Former grand slam doubles champion and Olympic medallist Alicia Molik has been picked as 9News Perth’s new sports presenter following the departure of Fremantle Dockers great Matthew Pavlich.
Molik, whose career highlights include a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and grand slam doubles titles at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, is set to begin her role as weekend sport presenter on Saturday.
Since retiring from professional tennis, Molik has built a career in media, and helped anchor Nine’s recent coverage of the Australian Open, and has been a broadcaster with Wide World of Sports. Nine is owned by Nine Entertainment, also the owner of this masthead.
The Adelaide-born tennis champion said she was excited to join the team to deliver sport news in the city she has called home for the last 16 years.
While tennis “still runs through my veins”, Molik was also anticipating the start of the AFL season, as well as other big sport stories including Perth’s entry into the NRL with the revived Bears team.
“Sport is woven into the DNA of this city, and I look forward to connecting with our viewers every weekend to share the triumphs and the biggest stories in the sporting world,” she said.
“Joining the 9News sport team is a natural fit. I’m thrilled that I’ll still be courtside covering the Australian Open and Wimbledon for the 9Network – it’s truly the best of both worlds.”
9News Perth news director Michael Genovese said Molik was a “world-class talent”, and described her addition to the sports team as a massive win for viewers.
“With Paddy Sweeney leading our weekday coverage and Alicia anchoring our weekends, viewers will see Perth’s best sports coverage every day,” he said.
Fremantle stalwart Pavlich had been presenting sport news at 9News Perth since 2018 until last year, when he took up the role of chief executive at the Sydney Swans – joining another West Australian in a top posting at the club, with former Eagles premiership player Dean Cox currently the team’s coach.
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