Sheahan Ink: Novak Djokovic’s ‘secret elixir’ and fave Melbourne haunt revealed

Anti-vax tennis star Novak Djokovic missed out on more than a chance at the Australian Open crown this year, he couldn’t enjoy his ‘secret elixir’ at a famous Melbourne venue.

Does Novak Djokovic have the tea served at Melbourne's popular Botanical to thank for his past Australian Open form? Picture: AFP

Tennis star Novak Djokovic not only missed his chance to play in the Australian Open this year because of this anti-vax views, he was unable to frequent his favourite Melbourne haunt and drink his ‘secret elixir’.

The controversial player - who was deported from Australia earlier this year - has been a big fan of South Yarra’s up-market Botanical Hotel in past years, and would direct his driver to ferry him and his entourage to the Domain Rd hotspot for a cup of tea before heading to Rod Laver Arena for training sessions and games.

Botanical boss Rabih Yanni told Sheahan Ink Djokovic had always been a pleasure to deal with and “an absolute gentleman”.

“Novak obviously has good taste and knows a good place when he sees one,” he said.

“We always left him alone, that’s what professional environments do, but one time I did ask to have a photo with him.”

The photo was taken on the morning after Djokovic’s Australian Open victory before his official winner’s photo shoot in the Botanical Gardens.

“Novak just won, he was drinking tea, he was with a couple of other guys, but he was always pleasant and polite.

“His drink of choice was tea, he is a tea fan,” he said.

Djokovic was sensationally booted out of the country in January for his anti-vax stance.

His vaccination status continues to remains contentious across the globe with some tournaments welcoming him with open arms while others will not.

Owner of the Botanical Hotel in South Yarra Rabih Yanni enjoyed Novac as a guest. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“I would welcome him back (here) if I he was allowed back in the country,” the Botanical’s GM said.

Djokovic was again outspoken this week with Wimbledon officials banning Russian tennis players from competing at the All England Club.

It comes as a Melbourne restaurant with celebrity owners has been forced to close its doors to customers.

The premises is now vacant after it’s claimed the landlord refused to entertain rent relief during Melbourne’s harsh lockdowns, that saw many businesses suffer from lack of patronage.

The restaurant refused to comment publicly as the matter is ongoing but did say the situation had escalated to the point where doors were shut and locks changed due to the situation. Watch this space.

WEDDING BELLS

Former Essendon big man Tom Bellchambers and his model fiancee Olympia Valance are preparing to tie the knot. The loved up couple are set to marry in the idyllic Victorian country town of Daylesford in June.

Wedding bells are ringing for Olympia Valance and Tom Bellchambers.

Bellchambers retired at the end of the 2020 season while wife to-be Olympia has been busy competing in the Seven Network’s ratings hit Dancing With The Stars.

AIRLINE BOSS CONSIDERED FOR AFL CEO’S JOB

Former Virgin Australia boss Paul Scurrah has been spoken of as a potential candidate to take over from outgoing AFL chief Gillon McLachlan.

The former airline chief executive, now a board member at the Gold Coast Suns, is reluctant to throw his hat in the ring with his good mate Travis Auld one of the favourites for the top job.

Scurrah has indicated to those close to him, if Auld is to be anointed as McLachlan’s successor and take over the running of the league, Auld will push for his friend to take up one of the two AFL commission seats available.

Auld began his AFL journey at Essendon Football Club before he was appointed inaugural Gold Coast Suns CEO.

Five years later, he tendered his resignation from the club before joining the AFL.

Now, Auld is executive general manager finance, clubs and broadcast.

Richard Branson’s Australian aviation empire hired Scurrah in March of 2019. He stayed in that role for close to two years as CEO and managing director.

Scurrah’s been on the board of the Gold Coast Suns for 11 years and is now managing director and CEO of Pacific National, which is a rail freight company.

Is Paul Scurrah a chance for the new AFL CEO? Picture: Tara Croser.

Scurrah lives in Sydney, holds board positions in Queensland and grew up in footy mad Melbourne. A handy player, too, say his mates.

The soon to be vacant AFL CEO’s chair has those from the top end of town talking of a worthy candidate to fill McLachlan’s shoes. Christine Holgate continues to be highly considered. The Collingwood board member under Jeff Browne’s presidency would help her cause if she wishes to throw her hat in the ring.

She is currently steadying the ship as chief executive of Toll Global Express.

But the hot favourite to be appointed the league’s newest CEO is Andrew Dillon.

Dillon is popular with staff, popular with the clubs and his current portfolio at the league is as follows; executive general manager football operations, legal, integrity and general counsel.

Other high profile candidates to be considered for the multimillion-dollar mission to run the League is Richmond’s Brendon Gale, MCC boss Stuart Fox, Essendon’s Xavier Campbell and Bulldogs’ CEO Ameet Bains from the AFL world.

Sydney executive search firm Spencer Stuart, tasked with vetting potential candidates, will scour the country for the best person, that would obviously include big names from the business community also.

Should the firm reach out to Andrew Ireland and Brian Cook to gauge their interest? The pair have enjoyed enormous success at their respective AFL clubs. Ireland was instrumental at the Brisbane Lions before making his way south to the Sydney Swans with both clubs enjoying great success. Cook was instrumental at Geelong before he was headhunted to lead a new look Carlton football club.

CHANNEL 7 BRINGS BACK CRITICAL CALL ON SAINTS GOAL SNEAK

An innocuous comment during Friday night’s GWS Saints clash could land Channel 7’s commentary team in hot water, if St Kilda’s Simon Lethlean is true to his word.

Commentators for Canberra’s Friday night blockbuster called St Kilda’s Jack Higgins, ‘Missy Higgins’ during the first quarter after the goalsneak missed two gettable goals.

At the eight minute, 55 mark of the first, Higgins was grabbed high in the goalsquare and awarded a free kick. Seconds later, he turned to snap on his right boot, 15 metres out and missed to the near side. A goal would have given St Kilda a 14 point lead.

Jack ‘not so missy’ Higgins of the Saints celebrates a goal. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s missed another,” the commentary team said.

“Bit missy, Higgins,” 7’s number one commentator Brian Taylor remarked.

After last night, ‘missy King’ might be more appropriate with big marking forward Max King booting one goal seven.

Will the Saints feel the same way about this reference to missy Higgins as they have in the past, indicating their disdain?

In the Saints versus Swans clash in round 12 of 2021 at the SCG Higgins kicked one goal and six behinds, earning himself the nickname ‘missy Higgins’, referencing the famous Australia singer. And the Saints took umbrage

At the time, Lethlean told SEN radio: “There was some feedback about the use of nicknames like ‘missy Higgins’ and the like for Jack. Nobody likes young athletes being scrutinised with negativity, but our job here is to put support around those players, which they’ve got, and focus on how to improve. It’s all part of the game to be scrutinised. As long as it’s balanced, that’s all part of the industry. I put a call into the AFL.”

Higgins silenced his critics Friday night booting four goals in the Saints victory over the Giants at Canberra’s Manuka Oval. The small forward spoke to Fox Footy after the game and joked of his early misfortune on the scoreboard.

“I thought it was going to be Sydney 2.0, I missed two pretty easy goals and was having flashbacks to the SCG, so our psych Benny Robbins took me aside and said ‘take a few deep breaths’ and luckily I got on to a few,” the 23-year-old said with a smile.

The 67 game small forward is now in All-Australian contention after his stellar start to the season. St Kilda did not wish to comment and an email to Seven went unanswered.