Global stars dazzle at Australian Open

A star studded roll call of celebrities, bigwigs and politicians have soaked up the action at the Australian Open for the Women’s Singles Final.

Russell Crowe at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night. Picture: Mark Stewart

Oscar winner Russell Crowe, US billionaire Bill Gates, P.E. Nation designer Pip Edwards, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and comedian Celeste Barber were among the celebrity names soaking up the action at the Australian Open for the Women’s Singles Final on Saturday night.

Rod Laver Arena was peppered with well known names from business, sport, fashion and entertainment taking in the showdown between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka.

Laura Henshaw and Sarah Davidson were guests of Marriott, Diana Chan, Rob Mills, Georgie Tunny and Marc and Jessie Murphy enjoyed the luxury hospitality of Emirates and Pip Edwards and Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh were hosted by Piper Heidsieck.

Russell Crowe and his partner Brittany Theriot watching the Women’s Singles Final. Picture: Mark Stewart

Peter Costello and Anthony Albanese. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ash Barty delivers the trophy on Saturday night. Picture: Mark Stewart

Sophie Monk and her husband Joshua Gross. Picture: Michael Klein

Marc Murphy and wife Jessie. Picture: Mark Stewart

Georgie Tunny and Rob Mills. Picture: Mark Stewart

Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh. Picture: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia

Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Billie Jean King. Picture: Mark Stewart

Laura Henshaw. Picture: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia

Steve Waugh watching on. Picture: Mark Stewart

Jetting in from Queensland where he had been supporting the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, Crowe was accompanied by his partner Brittany Theriot.

Actors among the crowd included Leila George, Sam Corlett, Bella Heathcote, Melanie Jarnson and Olivia De Jonge. Kanye West’s fashion friend Christine Centenera was also in the throng. Tennis greats Billie Jean King and Ash Barty were celebrated players watching the match.

Fashion entrepreneur and tennis fan Edwards said she was closing the door on the Michael Clarke carpark fracas and alleged cheating saga.

“It is definitely not my circus and I would like to say the carnival is over,” Edwards said as she enjoyed the evening with Piper Heidsieck.

“The carnival is over and to be honest the focus for me is on the global expansion of P.E. Nation.

“The carnival is done.”

Edwards found herself caught in the backwash of a bust up between former cricketer Michael Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough in a Noosa carpark last month, during which a furious Yarbrough accused Clarke of rekindling his relationship with Edwards.

Other names included Hugh Sheridan, Judy Dalton, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Molly Taylor, Kris Smith and Darren McMullen.

Also spotted taking in the game were Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, Sophie Monk and her husband Joshua Gross, Sarah Abo, Steve Bisley, Larry and Anita Kestelman and Barclay and Tina Nettlefold.

A star studded roll call of celebrities, bigwigs and politicians were expected to lob in for the final days of the Australian Open.

The men’s showdown between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas is expected to attract some big names courtside on Sunday.

Stranger Things actor Dacre Montgomery, popstar Dannii Minogue, actor Joel Kinnaman and his supermodel partner Kelly Gale plus billionaire Bill Gates are all due at Melbourne Park.

Other names attending are The Inspired Unemployed with Emirates, Wog Boys actor Nick Giannopoulos, models Cat McNeil and Montana Cox and the first openly gay basketballer Isaac Humphries with Ralph Lauren, as well as P.E Nation co-founder Pip Edwards who was a guest at the women’s final.

“I love the tennis and it makes me so proud seeing people here wearing my brand,’’ she said.

Premier Daniel Andrews and wife Cath were in attendance on Friday night as guests of Emirates, attending the blockbuster match to watch his old foe Novak Djokovic take on Tommy Paul.

Model Jessica Gomes was also spotted at the night men’s semi finals along with Heartbreak High heart-throb Josh Heuston as guests of Kia.

After attending the women’s semi finals on Thursday night, Microsoft founder Bill Gates returned on Friday for more with the mens.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has attended the Aus Open in back to back sets. Picture: Martin Keep.

Tina Arena was courtside for the men’s semi-finals. Picture: Mark Kolbe.

Mark Philippoussis wasn’t missing a minute of on-court action. Picture: Darrian Traynor.

Neither was the great Rod Laver. Picture: Mark Kolbe.

Christian Wilkins and Brooke Blurton in the Piper Heidseick Champagne Bar Day. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

The tech billionaire was spotted courtside to watch number 3 seed Stefano Tsitsipas defeat Karen Khachanov in three and a half hours.

Foreign affairs Minister Penny Wong was also in the crowd, along with tennis great Rod Laver and recently single radio host Carrie Bickmore.

Elsewhere at Melbourne Park it was all colour and camp.

Former North Melbourne coach Danielle Laidley made quite the entrance returning to live sport, taking to the nets decked out from head to toe in Ralph Lauren for the Glam Slam event to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and the tournament’s Pride Day.

Josh Cavallo, who recently came out as one of the only openly gay soccer players in the world was also competing in the celebrity match along with former AFLW player and new mum Moana Hope, Melbourne Football Club’s Ben Brown and former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil as umpire.

The bubbles were flowing over at the Piper Heidsieck champagne bar, with Christian Wilkins leading the fun alongside former Bachelor Brooke Blurton.