Australian Soccer League nice Chris Judd is the newest star to share their favorite tennis recollections in our Celeb Match sequence.
Melbourne, Australia, 17 October 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Chris Judd is an Australian Soccer League legend.
He’s a two-time winner of the Brownlow Medal, the game’s highest particular person honour, and a six-time all-Australian participant.
Judd turned a premiership captain with the West Coast Eagles in 2006, then captained the Carlton Blues for 5 seasons between 2008 and 2012.
The daddy of 4 retired in 2015, at age 31, after enjoying 279 video games and was inducted into the AFL Corridor of Fame in 2021.
In our Celeb Match sequence, Judd speaks about his tennis experiences and divulges why he’s an everyday attendee on the Australian Open every summer season …
Inform us about your tennis expertise. Do you play?
Tennis has by no means been one in all my fundamental sports activities, I by no means actually performed it as a child. I attempted to get into it as an grownup post-footy, however gee it’s laborious in your physique should you’re banged up (laughs). I’ll have a success of doubles once in a while, however with my shoulders it’s a problem. It’s a disgrace as a result of it’s an ideal sport and I want I might do extra of it.
What’s your signature shot while you do get on courtroom?
I’m fairly good on the internet, so again myself after I’m up there. The approach is simply missing a bit, however my protection on the internet is helpful.
We regularly see you on the Australian Open. What do you most take pleasure in concerning the match?
I really like watching the tennis clearly, however I believe Craig Tiley and Tennis Australia simply placed on such an unbelievable occasion. I’m all the time amassed on the scale of it. There are such a lot of company activations, it appears like they personal that company market in Australia. It’s such a marketable product and I’m all the time to see what they provide you with.

Chris Judd, with spouse Rebecca, at Australian Open 2024. Image: Tennis Australia
Who’re the gamers you most take pleasure in watching?
I all the time love seeing Rafa (Nadal) and luxuriate in watching Novak (Djokovic) too. I do know there’s a few younger ones coming to threaten Novak’s mantle, however I nonetheless like watching the outdated guys go round and seeing how lengthy they’ll cling on for.
As knowledgeable athlete, what impresses you most about watching tennis gamers compete?
I all the time marvel at athletes who can carry out nicely into their 30s. It’s a very long time to maintain going for. I’m additionally impressed by the highest gamers, like Rafa, and their potential to play even higher on the crunch factors. That’s all the time actually spectacular to look at.
> Learn extra interviews from our Celeb Match sequence
Discover your technique to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!