Jelena Ostapenko’s biggest career highlight came almost 10 years ago, days after turning 20, when she broke through for her first tour-level title at Roland Garros while ranked 47th. During AO 2026, when she sat down with Viv and Matt, the Latvian star revealed her career might have been easier to navigate had she won that Slam title at an older age. Still, Ostapenko’s journey has continued to deliver success; she peaked at world No.5 not long before reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 2018, and she’s reached a total of six major quarterfinals, plus won eight more WTA titles since her Parisian triumph — most recently last year’s prestigious Stuttgart crown over world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final. She’s also flourished on the doubles court, winning the 2024 US Open and forming a popular partnership with the legendary Hsieh Su-Wei. Ostapenko’s high-octane ballstriking and on-court expressiveness have earned her global fandom, and the 28-year-old hopes for a top-10 return as she focuses on her consistency and mindset in 2026.

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Tennis icon Lindsay Davenport joined Viv and Matt during AO 2026 to reflect on a career that delivered three Grand Slam singles titles, the world No.1 ranking in both singles and doubles, and an Olympic gold medal. Davenport’s prodigious ball striking and clean power made her a standout figure among a WTA golden generation. She often battled fellow legends including Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, and Venus and Serena Williams in her Grand Slam finals. The last major final was in 2000 at the Australian Open, a beloved tournament where many of her career milestones came. Since retiring in 2008, Davenport has coached Madison Keys, worked as a highly respected tennis analyst and broadcaster, served as captain of the US Billie Jean King Cup team and also helps guide son Jagger, one of the world’s top juniors who now competes in college tennis for Stanford.

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Teen sensation Joao Fonseca sat down with Viv at the Brisbane International in January. One of the game’s most exciting rising stars, the Brazilian began 2025 outside the top 100 and surged to a peak world No.25 on the back of two ATP titles and third-round finishes at two Slams. After an injury-marred start to 2026, Fonseca reminded onlookers of his potential when he powered into the Indian Wells fourth round — his best result at a Masters tournament. Armed with explosive power and an impressively mature outlook for a 19-year-old, Fonseca opens up about the players he’d love to face, the rivalries he’d love to form, the people who have made his journey possible, and how he spends his time away from the court as his rapid rise continues.

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At just 20 years of age and in only his second full year on tour, Learner Tien is striking a rare balance: keeping a level head while embracing the game’s biggest stages. Joining Viv and Matt on The Sit-Down during Australian Open 2026, Tien reflected on the qualities that have boosted his rapid rise into the world’s top 25. In just his second main-draw appearance in Melbourne, Tien strengthened his growing reputation against the game’s biggest names, stunning Daniil Medvedev for a second straight year to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. With plenty already achieved, the grounded young star remains firmly focused on what comes next, and with the support of high-profile coach Michael Chang, the bigger milestones still to come – perhaps in his home state of California, where he is competing as the 25th seed at the unofficial "fifth Grand Slam".

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Fresh from claiming her fourth WTA singles title in Ostrava, Katie Boulter joins The Sit-Down to reflect on her return to the world’s top 100, and the challenges—and rewards—that have shaped her journey. The popular Brit speaks to Matt Trollope about her time spent with Princess Catherine at Wimbledon, the current state of British tennis, her new coach, and why she is determined to speak out against online bullying. With her marriage to Alex de Minaur approaching, Boulter also reveals what she loves — and what she suspects she’ll never quite love — about Australia, and why she believes 2026 will be her best year yet.

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In her first podcast interview, Alexandra Eala joins The Sit-Down as she continues a brilliant start to 2026. Fresh from her semifinal finish in Auckland, Eala sat down with Matt and Viv in Pod Laver Arena as she was preparing to make her Australian Open main-draw debut. The 20-year-old has gone on to win 10 of 16 matches this year and surged from outside the top 50 to a career-high No.31 since January. The rankings peak follows a memorable week in Dubai where she upset top-10 player Jasmine Paolini en route to the quarterfinals. It came less than a year after the breakthrough run that placed her firmly on the global radar. With upsets of AO 2025 champion Madison Keys and world No.2 Iga Swiatek, Eala stormed into the semifinals and cracked the world's top 100. She also electrified a passionate fanbase, and her matches are now famous for the atmospheric support she receives from the Philippine diaspora as she continues making history for her country. The success comes amid an upward trend for Asian tennis — particular for Southeast Asian women — as Eala brings fresh energy and new storylines to tennis.

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When Lorenzo Musetti joined Viv and Matt during AO 2026, he was flying. The Italian had entered the event as a new top-five star after his run to the final in Hong Kong to begin the season, and continued his vein of form through to the last eight in Melbourne. In his first Australian Open quarterfinal, he led Novak Djokovic two sets to love before injury intervened. Musetti has now reached the quarterfinals at all four majors, as his hardcourt game evolves to match the success he has already experienced on clay and grass courts. The 23-year-old discusses that evolution, the vintage quality of his game — anchored by a one-handed backhand that draws rave reviews — and the many highlights he has already enjoyed in his burgeoning career.

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For the first time in more than 20 years, Jennifer Capriati returned to the Australian Open, a tournament that produced some of her greatest career success. She was in Melbourne to present the women's singles trophy on the 25th anniversary of her maiden Australian Open title and first Grand Slam triumph. Capriati's AO 2001 came more than a decade after she emerged as a teen prodigy, only to suffer burnout and spend significant time away from the game. Also in 2001, she won Roland Garros and rose to world No.1, and in 2002, returned to Melbourne Park to defend her title in an unforgettable final during which she saved four championship points. Injuries forced her into an early retirement in 2004, yet the American icon remains closely connected to the game. During her long-awaited Australian return, she joined Viv and Matt in Pod Laver Arena for her very first podcast interview, reflecting on a remarkable and deeply compelling career journey.

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In our first episode of 2026, Viv and Matt are joined by Stan Wawrinka for a live-recorded interview on the Grand Slam Oval fan stage. Wawrinka is embarking on his final season on tour, drawing a close to a glittering pro career of more than 20 years. That career vaulted to the next level when the Swiss star broke through for his first Grand Slam singles title at Australian Open 2014, beating Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal along the way in a famous victory. Wawrinka would go on to win Roland Garros and US Open trophies to cement himself among the legends of the game. Now 40 years old and a wildcard entry at AO 2026, Wawrinka opened up ahead of his 20th campaign at Melbourne Park about his career, his mentality, his memories, what lies ahead in 2026 – and what life might look like when he hangs up his racquets for good.

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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.  

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