Ariarne Titmus put on a flirty display as she took on her surprising new TV role on Thursday.
The Australian swimmer, 24, has been named as Channel Nine’s newest tennis commentator alongside Aussie canoeist Jessica Fox for the Australian Open.
The decision raised eyebrows among fans considering they have no experience covering tennis, but Ariarne appeared unfazed during filming.
The Olympic gold medallist appeared to be in jovial spirits as she flashed a huge smile while arriving at Melbourne Park to front the coverage before the Open kicks off.
She opted for a fun look for her first day of work, flashing her toned abs in a stylish beige co-ord set.
Ariarne commanded attention in a cropped sleeveless shirt and wide-leg linen trousers, which she styled with a pair of platform heeled sandals.
She accentuated her stunning features with a bronzed make-up palette and styled her golden tresses in loose waves over her shoulders.
Ariarne wasted no time in getting to work as she was seen reading her lines and rehearsing with the camera crews outside the sporting venue.
She is following in the footsteps of her father, Channel 7 newsreader Stephen Titmus, as she turns to presenting while taking a year-long break out of the swimming pool.
Tennis fans were surprised to learn Channel Nine had signed up Ariarne and Olympic canoeist Jessica as part of the network’s 2025 Australian Open coverage.
The duo are looking to provide colour for viewers from Melbourne Park and Ariarne told how she is excited to get out of her comfort zone with the new gig.
‘I have always been a tennis fan and having the chance to be at the Australian Open in this capacity is very exciting,’ she told News Corp.
‘The AO encompasses Australian culture and our love for sport as a nation. It will be a new and challenging experience being on the other end of the mic, but one I am very grateful for.
‘I’m [also] looking forward to working alongside a great team and broadening my skills outside of the pool.’
Ariarne won gold in the women’s 400m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but is now broadening her skills away from the pool.
The world’s top tennis professionals have flocked to Melbourne for the Australian Open grand slam, which is set to officially kick off on Sunday.
The current world number one Aryna Sabalenka is the hot favourite to take home the women’s crown, defending the title she won in 2023 and 2024.
While former world champion Ash Barty tipped Aryna for huge success this time around, but also believes American Coco Gauff and China’s Zheng Qinwen could be in the running.
‘One of the top traits she has developed is great consistency,’ she told The Age.
‘Plus, the Australian Open naturally suits her. Aryna is now very comfortable playing in the latter stages of slams, fitted with the right temperament.’
However, Ash picked a first-time winner to take home the title at the world-famous tennis tournament.
‘But who’s my tip to win? I’ve settled on the world No.6 and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina,’ she went on.
‘I think she’s ideally placed to go one better in Melbourne after being beaten in an epic three-set final against Sabalenka two years ago.’
Ash also revealed who she thinks will win in the men’s tennis this year – and she tipped a rather unlikely star.
Italian World No.1 Jannik Sinner lifted his first Major crown at last year’s event and is the favourite to do so again this time around.
Meanwhile, Serbian ace Novak Djokovic will be aiming to claim his 25th career Grand Slam – and astonishingly, his 11th title at Melbourne Park.
However, though Ash, who won three women’s singles Grand Slam titles, believes both players will be hard to beat, she is predicting a first-time winner this year.
‘I think it’s Daniil Medvedev‘s time in Melbourne,’ she told The Age. ‘Get ready. It’s going to be a massive couple of weeks.’
