Fancy footwork can often distinguish the great from the good when it comes to Grand Slam tennis, and that was certainly the case during the coin toss ahead of Kei Nishikori’s meeting with Kamil Majchrzak at the Australian Open.
Eighth seed Nishikori needed five sets as he wrestled back from two down, winning 10 consecutive games to beat Pole Majchrzak in round one in Melbourne.
But the hours of tennis were overshadowed by a moment of inspiration from a ballboy.
Seizing his brief spell in the spotlight with both hands, the youngster - presented with the coin by the umpire as both players watched on – performed a jig and a twirl before flipping the coin onto the hard surface of the Maragaret Court Arena.
Nishikori even appeared to back off fearing the young man would catch him with a stray limb as he executed his pre-coin toss routine.
Twitter user jeremov said: “There are two ways to flip the coin: this one and the others.”
“Absolute legend. Saw his chance and he took it,” posted JJ Amaya.
