First Serve: Nathan Buckley and Brodie Ryan setting off on Fiji holiday

Collingwood great Nathan Buckley and Brodie Ryan have stepped out at the tennis one day after Buckley’s ex-wife Tania was spotted courtside.

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

The summer of adventure will continue for Collingwood great Nathan Buckley and his partner Brodie Ryan.

After a day at the Australian Open on Thursday, the couple is heading to Fiji for some beach time and sunshine.

“It’s a big family holiday with all of Nath’s family,’’ Ryan said.

Ayce and Nathan Buckley with Nathan's partner Brodie Ryan. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

“We’ve been to the New South Wales coast in the Jayco campervan, we’ve been to Eildon, Fairhaven, Sorrento and we’ll also be going to Queensland.”

Buckley will return to commentate for Fox Footy in March. He and Ryan were accompanied at Melbourne Park by his son Ayce as guests of Piper-Heidsieck.

On Wednesday Buckley’s eldest son Jett was at the tennis with his mum and Buckley’s ex-wife Tania.

Connick family outing

Singer Harry Connick Jr was courtside on Thursday night with wife Jill and their daughters Charlotte, Georgia and Kate.

The crooner said he’d been in Australia for the past two months.

Kate Connick moved to Australia in 2023 when her dad was a judge on Australian Idol.

She’s joined Neighbours in a guest role as she pursues an acting career, and has settled in Collingwood.

“I feel like I’m definitely living in the ‘cool’ area, so I got a second piercing just to try to fit in,” she said last month. “Collingwood reminds me of Brooklyn a bit.”

Harry Connick Jr (right) with his family, wife Jill and daughters Charlotte, Georgia and Kate. Photo by TENNIS AUSTRALIA/ AARON FRANCIS

‘We hate each other’

Boxer Michael Zerafa has hit back at Tim Tszyu as the sparring continues amid ongoing discussions for a blockbuster fight.

Zerafa said it would be the biggest fight in Australia if Tszyu stopped running away from a showdown.

Boxer Michael Zerafa at the Australian Open. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

“This year we're going to get the fight on,’’ Zerafa said at the Australian Open.

“It was meant to happen in April but politics got in the way. It’s been way too long. We hate each other and he’s coming off two losses and I’m a huge risk, I know mentally he’s not there. He thinks he’s his old man but he’s not as good as thinks he is. People are starting to realise where he’s actually at.”

Zerafa is trained by boxing legend Nonito Donaire, who is based out of Las Vegas.

He said he’s ready.

“This would be bigger than Mundine v Green. Tim Tszyu is a bit of a sook so he probably won’t come to Melbourne. I’m happy to fight him in his backyard, it doesn’t matter to me I just want to hurt him.”

Big wigs court Kylie

Homegrown pop icon Kylie Minogue is being strongly courted to attend the Australian Open.

As revealed by the Herald Sun last month, the singer is in Melbourne rehearsing for her three concerts here in February and she’s the no. 1 target for VIP guest lists.

In a new development, a unique link between the singer and one of the Open’s major sponsors could very well lure her to Melbourne Park.

Minogue’s wine brand, Kylie Minogue Wines, and French champagne Piper-Heidsieck, are both distributed in Australia by OatleyFine Wine Merchants.

Kylie Minogue could very well appear at the Australia Open, with the pop star receiving an open invitation to attend the Grand Slam. Picture: Instagram

Tennis Australia says Minogue has an open invitation.

Minogue’s sister Dannii was a guest of theirs on Sunday night, attending with her long-time partner Adrian Newman.

A big list of Australian and Hollywood stars, local celebrities, sporting greats, business bigwigs, socialites and VIPs are due to descend on the grand slam over the coming week.

There was also talk a Game of Thrones star would be sighted but that has fallen through.

Rebel Wilson and Deborra-Lee Furness have been the biggest names courtside so far, along with Finneas O’Connell, the brother of Billie Eilish, and DJ Dom Dolla.