The string section: Racquet stringers Priscilla Mendes (left) and Sarah Bloomfield. Credit: Eddie Jim
Have you ever wondered who washes the players’ towels at Melbourne Park? Or who dries the outdoor courts once it has stopped raining?
Take a look at some of the unique and extraordinary people who help make the Australian Open possible.
Shannon Ng, match official
From young ball kid to court official, Ng is working at her fifth Australian Open.
She and her fellow match assistants help the chair umpires with jobs such as ball changes, bathroom breaks and checking the height of the net (three feet in the centre and three-and-a-half feet at the poles, if you were wondering).
Shannon Ng started at the Australian Open as a ball kid.Credit: Joe Armao
If the electronic line calling system were to fail, match assistants such as Ng would jump in as line umpires. She also works as a chair umpire at national tournaments, and the 19-year-old’s dream is to become an international umpire. This would involve attending an officiating school run by the International Tennis Federation, and mean she could work at grand slam events.
“It can be really tough, making decisions in split-second moments. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but I like the challenge,” Ng said.
“Nobody really pats an official on the back and says, ‘You’ve done a good job’ … but it’s a different kind of rewarding.”
Monty Paink, mural artist
Away from the tennis court, a lot of work goes into ensuring Melbourne Park looks colourful and exciting.
For Paink, this year’s mural features in an on-site lounge and relaxation area. He said that contributing to a space that was visited by so many people each year was a privilege.
Monty Paink working on his mural at Melbourne Park.Credit: Eddie Jim
“I get so much feedback from the patrons walking through,” Paink said. “It’s really rewarding … I guess the feedback is far greater than actually the completion of the work.”
It’s not the first time that his art has featured at the precinct. He completed on-site portraits of Ash Barty and Naomi Osaka in 2021.
“[Barty] was quite lovely … and I think she was impressed with the mural,” Paink said. “I wanted to illustrate the sheer determination she [shows] on court.”
The artist enjoys being part of such an iconic Melbourne event.
“It’s always exciting, and I love seeing the crowds show up … it’s a good time,” he said.
Sarah Bloomfield and Priscilla Mendes, racquet stringers
It would be impossible to run a tennis tournament without racquets. And to have racquets, you need a dedicated group of people who can service them.
“It’s easy to learn, but it’s basically about repetition,” said Bloomfield, a racquet stringer from Britain. “The more you do it, the better you get at it.”
Priscilla Mendes (left) and Sarah Bloomfield working on a racquet. Credit: Eddie Jim
On the professional circuit, players have personal preferences on factors such as string tension, and can request different attributes for each racquet.
During peak times, the team can string about 700 racquets in a day. Across the whole tournament, they work on more than 7000.
Racquets can be sent to the stringing room – which is under Rod Laver Arena – before, after or during a match.
“Sometimes the player just needs an adjustment,” said Brazilian stringer Mendes. “So he’s coming in during the match, and [we] get it done as quickly as possible to get it back to the player.”
And how do racquet stringers feel during an all-too-common player tantrum, like Medvedev’s round one meltdown?
“It’s a bit of a shame that your hard work goes to waste,” Bloomfield said. “But there are a lot of emotions involved … [the players] have got to let it out. Sometimes the racquet bears the brunt of it.”
Jordana Dymond, practice desk supervisor
To make it in the professional tennis world, you’ve got to spend a lot of time on the court.
Dymond understands this better than most, through her role as the Australian Open practice desk supervisor.
Jordana Dymond alongside practice desk staff.Credit: Joe Armao
Players come to Dymond and her team whenever they need to book a practice court, whether that’s in person, by email or over the phone.
“Any time [players] walk out onto a court that’s not [to play] a match, we book it for them,” Dymond said.
Certain players might have special requests – such as a favourite warm-up court or a left-handed hitting partner.
Later in the tournament, a lot preferred to practise at the adjacent National Tennis Centre, away from the crowds, said Dymond, who is working at her 29th Australian Open.
Starting as a ball kid in the late 1990s, she moved through court services and tournament control before landing on the practice desk.
“I’ve made some lifelong friends … and also got to know plenty of the players and coaches as well. It’s a real privilege to be able to work here,” she said.
Neale and Megan Baker, player drivers
When players finish a late-night match or have to make the devastating journey back to Melbourne Airport after a loss, drivers help them get there.
Neale Baker, who has worked at the tournament for 44 years, is one of the transport supervisors, overseeing the co-ordination of the driving team.
Neale Baker and daughter Megan are both part of the driving team this year. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
He works alongside his daughter, 22-year-old Megan, who primarily ferries players between the National Tennis Centre and Rod Laver Arena for practice.
“It’s just how nice and how well everyone gets along,” Megan said. “I’m so glad that I can work with Dad … and maybe one day we’ll see if I can do as good a job as him.”
Neale said Megan had been around the driving staff at the grand slam event since she was a kid.
The father-daughter duo contribute to an important logistical part of the tournament, and take pride in “continuing the family tradition”, Neale said.
“It’s a crucial role in the back[ground] of the tournament, rather than what the public sees,” he said. “It’s key to the tournament.”
Jacob Naqash, laundry services
It’s a common sight: a player retreating to the side of the court after an intense point, wiping themselves and their racquet with a towel that is waiting for them. But how does that towel get washed, folded, and back on court?
Naqash and his laundry services team collect dirty towels from all around the precinct, before sorting them and sending them off-site to be washed. It’s a crucial role, particularly when big sweaters like the now-retired Rafael Nadal or Britain’s Jack Draper are in action.
Jacob Naqash prepares to return towels to the player facilities. Credit: Joe Armao
“It’s a really small team, so you get to know everyone,” Naqash said. “You get to go in all the player areas and kind of see all the behind-the-scenes stuff, which I find really fascinating.”
Even though they’re doing “all the stuff that no one else wants to do” (as Naqash puts it), they manage to stay entertained – keeping track of records such as the most rolled towel bundles, the neatest towel roll or the largest towel pile.
The team also washes clothes. Naqash said many players had several versions of their game outfit, especially those with big sponsors. And he is more than happy to help.
“[The players] really appreciate everything that we do,” Naqash said. “You’re rewarded in that sense, rather than the glitz and the glamour of the other roles.”
Felicia Quatela, match statistician
Next time you’re watching a contest, look out for two people in the stands who are sitting behind a laptop. Spot them, and you’ve probably found the match statisticians.
They are responsible for noting key statistics such as serve speed, shot and rally count, the point winner and the point-ending shot, said Quatela.
Felicia Quatela keeps track of key statistics during the match.Credit: Eddie Jim
They also control the scoreboard that you see online and on the TV. While she has never been tempted to slip an Australian player an extra point, Quatela said there had been a couple of heart-dropping accidents.
Away from Melbourne Park, Quatela is a lawyer. The self-proclaimed “tennis nerd” has taken leave from her regular job for the past 15 summers to spend two weeks at the Open.
“People think this is my summer gig, but I say that this is my main job,” she said. “The rest of the year I’m just filling in time, and waiting for the tennis to start.”
Gidget Ricca and Debbie Sapantzis, hair and beauty
The players can visit the Australian Open salon for any of their pampering needs.
Ricca is responsible for hair, while Sapantzis oversees the beauty facilities. They’ve both worked at the tournament for 27 years.
Gidget Ricca (left) and Debbie Sapantzis working with a client.Credit: Joe Armao
What started as a tiny room with just a hairbrush and basic make-up products has evolved into a luxurious and comfortable place that prioritises self-care.
“[Players] can come in and just be relaxed and confident and safe, and really have that privacy … we play the mother role,” said Sapantzis.
The list of services offered is impressive. The team offers everything from blow waves to balayage foils, and brow tinting to gel manicures.
Ricca recalled the time when they had five minutes to make Martina Hingis photo-ready after her third consecutive Australian Open win in 1999.
“The media was outside … we couldn’t even wash her hair,” Ricca said. “They just wanted to quickly get her ready. But we still made her look gorgeous.”
Max Hudson, court services
Before play commences each day, Hudson and his team of about 70 make sure every court is clean. Once matches start, they keep the courts stocked with towels, balls, drinks (water and Gatorade) and ice.
They have to react quickly to the elements. Drizzly skies mean all hands on deck to keep the courts dry.
Max Hudson provides the Melbourne Park courts with important services.Credit: Joe Armao
“We have a pretty big role when it comes to rain. Everyone’s on the walkie-talkies when it happens, stressing out a bit,” Hudson said.
The strangest thing he has delivered to a court is sawdust, which some players put on their hands to stop them from sweating.
A highlight is when he serviced Rod Laver Arena for the women’s semi-finals last year, which featured eventual tournament champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Hudson has no plans to stop his summer gig – he is studying to be a teacher and intends to come back during the school holidays for as long as he can.
“I love the court services – all of the people,” he said. “What we actually get to do and the things we get to see are pretty amazing. We’re very lucky to be able to do what we do.”
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