Rebecca Maddern to front Channel Nine’s Australian Open coverage

Women rule. That seems to be Channel 9’s philosophy as a popular female face prepares to front the network’s first-ever telecast of the Australian Open tennis, days after it was announced duo Deb Knight and Georgie Gardner would be driving the Today show.

Women rule! That seems to be Channel 9’s philosophy as Rebecca Maddern prepares to front the network’s first-ever telecast of the Australian Open tennis on Monday.

Day one of the Grand Slam is when Nine will also launch Georgie Gardner and Deb Knight as hosts of the new-look Today following the axing of Karl Stefanovic.

Maddern moved from Seven to Nine in April 2016 and co-hosted The Footy Show and Australian Ninja Warrior in quick succession.

The 41-year-old stepped away from the spotlight to give birth to daughter Ruby last April but is now well and truly back on centre court.

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Jelena Dokic, Rebecca Maddern & Todd Woodbridge will present and commentate on Channel 9's 2019 Australian Open coverage.

“At Seven I was given a lot of opportunities but never the main role,” Maddern says. “Nine has been brave enough to do that — and that is the difference.

“That can come with backlash (from viewers) because it is change but they (Nine) have ignored that. They just want the best person for the job and if that is a female they do it.”

Nine spent a whopping $300 million to snatch the summer of tennis, including the Australian Open, from Seven from 2020.

Another $48.5 million was forked out in a last-minute deal to secure this year’s rights and Nine has been action stations ever since.

At lightning speed, former champions including Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Alicia Molik, Todd Woodbridge, and Lleyton Hewitt were signed as experts commentators.

A wrist injury forced Dokic to retire in 2014 after a turbulent career overshadowed by her outspoken father Damir.

The new hosts of TODAY — Tom Steinfort, Georgie Gardner and Deb Knight.

Karl Stefanovic was axed as host of Today after 14 years at the helm.

“Commentating was on my agenda while I was still playing,” Dokic says. “Todd helped me a lot with that. We did some practice sessions.

“I feel like I have pretty good insight and I like all the technical and tactical things. There is no middle ground (with the Australian Open). You either thrive in it or struggle with the pressure.

“People see a different me (when commentating). People say that I smile so much and they’re not used to that because I was always so serious as a tennis player.”

Maddern is hosting alongside Nine News sports presenter Tony Jones and rugby league presenter James Bracey.

“We have had to hit the ground running,” Maddern says. “I don’t shy away from the fact that I haven’t hosted tennis before but neither has anybody else on the coverage. We are all learning on the job.”

Former Australian tennis player Jelena Dokic, now commentator for the Channel 9.

Maddern’s home life has also had to go through radical change. Cameraman husband Tim Miller has taken on extra duties.

“My husband is in the industry so he has flexible work hours and we’re juggling it,” Maddern says.

“For the month of January he is essentially a full-time mum. He is looking after baby Ruby and doing a brilliant job. I could not do this (host Australian Open) without him.

“I have to hand it to Serena Williams. I know she is a polarising figure but to be pregnant and win the 2017 Australian Open is sensational.

“We I was pregnant I had to dance in The Footy Show Grand Final Review and I thought that was a big deal.

“Now Serena’s got her daughter Alexis Olympia touring with her. Imagine having to juggle that.

“I know there will be people saying she has an entourage but from what I know she is an extremely hands-on mum.

“From my short nine months of experience it doesn’t matter how many people you have around — if the baby wants mummy then that’s it.

“Serena looked in great form in the Hopman Cup. I have no doubt she will be in the Women’s Final of the 2019 Australian Open.”

Rebecca Maddern hosted The Footy Show for Nine alongside Sam Newman and Eddie McGuire.

Maddern describes her two seasons on The Footy Show — before leaving to give birth to Ruby — as “an incredible ride”.

Maddern worked alongside James Brayshaw, Craig Hutchison and Eddie McGuire as well as Sam Newman during her time on the show which ended its 25-year run last September.

“I’m incredibly sad that The Footy Show in that format will be no longer,” Maddern says. “It was the most exhilarating job I ever had.

“I never knew in any second which way it would go. It was an incredible learning curve and I loved every second of it.

“It always surprises people that from day one — the moment I got the job — Sam was nothing but supportive of me.

“We had a great relationship. I’m not saying he was easy to work with and I used to tell him that. He could be extremely frustrating and unpredictable but he didn’t treat me any different to anybody else.

“He was brilliant. I still speak to him and text him and he still sends me regular texts to ask me how Ruby is.”

One door shuts — another door opens and with the Australian Open telecast all eyes will be on Maddern. No pressure.

“Over the last three years (at Nine) I seem to have been thrown into things and have survived to this point and I hope that continues,” Maddern says with a laugh.

“I don’t think anybody puts more pressure on me than myself. I am a very harsh self-critic. Don’t feel the need to tweet me if I make a mistake. I’ll be well aware that I’ve already made it.”

WATCH THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN COVERAGE ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW FROM MONDAY 10AM