The Tennis – Details, episodes & analysis

Who will win the singles titles at Australian Open 2026? On the season finale of The Tennis, Xave and Brie are joined by Todd Woodbridge, Jaimee Fourlis, and Simon Rea to debate this week’s Big Question. The panel also reacts to news of Stan Wawrinka’s impending retirement, Nick Kyrgios returning to the Brisbane International, and previews the must-see matches at United Cup 2026, including Alex de Minaur v Casper Ruud and Emma Raducanu v Naomi Osaka. Plus, Italian star Matteo Arnaldi drops by Pod Laver Arena with a life update as he prepares for the Australian summer. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to The Tennis family! Stay tuned for ‘Pod Laver Arena’ coming this January. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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In our final episode of The Sit-Down for 2025, Viv and Matt are joined by Daria Kasatkina, who in March made the switch to representing Australia. It was a big decision in an emotionally intense season that the 28-year-old ended early due to burnout. Now more refreshed, Kasatkina chatted from her base in Spain, where she is preparing for her first Summer of Tennis representing the green and gold. She takes listeners right back to the beginning: how her parents, both professional athletes themselves, set her up for success, and how she developed her crafty, nuanced style of play. She reflects on her junior Slam success, memories of watching idol Rafael Nadal, and career milestones which include cracking the top 10 in 2018 and reaching the 2022 Roland Garros semifinals. Plus, there’s some hot tennis takes in there too. This is a candid conversation with one of the sport’s more thoughtful stars, and one who is excited to continue representing her adopted nation – where she loves the nature, coffee and people – in 2026.  

Listen to the full episode here.

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Host handles:
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It smells like team spirit in the tennis world this week! Davis Cup is in full swing, the United Cup draw has been unveiled, and Maya Joint saves match point to secure the Australian team a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. Acting captain Nicole Pratt and Jaimee Fourlis join Brie and Xave to share their behind-the-scenes insights into Australia's triumph. The panel also discusses Jannik Sinner's ATP Finals title defence, Carlos Alcaraz ending the year at No.1, Roger Federer's impending induction into the 2026 International Tennis Hall of Fame, and the intriguing doubles pairing of Lleyton Hewitt with his son, Cruz. And in honour of the off-season beginning, Brie shares her Top 5 Player Holiday Destinations.

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Jaslyn Hewitt-Shehadie has worn many hats in tennis, from professional player to high-performance coach, tournament director, and her current position as WTA Director of Player Relations. Jaslyn sits down with Matt and Viv to share insights from her extensive journey in the sport and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Hewitt-Shehadie also explains her passion for giving back to the sport that she considers a family of sorts.

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Host handles:
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A month out from the ATP Finals, Jannik Sinner has already locked in the year-end No.1 ranking, while fellow Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka is attempting to do the same in the WTA. Storm Hunter and John Fitzgerald react to Rafael Nadal’s retirement announcement and share their favourite 'Rafa' attributes and moments from the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s career. Aussie hero Jordan Thompson joins The AO Show to reflect on his best season yet and shares the unusual moment he met Jude Law before his quarterfinal win over Nadal in Brisbane in January. Plus, the next batch of players unveiled for the United Cup and Brisbane International.

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Rising Australian star Talia Gibson joins The Sit-Down to discuss her sizzling form, which has seen her scoop three consecutive ITF titles on the Australian Pro Tour and build a 14-match winning streak. The 20-year-old now sits at a career-high world No.128 and has her sights set on bigger goals, such as direct entry to Grand Slams and an elite top-100 ranking. Born in Perth but now based in Brisbane, Gibson has been honing her game under the watchful eye of Codie George, an emerging Australian female coach whom she credits for several valuable tennis lessons that are helping her now. Gibson, who reached the final round of Wimbledon and US Open qualifying in 2024, is one of several young Aussie players trending upwards and hopes to maintain her stellar form on the Pro Tour in the build-up to the Australian Summer of Tennis in 2025. 

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88 days out from Australian Open 2025, The AO Show presented by Mastercard is at THE LUME Melbourne for the AO Launch. Casey Dellacqua and Todd Woodbridge unpack some of the key rivalries that could be renewed in the first Grand Slam of the year, including between defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and two-time winner Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. The Aussies are on the march, with likely seedings for comeback kid Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin in career-best form, while Olivia Gadecki leads a sparkling women’s contingent for the home brigade. Plus, AO Tournament Director Craig Tiley reveals what fans can look forward to in January.

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In Part 2 of their sit-down with Michael Chang, Viv and Matt chat to the former world No.2 about his success in Asia where he won 12 of his 34 career titles, including the first edition of the Beijing tournament in 1993. Chang recalls the enormous support he received in the region and reflects on how the sport has evolved there in the 30 years since, including the construction of purpose-built venues. After his playing days, Chang eventually moved into coaching and discusses how he jumped at the opportunity to work with Japanese star Kei Nishikori, a player he helped guide into the top five and the 2014 US Open final. 

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Host handles:
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Carlos Alcaraz has toppled Jannik Sinner for the third time this year to snatch the title in Beijing, while Chinese surprise packet Zhang Shuai has ended a record 24-match losing streak to join compatriot Zheng Qinwen in the women’s quarterfinals. Title favourite Aryna Sabalenka has a last 8 date with Karolina Muchova — Australian Billie Jean King Cup coach Nicole Pratt reveals why the Czech’s game troubles the two-time Australian Open champion. Four-time champion Novak Djokovic is hunting his 100th ATP title in Shanghai among a star-studded draw featuring nine of the top 10 men. And could we see firebrand Nick Kyrgios back on court in time for Australian Open 2025 in under 100 days’ time?

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Professional player-turned-analyst Andrea Petkovic sits down with Matt and Viv to reflect on her illustrious career, which saw her crack the WTA top 10, reach the Roland Garros semifinals in 2014, and reach three major quarterfinals in a breakout 2011 season. The German’s playing career spanned multiple generations, beginning when she took her first steps on the professional tour in the mid-2000s and ending when she retired at the 2022 US Open, coinciding with Serena Williams’ swansong. Ever the curious mind, Petkovic has kept herself busy since retiring, especially in the media as a writer, commentator, and podcaster. Her perspective on the sport is sharp, insightful and nuanced, as evidenced in this chat from Berlin prior to the Laver Cup.

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Host handles:
@Viv_Christie
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