I caught up with Star Sports' veteran sports host Georgina Chang and here's what she had to say prior to the upcoming Australian Open. Thanks to Tammy David for facilitating this.
Rick: You've been hosting many an event for Star Sports for a long time now. 
How big a fan are you of tennis? Are you able to follow a lot of the tournaments?
Georgina: I played tennis when I was in school, but I was quite dreadful. I'm strong and often hit the ball far out of the court. Couldn't find anyone to play with me after a while. These days though, I play a mean game of Wii tennis! Yes, I get to see most of the tournaments on TV, like everyone else.
Rick: What are your favorite matches of all time? Does this make for easier reporting? How much preparation is there on your part for a Grand Slam event like the Australian Open?
Georgina: Ooooh! The 2008 Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal last year had me biting my nails down to stumps! I don't commentate on matches, so I can be as biased as I like! For all events, I have to keep reading the press release and newspapers and talking to people to get inside information!
Rick: Do you think music and sports goes well together? Is that an advantage for sports reporters and broadcast journalists?
Georgina: Music and Sports are completely different content. For music and entertainment these days, there is plenty of leeway for presenters who are not interested in the content to be successful. As long as they look presentable, and project a fun personality, they can still be very popular with the audience. Sports operates on a whole new level. If the presenter doesn't know their stuff, the viewers can spot it and are quick to criticize. Credibility seems to be more important in Sports than in Entertainment coverage, probably since most serious Sports viewers are more mature and discerning.
Rick: Who was your best interview ever and why?
Georgina: My best interviews are usually with Roger Federer. He's been at the top for so long, is perfectly fluent in English and always game to answer anything with thought and spontaneity.
Rick: You are well versed in many sports. Do you have an athletic bone in your body? If so, what sports are you into – before and today?
Georgina: That athletic bone was active when I was a teen. I represented my school in gymnastics and soft ball. I was also into athletics, squash, dancing, and tennis. These days, going to the kitchen to hunt for food is the most extreme and athletic thing that I do.
Rick: Who are your favorite up and coming tennis stars?
Georgina: Dinara Safina is an absolute doll. She's unassuming, sporting and also humorous in a Russian kind of way.
Rick: What would be the ultimate dream sport to cover for you?
Georgina: Greek Island Hopping. What do you mean that's not a sport?
How big a fan are you of tennis? Are you able to follow a lot of the tournaments?Georgina: I played tennis when I was in school, but I was quite dreadful. I'm strong and often hit the ball far out of the court. Couldn't find anyone to play with me after a while. These days though, I play a mean game of Wii tennis! Yes, I get to see most of the tournaments on TV, like everyone else.
Rick: What are your favorite matches of all time? Does this make for easier reporting? How much preparation is there on your part for a Grand Slam event like the Australian Open?
Georgina: Ooooh! The 2008 Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal last year had me biting my nails down to stumps! I don't commentate on matches, so I can be as biased as I like! For all events, I have to keep reading the press release and newspapers and talking to people to get inside information!
Rick: Do you think music and sports goes well together? Is that an advantage for sports reporters and broadcast journalists?
Georgina: Music and Sports are completely different content. For music and entertainment these days, there is plenty of leeway for presenters who are not interested in the content to be successful. As long as they look presentable, and project a fun personality, they can still be very popular with the audience. Sports operates on a whole new level. If the presenter doesn't know their stuff, the viewers can spot it and are quick to criticize. Credibility seems to be more important in Sports than in Entertainment coverage, probably since most serious Sports viewers are more mature and discerning.
Rick: Who was your best interview ever and why?
Georgina: My best interviews are usually with Roger Federer. He's been at the top for so long, is perfectly fluent in English and always game to answer anything with thought and spontaneity.
Rick: You are well versed in many sports. Do you have an athletic bone in your body? If so, what sports are you into – before and today?
Georgina: That athletic bone was active when I was a teen. I represented my school in gymnastics and soft ball. I was also into athletics, squash, dancing, and tennis. These days, going to the kitchen to hunt for food is the most extreme and athletic thing that I do.
Rick: Who are your favorite up and coming tennis stars?
Georgina: Dinara Safina is an absolute doll. She's unassuming, sporting and also humorous in a Russian kind of way.
Rick: What would be the ultimate dream sport to cover for you?
Georgina: Greek Island Hopping. What do you mean that's not a sport?
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