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Barbara Schett: From the wall to the world’s top 10 | The Sit-Down
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Barbara Schett: From the wall to the world’s top 10 | The Sit-Down
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Tennis has been a constant throughout Barbara Schett’s life. Like many before her, she began playing against a wall before her talent was spotted and channelled towards the professional game, where she debuted as a 14-year-old at her home event in Kitzbuhel, Austria. Schett’s career peaked during a memorable WTA era; she finished 1999 inside the top 10 along with Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Serena and Venus Williams, Mary Pierce, Monica Seles and Amelie Mauresmo. She fondly remembers that era – and facing those icons – as well as reaching the 1999 US Open quarterfinals and stunning then-world No.2 Venus in the first round of Roland Garros in 2001. That same year she reached the AO mixed doubles final with Josh Eagle, who later became her husband and saw her move to Australia. She now divides her time between Queensland and Europe, remaining connected to the sport through her successful commentary career and role as WTA tournament ambassador in Linz.
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0:00 Welcome & whale watching
0:45 Australia vs. Europe — home base
1:41 Getting into tennis in Austria
3:49 Realising a pro career was possible
5:20 Early inspirations
6:25 Eventful pro debut at age 14
8:23 Balancing singles & doubles
10:11 Doubles with Hingis & the glamour era
12:06 Toughest opponents
13:31 Breakout 1999 season
15:30 US Open quarterfinal run & standout matches
18:51 Australian Open connection & meeting Josh
23:06 Retirement & transition into media
27:32 Biggest surprises across her roles in tennis
29:00 Memorable & challenging interviews
31:53 Current players & rising star Lilli Tagger
36:48 Playing tennis now & son Noah's sport
39:26 Biggest life lesson tennis has taught her
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