The stars came out to shine at the Australian Open on Sunday night, when Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in a drama-charged climax to the tournament.
But there were noticeably far fewer A-listers in attendance the previous night, when local hero Ash Barty broke Australia’s 44-year title drought at the Open by winning the women’s singles.
Only a handful of celebrities – including Dannii Minogue and Russell Crowe – watched Barty snap Australia’s losing streak at our very own Grand Slam.
Compare the pair: There were conspicuously fewer A-listers at Melbourne Park on Saturday night, when local hero Ash Barty (left) broke Australia’s longstanding title drought, compared to Spaniard Rafael Nadal’s (right) star-studded victory on Sunday
By contrast, stars turned up in droves to watch Nadal beat his Russian rival in an extraordinary comeback win in Sunday’s men’s decider.
Shane Warne, Candice and David Warner, Pia and Patrick Whitesell and Federal Opposition leader Anthony Albanese were just some of the superstars sitting courtside at Melbourne Park’s Rod Laver Arena.
Also in attendance were pub baron Justin Hemmes and girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel, Australian actress Alycia Debnam-Carey, Eric Bana and wife Rebecca Gleeson and Ian Thorpe.
Rounding out the list were singer Rob Mills, boxing legend Jeff Fenech and wife Suzee, actress Rachael Griffiths, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and former Treasurer Peter Costello – and Olympic golden girl Emma McKeon.
Shout: Only a handful of celebs including Dannii Minogue and Russell Crowe watched Barty snap Australia’s 44-year-long losing streak at our very own Grand Slam
Scarce: Dannii Minogue (left), Cathy Freeman (right), Russell Crowe, Katharine Langford, Bella Heathcote, Teresa Palmer and Saoirse Ronan were courtside to watch the hometown hero triumph in a clinical 6-2, 7-6(2) encounter
They watched a tense five-set affair, with Nadal eventually overcoming Medvedev 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, making him the first man in history to reach 21 grand slam titles.
The stars were comparatively thin on the ground when it came to Barty’s Saturday night match.
Alongside Minoque and Crowe to watch the hometown hero triumph in a clinical 6-2, 7-6(2) encounter were Cathy Freeman, Katharine Langford, Bella Heathcote, Teresa Palmer and Saoirse Ronan – far fewer than were in attendance for the men’s clash.
Family: Cricketing legend Shane Warne (left) donned a casual ensemble for the game, and was joined by his son Jackson (right), 22, shared with ex-wife Simone Callahan
Barty became the first Australian since 1978 to claim an Open singles title.
Treasurer Frydenberg was in attendance on both nights.
Joining him in the stands to watch the men’s final was a very relaxed Shane Warne, 52, who enjoyed a bourbon, and hospitality entrepreneur Justin Hemmes, 49, while sporting power couple Candice and David Warner appeared in great spirits on a date night.
Cricketing legend Shane donned a casual ensemble for the game, and was joined by his son Jackson, 22, shared with ex-wife Simone Callahan.
Attracting quite the crowd: Shane enjoyed a drink in the stands as he joined a star-studded crowd including hospitality entrepreneur Justin Hemmes (right), David Warner and Anthony Albanese at the Australian Open men’s singles final in Melbourne on Sunday
Jackson, who starred on last year’s season of SAS Australia, donned a sporty look and appeared to be enthralled by the game.
Candice, 36, and her husband David, 35, appeared in great spirits, with the former Ironwoman showing off her fit physique in a fitted black top and chic white trousers.
Candice looked glamorous with straight blonde tresses and elegant makeup, and kept close to her cricketer husband David, who wore a polished ensemble.
Tennis fan: The King Of Spin appeared enthralled by the game as he checked the screen for a closer look at the action
Young love: Jackson was joined by his girlfriend, Kiah Broadsmith (right). Jackson went ‘Instagram Official’ with the blonde beauty in December
Date night: Justin brought along his model girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel (right), 26. The blonde beauty kept close to her billionaire beau as the enjoyed the game
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Mr Albanese donned an NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs face mask as he cheered on the players.
Representing Tinseltown was actor Eric Bana, 53, who was accompanied by his stunning wife Rebecca Gleeson, 51.
Eric, who starred in Netflix true crime series Dirty John, donned a pale blue dress shirt and dark trousers.
His publicist wife Rebecca stunned in a chic sleeveless black frock with a statement necklace.
Sporting power couple: Candice, 36, and her husband David, 35, (both pictured) appeared in great spirits, with the former Ironwoman showing off her fit physique in a fitted black top and chic white trousers
Off the cricket pitch: David, who recently competed in The Ashes, donned a dark blue dress shirt, black trousers and coordinating sneakers for the outing
Political figure: It wasn’t just the biggest names in showbiz in attendance, with Leader of the Opposition of Australia, Anthony Albanese (pictured), 58, seen courtside
Footy fan: The politician donned a casual ensemble and proved to be a NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs fan with his choice of face mask
Newlyweds: Pia Whitesell and her new husband Patrick also packed on the PDA during Sunday’s event
Away and home: Former soap star Pia, who now resides in California, returned to Australia for the sporting event
Meanwhile Rob Mills had quite the honour when he performed the Australian National Anthem ahead of the game.
The 39-year-old, who rose to fame after starring on Australian Idol, looked dapper in a tailored suit as he sung the lyrics.
World No.2 Daniil Medvedev, 25, was given a prickly reception ahead of his Australian Open final – with some sections of the Melbourne Park crowd booing the Russian as he walked onto Rod Laver arena.
Recognised: Representing Tinseltown was actor Eric Bana, 53, who was accompanied by his stunning wife Rebecca Gleeson, 51 (both pictured)
Polished figure: Eric, who starred in Netflix true crime series Dirty John, donned a pale blue dress shirt and dark trousers
Courtside fashion: His publicist wife Rebecca stunned in a chic sleeveless black frock with a statement necklace
Honour: Meanwhile Rob Mills (pictured) had quite the honour when he performed the Australian National Anthem ahead of the game. The 39-year-old, who rose to fame after starring on Australian Idol, looked dapper in a tailored suit as he sung the lyrics
Daniil, 25, took to the court on Sunday night against Rafael Nadal – the fan favourite Spaniard, 35, vying for his record 21st Grand Slam title.
The Russian has already been labelled the ‘villain’ of the Open after his fiery outburst at an umpire during his semi-final match against the also popular Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Commentator LLeyton Hewitt echoed those sentiments saying: ‘He is the villain out here. He’s trying to spoil the party’.
Courtside action: Retired boxer Jeff Fenech, 57, and his wife Suzee Fenech (both pictured), were also pictured in the crowd
Antics: Jeff donned a black ensemble, complete with a newsboy cap for the game. Meanwhile his wife Suzee looked to have seen herself on the screen
Sporting great: Retired Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe (pictured centre), 39, sported a Ralph Lauren white button-up shirt and blue trousers, and appeared relaxed as he mingled within the crowd
Discussing politics? Josh Frydenberg (left), Treasurer of Australia, 50, engaged in conversation with former politician Peter Costello (right), 64
Chic: Actress Rachel Griffiths (pictured centre), 53, cut an effortlessly chic figure in a black ensemble, complete with a stylish round-rimmed hat and reading glasses
New couple alert? Swimming’s golden girl Emma McKeon could be seen watching the Nadal v Medvedev match alongside Jodi Gordon’s ex Aidan Walsh
Reception: World No.2 Daniil Medvedev (pictured), 25, was given a prickly reception ahead of his Australian Open final – with some sections of the Melbourne Park crowd booing the Russian as he walked onto Rod Laver arena
Daniil took out the first set 6-2 in the Australian Open final against Rafael.
The U.S. Open champion broke Rafael’s serve twice and then served it out in 42 minutes. Rafael’s first serve percentage was down to 54 per cent compared with Daniil at 82 per cent.
Daniil is bidding to be the first man in the Open era to win his second Grand Slam title at the next major tournament.
He lost last year’s Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic.
Rival: Daniil took to the court on Sunday night against Rafael Nadal (pictured) – the fan favourite Spaniard, 35, vying for his record 21st Grand Slam title
Twinning! Justin Hemmes and Madeline Holtznagel seen here in their matching white ensembles outside Melbourne Park
Stars align: Russell Crowe seen here at a Ralph Lauren event on Saturday night with his girlfriend Britney Theriot
International appeal: Australian actress Teresa Palmer was also at the evening’s event