1 00:00:02,390 --> 00:00:04,990 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Sit Down. 2 00:00:05,269 --> 00:00:07,390 Speaker 1: I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for AusOpen.com. 3 00:00:07,710 --> 00:00:09,410 Speaker 2: And I'm Brie Stewart from The AO Show. 4 00:00:10,030 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 3: So, Matt, you sat down with Talia Gibson. 5 00:00:12,650 --> 00:00:14,220 Speaker 4: Tell me a little bit about why. 6 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, good timing, actually, because just today she hit a 7 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:21,260 Speaker 1: career-high ranking of world number 128. We chatted to her 8 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: because she's been tearing up the Australian Pro Tour. She's 9 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:26,590 Speaker 1: won three titles and she's on a 14-match winning streak. 10 00:00:26,630 --> 00:00:28,090 Speaker 1: So we wanted to kind of check in with her 11 00:00:28,630 --> 00:00:31,140 Speaker 1: and see what was clicking and as she makes a 12 00:00:31,180 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: big push towards the end of the season ahead of 13 00:00:33,500 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: the Australian Summer of Tennis. 14 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:35,700 Speaker 2: How exciting. 15 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 4: Let's go. 16 00:00:40,190 --> 00:00:43,309 Speaker 1: Talia Gibson, thanks so much for joining us today on 17 00:00:43,490 --> 00:00:43,949 Speaker 1: The Sit Down. 18 00:00:44,390 --> 00:00:45,890 Speaker 2: Thank you very much for having me. It's good to 19 00:00:45,930 --> 00:00:46,209 Speaker 2: be here. 20 00:00:46,590 --> 00:00:48,370 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's great to see you. Where in the world 21 00:00:48,390 --> 00:00:50,010 Speaker 1: do we find you right now and what are you doing? 22 00:00:50,530 --> 00:00:53,990 Speaker 2: I'm currently in Brisbane at the moment, just off the 23 00:00:54,030 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 2: back of coming back from Cairns and come back here 24 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,700 Speaker 2: to Brisbane again. to train for a couple of weeks 25 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 2: before heading off to Playford for the next tournament. 26 00:01:02,620 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 4: Okay, awesome. 27 00:01:03,620 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 1: Well, I kind of wanted to start the interview there 28 00:01:05,300 --> 00:01:07,220 Speaker 1: a bit because you're kind of a bit of a 29 00:01:07,260 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: woman of the moment in Australian tennis. You're on a 30 00:01:09,310 --> 00:01:12,490 Speaker 1: 14-match winning streak on the Pro Tour. You've won three 31 00:01:12,530 --> 00:01:15,310 Speaker 1: consecutive titles, Cairns, as you mentioned, and there were two 32 00:01:15,370 --> 00:01:17,990 Speaker 1: in Perth, I believe. What's clicking so well in your 33 00:01:18,010 --> 00:01:19,650 Speaker 1: game that's allowed you to have such good form? 34 00:01:20,350 --> 00:01:24,570 Speaker 2: Oh, that's a good question. I mean, I'm not sure 35 00:01:24,610 --> 00:01:27,400 Speaker 2: that I can really say, you know, there's something that's 36 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:31,980 Speaker 2: been clicking in particular, but I think just over the 37 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 2: past few months, been working really hard on and off 38 00:01:36,580 --> 00:01:41,050 Speaker 2: the court. And I think these last few weeks, I've 39 00:01:41,090 --> 00:01:45,210 Speaker 2: really been seeing a lot of that work sort of 40 00:01:45,270 --> 00:01:49,110 Speaker 2: paying off, which is, I think it's a really rewarding feeling. 41 00:01:49,570 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 2: And I have to, you know, pay a huge thanks 42 00:01:54,180 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 2: to my team and, you know, everyone behind me who's 43 00:01:56,860 --> 00:01:59,460 Speaker 2: supporting me, because I think you know, without them, I 44 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 2: certainly wouldn't be where I am and have had the 45 00:02:02,500 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 2: success that I have in the past few weeks. 46 00:02:05,220 --> 00:02:06,900 Speaker 1: Tennis is such an interesting one in that you've got 47 00:02:06,980 --> 00:02:09,019 Speaker 1: so many options when it comes to your schedule. There's 48 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 1: so many places you could be. There's always tournaments happening. 49 00:02:11,540 --> 00:02:14,340 Speaker 1: So you've chosen to compete on the Aussie Pro Tour. 50 00:02:14,380 --> 00:02:17,410 Speaker 1: What are you enjoying about this particular circuit of tournaments 51 00:02:17,450 --> 00:02:19,549 Speaker 1: and why is that your schedule? 52 00:02:20,330 --> 00:02:23,690 Speaker 2: Oh, I think, you know, from early in the year, 53 00:02:23,710 --> 00:02:27,290 Speaker 2: sort of a few months ago, we were probably planning to, 54 00:02:27,310 --> 00:02:30,590 Speaker 2: you know, stick to the Aussie swing. I think, you know, 55 00:02:30,630 --> 00:02:34,810 Speaker 2: it's always so comforting to be able to play at home, play. 56 00:02:34,940 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 2: And I think we're really lucky to have such a 57 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 2: schedule that we do in Australia. So I think, you know, 58 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,340 Speaker 2: you know, spend all year traveling around the world. I 59 00:02:45,380 --> 00:02:47,359 Speaker 2: think it's just nice sometimes to be able to just 60 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 2: come home and, you know, play a couple of tournaments. 61 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 2: And lucky enough for me, I was able to play 62 00:02:51,540 --> 00:02:53,980 Speaker 2: a couple of tournaments at home. But yeah, I think 63 00:02:54,020 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 2: just being in the comfort of your own country, you know, 64 00:02:58,460 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: it's really great. 65 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure. 66 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: And I guess with a bit of an eye towards 67 00:03:01,900 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 1: like December and January when the international circuit comes to Australia, 68 00:03:04,810 --> 00:03:06,810 Speaker 1: it's good to have been preparing there. 69 00:03:07,370 --> 00:03:08,109 Speaker 4: When's Playford? 70 00:03:08,610 --> 00:03:12,750 Speaker 2: So Playford is, it'll be starting not next week, but 71 00:03:12,770 --> 00:03:13,590 Speaker 2: the week after for me. 72 00:03:13,790 --> 00:03:14,590 Speaker 4: Okay. 73 00:03:14,630 --> 00:03:16,190 Speaker 2: So pretty much the start of the week, that's when 74 00:03:16,770 --> 00:03:19,829 Speaker 2: I'll be starting in Playford. So yeah, really looking forward 75 00:03:19,850 --> 00:03:23,510 Speaker 2: to that. I'm excited to see, you know, what I'm 76 00:03:23,550 --> 00:03:27,010 Speaker 2: able to bring to the court that week and hopefully 77 00:03:27,070 --> 00:03:29,790 Speaker 2: these couple weeks here in Brisbane, putting a lot of 78 00:03:29,830 --> 00:03:32,390 Speaker 2: work in on the practice court and hopefully I'm able 79 00:03:32,490 --> 00:03:35,050 Speaker 2: to see some results of that in Playford. 80 00:03:35,450 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 1: And what does, is Playford your last tournament for the 81 00:03:37,470 --> 00:03:39,540 Speaker 1: year or do you have any more on your schedule? 82 00:03:39,580 --> 00:03:40,660 Speaker 1: How does the rest of your year look? 83 00:03:41,380 --> 00:03:44,220 Speaker 2: So Playford's not the last tournament that I'll be playing. 84 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 2: I'll be planning on playing Playford at Sydney. So those 85 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,780 Speaker 2: two are back to back. Then I believe there's a 86 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,730 Speaker 2: week break And then there's going to be three tournaments 87 00:03:53,770 --> 00:03:57,630 Speaker 2: in Queensland. There's going to be one in Brisbane at 88 00:03:57,670 --> 00:04:00,030 Speaker 2: the Queensland Tennis Centre. Then there's going to be a 89 00:04:00,050 --> 00:04:01,910 Speaker 2: tournament in Caloundra. And then there's going to be one 90 00:04:01,930 --> 00:04:03,550 Speaker 2: in the Gold Coast. So I'm planning on playing all 91 00:04:03,590 --> 00:04:04,950 Speaker 2: of those at the moment. Okay. 92 00:04:05,070 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 1: Wow. I guess preparing for this interview and kind of 93 00:04:07,940 --> 00:04:11,660 Speaker 1: looking at what you've achieved lately on tour, there's quite 94 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,140 Speaker 1: a lot of impressive stats that you've got. And I 95 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:16,089 Speaker 1: just wondered if I was to read a couple to you, 96 00:04:17,020 --> 00:04:18,980 Speaker 1: I want to know which one you like the sound 97 00:04:19,020 --> 00:04:22,330 Speaker 1: of best. So this year, you've improved your ranking by 98 00:04:22,410 --> 00:04:25,930 Speaker 1: more than 100 places. In the last 12 months, you've 99 00:04:25,970 --> 00:04:29,190 Speaker 1: won more than 50 matches on the ITF circuit. And 100 00:04:29,450 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 1: in the past three seasons, you've reached 15 ITF singles finals, 101 00:04:33,190 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: and you've won more of them than you've lost. So 102 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 1: when you hear all of those great achievements, what are 103 00:04:38,420 --> 00:04:41,580 Speaker 1: you most proud of? Oh, I mean, it's... Or is 104 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: it something else that I've forgotten? 105 00:04:44,740 --> 00:04:46,669 Speaker 2: Honestly, you know, it's funny to hear that because it's, 106 00:04:47,100 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 2: not often that you sort of just take a moment 107 00:04:49,140 --> 00:04:51,850 Speaker 2: to actually look back at what you have achieved. Um, 108 00:04:51,900 --> 00:04:54,870 Speaker 2: I think so, so often you're looking forward at, you know, 109 00:04:54,930 --> 00:04:57,909 Speaker 2: what's next, what's the next tournament that I'm playing. Um, 110 00:04:58,230 --> 00:05:01,210 Speaker 2: and it's not often that, you know, personally, I really 111 00:05:01,230 --> 00:05:03,750 Speaker 2: look back and take a look at some of those stats. Um, 112 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:06,719 Speaker 2: so it's actually, thank you for, for saying that because 113 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,420 Speaker 2: it's actually really interesting to hear, but yeah, I think, 114 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 2: you know, just honestly really proud of the, um, the 115 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:16,300 Speaker 2: progress that I've made, you know, like you said, progress 116 00:05:16,339 --> 00:05:19,860 Speaker 2: that I've made through the rankings, you know, the amount 117 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 2: of finals that I've made in the last year. I 118 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,740 Speaker 2: think it's, yeah, like I said before, it's a really 119 00:05:25,820 --> 00:05:29,370 Speaker 2: rewarding feeling and, you know, setting myself goals all the 120 00:05:29,380 --> 00:05:31,510 Speaker 2: time of what I want to achieve. And I think 121 00:05:31,950 --> 00:05:34,270 Speaker 2: looking back now, I can, you know, tick off a 122 00:05:34,310 --> 00:05:36,450 Speaker 2: lot of goals that, you know, I wanted to achieve. 123 00:05:37,550 --> 00:05:42,050 Speaker 2: So I think it's, yeah, it's really exciting and I'm 124 00:05:42,150 --> 00:05:44,390 Speaker 2: super happy with how this year's gone. You know, I've 125 00:05:44,430 --> 00:05:49,580 Speaker 2: had so many really exciting experiences. Now I can say 126 00:05:49,620 --> 00:05:52,570 Speaker 2: that I've played all of the Grand Slams, which has 127 00:05:52,630 --> 00:05:55,529 Speaker 2: been a dream of mine since I was young. And 128 00:05:55,589 --> 00:05:58,250 Speaker 2: now to have been able to do that is just really, 129 00:05:58,270 --> 00:05:59,609 Speaker 2: really awesome. Couldn't be happier. 130 00:06:00,310 --> 00:06:01,690 Speaker 4: I was going to ask you about that, actually. 131 00:06:01,710 --> 00:06:05,450 Speaker 1: Those stats, I guess, we were talking about is predominantly 132 00:06:05,490 --> 00:06:07,390 Speaker 1: it relates to the RTF circuit. But yeah, you have 133 00:06:07,450 --> 00:06:10,580 Speaker 1: had that higher level success. And at Wimbledon and the 134 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:12,860 Speaker 1: US Open, you got within a round of the main draw. 135 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:14,599 Speaker 1: You won two rounds of qualifying. And I wondered what 136 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:18,500 Speaker 1: that particular experience was like playing on Saturday, like in 137 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 1: that kind of Grand Slam environment and doing as well 138 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:21,380 Speaker 1: as you did. 139 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 4: What did that do for your tennis? 140 00:06:23,660 --> 00:06:30,210 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was definitely something that I really learned a 141 00:06:30,230 --> 00:06:33,810 Speaker 2: lot from. I think, you know, up until this year, 142 00:06:34,190 --> 00:06:38,900 Speaker 2: I'd competed at the AO a couple of times, But 143 00:06:39,300 --> 00:06:42,180 Speaker 2: once you move to the Grand Slams out of Australia, 144 00:06:42,220 --> 00:06:44,339 Speaker 2: I think, you know, it can be quite different because, 145 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:47,770 Speaker 2: you know, at Australia, at your home Grand Slam, you have, 146 00:06:47,850 --> 00:06:51,850 Speaker 2: you know, so many people there, you know, supporting the Australians. 147 00:06:51,870 --> 00:06:54,390 Speaker 2: So and then moving on to the different Grand Slams, 148 00:06:54,450 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 2: it was really exciting to see, you know, what that environment, 149 00:06:57,740 --> 00:07:02,020 Speaker 2: you know, how it differs and everything. And then I think, 150 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 2: you trying to learn from, you know, everything that you experience, 151 00:07:06,260 --> 00:07:08,230 Speaker 2: you know, in the matches, you know, what it feels 152 00:07:08,250 --> 00:07:12,650 Speaker 2: like to be, you know, in those sorts of places. 153 00:07:13,510 --> 00:07:16,850 Speaker 2: So there was definitely a lot of things that I 154 00:07:16,890 --> 00:07:19,450 Speaker 2: learned and will definitely take into next year and hopefully 155 00:07:20,410 --> 00:07:21,830 Speaker 2: bring out, you know, better performances. 156 00:07:22,430 --> 00:07:24,630 Speaker 1: You may have mentioned of goals before, and it sounds 157 00:07:24,650 --> 00:07:27,010 Speaker 1: like you're quite goal-oriented and that it's been rewarding hitting 158 00:07:27,050 --> 00:07:29,250 Speaker 1: those steps you've made for yourself. Do you share the 159 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 1: goals or do you kind of keep them close to 160 00:07:30,700 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 1: your chest and private and then you talk about them 161 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:34,179 Speaker 1: like after the fact? 162 00:07:35,140 --> 00:07:38,140 Speaker 2: I think it's definitely something that I share. I think, 163 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:41,860 Speaker 2: you know, everyone has probably their own little goals that, 164 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:44,740 Speaker 2: you know, they might keep to themselves. But I think, 165 00:07:44,780 --> 00:07:47,700 Speaker 2: you know, my goals, they're not only my goals, but they're, 166 00:07:47,730 --> 00:07:50,330 Speaker 2: you know, my team's goals, you know, everyone around me 167 00:07:50,350 --> 00:07:52,990 Speaker 2: who's supporting me, you know, those are the things that, 168 00:07:53,650 --> 00:07:56,470 Speaker 2: you know, they know what I want to achieve. And 169 00:07:56,530 --> 00:07:59,710 Speaker 2: I think... it's really important for me to be communicating 170 00:07:59,730 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: those goals so that we can do everything that we 171 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:03,300 Speaker 2: can to try and reach them. 172 00:08:03,820 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 4: So what do you want to achieve? 173 00:08:07,940 --> 00:08:10,760 Speaker 2: I really want to achieve, you know, being the best 174 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:13,140 Speaker 2: that I can be. I would say that I don't 175 00:08:13,180 --> 00:08:16,110 Speaker 2: really like to put, you know, a number on that 176 00:08:16,140 --> 00:08:18,950 Speaker 2: or anything, but I think, you know, just trying to 177 00:08:19,890 --> 00:08:22,630 Speaker 2: be the best person that I can be and, you know, 178 00:08:22,750 --> 00:08:25,370 Speaker 2: be the best player that I can be is, you know, 179 00:08:25,410 --> 00:08:26,940 Speaker 2: the end goal for me. Nice. 180 00:08:27,100 --> 00:08:27,500 Speaker 4: That's good. 181 00:08:28,060 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 1: Not everyone that's listening to this chat might have actually 182 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,860 Speaker 1: ever seen you play. How would you describe your playing 183 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 1: style and your approach to tennis? 184 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:37,660 Speaker 2: I would say that I have a very aggressive game 185 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,559 Speaker 2: and I think everyone would agree with that. I think 186 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,199 Speaker 2: it's pretty obvious how I play. But yeah, no, that's 187 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:50,179 Speaker 2: something that I'm continually working on, trying to add more 188 00:08:50,220 --> 00:08:54,369 Speaker 2: dimensions to my game. Um, I've always been quite an 189 00:08:54,410 --> 00:08:57,829 Speaker 2: aggressive player, you know, from the baseline, but yeah. And 190 00:08:57,850 --> 00:09:00,610 Speaker 2: the last few years really trying to improve on that and, 191 00:09:01,090 --> 00:09:03,270 Speaker 2: you know, add aspects that are really going to compliment, 192 00:09:03,530 --> 00:09:05,890 Speaker 2: compliment that, um, down the track. Nice. 193 00:09:06,210 --> 00:09:08,949 Speaker 1: And did you always have that style when you started? Yeah. 194 00:09:09,030 --> 00:09:12,630 Speaker 2: I mean, since I can remember, um, yeah, I can't 195 00:09:12,670 --> 00:09:15,030 Speaker 2: remember playing any different. Um, but yeah, it's always been 196 00:09:15,070 --> 00:09:18,390 Speaker 2: my game style. It's, um, it's just, yeah, how I 197 00:09:18,429 --> 00:09:19,189 Speaker 2: grew up playing really. 198 00:09:19,660 --> 00:09:21,620 Speaker 1: And how did you get into the game and where 199 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:23,949 Speaker 1: did you first discover it? And then obviously you loved 200 00:09:23,990 --> 00:09:24,970 Speaker 1: it enough to keep pursuing it. 201 00:09:25,260 --> 00:09:27,730 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely. Well, I started playing tennis when I was 202 00:09:27,770 --> 00:09:31,430 Speaker 2: five years old. My family does have a little bit 203 00:09:31,450 --> 00:09:34,829 Speaker 2: of background in tennis. Both my parents did play a 204 00:09:34,970 --> 00:09:37,690 Speaker 2: little bit of tennis sort of just socially. And so 205 00:09:37,710 --> 00:09:42,690 Speaker 2: they thought that tennis was going to be a good 206 00:09:43,390 --> 00:09:46,510 Speaker 2: sport to sort of get me into. It has a 207 00:09:46,570 --> 00:09:50,719 Speaker 2: great social aspect. Um, and yeah, from as soon as 208 00:09:50,780 --> 00:09:52,780 Speaker 2: I started playing, I just really enjoyed it and yeah, 209 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:53,670 Speaker 2: it just took off from there. 210 00:09:54,350 --> 00:09:57,570 Speaker 1: Nice. It's interesting talking to a lot of players. It's 211 00:09:57,590 --> 00:09:58,910 Speaker 1: kind of a bit of a mixed bag as to 212 00:09:58,929 --> 00:10:01,140 Speaker 1: like how many of them were like massive tennis fans 213 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:02,900 Speaker 1: when they were growing up and continue to watch it 214 00:10:03,340 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: even like in their career. Or some of them are like, 215 00:10:05,380 --> 00:10:07,099 Speaker 1: I actually don't watch that much tennis. Like I didn't 216 00:10:07,140 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: have idols growing up and I need to get. 217 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:09,010 Speaker 4: Away from it. 218 00:10:09,690 --> 00:10:11,849 Speaker 1: Like, did you have inspirations? Where do you sit on 219 00:10:11,870 --> 00:10:12,450 Speaker 1: that spectrum? 220 00:10:13,210 --> 00:10:16,309 Speaker 2: I think just honestly having a love for the game, really. 221 00:10:16,330 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 2: You know, I wouldn't say there was anyone in particular 222 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 2: who really was the person who, you know, inspired me 223 00:10:25,059 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 2: or anything. But yeah, just watching the variety of players 224 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:32,170 Speaker 2: on tour and, you know, what they bring to the game. And, 225 00:10:32,210 --> 00:10:35,830 Speaker 2: you know, I think tennis is such an amazing sport. 226 00:10:36,130 --> 00:10:39,130 Speaker 2: You know, where I'm from, there was a massive tennis community. 227 00:10:39,150 --> 00:10:41,770 Speaker 2: So it was just always something that, you know, I 228 00:10:41,830 --> 00:10:43,590 Speaker 2: love to watch and I love to play and was 229 00:10:43,610 --> 00:10:44,620 Speaker 2: always really involved with. 230 00:10:45,100 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 1: Was it the Australian Open or were you one of 231 00:10:46,820 --> 00:10:49,270 Speaker 1: the people that also sat up Like, I remember my 232 00:10:49,309 --> 00:10:51,990 Speaker 1: tennis experience. I've got, you know, sitting up at two 233 00:10:52,070 --> 00:10:54,090 Speaker 1: or three in the morning watching the French Open at Wimbledon. 234 00:10:54,110 --> 00:10:56,870 Speaker 1: Were you one of those people too? 235 00:10:57,030 --> 00:10:59,950 Speaker 2: I think definitely to an extent. Yeah, always loved watching 236 00:10:59,970 --> 00:11:03,630 Speaker 2: the Grand Slams on TV. That was always, you know, 237 00:11:03,650 --> 00:11:05,970 Speaker 2: a great time of the year when one of those 238 00:11:06,090 --> 00:11:09,870 Speaker 2: came around. So, yeah, definitely grew up watching, you know, 239 00:11:10,010 --> 00:11:15,270 Speaker 2: a lot of those matches on television. And I think, yeah, 240 00:11:15,340 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 2: I mean, watching tennis... There's so much to learn. So 241 00:11:18,740 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 2: I think that was definitely something that I really loved 242 00:11:23,350 --> 00:11:25,970 Speaker 2: about watching those Grand Slam matches. 243 00:11:26,290 --> 00:11:28,489 Speaker 4: A bit of homework as well as entertainment, which is good. 244 00:11:28,510 --> 00:11:29,210 Speaker 2: Yes, definitely. 245 00:11:30,410 --> 00:11:32,610 Speaker 1: I wanted to talk to you about your coach, Cody George, 246 00:11:32,809 --> 00:11:35,650 Speaker 1: because in tennis, in pro tennis, it's actually comparatively rare 247 00:11:35,670 --> 00:11:38,390 Speaker 1: to have a female coach, particularly on the men's side. 248 00:11:38,410 --> 00:11:41,079 Speaker 1: But on the women's side too, yeah, they're not super common. 249 00:11:41,510 --> 00:11:43,439 Speaker 1: What's it like working with her and what she brought 250 00:11:43,460 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 1: to your game? 251 00:11:44,340 --> 00:11:47,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's really awesome to be working with Cody. I've 252 00:11:47,500 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 2: known her for quite a few years now, met her 253 00:11:50,380 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 2: a few years ago when she was working with TA. 254 00:11:54,940 --> 00:11:58,990 Speaker 2: And yeah, it was really exciting to find out that 255 00:11:59,090 --> 00:12:00,530 Speaker 2: I was going to be able to work with her. 256 00:12:01,490 --> 00:12:07,969 Speaker 2: She's such an amazing coach. She's put so much time 257 00:12:09,050 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 2: into working with me, traveling with me. I don't think 258 00:12:12,770 --> 00:12:15,560 Speaker 2: she could have traveled with me really anymore, you know, 259 00:12:15,580 --> 00:12:17,700 Speaker 2: in the last couple of years since I started working 260 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:22,069 Speaker 2: with her. So just super, super grateful for that. And, 261 00:12:22,140 --> 00:12:24,050 Speaker 2: you know, I've learned so many things from her and 262 00:12:24,450 --> 00:12:27,770 Speaker 2: I really look forward to, you know, continuing to work 263 00:12:27,790 --> 00:12:29,150 Speaker 2: with her, you know, as long as possible. 264 00:12:29,950 --> 00:12:32,090 Speaker 1: Well, she speaks really glowingly of you as well. One 265 00:12:32,130 --> 00:12:34,929 Speaker 1: of our colleagues, Lee Rogers, spoke to her at the 266 00:12:34,970 --> 00:12:37,750 Speaker 1: Billie Jean King Cup tie in April in Brisbane. And 267 00:12:37,809 --> 00:12:40,150 Speaker 1: she said in that article that Talia has made a 268 00:12:40,309 --> 00:12:43,309 Speaker 1: conscious effort to step up her physicality, intensity and intent 269 00:12:43,660 --> 00:12:46,110 Speaker 1: And in doing so has made lots of improvements. So 270 00:12:46,170 --> 00:12:49,210 Speaker 1: I wondered, I found that really interesting. What prompted this 271 00:12:49,250 --> 00:12:52,650 Speaker 1: conscious effort from you and why were those things your focus? 272 00:12:53,230 --> 00:12:56,229 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it definitely was a big part of 273 00:12:56,270 --> 00:12:57,210 Speaker 2: that was from Cody. 274 00:12:57,330 --> 00:12:58,010 Speaker 4: Okay. 275 00:12:58,050 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 2: There's, you know, been a lot of lessons that I've 276 00:13:00,300 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 2: had to learn in those things. And she was definitely 277 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 2: the biggest voice that was driving me to improve all 278 00:13:10,140 --> 00:13:10,679 Speaker 2: of those things. 279 00:13:11,300 --> 00:13:13,250 Speaker 1: We've obviously talked a lot about you as a tennis 280 00:13:13,260 --> 00:13:16,030 Speaker 1: player and your relationship with the game and what you've 281 00:13:16,050 --> 00:13:18,310 Speaker 1: been achieving. What would you like people to know about 282 00:13:18,350 --> 00:13:20,270 Speaker 1: you more as a person off the court? 283 00:13:21,230 --> 00:13:25,550 Speaker 2: That's a good question. I would say that I'm a 284 00:13:25,590 --> 00:13:29,470 Speaker 2: pretty easygoing person, to be honest. I love spending time 285 00:13:29,490 --> 00:13:35,110 Speaker 2: with family and friends, love going to the beach. Nothing 286 00:13:35,530 --> 00:13:39,070 Speaker 2: really out of the ordinary, I'd say, that people don't 287 00:13:39,110 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 2: really know about me. But yeah, you know, I just, 288 00:13:43,660 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 2: when I can, I think that's my biggest love is, yeah, 289 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 2: just spending time with friends of mine because, you know, 290 00:13:49,500 --> 00:13:51,380 Speaker 2: sometimes on tour, you know, it can be a little 291 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:54,930 Speaker 2: bit lonely at times, you know, always with them. So yeah, 292 00:13:55,150 --> 00:13:57,410 Speaker 2: when I get those chances, I definitely take them. 293 00:13:58,090 --> 00:14:00,370 Speaker 1: How do, yeah, now that you're kind of transitioning to 294 00:14:00,390 --> 00:14:03,110 Speaker 1: a pro career and you're spending more time travelling overseas, 295 00:14:03,190 --> 00:14:05,310 Speaker 1: how are you kind of, it can be lonely. 296 00:14:05,370 --> 00:14:06,460 Speaker 4: Lots of players talk about that. 297 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:08,220 Speaker 1: So what are your kind of strategies and things that 298 00:14:08,260 --> 00:14:10,780 Speaker 1: you do to help you on those big chunks of 299 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: time on the road? 300 00:14:12,650 --> 00:14:17,660 Speaker 2: I think one of the things is keeping in contact 301 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:21,900 Speaker 2: with everybody all the time. I think it can be 302 00:14:21,940 --> 00:14:26,780 Speaker 2: sometimes a little bit overwhelming with how busy the schedule 303 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:30,430 Speaker 2: can be. But when I have the downtime, really trying 304 00:14:30,450 --> 00:14:33,990 Speaker 2: to keep connecting with everyone who isn't there with me. 305 00:14:34,430 --> 00:14:36,730 Speaker 2: But also I think sometimes it's nice to have a 306 00:14:36,750 --> 00:14:39,890 Speaker 2: bit of downtime to yourself. You spend a lot of 307 00:14:39,910 --> 00:14:43,670 Speaker 2: time at the courts and around a lot of people sometimes. 308 00:14:43,750 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 2: So I know for myself, I like to sort of 309 00:14:47,010 --> 00:14:48,660 Speaker 2: just have some quiet time sometimes. 310 00:14:49,300 --> 00:14:49,540 Speaker 1: Oh yeah. 311 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 4: I totally understand that. I would do that too. 312 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:54,100 Speaker 1: I'd be like, yeah, I've been interacting with people enough. 313 00:14:54,340 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: I need my own time. Oh, and when you were 314 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:00,030 Speaker 1: in Australia, so you're obviously training in Brisbane at the moment, 315 00:15:00,050 --> 00:15:02,010 Speaker 1: but you're from Perth. Are you based in Brisbane or Perth? 316 00:15:02,350 --> 00:15:05,230 Speaker 2: I'm based in Brisbane. Yeah. I've been training at the 317 00:15:05,790 --> 00:15:08,170 Speaker 2: National Tennis Academy in Brisbane for the last couple of years, 318 00:15:08,630 --> 00:15:11,030 Speaker 2: which has been really awesome. But yes, I am from Perth. 319 00:15:11,550 --> 00:15:14,390 Speaker 2: That is my home, but Brisbane is my home away 320 00:15:14,460 --> 00:15:15,100 Speaker 2: from my home. 321 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,300 Speaker 1: So have you liked Brisbane, like getting there and getting 322 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:18,920 Speaker 1: to know a new city? 323 00:15:18,940 --> 00:15:22,180 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's been super awesome. I think the environment that 324 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 2: Tennis Australia has created in Brisbane is really, really awesome. 325 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:30,690 Speaker 2: There's so many people working to create a really supportive 326 00:15:30,730 --> 00:15:34,170 Speaker 2: environment and I think that, you know, I always have 327 00:15:34,630 --> 00:15:36,859 Speaker 2: such a great time when I'm in Brisbane. Awesome. 328 00:15:36,890 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's a great city. I enjoy visiting there too. 329 00:15:38,940 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 2: Yeah. 330 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 4: I've just got a couple more, Talia. 331 00:15:41,420 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 1: I've noticed in the live rankings you're back inside the 332 00:15:44,180 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: top 130, so I'm not sure how official that is, 333 00:15:46,020 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 1: but I know your career high ranking is 129. But 334 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,020 Speaker 1: being in that area of the rankings kind of puts 335 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:53,989 Speaker 1: you not that far away from direct entry into the 336 00:15:54,030 --> 00:15:57,830 Speaker 1: Australian Open. And so is that a goal, thinking ahead 337 00:15:57,850 --> 00:16:00,410 Speaker 1: to the upcoming Aussie summer, you know, and the entry 338 00:16:00,450 --> 00:16:01,190 Speaker 1: deadline being December? 339 00:16:02,050 --> 00:16:07,650 Speaker 2: Yes, I think direct entry into a Grand Slam is 340 00:16:08,210 --> 00:16:11,290 Speaker 2: probably one of my biggest goals. I think it's definitely 341 00:16:11,340 --> 00:16:14,340 Speaker 2: a milestone. But I think at the moment, you know, 342 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:18,620 Speaker 2: having just played all of the Grand Slams this year 343 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 2: and having gotten into them off of my own ranking, 344 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:23,980 Speaker 2: I think that was already a huge step forward for 345 00:16:24,020 --> 00:16:27,180 Speaker 2: me and something that was really exciting. So I think 346 00:16:27,220 --> 00:16:30,380 Speaker 2: moving forward, you know, it can be hard to break 347 00:16:30,460 --> 00:16:33,750 Speaker 2: that top 100 But for the moment, I think, you know, 348 00:16:33,770 --> 00:16:37,070 Speaker 2: really focusing on my game and really trying to progress 349 00:16:37,110 --> 00:16:40,070 Speaker 2: as much as possible. And I think the results can come. And, 350 00:16:40,090 --> 00:16:43,190 Speaker 2: you know, I think the rankings is obviously a result 351 00:16:43,230 --> 00:16:47,220 Speaker 2: of that. So, yeah, I would say that it's exciting 352 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 2: to see where I am in the rankings right now. 353 00:16:48,980 --> 00:16:54,020 Speaker 2: But that's probably not something that I'm really, really focusing on. 354 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 2: And I think sometimes it can get a little bit distracting. 355 00:16:57,220 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 2: But at the end of the day, yeah, you know, 356 00:16:59,660 --> 00:17:01,960 Speaker 2: something like that would be so amazing to achieve. 357 00:17:02,610 --> 00:17:05,340 Speaker 1: Is it helpful at all that quite a few young 358 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:08,639 Speaker 1: Aussie girls around you are doing similar? So we've just 359 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:10,980 Speaker 1: seen Gidecki break into the top 100. You've got my 360 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,140 Speaker 1: joint just ahead of you. Dash is just outside. Kim 361 00:17:14,180 --> 00:17:16,010 Speaker 1: Birrell's not a similar ranking to you. 362 00:17:16,050 --> 00:17:16,630 Speaker 4: You're there. 363 00:17:16,990 --> 00:17:18,850 Speaker 1: Everyone's kind of inching closer. So when you're in a 364 00:17:18,869 --> 00:17:21,409 Speaker 1: group of five or six, do you take inspiration from 365 00:17:21,430 --> 00:17:23,690 Speaker 1: that or kind of does that help pull you all along? 366 00:17:24,490 --> 00:17:27,340 Speaker 2: Absolutely. I think it's really uplifting, you know, when you 367 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:30,470 Speaker 2: see so many of her friends and fellow Aussies doing 368 00:17:30,510 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 2: so well. Yeah, I think a lot of us really 369 00:17:34,619 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 2: take a lot of encouragement from that and I think 370 00:17:37,140 --> 00:17:39,820 Speaker 2: we're all super, super supportive of each other as well, 371 00:17:39,859 --> 00:17:41,900 Speaker 2: which I think plays a huge part in that. 372 00:17:42,460 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 1: And I've got one last one for you, slightly abstract, 373 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,159 Speaker 1: but say we were doing this podcast interview at the 374 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,199 Speaker 1: same time next year, we're talking 12 months away, and 375 00:17:50,380 --> 00:17:54,530 Speaker 1: I asked you what would make a successful 2025, what 376 00:17:54,570 --> 00:17:54,950 Speaker 1: might you say? 377 00:17:56,210 --> 00:18:00,160 Speaker 2: I think probably... The first thing I'd say is to 378 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 2: qualify in the Grand Slam would be a massive achievement 379 00:18:05,820 --> 00:18:08,899 Speaker 2: and something that, you know, I was quite close to 380 00:18:08,940 --> 00:18:12,670 Speaker 2: doing in Wimbledon in the US Open. So I think, yeah, 381 00:18:12,970 --> 00:18:16,609 Speaker 2: definitely that. And then also, yeah, I mean, top 100 is, 382 00:18:17,230 --> 00:18:20,629 Speaker 2: you know, such a top goal for me. So something 383 00:18:20,670 --> 00:18:22,850 Speaker 2: like that also. But, you know, at the end of 384 00:18:22,869 --> 00:18:26,230 Speaker 2: the day, if it's this time next year and I 385 00:18:26,250 --> 00:18:29,900 Speaker 2: look back and I've grown so much as a person, 386 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:34,660 Speaker 2: but also progressed, developed my game a huge amount as well. 387 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:36,880 Speaker 2: I'm going to be so happy with that. Yeah. 388 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,100 Speaker 4: And then obviously the rest can take care of itself. 389 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:40,440 Speaker 2: Yes, it can. 390 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:43,790 Speaker 1: Well, that's amazing. Thanks so much for chatting to us, Tali. 391 00:18:43,810 --> 00:18:45,550 Speaker 1: I really appreciate it. I'm glad we got you in 392 00:18:45,590 --> 00:18:47,889 Speaker 1: a little bit of downtime between your busy tournament schedule. 393 00:18:47,930 --> 00:18:50,629 Speaker 1: It sounds like there's some more exciting tournaments coming up 394 00:18:50,670 --> 00:18:54,619 Speaker 1: for you. And yeah, congratulations on everything you've done this year. 395 00:18:54,630 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: It's been really cool to watch your progress and we'll 396 00:18:57,119 --> 00:18:59,510 Speaker 1: look forward to seeing you here in Melbourne in January, 397 00:18:59,550 --> 00:18:59,870 Speaker 1: I guess. 398 00:19:00,010 --> 00:19:02,889 Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you very much for having me. I really appreciate. 399 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:06,220 Speaker 1: It. 400 00:19:06,260 --> 00:19:09,660 Speaker 3: Matt, what an amazing young athlete. To hear you rattle 401 00:19:09,700 --> 00:19:12,180 Speaker 3: off those stats to her, which sounded like she didn't 402 00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:16,920 Speaker 3: know or have heard them before, but 15 ITF singles, finals, 403 00:19:17,010 --> 00:19:18,770 Speaker 3: and she's won more than she's lost. 404 00:19:19,830 --> 00:19:22,790 Speaker 2: What's next for her? She sounds like she's a powerhouse. 405 00:19:22,950 --> 00:19:23,290 Speaker 2: She does. 406 00:19:23,369 --> 00:19:25,750 Speaker 1: And she sounds like someone that was really goal oriented. 407 00:19:25,810 --> 00:19:28,060 Speaker 1: I kind of, that came across in the chat. And 408 00:19:28,220 --> 00:19:30,619 Speaker 1: I guess, yeah, we talked about it with her. Being 409 00:19:30,660 --> 00:19:34,439 Speaker 1: in this ranking bracket now inside the top 130, she's, 410 00:19:34,580 --> 00:19:37,350 Speaker 1: you know, 20 or 30 spots out of being in that, like, 411 00:19:37,460 --> 00:19:39,770 Speaker 1: main draw cutoff for Grand Slams. And it sounds like 412 00:19:39,790 --> 00:19:42,930 Speaker 1: that's very much a goal for her, that ranking bracket 413 00:19:42,950 --> 00:19:46,850 Speaker 1: or cutoff and that top 100 ranking. Very achievable and 414 00:19:46,869 --> 00:19:48,649 Speaker 1: very much in her sights going into 2025. 415 00:19:48,650 --> 00:19:49,230 Speaker 4: It looks like it. 416 00:19:49,930 --> 00:19:51,770 Speaker 3: Looking at her rankings today. 417 00:19:51,790 --> 00:19:52,450 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely. 418 00:19:52,470 --> 00:19:56,300 Speaker 3: It looks like potentially some grand slams are very much 419 00:19:56,340 --> 00:19:58,860 Speaker 3: in her future, but what an amazing chat that was. 420 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:00,470 Speaker 4: Oh, thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. 421 00:20:00,700 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 2: I did. 422 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:02,919 Speaker 1: We're going to have another episode next week of The 423 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:04,560 Speaker 1: Sit Down and we'll be bringing you a chat that 424 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:07,200 Speaker 1: we had with Jaslyn Hewitt. So looking forward to bringing 425 00:20:07,220 --> 00:20:07,379 Speaker 1: you that. 426 00:20:07,460 --> 00:20:07,700 Speaker 2: Amazing. 427 00:20:08,260 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 1: And in the meantime, we can listen to you and 428 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:13,380 Speaker 1: John and the team on the AO Show Weekly this Thursday. 429 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:15,700 Speaker 1: Details for how to contact us on the sit down 430 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 1: are in the show notes below. And as we always ask, 431 00:20:17,740 --> 00:20:19,340 Speaker 1: please subscribe, rate and review. 432 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:21,480 Speaker 4: Viv will be back with us next Monday. 433 00:20:21,530 --> 00:20:23,190 Speaker 1: But for the time being, we'll see you soon, bro. 434 00:20:23,590 --> 00:20:25,090 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me. See you later.