Whether you’re on site, following from around the world, or catching the action while on the road, AO Radio will keep you updated on how the Australian Open is unfolding.
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In its 21st year as the official station of the Australian Open, AO Radio broadcasts from the heart of Melbourne Park with a world-class team of commentators, producers and reporters. They go behind the scenes to capture not only the matches, but also the colour, atmosphere and unique flavour of the tournament.
From the first serve on Sunday 18 January through to the final point on Sunday 1 February, AO Radio is streaming 24-7 throughout the main draw, delivering ball-by-ball commentary of marquee matches, regular score updates and breaking news.
The commitment to uninterrupted coverage is unwavering. In 2023, a second-round match stretched into the early hours of the morning, with commentators Peter Marcato and Candy Reid broadcasting through the night and finishing close to 5am to ensure fans didn’t miss a moment.
AO Radio is designed to cater to both casual listeners and die-hard tennis fans.
“We try to balance between the higher profile players, but also for those die-hards who will understand when we go to a specific match that it’s going to be a close contest,” AO Radio Manager Marcato said.
While uniquely Australian in its playful approach, AO Radio is also mindful of its extensive global audience.
“It’s not an ‘Aussie-centric’ commentary. It’s very much a wide sort of thinking internationally…If there are [Australian] references, we try and make sure that we explain what they are”.
AO Radio launched in 2005, when the four Grand Slams welcomed the growth of the interest of a fortnight-long radio station throughout their respective tournaments.
Among the many roles performed by the dedicated group of media professionals is the ability to bring each point to life – including to listeners who are vision impaired.
“One of the important functions that we have is servicing a part of the audience that can’t watch, and that’s the blind and vision impaired community around the world,” Marcato continued, explaining how AO Radio is broadcast through Vision Australia.
AO Radio can also be heard on 99.7FM (Melbourne), ESPN Sirius XM (US), iHeart Radio, TuneIn Radio, the SEN Network, and is streamed across the official Australian Open app, website, and YouTube – making this a truly accessible platform for fans that can’t make it to Melbourne Park or be on site for every minute of the action.
Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation through the ‘Ask the Booth’ form on the Australian Open website or by sending emails to the team.
“The fans expect and know that we’re going to be on for the fortnight and broadcasting matches,” Marcato said. “So, we’ve got a lot of regulars around the world who tune in each and every year, but then new ones who are finding us as well”.
Operating from a bespoke studio at KIA Arena, on-site fans can watch the AO Radio team in action, with morning and evening shows as well as ‘Round the Courts’ broadcasts produced from the specially designed space.
Marcato notes that radio commentary offers a unique listening experience.
“Radio, you keep going, so we’re actually commentating through the points, with forehands and backhands, and describing what’s going on there” he said, noting the differences with television commentary.
That discipline is obviously not talking through the point, and you’re doing more analysing and more steering. People can see what’s going on, you don’t have to be as descriptive as you are on radio”.
The world-class AO Radio commentary team comprises 14 rotating members, with guests including present and past players, other media professionals and notable figures from the tournament and broader tennis landscape.
“We are talking to literally anyone who wants to talk to us,” Marcato said. “Because that is what we do, that’s why we’re here”.
AO Radio is available via AusOpen.com, the Australian Open app, website, and YouTube. Also available on 99.7FM (Melbourne), Vision Australia Radio, iHeart Radio, TuneIn Radio and across the SEN Network.