The Australian Open grapples with the increasing influence of 'sportainment,' facing criticism from some players and media about rowdy fans while striving to enhance the fan experience.
Novak Djokovic expressed his frustration with the rowdy behavior of some spectators during his Australian Open matches, even admitting that the worst abuse he'd experienced was something he thrived on. He particularly disliked the shouting during player preparation serves. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, on the other hand, was surprised to find her match taking place in a bar with a court attached.
Djokovic even jokingly offered a drink to one of the culprits, acknowledging the potential influence of alcohol on their behavior. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the traditional atmosphere of tennis and the increasing influence of entertainment, sometimes referred to as 'sportainment.'Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley, while acknowledging the occasional disruptive fan, disputed claims that crowd control issues were more prevalent this year. He pointed to data showing that there were 15 calls for crowd control or security as of Friday morning, compared to 24 for the entire tournament last year and 33 in 2021. Tiley emphasized that the organization actively monitors crowd behavior, recording warnings, point penalties, and ejections, and that the numbers remained historically consistent. Despite the data, Tiley acknowledged that individual fans can sometimes amplify the perception of problems, creating an impression that is larger than the actual issue.Tiley defended his efforts to enhance the fan experience, which include allowing spectators to return to their seats on lower levels without waiting for the change of ends, a change adopted by other Grand Slams following the Australian Open's lead. He also highlighted the success of Court Six, now known as the party court, which features a lively atmosphere with bars and entertainment. Tiley aims to expand this concept to more courts in the future, creating a more engaging and interactive experience for fans. He emphasized that the goal is not to create LIV tennis but to provide a broader sporting entertainment experience, allowing fans to enjoy a meal, drinks, and great tennis. While acknowledging the rowdy behavior of some fans, Tiley insisted that the Australian Open remained committed to providing a positive and enjoyable experience for all spectators.
SPORTS TENNIS AUSTRALIANOPEN FANEXPERIENCE ENTERTAINMENT
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