Yannick Noah: Peaks, pressures and life lessons of an iconic career
Yannick Noah, inspired by Arthur Ashe who recognised his talent and nurtured his potential, went on to craft an inspirational career of his own. In 1983, the 23-year-old became the first Frenchman in 37 years to lift the Roland Garros men’s trophy. He became world No.1 in doubles, an Australian Open semifinalist, and peaking at world No.5 in singles, became the highest ranked Frenchman in history. Yet it was team tennis that he cherished most: as Davis Cup captain, he guided France to three titles. Now preparing for the next chapter in his iconic tennis story – leading Team Europe as captain at Laver Cup San Francisco – Noah joined The Sit-Down to reflect on the highs and lows of his own career and the many life lessons it has provided. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_ChristieSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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David Hall: recollections of an Australian wheelchair tennis legend
David Hall's wheelchair tennis CV makes for heady reading, and at the US Open he sat down with Matt to reflect on a career delivering him Paralympic singles gold, nine AO and eight US titles, six year-end No.1 finishes and induction into multiple Halls of Fame. He was in New York for the 20th anniversary of the US Open wheelchair tournament's inaugural edition at Flushing Meadows, the first time he'd returned to the city since that 2005 US Open – his last Slam campaign in a professional career spanning more than 15 years. Although he initially struggled in the early stages of retirement, Hall eventually made his way back into the sport as a coach, consultant, advisor, ambassador, and instructor, and continues to profoundly impact the sport that brought him incredible joy. All this, plus many more fascinating stories throughout his journey, are detailed in his recently-released autobiography, Superbeast, which is available to purchase via Amazon. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLink Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Rennae Stubbs: tennis parenting and the path to greatness
Rennae Stubbs is an icon of tennis, both in Australia and the US. Now a commentator for ESPN, Stubbs earned her credentials through a No.1 doubles ranking, Olympic representation in four consecutive Games and six Grand Slam titles in the early 2000s. The last major final of her distinguished career was a loss to Venus and Serena Williams - the latter of whom she went on to coach. Stubbs has also worked with Karolina Pliskova, Sam Stosur and Eugenie Bouchard, consistently delivering ranking rises if not major titles. In this conversation during the 2025 American swing, the Sydney-born champion reflects on her friendship with Steffi Graf, the Australian "enclave" that bred a generation of stars and the range of parenting styles she's encountered through her eventful tennis life. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Michael Chang: earning his stripes in a nation of stars
Michael Chang stepped into the ATP Tour in 1988 - an era in which US tennis wasn't short of headliner prospects. By 1989 though, at 17 years old, he'd roared past the likes of Jim Courier, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras to become the first American of his generation to claim a Grand Slam title. The Roland Garros champion remains the youngest man to win any major but, as he reveals in this Sit-Down, the Californian performed best on the North American hard courts. Chang won two and reached four consecutive finals in Cincinnati, as well as lifting trophies in Toronto, Indian Wells and Miami, among other American tournaments. Following his playing career, the former world No.2 guided Kei Nishikori to the 2014 US Open Final and, since Wimbledon 2025, has worked with teenage sensation Learner Tien. Originally published on 19/08/2024 and 07/10/2024 AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotify Host handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Patrick McEnroe (Part 2): hooking into history
Ahead of this week’s International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction — where Maria Sharapova and the Bryan brothers join the sport’s elite — president Patrick McEnroe joined The Sit-Down to discuss the power of tennis history. A former Australian Open semifinalist, Roland Garros doubles champion and record-breaking Davis Cup captain, McEnroe is passionate about the game’s rich past and reminding fans that greatness isn’t measured by Grand Slams alone. He shares his vision for the Hall of Fame, reflects on his role in the creation of the Laver Cup, explains why players feel “inspired” by it, and why fulfilling one particular dream remains his “proudest moment”. iHeartSpotifyApple PodcastsPodLinkHost handles:@Viv_Christie@MattyATSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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