1 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to The Sit Down. I'm Viv Christie, 2 00:00:05,340 --> 00:00:07,340 Speaker 1: Managing Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. 3 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:10,640 Speaker 2: And I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for ozopen.com. And Viv, 4 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,120 Speaker 2: why are we sitting down this week with Andre Saab? 5 00:00:13,620 --> 00:00:15,930 Speaker 1: We're sitting down with Andre, Matt, because he is a 6 00:00:15,990 --> 00:00:19,270 Speaker 1: four-time Olympian, including in his home nation of Brazil. He's 7 00:00:19,310 --> 00:00:23,310 Speaker 1: had some great experiences in tennis and he continues to 8 00:00:23,350 --> 00:00:26,150 Speaker 1: do so through some of our really innovative events. 9 00:00:26,510 --> 00:00:28,660 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you were lucky enough to chat to him. 10 00:00:28,740 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 2: I wasn't here for this interview, so I'm really looking 11 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:31,500 Speaker 2: forward to hearing it now. 12 00:00:36,530 --> 00:00:39,790 Speaker 1: Andre, thank you for joining us today on The Sit Down. 13 00:00:39,970 --> 00:00:42,989 Speaker 1: Let's start by maybe you could tell us where we 14 00:00:43,050 --> 00:00:44,169 Speaker 1: find you at the moment. 15 00:00:44,550 --> 00:00:47,530 Speaker 3: Oh, hello. Thanks for inviting me. I'm at home right 16 00:00:47,570 --> 00:00:48,810 Speaker 3: now in Rio, in Brazil. 17 00:00:48,909 --> 00:00:52,740 Speaker 1: Great. It's obviously a very busy time in sport. A 18 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:56,940 Speaker 1: lot of eyes on the Olympics. And you participated in 19 00:00:57,180 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 1: four Olympic Games. 20 00:00:59,060 --> 00:00:59,260 Speaker 4: Yeah. 21 00:00:59,460 --> 00:01:00,660 Speaker 1: What are your memories of those? 22 00:01:01,020 --> 00:01:03,700 Speaker 3: Well, I mean, first of all, it's just a pleasure. 23 00:01:04,020 --> 00:01:07,320 Speaker 3: It's a a dream for any athlete to participate in 24 00:01:07,340 --> 00:01:10,060 Speaker 3: the Olympics. And to be part of four of them 25 00:01:10,100 --> 00:01:13,259 Speaker 3: was great. And probably the last one was the most 26 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 3: special one because it was at home in Rio. I mean, 27 00:01:17,310 --> 00:01:21,430 Speaker 3: you know, in front of all my family. And that's 28 00:01:21,470 --> 00:01:26,410 Speaker 3: probably the one, I mean, Olympics that it's always going 29 00:01:26,430 --> 00:01:28,890 Speaker 3: to be so special because it was at home. But, 30 00:01:29,390 --> 00:01:31,490 Speaker 3: you know, the others were great as well. My first 31 00:01:31,590 --> 00:01:35,530 Speaker 3: one was in Athens. in Greece, that's 2004, you know, 32 00:01:35,610 --> 00:01:38,970 Speaker 3: I was a very young kid, just happy to be there, 33 00:01:39,030 --> 00:01:41,090 Speaker 3: I did the whole thing, you know, stay in the 34 00:01:41,110 --> 00:01:45,539 Speaker 3: Olympic Village, you know, go with the delegation on the 35 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:48,900 Speaker 3: opening ceremony, and spend as much time as I could 36 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:53,420 Speaker 3: with other athletes that we knew, because, I mean, I 37 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:56,870 Speaker 3: was young, and these guys were superstars, and we had 38 00:01:56,890 --> 00:01:59,490 Speaker 3: the number one player in the world with Gustavo Quirten, 39 00:01:59,530 --> 00:02:01,430 Speaker 3: he was a Brazilian player as well, so that was 40 00:02:02,030 --> 00:02:06,130 Speaker 3: Also special, a lot of eyes were on the tennis 41 00:02:06,190 --> 00:02:09,030 Speaker 3: team at that time. And it was just great. 42 00:02:09,090 --> 00:02:09,900 Speaker 4: It was a great time. 43 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 3: It's very special to be part of it. The first one, 44 00:02:14,419 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 3: you always get the goosebumps. Because I didn't get in initially. 45 00:02:18,380 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 3: So when the first list came out, I wasn't in. 46 00:02:22,090 --> 00:02:24,830 Speaker 3: And then I made it in. And it was just 47 00:02:24,950 --> 00:02:26,750 Speaker 3: such a great surprise. And I'm just so happy to 48 00:02:26,790 --> 00:02:31,330 Speaker 3: be there. They made it so special. The second one 49 00:02:31,710 --> 00:02:32,370 Speaker 3: in Beijing. 50 00:02:33,050 --> 00:02:33,990 Speaker 4: It was also great. 51 00:02:34,050 --> 00:02:37,910 Speaker 3: I mean, the infrastructure there was amazing. The Chinese people 52 00:02:37,930 --> 00:02:41,890 Speaker 3: were so friendly and happy to welcome all the athletes. And, 53 00:02:41,950 --> 00:02:46,870 Speaker 3: you know, being the second one, playing doubles with Marcelo 54 00:02:46,930 --> 00:02:50,620 Speaker 3: Melo at the time, and we felt like we had 55 00:02:50,660 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 3: a good chance, a decent chance to go for a medal. 56 00:02:53,740 --> 00:02:56,959 Speaker 3: It didn't happen, but it was just a different mindset 57 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:01,169 Speaker 3: approaching that Olympics that we were so It was just 58 00:03:01,230 --> 00:03:04,010 Speaker 3: not about, you know, going to the open ceremony or 59 00:03:04,030 --> 00:03:06,550 Speaker 3: hanging out at the Olympic Village all the time. We 60 00:03:06,650 --> 00:03:12,170 Speaker 3: were much more focused. And then the third one in 61 00:03:12,169 --> 00:03:17,290 Speaker 3: 2012 in London at Wimbledon, that's very different as well 62 00:03:17,340 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 3: because usually you just go to a tennis venue somewhere. 63 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:24,380 Speaker 3: That's what happened in Athens and in Beijing. And then 64 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 3: to play at Wimbledon, it was just different. We were, 65 00:03:29,900 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 3: you know, we knew the place, we knew our way around, 66 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:34,620 Speaker 3: but at the same time, it was so different to 67 00:03:34,660 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 3: walk in there and see, you know, the whole place 68 00:03:38,340 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 3: dressed up in purple, which, you know, and then everyone can, 69 00:03:43,910 --> 00:03:47,510 Speaker 3: you know, wear the team uniforms and not the whites 70 00:03:47,590 --> 00:03:52,150 Speaker 3: that you're so used to. So that was a little shock, 71 00:03:52,910 --> 00:03:55,550 Speaker 3: but at the same time, it was a fun experience. 72 00:03:55,570 --> 00:03:56,470 Speaker 4: We had a tough draw. 73 00:03:56,510 --> 00:03:59,860 Speaker 3: We drew the Bryan brothers in the first round. on 74 00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:01,900 Speaker 3: grass so it wasn't I mean they were the best 75 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 3: team at the time and maybe the best team ever 76 00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:10,210 Speaker 3: that played and it wasn't you know it was quick 77 00:04:10,940 --> 00:04:14,110 Speaker 3: I guess to lose in the first round but you 78 00:04:14,130 --> 00:04:15,950 Speaker 3: know it was a close match it was good it 79 00:04:15,970 --> 00:04:18,710 Speaker 3: was fun and being part of the Brazilian team is 80 00:04:18,770 --> 00:04:20,549 Speaker 3: always special of course you. 81 00:04:20,450 --> 00:04:23,290 Speaker 1: Have a very unique experience and that you got to 82 00:04:23,370 --> 00:04:26,590 Speaker 1: play the Olympics in your home nation how much does 83 00:04:26,870 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: having an Olympic event change a city it. 84 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 4: Changes a lot. 85 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:32,720 Speaker 3: I mean, especially, you know, at that time I did 86 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,620 Speaker 3: not live in Rio, which was, I do now. It's 87 00:04:35,700 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 3: been living here for the last four years, but you 88 00:04:38,540 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 3: certainly can see the change. You can see the vibe 89 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:44,990 Speaker 3: is completely different. Uh, being, being Brazilian and being in 90 00:04:45,050 --> 00:04:48,390 Speaker 3: Rio many times before, because we have an ATP with 91 00:04:48,390 --> 00:04:51,729 Speaker 3: 500 here. Um, and, uh, and then you could just 92 00:04:51,790 --> 00:04:54,549 Speaker 3: feel the atmosphere was so different. A lot of foreigners, 93 00:04:54,610 --> 00:04:57,349 Speaker 3: a lot of, you know, people coming to see and, uh, 94 00:04:58,089 --> 00:05:01,890 Speaker 3: And our sport in tennis is usually individual, but when 95 00:05:01,910 --> 00:05:04,420 Speaker 3: you're part of the team and then when everyone is just, 96 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 3: you can tell that the people there, they're not tennis fans. 97 00:05:08,060 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 3: They just wanted to cheer for a Brazilian or a 98 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:15,219 Speaker 3: Brazilian team or a Brazilian pair or Brazilian player. So 99 00:05:15,260 --> 00:05:16,740 Speaker 3: the vibe and. 100 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:20,110 Speaker 4: The atmosphere was so different. And the city was buzzing. 101 00:05:20,350 --> 00:05:20,929 Speaker 4: It was buzzing. 102 00:05:21,070 --> 00:05:23,690 Speaker 3: Even, you know, in every Olympic, you know, the village 103 00:05:23,730 --> 00:05:26,590 Speaker 3: is far away. Sometimes the events are far away from 104 00:05:26,630 --> 00:05:29,570 Speaker 3: the center of the city, but you could still feel 105 00:05:29,589 --> 00:05:32,830 Speaker 3: the vibe and the TV and the coverage here for 106 00:05:32,850 --> 00:05:37,690 Speaker 3: the broadcasting. It's so intense. So then it's, yeah, it 107 00:05:37,790 --> 00:05:39,370 Speaker 3: was very, very special. 108 00:05:39,670 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 1: I feel like you've actually just answered my next question, actually, 109 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:47,659 Speaker 1: but I'll ask it anyway. Tennis at the Olympics, should 110 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: it be there? 111 00:05:48,500 --> 00:05:50,099 Speaker 3: It's a tough one. It's a tough one. 112 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:50,820 Speaker 4: I think yes. 113 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 3: I think the straight answer is yes. It's a very 114 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:58,779 Speaker 3: special moment for any athlete. And it's a massive deal 115 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:04,970 Speaker 3: for the sport to be part of the Olympics. So 116 00:06:05,010 --> 00:06:07,830 Speaker 3: then the answer is yes. Now, if we go deeper 117 00:06:07,890 --> 00:06:10,790 Speaker 3: and say, is it more important than a Grand Slam 118 00:06:10,870 --> 00:06:12,030 Speaker 3: or is it more important than. 119 00:06:12,089 --> 00:06:12,790 Speaker 4: The gold medal? 120 00:06:13,310 --> 00:06:16,529 Speaker 3: I think opinions vary. It depends on how you grew 121 00:06:16,690 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 3: up and the culture you're in. But they are both 122 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:21,200 Speaker 3: definitely very special. 123 00:06:21,700 --> 00:06:25,159 Speaker 1: And what, in your view, makes team tennis different? 124 00:06:25,500 --> 00:06:28,669 Speaker 3: Just the individuality of the sport. Like you have to 125 00:06:28,700 --> 00:06:31,310 Speaker 3: figure everything out on your own. You have to make decisions. 126 00:06:31,350 --> 00:06:35,190 Speaker 3: You have to, you know, challenge yourself all the time. 127 00:06:35,510 --> 00:06:38,010 Speaker 3: And then when it goes into a team environment like 128 00:06:38,050 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 3: the Olympics, it becomes, I think, more relaxed environment, to 129 00:06:41,890 --> 00:06:44,900 Speaker 3: be honest, because we are so used to being responsible 130 00:06:44,940 --> 00:06:47,340 Speaker 3: for everything, to having to figure out the whole thing, 131 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 3: our whole journey throughout every tournament. But once we get there, 132 00:06:50,980 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 3: we have a team manager, we have other teammates, part 133 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:58,260 Speaker 3: of the competition as well. And that makes it special. 134 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 3: But in tennis, it's just the competitiveness, you know, like 135 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:03,539 Speaker 3: being out there on your own for hours and hours, 136 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,980 Speaker 3: having to figure everything out. That's what makes it so special. 137 00:07:07,339 --> 00:07:10,380 Speaker 1: Team events have evolved in recent years. We now have 138 00:07:10,620 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 1: the Lever Cup and the United Cup. How much, in 139 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:17,239 Speaker 1: your view, has that changed the outlook on team events? 140 00:07:17,740 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 3: I think it changed to a positive thing. I think, 141 00:07:19,820 --> 00:07:22,750 Speaker 3: I mean, the experience we had with the United Cup, 142 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:26,620 Speaker 3: especially getting the feedback from players that I work at 143 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:31,140 Speaker 3: those events. The team bond, it's completely different now. I mean, 144 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 3: it never happened before that a man and a woman 145 00:07:33,660 --> 00:07:39,930 Speaker 3: could compete equal terms at one competition, you know, everything 146 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:44,650 Speaker 3: the same. So that made it really special for the sport. 147 00:07:45,310 --> 00:07:48,210 Speaker 3: And I can tell you, like the Italians. 148 00:07:48,150 --> 00:07:51,520 Speaker 4: Or the Germans or even the Greeks, they're like.... 149 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 3: We didn't really watch each other's matches like throughout the year. 150 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 3: We are from the same country. We probably share a 151 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:01,930 Speaker 3: lot of the same tournaments all along the year, but 152 00:08:02,530 --> 00:08:06,090 Speaker 3: we were never this close. And all of a sudden 153 00:08:06,190 --> 00:08:11,710 Speaker 3: you have Paulini watching Berrettini play and, you know, Zverev 154 00:08:11,750 --> 00:08:15,130 Speaker 3: and Kerber, the week after they go to Melbourne and 155 00:08:15,150 --> 00:08:18,530 Speaker 3: they're like sometimes practicing with each other. And that bond 156 00:08:18,850 --> 00:08:23,110 Speaker 3: really came together because of the United Cup. So that's 157 00:08:23,170 --> 00:08:26,790 Speaker 3: another positive thing and something special for the sport and 158 00:08:26,830 --> 00:08:27,350 Speaker 3: for the players. 159 00:08:28,110 --> 00:08:31,170 Speaker 1: And a great experience for the fans as well, I'm sure. 160 00:08:31,550 --> 00:08:34,290 Speaker 4: Oh, yeah, for sure. For sure. I mean, I remember 161 00:08:34,330 --> 00:08:34,949 Speaker 4: some matches. 162 00:08:34,990 --> 00:08:39,080 Speaker 3: We watched Greece against Italy, I think, last year. And 163 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:42,180 Speaker 3: it was like a Billie Jean King Cup match or 164 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,620 Speaker 3: a Davis Cup match. They were so intense. And Australia, 165 00:08:45,780 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 3: it brings that because there are so many internationals and 166 00:08:50,100 --> 00:08:53,979 Speaker 3: foreigners in Australia and in communities from every single country 167 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,559 Speaker 3: that play the United Cup. So the fans were so 168 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 3: excited to be able to see those players compete as 169 00:09:01,820 --> 00:09:02,140 Speaker 3: a team. 170 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:07,270 Speaker 1: For sure. Looking back on your tennis journey, what was it? 171 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 1: I know that I believe that you followed your brother 172 00:09:09,660 --> 00:09:12,790 Speaker 1: into tennis, but how did you start your professional journey? 173 00:09:13,170 --> 00:09:15,890 Speaker 3: My professional journey? Well, that's a long story. 174 00:09:15,929 --> 00:09:16,630 Speaker 4: I'll make it short. 175 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:19,860 Speaker 3: When I was 14, I moved to America to go 176 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 3: to a tennis academy in Florida. And then, of course, 177 00:09:23,620 --> 00:09:26,220 Speaker 3: when I finished high school, I had the decision to, well, 178 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:27,900 Speaker 3: do I go to college or do I try to 179 00:09:28,220 --> 00:09:31,630 Speaker 3: become a professional tennis player? And sitting down, I remember 180 00:09:31,670 --> 00:09:34,349 Speaker 3: sitting down with my parents and making that tough decision. 181 00:09:34,410 --> 00:09:38,790 Speaker 3: And I said, listen, let me try the professional way. 182 00:09:39,550 --> 00:09:42,650 Speaker 3: And I made a deal with my dad, like, you know, 183 00:09:42,670 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 3: let's try for one year if things work. are moving 184 00:09:46,260 --> 00:09:47,330 Speaker 3: in the right direction. 185 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:52,330 Speaker 4: We'll keep going. If not, then I'll turn around and 186 00:09:53,070 --> 00:09:53,630 Speaker 4: go to college. 187 00:09:53,650 --> 00:09:55,350 Speaker 3: But then this is 1996 and then 97, I started 188 00:09:55,390 --> 00:10:04,110 Speaker 3: playing better and then things started to connect. And then 189 00:10:04,390 --> 00:10:08,980 Speaker 3: I never stopped since. I'm happy my dad kept his 190 00:10:09,059 --> 00:10:11,140 Speaker 3: end of the deal. And he said, yeah, just keep going. 191 00:10:11,700 --> 00:10:15,060 Speaker 3: Keep going with your professional career. And that's basically how 192 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:18,109 Speaker 3: it started. And then that first year I finished in 193 00:10:18,130 --> 00:10:21,730 Speaker 3: the top 200 in the world in singles and start playing, 194 00:10:21,790 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 3: you know, bigger tournaments, start playing the qualifying of Grand Slams. 195 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,100 Speaker 3: And then, uh, yeah, never, never really turned back. And 196 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,540 Speaker 3: then when I was 31, I made the, I made 197 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:36,439 Speaker 3: the move to, to play doubles only. And that extended 198 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:39,809 Speaker 3: my career to another eight, nine years, which was, which 199 00:10:39,850 --> 00:10:42,170 Speaker 3: was great as well to have that longevity. 200 00:10:42,550 --> 00:10:46,100 Speaker 1: Wow, that's a great story. From that sort of decision 201 00:10:46,170 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 1: and that conversation with your dad, you went on to 202 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: reach a Wimbledon quarterfinal in singles and in doubles. You 203 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 1: were a top 20 player with seven titles. What do 204 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:56,100 Speaker 1: you look back on most fondly? 205 00:10:56,380 --> 00:10:59,610 Speaker 3: Well, I just think it's the relationships and the people 206 00:10:59,650 --> 00:11:02,870 Speaker 3: that I got to know through tennis. You know, I 207 00:11:02,910 --> 00:11:07,510 Speaker 3: understood right away, like not right away, but later on 208 00:11:07,530 --> 00:11:10,380 Speaker 3: in my career, like the platform, the tennis world, gives 209 00:11:10,420 --> 00:11:14,109 Speaker 3: you as, you know, as an ability to, to make 210 00:11:14,150 --> 00:11:16,710 Speaker 3: friends and to network with people from all over the 211 00:11:16,750 --> 00:11:20,530 Speaker 3: world and from all different cultures. So that was, that's 212 00:11:20,570 --> 00:11:23,070 Speaker 3: something that I really, when I look back, I say, 213 00:11:23,670 --> 00:11:25,530 Speaker 3: I'm so glad I got involved. You know, I was 214 00:11:25,550 --> 00:11:29,329 Speaker 3: there playing tennis, competing and, and having my career as a, 215 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:31,940 Speaker 3: as a tennis player. But at the same time, I 216 00:11:31,980 --> 00:11:35,860 Speaker 3: cherish so much that the, the friendships and the relationships 217 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:40,410 Speaker 3: and the people I got to know, uh, along that journey. 218 00:11:40,970 --> 00:11:43,679 Speaker 3: So I think that's the most special thing that I keep. 219 00:11:43,980 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 1: That journey, of course, continues for you. What's been your 220 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:51,740 Speaker 1: journey since retiring from the tour, now that you've stayed 221 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 1: in the sport? 222 00:11:53,220 --> 00:11:55,670 Speaker 3: I would say I was lucky enough to be recruited 223 00:11:55,730 --> 00:12:00,850 Speaker 3: by TA. When I stopped, I retired in my last season, 224 00:12:01,110 --> 00:12:04,990 Speaker 3: full season was 2017. 2018, I played a couple of tournaments, 225 00:12:05,050 --> 00:12:11,329 Speaker 3: but then after that, In 2019, I started with TA 226 00:12:11,650 --> 00:12:15,730 Speaker 3: on this play relations job that I still have today, 227 00:12:16,370 --> 00:12:20,470 Speaker 3: which is, it's challenging, but it's great. At the same time, 228 00:12:20,550 --> 00:12:22,850 Speaker 3: I still get to be in the tennis world around 229 00:12:23,350 --> 00:12:26,510 Speaker 3: the people that I know and a job that I 230 00:12:26,550 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 3: feel I can do, which, you know, is to bring 231 00:12:30,380 --> 00:12:35,900 Speaker 3: the players closer to Tennis Australia, keep the communications going 232 00:12:35,940 --> 00:12:40,620 Speaker 3: with them, the relationships going, so then we can improve 233 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:42,110 Speaker 3: our events in Australia. 234 00:12:42,770 --> 00:12:45,230 Speaker 1: What are you most looking forward to over the next 235 00:12:45,330 --> 00:12:47,449 Speaker 1: few months and leading into the Australian Open? 236 00:12:47,870 --> 00:12:49,190 Speaker 4: I think the whole summer of tennis. 237 00:12:49,230 --> 00:12:52,370 Speaker 3: Again, I mean, United Cup is getting better and better 238 00:12:52,510 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 3: every year. So we always look forward to that. I mean, 239 00:12:55,340 --> 00:12:57,220 Speaker 3: I think we got the format. 240 00:12:56,900 --> 00:12:58,500 Speaker 4: Right this year. 241 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:01,260 Speaker 3: So I think there's a massive chance that it's going 242 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:05,010 Speaker 3: to be even better in 2025. And then all of 243 00:13:05,050 --> 00:13:08,250 Speaker 3: the other challenges that we have and exciting things coming up, 244 00:13:08,390 --> 00:13:11,020 Speaker 3: opening week. Now it's going to be something great that 245 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:13,220 Speaker 3: we look forward to, you know, the week of qualities. 246 00:13:13,900 --> 00:13:16,980 Speaker 3: And then the big show, the big show, the AO. 247 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 3: I mean, every year, Craig wants us to become better 248 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 3: and to deliver a better experience to players. 249 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 4: And that's the plan. 250 00:13:26,020 --> 00:13:29,890 Speaker 3: And then just to make them feel so comfortable and 251 00:13:29,929 --> 00:13:32,130 Speaker 3: happy to be in Australia and be able to compete 252 00:13:32,550 --> 00:13:33,510 Speaker 3: the best way that they can. 253 00:13:34,140 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 1: Absolutely. Well, thank you, Andre. That sounds like a great 254 00:13:38,260 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: place for us to finish. It's been really great chatting 255 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:41,020 Speaker 1: with you today. 256 00:13:41,300 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 4: Thank you. Thanks again for inviting me. 257 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:45,500 Speaker 1: Thank you so much, Andre. Really appreciate that. 258 00:13:49,059 --> 00:13:51,350 Speaker 2: Well, Viv, congratulations. That was a great interview. I really 259 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 2: enjoyed listening to that. I got to chat to Andre 260 00:13:53,990 --> 00:13:56,990 Speaker 2: last year at Roland Garros when his fellow Brazilian Beatrice 261 00:13:57,010 --> 00:13:59,770 Speaker 2: Hadadmaia made her historic run to the semifinals. And I 262 00:13:59,809 --> 00:14:02,189 Speaker 2: remember just being really struck by how passionate he was 263 00:14:02,230 --> 00:14:04,910 Speaker 2: about tennis and him reliving kind of her journey and 264 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 2: his connection to that. And that passion came through in 265 00:14:07,500 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 2: the chat today as well. 266 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:08,860 Speaker 3: Yeah. 267 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 1: Thanks, Matt. I really enjoyed talking to Andre. I think 268 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:15,939 Speaker 1: he's built some really special relationships through tennis and we're 269 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:17,900 Speaker 1: lucky to have him still involved in the sport. 270 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:20,060 Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure. As always, we'll be back again next 271 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:22,700 Speaker 2: Monday with another episode of The Sit Down. And in 272 00:14:22,740 --> 00:14:24,700 Speaker 2: the meantime, don't forget to listen to John and the 273 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 2: team this Thursday on the AO Show Weekly. 274 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:29,220 Speaker 1: Details for how to contact us are in the show 275 00:14:29,260 --> 00:14:33,260 Speaker 1: notes and please subscribe, rate and review. See you next week, Matt. 276 00:14:33,350 --> 00:14:33,810 Speaker 1: See you then, Viv.