Best seat in the house at the Australian Open men’s final

THERE was a wild crowd in Melbourne on Sunday night as Serbian Novak Djokovic took on Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling final.

And whilst your average person would be pretty damn pleased to have been court side, one local 15-year-old Cape Paterson girl had even better seats in the house.

2023 Top Gun Ballkid recipient Macy Peterson was part of the action on court.

“I am still excited about last night,” Macy stated on Monday as she ventured home with mum, Lyndal, after the men’s final.

Excited and shocked were an understatement for the young gun who has participated as a ballgirl in the last four Australian Opens, two as a leader.

“This is insane and unbelievable! I was shaking, my hands and legs, everything was shaking, it didn’t feel real.

“It means a lot for me to be top gun, I’ve done this for four years and wish I could come back, it’s such a good community and an experience of a lifetime.”

The shock extended beyond Macy with Lyndal initially questioning the news.

“We are very proud! I didn’t believe her when she told me,” Lyndal exclaimed.

“It was very surprising, but very exciting!”

Macy is also one of very few who can claim the privilege of handling the coveted trophy un-gloved.

“Djokovic handed Macy the trophy to hold with him – it was fantastic,” Lyndal added having watched from nearby courts.

An avid sportswoman, Macy’s passion on court was cemented after her dad, Greg took her to the tennis.

Trying out before her 12th birthday Macy was successful in securing a position, and every year since, and the rest is history.

“I enjoy meeting new people. It’s a close-up view of the game. The best seats in the house!”

Two squads rotate on each court, with ballkids performing 45 minutes on court before rotating out for a 45-minute break.

Blisters and physio trips are some of the problematic downsides to the job, but Macy wouldn’t change it.

“You can also get knee burn from the mats, kneeling down they get very hot.

“It’s very rare you’re allocated on the same court two days in a row, but as top gun I had the privilege of being on court for both the men’s and women’s finals.

“The crowd was great during the men’s match; the women’s game was slower but was really good tennis to watch. It’s a lot of fun and you get to meet new people – the supervisors are great.”

Alongside Djokovic, Macy was also fortunate to meet Ash Barty and many other high-profile players over the years, and also counts the near record-breaking match earlier in the week amongst her credits, on court.

“I got to (be a ballkid) at the sold-out exhibition game, that was a lot of fun and the Andy Murray/Thanasi Kokkinakis match that went until 4am.

“That was by far my earliest and latest game I’ve ever done.”

“Macy was also supposed to have the day off the following day, but they were short and was asked earlier in the day to come in the next day – a bad decision,” Lyndal smiled.

Lyndal and Greg could not be prouder of their daughter, even if it has meant balls rolling down the hallway and around corners of the home with a quick catch called.

“I’m a little bit competitive,” Macy said.

“I keep fit by playing a lot of sport, I love basketball, netball and tennis and used to play football and soccer.”

The Road to TopGun has also been filming with a documentary crew spending time with Macy during and in the build up to the Australian Open.