"Not getting my hair wet" - Ariarne Titmus reveals the best part about watching sports over competing

Ariarne Titmus, four-time Olympic gold medallist from Tasmania, has delivered notable performances. While being engaged in her new role as a commentator at the Australian Open, she shared what she adores about watching competition instead of taking part in it.

With Canoeist Jessica Fox, Titmus covered the Australian Open on Channel Nine. The 2025 Australian Open men's singles title was won by Jannik Sinner who had claimed the title last year as well.

Titmus, an acclaimed swimmer, took to her new role with ease and followed her father’s professional trails. According to Wide World of Sports, she talked about what she likes about watching games instead of competing.

“The best part of watching is not feeling the nerves and the pressure. It's nice to be on the sidelines and just letting them do their thing for a while and not getting my hair wet.

"I love having dry hair, just being great. But I also do love being out there, there's pros and cons to both.”

The swimming icon who has competed with legendary Katie Ledecky in international events, shared how she favors not going through the stress and tension of the competition.

Titmus added that it’s pleasant to not compete and that both sides have their upsides and downsides. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she clinched gold in the Women's 400 metres freestyle, finishing ahead of Canada’s Summer McIntosh and Ledecky.

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Ariarne Titmus shares her take on embracing the competition and learning

Ariarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky at Swimming - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 8 - Source: Getty

Ariarne Titmus is the defending Olympic champion in the women's 400-metre freestyle. Her prominence in the sport began with winning gold at the 2019 World Championships.

Titmus shared, as per “The House of Wellness,” her thoughts regarding her competitors and how she has learned from icon Katie Ledecky.

“I mean, Katie kind of paved the way for women's swimming and I guess I learned from how she raced and tried to transition that into my swimming with competitors as well.

"When I'm behind the blocks, certainly they are my competitors, but as soon as the race is over, I really just look to them as the person they are because I value that more than who they are as an athlete and I hope people see that the same with me too,” Titus said. [0:48 onwards]

Ariarne Titmus also took gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women's 400-metre freestyle. In 200 meter freestyle, she won gold medal with an Olympic record.

At the 2024 Australian swimming trials, Titmus registered a world record in 200m freestyle in long course, becming one of the most successful swimmers from Australia.