Afforded one of the best seats in the house, Australian Open photographer Luke Hemer enjoyed incredible access to the action as the fortnight unfolded in January.
He shares a collection of his favourite snaps from the 2018 tournament – and gives us insight into the story and approach behind each.
RELATED: Australian Open 2018 photo galleries
-
-
The black walls around the courts of Melbourne Park can create a strong graphic image, and in this case I used them to capture Rafael Nadal’s iconic pre-serve routine routine against Damir Dzumhur on Margaret Court Arena. (photo credit Luke Hemer/Australian Open)
-
-
Nick Kyrgios finally left Hisense Arena behind and moved to Rod Laver Arena in the third round against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. To tell the story of Nick playing under the big lights of centre court I had to wait for him to return to his chair between games, and as he walked past I had to crouch down low, almost laying on the ground, to get the lights in the background. (photo credit Luke Hemer/Australian Open)
-
-
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga pulls at his shirt in celebration after beating Denis Shapovalov in five sets on Margaret Court Arena. Using the harsh Melbourne sun to create contrast, I set my exposure so that the shadows are black. Tsonga helped to make this one of my favourite images of AO2018. (photo credit Luke Hemer/Australian Open)
-
-
There is something special about photographing a local hero’s last hurrah in any sport. As I was sent to Show Court 2 in the last set of Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth’s second round match against Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau, it could have been a ‘last time’ moment, but in front a full house pumped up for the Aussie pair they hang on to win the final set 7-5. I would continue to follow Groth’s last AO until his final match. (photo credit Luke Hemer/Australian Open)
-
-
Naomi Osaka’s bouncing colourful hair was a photographer’s delight at AO2018. Here her hair stands out against the background of an outside practice court. I had concentrated on the way her hair moved during this practice session, but it was only once I was shown this edit by one of the photo editing team that I realised the potential of this frame. (photo credit Luke Hemer/Australian Open)
-
-
I was there for number 20. As Roger Federer completes his victory lap the spotlight reflects off the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup, making the round flare above the crowd in this photo. I decided to shoot this moment with a wide lens to capture the stadium, the crowd and the lights. (photo credit Luke Hemer/Australian Open)
