McEnroe out in Aus Open commentary shake-up

Tennis champ John McEnroe won’t be part of this year’s Australian Open commentary team, but a former AFL star has scored a plum role.

Novak Djokovic being interviewed by John McEnroe at the 2020 Australian Open. Picture: Lukas Coch

Tennis legend John McEnroe won’t be part of Channel 9’s tennis commentary team this year.

McEnroe isn’t making the trip to Australia with his employer ESPN so his expertise won’t be shared for this year’s coverage of the Australian Open.

The Nine team has also lost former Aussie tennis player Sam Groth who was voted in as the Member for Nepean at November’s state election.

A regular face in former champion Jim Courier, a stalwart of commentary and on-court interviewing, is returning.

Will Smith speaking with Jim Courier on Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open in 2018. Picture: Lukas Coch

Retired Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich will be part of the off-court reporting team. Picture: Getty Images

He will feature along with Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.

In an interesting move, former Dockers champion Matthew Pavlich will head over from Perth to be part of the off-court reporting team which has lost Lauren Phillips.

The sport newsreader joins Alicia Loxley, Clint Stanaway, Danika Mason and Madeline Slattery.

Also off court, Andy Lee is returning with a new twist as Sophie Monk and Mike Goldstein join him for a special Australian Open edition of The Hundred with the tournament’s big names.

Hosts over the fortnight are James Bracey, Roz Kelly and Tony Jones, while on 9Gem Nick McArdle, Emma Lawrence and Seb Costello will host the broadcast.

The Australian Open begins at Melbourne Park on Monday.