Dane Sweeny: From “hating tennis” to career-changing US Open
About this episode
Dane Sweeny discusses his transformative journey in tennis, from hating the sport to achieving a breakthrough at the US Open.
This week Viv caught up with Dane Sweeny at the US Open during the Australian’s breakthrough run to the third round of a Grand Slam. His second-round win over 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti, and the prize money boost accompanying his best Slam performance, has been career-altering, boosting the 25-year-old’s belief that he belongs at the top level of the sport. This latest performance, coming after qualifying for the main draw at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, was unthinkable when he walked away from the game in mid 2024 “hating tennis” and unsure if he would return. Yet he soon began to miss it and returned – with a greater focus on gratitude, mindfulness and discipline – to completely alter his career trajectory and tennis story. Coupled with his rise to the cusp of the top 100, Sweeny has been winning fans over, especially in New York, with his athletic, dynamic style and fighting spirit. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify Host handles: @Viv_Christie @MattyAT See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More episodes of The Sit-Down
- Suzi Petkovski (Part 1): a revered Australian voice in the game and self-described tennis tragic
- Best of US Open: Hewitt’s highs, Angie’s arrival, Chang’s chance
- Barbara Schett: from the wall to the world’s top 10
- Evonne Goolagong Cawley: grace, greatness and a lasting legacy
- Tristan Schoolkate: recharged and ready for North America
- Barbora Krejcikova: “I never really felt like the player to win a Slam”
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