The Australian Open, now rebranded as "Opening Week," has kicked off with a bang, attracting three times the usual crowd and a galaxy of famous faces. But amidst the glitz and glamour, a question lingers: Do these celebrities actually watch the tennis, or is it all about the parties and corporate hospitality?
The Tennis Stars and Their Fans
New Tennis Australia chair, Chris Harrop, made his mark by hosting an exclusive dinner at the rooftop "O" venue, accessible only to the elite. Imagine a multi-course feast of rock lobster or Wagyu beef, followed by a secret passage leading to the best seats at Rod Laver Arena. Talk about a VIP experience!
Among the guests was Jayne Hrdlicka, Harrop's predecessor, who enjoyed her first AO match in a decade. She's now the CEO of Endeavour Group, but back then, she was known for her stamina, snacking on almonds to power through five-setters. Harrop, on the other hand, admitted he had no such tricks, but perhaps some late-night coffee and Melbourne's chilly weather would do the trick.
And then there was Roger Federer, the star of the opening ceremony, who later joined the crowd, sitting beside his idol, Rod Laver. Even the world's No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, couldn't resist a selfie with these legends.
Other tennis icons in attendance included Judy Dalton and Wendy Turnbull, who sipped on Pepsi while racking up an impressive 38 grand slam championships between them.
A Who's Who of Melbourne's Cool Kids
The top seats at Melbourne Park were reserved for Melbourne's coolest kids, including nightclub owner Nick Russian, celebrity hairdresser Joey Scandizzo, fashion designer Nadia Bartel, and shoe designer Lana Wilkinson.
Even catering impresarios Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, who recently sold part of their Big Group to Compass Group, took a night off to enjoy the action. We couldn't help but ask for their critique of the food, but they kept it professional and gave no notes!
On-Court Perks and Privileges
Melebrity Bec Judd and her husband, former Carlton/West Coast captain Chris Judd, were treated to some of the best seats in the house thanks to sponsors Piper-Heidsieck. But their VIP experience didn't stop there. They were granted access to the secret city underneath Rod Laver Arena, where a sushi omakase room had been specially constructed for them. Talk about an exclusive dining experience!
The couple then enjoyed the ultimate privilege - the on-court seats, which are limited to just 16. They were close enough to witness Carlos Alcaraz dumping his sweat towel into an adjacent hopper.
Influencers, AFL Players, and More
At major events in Melbourne, Instagram influencers and Collingwood football players are never far away. Sponsor Emirates hosted Collingwood players Isaac Quaynor and Jack Crisp, who posed for photos with Crisp's wife, Mikayla. And let's not forget the AFL Daicos brothers and their fiancée, Annalise Dalins, who lined up for the prestigious on-court seats.
Over at Casa Altos' tequila bar, a few Melebrities mingled under the watchful eye of a statue of brand ambassador Thanasi Kokkinakis. AFL players Conor Nash and Jack Gunston were joined by NRL player Cameron Munster, all enjoying tequila cocktails before watching the arena matches.
The first woman jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, Michelle Payne, also made an appearance with her new boyfriend, Gabriel Ribeiro, showcasing the interconnectedness of Melbourne's major events squad.
So, while the Australian Open may be about the tennis, it's also a who's who of celebrities, influencers, and sports stars, all enjoying the VIP treatment and the chance to rub shoulders with each other.
And this is the part most people miss - the behind-the-scenes access and exclusive experiences that make the Australian Open a truly unique event.
But here's where it gets controversial... Should these celebrities and influencers be given such VIP treatment, or should the focus be solely on the tennis and the athletes? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
