Rebel Wilson joins tennis set, Darcy Moore no longer a COVID ‘unicorn’

Earlier, Open Season was not expecting to walk into a marquee and encounter such disparate creatures of the media ecosystem as Sky News presenter Peta Credlin and The Project host Waleed Aly. But that’s exactly what happened when the great and the good gathered to hear Dylan Alcott have a yarn with Sir Andy Murray, the former world No.1, three-time grand slam title champion and dual Olympic singles gold medallist who is now coach to Novak Djokovic. Murray had been booked to talk about his new UberEats TV campaign until he surprised the tennis world by accepting the coaching gig. Last week the Scottish champ was with his charge having a hit out in front of the cameras during a practice session. Andy Murray and Dylan Alcott on Sunday. Credit: Eddie Jim “I don’t know if anyone saw it, but I was dreadful,” Murray told the assembled throng.

Sport is the universal uniter, but it turns out fitness can be one as well. Credlin and Aly see each other with surprising regularity as attendees at the same eastern suburbs gym. Open Season has confirmed they do not, however, employ the same personal trainer. Hall in the family Nine News presenter Jo Hall and sister Paulette Munro cut striking early arrivals at the champagne party at the Piper-Heidsieck bar adjacent to the Rod Laver Arena. “We love the tennis,” Munro declared. Jo Hall (right) and her sister Paulette Munro. Credit: Eddie Jim

Hall added their mother had taken them both to the Open when they were young. They have both watched it grow over the years and Munro was bringing her four grandchildren later in the week. “It’s a supreme event now,” Hall said. Andre’s giant fan from Spring Street Andre Agassi fanboy (OK, he’s also acting premier) Ben Carroll was on hand this morning to assist after a ballgirl collapsed during the official opening ceremony, which got going 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. The ballgirl was part of a guard of honour and appeared to pass out due to the hot, humid conditions. MC Ian Cover noticed out of the corner of his eye and immediately put his interview with John Newcombe on hold.

After treatment, the ballkid was taken away in a wheelchair. She was “100 per cent fine”, the acting prem confirmed. “She had all the medical attention and she’s up and moving. I want to thank all the first aid responders that got there so quickly and made sure of her health and safety.” And Agassi fanboy? Well, so enamoured was Carroll of the tennis superstar that when the American turned up at last year’s tournament as an ambassador for UberOne, the politician brought along a copy of Agassi’s autobiography, Open, for the big guy to sign. And after Sunday morning’s events, if Open Season wanted to hand out merit badges for swiftly showing some humanity to a collapsed kid, tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley and Carroll would be right at the front of the line.

That said, if anyone had any doubt as to the utter havoc of the 2025 Melbourne Park rain bomb, not only did it stop all matches on outside courts, but it also led to the postponement of the AO’s inaugural Andre Agassi lookalike competition, which had to be rescheduled to a future date. When we know more, you will. Pride aplenty at this party The big surprise of the Open hit well before the first official serve launched proceedings. The annual AO Pride Party took place of course at the AO Courtside Bar on Friday night, and community guests were more than happy with the libations on offer. That included the official AO cocktail. Is there no facet of the human experience that doesn’t come with an AO stamp nowadays? That drink is known as a Lemon Ace cocktail and contains sparkling lemonade, passionfruit syrup and vodka, supplied by Grey Goose vodka, who just happen to – yes! – be official AO partners. The event was well supported by AO brass, including Tiley, chief content officer Darren Pearce and chief commercial officer Cedric Cornelis.

In a nice touch, LGBTQ trailblazer and Sydney Olympics beach volleyball gold medallist Natalie Cook OAM was interviewed by international tennis broadcaster Nick McCarvel. Loading And much to everyone’s surprise – most of all Cook’s – up popped Cook’s Sydney Olympics volleyball partner Kerri Pottharst from 25 years ago, to read a poem in honour of her old mate. Also present: drag queen eternal Dolly Diamond, Sport Australia Hall of Fame chief executive Adrianne Sarkozy, Profile talent agent Joseph Hanrahan and AFL legend Eddie Betts. In a slightly worrisome development for the community, the straight Betts was by far and away the sharpest dresser of the night.

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