THIS year’s Australian Open will be shown on Discovery and Eurosport, with a familiar face to tennis fans on presenting duties.
Those tuning in will find French beauty Alize Lim, 31, hosting alongside experts including Mats Wilander, Barbara Schett, John McEnroe and Jo Konta.
Lim, herself, is still a pro tennis player – having reached a career-high ranking of 148th in the world in 2016.
But, in recent years, the Paris-born beauty has turned her hand to TV as she embarks on a burgeoning media career.
She has also found time for love and dates NBA legend Tony Parker.
Injuries forced her hand
Three years ago, with injuries forcing her out the game, Lim presented Tennis Channel International original show, Academy Life.
The sudden shift of swapping tennis for a life in a TV studio didn’t sit comfortable with Alize initially.
“At the very beginning, I didn’t feel comfortable and almost felt a little ashamed because I enjoyed doing them (the episodes) but didn’t want to show it,” she told Tennis.com.
“I worried it would make it appear as though I wasn’t serious about my tennis, or that I wasn’t professional.”
However, with things slowing down on the court because of her ongoing injury problems and the global pandemic, she understood that she needed to think about a life after tennis.
“As I grew up, I realised that it was ok for me enjoy other things and be curious about life outside tennis,” she said.
“It has been so enriching for me to have these experiences, and I’m only more and more grateful and proud to have had these opportunities.
“I’ve been able to absorb different things from so many people and situations, and be curious about learning new things.
“I try to be a good media student. I have my papers where I’m studying as much as I can before I interview people because I’m a perfectionist. I can ask people any question I want and they have to answer! I feel privileged in that way.”
Lim hasn’t competed in a tennis tournament for over a year, but insisted she’s still not done with the sport.
She said: “I still love tennis; it’s still my first passion and I feel I have it in my blood. I just can’t let go because I miss it and playing tournaments.”
However, her love life has now taken a front seat.
NBA royalty
Last year, Lim began dating former San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker.
The four-time NBA champion made their relationship public in an Instagram post of the pair looking loved-up.
The French basketball star, 39, is famous for his high-profile romances with Hollywood stars.
He was married to actress Eva Longoria, before she filed for divorce after he was caught in a sexting scandal with the wife of a former team mate.
Parker divorced his second wife, Axelle Francine in 2020, who he has two children with.
Over the Christmas break, Parker and Lim were seen enjoying the slopes on a skiing trip in matching red outfits.
For now, though, love will have to wait as she begins preparing for the Australian Open.
