Jumping in the Yarra got Jim Courier his commentating gig, but he wouldn’t do it again

Jim Courier attributes his gig commentating the Australian Open down to his victory celebration of jumping in the Yarra.

“It was a dare, a challenge from my coach at the time, and we both did it together and in some ways it’s probably why I’m still a part of the Australian Open, because it made me stand out,” he says. “There are lots of people who have won the Australian Open, but not many who are foolish enough to jump into the Yarra twice.”

Jannik Sinner is interviewed on court by Jim Courier at last year’s Australian Open. Credit: AP

Courier says he is not tempted to get back in the Yarra again despite attempts to clean up the river.

“No, not unless I won again,” he says. “If you tell me I could win it again, go back in time, I would definitely do it all over again. I don’t regret doing it.”

When asked whether he would like to see further efforts to make the Yarra swimmable, Courier diplomatically says, “I would be in favour of it.”

Loading

In his 12-year tennis career, Courier won four majors – two French Opens in 1991 and 1992, and two Australian Opens in 1992 and 1993 – and he remains a regular presence in Melbourne as a commentator for the Australian Open for Channel Nine*.

Courier says he fell into his career as a commentator in a “very haphazard” way but found that he loved the chance to turn an analytical eye to tennis.

“I’ve just really adored being a part of helping people at home understand what they’re seeing and understand who these players are, and try and paint the picture,” he says.

In this year’s tournament he is excited to watch Jannik Sinner, who’s won the Australian Open for the past two years, and the potential challenger Carlos Alcaraz.

“These guys are separating themselves from the pack, and we’ll see if anyone else can can catch up to them, including our 10-time champion, Novak Djokovic, who’s still around,” he says.

Jim Courier films an advertisement for Uber Eats cycling along the Yarra River. Credit: Simon Schluter

Courier is also keen to watch young Brazilian player Joao Fonseca and will be keeping an eye on Australia’s great hope Alex de Minaur.

“How can Alex crack on past the quarter-finals?” he says. “He’s at that mark where he makes the quarter-finals, and I’d love to see him crack on to a semi or a final or, obviously, it would be incredible if he were able to win.”

In the women’s draw, Courier is looking forward to seeing Aryna Sabalenka, who he says deserves to be the favourite, along with 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys.

“How does she come back as a defending champion? Because that was an amazing and an uplifting story watching her win last year,” he says.

Another player Courier says to watch is Iga Swiatek, who is trying to do the same thing as Carlos Alcaraz: win the Australian Open in order to complete the career grand slam, winning each of the majors at least once.

Courier says the Australian Open has changed a lot since he was a player, going from a “really great tennis tournament” to “an amazing event with incredible food and music”.

Much of the credit for this evolution has been attributed to Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley, who has served as the grand slam’s tournament director since 2006, but reports have emerged this year that Tiley will leave to head up the United States Tennis Association after this year’s Open.

“I don’t know if that’s true or not,” Courier says. “If he stays at Tennis Australia, they’re going to be lucky. If he comes to the USTA and the US, they’re going to be lucky.”

Jim Courier takes a victory dip in the Yarra after winning the Australian Open in 1993. Credit: Stuart Hannagan

“He’s an innovator, he’s a deep thinker, and he’s not afraid to shake up what has been known as sort of the common thoughts within a sport that has been around a long, long time.”

Courier was back in Melbourne earlier than usual ahead of the Australian Open in order to film an advertisement for food delivery company Uber Eats.

In the advertisement, Courier plays the role of an Uber Eats courier, riding a bike along the Yarra and waiting outside a restaurant for a delivery.

Loading

He’s also enthusiastic about Melbourne’s food scene, nominating Chin Chin and Movida as favourites in the CBD.

“I still like going down to South Yarra, the place where I stayed for many years as a player and going to some of my favourite restaurants, like France Soir, which is still there, this incredibly awesome French bistro restaurant where I celebrated one of my Australian Open titles, 100 years ago, it seems like.”

Filming the advertisement enabled Courier to reunite with former players Todd Woodbridge and Pat Rafter, who both feature in the advert, with Rafter floating on a raft down the Yarra river.

While Courier remained dry during filming, Rafter took an unexpected tumble into the river – reminiscent of Courier’s victory celebration more than 30 years ago.

“He did fall in,” Courier says. “I’m pretty sure he fell in when he was shooting, but Pat’s a good sport.”

* Channel Nine is owned by Nine Entertainment, also the owner of this masthead.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.

Most Viewed in National

Loading