The AO Show

Tennis Australia

<p>Stay up to date with the Australian Open in less than 30 minutes a day! And follow the tours through the year, with coverage of all the majors and the Laver Cup.</p>

  • 56 minutes 43 seconds
    PAT TO THE RAFTERS

    You turn your back for one second, and M&Ms mascots come into the studio and mess up the place. But the boys recover to talk smack about Elena Rybakina's victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the women's final. Great match, good times, subdued celebration. Not that Sam would know much about it - he was eating a charcuterie board with his girlfriend during the match. And will our brazen hosts sneak their way into the men's final tonight? Almost certainly not. I mean, the M&Ms mascots have a better chance, let's be honest. If that wasn't enough (which it isn't), Aussie tennis legend Pat Rafter drops in and hammers a ping pong ball into Sam Taunton's back fat. Wham! Footnote: In a breathtaking power move, Mike wears stolen sunglasses for this entire ep. It's stirring stuff.


    Alternatively, you can stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw: https://lnk.to/TheAOWrap
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    1 February 2026, 6:55 am
  • 43 minutes 6 seconds
    GUZZLE THIS

    Imagine Rod Laver dripping beads in a sauna, because we talk about that AND MORE. Yes, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and co-host Sam (@samtaunton) snuck into the Alcaraz v Zverev match yesterday and are still giddy as schoolgirls about it! And Mike stayed up until 3am watching the Novak beat Jannik Sinner, and it absolutely shows - the guy is fried. Anyway, marvel as we dissect the Alcaraz inner thigh massage controversy: did he abuse the rules? Or was it a Chubb close call? Also, we interview none other than Coco Gauff (and show her a piece of artwork that she DOES NOT LIKE and Lizzy almost smacks her in the head with a ping pong ball). Drink us in and dance around. Love you. #blessed


    Alternatively, stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw: https://lnk.to/TheAOWrapAusOpen.com
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    31 January 2026, 9:45 am
  • 38 minutes 33 seconds
    SLURP IT UP, SLURP IT DOWN!

    Podcasting from deep within the bowels of Tennis HQ, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and Sam (@samtaunton) - resplendent in their finery - talk absolute garbage about the epic event that is, the Australian Open. It's funny garbage, though. The lads analyse Sabalenka and Svitolina's non-handshake, the GruntGate controversy, and make a bold prediction about the amount of foot blisters Novak Djokovic will end up with. Oh, and Sam delivers a rousing message to the remaining Aussies in the draw that will bring a tear to your beady little eyes. I cried. I'm not too proud to admit it. Also, I guess I'm emotional because I miss my family. They have us working crazy hours here and, TBH, I'm reaching my upper limit. I mean, I'm resilient, normally... but this tournament requires a gargantuan effort and... ah look, this is probably not the forum. Anyway, come get an insight into Aryna Sabalenka's inner sanctum as we talk to her strength and conditioning coach, Jason Stacy!


    Stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw: https://lnk.to/TheAOWrap
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    30 January 2026, 10:21 am
  • 39 minutes 42 seconds
    GIMME SHELTON

    Every day we turn up and, to our amazement, our passes still work. It's only a matter of time before we're turned away, possibly by Wally Masur himself. In this scintillating and erotic new episode, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and blow-in host Sam Taunton (@samtaunton) trade barbs and Australian Open observations. You'll hear them say things like — but not limited to — 'Golly gosh, Lorenzo Musetti had his heart ripped out'. They'll also ask probing questions like 'Gee whiz, what's with all the straight-sets matches?' They also massacre a Neil Diamond song, which is just horrendous for all involved. Oh, and we talk to USA turbo-hunk tennis dude, Ben Shelton. Are you not TENTERTAINED (tennis-entertained)?! Don't answer that. Anyway, as our sponsor would say: 'Get some bubbles up ya!'

    Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. 

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    29 January 2026, 9:28 am
  • 27 minutes 59 seconds
    THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN TENNIS (PROBABLY)

    Off the back of Alex de Minaur’s loss to Carlos Alcaraz, it is officially a dark day for Australian tennis and yes, the vibes inside the studio are appropriately grim. But fear not. Sam (@samtaunton) arrives armed with a bold, possibly unhinged new plan guaranteed to turn the fortunes of Australian tennis around forever. Probably. On top of his world-class tennis analysis, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) crunches the numbers on the stats that actually matter, like how many Shake Shack burgers have been consumed across the entirety of the Australian Open. If this wasn’t enough, our resident audio visual expert "Ace Man" launches a full scale investigation into Carlos Alcaraz that somehow raises more questions than it answers. And finally, it only felt right to give De Minaur the send off he deserves, so we’ve lined up one of our all time interviews with him on today’s pod. It’s a cracking chat that will absolutely lift your spirits. Lifted spirits guaranteed or your money back.

    Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. 

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    28 January 2026, 11:26 am
  • 29 minutes 11 seconds
    WE ATE APPLE PIE WITH CHEESE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO

    After Madison Keys lost her bet with Jessica Pegula, the tennis world has been left asking one question: is apple pie and cheese actually as cursed as it sounds? In a bold act of podcast-on-podcast solidarity, fearless hosts Mike and Sam step up to answer it once and for all. The results will shock you. Possibly emotionally, definitely spiritually. Maddy Inglis reveals what she plans to spend her big pay cheque on. Spoiler: it’s a toaster. We debut the hottest new segment on the block, Celeb Watch (everyone's talking about it), and unpack Lorenzo Musetti’s very interesting comments ahead of his upcoming clash with Novak Djokovic. And for our mic-drop moment, we welcome the Swiss Army Knife of tennis herself, Belinda Bencic. Turns out she has a secret talent and it is hands down one of the most impressive things we’ve seen on this pod. 

    Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. 

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    27 January 2026, 7:14 am
  • 32 minutes 46 seconds
    UH OH … CRAIG TILEY WANTS TO SEE US

    When you get a message saying Craig Tiley is coming into the studio, it usually means one of two things, you’ve either been absolutely flying or you’ve messed up badly. There is no middle ground. If he’s here to fire us, at least Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) won’t mind because yes, this is her final day on the pod. A devastating day for Pod Laver Arena. But with tragedy comes opportunity. A seat has opened up and after an extensive global search (and many rejections from our top choices) we officially welcome Sam Taunton (@samtaunton) to the team. We’re told he’s funny. We’ll let you decide. And before anyone panics, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) isn’t going anywhere, the show rolls on (somehow). Beyond all that, we get stuck into the biggest stories in the tennis world and do a deep dive into Carlos Alcaraz’s attention grabbing outfit that has the tennis world in an absolute spin. Strap in for another bumper episode of PLA. Watch it or we’re telling Craig Tiley. 

    Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. 

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    26 January 2026, 10:20 am
  • 28 minutes 18 seconds
    NAOMI AND STAN HAVE LEFT THE BUILDING

    It’s a sad day, everyone. Stan Wawrinka’s glorious run has come to an end and no, we’re not crying, you are. To honour the great man, we crack a few cold (lukewarm) ones and reminisce about the good old days. We dive headfirst into all the drama from the last 24 hours, including Jannik Sinner’s case of the cramps, Novak Djokovic’s very close call, and Naomi Osaka’s big announcement. Not to be outdone, Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) makes an announcement of her own and nearly brings Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) to tears. And finally, for anyone getting sick of the ridiculous run of guests we’ve been on, bad luck. We’ve got another one. The one and only Naomi Osaka.

    Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. 

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    25 January 2026, 7:28 am
  • 30 minutes 8 seconds
    LOVE IS IN THE AIR

    Love is officially in the air at the Australian Open and shockingly it is not just Lizzy’s (@lizzyhoo) Raya account. Speaking of Lizzy, we drop a massive announcement about her future with the show. Brace yourselves, hearts will be broken. Despite being a little under the weather, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) soldiers on and delivers the kind of totally hard hitting, deeply serious, stats-heavy analysis you have come to expect from him. Prepare to be blown away. Lizzy once again refers to it as a “tennis game” and finally addresses the growing speculation around her crumping ability. Bad day to be a hater. And because we like to keep things spicy around here and we do love a bad boy, today’s guest was an absolute no brainer, Thanasi Kokkinakis. We dive into his antics on and off the court and let’s just say, we have questions.

    Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. 

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    24 January 2026, 7:19 am
  • 33 minutes 1 second
    STAN WAWRINKA APPRECIATION POD

    Tennis beef is very much in vogue and frankly we want a slice. Our first target, Andy Roddick, we’re coming for you and your podcast. On today’s episode, our fearless hosts Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) dive into all the chaos from Day 5 of the AO, Stan the Man’s epic five set win and we expose the biggest liar on the tour. As a little cherry on top of the cake that is this podcast, we’ve got a player in by the name of Nick Kyrgios. You might have heard of him, no big deal. And to all the doubters out there we’ve done the impossible … we received some positive fan mail, take that Janice! POD LAVER ARENA RULES!


    Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. 

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    23 January 2026, 10:48 am
  • 29 minutes 58 seconds
    CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF BALL KIDS

    Finally, the debate that’s been tearing the tennis world apart is settled. What actually dries a wet court faster, 10 ball kids armed with towels or one futuristic drying machine?  The answer will shock you. Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) has gone far too deep on Google and uncovered a truly explosive revelation about Andrey Rublev, Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) bravely fronts the nation to address the ongoing tracksuit speculation, and we somehow land an all-star guest in the one and only Sloane Stephens. Name one other podcast in the top 50 of Sport (we’re 51st, thank you very much) doing this kind of work. Exactly. You can’t. Tune in now or Mike wears the Naomi Osaka outfit again and that’s on you.

    Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. 

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    22 January 2026, 9:35 am
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