Australian Open Tennis

One of the world’s favourite Grand Slam tournaments, and a highlight of the Australian tennis calendar, the Australian Open is a summer sporting institution. Each January, the cream of the tennis crop land in Melbourne for two intense weeks of action, culminating in the final at Rod Laver Arena.

First held in 1905, the Australian Open is now the largest annual sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere. The tournament holds the record for the highest attendance at a Grand Slam event, with 743,667 people attending in 2018. As a court announcer and commentator at the Open for almost a decade, Matt Hill has seen the drama unfold on the court first hand, including all the highs, lows and the occasional spat dummy. Most of all he has watched the legends of the game – including the likes of Roger Federer, Venus and Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and our own Lleyton Hewitt – showcase their amazing skills and dexterity to awe-struck crowds.

Working exclusively for Tennis Australia, the governing body for tennis in Australia, who produce the television coverage for a global audience, Matt is seen and heard by millions as the live feed is streamed all over the world.

Tennis commentary is an artform. It requires the ability to add to the moment with knowledge and skill, often drawing upon player statistics and details. It also requires some delicacy as commentating to pictures without disturbing the home viewer’s enjoyment is an acquired skill. Over almost 10 years calling the game, commentating the tennis is an artform that Matt has perfected.