First Serve: ‘People don’t realise how big a deal it is,’ Mason Cox says of college football title

Mason Cox says it is “amazing” to have the sons of former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and former Magpies recruiter Matt Rendell facing off in the national championship final.

First Serve is your wrap-up of all the media gossip and banter from the 2025 Australian Open.

Collingwood star Mason Cox says Aussie punters Joe McGuire and James Rendell are squaring off in an incredible “mini Super Bowl” in the college national championship final next week.

Cox, who hails from Texas, rates their feat to be playing for Ohio and Notre Dame respectively as “crazy”.

“It’s bigger than our grand final as far as audience and next to the Super Bowl it’s a massive game,” Cox said.

“It’s a mini Super Bowl essentially. There’s so much passion with younger fans too. It’s the same thing in reverse like it was with me.

Mason Cox. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

“People don’t realise how big a deal it is. It’s pretty unique and amazing. I’d go to the game in a heartbeat, without a question.”

There’s a Magpies connection to the game, taking place in Atlanta on Tuesday our time, with Joe the son of former Magpies president Eddie McGuire and James the son of former Pies recruiter Matt Rendell.

Cox said he’s in touch a lot with Joe and Eddie.

“My brother went with Eddie to a game, we’ve been texting back and forth,” he said.

“It’s crazy how the world works.”

Cox is working as an insider at the Australian Open next week.

He was at the tennis Tuesday night with new teammate Dan Houston as guests of Emirates and a Take Off event inside their European themed suite.

Other guests included Bec Judd, Brooke Warne, Joel Creasey, Abbey Gelmi, Rob Mills, Lindy Klim and former tennis ace Mark Philippoussis.

At the Ralph Lauren suite Olympic runner Peter Bol revealed he is marrying his partner Mahtut Yaynu in May surrounded by family in Perth.

Peter Bol. Picture: Lucas Dawson

He said welcoming their daughter Reyna in October had given him a boost.

“A different perspective in life, a lot of joy, a lot more structure and I’m running really well,’’ he said.

“I always say a happy runner is a performing runner and our family is a lot happier.”

Bol - wearing Ralph Lauren Fragrances POLO 67 - will race the Australian season in February and will also launch the Peter Bol Foundation to empower young Australians through education.

“It’s going to be the biggest year yet. I think I’ve got a lot more to give in life in general on and off the track,” he said.

Piper-Heidsieck hosted Melbourne captain Max Gawn, commentator James Brayshaw and influencer Amy Pejkovic.

Also spotted at the tennis this week were DJ Dom Dolla, Pip Edwards and actor Krew Boylan, Bec Harding, Effie Kats and musician Finneas, the brother of Billie Eilish.

Max Gawn. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

Amy Pejkovic. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

Cheeky flirting between de Minaur and Boulter

A bit of return serve flirting has seen the love match peaking between Aussie Alex de Minaur and his British fiance Katie Boulter.

The usually private couple, who announced their happy news last month, have engaged in some saucy social media banter ahead of their campaigns launching at Melbourne Park today.

On Monday night De Minaur posted pictures with his muscly guns out to which Boulter commented: “Stop trying to thirst trap you have a fiance”.

A thirst trap is modern day speak for a post intended to entice followers sexually.

Boulter’s cheeky comment attracted almost 700 likes.

Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter are engaged. Picture: Instagram

Ahead of her first round match she said she’s feeling the love in her adopted country.

“I love coming to Australia, it’s just a great place,’’ she said.

“I feel like l’ve already felt the love so much more here, just more than last year.

“Being in Sydney, which is obviously his hometown, where he was born, it was probably my first proper time playing tennis there (during the United Cup).

“Just walking out onto the court and hearing the crowd for me really did help me. I felt very much at home and comfortable. Normally I’m actually the kind of person that dislikes going to new places, playing on a court for the first time. I actually felt very comfortable from the word ‘go’ when I was there. I think that was completely because of them and how they’ve been treating me. Yeah, it makes a world of difference.”

Alex de Minaur shows off his guns. Picture: Instagram

Boulter said she’s “very, very happy” in her almost five year romance.

“I feel like I’m the luckiest lady,’’ she said.

“It was a great way to start my year and it’s given me more energy.”

One thing however, Boulter won’t ever warm to is Australian favourite Vegemite.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not sure that’s my thing,’’ she said.

“You can say Tim Tams. Tim Tams, love a Tim Tam.

“I don’t know if I have a bit of an Aussie twang here or there. I just love the culture. I really enjoy coming here every single year. I have done as a junior as well. Obviously being around someone like Alex, such a hard worker. He loves his country, lives and dies by his Davis Cup number. I think that’s definitely rubbed off on me. Like I am for my own country, I take great pride in playing for my country. It’s been a fun ride.”

Originally published as First Serve: ‘People don’t realise how big a deal it is,’ Mason Cox says of college football title