The Australian Open is in full swing, with Melbourne Park seeing record-breaking attendance this week.
Fans have flocked to the tournament, creating a lively and electric atmosphere, but not without some frustrations over the event’s scheduling.
Record-Breaking Crowds at Melbourne Park
The tournament has already surpassed attendance expectations, with a remarkable 353,189 fans attending the first four days of the event.
On Tuesday alone, a staggering 90,102 people filled the tennis precinct, shattering the previous record for a single day by over 7,000 attendees.
The surge in fans has added to the excitement, but it has also led to some challenges for the organizers.
Local Hero Nick Kyrgios Faces Early Exit After Fans Wait for Hours
Despite the buzz, there was disappointment for Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who made his return to his home Grand Slam after a period of injury.
Fans waited for hours in long lines, some for up to four hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kyrgios in action.
However, his match against rising British star Jacob Fearnley ended in heartbreak for the Aussie, as Kyrgios was defeated in straight sets.
A Romantic and Thrilling Night for De Minaur and Boulter
One of the highlights of the Australian Open came on Tuesday night when Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter, who are a newly engaged couple, both played their second-round matches.
The pair had the crowd on the edge of their seats as they both advanced to the next round.
De Minaur defeated Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets before racing to the Kia Arena to watch his fiancée, Boulter, who triumphed over Rebecca Marino in a thrilling contest.
Boulter, seeded No. 22 in the women’s singles, made history by becoming the sixth British player ever to win in the first round of singles at the Australian Open.
The British star’s win has made her a favorite among local fans, many of whom stayed late into the evening to cheer her on.
“Aussie Kate” Nickname for Boulter Sparks Mixed Reactions
Boulter’s growing popularity in Australia led to an awkward moment when an interviewer jokingly suggested that fans start calling her “Aussie Kate.”
Surprised by the suggestion, Boulter responded with humor, saying, “They might want to get rid of me, I don’t know.”
Despite the playful comment, Boulter later expressed her gratitude for the warm reception she had received in Melbourne, saying she felt “very much at home” thanks to the supportive crowd.
Players Frustrated by Rowdy Fans and Disruptions
The rowdy fan behavior at the Australian Open has been a point of contention for some players.
In 2024, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and John Millman expressed frustration over the noisy crowds, especially at Court 6, where fans engaged in disruptive behavior.
This year, players like Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alejandro Davidovich found themselves dealing with similar disruptions.
On Wednesday night, the match between Auger-Aliassime and Davidovich had to be moved from Court 8 to Court 7 due to loud disturbances caused by a group of French fans.
The fans, who were there to watch Jacob Fearnley, were reportedly intoxicated, and the noise was so distracting that both players agreed to switch courts.
Tensions Rise as Fans Heckle Players During Matches
The rowdy behavior was not limited to just one court.
On Wednesday night, fans inside the John Cain Arena also caused a stir by booing and heckling Jack Draper during his match against Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Though the atmosphere was electric, some sections of the crowd’s disrespectful behavior drew criticism, with fans on social media calling the heckling “disrespectful.”
Unpredictable Weather Adds Chaos to the Schedule
The unpredictable weather in Melbourne has caused further disruptions.
Torrential rain on Sunday led to the suspension of matches for six hours, affecting both outdoor courts and public transport.
The heavy downpour also caused flooding across Victoria and left some areas without power.
However, the weather improved later in the week, with temperatures reaching a comfortable 26°C.
Innovative Measures to Keep Fans Cool and Safe
To ensure fans stay comfortable in the heat, Tennis Australia has set up cooling stations around Melbourne Park.
Mist fans, water refill stations, and sunscreen dispensers are available to keep attendees cool.
One of the most popular spots has been the Peroni Showers, which spray ice-cold water over fans to help them beat the heat.
Fans Unwittingly Donate to Charity Through Recycling
In an unexpected twist, Tennis Australia has found a way for fans to give back to charity during the tournament.
The organization has set up special recycling bins, and for every food tray, plastic cup, or coffee cup deposited in these bins, Tennis Australia donates 10 cents to the Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF).
The ATF uses the funds to support young people facing social disadvantages, and over 1,200 tickets will be donated to charities for children and families in need.
McEnroe Teases Fearnley About His Accent
On Tuesday night, a quirky moment took place when tennis legend John McEnroe interviewed Jacob Fearnley after his victory over Nick Kyrgios.
McEnroe joked with the British player, asking where his Scottish accent had gone.
Fearnley, who studied in Texas and now lives in the United States, laughed off the comment and explained that his accent had changed over time due to his surroundings.
Fans Express Discontent Over Australian Open Scheduling
While the tournament has been a spectacle, some fans have voiced their frustration with the scheduling.
With ticket prices as high as $360 for some matches, several fans felt that the schedule for the opening round was underwhelming, particularly given the rain delays.
The decision to schedule high-profile players like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Nick Kyrgios at the same time left fans with the difficult choice of which match to attend.
Many fans took to social media, expressing disappointment over the overlap of top players’ matches, especially when they were scheduled to play during prime time slots.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn