1 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:05,720 Speaker 1: Hello, and welcome to the Sitdown. I'm Viv Christie, managing 2 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:07,800 Speaker 1: editor of Australian Tennis magazine. 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 2: And I'm Matrolop, writer for oz open dot com. And Viv, 4 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 2: why are we sitting down this week with Andre Sar. 5 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: We're sitting down with Andre Matt because he is a 6 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: four time Olympian, including in his home nation of Brazil. 7 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:23,239 Speaker 1: He's had some great experiences in tennis and he continues 8 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 1: to do so through some of our really innovative events. 9 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you were lucky enough to chat to him. 10 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 2: I wasn't here for this interview, so I'm really looking 11 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:31,640 Speaker 2: forward to hearing it now. 12 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:39,800 Speaker 1: Andre. Thank you for joining us today on the sit Down. 13 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: Let's start by maybe you could tell us where we 14 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:44,200 Speaker 1: find you at the moment. 15 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,559 Speaker 3: Oh, hello, thanks for inviting me. I'm at home right 16 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:48,879 Speaker 3: now in real in Brazil. 17 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: Great. It's obviously a very busy time in sport. A 18 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:56,960 Speaker 1: lot of guys on the Olympics, and you participated in 19 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 1: four Olympic Games. Yeah, what are your memories of those? 20 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 3: Well, I mean it's it's first of all, it's just 21 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 3: a pleasure for its ad a dream for any athlete 22 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 3: to participate in the Olympics and to be part of 23 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 3: four of them was great. And probably the last one 24 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:15,320 Speaker 3: was the most special one because it was at home 25 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 3: in Rio, you know, in front of all I'm all 26 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 3: my family and family, and that's probably the one, I 27 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 3: mean Olympics that it's always going to be so special 28 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 3: because it was at home. But I you know, the 29 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 3: others were great as well. My first one was in 30 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 3: Athens in Greece. That's two thousand and four. You know, 31 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 3: I was very young kid, just just happy to be there. 32 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,040 Speaker 3: I did the whole thing, you know, stay in the 33 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 3: Olympic village, she do, you know, go with with the 34 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 3: delegation and they're opening ceremony, and spend as much time 35 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:52,559 Speaker 3: as I could with other athletes that we knew, because 36 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 3: I mean I was I was young, and these guys 37 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 3: were superstars. And now we had the number one player 38 00:01:57,720 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 3: in the world with Gustavo Quirity and he was a 39 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 3: Zealian player as well, so that was also special. A 40 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 3: lot of eyes were on the on the tennis team 41 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 3: at that time, and it was just great. It was 42 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 3: a great time, very special to be part of it. 43 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 3: The first one. You always get the goosebumps when the 44 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:19,639 Speaker 3: first because I didn't get in initially, so I on 45 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 3: the first when the first lets came out, I wasn't in. 46 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 3: And then I made it in and and it was 47 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 3: it was just such a great surprise, and I was 48 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 3: just so happy to be there. That was that made 49 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 3: it so special. The second one in Beijing it was 50 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 3: also great. I mean, the infrastructure there was was amazing. 51 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 3: The Chinese people were so friendly and happy to welcome 52 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:43,440 Speaker 3: all the athletes, and uh, you know, being the second 53 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 3: one playing doubles with with Marcello Mellow at the time, 54 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 3: and we felt like we were we had a good chance, 55 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:53,800 Speaker 3: a decent chance to to to go for metal. It 56 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 3: didn't happen, but it was it was just a different 57 00:02:56,480 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 3: mindset approaching that Olympics that we were so focused on. 58 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 3: It was just not about you know, going to the 59 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 3: open ceremony or hanging out the other pig village all 60 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 3: the time. We were much more focused. And then the 61 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 3: third one in twenty twelve in London at Wimbledon, it 62 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 3: was that's very different as well, because usually you just 63 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:22,120 Speaker 3: go to a tennis venue somewhere. That's that's what happened 64 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 3: in Athens and in Beijing and then to play at Wimbledon, 65 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 3: it was it was just different. We were you know, 66 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 3: we knew the place, we knew our way around, but 67 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 3: at the same time, it was so different to walk 68 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 3: in there and see, you know, the whole place dressed 69 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 3: up in purple, which you know, and then everyone and 70 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 3: then everyone can you know, wear the team uniforms and 71 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 3: not the whites that you're so used to. So that 72 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 3: was a little shock, but at the same time it 73 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 3: was a fun experience. We had a tough draw. We 74 00:03:57,040 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 3: drew the Brian brothers in the first round on so 75 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 3: it wasn't I mean, they were the best team at 76 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 3: the time and maybe the best team ever today and 77 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 3: it wasn't you know, it was quick I guess, uh 78 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 3: to lose in the first round, but you know it was. 79 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 3: It was a close match. It was good, It was 80 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 3: fun and being part of the Brazilian team is always special. 81 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: Of course you have a very unique experience and that 82 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 1: you've got to play the Olympics in your home nation. 83 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: How much does having an Olympic event change a city. 84 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 3: It changes a lot. I mean, especially you know at 85 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,480 Speaker 3: that time I did not live in Rio, which was 86 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 3: I do now. It's that I've been living here for 87 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 3: the last four years, but you you certainly can see 88 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 3: the change. You can see the vibe is completely different 89 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 3: being being Brazilian and being in real many times before 90 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 3: because we have an eighty five hundred here and UH 91 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 3: and then you could just feel the atmosphere was so different. 92 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:56,159 Speaker 3: A lot of foreigners, a lot of you know, people 93 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 3: coming to see and UH and our sport in tennis, 94 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 3: you individual, but when you're part of the team, and 95 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 3: then when everyone is just you can tell that the 96 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:09,159 Speaker 3: people there, they're not tennis fans. They just wanted to 97 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:12,279 Speaker 3: cheer for for a Brazilian or a Brazilian team, or 98 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 3: a Brazilian pair or Brazilian player. So the vibe and 99 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 3: the atmosphere was was so different, and the city was buzzy. 100 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,159 Speaker 3: It was buzzing, even even though in every Olympic, you know, 101 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,839 Speaker 3: the village is far away, sometimes the events are far 102 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 3: away from from the center of the city, but you 103 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 3: could still field the vibe and the TV and the 104 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 3: and the coverage here for the broadcasting is it's so intense, 105 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 3: So then it's yeah, it was, it was very very special. 106 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 1: I feel like you've actually just as answered my next 107 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:45,919 Speaker 1: question actually, but I'll ask it anyway. Tennis at the 108 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 1: Olympics it shouldn't be there. 109 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,920 Speaker 3: It's a tough one. It's a tough one. I think yes. 110 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 3: I think the straight answer is yes, it's it's a 111 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 3: it's a very special moment for for any athlete and 112 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 3: it's a massive deal for for the sport to be 113 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:06,119 Speaker 3: part of the Olympics. So so then the answer is yes. 114 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:09,320 Speaker 3: Now if we go deeper and say, is it more 115 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 3: important then a Grand Slam or is it more important 116 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 3: the gold medal? I think opinions vary depends on how 117 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 3: you grew up and the culture you're in, but they 118 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:21,279 Speaker 3: are both definitely very special. 119 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:25,600 Speaker 1: And what in your view makes team tennis different. 120 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 3: Just the individuality of the sport, Like you have to 121 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:31,360 Speaker 3: figure everything out on your own, you have to make decisions, 122 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 3: you have to you know, challenge yourself all the time, 123 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 3: and then when it goes into a team environment like 124 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 3: the Olympics, it becomes I think more relaxed environment to 125 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 3: be honest, because we're so used to being responsible for everything, 126 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:47,840 Speaker 3: to having to figure out the whole thing, our whole 127 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:51,039 Speaker 3: journey throughout every tournament. But once we get there, we 128 00:06:51,120 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 3: have a team manager. We have other teammates part of 129 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 3: the of the competition as well, and that and that 130 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 3: makes it special. But in ten it's just the petitiveness, 131 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 3: you know, like being out there on your own for 132 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:05,920 Speaker 3: hours and hours having to figure everything out. That's that's 133 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 3: what makes it so special. 134 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: Team events have evolved in recent years. We now have 135 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 1: the Live A Cup and the United Cup. How much, 136 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 1: in your view, has that changed the outlook on team events. 137 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 3: I think it changed to a poitive thing. I think. 138 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 3: I mean the experience we had with the United Cup, 139 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 3: especially getting the feedback from players working that I work 140 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 3: at those events, the team bond, it's completely different. No, 141 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 3: I mean it never happened before that a man and 142 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 3: a woman could compete equal terms at one competition, you know, 143 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 3: everything the same. So that's that made the really special 144 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 3: for the sport. And I can tell you like the 145 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 3: Italians or the Germans or even the Greeks, they're like 146 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 3: and we didn't really watch each other's matches like throughout 147 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 3: the year. We are from the same country, we probably 148 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 3: share a lot of the same tournaments all along the year, 149 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 3: but you will never disclose. And all of a sudden 150 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 3: you have Paulini watching very teeny play and and and 151 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:14,119 Speaker 3: you know it's Vera Evan Kerber there the week after 152 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 3: they go to Melbourne and they're like sometimes practicing with 153 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 3: each other, and that bond really came together because of 154 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 3: the of the United Cup. So that's that's another positive 155 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 3: thing and something special for the sport and for the 156 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 3: players and a. 157 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:30,680 Speaker 1: Great experience for the fans as well. 158 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:33,199 Speaker 3: I'm sure, Oh yeah, for sure, for sure. I mean 159 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:38,080 Speaker 3: I remember some matches we watched Greece against Italy I 160 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 3: think last year, and it was it was like a 161 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 3: Billy Jean King Cup match or a Davis Cup match, 162 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 3: like they were so intense. In Australia. It brings that 163 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 3: because there are so many internationals in foreigners in Australia 164 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:54,720 Speaker 3: and in communities from every single country that that's that 165 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 3: played the United Cup. So the fans were so excited 166 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 3: to be able to see and those plays compete as 167 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 3: a team. 168 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: For sure. Looking back on your tennis journey, what was it. 169 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 1: I know I believe that you followed your brother into tennis, 170 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: but you know, how did you start your professional journey? 171 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 3: My professional journey, well, that was that's a long story, 172 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 3: I'll make it short. When I was fourteen, I moved 173 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 3: to America to go to tennis Academy in Florida. And then, 174 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 3: of course, when I finished high school, I had the 175 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 3: decision to well, do I go to college or do 176 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 3: I try to become a professional tennis player. And sitting down, 177 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 3: I remember sitting down with my parents and making that 178 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 3: tough decision, and I said, listen, let me let me 179 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 3: try the professional way, and I can try. I made 180 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 3: a deal with my dad, like, you know, let's try 181 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 3: for one year. If things are moving in the right direction, 182 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 3: we'll keep going. If not, then I'll I'll turn around 183 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 3: and go to college. But then this is nineteen ninety six. 184 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 3: And then ninety seven I started playing better, and then 185 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 3: things started to connect, and then I never stopped since 186 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 3: I'm happy. My dad kept his end of the deal 187 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 3: and he said, I just keep going, keep going with 188 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 3: your professional career. And that's that's how basically how it started. 189 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:18,679 Speaker 3: Then that first year, I finished in the top two 190 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 3: hundred in the world in singles and start playing you know, 191 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 3: bigger tournament, start playing the qualifying of Grand Slams. And 192 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 3: then yeah, I never never really turned back. And then 193 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:33,079 Speaker 3: when I was thirty one, I made the move to 194 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 3: play doubles only, and that extended my career to another 195 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 3: eight nine years, which was which was great as well 196 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 3: to have that longevity. 197 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 1: Well, it's a great story. From that sort of decision 198 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 1: and that conversation with your dad, you went on to 199 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 1: reach a Wimbledon quarter final in singles and in doubles, 200 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 1: you were a top twenty player with seven titles. What 201 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 1: do you look back on most fondly. 202 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 3: Well, I just think it's it's the relationships and the 203 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 3: people that I I got to know through tennis. No 204 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 3: I understood right away, like, not not right away, but 205 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 3: later on in my career, Like the platform the tennis 206 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 3: gives you, as you know, as an ability to to 207 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 3: make friends and to network with people from all over 208 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 3: the world and from all different cultures. So that that's 209 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:23,080 Speaker 3: something that I really when I look back, I said, 210 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 3: I'm so glad I got involved. You know, I was 211 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:29,319 Speaker 3: there playing tennis, competing and having my career as a 212 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 3: tennis player. But at the same time I cherished so 213 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:36,839 Speaker 3: much that the friendships and the relationships and the people 214 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 3: I got to know along along that journey. So I 215 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 3: think that's the most special thing that I keep. 216 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: That journey of course continues for you. What what's been 217 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:51,079 Speaker 1: your journey since retiring from the tour. No that you 218 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 1: stayed in the sport. 219 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:55,720 Speaker 3: I would say I was lucky enough to be recruited 220 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 3: by TA when I when I when I stopped, I 221 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 3: retired in my last season full season was twenty seventeen. 222 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 3: Twenty eighteen, I played a couple of tournaments, but then 223 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:10,920 Speaker 3: after that in twenty nineteen, I started with with Tia 224 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:16,680 Speaker 3: on display relations job that I still have today, which 225 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 3: is it's challenging, but it's great at the same time, 226 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 3: I still get to be in the tennis world around 227 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 3: the people that I know, and a job that I 228 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:30,319 Speaker 3: feel I can do, which you know, is to bring 229 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 3: the play just closer to tennis Australia, keep the communications 230 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 3: going with them, the relationships going, so then we can improve, 231 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 3: we can improve our events in Australia. 232 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:45,280 Speaker 1: What are you most looking forward to over the next 233 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:47,480 Speaker 1: few months and leading into the Australian Open. 234 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 3: I think the whole summer of tennis again. I mean 235 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 3: United Cup is getting is getting better and better every year, 236 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:55,440 Speaker 3: so we always look forward to that. I mean, I 237 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 3: think we got the format right this year, so I 238 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:01,440 Speaker 3: think it's there's a massive chance that is going to 239 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 3: be even better in twenty twenty five, and then all 240 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:07,839 Speaker 3: of the other challenges that we have and exciting things 241 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 3: coming up Opening week now, it's going to be something 242 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 3: great that we look forward to, you know, the week 243 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 3: of Qualities and then the big show. The Big Show 244 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:20,079 Speaker 3: and the AO means every year, Craig wants us to 245 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:24,079 Speaker 3: become better and to deliver a better experience to players 246 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 3: and that's the plan. And then just to make to 247 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 3: make them feel so comfortable and happy to be in 248 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 3: Australia and be able to compete the best way that 249 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 3: they can. 250 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 1: Absolutely well, thank you, Andre. That sounds like a great 251 00:13:38,240 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 1: place for us to finish. It's been really great chatting 252 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:41,080 Speaker 1: with you today. 253 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 3: Thank you, Thanks again for inviting me. 254 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. Andre, really appreciate that. 255 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 2: Well we've congratulations. That was a great interview. I really 256 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:53,720 Speaker 2: enjoyed listening to that. I got to chat to Andre 257 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 2: last year at Roland Garross when his fellow Brazilian Beatrice 258 00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,559 Speaker 2: had Admired made her historic run to the semi finals, 259 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 2: and I remember just being really struck by how passionate 260 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:04,440 Speaker 2: he was about tennis and him reliving kind of her 261 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 2: journey in his connection to that and that passion came 262 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 2: through in the chat today as well. 263 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, thanks, Matt. I really enjoyed talking to Andrea. I 264 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:15,559 Speaker 1: think he's built some really special relationships through tennis and 265 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: we're lucky to have him still involved in the sport. 266 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 2: Yeah for sure. As always, we'll be back again next 267 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 2: Monday with another episode of the sit Down, and in 268 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 2: the meantime, don't forget to listen to John and the 269 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 2: team this Thursday on the Aoshow Weekly. 270 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:29,600 Speaker 1: Details for how to contact us are in the show notes, 271 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 1: and please subscribe, rate and review. 272 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:33,960 Speaker 2: See you next week, Matt, See then, vib