Channel Nine turns two Aussie sport superstars into tennis commentators for the Australian Open in a VERY surprising decision
- Broadcaster has unveiled a star-studded commentary line-up
- The 2025 Australian Open starts on Sunday, January 12
Channel Nine has attracted attention after announcing that Olympic champions Ariarne Titmus and Jessica Fox will be part of the network’s 2025 Australian Open coverage, despite having no experience in tennis reporting.
Both Titmus and Fox will be looking to bring color to Melbourne Park viewers – and the golden swimmer is excited to get out of her comfort zone.
“I have always been a tennis fan and it is very exciting to have the opportunity to be at the Australian Open in this capacity,” she said. News Corp.
“The AO embraces Australian culture and our love of sport as a nation. It will be a new and challenging experience to be on the other side of the microphone, but I am very grateful for it.
‘I am [also] I look forward to working with a great team and broadening my skills beyond the pool.”
Channel Nine has announced Olympic champions Ariarne Titmus (pictured) and Jessica Fox will be part of the network’s Australian Open coverage
Both Titmus and Fox (pictured right, with her sister Noemie) will provide color for Melbourne Park viewers
It comes as Australian star Nick Kryrgios races against time to be fit for his opening round match as he struggles with a stomach ache
Local hope Alex de Minaur is in eighth place and will look to get past the fourth round in Melbourne for the first time in his career
Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is sure to be a crowd favorite as he chases a fifth Grand Slam title
Titmus, who won gold in the women’s 400 meter freestyle and the 4×200 meter freestyle relay at the Paris Games, does not have to look far when it comes to valuable tips behind the camera.
Her father Steve is a sports presenter for Seven News in Brisbane.
Nine has also lured back ‘Super Brat’ John McEnroe, at a venue where he was infamously disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct as a player in the 1990 tournament.
McEnroe, along with compatriot Jim Courier and Australians Todd Woodbridge and Jelena Dokic, will be key to Nine’s reporting.
Other confirmed commentators include homegrown tennis identities such as Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua and Alicia Molik.
Meanwhile, polarizing star Nick Kryrgios is racing against time to be fit for his opening round match as he battles stomach problems.
Kyrgios took to Instagram on Wednesday to confirm that he will not take part in an exhibition event against Novak Djokovic on January 9, but will do ‘everything he can’ to manage his injury.
“Unfortunately I can’t play against my good friend (Djokovic) on Thursday because I had an ultrasound of my abdomen and have a grade 1 strain,” Kyrgios wrote to his 4.2 million followers.
“I’ll rest and do everything I can to be okay.”
The Australian Open starts on January 12.