Aussie Billie Jean King Cup captain Sam Stosur’s obsession with the clay wasn’t always what it is today. As the clay-court season gets underway in Stuttgart, the 2010 Roland Garros finalist sits down with Matt and Viv to discuss how she learned to master the surface, and which European clay court she would most like to have replicated in her own home.

Originally published on 15/04/2024

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Host handles:
@Viv_Christie
@MattyAT

Aussie Billie Jean King Cup captain Sam Stosur&rsquo;s obsession with the clay wasn&rsquo;t always what it is today. As the clay-court season gets underway in Stuttgart, the 2010 Roland Garros finalist sits down with Matt and Viv to discuss how she learned to master the surface, and which European clay court she would most like to have replicated in her own home. Originally published on 15/04/2024
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The Sit-Down brings you in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures from the world of tennis. From players to coaches, analysts, and tennis legends, each episode delves into their stories, revealing personal anecdotes and unique perspectives on the game. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just starting to explore the world of tennis, The Sit-Down brings you conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in every week for an authentic, unfiltered chat with the personalities who’ve helped shape the sport of tennis.

The Sit-Down brings you in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures from the world of tennis. From players to coaches, analysts, and tennis legends, each episode delves into their stories, revealing personal anecdotes and unique perspectives on the game. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just starting to explore the world of tennis, The Sit-Down brings you conversations you won&rsquo;t hear anywhere else. Tune in every week for an authentic, unfiltered chat with the personalities who&rsquo;ve helped shape the sport of tennis.

The Sit-Down 

Sam Stosur: how a clay-court sceptic became a Roland Garros finalist

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/4c48e9e7-4c6b-4628-8a1c-b4200055b927/transcript

This week we bring you an episode from the vault featuring American youngster Alex Michelsen. In late 2024 he sat at a career-high world No.41 ahead of his campaign at Next Gen ATP Finals, joining Viv and Matt during a rare break at home in California to discuss his meteoric rise. Michelsen began season 2024 ranked 97th and soared thanks to reaching two ATP finals — Newport and Winston-Salem — and winning more than 30 singles matches, including against top-10 opponent Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos. Now, the 22-year-old is on the brink of the top 30 after breaking through for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the US Open, where he ultimately fell to France’s Tiafoe in a match that ended with one of the 2026 tournament’s most iconic moments. (Episode originally published 16 December 2024)

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Host handles:
@Viv_Christie
@MattyAT

This week we bring you an episode from the vault featuring American youngster Alex Michelsen. In late 2024 he sat at a career-high world No.41 ahead of his campaign at Next Gen ATP Finals, joining Viv and Matt during a rare break at home in California to discuss his meteoric rise. Michelsen began season 2024 ranked 97th and soared thanks to reaching two ATP finals &mdash; Newport and Winston-Salem &mdash; and winning more than 30 singles matches, including against top-10 opponent Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos. Now, the 22-year-old is on the brink of the top 30 after breaking through for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the US Open, where he ultimately fell to France&rsquo;s Tiafoe in a match that ended with one of the 2026 tournament&rsquo;s most iconic moments. (Episode originally published 16 December 2024)
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Alex Michelsen: Rising star turned US Open quarterfinalist

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/4ebda301-87f8-4ff0-ac81-b4c500883051/transcript

This week Viv caught up with Dane Sweeny at the US Open during the Australian’s breakthrough run to the third round of a Grand Slam. His second-round win over 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, and the prize money boost accompanying his best Slam performance, has been career-altering, boosting the 25-year-old’s belief that he belongs at the top level of the sport. This latest performance, coming after qualifying for the main draw at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, was unthinkable when he walked away from the game in mid 2024 “hating tennis” and unsure if he would return. Yet he soon began to miss it and returned – with a greater focus on gratitude, mindfulness and discipline – to completely alter his career trajectory and tennis story. Coupled with his rise to the cusp of the top 100, Sweeny has been winning fans over, especially in New York, with his athletic, dynamic style and fighting spirit.

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Host handles:
@Viv_Christie
@MattyAT

This week Viv caught up with Dane Sweeny at the US Open during the Australian&rsquo;s breakthrough run to the third round of a Grand Slam. His second-round win over 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, and the prize money boost accompanying his best Slam performance, has been career-altering, boosting the 25-year-old&rsquo;s belief that he belongs at the top level of the sport. This latest performance, coming after qualifying for the main draw at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, was unthinkable when he walked away from the game in mid 2024 &ldquo;hating tennis&rdquo; and unsure if he would return. Yet he soon began to miss it and returned &ndash; with a greater focus on gratitude, mindfulness and discipline &ndash; to completely alter his career trajectory and tennis story. Coupled with his rise to the cusp of the top 100, Sweeny has been winning fans over, especially in New York, with his athletic, dynamic style and fighting spirit.
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Dane Sweeny: From “hating tennis” to career-changing US Open

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/3a04178e-0950-46d9-98e3-b4be007193a8/transcript

This week’s guest on The Sit-Down is longtime tennis editor, writer and historian Suzi Petkovski, former editor of Australian Tennis Magazine which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. Petkovski spent 10 years at the country’s preeminent tennis publication and has continued covering the sport as a freelancer and historian. In Part I of this two-part episode, Petkovski reflects on discovering tennis as a child in Melbourne, falling in love with and later working in the sport, the big names and storylines she covered during her time at the magazine, and the importance of record-keeping and archives to tell the stories of the sport. Look out for Part II – an Australian Open-themed episode – which is due to come out in the build-up to AO 2027.

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Host handles:
@Viv_Christie
@MattyAT

This week&rsquo;s guest on The Sit-Down is longtime tennis editor, writer and historian Suzi Petkovski, former editor of Australian Tennis Magazine which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. Petkovski spent 10 years at the country&rsquo;s preeminent tennis publication and has continued covering the sport as a freelancer and historian. In Part I of this two-part episode, Petkovski reflects on discovering tennis as a child in Melbourne, falling in love with and later working in the sport, the big names and storylines she covered during her time at the magazine, and the importance of record-keeping and archives to tell the stories of the sport. Look out for Part II &ndash; an Australian Open-themed episode &ndash; which is due to come out in the build-up to AO 2027.
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Suzi Petkovski (Part 1): a revered Australian voice in the game and self-described tennis tragic

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/07f7c501-49b8-43b3-94f4-b4b70069024c/transcript

Sam Stosur: how a clay-court sceptic became a Roland Garros finalist

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