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The First Serve

SEN
Roland Garros
Wimbledon
Tennis
Tennis Coaching
Alex De Minaur
Iga Swiatek
Queensland
Australian Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz
Courtney Walsh
Djokovic
Lulu Sun
Wimbledon Championships
Rafael Nadal
Peter Odgers
Coco Gauff
Novak Djokovic
Ajla Tomljanovic
Kiranpal Pannu
Marc Mcgowan

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes401Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for The First Serve

Latest Episodes

John Newtown is the Owner and Project Lead of Newtowns Tennis (www.newtonstennis.com.au) a privately funded elite tennis centre he is trying to build in Queensland. He joined The First Serve Live to share his story.

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22 year old Aussie Phil Sekulic has won back to back ITF M25 singles title in India (Kolkata and Mumbai). He joined The First Serve Live for a chat.

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The First Serve Mailbag is available to everyone to contact us to share your views on tennis (good, bad or indifferent) included on The First Serve Live on SEN each week. You can email thefirstservesen@gmail.com anytime.

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Brett Phillips is back with another big show in the middle of the ATP/WTA 1000 Miami Open as Talia Gibson continues to be the standout Aussie, The Mailbag is back, Owner and Project Lead John Newtown from Newtowns Tennis tells us about a 7 million do... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

David Mullins
CEO of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association
Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)
Episode: The First Serve - Play USA S04 E02
Jimmy Rapkins
Comps and Pathways Manager, Tennis Queensland
Tennis Queensland
Episode: The First Serve - Tennis in QLD: S03 EP01
Rinky Hijikata
Professional tennis player
Tennis (ATP)
Episode: The First Serve - Rinky Hijikata R3 Indian Wells
Bob Moran
Tournament director, Charleston Open
Charleston Open
Episode: The First Serve - Bob Moran - 9.3.26
Storm Hunter
Professional tennis player
Australian tennis player
Episode: The First Serve - Storm Hunter R1 Indian Wells
Kimberly Birrell
Australian professional tennis player
Professional tennis player
Episode: The First Serve - Kimberly Birrell - R1 Indian Wells
Nicole Cris
Director of Player Development at Tennis Australia
Tennis Australia
Episode: The First Serve - Full Show - 02-03-2026
Damon Looch
Brisbane tennis coach with over 20 years of experience
Redline Tennis
Episode: The First Serve - Full Show - 02-03-2026
Patrick McEnroe
Former professional tennis player, current commentator and president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame
ESPN, International Tennis Hall of Fame
Episode: The First Serve - The Masters Zone S02 E01

Host

Brett Phillips
Longtime host with deep involvement in Australian tennis coverage and governance discussions; associated with multiple iterations of the show and sponsor integrations.

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.

Positive: loyal NYC-based listener mentions global relevance and consistent coverage.
Positive: listeners value insider perspectives on governance and prize money discussions.
Mixed: some episodes criticized for pronunciation of player names.
Positive: useful for parents seeking junior pathways and development insights.
Positive: strong coverage of Australian tennis and tour updates.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#79
United States/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#110
United Kingdom/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#158
Canada/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#4
Australia/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#3
Saudi Arabia/Sports/Tennis
Apple Podcasts
#11
India/Sports/Tennis

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The First Serve - Peter Johnstone - 16.3.26
Q: I know you were quoted while I've been away in the age with Mark McGowan last week. Where do you sort of see the situation at the moment?
The current situation is framed as a reset with big shoes to fill; the board should look for a CEO who also recognizes the need for dedicated attention to player development, participation, and broader governance, rather than collapsing these roles into one.
The First Serve - Tennis in QLD: S03 EP01
Q: What is your exact role now in Tennis Queensland?
Comps and Pathways Manager, a broad role that covers junior and open competition coordination, tournament operations, and the development of pathways for players.
The First Serve - Talia Gibson R4 Indian Wells
Q: What was going through your mind at the end of that second set when you had to regroup?
I focused on staying aggressive and sticking to the game plan, recognizing that the first set was where I was clicking, and I believed I could carry that level into the third set if I stayed positive and committed.
The First Serve - Play USA S04 E02
Q: What is the ITA and what role does the ITA as an organization have in relation to college tennis?
The ITA functions as both a governing body and coaches association that administers on-court rules, season scheduling, championships, official training, and coach education, while coordinating with other associations like NCAA and NAIA to guide the tennis ecosystem across multiple divisions, including wheelchair tennis.
The First Serve - Alex de Minaur R2 Indian Wells
Q: How do you approach the rest of the tournament after a tough draw and a challenging match?
I focus on the next match, study the opponent, and trust the level I've shown to deal with the conditions and momentum swings. Every round is a battle, and embracing that reality with preparation, patience, and belief is key to maintaining consistency through the late stages.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The First Serve

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

A high-velocity tennis-focused show that blends player interviews, tour insights, and ecosystem news. Episodes frequently center on professional tennis, college tennis pathways, tournament economics, governance, and national development in Australia. Unique angles include on-site event reporting, behind-the-scenes looks at prize money dynamics, and governance discussions with federation leaders. Listeners are likely industry pros, parents of young players, and tennis fans who value practical tips, policy context, and national perspectives on Australian tennis growth and global tours.

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How many listeners does The First Serve get?

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How many subscribers and views does The First Serve have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The First Serve?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The First Serve:

1. Off The Bench
2. Gettable
3. Whateley
4. The Sounding Board
5. Tennis Unfiltered

How many episodes of The First Serve are there?

The First Serve launched 9 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.

How do I contact The First Serve?

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What guests have appeared on The First Serve?

Recent guests on The First Serve include:

1. David Mullins
2. Jimmy Rapkins
3. Rinky Hijikata
4. Bob Moran
5. Storm Hunter
6. Kimberly Birrell
7. Nicole Cris
8. Damon Looch

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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