Singer and songwriter Tania Doko reveals why tennis is the “rock and roll of sport” in our Celebrity Match series.
Australia, 26 July 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Tania Doko is an Australian music icon.
She is the lead singer of Bachelor Girl, a pop duo best known for their top-10 hit Buses and Trains, and an accomplished songwriter.
Doko has just released a new solo single, Harder Now, and has a busy few months ahead, touring as a solo artist and with Bachelor Girl.
In our Celebrity Match series, Doko reveals her close connections to tennis and shares memories from her experience as an Australian Open ballkid …
Tell us about your tennis experience?
I’m such a big tennis fan. I was actually a ballkid at the Australian Open in 1989, the second year the tournament was played at Flinders Park (now known as Melbourne Park). I was 15 at the time. But even though I was one of the older kids, I was still shorter than everyone else!
What are your favourite memories from being an Australian Open ballkid?
It was just so exciting to be amongst it all, literally being on the court and getting a ground-level view of all the action. The best ballkids got allocated to the bigger courts and I got as high as Court 1 (now known as Margaret Court Arena). But I remember not having a great day that day, so then I got demoted back out to the outside courts. It didn’t matter though, because I just loved doing it, regardless of which court I was on.
One of the most distinctive memories is getting food vouchers. It was something crazy like $7 a day, but that could get you a donut, hot dog and a drink. You could buy quite a lot with those vouchers, which says a lot about inflation! Our lunch area was right near the players’ restaurant, so it was quite extraordinary to see who you could spot.
My other biggest memory is the heat on the court. It was just next level. We wore these Dunlop runners and had mats to stand on, which provided another layer between the court and your feet, but it was still so hot. One day I remember not wearing my hat and I ended up a red scalp.
Do you remember being a ballkid for any particular players?
I do remember distinctively being a ballkid for Australia’s Jason Stoltenberg. I got hit in the stomach by one of his serves! I wasn’t quick enough to get away. It’s a really awesome story now – but it wasn’t in the moment. Luckily, I lived to tell the tale.
Is that a story you tell often?
I’ve been riding off…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Tennis.com.au – Tennis Australia…