Tales of the General: Christos Pavlidis
Australian Open 2026: Serves, Stars… and Shrunk Shorts!
On Friday 16 January, we threw open the doors to our Australian Open 2026 partner event, and what a night it was!
We welcomed 145 guests, creating a lively mix of industry insiders and key collaborators. From Tourism Victoria, wholesale partners, and BMW to event bookers, wedding companies, and suppliers like Dal Zotto Winery, Trentham Wines and CINCiN Cocktails – the room was buzzing with energy, laughter, and maybe just a touch of competitive tennis chatter.
The food was nothing short of amazing, expertly crafted by our kitchen team, who ensured everyone was well-fed while sipping, chatting, and soaking up the tennis atmosphere.
Tennis fans were especially thrilled to see Italian fan favourite Lorenzo Musetti, currently world number five, mingling with guests. A few friendly games of table tennis also broke out, and while the competition was fierce, Lorenzo wasn’t exactly thrilled with his doubles partner — one of us who had flown in all the way from Hong Kong. Let’s just say, he made his disappointment very politely known… though the partner in question seemed to be enjoying herself anyway.
And just when we thought the night couldn’t get any better, Thanasi Kokkinakis made a surprise appearance just in time for our Ovolo hosted panel. Joining Kokkanakis was Rinky Hijikata, Karen Khakanov and Lorenzo Musetti.
The Aussie favourite had everyone buzzing, cheekily revealing that his favourite Melbourne hangout is a South Yarra nightclub that never closes — and judging by the smiles in the room, we’re pretty sure he’s not exaggerating.
But ultimately it was Karen Khachanov, the big swinging Russian who stole the show — not with serves or volleys, but with his hilariously earnest attempt at an Australian accent, leaving everyone in stitches.
No event is complete without a legendary mishap, and this year we had a good one. One unnamed coach (we’ll leave it at that) decided to tumble dry his complimentary Adidas gear. The result? Dramatically shrunken shorts and shirts… followed by a very ambitious request for reimbursement. While we admire the optimism, the verdict is clear: the gear was free, the tumble dryer optional, and the blame… well, let’s just say it belongs firmly with the operator of the machine.
All in all, the night was a smashing success — top-tier attendance, stellar industry connections, world-class tennis personalities, laughs aplenty, table tennis dramas, and food to match.
From Karen’s Aussie accent antics to the tumble dryer saga, Lorenzo’s doubles grievances, and of course Thanasi’s South Yarra confession, this is one event that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Love you long time,
Christos Pavlidis
General Manager of Ovolo Melbourne & Laneways By Ovolo