Australian swimming champion Giaan Rooney reflects on her favourite tennis memories in our Celebrity Match series.
Australia, 6 September 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Giaan Rooney is an Australian swimming champion and media personality.
She won an Olympic gold medal (as well as two silvers) and three world championship gold medals across a stellar swimming career.
Rooney has gone on to have a successful television career, working as a host, reporter and commentator with both the Nine Network and Seven Network. This has included covering many Australian Open and summer of tennis events.
She is also a mother, farmer, author, inspirational speaker and has her own athleisure clothing range.
In our Celebrity Match series, Rooney shares her favourite tennis memories …
Tell us about your tennis experience. Have you played before?
For someone who has been around tennis a lot, I haven’t actually played that much. I had lessons for a short time as a kid, but never pursued it further. Although, we are currently planning a regular social tennis competition in our local community.
What is your best shot and why?
At this stage, my best shot is getting it over the net, but every now and again, my lob really pays off.
What is your earliest tennis memory?
It may not be my earliest memory, but my mum credits tennis with getting her through early motherhood. My mum would play tennis at the local club whilst I slept in a bassinet under a tree on the sideline as a baby and once I was old enough, I would go into the crèche at the club. Mum says she got her exercise, mothers group chats and breathing space all at the same time.
Do you have a favourite tennis memory?
Funnily enough, my favourite tennis memory is when I missed watching an epic game of tennis! One of our Highland cows was having trouble giving birth on the evening of the Australian Open 2022 women’s final between Ash Barty and Danielle Collins. All my husband, Sam, and I wanted to do was watch the final, but we also couldn’t leave our cow on her own. Finally a healthy little bull calf came out. After a bit more of a struggle to feed, ‘Barty Boy’ was left to his own devices, whilst Sam and I watched the final on replay.
Do you remember the first professional match you saw live? Who played?
I can’t remember who was playing, but I think the first match I saw live would have been at Australian Open 2013 when I was working as a reporter.
You have interviewed many top-ranked…
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