First Serve: Tyra Banks’ hoodie steals the show at the tennis

The striking American supermodel turned heads as she watched on courtside with a black hooded jumper along with a black headband and black pants.

Tyra Banks wore a distinctive black hoodie to the tennis on Thursday night. Picture: Michael Klein

First Serve is your wrap-up of all the media gossip and banter from the 2025 Australian Open.

American supermodel Tyra Banks has stunned with a courtside appearance by sporting a unique black hoodie to her front row seat at the women’s semi-finals matches.

The striking beauty who has been living in Sydney turned heads in the black jumper that was draped around her head. She also had a black headband on and was wearing black pants.

Banks, who is launching her Smize & Dream ice cream in Australia, was accompanied by Luke Hepworth, the philanthropist rumoured to be dating Julie Bishop in 2023.

He said he is close friends with both Bishop and Banks.

The American supermodel courted attention wearing all black. Picture: Getty

Banks, creator and former host of America’s Next Top Model, was a special guest of Tennis Australia and attended its annual AO Inspirational Series event earlier on Thursday in a different outfit — a bright yellow blazer with black pants.

She admitted she was an “awful” tennis player but she loved being immersed in the sport.

Speakers were former AO champion Caroline Wozniacki and inspirational burns and crash survivor Sophie Delezio.

Banks said it was her eighth time visiting Melbourne having stayed in Armadale for a month and Sorrento previously.

“I’m excited, the last tennis match I went to was probably the US Open and this is one of the most hyped sports in the world,’’ she said.

“I’m excited to see Madison Keys. I was awful (at playing) because I didn’t know how to keep it inside. I would probably be good at golf, actually I am good at golf. It was just a mess, (hit) too hard and too long.”

Wozniacki said it was an honour to attend the event.

“When we can support women I don’t think there’s any better way to spend my time,’’ she said.

As for Novak Djokovic, she said she was disappointed to hear Tony Jones’ comments earlier in the week.

“I think anyone that was watching that knew he was wrong,’’ she said. “Novak I’ll always support him, he’s an incredible athlete and he’s done so much for the sport he deserves the respect and so does his fans.”

Other guests included Michelle Payne, Larry Kestelman, David Koch, Lauren Phillips, Alicia Molik, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Sam Stosur, Lana Wilkinson and Moraya Wilson.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn was called upon to address the room but hadn’t been briefed.

“This is a surprise because I wasn’t expecting to say anything,’’ she said.

Mostyn gave an impressive impromptu speech ahead of Australian Open boss Craig Tiley and Tennis Australia chair Jayne Hrdlicka. Wozniacki and Delezio were interviewed by MC Alicia Loxley.

Has junior tennis star Cruz Hewitt found a love match?

The striking brunette cheering for Cruz Hewitt alongside his family can be revealed as young stage and theatre star Nakita Clarke.

Cruz, the 16 year-old son of tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt and actor Bec Hewitt, has had plenty of support in the stands as he tried to qualify for the Australian Open and then played in the junior tournament.

Clarke was in the stands sitting beside Bec when Cruz played on Monday and was next to him on Wednesday night when Lleyton played the legends doubles with Mark Philippoussis on Rod Laver Arena.

Cruz, the 16 year-old son of tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt and actor Bec Hewitt, has had plenty of support in the stands as he tried to qualify for the Australian Open. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

Bec Hewitt, mother of Cruz Hewitt, watches her son play Jan Kumstat of Czech Republic. Picture: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

She has posted to social media watching Alex de Minaur’s matches too, and she accompanied Cruz to his Channel 9 interview beside his famous dad on Wednesday morning.

Clarke has US and Australian representation and looks to be friends with the whole Hewitt clan.

Her credits include the Annie Australian tour, Elf the musical, and her bio on Instagram, which has more than 115,000 followers, says she’s a presenter on Paramount/Network 10.

Cruz, who hopes to follow in his father’s sporting footsteps, spoke well about handling the pressure.

“I mean, there’s definitely pros and cons,” he said on Nine.

“But I try and focus on the good things that come with it.

“The pressure doesn’t bother me too much. I feel like it’s kind of a challenge to be better than him so that’s what I’m trying to do.”