source : the age
The one item that Australian Open players can’t get enough of in their Tennis Australia goody bag this year is a box of beauty products from MECCA.
The box contains more than $800 worth of MECCA products including a tub of Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum moisturising cream, Gisou honey-infused hair oil, MECCA Cosmetica face and eye masks “for pre and post-match pampering”, Tower 28 SOS daily rescue face spray, Glossier lip balm and perfume.
Australian player Lizette Cabrera gets her make-up done by a MECCA make-up artist at the beauty bar for players. Credit: Joe Armao
Goody bags given to all 840 players competing also include a plush toy kangaroo, an AO-branded portable phone charger and a pair of socks.
MECCA came on board as a sponsor this year with a store at the Australian Open offering free express make-up, skincare and hair touch-ups for fans, and make-up artists on hand for players at the beauty bar in the players’ lounge.
MECCA make-up artist Maia Pope has been busy at the players’ beauty bar underneath Rod Laver Arena which competitors can use at any time.
She said while a lot of the international players had “no idea what MECCA is”, they certainly knew many of the brands stocked by the Australian retailer including the iconic Bum Bum cream.
Australian Open influencer and tennis WAG Morgan Riddle is facing some new competition with boyfriend Taylor Fritz out of the tournament. Credit: Eddie Jim
Pope said players, like Australian Lizette Cabrera, were keen on a very natural look when it came to their make-up.
“No-make-up make-up I think has been requested more than I’ve ever heard in my time at MECCA,” she said. “They have quite short turnarounds, they might have 15 minutes before they’ve got their interview or their promo.”
Move over Moorgs
In a blow to courtside glamour, world No.4 Taylor Fritz has been bundled out of the Australian Open after a third-round loss to Frenchman Gael Monfils.
American player Fritz is a major star but girlfriend Morgan Riddle has also developed her own following at the Open.
Riddle has been posting daily outfit snaps on her Instagram account, “Moorrgs”, with 432,000 followers, and turning heads with her lingerie-inspired outfits and ensembles which push the boundaries of tennis fashion.
With the tournament grounds at times resembling a catwalk, Riddle has been reposting Open fans who tag her with their “Moorgs inspired” and “Moorgs core” outfits.
She has also been enlisted as a contributor to Vogue on “all things fashion and fan culture” at the Australian Open.
It’s unclear whether she will stay on at the tournament with Fritz out in the first week but Australian tennis player Daria Saville could be a contender for the newest tennis WAG.
Saville was knocked out in the first round but posted on Instagram on Sunday about “Cosplaying as a WAG for my husband’s last tournament” as she prepared to watch her husband, Luke Saville.
Saville filmed herself getting her hair and make-up done at the players’ beauty bar and then changing into a new floor-length gown to watch his match, much to her friends’ incredulity.
“What’s this for?” they asked. “Just Luke’s match,” Saville replied, although she later headed to a friend’s hen day.
Saville got the tick of approval from Riddle, who commented “LMAOO” (Laughing My Arse Off) on the post with Saville swiftly replying: “Muse”.
RUGBY TO PADEL
Wallabies captain and Queensland Reds star Harry Wilson teamed up with Wallabies teammate Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs) for a game of padel at the Open.
“The hand-eye co-ordination needed is the same as rugby,” Wilson said. “Obviously, the agility as well, moving side to side on the court.”
Wilson said a few years’ playing tennis when he was at school helped him pick up the hybrid game and gave him an advantage over Jorgensen.
“Max struggled,” he said, after a short hitout.
Jorgensen complained: “Mate, we were on the same team.”
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson (right) and his Wallabies teammate, Max Jorgensen, playing padel at Melbourne Park. Credit: Nine
The Wallabies are preparing to take on the British & Irish Lions in their tour of Australia which happens only once every 12 years.
Jorgensen said he was looking forward to playing the Lions at the MCG in July where it is hoped 100,000 people will watch the game
“That would be massive obviously in Melbourne getting that crowd at the MCG, it hasn’t been that big for a while for rugby.”
East Keilor to Melbourne Park
Also spotted around Melbourne Park was chef Curtis Stone, who was a guest of Tennis Australia chair Jayne Hdrlicka at the O Lounge.
Stone popped into Emirates lounge ahead of watching Carlos Alcarez take on Jack Draper on Rod Laver Arena.
“Alcarez is so talented, I love watching him,” Stone said. “De Minaur is pretty sharp and I love the way he plays. He seems like a good dude.”
Stone grew up playing tennis and said he liked to tell his kids that his name was still on the board at the Keilor East Tennis Club.
“I actually don’t know if the Keilor East Tennis Club is still there,” he said. “But, yes, I played a lot as a kid. I’ve let it drop. I haven’t played much in my adult life, but it’s great sport.”
Stone said he was back in Melbourne to visit family and to attend the tennis.
“It’s a real part of the Aussie social calendar,” he said. “I always tell people when they ask, ‘When should we visit Australia?’, to go for the tennis. The weather’s always perfect, it’s an incredible tournament, Melbourne’s super lively and everyone’s happy because they are on vacation. It’s a good time to be in the city.”
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