As Australian chart-toppers Justice Crew were grasping their big break on the back of a reality talent show triumph four years ago, Andy Roddick was in the midst of reaching back-to-back Brisbane International finals.
Having to juggle touring and recording commitments at the time, Paulie Merciadez – one-sixth of the popular dance-pop act – missed seeing his tennis idol in action, but having been added to the line-up to perform at the 2015 Suncorp Kid’s Tennis Day, he has hopes of catching one of the tournament’s A-listers in action, even if A-Rod is no longer on tour.
“I was a really big Andy Roddick fan,” Merciadez admits. “These days [Rafael] Nadal, [Roger] Federer, the big guns really. Hopefully, yeah I might get to see Federer in Brisbane this time. I’m really hoping to. That’d be cool.
“I watch tennis all the time. I used to play it back in high school so I have a bit of knowledge and I watch it with enthusiasm. I get pretty passionate about it when it comes to the finals and what not.”
Justice Crew will perform live as part of the Pat Rafter Arena Spectacular on Sunday, with Roger Federer, Grigor Dimitrov, Victoria Azarenka, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Martina Hingis and the Nickelodeon characters all on court.
Merciadez admits performing at Kids Tennis Day will be quite the mix, having supported pop stars from the likes of Janet Jackson to One Direction at home and as part of Pitbull’s and Kesha’s US tour, which included 25 arena shows over five weeks.
“Yeah it’s crazy. I guess we cater to a wide demographic. We find ourselves performing in front of families or adults,” he said.
Justice Crew have arrived at the Brisbane International on the back of their first full-length studio album, Live By The Words. It’s been quite the rise for what began as a dance troupe five years ago, before rocketing to stardom after winning the 2010 series of Australia’s Got Talent.
“We kicked off the tour for our album a few weeks ago so there are big plans ahead,” Merciadez said. “We’ve played in Brisbane a few times and took our tour there earlier this year so we’re getting ready for January now at Pat Rafter Arena.
“We’ll be there with the Nickelodeon characters – SpongeBob and the Ninja Turtles. It should be a lot of fun.”
Each year Suncorp Kids Tennis Day welcomes thousands of families and junior tennis fans to Queensland Tennis Centre to meet the stars of world tennis and their favourite Nickelodeon characters to have a hit.
As for the year ahead, the two-time Aria chart-topping group has its sights set on making inroads overseas, with their five-time platinum single Que Sera catching on.
“There are plans to go back to the States again to do more touring over there and hopefully hit Europe for the first time. And Que Sera is actually picking up in Mexico so there are plans to go there in the new year as well,” he said.
Suncorp Kids Tennis Day is being held on Sunday, January 4, 2015 as part of the Pat Rafter Arena Spectacular stage show.
Some of the other activities on offer at Suncorp Kids Tennis Day include autograph signing sessions, Tennis Hot Shots (mini tennis) with the stars, face painting, rock climbing, jumping castle, fastest serve and roving entertainment. All attendees on this day will also receive a show bag to take home with loads of goodies.
Suncorp Kids Tennis Day is a FREE event for kids aged 16 and under (with a paying adult). Suncorp Kids Tennis Day tickets are now on sale through Ticketek.
Brisbane International presented by Suncorp 2015 tickets are now on sale through Ticketek.
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