Jim Courier tips Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic as players to watch
Jim Courier attributes his commentary gig at the Australian Open to his victory celebration on the vault at the Yarra.
“That was a challenge from my coach at the time and we both did it together and that’s probably why I’m still a part of the Australian Open in a way, because it made me stand out,” he says. “There are plenty of people who have won the Australian Open, but there are very few who are foolish enough to jump into the Yarra twice.”
The Courier says he has no intention of returning to the Yarra again, despite efforts to clean up the river.
“No, not unless I win again,” he says. “If you tell me I can win again, go back in time, I would definitely do it all over again. I don’t regret doing it.”
Asked if he would like to see more efforts to make the Yarra swimmable, the Courier diplomatically said: “I support that.”
During her 12-year tennis career, Courier won four majors, including two French Opens in 1991 and 1992 and two Australian Opens in 1992 and 1993, and maintains a regular presence in Melbourne as an Australian Open commentator for Channel Nine*.
Courier says he embarked on a commentary career “very haphazardly” but realized he loved the chance to bring an analytical perspective to tennis.
“I really loved being a part of helping people at home understand what they were seeing, understanding who these players were, and trying to paint the picture,” he says.
He is excited to watch Jannik Sinner, who has won the Australian Open for the last two years, and his potential rival Carlos Alcaraz in this year’s tournament.
“These guys are separating themselves from the pack and we’ll see if anyone else can catch up with them, including Novak Djokovic, who is a 10-time champion and is still around,” he says.
Courier is also keen to watch young Brazilian player Joao Fonseca and will also keep an eye on Australia’s great hope Alex de Minaur.
“How can Alex get past the quarter-finals?” he says. “He’s at the point where he’s gotten to the quarter-finals and I’d love for him to get to the semi-finals or the final, otherwise if he could manage to win that would be incredible.”
In the women’s draw, Courier is looking forward to seeing Aryna Sabalenka, who he says deserves to be the favourite, alongside 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys.
“How did he come back as a defending champion? Because watching him win last year was an incredible and uplifting story,” he says.
Another player the Courier should watch is Iga Swiatek, who is trying to do the same thing as Carlos Alcaraz: Win the Australian Open to complete a career grand slam and win all the majors at least once.
Courier says the Australian Open has changed a lot since his time as a player, going from a “really great tennis tournament” to a “fantastic event with incredible food and music”.
Much of this evolution has been attributed to Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley, who has served as the grand slam’s tournament director since 2006, but reports have emerged this year that Tiley will take over as head of the United States Tennis Association after this year’s Open.
“I don’t know if that’s true,” Courier says. “They’ll be lucky if it stays in Tennis Australia. They’ll be lucky if it comes to the USTA and the USA.”
“He’s an innovator, a deep thinker, and isn’t afraid to shake up what’s considered the consensus of a sport that’s been around for so long.”
The Courier returned to Melbourne earlier than usual ahead of the Australian Open to shoot a commercial for food delivery company Uber Eats.
In the ad, Courier plays the role of an Uber Eats courier who cycles along the Yarra and waits outside a restaurant for a delivery.
He’s also excited about Melbourne’s food scene, citing Chin Chin and Movida in the CBD as favourites.
“I still love going to South Yarra, where I was a player for many years, and going to some of my favorite restaurants, like France Soir, which is still there, which is this incredibly wonderful French bistro restaurant where I celebrated one of my Australian Open titles 100 years ago, it seems.”
Filming the commercial reunited the Courier with former actors Todd Woodbridge and Pat Rafter, who appeared in the commercial; Rafter was floating on a raft in the Yarra River.
While the Courier remained dry during filming, Rafter unexpectedly tumbled into the river; This was reminiscent of the Courier’s victory celebration more than 30 years ago.
“He fell in,” says the Courier. “I’m pretty sure he fell while shooting, but Pat is a good sport.”
* Channel Nine is owned by Nine Entertainment, which also owns this imprint.
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