MELBOURNE: They are elite sportsmen in their own right, but Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen were in awe as they watched an Alex de Minaur work day from within his inner sanctum.
Via a mutual sponsor, the 'Demon' invited the Wallabies stars into his players' box for Saturday's Australian Open third round clash against Francisco Cerundolo at Rod Laver Arena.
Like most Australians, the pair were twitchy as the Argentinian slugger ignored the script and stole the first set.
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But it was all smiles afterwards as de Minaur slapped his money making thighs en route to victory and then unpacked the rollercoaster with Wilson and Jorgensen.
"It's been an awesome experience," Wallabies captain Wilson told Wide World of Sports on Sunday.
"First time at the Australian Open and to watch the match with his team was such a privilege. Loved seeing the way that he plays, the way he communicates with his coaches throughout the match was very cool to see first hand.
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Harry Wilson, Alex de Minaur and Max Jorgensen. Wallabies
"And of course getting the win topped it off. We chatted for about 15 minutes, which was pretty generous of him, giving us that time at such an important time of the year for him.
"We asked him a lot of questions about his tennis, the way he does his recovery, the way he actually previews matches, which was pretty cool to hear and he asked a little bit about our rugby too.
"I told him he's always welcome to come watch any Wallabies games when he's around – maybe in November when he's in the UK."
Wilson was a gun cricketer in his junior days and in 2017 smashed 100 not out from 35 balls playing for St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace against Ipswich Grammar.
He was backing himself to do the same against Jorgensen in a scheduled game of padel tennis but both had enormous admiration for the different demands on the world's best singles players.
"It'd be so weird, honestly, playing an individual sport," Wilson said.
Harry Wilson and Angus Bell with Marnus Labuschagne at Ian Healy Oval. Getty
"Just the want to win, it's all on you and to see the way he went about it – the ups and downs, not having a teammate to have your back – it's all just you versus him on the court.
"So it's pretty cool to see and it was clear how close he is with his team. The people in his circle, his staff, help him quite a bit because otherwise you'd feel pretty lonely."
Jorgensen is the son of dual code star Peter, who represented the Wallabies as well as playing first grade rugby league.
Max Jorgensen of Australia celebrates as he scores his winning try. Getty
He announced himself to an international audience with his match winning try against England at Twickenham in November and was buzzing to be back at another iconic venue in Rod Laver Arena.
"I'm loving every minute of it," Jorgensen told WWOS.
"We play such different sports but to see how the Demon prepares and recovers up close was special.
"He's got like 10 staff alone whereas we'd have about 15 with the Wallabies. It's just so different.
"He has a very different mindset, being an individual sport but he's such a good bloke as well."
As for Wilson's prediction he was about to bully him on the padel court?
"Not a chance," Jorgensen shot back.
"I'll just put it in the corners. He doesn't move well."
