The name has stuck and Tiley also foreshadowed multiple party courts in coming years,as “it’s a model we’d like to expand further across the site in the future”.
Despite players’ concerns,Australian Open organisers remained tight-lipped when asked whether the party court should be reviewed.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova says some fans were “meowing” at her during her match.Credit:AP
WHERE THE PLAYERS REST THEIR RACQUETS
Hotel rooms across Melbourne are booked out for the tennis and many of those are booked by the players and their entourages.
Australian hopeAlex de Minaur’s hotel of choice is the Ovolo in South Yarra,from where heeats his way around the suburb,fuelling up on spaghetti bolognese at Thirty Eight Chairs and pasta with veal ragu at Cucinetta.
“It’s a funky little art hotel,and what I love is that you don’t feel like you’re in a sterile environment,you can just relax there and you feel like you’re at home,” de Minaur told an Ovolo event last week.
Australian star Alex de Minaur stays at the Ovolo in South Yarra.Credit:Eddie Jim
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is hosting Danish sensationHolger Rune,the men’s world No.8;American Alycia Parks,No.31 in the women’s rankings;and French veteranNicolas Mahut,who is ranked 37 in the men’s doubles and lured by the hotel’s pickleball court on its rooftop terrace.
Former Open championAsh Barty is rumoured to stay at Marriott hotels,where she is an ambassador.
The brand’s luxury hotel,the Ritz-Carlton,is completely booked out while its other 11 hotels are at 82 per cent capacity.
Crown is also a favoured destination for tennis players with its rooftop tennis court.
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“Guests love staying with us throughout the AO tournament because they never know who they might be dining next to,or who they will walk pass around the complex,” a Crown spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman would not detail exactly who was staying at Crown,butAndy Murray,Alexander Zverev,Caroline Wozniacki,Grigor Dimitrov,Leylah Fernandez,Linda Noskova,Sloane Stephens andMatteo Berrettini have all been spotted dining there during the tournament,including at Nobu,Koko and Bistro Guillaume.
Airbnb’s Australian headSusan Wheeldonhosted a corporate box at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday,and said several Australian Open stars had booked entire homes on Airbnb,and those with tennis courts were in high demand.
“Having a house with your own tennis court but also if you’re travelling with a coach,your family,a partner,and some of them have children,you want a kitchen that gives you that space,” she said.
Dane Sweeny in action earlier this week.Credit:Eddie Jim
Lower down the rankings it’s not all about luxury and privacy,asQueenslanderDane Sweeny,who is 257th in the world,staying in an Airbnb with friends to keep costs down.
“It’s also just about affordability if you are not sponsored,” Wheeldon said.
CHEERING PIGS,HOUSEWIVES AND HUMMERS
Wine brand Squealing Pig hosted a gaggle of celebrities and influencers at its rooftop bar overlooking Grand Slam Oval on Thursday night.
Guests including comedianJoel Creasey,drag queenRian Difuntorum (akaAysha Buffet) and former footballerBrodie Holland first had lunch at Bells Hotel,and then were transported in a stretch hummer and water taxi to the tennis for drinks.
Joel Creasey at the Australian Open on Thursday evening.Credit:Flat Pack PR
Creasey,who is an ambassador for the wine brand,said he was a “mad tennis fan” and was an elite junior playing state mixed doubles for his home state of Western Australia.
“I was a ballboy at the Hopman Cup in Perth for several years,” Creasey said. “I have had a ball served into my stomach bySerena Williams which was an honour. Tennis andReal Housewives are the two sports I am into.”
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