Having successfully dodged the Novak Djokovic visa scandal and left the controversy around activists highlighting the plight of Peng Shuai to her minions, Tennis Australia chair Jayne Hrdlicka took her front row seat on Sunday night to watch Rafael Nadal take on Daniil Medvedev in the men’s final of the Australian Open.
With Rod Laver Arena at 80 per cent capacity thanks to a last-minute change, courtesy of Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula, Hrdlicka was flanked by tennis legend Rod Laver – as she has been for most of the past fortnight and exactly where she was on Saturday night for Ash Barty’s historic win in the women’s.
On the chair’s other side was Victorian governor Linda Desseau, while directly behind her was Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon.
We wonder if Albo wins come May, do we address her as First Girlfriend?
Enjoying his front row seat was Trade Minister Dan Tehan.
Hrdlicka has been juggling her day job as boss of the Bain Capital-controlled Virgin Australia with her TA duties for the duration of the tournament, which next year might prove more difficult if her ambitious plans to float the resurrected airline come to fruition.
Ahead of the match tournament boss Craig Tiley was out on the concourse with the masses attending to media calls, where nearby earlier in the afternoon Candice and David Warner had been enjoying bubbles with Paris-based Piper Heidsieck vice president Benoit Collard in his champagne house’s bar.
Collard was the only international exec to jet in for the event.
Across the walkway, with the schmick hospitality turned on by Treasury Wines under its prestige Penfolds banner, a corporate who’s who was enjoying a pre match meal in airconditioned comfort.
Telstra boss Andy Penn and his wife Kallie Blauhorn where dining with Commonwealth Bank chief Matt Comyn and JB Hi-Fi boss Terry Smart.
Nearby was Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, as well as newly minted Collingwood footy club chair Jeff Browne, who at the end of last year is believed to have separated from his Perth millionaire wife of three years, Rhonda Wyllie, after three years of marriage.
Meanwhile, outside on the terrace hospitality billionaire Justin Hemmes was enjoying the Sydney-type humidity. Further afield alongside Melbourne’s Yarra River, ANZ was discreetly entertaining special types in its corporate bunker.
ANZ boss Shayne Elliott was spied sipping champagne, while the bank’s Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott was seen speeding out front, still setting a cracking pace despite his epic week.
Back at RLA and at the other end of the match, Nine Entertainment chief Mike Sneesby was in the second row for his first AO as boss.
Sneesby was entertaining Communications Minister Paul Fletcher and his wife Manuela Zappacosta.
Billionaire Harry Triguboff, property developer Tim Gurner, Hungry Jack’s billionaire Jack Cowin and shopping centre billionaire John Gandel were enjoying the match.
Also spied was former Victorian premier Steve Bracks and former Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe, well behind the Medvedev team box.
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