Top service for Hopman stars
Swimming with sharks, fishing, bathing at Cottesloe and even surprise birthday cakes - a Hopman Cup army of about 350 staff and volunteers is assembling to give the world's best tennis players a taste of WA's best.
Work began this week to transform Perth Arena into the Hopman Cup home from January 3 for a cavalcade of stars including Serena Williams, Andy Murray and Australian pair Casey Dellacqua and Nick Kyrgios.
Tennis Australia operations manager Paul Daly said virtually nothing was off limits as the players balanced preparation for the Australian Open and the year ahead with tourism in Perth.
Last year, Canadian gun Milos Raonic asked to swim with sharks and got a surprise cake for his December 27 birthday.
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga wanted to go fishing and Serbia's Ana Ivanovic took her entourage to Cottesloe beach and all helped take Perth to the world.
"It is the little things players remember and appreciate and we have a great team that thinks of those things," Mr Daly said.
He said the players loved things like koala cuddling in a relaxed atmosphere.
"Perth embraces the event and handles everything they want unbelievably well," he said.
Australian Open success for many Hopman Cup players had ensured strong line-ups each year.
