Match Point
Australian Open, Melbourne
Edition of 50
Reflection
Viewed from above, the tennis court becomes a perfect geometric stage. Within its carefully defined boundaries unfolds a contest of precision, determination and composure, witnessed by thousands yet decided in an instant.
Print information
- Edition
- Limited edition of 50, plus artist proofs.
- Archival pigment print on museum-grade fine art paper.
- Sizes
- Available sizes and presentation options provided on enquiry.
- Certificate
- Signed, numbered and supplied with a certificate of authenticity.
- Framing
- Framed, mounted and print-only options available depending on destination.
- Shipping
- Secure domestic and international delivery quoted individually.
Behind the Flight
I've been photographing the Australian Open from the air for more than a decade. Every tournament presents new challenges, but one thing never changes. The most compelling photographs are often decided by fractions of a second.
On this particular summer afternoon, Serena Williams faced Maria Sharapova in front of a packed crowd at Melbourne Park. The match had reached a critical stage, and from above you could almost feel the anticipation. Every seat was filled as thousands of spectators waited in silence for the next serve.
Unlike a drone, a helicopter can't simply stop above the court. We had to plan our approach well in advance, building up to the correct speed and position before banking the aircraft steeply onto its side to create a perfectly vertical view. Every movement had to be coordinated with the pilot, and there would only be one brief opportunity to capture the court at exactly the right angle.
As Serena tossed the ball into the air, everything aligned. The court became a perfect rectangle beneath us, framed by thousands of spectators whose attention was focused entirely on that single moment. From above, the arena transformed into something more than a sporting venue. It became a window to the battle below, where drama and tension culminated in one fleeting instant.
It's still one of my favourite photographs. Every individual in the crowd remains sharp enough to study, adding a remarkable sense of scale and intimacy to the image. The following year it was recognised with both Best Commercial Aerial Photograph and the overall Judges' Choice Award at the International Aerial Photographer Awards.
