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:30,959 Speaker 1: so much for joining us on The Sit-Down. And we'll 285 00:11:30,980 --> 00:11:33,660 Speaker 1: be back again next Monday with another episode of The Sit-Down. 286 00:11:34,020 --> 00:11:35,740 Speaker 1: And in the meantime, you can listen to John and 287 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:37,940 Speaker 1: the team this Thursday on the AO Show Weekly. 288 00:11:38,179 --> 00:11:39,969 Speaker 2: Details for how to contact us are in the show 289 00:11:40,010 --> 00:11:44,230 Speaker 2: notes and please subscribe, rate and review. See you next week, Matt. 290 00:11:44,330 --> 00:11:44,700 Speaker 4: See you, Viv.