Get to know Matt

Matt has represented Australia with distinction in Davis Cup and team events and his doubles world ranking has risen to No.9 after his heroics on the court last year and his form into 2023.

It was Matt’s second Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open Mixed Doubles alongside Jarmila Gajdosova.

When he’s not playing tennis, Matt is studying a Commerce Degree and raising his one year old son Harvey alongside wife Kim. Harvey is Matt’s greatest ace.

“Almost every day or week since he was born has been special in its own way,” Matt said. “All the little things along the way and their growth happens so fast.  

“I saw this when I returned to Wimbledon this year,  it was great to take him back to the crèche where he waited while I played the final, show him the locker room and simply getting his credentials and photo and just seeing how much he has changed in the year.  

“It’s the little things that are important and being a parent you understand that”

QOn competition day, do you usually relax with the family, do you have a set routine?

ARoutine mainly. Sometimes it's hard I have to maybe leave early and go and get organised and prepared and Kim does an amazing job looking after Harvey and maybe bringing him into the tennis later in the day to watch when I play.

QHow did you feel going back to Wimbledon this year, again with the family. Did you feel proud sharing the experience again with Harvey?

AI had goosebumps going back to Wimbledon! You feel triumphant having your name on the board, its always going to be there and it will never go away. So it t was very special to share that with Harvey.

QWhat’s the best thing about being a dad?

AThe whole experience. Having another little mini human beside you on the couch or in the house or to cuddle is very special and hard to believe sometimes. It's true when they say you can't really comprehend how it is until you have children yourself. It's a very surreal and innate experience. It's definitely also very challenging and I have the most incredible respect and admiration for all the mothers out there and everything that goes into having children.

QWhat is the best part of the day with Harvey?

ADefinitely the best part of the day is in the morning when he wakes up he stands up in his cot, it's very cute and he says 'Mumma, Dadda, Harvey'….thats the cue that he’s ready to come into our bed and gives us cuddles. Then pretty soon he’s up and ready to go saying 'our car, parky, lets go’. He’s just full of beans!

Now lets hear from Kim

QHi Kim, please tell us about Matt as a dad?

AMatt loves being hands on. When Harvey was first born Matt did all of the nappy changes, night and day, and was there to help with absolutely everything. Matt will often take a bath with Harvey or feed him a bottle and look after him for a few hours so that I can take a break. He takes a lot of joy in playing with Harvey or having a cuddle with him.

QDo you have any funny stories about Matt and Harvey?

AThe first night in the hospital Matt was so worried about keeping an eye on Harvey that he set an alarm for every 20 minutes through the night to check that Harvey was still breathing. By the next night it became every hour, and by the third night Matt realised that Harvey was doing fine and he could get some sleep.