The Sit-Down

In August, Mary Carillo will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame alongside Roger Federer in what promises to be an unforgettable ceremony. Carillo will enter the Contributor Category, honouring those “who have made a transcendent impact” on tennis. Speaking to Viv and Matt from her home in Florida, Carillo – one of the sport’s best storytellers – recalled discovering the game as a child in New York City, where she joined the same local club as John McEnroe. They were later coached by the legendary Harry Hopman and went on to win the 1977 Roland Garros mixed doubles title together. While Carillo’s pro career, in which she rose to world No.33 in singles, was cut short by knee injuries, she was quickly discovered and shone as a tennis broadcaster – calling some of the sport’s greatest matches, covering its defining eras and rivalries, and blazing a trail for women in commentary. Her broadcasting career has since expanded well beyond tennis, spanning Olympics coverage, documentary making and even national dog shows, while earning multiple awards – including six Emmys and three prestigious Peabodys. Approaching her 50th year as a broadcaster, Carillo still covers, and clearly adores, tennis – a passion that shines throughout this memorable interview.
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Many people will know Stan Smith as the man behind the iconic adidas Stan Smith shoe, which is not surprising given there have been more than 100 million pairs sold and collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Stella McCartney. But Smith is also known for his legendary tennis career – among his seven Grand Slam titles were two singles majors (Wimbledon and the US Open) and he rose to world No.1 in the early 1970s. He was also a part of seven triumphant US Davis Cup teams, many times battling it out with a golden generation of Australian legends in one of the sport's most enduring rivalries. The American star was one of the original players to use tennis as a platform for other great achievements — he campaigned against apartheid, set up his own academy, developed Stan Smith events and even became an author. He’s also a former president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Tennis is the thread throughout Smith's lifetime, and as you will hear in this interview, the sport is all the richer for having him in it.
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Ten years ago, Angelique Kerber won the Australian Open in a result that changed the course of her career. The German star, with Polish roots, had long been a top player. But a magical fortnight in 2016 saw her save a match point in the first round, beat Victoria Azarenka for the first time in seven tries in the quarters, then stun Serena Williams in a thrilling decider – the only time Serena ever lost an AO final. Not only did the triumph set the stage for a season that Kerber finished at world No.1, but it made the lefty an enduring favourite among Aussie fans at Melbourne Park. Since retiring at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kerber has been busy with family life. Yet her return to the AO in 2026, and her time in the studio with Viv and Matt, allowed the three-time major champion to reflect on her career journey, her glittering achievements, her connection with fans, and what it was like to compete against her rivals – many of whom remain her friends.

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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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Valentin Vacherot joined Matt and Viv in Pod Laver Arena when he was the 30th seed at Australian Open 2026 – his first seeding at a Grand Slam tournament. This was staggering, because just over three months earlier, the Monégasque was ranked outside the top 200. Everything changed in Shanghai, where Vacherot qualified for the main draw, then upset five consecutive seeded opponents — including Novak Djokovic in the semifinals — to reach his first ATP Masters final. There, he faced cousin Arthur Rinderknech, and won that match too, to become one of the sport’s unlikeliest champions in just his seventh tour-level event. The 27-year-old has adjusted impressively to his new position in the game and has continued winning, recently reaching the fourth round in Miami to rise to the brink of the top 20. As he recounts his story, we learn about his talented tennis family, his journey through the US college system, and his connection with the Monte Carlo Masters – a tournament he would love to win more than a Grand Slam title.
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