Tennis day.

We left the wilderness of Philip Island early and dropped off the camper van near Melbourne airport and headed for our new home for a week, an Airbnb on Collins St.

Before heading to the Rod Laver stadium, we went for dinner on Degraves Street, a fantastic haven for independent street foods. After pasta and a beer we picked up the tram and went to experience the build up to the ladies semi finals.

We had a good walk around before the start and got to see some of the statues for former greats, Rod Laver and Pat Cash being just two.

The Melbourne wet weather meant the roof was on the Rod Laver stadium.

Before the start, we were entertained with a light show. Not sure if you’ll ever see this at Wimbledon!

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The atmosphere for the first match between Gauff v Sabalenka was electric, helped by two big personalities. Despite the 19yr old American’s best efforts, she was second best to the towering and powerful second seed Sabalenka.

The second semi final was between Zheng from China and the Ukrainian Yastremska.

Despite losing the first two games, Zheng got her eye in and went on to win in two straight sets. She had a large Chinese following in the crowd, two of which were sat in front of us.

We had a fantastic evening. Slightly surreal watching live tennis until 11.45pm!

The set up after the tennis finished was excellent, free trams immediately outside the stadium meaning we were back at Flinders train station in super quick time and were back at our apartment just before 1am. This was out latest finish since NYE and highlights how Melbourne parties late into the evening.