1 00:00:02,290 --> 00:00:05,180 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Sit Down. 2 00:00:05,440 --> 00:00:07,620 Speaker 1: I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for AusOpen.com. 3 00:00:07,820 --> 00:00:11,740 Speaker 2: And I'm Viv Christie, Australian Tennis Magazine Managing Editor. And Matt, 4 00:00:11,960 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 2: as attention turns from clay to grass, we caught up 5 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:17,259 Speaker 2: with Stephen Farrow. Tell us more about that interview. 6 00:00:17,460 --> 00:00:19,860 Speaker 1: Yeah, so Stephen is a former tournament director of the 7 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,700 Speaker 1: Queen's Club Championships and is now tournament director of the 8 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:25,759 Speaker 1: United Cup. So it was really interesting hearing his experiences 9 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: going from such a traditional historic event like Queen's to 10 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:31,580 Speaker 1: a new innovative event on the calendar in the United Cup. 11 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:33,780 Speaker 1: And as well, we got to talk to him about 12 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:36,140 Speaker 1: tennis in the UK, tennis on grass, and some of 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:37,780 Speaker 1: his highlights working in that space. 14 00:00:41,150 --> 00:00:43,650 Speaker 2: Perhaps you could start by taking us back to your 15 00:00:43,790 --> 00:00:45,470 Speaker 2: very first start in tennis. 16 00:00:46,370 --> 00:00:49,670 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I qualified as a lawyer many, many years 17 00:00:49,729 --> 00:00:52,450 Speaker 3: ago and went to work for the Lawn Tennis Association 18 00:00:52,470 --> 00:00:54,270 Speaker 3: in the UK, so it's the governing body of tennis 19 00:00:54,450 --> 00:00:58,910 Speaker 3: over there, and became very heavily involved in the events 20 00:00:58,950 --> 00:01:02,990 Speaker 3: side of the business. The LTA runs primarily in terms 21 00:01:03,010 --> 00:01:06,070 Speaker 3: of professional events, all the pre-Wimbledon tournaments. We have some, well, 22 00:01:06,110 --> 00:01:07,929 Speaker 3: they have some sort of role at Wimbledon as well, 23 00:01:07,950 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 3: but it's primarily about those events. And just over time, 24 00:01:12,140 --> 00:01:14,819 Speaker 3: ended up getting more and more involved and was very 25 00:01:14,860 --> 00:01:16,980 Speaker 3: close with Chris Kermode, who was the tournament director of 26 00:01:17,020 --> 00:01:18,740 Speaker 3: Queen's for many years, went on to run the ATP. 27 00:01:19,140 --> 00:01:21,500 Speaker 3: When he moved on to run the ATP, I was 28 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:24,180 Speaker 3: asked to take over at Queen's. And then over time, 29 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,560 Speaker 3: that expanded to the rest of the LTA's tournaments as well. 30 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:29,610 Speaker 2: The grass court season is a very unique time of 31 00:01:29,650 --> 00:01:33,110 Speaker 2: the year. What in your opinion, sets grass court tennis apart? 32 00:01:34,750 --> 00:01:38,670 Speaker 3: For me, it's the sense of heritage and history and 33 00:01:38,709 --> 00:01:42,810 Speaker 3: the romance and visually it looks so different. And if 34 00:01:42,830 --> 00:01:45,550 Speaker 3: you look at the places where it's played back in 35 00:01:45,569 --> 00:01:47,530 Speaker 3: the UK and also there's some great events now in 36 00:01:47,550 --> 00:01:51,490 Speaker 3: Germany and Holland and Spain as well, often they take 37 00:01:51,530 --> 00:01:55,470 Speaker 3: place in clubs, Wimbledon obviously being the biggest one of all, 38 00:01:56,410 --> 00:02:00,550 Speaker 3: Queen's being another one. And there is just that sort 39 00:02:00,570 --> 00:02:03,170 Speaker 3: of that sense of history, which I think grass court 40 00:02:03,190 --> 00:02:04,230 Speaker 3: tennis really brings. 41 00:02:05,270 --> 00:02:09,260 Speaker 4: And it's where tennis started as well. You look at the. 42 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 3: Tennis Australia was previously the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia. 43 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:16,119 Speaker 3: ITF was the International Lawn Tennis Federation. And so there 44 00:02:16,160 --> 00:02:18,380 Speaker 3: is that sense of connection with the roots of tennis, 45 00:02:18,460 --> 00:02:20,180 Speaker 3: which sort of sets it apart. And also in terms 46 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:23,310 Speaker 3: of what it's like to experience and watch as well. 47 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:27,090 Speaker 4: It's quick. It's a bit more unpredictable. 48 00:02:28,070 --> 00:02:30,630 Speaker 3: And it's a very short and intense season as well, 49 00:02:30,690 --> 00:02:33,370 Speaker 3: which I think means that there's probably even more of 50 00:02:33,410 --> 00:02:36,250 Speaker 3: a focus on it as a result. And with Wimbledon 51 00:02:36,290 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 3: as the pinnacle as well, it's an amazing time in 52 00:02:39,460 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 3: the tennis calendar. 53 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:43,260 Speaker 2: And I'm assuming that you've had a chance to actually 54 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 2: play on grass yourself? I have. 55 00:02:46,139 --> 00:02:48,260 Speaker 3: I mean, what I found since I've been in Australia, 56 00:02:48,310 --> 00:02:49,970 Speaker 3: which is really interesting, is that there are so many 57 00:02:49,990 --> 00:02:52,070 Speaker 3: grass courts here. And I've spent quite a lot of 58 00:02:52,130 --> 00:02:55,510 Speaker 3: time in Perth through the United Cup. And I'm blown 59 00:02:55,570 --> 00:02:57,889 Speaker 3: away by the number of grass courts that you have 60 00:02:57,950 --> 00:03:00,450 Speaker 3: in Western Australia. It's like everywhere you go, you've got 61 00:03:00,470 --> 00:03:03,370 Speaker 3: clubs with 15, 16, 18 grass courts. I was at 62 00:03:03,389 --> 00:03:06,350 Speaker 3: Kings Park quite recently in Perth, and it's an unbelievable 63 00:03:06,389 --> 00:03:09,170 Speaker 3: venue there, and there's so many. So grass court tennis, 64 00:03:09,330 --> 00:03:11,620 Speaker 3: if anything in Australia, is stronger than it is back home. 65 00:03:11,630 --> 00:03:14,100 Speaker 3: I think on a recreational level, there are less and 66 00:03:14,139 --> 00:03:16,399 Speaker 3: less clubs who are able to sustain grass courts. Obviously, 67 00:03:16,419 --> 00:03:17,980 Speaker 3: the weather's not as good as it is here, so 68 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:22,900 Speaker 3: that grass court season is so much shorter. But in 69 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:25,650 Speaker 3: terms of me personally, I mean, growing up, yeah, we 70 00:03:25,690 --> 00:03:28,690 Speaker 3: had grass courts at my university, which used to play on. 71 00:03:28,730 --> 00:03:30,070 Speaker 3: I mean, the problem there was that we had a 72 00:03:30,070 --> 00:03:32,800 Speaker 3: lot of molehills, and foxes and things like that to 73 00:03:32,820 --> 00:03:34,940 Speaker 3: deal with. So it wasn't quite the manicured lawns that 74 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 3: we enjoy at Queen's Club or Wimbledon. Amazing. 75 00:03:38,020 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 2: Who have been some of your favourite players to watch 76 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 2: competing on grass? 77 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 3: I think growing up, I mean, you grow up in 78 00:03:45,300 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 3: the UK and it's all about Wimbledon. So I think 79 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 3: when I was really getting into watching and enjoying tennis, 80 00:03:52,870 --> 00:03:55,730 Speaker 3: Queen's and Wimbledon would be on the BBC and sometimes Eastbourne. 81 00:03:55,750 --> 00:03:57,690 Speaker 4: And so you'd watch those events and it was such 82 00:03:57,710 --> 00:03:58,090 Speaker 4: an annual event. 83 00:03:58,590 --> 00:04:01,050 Speaker 3: Ritual to to enjoy to enjoy those events when they 84 00:04:01,070 --> 00:04:04,190 Speaker 3: came around so I suppose for me it was it 85 00:04:04,230 --> 00:04:07,170 Speaker 3: was um it was a period of relative lack of 86 00:04:07,230 --> 00:04:10,890 Speaker 3: success for British players and I remember when Jeremy Bates 87 00:04:10,950 --> 00:04:13,470 Speaker 3: got to the fourth round of Wimbledon twice I think 88 00:04:13,470 --> 00:04:16,820 Speaker 3: 92 and 94 it was an absolutely massive deal which 89 00:04:16,860 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 3: in retrospect with what came next with Tim Henman with 90 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 3: Andy and And obviously Emma Raducano with the US Open, 91 00:04:22,980 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 3: but talking about the grass court events with what came next, 92 00:04:25,860 --> 00:04:27,780 Speaker 3: it sort of somehow feels slightly ridiculous now. 93 00:04:27,820 --> 00:04:29,490 Speaker 4: But at the time, that was such a big deal. 94 00:04:30,750 --> 00:04:32,830 Speaker 3: But I always loved Steffi Graf as well. I used 95 00:04:32,870 --> 00:04:35,050 Speaker 3: to love watching her at Wimbledon. Obviously, she had a 96 00:04:35,070 --> 00:04:40,029 Speaker 3: lot of success, Martina Navratilova. And then obviously, as I 97 00:04:40,050 --> 00:04:42,530 Speaker 3: got older, I mean, Tim Henman was obviously such a 98 00:04:42,589 --> 00:04:46,710 Speaker 3: superstar back home and is a player who, again, because 99 00:04:46,730 --> 00:04:49,010 Speaker 3: of the success that Andy then had in terms of 100 00:04:49,050 --> 00:04:52,660 Speaker 3: Grand Slam success, People often don't really reflect on what 101 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 3: a great player he was as well and how important 102 00:04:54,460 --> 00:04:58,940 Speaker 3: he was for British tennis. And those semifinals that he 103 00:04:58,980 --> 00:05:01,500 Speaker 3: lost at Wimbledon were huge occasions. 104 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:03,289 Speaker 4: And crushingly disappointing. 105 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:07,370 Speaker 3: Obviously, 2001, when Ivan Isovic beat him on his way 106 00:05:08,050 --> 00:05:09,630 Speaker 3: to beating Pat Rafter as well, which I'm sure was 107 00:05:09,650 --> 00:05:12,830 Speaker 3: disappointing here in Australia as well. But that was crushingly 108 00:05:12,890 --> 00:05:14,230 Speaker 3: disappointing for us back home. 109 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,550 Speaker 2: Yeah, we remember that year well. 110 00:05:16,770 --> 00:05:18,270 Speaker 1: Yeah, that was the Monday final, wasn't it? 111 00:05:18,290 --> 00:05:20,350 Speaker 4: It was the Monday final. The people's final. The people's final. 112 00:05:20,810 --> 00:05:23,770 Speaker 1: So, Stephen, hearing how you like got into tennis as 113 00:05:23,950 --> 00:05:26,150 Speaker 1: like on the legal side with the LTA, were you 114 00:05:26,230 --> 00:05:28,779 Speaker 1: a tennis fan and you saw an opportunity to get 115 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 1: into tennis and work in an industry you loved or 116 00:05:30,580 --> 00:05:32,580 Speaker 1: kind of how– What was that entry point? 117 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 3: I wanted to work in sport and the opportunity came 118 00:05:36,060 --> 00:05:37,580 Speaker 3: up to go and work at the LTA. But what 119 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 3: I would say is that I was always a tennis fan, 120 00:05:39,980 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 3: but I wouldn't say I was a tennis super fan. 121 00:05:42,339 --> 00:05:44,539 Speaker 3: So I would watch Wimbledon. I'd watch Queens on the TV. 122 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 3: I would watch the Grand Slams if they were on 123 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:51,060 Speaker 3: free-to-air television. You'd vaguely know who'd won, but really it 124 00:05:51,110 --> 00:05:55,850 Speaker 3: was primarily about those UK summer events. And that was 125 00:05:55,870 --> 00:05:59,210 Speaker 3: really my entry through into tennis. But you know, the 126 00:05:59,250 --> 00:06:01,110 Speaker 3: more you get immersed in the world, the more sort 127 00:06:01,150 --> 00:06:04,029 Speaker 3: of your passion and your interest grows. And, you know, 128 00:06:04,050 --> 00:06:05,630 Speaker 3: I think that's definitely been the case. I've become more 129 00:06:05,650 --> 00:06:07,450 Speaker 3: and more of a tennis fan as I've got more 130 00:06:07,490 --> 00:06:08,250 Speaker 3: and more involved in it. 131 00:06:08,750 --> 00:06:10,670 Speaker 1: And that sounds like that coincided with your time as 132 00:06:10,850 --> 00:06:13,150 Speaker 1: tournament director at Queens, which if we've got the dates right, 133 00:06:13,210 --> 00:06:16,770 Speaker 1: were 2014 to 2020. What were some of the best 134 00:06:16,790 --> 00:06:20,310 Speaker 1: memories you have of that time? It's a huge privilege 135 00:06:20,350 --> 00:06:23,409 Speaker 1: to be involved in that tournament. That club that I 136 00:06:23,430 --> 00:06:25,190 Speaker 1: talked before about the sense of history of the grass 137 00:06:25,210 --> 00:06:25,750 Speaker 1: court season. 138 00:06:25,770 --> 00:06:30,410 Speaker 3: I mean, that club was built in 1886, opened in 1887. 139 00:06:30,390 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 3: It's named after Queen Victoria. You go to the grounds 140 00:06:34,150 --> 00:06:36,020 Speaker 3: of the Queen's Club and that sense of history is 141 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:39,180 Speaker 3: everywhere you look. I mean, not least the pictures of 142 00:06:39,220 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 3: the former members that are up on the wall, which 143 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 3: are some incredibly illustrious figures throughout history. And then the 144 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:51,010 Speaker 3: tennis itself. So many great players have won that title. 145 00:06:51,610 --> 00:06:54,510 Speaker 3: And it has such a special place in the hearts 146 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 3: of tennis fans. So to have any sort of association 147 00:06:57,300 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 3: with that event is a real privilege. And to have 148 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 3: had the opportunity to lead that event for a reasonable 149 00:07:01,900 --> 00:07:06,300 Speaker 3: period of time was a real honour. And it was 150 00:07:06,339 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 3: a real family feel to that event as well. So 151 00:07:08,900 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 3: there are lots and lots of people who'd worked on 152 00:07:10,620 --> 00:07:14,580 Speaker 3: it for years. Our referee, Jimmy Moore, is Australian. He's 153 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:16,780 Speaker 3: passed now, but he was the referee at Queen's for 154 00:07:16,780 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 3: 42 years. 155 00:07:17,380 --> 00:07:19,239 Speaker 4: You know, we have. 156 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,380 Speaker 3: the guys who build the site when there's a guy 157 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:25,060 Speaker 3: called John Hester, who's from the North of Scotland, who 158 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,210 Speaker 3: has come down for the last 30 years in a caravan. 159 00:07:28,410 --> 00:07:30,270 Speaker 3: He lives in this caravan in the car park at 160 00:07:30,310 --> 00:07:32,270 Speaker 3: Queens club while the site's been built for six weeks, 161 00:07:32,330 --> 00:07:35,270 Speaker 3: every summer we have the, we have the same ball 162 00:07:36,190 --> 00:07:38,950 Speaker 3: teachers doing the, the, the ball girls, the same people 163 00:07:38,970 --> 00:07:40,530 Speaker 3: who've done it for sort of 30 or 40 years 164 00:07:40,590 --> 00:07:43,350 Speaker 3: as well. So that sort of that family feel and 165 00:07:43,370 --> 00:07:45,350 Speaker 3: that sense of history was, is sort of every way 166 00:07:45,390 --> 00:07:47,790 Speaker 3: you look at that tournament. And, It really is a 167 00:07:47,850 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 3: beautiful sight, the Centre Court at Queen's. It's so iconic. 168 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 3: And we were so proud of the experience that we 169 00:07:55,140 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 3: could offer everyone who came and most of all the players. 170 00:07:57,540 --> 00:07:59,460 Speaker 4: We're very much player focused. 171 00:07:59,500 --> 00:08:01,750 Speaker 3: And I think that's one of the things which I 172 00:08:01,810 --> 00:08:04,050 Speaker 3: find here at Tennis Australia as well. And Craig will 173 00:08:04,090 --> 00:08:05,910 Speaker 3: say about everything to do with the Australian Open and 174 00:08:05,930 --> 00:08:07,809 Speaker 3: all the events we do about putting players first. 175 00:08:07,850 --> 00:08:09,390 Speaker 4: And that was definitely our approach as well. 176 00:08:09,990 --> 00:08:11,630 Speaker 3: And I think as a result of that, the players 177 00:08:11,690 --> 00:08:14,290 Speaker 3: also pick up on that family feel and they're seeing 178 00:08:14,310 --> 00:08:16,570 Speaker 3: the same faces every year and the bonds that you 179 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:18,580 Speaker 3: then build with the players and their teams, which keeps 180 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:21,060 Speaker 3: them coming back year after year. It just means that 181 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:24,700 Speaker 3: that event really matters and probably matters even more as 182 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 3: a result, which is really special to be a part of. 183 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely. 184 00:08:28,940 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 1: You hear so many stories like that in tennis of 185 00:08:30,620 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 1: like the person that's been returning into the same role 186 00:08:33,140 --> 00:08:35,069 Speaker 1: for like 30 years, 40 years. That happens a lot 187 00:08:35,090 --> 00:08:37,950 Speaker 1: here too. Last question about your time as tournament director. 188 00:08:37,970 --> 00:08:40,010 Speaker 1: What is a day in the life of a tournament 189 00:08:40,030 --> 00:08:42,500 Speaker 1: director when it's tournament time during Queens? 190 00:08:43,660 --> 00:08:46,380 Speaker 4: Just a bit of everything, really. I mean, same here 191 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 4: as well. 192 00:08:47,500 --> 00:08:50,829 Speaker 3: You are dealing with players, you're dealing with broadcast, you've 193 00:08:50,890 --> 00:08:54,320 Speaker 3: got media commitments, you're dealing with sponsors. what I always 194 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 3: found at Queens, which I've tried to sort of take 195 00:08:56,420 --> 00:08:58,540 Speaker 3: into the work I've done here around United Cup and 196 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 3: some of the other events is Chris Kermode always said 197 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 3: to me that when you're the tournament director of Queens, 198 00:09:02,860 --> 00:09:05,200 Speaker 3: you're sort of basically the host of the party. So 199 00:09:05,220 --> 00:09:07,890 Speaker 3: you really just need to go around and keep people's 200 00:09:08,170 --> 00:09:11,790 Speaker 3: spirits up. And, um, you know, you've, you, you find 201 00:09:11,830 --> 00:09:15,730 Speaker 3: yourself clicking into this mode where, you know, you've, you're, 202 00:09:15,870 --> 00:09:18,370 Speaker 3: you're just going around and smiling and chatting and shaking 203 00:09:18,410 --> 00:09:21,460 Speaker 3: hands with people. And, you know, it can be quite challenging, uh, 204 00:09:21,580 --> 00:09:23,699 Speaker 3: at a tennis event, particularly when it comes on a 205 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,500 Speaker 3: grass court tennis event, when you get the rain and 206 00:09:26,740 --> 00:09:28,819 Speaker 3: you know, you've got a lot of impatient players. 207 00:09:28,500 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 4: Who are desperate to get out on court. 208 00:09:30,260 --> 00:09:31,699 Speaker 3: You've got a lot of players who are nervous about 209 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:35,180 Speaker 3: the surface because the perception is always that it's slippy. Um, 210 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,500 Speaker 3: we don't have the floodlights, so we can't play late. Um, 211 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:40,460 Speaker 3: and so there's always self issues like that that you're 212 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:43,230 Speaker 3: sort of managing and, but, but really for me, I 213 00:09:43,260 --> 00:09:45,370 Speaker 3: always felt like I, I sort of enjoyed the challenges 214 00:09:45,410 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 3: that were then presented by that sort of situation. And, um, 215 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:51,939 Speaker 3: But from a tournament director perspective, it's a bit of everything. 216 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:56,170 Speaker 3: And it's 24-7 throughout that period where you're delivering the event, 217 00:09:56,210 --> 00:10:01,490 Speaker 3: but it's extremely rewarding. And for me, it gave an 218 00:10:01,530 --> 00:10:05,530 Speaker 3: opportunity really to have a very close view on seeing 219 00:10:05,550 --> 00:10:09,390 Speaker 3: these amazing athletes going out there and delivering high quality tennis. 220 00:10:09,550 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 3: And certainly in my time at Queen's, we obviously had 221 00:10:12,260 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 3: Andy Murray at the peak of his game, which was 222 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:16,699 Speaker 3: just such a gift. I mean, to have the most 223 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:20,410 Speaker 3: popular sports sports person in the uk play your sport 224 00:10:21,150 --> 00:10:23,810 Speaker 3: uh he won it um twice while i was tournament 225 00:10:23,830 --> 00:10:26,429 Speaker 3: director he was 2016 he won it for a record 226 00:10:26,470 --> 00:10:30,319 Speaker 3: fifth time um i mean it just elevates everything like 227 00:10:30,340 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 3: the interest the awareness we would have four million people 228 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 3: watching it live on bbc if andy didn't play the 229 00:10:35,660 --> 00:10:37,340 Speaker 3: audience would be lucky to be a quarter of that 230 00:10:37,780 --> 00:10:40,420 Speaker 3: so really he he really took it to the next 231 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:43,540 Speaker 3: level But we also it also I mean, there were 232 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 3: also some other amazing moments. And for me, it was 233 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:49,179 Speaker 3: always some of the less high profile moments were the 234 00:10:49,260 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 3: ones which I always found quite inspirational. I remember Jeremy 235 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:56,090 Speaker 3: Shardy for years used to say that Queens was his 236 00:10:56,150 --> 00:10:59,470 Speaker 3: favorite tournament and he'd never won a match there. And 237 00:10:59,510 --> 00:11:01,829 Speaker 3: there was and then he finally did. And to see 238 00:11:01,890 --> 00:11:07,110 Speaker 3: what that meant to him. I remember back in 2015, 239 00:11:08,330 --> 00:11:10,850 Speaker 3: funnily enough, I built quite a lot of connections with 240 00:11:10,870 --> 00:11:12,550 Speaker 3: a lot of the Australian players. We obviously got such 241 00:11:12,570 --> 00:11:16,290 Speaker 3: a massive history at Queens Club. And we gave Thanasi 242 00:11:16,410 --> 00:11:18,829 Speaker 3: Kokkinakis a wildcard. He gave me a wildcard in 2015. 243 00:11:18,830 --> 00:11:21,689 Speaker 3: And his grandmother was seriously ill. So he'd come back 244 00:11:21,750 --> 00:11:23,989 Speaker 3: to Australia and then he flew out. And I think 245 00:11:24,030 --> 00:11:26,990 Speaker 3: he arrived at Queens on maybe it was the Saturday 246 00:11:27,030 --> 00:11:28,170 Speaker 3: and he was playing on the Monday. 247 00:11:28,270 --> 00:11:29,730 Speaker 4: And then he went out and won that match. 248 00:11:30,370 --> 00:11:33,109 Speaker 3: And it was actually, it was incredibly moving to see 249 00:11:33,150 --> 00:11:34,230 Speaker 3: that and what that meant to him. 250 00:11:34,270 --> 00:11:35,510 Speaker 4: He then lost in the second round. 251 00:11:36,050 --> 00:11:38,890 Speaker 3: Then he went through injury hell for the next two years, 252 00:11:39,250 --> 00:11:41,410 Speaker 3: gave him another wild card two years later, and he 253 00:11:41,510 --> 00:11:43,910 Speaker 3: came back and beat Milos Vranic in the first round. 254 00:11:44,429 --> 00:11:45,689 Speaker 4: And that was amazing. 255 00:11:46,070 --> 00:11:47,770 Speaker 3: So, you know, you sort of feel there as a 256 00:11:47,790 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 3: tournament director, you've given someone the opportunity and you see 257 00:11:50,530 --> 00:11:54,740 Speaker 3: what it means to them. So, privileged to have that 258 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:56,780 Speaker 3: opportunity to do that and to engage with these players. 259 00:11:56,820 --> 00:11:59,380 Speaker 4: And then the best example of all was. 260 00:11:59,380 --> 00:12:02,679 Speaker 3: 2019 which ended up being my final year because of 261 00:12:02,780 --> 00:12:06,960 Speaker 3: because of covid um when feli lopez had a wild 262 00:12:06,980 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 3: card in both singles and doubles and won both and 263 00:12:10,300 --> 00:12:12,559 Speaker 3: it you know like the hair stands up when i 264 00:12:12,620 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 3: talk about it because i feel like i i know 265 00:12:14,860 --> 00:12:16,819 Speaker 3: it's i know it's only queens i know it's an 266 00:12:16,860 --> 00:12:19,460 Speaker 3: atp 500 i know it's not a grand slam but 267 00:12:19,540 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 3: as a sporting achievement for him age 37 to win 268 00:12:24,300 --> 00:12:26,679 Speaker 3: both titles and he was playing with andy i mean 269 00:12:26,780 --> 00:12:28,880 Speaker 3: which was amazing enough that andy won but the fact 270 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:32,780 Speaker 3: that he, I think, I think the last 24 hours 271 00:12:32,820 --> 00:12:34,660 Speaker 3: of the tournament, he was on court for eight of 272 00:12:34,700 --> 00:12:37,750 Speaker 3: those 24 hours. At one point he was scheduled for 273 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,970 Speaker 3: four consecutive matches on center court because he had, because 274 00:12:40,990 --> 00:12:42,950 Speaker 3: we had rain delays. We were playing late. I mean, 275 00:12:42,970 --> 00:12:45,689 Speaker 3: there was so many opportunities there where you thought he's 276 00:12:45,710 --> 00:12:47,190 Speaker 3: going to pull out or he's going to lose this one. 277 00:12:47,230 --> 00:12:48,030 Speaker 4: This is ridiculous. 278 00:12:48,170 --> 00:12:50,110 Speaker 3: And he just kept going and he was so tired 279 00:12:50,150 --> 00:12:52,250 Speaker 3: on that final day. He wasn't sitting down at the 280 00:12:52,290 --> 00:12:54,069 Speaker 3: change of ends and at the age of 37 and 281 00:12:55,820 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 3: The wildcard that we gave Feli was because, you know, 282 00:12:58,500 --> 00:13:00,720 Speaker 3: it's his last year and people love him here. He's 283 00:13:00,740 --> 00:13:03,210 Speaker 3: a former champion. You know, he's going to lose first round, 284 00:13:03,250 --> 00:13:05,070 Speaker 3: but it's a nice thing to do. And for him 285 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,650 Speaker 3: to go through and win was just extraordinary. 286 00:13:07,870 --> 00:13:08,510 Speaker 4: Absolutely. 287 00:13:08,929 --> 00:13:12,050 Speaker 2: So, you know, you have these great experiences with players 288 00:13:12,290 --> 00:13:15,530 Speaker 2: as the tournament director. Are those relationships that you have 289 00:13:15,590 --> 00:13:16,929 Speaker 2: sustained with some. 290 00:13:16,809 --> 00:13:18,590 Speaker 4: Of those players? Yeah, with some of them. 291 00:13:18,650 --> 00:13:21,570 Speaker 3: I mean, it's... I still find here, I mean, I've 292 00:13:21,590 --> 00:13:23,350 Speaker 3: been here for like, what was it, like nearly three 293 00:13:23,390 --> 00:13:25,050 Speaker 3: years or two and a half, three years now. I 294 00:13:25,090 --> 00:13:26,750 Speaker 3: still think some of the players do a bit of 295 00:13:26,770 --> 00:13:28,470 Speaker 3: a double take as to what's the guy from Queens 296 00:13:28,510 --> 00:13:28,970 Speaker 3: doing here. 297 00:13:29,570 --> 00:13:32,010 Speaker 4: But yeah, absolutely. And I think some of those guys 298 00:13:32,050 --> 00:13:32,390 Speaker 4: who were. 299 00:13:32,940 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 3: Very closely associated with Queens, the likes of, of, of Gregor. Um, 300 00:13:38,990 --> 00:13:41,189 Speaker 3: I mean, Stan Wawrinka used to come every year as well. 301 00:13:41,210 --> 00:13:43,390 Speaker 3: I mean, he'd only got to the semifinal once, um, 302 00:13:43,809 --> 00:13:46,130 Speaker 3: Marin Cilic as well. One of our champions has great 303 00:13:46,190 --> 00:13:49,410 Speaker 3: history with, with the event. Um, and, and Feli as well. 304 00:13:49,429 --> 00:13:51,770 Speaker 3: I'm still in touch with as long as, as well 305 00:13:51,809 --> 00:13:54,079 Speaker 3: as a lot of the British players. Um, and I 306 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:56,680 Speaker 3: think it's, it's nice to see how much those guys 307 00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 3: appreciate what we were trying to do for them. And, and, 308 00:13:59,620 --> 00:14:02,020 Speaker 3: and again, like how special winning that title was for 309 00:14:02,059 --> 00:14:04,989 Speaker 3: them that, you still have that type of relationship many 310 00:14:05,030 --> 00:14:05,530 Speaker 3: years later. 311 00:14:06,170 --> 00:14:09,820 Speaker 2: Are there any moments or situations that stand out as 312 00:14:10,030 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 2: particularly challenging when you look back? 313 00:14:12,100 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I think I'd go back to what 314 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:19,260 Speaker 3: I said before, when the weather turns bad and you 315 00:14:19,350 --> 00:14:22,030 Speaker 3: are going around trying to keep people's spirits up. And 316 00:14:22,950 --> 00:14:26,450 Speaker 3: I've been in a situation with some very high profile players, 317 00:14:26,910 --> 00:14:29,530 Speaker 3: who I won't name, telling me that I'm just going 318 00:14:29,550 --> 00:14:30,790 Speaker 3: to go. I just fed up with this and we're 319 00:14:30,810 --> 00:14:32,290 Speaker 3: not going to play today, but I'm going to go. 320 00:14:32,510 --> 00:14:35,070 Speaker 3: It's going to rain all day. And you're there thinking, well, actually, 321 00:14:35,090 --> 00:14:38,050 Speaker 3: particularly in the British summer weather, it could turn nice 322 00:14:38,090 --> 00:14:38,650 Speaker 3: in an instant. 323 00:14:38,810 --> 00:14:39,450 Speaker 4: And if you go. 324 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 3: and we restart play, you're going to be defaulted. And 325 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:44,580 Speaker 3: what's that going to look like? So, I mean, I've 326 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 3: literally sat in the car with a player begging them 327 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:51,340 Speaker 3: not to leave the site. And I won't say who 328 00:14:51,380 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 3: it was, but I mean, it was, anyway, it was fine. 329 00:14:53,970 --> 00:14:57,550 Speaker 3: It all worked out, but those moments are quite challenging. 330 00:14:57,590 --> 00:15:00,810 Speaker 3: And when the ups and downs of the tournament as well, 331 00:15:00,870 --> 00:15:04,490 Speaker 3: when you get players who blame their defeat on the surface, 332 00:15:04,870 --> 00:15:06,090 Speaker 3: it can get quite challenging. 333 00:15:06,110 --> 00:15:07,870 Speaker 4: You know, I've dealt with that a few times. 334 00:15:08,500 --> 00:15:10,180 Speaker 3: You just have to hear people out and be honest 335 00:15:10,220 --> 00:15:12,430 Speaker 3: and straight with them. You know, and we also, you know, 336 00:15:12,470 --> 00:15:14,850 Speaker 3: we've also had, um, we've had some real characters play 337 00:15:14,890 --> 00:15:16,690 Speaker 3: the tournament as well, where, where you have the ups 338 00:15:16,750 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 3: and the downs with them, you know, some of them Australian, but, um, 339 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,150 Speaker 3: you know, we, we, again, you know, we, um, For me, 340 00:15:24,190 --> 00:15:26,410 Speaker 3: it's always about putting on the best show you possibly can. 341 00:15:26,490 --> 00:15:29,170 Speaker 3: So you want to see that personality. And, you know, 342 00:15:29,190 --> 00:15:31,920 Speaker 3: Nick Kyrgios is one of my favorite, favorite tennis players. 343 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 3: He was when he was at his best at Queens, 344 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 3: it was magnificent. You know, we had our ups and 345 00:15:37,900 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 3: downs a little bit sometimes. But I think for him, 346 00:15:40,700 --> 00:15:43,380 Speaker 3: he was I mean, he's a massive asset to the sport. 347 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:45,180 Speaker 3: He's a massive asset to our event. People wanted to 348 00:15:45,220 --> 00:15:49,590 Speaker 3: watch him play and he produced some sensational tennis. But, yeah, 349 00:15:49,780 --> 00:15:50,750 Speaker 3: we we had our moments. 350 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,860 Speaker 2: You said earlier you described it as like being the 351 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 2: host of the party. So Nick would be a great 352 00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:57,580 Speaker 2: person to have at any party, I imagine. 353 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:01,220 Speaker 3: Absolutely right. Absolutely right. And always, for me, always so 354 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:05,520 Speaker 3: great to deal with. Honestly, throughout the event, incredibly professional. 355 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:09,180 Speaker 3: And when he actually delivered his best tennis on court, 356 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:11,140 Speaker 3: I think it was the year, was it the year, 357 00:16:11,180 --> 00:16:13,910 Speaker 3: I think, when Cilic beat Djokovic in the final and 358 00:16:14,090 --> 00:16:16,670 Speaker 3: Nick was playing outstanding tennis and he lost narrowly in 359 00:16:16,690 --> 00:16:17,130 Speaker 3: the semifinal. 360 00:16:17,150 --> 00:16:17,930 Speaker 4: I think it was that year. 361 00:16:18,490 --> 00:16:21,670 Speaker 3: And his tennis was really at such a high level. 362 00:16:22,390 --> 00:16:25,370 Speaker 3: And it's, well, hopefully he can come back and get 363 00:16:25,410 --> 00:16:26,430 Speaker 3: somewhere near that level again. 364 00:16:27,150 --> 00:16:31,070 Speaker 2: You mentioned Feli Lopez before, who won obviously two titles 365 00:16:31,130 --> 00:16:34,050 Speaker 2: at Queens. Why is it that some players, do you think, 366 00:16:34,130 --> 00:16:35,650 Speaker 2: have such great results on grass? 367 00:16:36,730 --> 00:16:39,820 Speaker 3: I think historically you would say, if you've got a 368 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:43,120 Speaker 3: good serve, um, if you've got a fast serve and 369 00:16:43,260 --> 00:16:46,020 Speaker 3: you can nail that serve and volley style, which fairly 370 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:49,500 Speaker 3: certainly does. And, and Gregor does as well. Um, then 371 00:16:49,700 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 3: that's going to help. And I think fairly has, I mean, 372 00:16:51,860 --> 00:16:53,740 Speaker 3: he's also a left-hander as well, which, which I guess 373 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 3: gives him another advantage. Um, it's, it's managing that transition 374 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,610 Speaker 3: from clay to grass is also critical. And, you know, 375 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:04,190 Speaker 3: you do get those players less so recent, more, more 376 00:17:04,230 --> 00:17:07,630 Speaker 3: recent years because the grass courts have slowed over the years, but, 377 00:17:08,010 --> 00:17:11,189 Speaker 3: You know, historically, that switch from clay to grass is 378 00:17:11,270 --> 00:17:14,130 Speaker 3: so hard. And I think you do get some players who, 379 00:17:14,430 --> 00:17:16,410 Speaker 3: often those players who've gone further at Roland Garros then 380 00:17:16,450 --> 00:17:19,030 Speaker 3: do struggle a bit more with the transition. Someone like 381 00:17:19,090 --> 00:17:20,899 Speaker 3: Felley would get on the grass a lot, probably a 382 00:17:20,910 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 3: bit sooner, which would help him. But primarily, if you 383 00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 3: can get that serve-volley game going, which Felley did, even 384 00:17:29,060 --> 00:17:30,820 Speaker 3: in the game it is today with the courts at 385 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:33,899 Speaker 3: the speed they are today, then you've got a great chance. 386 00:17:34,010 --> 00:17:35,650 Speaker 3: And that was really what Felley was able to do 387 00:17:35,710 --> 00:17:36,750 Speaker 3: at Queen's both times he won. 388 00:17:37,190 --> 00:17:37,930 Speaker 4: Same with Grigor. 389 00:17:38,230 --> 00:17:40,159 Speaker 3: Milos Ryanic, when he got to the final of Queen's 390 00:17:40,180 --> 00:17:42,139 Speaker 3: and then Wimbledon in the same year, which again was 391 00:17:42,180 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 3: really special when you get a player winning both in 392 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:49,070 Speaker 3: the same year as Alcaraz did more recently. The year 393 00:17:49,090 --> 00:17:50,690 Speaker 3: that Ryanic got to the final of Wimbledon, got to 394 00:17:50,730 --> 00:17:54,020 Speaker 3: the final of Queen's, he was playing unbelievable serve volley tennis. 395 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 3: I mean, he was super fit. He had McEnroe in 396 00:17:56,280 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 3: his box and that was thrilling to watch as well. 397 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:06,359 Speaker 3: So I think that's critical. Funnily enough, actually, during my 398 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,740 Speaker 3: time there, we had a celebration of our four-time champions 399 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 3: because that was the record at the time. Leighton was 400 00:18:10,660 --> 00:18:13,810 Speaker 3: another one. Leighton was there. We flew Roy Emerson over. 401 00:18:13,869 --> 00:18:16,050 Speaker 3: We had McEnroe there. We had Becker there. And Andy 402 00:18:16,070 --> 00:18:18,949 Speaker 3: won his fifth that year. So he became the record holder. 403 00:18:18,990 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 3: And I was talking to Roy Emerson about what it 404 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:24,410 Speaker 3: was like playing at Queens back in the day. And 405 00:18:24,580 --> 00:18:26,919 Speaker 3: all the Australian players used to come play at Queen's. 406 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:28,620 Speaker 3: But one of the main reasons they used to spend 407 00:18:28,660 --> 00:18:32,080 Speaker 3: so much time there was because they would play indoor 408 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 3: on the wood indoors at Queen's, which isn't there anymore, 409 00:18:36,420 --> 00:18:38,739 Speaker 3: because it was so quick that it meant that by 410 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 3: the time they got to Wimbledon, their sort of reactions 411 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:43,369 Speaker 3: were at such a stage that it gave them an advantage. 412 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:45,890 Speaker 3: And he was talking to me about he'd be there 413 00:18:45,910 --> 00:18:48,230 Speaker 3: with Laver and all the greats of that time. 414 00:18:48,450 --> 00:18:49,550 Speaker 4: And that's primarily what. 415 00:18:49,670 --> 00:18:51,090 Speaker 3: So even though they were out there playing on the 416 00:18:51,130 --> 00:18:53,820 Speaker 3: grass at Queen's, they actually saw the best preparation for 417 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:56,619 Speaker 3: Wimbledon being played on the indoor surface in order to 418 00:18:56,660 --> 00:18:57,449 Speaker 3: get ready for Wimbledon. 419 00:18:57,810 --> 00:19:00,210 Speaker 4: We need to do that. Bring wood back. You hear 420 00:19:00,230 --> 00:19:03,590 Speaker 4: about this. It's not enough wood. I think that would 421 00:19:03,690 --> 00:19:04,010 Speaker 4: be good. 422 00:19:04,090 --> 00:19:06,229 Speaker 2: I love hearing these stories about the Aussie legends. 423 00:19:06,330 --> 00:19:08,910 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, Roy Emerson, what a legend. It was really, 424 00:19:08,930 --> 00:19:11,129 Speaker 3: it was a privilege to have him at our event. 425 00:19:11,310 --> 00:19:12,709 Speaker 3: And like I said, at the time, he was the 426 00:19:12,750 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 3: record champion. Of course, I'm sure Rod Laver would have 427 00:19:16,300 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 3: won more. He won two titles at Queen's. I think 428 00:19:18,380 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 3: he would have won a lot more if he hadn't 429 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 3: turned professional. That's indeed what he's some titles as well 430 00:19:22,619 --> 00:19:25,180 Speaker 3: but Roy was a real legend of Queen's Club I 431 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:26,800 Speaker 3: mean I used to talk to Jimmy Moore and as 432 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:28,180 Speaker 3: well as with Roy when he was over a lot 433 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 3: about those legendary figures and what they used to do 434 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:33,810 Speaker 3: when they used to come over you know they'd spend 435 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:35,969 Speaker 3: months driving around the south of France playing in all 436 00:19:35,990 --> 00:19:37,869 Speaker 3: the clay court tournaments and then they'd go over to 437 00:19:37,890 --> 00:19:40,090 Speaker 3: the UK and of course back then when they were 438 00:19:40,130 --> 00:19:42,929 Speaker 3: playing when there was no tour or anything formal tour 439 00:19:43,450 --> 00:19:46,070 Speaker 3: there were big grass court events all over the country 440 00:19:46,190 --> 00:19:47,709 Speaker 3: you know they'd go over to Ireland and they'd play 441 00:19:47,750 --> 00:19:49,649 Speaker 3: in Dublin they'd go to Sheffield there were all these 442 00:19:49,670 --> 00:19:52,119 Speaker 3: tournaments in in London and there was a there's a 443 00:19:52,460 --> 00:19:55,260 Speaker 3: big history of of tournaments which now there's obviously very 444 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:59,020 Speaker 3: few in comparison but um yes I mean that history 445 00:19:59,060 --> 00:20:01,919 Speaker 3: and that association of of the Australian players with the 446 00:20:01,980 --> 00:20:04,619 Speaker 3: tournaments in the UK so is so strong and it 447 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:06,340 Speaker 3: and you can tell that it means a lot it 448 00:20:06,359 --> 00:20:09,350 Speaker 3: means a lot to those players and You know, it 449 00:20:09,369 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 3: was also, I mean, Leighton Hewitt's obviously another one I 450 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:14,020 Speaker 3: mentioned before who I got to know initially through Queens. 451 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 3: And again, he's someone who was a fantastic champion and 452 00:20:17,010 --> 00:20:18,610 Speaker 3: was obviously hugely successful on the grass. 453 00:20:19,230 --> 00:20:22,620 Speaker 1: I guess moving on then to your role now. which 454 00:20:22,700 --> 00:20:24,940 Speaker 1: is almost like the opposite as a tournament director. You've 455 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:28,430 Speaker 1: gone from being TD of a very traditional historic event 456 00:20:28,630 --> 00:20:31,129 Speaker 1: to the United Cup, which is a new event on 457 00:20:31,150 --> 00:20:33,230 Speaker 1: the calendar and has a lot of innovation about it. 458 00:20:33,290 --> 00:20:35,429 Speaker 1: So what's that adjustment been like for you? 459 00:20:35,830 --> 00:20:37,780 Speaker 3: It's been very exciting to be involved in an event 460 00:20:37,950 --> 00:20:40,580 Speaker 3: like the United Cup from the beginning as well. So 461 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:42,740 Speaker 3: I think to be able to be involved with the 462 00:20:42,900 --> 00:20:46,680 Speaker 3: launch of this amazing new World Cup of Tennis, bringing 463 00:20:46,700 --> 00:20:49,209 Speaker 3: together the women and the men, it's a it's amazing 464 00:20:49,230 --> 00:20:50,889 Speaker 3: thing to be a be a part of I mean 465 00:20:50,910 --> 00:20:53,270 Speaker 3: I would actually say though is that whilst and I 466 00:20:53,310 --> 00:20:55,669 Speaker 3: think what Tennis Australia has in its DNA through the 467 00:20:55,710 --> 00:20:57,750 Speaker 3: Australian Open and through the United Cup is this sense 468 00:20:57,770 --> 00:21:00,020 Speaker 3: of innovation and moving the sport forward and one of 469 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 3: the reasons why when I was not working for this 470 00:21:02,140 --> 00:21:04,639 Speaker 3: organization you always looked at Tennis Australia for wow must 471 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:06,119 Speaker 3: be amazing to go and work there because look at 472 00:21:06,140 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 3: what these guys are doing I used to watch the 473 00:21:07,859 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 3: Australian Open on television and you'd see like the broadcast 474 00:21:10,810 --> 00:21:13,580 Speaker 3: angles and go it just makes the sport look so 475 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:14,540 Speaker 3: really cool. 476 00:21:14,580 --> 00:21:16,100 Speaker 4: And you can really see the difference there. 477 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:18,500 Speaker 3: So I think great to be, come and be part 478 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:21,540 Speaker 3: of an organization of which innovation is so important. And 479 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:24,500 Speaker 3: obviously through the United Cup, both in terms of bringing 480 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:27,090 Speaker 3: the women and the men together for points and prize 481 00:21:27,130 --> 00:21:31,369 Speaker 3: money for the first time is great. And yeah, what 482 00:21:31,430 --> 00:21:33,369 Speaker 3: I would say though, is that so much of the 483 00:21:33,430 --> 00:21:36,290 Speaker 3: role is very, very similar. It's that whilst there is 484 00:21:36,330 --> 00:21:38,730 Speaker 3: a difference in terms of what the product visually looks like, 485 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:41,530 Speaker 3: obviously it's on hardcore, it's not grass court. I've argued 486 00:21:41,550 --> 00:21:43,629 Speaker 3: with Craig about returning the Australian Open to grass. He's 487 00:21:43,650 --> 00:21:49,150 Speaker 3: not buying it. But actually, you are still the host 488 00:21:49,190 --> 00:21:51,100 Speaker 3: of the party, though. So the role is still about 489 00:21:51,180 --> 00:21:54,020 Speaker 3: engaging with players. And what I find with United Cup, though, 490 00:21:54,060 --> 00:21:58,139 Speaker 3: is that whilst players love being part of it, it's 491 00:21:58,180 --> 00:21:58,760 Speaker 3: a new event. 492 00:21:58,780 --> 00:22:02,159 Speaker 4: So you're having to sell it in. It's not like, oh, Queens. Oh, no, 493 00:22:02,180 --> 00:22:03,980 Speaker 4: I know Queens. Cool. Yeah, I'll do that. 494 00:22:04,430 --> 00:22:06,909 Speaker 3: So, you know, there's been an element of using our 495 00:22:06,950 --> 00:22:08,869 Speaker 3: roles and with Andre Sarr and the others on the 496 00:22:08,910 --> 00:22:11,550 Speaker 3: player side who I work with here of really going 497 00:22:11,570 --> 00:22:13,530 Speaker 3: and saying what this really means and what it's like. 498 00:22:13,590 --> 00:22:15,820 Speaker 3: And I think the player experience we've managed to deliver 499 00:22:15,859 --> 00:22:17,540 Speaker 3: has been a really positive one in the first couple 500 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:21,719 Speaker 3: of years. I think the event has got a fantastic future. 501 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,659 Speaker 3: I think it's a really exciting format. I think it's 502 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 3: great for tennis to see the best male and female 503 00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:30,250 Speaker 3: players playing on the same team. And I'm really excited 504 00:22:30,290 --> 00:22:31,070 Speaker 3: about the future of it. 505 00:22:31,510 --> 00:22:33,820 Speaker 1: So I'm assuming there are ways that when you're talking 506 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:35,820 Speaker 1: about having to sell it into the players, those things 507 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:37,680 Speaker 1: that you said, is that kind of the selling point, 508 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:39,290 Speaker 1: how you picture to them, hey, you should be part 509 00:22:39,310 --> 00:22:40,450 Speaker 1: of this event because ABC. 510 00:22:41,220 --> 00:22:42,570 Speaker 4: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. 511 00:22:42,609 --> 00:22:45,550 Speaker 3: I mean, this is an opportunity to show a different 512 00:22:45,590 --> 00:22:49,190 Speaker 3: side of tennis. But I think that obviously we do 513 00:22:49,250 --> 00:22:52,669 Speaker 3: exist before a Grand Slam. So your fundamental question that 514 00:22:52,690 --> 00:22:54,670 Speaker 3: you need to answer is, how is this going to 515 00:22:54,690 --> 00:22:56,010 Speaker 3: help me do my best in Melbourne? 516 00:22:56,030 --> 00:22:57,250 Speaker 4: I mean, we can't ignore that. 517 00:22:58,050 --> 00:23:00,110 Speaker 3: And so the fact that we guarantee at least two 518 00:23:00,150 --> 00:23:03,430 Speaker 3: matches during that week, I think is important from a 519 00:23:03,470 --> 00:23:06,560 Speaker 3: player preparation perspective. But I think more and more, particularly 520 00:23:06,630 --> 00:23:09,139 Speaker 3: this year, I felt that we really made a significant 521 00:23:09,180 --> 00:23:12,030 Speaker 3: jump from the first year change in format helped. I 522 00:23:12,050 --> 00:23:14,929 Speaker 3: think the players can see that what Australia brings an 523 00:23:14,970 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 3: event like that is big crowds and passionate crowds. You know, 524 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:23,400 Speaker 3: you see, we had the Chileans in Sydney and I mean, 525 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:25,500 Speaker 3: whilst there weren't loads of them, the noise that they 526 00:23:25,540 --> 00:23:28,899 Speaker 3: made was unbelievable. And there's all those different pockets of 527 00:23:28,980 --> 00:23:32,920 Speaker 3: different people from different countries that exist here, which means 528 00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:35,790 Speaker 3: that a tournament like that's got a great chance of succeeding. 529 00:23:35,830 --> 00:23:39,850 Speaker 3: And again, I feel like the level of the play 530 00:23:39,890 --> 00:23:42,330 Speaker 3: and the level of engagement both from the players and 531 00:23:42,350 --> 00:23:44,710 Speaker 3: the fans that we saw this year showed that very 532 00:23:44,790 --> 00:23:47,590 Speaker 3: quickly we've got an event that clearly really matters and 533 00:23:47,630 --> 00:23:50,629 Speaker 3: so the reputation then just builds from there. 534 00:23:50,690 --> 00:23:52,690 Speaker 1: Yeah and obviously one of the great things about united 535 00:23:52,710 --> 00:23:55,990 Speaker 1: cup is that mixed gender element to it so we're 536 00:23:56,010 --> 00:23:59,020 Speaker 1: seeing that now next year with queens they're bringing a 537 00:23:59,880 --> 00:24:02,020 Speaker 1: wta tournament to queens now the women used to play 538 00:24:02,060 --> 00:24:04,629 Speaker 1: in queens i believe and didn't for a while, and 539 00:24:04,670 --> 00:24:06,450 Speaker 1: now that's come back. It's going to be a WTO 540 00:24:06,470 --> 00:24:09,590 Speaker 1: event followed by the ATP event in 2025, back-to-back week. 541 00:24:09,630 --> 00:24:11,810 Speaker 1: So are you kind of across how that all kind 542 00:24:11,830 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 1: of came to be, and what does that mean for 543 00:24:13,300 --> 00:24:15,580 Speaker 1: the tournament when you're doubling it, basically? 544 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 3: Funnily enough, I mean, as you said yourself, I mean, 545 00:24:19,119 --> 00:24:20,740 Speaker 3: the women have a long history at Queen's as well. 546 00:24:20,780 --> 00:24:23,200 Speaker 3: So for many years, it was a combined event back 547 00:24:23,220 --> 00:24:25,440 Speaker 3: in the day. And on the walls of the Queens 548 00:24:25,500 --> 00:24:28,070 Speaker 3: club where you've got your pictures of, of labor and 549 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:30,790 Speaker 3: whoever else you've also got Margaret Court and you've got 550 00:24:30,830 --> 00:24:33,590 Speaker 3: Billie Jean King and you've got Chris Everett. I remember 551 00:24:33,609 --> 00:24:36,250 Speaker 3: a few years ago seeing a documentary about the battle 552 00:24:36,290 --> 00:24:38,409 Speaker 3: of the sexes and they interviewed Billie Jean King and 553 00:24:38,430 --> 00:24:41,950 Speaker 3: she's standing at Queens. And so these players were used 554 00:24:41,990 --> 00:24:44,210 Speaker 3: to going to play at that venue. And the only 555 00:24:44,270 --> 00:24:46,560 Speaker 3: reason that the women moved away from Queens was because 556 00:24:46,580 --> 00:24:48,400 Speaker 3: they went and set up their own tournament in Eastbourne, 557 00:24:48,460 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 3: which is, which has been a massively successful tournament for 558 00:24:50,820 --> 00:24:54,010 Speaker 3: over 40 years. The week before the week before Wimbledon. 559 00:24:54,609 --> 00:24:58,629 Speaker 3: I think it's really exciting that the site at Queen's 560 00:24:59,050 --> 00:25:01,370 Speaker 3: is too small to accommodate a combined event, which would 561 00:25:01,390 --> 00:25:03,940 Speaker 3: be the ideal, really. We looked at it during my 562 00:25:03,980 --> 00:25:05,980 Speaker 3: time there as well. And you just couldn't really make 563 00:25:06,020 --> 00:25:09,760 Speaker 3: it work. And so to get two weeks of out 564 00:25:09,780 --> 00:25:12,850 Speaker 3: of that venue and to give the women the platform 565 00:25:12,869 --> 00:25:13,770 Speaker 3: to come and play there. 566 00:25:15,180 --> 00:25:15,580 Speaker 4: Is great. 567 00:25:15,640 --> 00:25:17,880 Speaker 3: So, I mean, I'm all for it. And I think 568 00:25:17,900 --> 00:25:20,090 Speaker 3: it's good. I think it will be a great success. 569 00:25:20,460 --> 00:25:22,990 Speaker 3: And I think it also, you've still got eSpawn there 570 00:25:23,030 --> 00:25:24,590 Speaker 3: as well, which is a very special event in its 571 00:25:24,670 --> 00:25:27,670 Speaker 3: own right and has its own place on the tennis 572 00:25:27,690 --> 00:25:29,680 Speaker 3: calendar in the UK as well, which I think is great. 573 00:25:30,060 --> 00:25:31,580 Speaker 1: It's also good to pick your brain about this stuff 574 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:33,899 Speaker 1: because you're across it all being a member of the 575 00:25:33,940 --> 00:25:37,719 Speaker 1: ATP Tournament Advisory Council. So we were, that's correct, isn't it? 576 00:25:37,780 --> 00:25:38,260 Speaker 4: Yes, that's right. 577 00:25:38,580 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 1: What does that entail? Because I don't think we've, on 578 00:25:40,540 --> 00:25:42,400 Speaker 1: the sit down, we've yet talked to somebody on that council. 579 00:25:42,420 --> 00:25:45,280 Speaker 4: First time. Yeah. 580 00:25:45,340 --> 00:25:47,480 Speaker 1: So what happens there and how does that fold into 581 00:25:47,500 --> 00:25:48,060 Speaker 1: your current role? 582 00:25:48,220 --> 00:25:48,420 Speaker 4: Yeah. 583 00:25:48,460 --> 00:25:50,850 Speaker 3: So on the ATP and the WTA side, you have 584 00:25:50,900 --> 00:25:53,590 Speaker 3: a player council and you have a tournament council who 585 00:25:53,890 --> 00:25:56,470 Speaker 3: really are meant to represent, both represent the views of 586 00:25:56,510 --> 00:25:58,880 Speaker 3: the other tournaments or the other players, and the player 587 00:25:58,900 --> 00:26:01,540 Speaker 3: council side, but also really to be a sounding board 588 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:04,300 Speaker 3: for the board and the management of those tours in 589 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:06,320 Speaker 3: terms of what they might want to be doing, the 590 00:26:06,340 --> 00:26:08,030 Speaker 3: changes they might want to be making, all the issues 591 00:26:08,070 --> 00:26:10,570 Speaker 3: that come up. So, you know, we meet four or 592 00:26:10,590 --> 00:26:13,590 Speaker 3: five times a year. And there's been some really interesting 593 00:26:13,630 --> 00:26:15,490 Speaker 3: things that have been going on. I mean, there's obviously 594 00:26:15,510 --> 00:26:19,149 Speaker 3: been some changes to the tour with the increase in 595 00:26:19,190 --> 00:26:21,550 Speaker 3: size of the Masters events, with all sorts of other 596 00:26:21,570 --> 00:26:22,970 Speaker 3: things that have been looked at as part of the 597 00:26:23,020 --> 00:26:26,169 Speaker 3: wider strategic plan on the ATP side. So it's an 598 00:26:26,210 --> 00:26:28,169 Speaker 3: interesting group to be part of. And it's obviously an 599 00:26:28,190 --> 00:26:30,010 Speaker 3: interesting time in tennis right now as well. 600 00:26:30,290 --> 00:26:31,170 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, definitely. 601 00:26:31,210 --> 00:26:33,869 Speaker 1: I think that's where we're going to conclude this conversation. 602 00:26:33,930 --> 00:26:36,859 Speaker 1: It is an interesting time, as you said. What are 603 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:38,940 Speaker 1: you encouraged about with the future direction of tennis? 604 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:41,240 Speaker 3: I think fundamentally, it's about the talent that you've got 605 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:43,540 Speaker 3: playing the sport. And then it's about how you show 606 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:45,899 Speaker 3: off that talent in the best possible way. So from 607 00:26:45,940 --> 00:26:49,490 Speaker 3: a talent perspective, I think it's a really exciting time. 608 00:26:49,730 --> 00:26:51,810 Speaker 3: I know that we're moving on from this period where 609 00:26:52,470 --> 00:26:56,180 Speaker 3: You've had these absolute legends of sport, let alone tennis. 610 00:26:56,580 --> 00:26:58,899 Speaker 3: You know, if you've got Roger Federer coming to your tournament, 611 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:00,460 Speaker 3: you're going to sell out for the entire week. 612 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:01,960 Speaker 4: So we've moved on from that. 613 00:27:02,090 --> 00:27:04,470 Speaker 3: But the talent that is coming through on both the 614 00:27:04,510 --> 00:27:06,369 Speaker 3: men's side and the women's side of the game, I 615 00:27:06,390 --> 00:27:09,580 Speaker 3: think is really exciting. I think it's a responsibility for 616 00:27:09,619 --> 00:27:11,179 Speaker 3: all of us in tennis, though, is to tell the 617 00:27:11,220 --> 00:27:13,199 Speaker 3: story of those players. And I still don't think we 618 00:27:13,220 --> 00:27:15,490 Speaker 3: do a good enough job collectively in order to be 619 00:27:15,510 --> 00:27:19,230 Speaker 3: able to do that, because some of the ability and 620 00:27:19,250 --> 00:27:21,610 Speaker 3: the level of tennis that we're seeing on the court now, 621 00:27:21,650 --> 00:27:23,450 Speaker 3: I think, is at the highest level I've ever seen. 622 00:27:23,850 --> 00:27:26,850 Speaker 4: And I think we've got a duty to be able 623 00:27:26,869 --> 00:27:29,150 Speaker 4: to take that to the maximum possible level. audience. 624 00:27:30,450 --> 00:27:34,380 Speaker 3: I think tennis as a whole can still go some way, though, 625 00:27:34,420 --> 00:27:39,699 Speaker 3: when it comes to innovation. I think Tennis Australia does 626 00:27:39,740 --> 00:27:41,750 Speaker 3: an amazing job through the Australian Open, United Cup, all 627 00:27:41,770 --> 00:27:44,609 Speaker 3: the events Tennis Australia does. in trying to make tennis 628 00:27:44,650 --> 00:27:48,010 Speaker 3: look different and engage better with audiences. 629 00:27:48,290 --> 00:27:48,750 Speaker 4: And I think. 630 00:27:48,650 --> 00:27:50,570 Speaker 3: There's more to come. I think we've got to do 631 00:27:50,630 --> 00:27:52,609 Speaker 3: something about the length of matches. I know that's a 632 00:27:52,650 --> 00:27:56,010 Speaker 3: really obvious, boring point, but ways that we can speed 633 00:27:56,050 --> 00:27:57,990 Speaker 3: the sport up. I think it's really important. These matches 634 00:27:58,020 --> 00:27:59,439 Speaker 3: are getting longer and longer and longer, and I don't 635 00:27:59,460 --> 00:28:02,820 Speaker 3: think that's great. I think that there's ways of being 636 00:28:02,859 --> 00:28:04,899 Speaker 3: a lot more coordinated in terms of how tennis as 637 00:28:04,940 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 3: a whole is being promoted. But I think fundamentally, when 638 00:28:10,140 --> 00:28:14,520 Speaker 3: you look at the talent coming through, we've seen... Alcaraz, 639 00:28:14,660 --> 00:28:18,420 Speaker 3: this embodiment of charisma. We've had Yannick Sinner here, who's 640 00:28:19,100 --> 00:28:22,820 Speaker 3: such a beautiful player to watch. Iga Sviontek, who just 641 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:24,639 Speaker 3: wins and wins and wins. I mean, she's obviously just 642 00:28:24,700 --> 00:28:26,679 Speaker 3: smashing her way through the Roland Garros right now. She's 643 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:28,760 Speaker 3: been brilliant for us at United Cup. I mean, these 644 00:28:28,780 --> 00:28:32,640 Speaker 3: are great, these are great talented athletes, great role models. 645 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:34,010 Speaker 4: So I'm really excited about that. 646 00:28:34,270 --> 00:28:36,169 Speaker 3: I've also been involved the last two years as the 647 00:28:36,210 --> 00:28:38,970 Speaker 3: tournament director of the AO Juniors event, which has been fantastic. 648 00:28:39,140 --> 00:28:41,700 Speaker 3: really interesting for me because you sort of see, um, 649 00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:45,350 Speaker 3: that the, the, the conveyor belt coming through as well. And, 650 00:28:45,750 --> 00:28:48,590 Speaker 3: you know, there are some, you know, um, Xiao Fonseca, 651 00:28:48,610 --> 00:28:51,650 Speaker 3: the young Brazilian kid. I mean, he's incredible. I mean, 652 00:28:51,670 --> 00:28:54,590 Speaker 3: he's going to be really, really special. Um, he played 653 00:28:54,630 --> 00:28:57,010 Speaker 3: the juniors a couple of years ago. Um, there's some, 654 00:28:57,030 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 3: there's an amazing crop of British girls as well, coming 655 00:28:59,620 --> 00:29:02,880 Speaker 3: through as well. Hannah Klugman's one, Mimi Zhu's another, um, 656 00:29:03,180 --> 00:29:05,800 Speaker 3: who we saw this year, the juniors and, and obviously 657 00:29:05,840 --> 00:29:07,780 Speaker 3: Emerson Jones getting to the final of the juniors here 658 00:29:07,820 --> 00:29:09,780 Speaker 3: as well. So, I think there's lots and lots of 659 00:29:09,820 --> 00:29:13,540 Speaker 3: things to be excited about. But I think we need 660 00:29:13,580 --> 00:29:15,680 Speaker 3: to collectively work together to show the sport in the 661 00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:17,580 Speaker 3: best light. I think we need to continue to do that. 662 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:19,340 Speaker 3: We need to look at the example of other sports 663 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,000 Speaker 3: as well. And those that innovate tend to be the 664 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:23,900 Speaker 3: ones that succeed. And I don't think we should rest 665 00:29:23,940 --> 00:29:25,870 Speaker 3: on our laurels. There's a lot of tennis out there. 666 00:29:26,530 --> 00:29:29,530 Speaker 3: And I think, you know, how we can work together 667 00:29:29,570 --> 00:29:31,810 Speaker 3: to make that the most engaging product possible is something 668 00:29:31,830 --> 00:29:33,810 Speaker 3: that we need to continue to do. And Tennis Australia 669 00:29:33,830 --> 00:29:35,370 Speaker 3: really leads the way in doing that. 670 00:29:38,930 --> 00:29:41,910 Speaker 2: Well, I loved hearing stories. reflections on some of the 671 00:29:41,930 --> 00:29:46,050 Speaker 2: Aussie legends and hearing about the parallels between Australia and 672 00:29:46,090 --> 00:29:48,810 Speaker 2: the UK in terms of grass court tennis. Great interview. 673 00:29:48,990 --> 00:29:51,180 Speaker 1: Yeah, I really enjoyed hearing all of his thoughts on that. 674 00:29:51,520 --> 00:29:54,020 Speaker 1: And speaking of Australian tennis players, we're excited to bring 675 00:29:54,060 --> 00:29:56,100 Speaker 1: you new episodes of The Sit Down in the coming 676 00:29:56,120 --> 00:29:58,780 Speaker 1: weeks with Australian tennis players who have thrived on grass, 677 00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:01,540 Speaker 1: which is perfect in the run-up to Wimbledon. In the meantime, 678 00:30:01,620 --> 00:30:03,050 Speaker 1: you can listen to John and the team on the 679 00:30:03,140 --> 00:30:06,870 Speaker 1: AO Show Weekly this Thursday. And as always, remember to subscribe, 680 00:30:07,030 --> 00:30:07,910 Speaker 1: rate and review. 681 00:30:08,050 --> 00:30:08,930 Speaker 4: We'll see you next week, Viv. 682 00:30:09,290 --> 00:30:10,010 Speaker 2: See you next week, Matt.