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The First Serve

SEN
Tennis
Tennis Australia
Australian Open
Australian Tennis
College Tennis
Australia
Junior Tennis
Wheelchair Tennis
Davis Cup
Indian Wells
Professional Tennis
Craig Tiley
ITF World Tennis Masters Tour
Alex De Minaur
Carlos Alcaraz
NCAA
Melbourne
Roland Garros
UTR Pro Tennis Tour
ITF Tour

The First Serve is your HOME OF TENNIS. Featuring an all year round dedicated weekly two hour 'live' tennis program, the only one of its kind on commercial radio in Australia that is also podcast right here, supported by themed podcasts, a strong online/social media presence and print content via our website - Check out our home at www.thefirstserve.com.au. Heading up The First Serve coverage is l... more

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Artwork for The First Serve

Latest Episodes

The Push, our dedicated wheelchair tennis podcast is back for episode four for 2026 with hosts Tim Connelly - Tennis Director of Hume Tennis and Community Centre and Home of the Melbourne & Victorian Wheelchair Open, Lucy Shuker, Great Britain's No 1... more

Episode 6 of Season 3 of 'The Junior Journey' is here talking all things junior tennis for players, coaches, parents and tennis fans.

Your Co Hosts Michael Logarzo and Beti Sekulovski are joined by Donato Campagnoli, one of the leading educators beh... more

It was another big weekend of Tennis Victoria State Grade action, return after a couple of weeks off. Special guest on The First Serve Live was Ken Cavrak from second placed Regent Royals to talk through their season thus far and to also share his t... more

Brett Phillips is back with another big show with the ATP/WTA Honour Roll of the week. Saluting Bernard Tomic, winning his most significant tournament in eight years, our Head Extreme Giveaway winner is announced, special guest in our Tennis Victori... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Shane Gordon
Head of Junior Hotshots Pathway, KT Academy coach
KT Academy
Episode: The First Serve - Tennis in QLD: S03 EP05
Jake Alchin
Head coach at Sheldon College Tennis Program
Sheldon College
Episode: The First Serve - Tennis in QLD: S03 EP05
Ryan Mounce
Head men and women's tennis coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College (Northwest Mississippi Community College)
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Episode: The First Serve - Play USA S04 E06
Linda Nosková
Wimbledon Women's Singles Champion, 2026
Czechia/Nosková camp
Episode: The First Serve - Full Show - 13-07-2026
Mark Woodforde
Former professional tennis player, member of the Woodies
Tennis player, doubles specialist
Episode: The First Serve - Mark Woodforde - 06.07.26
Nick Lester
Esteemed tennis commentator
The First Serve / SEN
Episode: The First Serve - Full Show - 06-07-2026
Marc Sophoulis
Head coach at the Melbourne International Tennis School; coach with extensive AFL experience
Melbourne International Tennis School (MIT)
Episode: The First Serve - Beyond the Tramlines S02 E02
Frances Soyer
Tournament director
Australian Teams Championships (Gold Coast)
Episode: The First Serve - AUS Teams Championships - 29.06.26
Nicholas Scott
Director of 135 Tennis Intelligence
135 Tennis Intelligence
Episode: The First Serve - Nick Scott 135 Tennis Intelligence - 29.06.26

Host

Brett Phillips
Lead tennis commentator and host; central figure in coverage and programming.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 43 ratings
  • Informative

    Really enjoying The Junior Journey episodes so far, great information for parents of young tennis players. Looking forward to more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Melanie Ryan
    Australiaa year ago
  • Love it

    I only get to listen on podcast these days and love it. Keep up the great coverage.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scadoodle567
    Australia3 years ago
  • David

    I love this podcast , I listen every week , keep up the great work BP

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    millotty
    Australia4 years ago
  • Great show

    The only place to get regular Australian tennis news. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Melbourne64
    Australia4 years ago
  • Garbage

    Garbage

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    charlton soccer
    Australia5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Occasional pronunciation issues noted by listeners but generally high-quality analysis.
Positive sentiment around live updates and guest expertise.
Strong practical takeaways for parents and players.
Insightful coverage of Australian tennis development and governance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#84
United States/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#44
Canada/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#59
United Kingdom/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#14
Australia/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#14
Germany/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#98
Italy/Sports/Tennis

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The First Serve - Play USA S04 E06
Q: What advantages do Mississippi junior colleges offer in terms of cost and value for players, especially international students?
Mississippi schools cover tuition, fees, meal plans, room and board, and often equipment and travel for team events, making the total cost very competitive. For international students, the value is enhanced by scholarships and transfer pathways that keep costs manageable while preserving a high level of competition.
The First Serve - Play USA S04 E06
Q: How do you structure schedules to balance elite junior college competition with opportunities for exposure to other levels (D1, D2, D3, NAIA)?
The schedule aims to include top junior college teams to influence rankings, while also inviting Division 1, 2, and 3 programs to push players and broaden recruitment opportunities. This dual approach helps in both national standing and student-athlete exposure.
The First Serve - Play USA S04 E06
Q: When approaching athletic directors, what is the first data point you emphasize to make the case for starting a junior college tennis program?
We start with money—the top 25 programs' budgets, both high and low ends—then we show how a program could be financially self-sustaining, with scholarship budgets, travel, and facilities that fit a wide range of budgets. This helps directors see the potential ROI and the minimal risk involved.
The First Serve - Tennis in QLD: S03 EP05
Q: Do you think that the approach to events—like aiming for 1% improvements—could change the landscape of tennis events in the region?
Yes. By continuously refining formats, engagement, and coordination, tournaments can become more compelling experiences for players and spectators alike. Small, consistent improvements across operations, marketing, and spectator services can cumulatively elevate participation and the overall event quality.
The First Serve - Tennis in QLD: S03 EP05
Q: Talk me through behind the thinking and what happened in this Queensland State Champs this year and how did it all go?
The Queensland State Champs grew with new initiatives, including a Twilight Night Finals and live updates. Despite weather-related delays, the team managed a long, intense finals day, opening seating and delivering a memorable finals atmosphere, while maintaining competitive standards and introducing some audience engagement innovations.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The First Serve

What is The First Serve about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show consistently covers pathways into pro tennis, development systems, and behind-the-scenes governance and leadership in the sport. Conversations frequently center on junior-to-college-to-pro progress, domestic pathways like the UTR Pro Tour and state-grade circuits, and how data, technology, and leadership decisions shape opportunities for players, coaches, and families. A standout trait is the mix of practical, on-the-ground insight from players, agents, tournament directors, and journalists with thoughtful critique of development pipelines, funding, and governance—delivering actionable guidance for listeners considering sponsorship, media outreach, or guest appearances. The show's unique angle often lies in ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The First Serve?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The First Serve:

1. Real Footy
2. Whateley
3. Tennis Unfiltered
4. Gettable
5. Tennis Insider Club with Caro Garcia

How many episodes of The First Serve are there?

The First Serve launched 10 years ago and published 401 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The First Serve?

Recent guests on The First Serve include:

1. Shane Gordon
2. Jake Alchin
3. Ryan Mounce
4. Linda Nosková
5. Mark Woodforde
6. Nick Lester
7. Marc Sophoulis
8. Frances Soyer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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