When they aren’t hitting balls, preparing for the next big match, or sleeping, many pro tennis players — in town for the Australian Open — like to refuel at Melbourne’s world-class restaurants and cafes.

When grilled over their favourite spots, modern Asian diner Chin Chin popped up again and again. Join the queue, and you might just meet your favourite tennis star, or hit up these other refreshingly low-key player faves instead.

Ash Barty (Australian tennis legend and Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador)

For breakfast I like The Pound cafe in South Yarra, where I always order scrambled eggs, avocado and toast with a coffee. I’ve been going there for years and love it. I also like to go to Ned’s Bake & Bistro in South Yarra for their coffee and croissants.

For dinner, I like Squires Loft in Melbourne’s CBD — the steak here is my favourite. I go to Hunky Dory Fish & Chips for grilled fish, chips and salad, and Fish Bowl in Flinders Lane for chicken, brown rice and veggies. My team also like to dine at Archer’s Restaurant within Marriott Docklands.

For drinks, it’s the Garden State Hotel in Flinders Lane. We celebrated my Australian Open win there in 2022, and I have very happy memories.

Victoria Azarenka (former world No.1 from Belarus)

Melbourne has so many restaurants I love. One I love is called Bahari in Richmond. It’s a great Greek restaurant, and it has fresh seafood and great meats. A few days ago, I went to eat Japanese barbecue called Niku Ou. They had the best fried chicken I have tasted anywhere in the world. Koko in Crown Towers is another favourite for Japanese food. For coffee, I like Saluministi Docklands. It’s always a flat white when I’m in Melbourne.

When staying at Ovolo Melbourne I always order the guacamole in a stone bowl; you can never go wrong with that.

Frances Tiafoe (seeded US tennis star)

Kisume on Flinders Lane is a great restaurant we like to go to a lot. I dine there with my girlfriend [fellow pro tennis player] Ayan Broomfield. The wagyu brisket was insane there – it was like butter in your mouth. I also love Steer Dining in South Yarra. I have eaten there a few times, and we like to go back; a good steak is fantastic. I used to go to Rare Steakhouse on King Street and Chin Chin for any dish. My go-to dish at my hotel QT Melbourne’s restaurant Pascale Bar & Grill is the rib-eye steak.

Ayan Broomfield (Canadian tennis player and Piper-Heidsieck ambassador)

Melbourne is one of my favourite stops of the year for its cuisine. Every different culture can be found here. I love finding spots in Chinatown – from ramen to sushi, it’s all there.

I love going to Nobu and Chin Chin; two regular spots during the Australian Open. They serve Piper-Heidsieck champagne, which is a bonus! I always order BBQ king salmon at Chin Chin — it’s delicious. At Nobu, it’s always the miso cod.

I am staying a block away from Lune Croissanterie and plan to take an hour out of my morning to line up for a chocolate croissant. They’re to die for, and I make sure to get my fix every day when in Melbourne. When it comes to a cocktail, I have a lychee martini from Yakimono.

Sam Stosur (Australian tennis legend)

At home here in Melbourne, I do love Chin Chin. My team and I went there to celebrate, sort of celebrate when I retired. We had a long Friday afternoon lunch there, which I’d never done, and loved it. But we’re very spoiled here in Melbourne, especially with great restaurants. And there are a couple of local cafes I love in Northcote.