At the 2026 Australian Open, coach Marcel du Coudray recounted the unique journey of sourcing special ASICS shoes for player Matteo Arnaldi, crucial for supporting his feet.
With the shoes located in Poland on a Saturday and needed in Melbourne by Monday, a whirlwind of arrangements including a Blabla car and a daring drive through snow-covered roads ensued.
Former colleague Benni Budziak's determined effort to collect and transport the shoes to Warsaw for a flight to Melbourne saw the precious cargo arrive safely, much to Arnaldi's delight.
Despite Arnaldi's loss in the first round, his appreciation for the efforts to secure his prized shoes shines through, as he offers a signed match shirt for anyone who can locate more pairs of this discontinued model.
