Tennis champ Alicia Molik on her time on SAS Australia

Tennis champ Alicia Molik would definitely not put her hand up again for the brutal physical and mental challenge that is SAS Australia.

Tennis champ Alicia Molik would definitely not put her hand up again for the brutal physical and mental challenge that is SAS Australia.

“I gave it everything I had and I’m happy with what I achieved,” she shares.

“I enjoyed training like a demon for that period of time and it was a great experience. But it was brutal and it’s torture and that is not fun at all.”

Molik joined 17 other celebrities – including AFL star Heath Shaw, singer/actor Bonnie Anderson, socialite Brynne Edelsten, dual Olympian Jana Pittman, celebrity chef Manu Feildel, tennis legend Mark Philippoussis, ironman Jett Kenny, and controversial NRL player Sam Burgess – for the second instalment of SAS Australia.

The recruits – as they are known – leave their privileged lives behind and embark on a condensed version of the Special Forces selection course, which physically and mentallys strip them back to the core. They’re given a number instead of names – Molik is recruit No. 17.

Alicia Molik in SAS Australia. Picture: Seven Network

The Adelaide-born-and-bred mum of two – who initially turned down Seven’s overtures to join the high-rating reality show due to work commitments – was physically prepared for what the show could throw at her, but it was the constantly being on edge which exhausted her.

“You can’t put a mental plan in place,” Molik shares. “You can’t prepare for nerves or anxious moments and for constantly being in fight or flight mode.

“You never know how quick or long (a task) will last.

“You are thrown into a situation and told what to do in that second – there is no preparation. “You don’t know when you’ll have your next meal, or when sleep is coming. Your mind is constantly ticking overtime.”

The 40-year-old laughs when we ask if she enjoyed the experience.

“I can’t say I enjoyed the course but I did enjoy the camaraderie with people you have never met before,” she explains. “We formed these instant bonds and you want to help them and you lean on them. I love being part of a team.”

Molik is looking forward to watching it all play out on television and will gather family and friends in her Perth home for the first episode tomorrow night.

The Olympic bronze medallist is also glad to be back in the swing of kid things, after being away from her son and daughter for more than three weeks with the Australian tennis team at the Tokyo Olympics and them quarantining on her return.

“A lot of my friends didn’t ask about Tokyo, but they all wanted to know how they could book into Howard Springs (quarantine facility) for a break from their kids,” Molik laughs.

While it’s been tricky getting back to see her Adelaide-based family with her state premier’s penchant for snap border closures, she still comes back as often as she can to get her fix of walks on Henley Beach and a hit of tennis with her brother.

SAS Australia, Monday, 7.30pm, Seven

Originally published as Tennis champ Alicia Molik on her time on SAS Australia