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☆ Australian Open: How the new ‘party court’ at this year’s tournament is causing controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The sound of glasses clinking, friends laughing and the metronomic thud of bass isn’t exactly what you’d expect to hear during a grand slam tournament. Against the backdrop of umpire calls and the thud of the ball on rackets, fans can also enjoy the melodic sounds of “a rotating roster of DJs” as they watch the world’s best tennis players compete. James Ewing lives in Melbourne and regularly attends the season’s first grand slam. On Saturday, the 29-year-old watched a game on Court 6, sitting opposite the infamous Courtside Bar for the first time. “One of the many additions to enhance the player and fan experience at Melbourne Park” she wrote on X, formerly known at Twitter.

Persons: ”, aren’t, ” Petros Tsitsipas, Stefanos, Petros, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, ” Stefanos, Paula Badosa, “, ” Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, James Ewing, Ewing, Yuri, Cedric Cornelis, Judy Murray, Andy Murray Organizations: CNN, Melbourne, AP, CNN Sport, Melbourne Park, James Ewing CNN, Tennis, Twitter Locations: Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A protester threw papers onto an Australian Open court and briefly delayed the fourth-round match between Olympic champion Alexander Zverev and Cameron Norrie of Britain on Monday. Printed in black on the white pages was the message “Free Palestine” and "While you're watching tennis bombs are dropping on Gaza." Ball kids gathered up the papers and the match continued after a short delay. Zverev won the match 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3) to advance to a quarterfinal against No. The Palestinian death toll from the war has soared past 25,000, the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said Sunday,___

Persons: —, Alexander Zverev, Cameron Norrie, Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, “, ___ Organizations: Olympic, Margaret Court, Palestine, Security, Australia, Margaret Court Arena, Kia Arena, Police, Hamas, Health Ministry Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, Gaza, Victoria, The Israel, Israel

First of all, there's no such thing as a “game clock” in tennis, in general, and no such thing as “too late” at the Australian Open and U.S. Open, in particular. … I haven’t been able to sit through one,” two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka said. The women's and men's professional tours announced just before the start of the Australian Open that they're instituting new rules this month to try to cut back on play after midnight. One problem: Those rules apply only to events run by the WTA and ATP — not Grand Slam tournaments. WHEN DOES MEDVEDEV PLAY NEXT?

Persons: Daniil Medvedev's, Rod Laver, Zero, Medvedev, “, let’s, Emil Ruusuvuori, That's, ”, John Isner, Isner, — Medvedev, Ruusuvuori, Anna Blinkova's, Elena Rybakina —, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, ” Djokovic, Lleyton Hewitt, Marcos Baghdatis —, Carlos Alcaraz, haven’t, Victoria Azarenka, “ It’s, Andy Murray, ” Murray, you’re, Coco Gauff, Felix Auger, ” Medvedev, John Pye, ___ Howard Fendrich, howard, fendrich Organizations: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Wimbledon, Australian, England, U.S ., U.S, WTA, ATP, Tennis Australia, NEXT Locations: Melbourne, New York, Australia

☆ Rafael Nadal to make his tennis comeback in Brisbane next month
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Tennis great Rafael Nadal has said he will make his long-awaited return from injury at the Brisbane International in January. “After a year away from competition, it’s time to come back,” Nadal said in a video posted on multiple social media platforms Friday. “It will be in Brisbane the first week of January.”Nadal last competed at the Australian Open in January. He is also widely expected to make a grand slam return at the Australian Open. In October, before Nadal had officially announced a comeback, tournament director and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley stated that Nadal would be among the field at the 2024 edition of the competition.

Persons: Rafael Nadal, “, ” Nadal, American Mackenzie McDonald, Nadal, Hannah Mckay, ”, Craig Tiley Organizations: CNN, Tennis, Brisbane International, American, Rome, McDonald, Tennis Australia, Nadal Locations: Brisbane, Madrid

☆ Brisbane International to return as Australian Open tune-up event
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Brisbane International will return to the calendar for the first time since 2020 as part of the build-up to next year's Australian Open, Tennis Australia said on Friday. It was dropped from the men's tour when the ATP Cup was introduced in 2019 and last contested as a women's event in 2020. The women's singles field has been expanded to 48 players, while the men's singles draw will feature 32. "The players love to come here, they love the atmosphere," Barty told Australian media. The Canberra International starts alongside the Brisbane event two days later, with tournaments in Adelaide and Hobart beginning on Jan. 8.

Persons: Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Ash Barty, Barty, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Brisbane International, Tennis Australia, ATP, WTA, Queensland Tennis Centre, United, Canberra International, Hobart, Thomson Locations: Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hyderabad

In a full page statement published in The Sydney Morning Herald, Rugby Australia (RA) said the proposed referendum is "too important a contest to watch in silence". "Provision for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in our Constitution is long overdue," it added. RA and the AFL join the National Rugby league (NRL), several AFL clubs, and other sports governing bodies like soccer's Football Australia, Tennis Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee in formalising support for Indigenous recognition through a referendum. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has staked significant political capital on the referendum, has been keen to get the support of leading sports bodies and players. Some of Australia's top athletes are Indigenous, like NBA star Patty Mills, former Olympic sprinter Cathy Freeman and former woman's tennis world number one Ash Barty.

☆ I'm a full-time male stripper who makes up to $4,000 a week performing around Australia. Fans have asked me some wild things, but this really is my passion.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Perri Ormont Blumberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Jaxon Human is a full-time male stripper who works for Magic Men Australia. I'm a male entertainer with Magic Men Australia. In 2012, I started my journey as a male stripper with Magic Men Australia, and I'm now a full-time stripper. I applied for Magic Men Australia when I was 18Human performing. My shifts at Magic Men Australia varyThe typical length of a shift varies because of many factors.

☆ Australian Open sets Grand Slam attendance record
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 31 (Reuters) - The Australian Open set a Grand Slam attendance record with more than 900,000 spectators visiting over three weeks, organisers said on Tuesday, despite the absence of some big-name players and schedule disruptions due to rain. A record 839,192 fans flocked to Melbourne Park from Jan. 16-29 for the first tournament in two years free of COVID-19 restrictions, beating the previous mark of 812,174 set in January 2020. The figures eclipse last year's attendance numbers at other Grand Slam main draws - 515,164 visited Wimbledon, 613,500 were at the French Open and 776,120 went to the U.S. Open. The tournament, missing the retired Serena Williams, Roger Federer and last year's homegrown champion Ash Barty, broke its single-day attendance mark with 94,854 fans visiting on Jan. 21. Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to win his 10th Australian Open crown, drawing level with Rafa Nadal on 22 majors, and reclaim the world number one rankingAryna Sabalena won her first Grand Slam title with victory over Elena Rybakina on Saturday.

☆ Djokovic’s dad stays away from Australian Open semifinal after posing with Russian flag
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Novak Djokovic’s father decided to stay away from the 21-time Grand Slam champion’s semifinal after getting embroiled in a flap involving spectators who brought banned Russian flags to Melbourne Park, Tennis Australia said Friday. “Throughout the event, we’ve spoken with players and their teams about the importance of not engaging in any activity that causes distress or disruption,” Tennis Australia said. Four people were kicked out of the tournament because of the flags and for threatening security guards that night, police and Tennis Australia said. A supporter waves a Russian flag during the men's singles match between on day one of the Australian Open in Melbourne. William West / AFP - Getty ImagesNormally, flags can be displayed during matches at Melbourne Park.

☆ Djokovic's father won't attend semi-final after Russia flag controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Alasdair Pal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The video caused controversy in Australia, leading to the country's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday reiterating Australian support for Ukraine and criticising supporters of Russia's invasion. I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption," Srdjan Djokovic said in an emailed statement. Albanese did not respond directly to the question about whether Srdjan Djokovic should be deported. Srdjan Djokovic was seen in some posts posing with the Russian supporters. Australian Open organisers on Thursday issued a reminder to players and their entourages about their policy on flags after the video of Djokovic's father emerged.

☆ Djokovic’s father seen posing with fans carrying Russian flags
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Australian Open organizers have issued a reminder to players and their entourages about their policy on “inappropriate flags” after a video emerged showing Novak Djokovic’s father posing for pictures with fans holding Russian flags. Four fans with “inappropriate flags and symbols” were questioned by Victoria Police following Wednesday’s quarter-final between Djokovic and Russia’s Andrey Rublev. Late on Wednesday another video showed Djokovic’s father Srdjan posing for pictures with fans holding Russian flags. Russian forces have used the letter “Z” as an identifying symbol on their vehicles in Ukraine following the invasion. Russian and Belarusian players were banned from Wimbledon last year but are able to compete as individual athletes without national affiliation at Melbourne Park.

☆ Djokovic's father seen posing with fans carrying Russia flags
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Australian Open organisers have issued a reminder to players and their entourages about their policy on "inappropriate flags" after a video emerged showing Novak Djokovic's father posing for pictures with fans holding Russian flags. Four fans with "inappropriate flags and symbols" were questioned by Victoria Police following Wednesday's quarter-final between Djokovic and Russia's Andrey Rublev. Late on Wednesday another video showed Djokovic's father Srdjan posing for pictures with fans holding Russian flags. Russian and Belarusian flags are banned from Melbourne Park during the tournament after a complaint from the Ukraine ambassador to the country. Russian forces have used the letter "Z" as an identifying symbol on their vehicles in Ukraine following the invasion.

☆ Australian Open bans flags from Russia, Belarus on site
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Flags from Russia and Belarus were banned from the site of the Australian Open on Tuesday after more than one was brought into the stands by spectators on Day 1 of the year’s first Grand Slam tournament. Normally, flags can be displayed during matches at Melbourne Park. Another was offered to Russian player Daniil Medvedev to autograph after his 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 win over Marcos Giron in Rod Laver Arena on Monday night. “I mean, if everyone feels better this way, then it’s OK,” said Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist who is seeded No. Russia invaded, with help from Belarus, in February.

☆ Russian flags banned at Australian Open tennis after Ukraine complaint
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 16, 2023 General view of the first round match between Germany's Jule Niemeier and Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Carl RecineMELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Russian and Belarusian flags have been banned from the Melbourne Park precinct during the Australian Open after a complaint from the Ukraine ambassador to the country. "I strongly condemn the public display of the Russian flag during the game of the Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindl at the Australian Open today," he wrote on Twitter. Tennis Australia responded on Tuesday by banning the flags of the two countries. "Flags from Russia and Belarus are banned onsite at the Australian Open," Tennis Australia said in a statement. Russian and Belarusian players were banned from Wimbledon last year but are able to compete as individual athletes without national affiliation at the Australian Open.

☆ Rublev tames Thiem, Sabalenka and Garcia stroll as Melbourne sizzles
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Thiem, a finalist at Melbourne Park and U.S. Open champion in 2020, is on the comeback trail after a wrist injury and was able to compete only to a certain extent against the power of the rangy Russian. Thiem was simply unable to get a foothold in the contest and the 25-year-old Rublev, a quarter-finalist at the Australian Open in 2021, served out for the match after little more than two hours on court. Tennis Australia on Tuesday morning banned fans from bringing flags of either nation into the Melbourne Park precinct after a Russian tricolour was hung on a bush next to a court where Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl was playing on Monday. "It wasn't that easy a match and I'm super happy to start with a win," said the Belarusian. Novak Djokovic will begin his bid for a record-extending 10th title at Melbourne Park against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena.

☆ Heat brings play to a halt at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Scorching heat halted outdoor matches and sent fans scurrying for shade at the Australian Open on Tuesday as players were given an early test of their endurance on a sweltering day two at Melbourne Park. The tournament's Heat Stress Scale, which measures radiant heat, humidity and air temperature in the shade, crossed its highest threshold of 5.0, halting 10 outdoor matches at the Grand Slam. Organisers said play on outdoor courts would not resume before 5 p.m. local time (0600 GMT). "I think I did well to manage my emotions, and then especially manage the heat, try not to get too hot-headed," Fernandez told reporters. Extreme heat is a feature of the Australian Open, held in mid-summer in the country, with play occasionally suspended and leaving organisers with scheduling headaches.

☆ Raducanu sweating on fitness ahead of Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Emma Raducanu said she is trying not to "expect too much" as she bids to return to full fitness in time for next week's Australian Open after rolling her ankle in a tune-up event last week. Former U.S. Open champion Raducanu retired at 6-0 5-7 in her second-round match against Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova at the WTA 250 Auckland Classic. The Australian Open begins on Jan. 16. But we're just taking it a day at a time and not trying to expect too much at this point. "It was really unfortunate, to be honest last week, because I was feeling great about my season and I was feeling really good with the preparation I did physically.

☆ Kyrgios withdrew from United Cup to give himself best chance at Australian Open
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 29 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios said he withdrew from the inaugural edition of the United Cup to be in peak condition for next month's Australian Open, adding that he did not expect everyone to understand the reasoning behind his decision. "Throw in an injury and knowing you didn't give yourself the best chance only adds to the mountain of pressure you face. Kyrgios added that he had been in communication with Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley and United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow about his injury. Alex de Minaur, who moved into the number one men's position for Team Australia in place of Kyrgios, was beaten by Britain's Cameron Norrie on Thursday. Speaking after De Minaur's defeat, Australia co-captain Lleyton Hewitt said he had also been unaware of Kyrgios' withdrawal until Wednesday.

☆ Novak Djokovic back in Australia a year after deportation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Novak Djokovic plays against Sebastian Ofner during day five of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena on Dec. 23, 2022 in Dubai. Novak Djokovic has arrived in Australia almost a year after he was deported over his stance against Covid-19 vaccination, Tennis Australia confirmed Wednesday. Djokovic will open his 2023 campaign in Adelaide as he prepares for a shot at a 10th Australian Open title. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley indicated at a news conference Tuesday that Djokovic had arrived. "Novak is welcome in Australia," Tiley said.

☆ Djokovic back in Australia ahead of Open - report
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 27 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic has arrived in Australia nearly a year after he was deported from the country, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Tuesday, ahead of his bid for a 10th men's singles title at next month's Australian Open. Djokovic landed in Adelaide where he is due to play in the Adelaide International beginning on Sunday, the report said. Earlier on Tuesday, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told reporters that Djokovic would be arriving in Australia and voiced hopes he would be welcomed. Djokovic's representatives and Tennis Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The 2023 Australian Open takes place at Melbourne Park from Jan. 16-29.

☆ Novak Djokovic gets visa for Australian Open, a year after deportation over Covid vaccination status
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Kriti Gandhi | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has been granted a visa to compete in the Australian Open in January, the Australian government confirmed on Thursday, a year after he was deported from the country over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Djokovic’s visa was canceled on arrival in Melbourne last January when his vaccination exemption was questioned, and he was deported 10 days later after losing an appeal. Djokovic has subsequently been granted a temporary visa to enter Australia,” Giles said in a statement. Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open champion, said he received the news on Tuesday and was “very happy.”“Australian Open has been my most successful Grand Slam. Djokovic last won the Australian Open in 2021.

Sydney CNN —Australia will overturn a three-year ban on tennis player Novak Djokovic entering the country, paving the way for the former world No. 1 to contest the 2023 Australian Open. Australia’s Immigration Minister Andrew Giles will repeal the ban, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told CNN on Tuesday. Earlier on Tuesday, Tennis Australia’s CEO Craig Tiley said he was hopeful Djokovic will play at the Australian Open in January next year. “There’s a normal visa application process that everyone is going through right now, and everyone will go through the right timing,” Tiley told told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) news agency.

SYDNEY, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic has been granted a visa to play in the Australian Open in January, Guardian Australia and state broadcaster ABC reported on Tuesday. Djokovic, who is Serbian, was deported from Australia in the leadup to the Grand Slam in January after he declined to be vaccinated. The ABC said it had confirmed Immigration Minister Andrew Giles had overturned that ban, allowing Djokovic to compete. A spokesperson for Australia's immigration ministry declined to comment on the reports. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said this month that Djokovic would be welcome in January if he could get a visa, but that Tennis Australia was unable to lobby on his behalf.

☆ Novak Djokovic leaves no stone unturned in pursuit of perfection, but secrecy with drink mixture draws scrutiny
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —In his pursuit of greatness, it has been well documented that Novak Djokovic has left no stone unturned. Badio is then shielded by two other men as he finishes preparing the drink, before handing it to a ball girl to pass onto Djokovic. However, Djokovic’s wife Jelena has launched a vigorous defense of the 21-time grand slam champion on social media. “I don’t see anything dodgy,” Jelena Djokovic wrote in one reply. It’s a private matter between them but we’d like to welcome Novak back – he’s a nine-time champion – provided he gets the right entry requirements into Australia.”

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