Business VIPs pack Rod Laver Arena for Australian Open final

Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates his victory against Spain's Rafael Nadal during the men's singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. (AFP PHOTO/POOL/Scott BARBOUR)

He might spell his name differently, but packaging billionaire Raphael “Ruffy” Geminder was clearly enjoying watching Rafael “Rafa” Nadal slug it out with Roger Federer at Sunday nights’ epic Australian open final at Rod Laver Arena.

His wife Fiona Geminder was so engrossed with the action that she reached for the tissues at one stage in the gripping fifth set as Federer finally took control.

Geminder was not the only high net worth enjoying the action, with Justin Liberman of the billionaire Liberman family and Square Peg Capital fame, Chemist Warehouse scion Matt Verrochi, Blackmores patriarch Marcus Blackmore and fruit and vegetable king Frank Costa also courtside — Blackmore and Costa for the second night running after fronting for Saturday’s womens’ final.

The Murdoch family fortune was represented by Herald and Weekly Times chairman Penny Fowler, the niece of Rupert Murdoch. Fowler made sure she went out of her way during a break in games to give a big wave to Foxtel chief executive Peter Tonagh seated a few rows from her spot. Also representing the Murdoch clan — if not the blood line — was HWT managing director Peter Blunden, who enjoyed the action with Crown Resorts chief executive Rowen Craigie.

Also backing up for the second night running was Energy Australia boss and Reserve Bank of Australia board member Catherine Tanna, as were Optus boss Paul O’Sullivan and his corporate affairs boss David Epstein.

With dad away in the US on G’day LA duties, media scion Ryan Stokes had a front-row seat behind the baseline. Just behind him were AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and Wesfarmers chief Richard Goyder.

A bit further around the baseline was Australia Post boss Ahmed Fahour. And overlooking the net in the centre of the court with front row seats were the Transurban contingent of CEO Scott Charlton and chairman Lindsay Maxsted, a few seats down from private equity guru Ben Gray.

Charlton backed up from Friday nights epic 5 hour Nadal-Dimitrov match, but this time was much closer to the action. As did new Perpetual chairman Tony D’Aloisio and his wife, ANZ and Westfield director Ilana Atlas, who somehow managed to keep their identical seats from Friday evening.

The investment bankers were out in force with UBS’s Kelvin Barry sitting one down from his star client, Tabcorp chairman Paula Dwyer. Macquarie’s Michael Burn and Gresham’s Peter Scott were also taking in the action.

Sporting celebrities were represented by many, including Melbourne Storm great Cameron Smith, cricket star David Warner and AFL legend Adam Goodes.