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Australian Open 2017: Off-court oasis a haven for pampered players

Melissa Singer

The relationship between hairdresser and client is sacred but when the client is the world's top tennis player at a grand slam, it can take on a whole new confidence.

As the resident hairdresser at Melbourne Park for 19 years, Gidget Ricca, together with beauty therapist Debbie Mitzia​, have seen juniors become world No.1s, and shrinking violets blossom on the world tennis stage.

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"Maybe one day I could write a book. People relax, it's very tactile, they talk about everyday things, their families, their sadness, their grief, their relationships – what goes on in this room stays in this room," Ms Ricca says.

While they pledge to keep the confidences of all the players they pamper, Ms Ricca has coloured Angelique Kerber's​ hair and given Daria Gavrilova's​ hair the chop, resulting in her bouncy trademark ponytail.

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She was also responsible for Nick Kyrgios' mini-mowhawk and eyebrow "nicks" in 2015, while Ms Mitzia has helped transform the neglected skin of many players.

So has Ms Mitzia ever tended to the most famous nails in tennis, those of six-time champion Serena Williams?

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Officially, she can't say but a suggestive smile says it all. 

"Oh we do them all," says Ms Ricca.

In terms of trends, braids are in this year, as well as eyelash and eyebrow tinting. And waxing, of course, especially arms.

"When they see themselves on the screen [the hair] catches the light and they don't like that. That's them being vain," says Ms Mitzia.

Ms Ricca's and Ms Mitzia's tennis association has grown from a "comb and a spray bottle" in a temporary room at the Grand Hyatt, where many players stay, to their full-service salon at Melbourne Park.

Over the years, the women have seen more male players embracing facials and an increased focus on image.

"Going back 20 years they were more conservative because it was just a sport. Now there is so much glamour ... the selfies, Facebook – it's pressure to look good, not just to play well," Ms Mitzia said.

Ms Ricca said Melbourne boasts the only grand slam salon where hair colouring is offered, and some players wait 12 months for her to work her magic.

"Because they're in the sun quite a bit [their hair] tends to go quite orange ... they all have treatments because [the weather] is very dry," Ms Ricca said.

While the atmosphere after a win can be more jovial, pre-match it's about offering the players a haven when nerves are high, Ms Ricca says.

"We wait and see if they want to chat, generally they just want to sit and ... be taken care of and then go out and concentrate. We have become more motherly figures now."