1 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of the sit Down. 2 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: I'm Mattrolope, a writer for ozopen dot com, and I'm. 3 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:11,399 Speaker 2: Viv Christine, managing editor of Australian Tennis magazine. 4 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:13,360 Speaker 1: And Viv why are we sitting down with Alisha Mullick 5 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: this week? 6 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,079 Speaker 2: Well, it's twenty years can you believe it? Since Alisha 7 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 2: won bronze at the Athens Olympics in two thousand and 8 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 2: four and she still describes that as the pinnacle of 9 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:24,240 Speaker 2: her career. 10 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, it was really cool to chat to her and 11 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: hear her reflect on that run in such vivid detail. 12 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: So let's have a listen now. Alisha Mullik, you are 13 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,240 Speaker 1: joining us on the sit Down today, almost twenty years 14 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: on from what I imagine must be a huge career highlight, 15 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:44,840 Speaker 1: and I just wonder what you remember about those games 16 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 1: twenty year is on. 17 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,840 Speaker 3: Well, first of all, I can't believe it's twenty years ago. 18 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 3: Quite amazing, because it's all still really fresh in my mind. 19 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:56,160 Speaker 3: And I think that, you know, the memory is so 20 00:00:56,360 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 3: vivid because it was just I think, such a real moment, 21 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 3: a turning point, a real achievement within my career. I 22 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 3: look back on it now I can't quite believe, you know, 23 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 3: that that it happened and that I achieved a bronze medal. 24 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 3: I mean, the first thing that I really think of was, 25 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 3: you know, how difficult it was to win a medal 26 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:23,760 Speaker 3: in Athens, not purely because of the venue, the conditions. 27 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 3: I think most days were forty plus, so I really 28 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 3: remember that well. But secondly, the field, you know, aside 29 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 3: from myself winning bronze and then Emmeline Maresmo silver, Justin 30 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 3: Hannan gold was just you know, a phenomenal to be 31 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 3: within their company and standing on the podium. That's a 32 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 3: moment really etched in my mind that I will never 33 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 3: ever forget. And you know, the kids now, you know, 34 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 3: leading into the Olympics. Now children start to do projects 35 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 3: and things, and they have a keen interest in varied sports. 36 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 3: So it's it's nice to occasionally, you know, have some 37 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 3: reminders of it too. Mostly every four years. 38 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 1: Two weeks before the Olympics, you won the Stockholm title, 39 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 1: and I just wonder getting that win so soon before 40 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 1: the Olympics, Like, did you feel you were coming into 41 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: Athens with like more momentum and confidence as a result of. 42 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 3: That, Yeah, without question, And I do remember playing in Stockholm. 43 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:28,560 Speaker 3: I fortunately had won the singles and the double, so 44 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,919 Speaker 3: I had a lot of match practice in that particular week, 45 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 3: and once again it was warm conditions quite almost quite 46 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:40,640 Speaker 3: similar to Athens. So everything was I think tipping in 47 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:43,240 Speaker 3: the right way as far as preparation for the Olympics 48 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 3: when I competed in when I competed in Sydney, I 49 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 3: didn't quite I was in the Olympics, but I didn't 50 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 3: really think I was at the level or bleed, I 51 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 3: was at the level to win a medal. But most 52 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 3: definitely arriving in Athens having won a tournament, you know, 53 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 3: it being probably the best six months in all you know, 54 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 3: the best six months that I've ever had in my career. 55 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 3: I felt that I was a definite shot. So it 56 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 3: was a really different feeling going to the Olympics with 57 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 3: a medal in sight. I think there's a lot of Olympians, 58 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 3: or a lot of competitors who go there to participate, 59 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 3: don't really have the full belief, don't have the full 60 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 3: understanding of their ability and what it takes to win 61 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 3: a medal. So that's what really set happens apart. I 62 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 3: felt that I was ready I was really well prepared 63 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 3: and the result really showed. 64 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 2: Alicia, you beat Isugiyama, the number eight seed in the quarterfinals, 65 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 2: so they gave you that guaranteed your chance to play 66 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 2: off for the bronze medal match. Can you remember what 67 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,559 Speaker 2: that felt like, securing that chance. 68 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 3: The opportunity, getting myself into a position where it was just, 69 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 3: you know, it was within sight. All of a sudden, 70 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 3: it's not about the matches. It's a metal match, and 71 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 3: that it reads differently on the schedule. It feels different, 72 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 3: all of a sudden, You're in contention for something that 73 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 3: very very few people in the whole world have the 74 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 3: ability to ever put their hand up for. So it 75 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 3: gave me a real you know, it gave me a 76 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 3: sense of pride that I'd put my country in that position, 77 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 3: myself in that position, my team in that position, you know, 78 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 3: and I couldn't wait for it. I was really looking 79 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 3: forward to that following round. I yeah, I really narrowed 80 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 3: my focus. I still I do remember my preparation and 81 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 3: it was almost as if everything really condensed and you 82 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:41,479 Speaker 3: sort of block out the outside nose because it was 83 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 3: about going that far, but making sure that I had 84 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 3: a medal to take home as well. 85 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 2: Were you aware of what had happened to Anastasia Mesquina 86 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:52,720 Speaker 2: in the other semi final before you faced her in 87 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 2: the playoff match. 88 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I had, I had, And in terms of I 89 00:04:57,920 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 3: think she was I think she had a couple of 90 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 3: match points or a match point away. I think from 91 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 3: beating Emilie or Justine. I can't rememberho it was, but 92 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 3: I feel like she was in a winning position and 93 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 3: she'd let it slip. She'd completely let a match go. 94 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 3: I think she got anxious, she got nervous, and I 95 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,799 Speaker 3: remember her being completely devastated walking off the court. 96 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 2: And can you describe the psychology of playing for the 97 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 2: bronze medal, like you're balancing the disappointment of the semi final, 98 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 2: yet you're playing for such a great prize. 99 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think. You know, that's the difference with the Olympics. 100 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 3: In every other tournament around the world, you at at 101 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,159 Speaker 3: some point in time, you get bumped bundled out of 102 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:46,720 Speaker 3: the tournament unless you're the victor. 103 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 2: And you know, for. 104 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 3: Players such as you know Serena and Novak and you 105 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 3: know Venus and you know these stars that continually make 106 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 3: finals continue, you're lead at title winners. You know, that's 107 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 3: always there. So the majority of tennis players around the 108 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 3: world losing every week and that's I guess that was 109 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 3: pretty special to have lost but still had a shot 110 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 3: for the trophy, for the bronze medal, So it still 111 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 3: felt like a win. It still felt you know, and 112 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:22,720 Speaker 3: really not since junior days do you lose and then 113 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 3: you have another opportunity, you know, in the feet in 114 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 3: a van or you have something else to win. So 115 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 3: it didn't diminish the didn't you know. I still felt 116 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 3: incredibly excited, incredibly proud the fact that I was buying 117 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 3: for a bronze medal. Yeah, in no way did it 118 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 3: diminish my efforts as well in losing the previous. 119 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:47,280 Speaker 1: Route Olympics return to Summer, the Summer Games in nineteen 120 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: eighty eight, and in that time you're the only Aussie 121 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:52,279 Speaker 1: that's won an individual medal any any other time and 122 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: Aussie's done it and it's been in doubles, so so 123 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 1: that that, yeah, it's quite unique. And how where does 124 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 1: that kind of achievement sit in the whole context your 125 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:02,799 Speaker 1: your career considering that significance. 126 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:04,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's right up there. It's probably the proudest moment 127 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 3: of my whole career. I you know, winning brights means 128 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 3: that you you walk away, you're exceptionally proud. You you 129 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 3: get to take something home, You have a chance to 130 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 3: step up on the podium. You you still have a 131 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 3: chance to represent your country by you know, being in 132 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 3: that third place and being alongside complete champions of the sport, 133 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 3: and you've had a second bite at the cherry. You've 134 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 3: made the most of. But so it's a winning feeling. 135 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 3: You feel like you've won a Grand Slam. I mean, 136 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 3: the Grand Slams are the pinnacle of tennis. That my 137 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 3: bronze medal was the pinnacle I think of my career, 138 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 3: no question about it. You know, you reference how happy 139 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 3: bronze medalists are and it's it's completely and true. It's 140 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 3: completely euphoric as well. You know, there's a really good 141 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 3: good I remember reading an article once saying that bronze 142 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 3: medalists live longer than silver medalists because you know, if 143 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 3: you win gold, yeah, things a great roasie. You you 144 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:04,520 Speaker 3: know that you've reached the pinnacle in your sport, you know, 145 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 3: and the silver medalists always lived lived with what could 146 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 3: have been what should have been, you know, the disappointment, 147 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 3: reliving all the moments of where the gold medal match 148 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:20,239 Speaker 3: went wrong, what they could have done better, living in regret. 149 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 3: And I think the bronze medalists, they said, you know, 150 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 3: are so happy with their performance. They've come away with 151 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 3: something and they you know, I think it increases their 152 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 3: living capacity by a couple of extra years, the silver medalists. 153 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 3: So I'm kind of glad I got the bronze, you know, 154 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:41,320 Speaker 3: gold would have been great. But you know, it was 155 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 3: the most incredible feeling too too. When I was presented 156 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 3: with the medal you know, around my neck and had 157 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:52,599 Speaker 3: the wreath from Athens as well, the olive leaves and 158 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 3: the wreath that they placed over our heads. It was, Yeah, 159 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 3: it was a real pinch me moment that actually didn't 160 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 3: feel real at the time. It was something I never 161 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 3: thought I would ever experience because you watch it as 162 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 3: a kid and feels so far away from reality. You know, 163 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,559 Speaker 3: you see this thing, the Olympics on a screen every 164 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 3: couple of years, you know, the winter in between every 165 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 3: two years, and you know, so that the dream became 166 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 3: a reality, and I think at that moment it was 167 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 3: I've never cried because of joy. But I did cry 168 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 3: that match, and it's never happened to me before in 169 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 3: my whole career where I have won a match. I 170 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 3: felt so proud of myself that I actually was in 171 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:33,960 Speaker 3: tears and I'd given everything and it was the only 172 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 3: time it ever happened in my career tears of joy. 173 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 1: Wow, Well that speaks of the significance of where it 174 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: sits in your career. 175 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:42,559 Speaker 3: Yeah, you alluded. 176 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 1: To it earlier in the chat that you were on 177 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,440 Speaker 1: the podium with Justine and Emily. So you lost the 178 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: semi final to Emily. She went into the gold medal 179 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,439 Speaker 1: match and lost to Hennan. And there's some great photos 180 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: of the three of you appearing on the Metal Days 181 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 1: and you're all talking to each other, I guess after 182 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:58,560 Speaker 1: the anthems or whatever, and you're and there's photos of 183 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:00,959 Speaker 1: you and Emily looking at Justine's and you're all sharing 184 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:02,719 Speaker 1: a joke and you've all got the reads on your head. 185 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:05,160 Speaker 1: I just wonder, Yeah, what that moment was like sharing 186 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 1: it with them, because as you said, they were, they 187 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 1: were such champions of the game themselves, and what what 188 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:12,839 Speaker 1: was that like camaraderie like in the in the metal 189 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: presentation and when that was all happening. 190 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:18,079 Speaker 3: So I'd never seen either of them smile that much either, 191 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:21,959 Speaker 3: you know, you know to tow athletes that keep their 192 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 3: cards pretty close to their chests, or they did in 193 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 3: their careers. Between Emilie and Justine and so they were, 194 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 3: they were head over heels with their performance, their win, 195 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 3: their their medals, and you know, for all of us, 196 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 3: it was a moment that we're all comparing you know, weights, colors, 197 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 3: we were all just so so interested in and I think, yeah, 198 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 3: we're just all of us overcome with joy. And I 199 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 3: have to say the same for Emline and Justine as well, 200 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:55,559 Speaker 3: that it was just pure joy in that moment. Unfortunately, 201 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,839 Speaker 3: for Justine being able to experience her national anthem, the 202 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 3: Algium national anthem, that was you know, one step further 203 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 3: as well. It was you know that that even gave 204 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:09,960 Speaker 3: me goosebumps listening to it as an Australian athlete. 205 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 2: Obviously, the Olympics is unlike any other experience that you 206 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 2: have on tour. What was it like being around the 207 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 2: Australian team, more broadly the Australian Olympic team and just 208 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 2: other great athletes of the world. 209 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 3: I think the absolute highlight is because throughout the year, 210 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 3: in a general sense in tennis, you you aren't just 211 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,440 Speaker 3: following the summers around, but you are You're amongst tennis 212 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:38,679 Speaker 3: players all the time, tennis coaches, trainers, fitness trainers, mind coaches, 213 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:43,200 Speaker 3: you know, so you are around the same people so often. 214 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 3: It's so many very tennis tournaments around the world, and 215 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 3: all of a sudden you are traveling on buses with 216 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 3: the swimming team, with the table tennis team, and getting 217 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 3: to know other athletes outside of your sport and really 218 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 3: forming some great cans, learning about their journeys, how they 219 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 3: arrived there, learning more about other coaches in other sports 220 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 3: as well. So you have this huge amount of respect 221 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,839 Speaker 3: for everyone around you, and there will be all the 222 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:19,280 Speaker 3: smaller moments that I really enjoyed, was, you know, going 223 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:23,439 Speaker 3: to you know, pick up your laundry from the laundromat 224 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:25,719 Speaker 3: in the village, but you might be in Athens. I 225 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:27,839 Speaker 3: think the line's often for twenty five you know, twenty 226 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 3: twenty five minutes. Inevitably there's a couple of Aussies in 227 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:32,560 Speaker 3: the line. You know, you let them jump in front 228 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:34,200 Speaker 3: of you so they can get their laundry. A bit quicker. 229 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 3: You start chatting and you just have a little bit 230 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 3: of time to learn so much more about others that 231 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:43,560 Speaker 3: you generally wouldn't have had the opportunity to do so 232 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 3: in crossing paths. Also, the apartment blocks are set up 233 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 3: so a number of sports and athletes are sharing, often 234 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 3: on the same level, so inevitably you're having coffee or 235 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 3: a meal all together, and that's a that's a real highlight. 236 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 3: It sounds so normal, but you know, in a sport 237 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 3: like tennis, we often just don't have that opportunity. That's 238 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:07,440 Speaker 3: why it's just so extra special. 239 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 2: Were there any particular athletes that you can recall meeting 240 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 2: and sort of connecting with and anything specific you learn 241 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 2: from them. 242 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 3: I think, well, I did remember having a photo with 243 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 3: Yeomen and that was I have to track that one down. 244 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:27,840 Speaker 3: Actually I'm not sure what it really is, but that 245 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 3: was a real moment. You know, someone that you've seen 246 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 3: on TV, the basketballer for so many years, probably within 247 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,439 Speaker 3: the Australian team. I think it was. You know, I've 248 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:40,080 Speaker 3: took a real interest in the group that were boxing, 249 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 3: learning about their journeys. Even now I can't maybe we 250 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 3: shared with now might have been actually the I think 251 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:51,960 Speaker 3: there was softball in Athens. I think I'm sharing some 252 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 3: of the softballers. To be honest, did you get. 253 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 2: To watch other sports at all? What other sports did 254 00:13:57,640 --> 00:13:58,160 Speaker 2: you take in? 255 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 3: Very you It was just because of the conditions in Athens, 256 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 3: lining up with matches, playing doubles was just a lot 257 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:14,560 Speaker 3: on the schedule. So I do remember watching some cycling. 258 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 3: I do remember heading over to the pool and watching 259 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 3: some races, doing as much as I could. However, hockey 260 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 3: as well. I'd taken a hockey game that was an 261 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 3: evening game, just as a real balance, you know. And 262 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 3: that's I think the difficult part for a lot of 263 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 3: athletes to manage the excitement of being in the village, 264 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 3: managing their training, managing their competition. You know, even getting 265 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:42,240 Speaker 3: from it's different to every other event, because even getting 266 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 3: from your accommodation to the dining hall sometimes can take 267 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 3: twenty minutes by the time you've walked there, you know. 268 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 3: So there's there's just so many other factors that you 269 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 3: need to consider in your data, training or preparation for 270 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 3: your match. So but you know you're at the Olympics, 271 00:14:57,720 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 3: have to take some of it in. I know there's 272 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,200 Speaker 3: lots of sports choose not to do the ceremony, not 273 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:04,840 Speaker 3: to take pardon that, not to go and watch any 274 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 3: other sports, so no outside distractions. I think it's a 275 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 3: really fine balance. If I yeah, if I had a 276 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 3: chance to chat to some younger, younger players who were 277 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 3: representing Australia for the first time, I'd say, you know, 278 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 3: strike a really fine balance there. 279 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 2: And the opening ceremony. You did do that, yes, yeah, 280 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 2: we all look. 281 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 3: Very few players didn't take part, and I think, you know, 282 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 3: it's always I think as tennis players in general, we're 283 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 3: quite flexible. You know, we're used to delays, we're used 284 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:38,400 Speaker 3: to waiting around quite a loss, so you know, in 285 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 3: various tournaments, bad weather or various other reasons. So the 286 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 3: opening ceremony was always something which I opted in for. 287 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 3: I mean, it's it's a real highlight. There's a huge 288 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:54,400 Speaker 3: buzz amongst the village, and especially when the whole Australian 289 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 3: team converge in their outfits and consense excitement and everyone's 290 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 3: scrubbing photos with each other when the flag bearers were announced, 291 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:05,320 Speaker 3: it's a huge you know, again, it's what you watch 292 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 3: on TV and it's genuinely you know, you feel like 293 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 3: incredibly proud as an Australia in that as an Australian 294 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 3: in that moment when you're about to walk into a stadium, 295 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 3: you know, the piercing screens and whistles, it's you know, 296 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 3: the roar of the crowd just phenomenal. 297 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: Were you aware of the response to your bronze medal 298 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:28,520 Speaker 1: achievement back home in Australia. 299 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 2: Not really. 300 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 3: And I say that because after the Olympics, I headed 301 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 3: straight to New Haven, so I was, you know, barely 302 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 3: had time to blink. I sort of, I think only 303 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 3: had a day or two and I was on a 304 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 3: flight and you know, off to the States. It was 305 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 3: heavy preparation for the US Open so that, you know, 306 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 3: I was really immediate in my mind. So it was 307 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 3: sort of difficult to really catch yourself enjoy it too much. 308 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:59,240 Speaker 3: But I don't think I really realized perhaps the momentum 309 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 3: at home. Maybe now I recognize the significance being the 310 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 3: only singles medalists now, you know, in history, and I'm 311 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 3: really proud of that, you know. To me, it really 312 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:15,960 Speaker 3: solidified in my mind that you know, I was up 313 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 3: there with the best of them, you know, the handful 314 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 3: of the best of them. So when you when you 315 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 3: genuinely feel that it gave me a different outlook for 316 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:28,040 Speaker 3: the US Open for the remainder of the year leading 317 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:31,479 Speaker 3: into the Australian summer, you know it did, and I 318 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:33,920 Speaker 3: want to I think I'd won almost the most amount 319 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 3: of matches on tour that year in two thousand and 320 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 3: four or close to so it really helped almost provide 321 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:43,080 Speaker 3: an extra layer of armor for me for the Australian Summer. 322 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:47,399 Speaker 3: I remember arriving ready for the leading events and the 323 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:50,640 Speaker 3: AO feely in a pretty bulletproof I'd played so many 324 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 3: matches of won a heap. The bronze medal sort of, yeah, 325 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:57,920 Speaker 3: propelled me forward in a sense that it gave me 326 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 3: an I think it gave me a differentpreciation for the 327 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:03,960 Speaker 3: level that I was at as well, and a really 328 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 3: different level of confidence being a medalist at the Olympics. 329 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:11,480 Speaker 3: Yet you know, it helped propel me forward to that 330 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,000 Speaker 3: feeling of that I could win the Australian app And 331 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 3: that's the only Australian Open I really felt. It didn't 332 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,080 Speaker 3: feel it in any of the other ones ever. 333 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:22,280 Speaker 1: You kind of alluded to it before, but tennis players 334 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:24,360 Speaker 1: get us this all the time about where Olympic success 335 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: sits compared to Grand Slams, because it is that kind 336 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 1: of like, you know, the pinnacle of the sport. Some 337 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:31,479 Speaker 1: people might say the Australian Open or whatever like that, 338 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: but it sounds like for you, the Olympics is right 339 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,639 Speaker 1: up there, if not the best for you. Like if 340 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: you could choose a gold medal or a Grand Slam 341 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 1: singles title, what did you pick? 342 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, I wish I won a Grand Slam in 343 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:48,680 Speaker 3: single so then I could really tell you where where 344 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,200 Speaker 3: it's sat. But the bronze for me is I mean, 345 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 3: in fairness, lots of you know that there's not many 346 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:58,440 Speaker 3: one time Grand Slam winners. Most of the time they're 347 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:00,520 Speaker 3: multiple Grand Slam winns. And I'm pretty sure if you 348 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:04,879 Speaker 3: asked those players where that rate their gold medal for 349 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 3: those that have won a number of them. You know, 350 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,919 Speaker 3: God sam s get old. I'm bless Europe, you know, 351 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:13,880 Speaker 3: Serena or Novak at this point in time, or perhaps 352 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:17,640 Speaker 3: our caras down the track. The gold medal, I can 353 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 3: imagine is always going to have a really special place, 354 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 3: probably front and center in their trophy cabinets at home. 355 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:30,320 Speaker 3: But for me, it was bronze was like gold. It 356 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 3: felt that it felt that I achieved everything in my 357 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:38,360 Speaker 3: life and tennis, and it really, it really really did. 358 00:19:38,720 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 3: Winning the bronze medal it felt like gold. It could 359 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 3: have been silver, could have been gold, could have been bronze, 360 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 3: but I was absolutely over the moon. But I think, 361 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:48,159 Speaker 3: I think it has a really special place for a 362 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 3: lot of athletes because of tennis being that individual sport. 363 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:56,119 Speaker 3: But there are so many individuals who are so passionate 364 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:59,480 Speaker 3: about their country, is about playing for their flag. So 365 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 3: I think some that's a little bit lost and diminished 366 00:20:02,119 --> 00:20:05,160 Speaker 3: because of the fact that tennis players had so many 367 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:08,359 Speaker 3: platforms throughout the year, which sadly other sports don't have. 368 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:12,919 Speaker 3: So I think publicly and in the press sometimes you know, 369 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 3: the worth of a medal to a tennis player isn't 370 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 3: always probably acknowledged as much as it should or give 371 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:24,120 Speaker 3: them the same attention. So you know, happily that changes 372 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:26,880 Speaker 3: changes you know, people's perspective as well on it. 373 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 1: We'll see, I guess in Paris what the reactions are 374 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:30,520 Speaker 1: in the next week. 375 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:33,720 Speaker 2: I do. Yeah, Alicia, we've heard you say that you 376 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 2: weren't quite sure where your actual medal. 377 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:41,600 Speaker 3: Was yes, yeah, and I still don't know where. I 378 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 3: said to Mum, I was going to do this interview 379 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,239 Speaker 3: and that, oh god, I said, in the case, I 380 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:49,160 Speaker 3: still can't find it. So I look. When I returned 381 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:51,719 Speaker 3: poked from Athens, from that whole trip in America, I 382 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 3: remember showing my medal to a lot of people friends, 383 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:57,240 Speaker 3: you know. I've been in biuted to a few schools 384 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 3: to you know, chat to various year levels about the 385 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:03,199 Speaker 3: Olympics about my metal. Took it into show them, so 386 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 3: I don't necessarily think I've left it anywhere. I remember 387 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:09,919 Speaker 3: always keeping it in a and two pairs of really 388 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:16,800 Speaker 3: bright pink bed sock, and I think I remember going 389 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:18,679 Speaker 3: back to it was just a really busy time. But 390 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 3: a year or two later going back to base to 391 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:23,439 Speaker 3: keep it in my soft draw, and I thought that 392 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:25,640 Speaker 3: wasn't a very good place. I think I remember going 393 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:27,439 Speaker 3: to Mum and Dad's house and popping it up in 394 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 3: their attic. I have had a little search. I've searched, 395 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,680 Speaker 3: I've moved homes a number of times. I've searched everything 396 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 3: from top to toe, and I think I have to 397 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:41,360 Speaker 3: give Mum and Dad's house in Adelaide another going over 398 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 3: because I just cannot find it. I cannot actually remember 399 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:49,399 Speaker 3: where its final resting spot is, and it's a bit embarrassing. 400 00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:51,120 Speaker 3: And now my kids are at the age i'm sure 401 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:53,920 Speaker 3: they'd love to see it, So I probably need to 402 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:56,560 Speaker 3: start looking at if I cannot find it, whether I 403 00:21:56,600 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 3: can get a replica produced. But it's so sad, isn't it. 404 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 2: Well, it does sound like one of those things that 405 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 2: you'll find it one day in it'll be such a 406 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:04,960 Speaker 2: great moment. 407 00:22:05,640 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 3: It probably feel better than winning the actual medal, to 408 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 3: be honest, that's probably going to be the highlight of 409 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 3: my life, never mind winning it on the tennis court. Well. 410 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 2: Alicia always thrived in a team environment, so it's not 411 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:23,199 Speaker 2: surprising to hear that she describes the Olympics as the 412 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:26,960 Speaker 2: pinnacle of her career and something that she'll remember for life. 413 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure. 414 00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 1: And it was kind of at that time that bronze 415 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:32,639 Speaker 1: medal also the pinnacle of kind of her tennis performance 416 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 1: because that was the start of an incredible six month 417 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 1: run that extended into January of the next year, and 418 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:39,240 Speaker 1: she had her best Grand Slam result by making the 419 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:41,920 Speaker 1: quarterfinals with the Australian Open. And yes, it certainly kind 420 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 1: of started without Athens run and you can actually look 421 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:47,480 Speaker 1: back at that. We've released the full match of Alisha 422 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:50,280 Speaker 1: Mullock's fourth round win over Venus Williams and spoke to 423 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:53,320 Speaker 1: her about that career best Grand Slam run and yet 424 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 1: another great opportunity to hear from Alisha talking about such 425 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 1: a great part of her career. 426 00:22:57,280 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 2: We'll be back next Monday with another episode of the 427 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:02,520 Speaker 2: sit Down, and in the meantime, you can listen to 428 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 2: John and the team this Thursday on the Aoshow Weekly. 429 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 1: And details for how to contact us as always, they're 430 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 1: in the show notes. Please subscribe, rate and review. We'll 431 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:11,640 Speaker 1: see you next week, Vive 432 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 2: See you, Matt,