Australian Open serves up slice of nostalgia, but court becomes battle front

By Dave Worsley *

Andy Murray reacts after beating Matteo Berrettini in a five-set thriller in Melbourne.
Photo: AFP

Analysis – A couple of days of the 2023 Australian Open completed and there’s already been controversy, late nights and even some top tennis courtesy of 35-year-old five-time beaten finalist Andy Murray.

The Scotsman returned to Rod Laver Arena and scored a remarkable four and a half hour victory over Italian Matteo Berrettini to effectively turn back the clock to a time prior to his two hip surgeries.

Everyone is welcome to the tournament… even nine-time title winner Novak Djokovic who last year found himself in a power struggle between different state government and federal departments, tennis officials, player management and personal beliefs.

He was effectively aced out of the tournament before it had started.

Novak Djokovic spends a few moments with fans after a practice session.
Photo: AFP

This time he’s back, but struggling with injury. In fact, injuries are causing a major problem with several withdrawals in the women’s draw prior to play plus Australian favourite Nick Kyrgios facing the media with his physio to cite a knee injury and then leave the tournament without its most bankable star for TV ratings through to ticket sales.

Nick Kyrgios during a press conference to announce he was pulling out of the Australian Open, depriving the tournament of a major drawcard.
Photo: AFP

Kyrgios, the Wimbledon finalist from 2022, needed a huge security presence to leave the venue such is his popularity with young fans. He did stop to get a photo with some 20-year-old blokes before being whisked away in a car.

And while Kyrgios was popular despite not playing, Russian-born Daniil Medvedev the 2022 finalist found himself at the mercy of intoxicated Aussie boofheads in the crowd.

He suggested one of them “f**k off” which got him in trouble with the umpire. He later questioned why are they allowed to get so drunk. Fair point.

Crowds have already reached record levels in both the heat and rain. Although it wasn’t that hot, the heat rule has been used already, despite the fact no one quite seems to understand it, or its difference from the old heat rule which no one understood either. It resulted in play being suspended on several outdoor courts.

Another point which is easily misunderstood is that Russian and Belarusian flags have been banned from the Melbourne Park precinct during the Australian Open after a complaint from the Ukraine ambassador to Australia and New Zealand on social media.

Tennis Australia responded with a social media post and an assertive move stating that they would ban the flags of the two nations.

“Flags from Russia and Belarus are banned onsite at the Australian Open. Our initial policy was that fans could bring them in but could not use them to cause disruption.

“Yesterday we had an incident where a flag was placed courtside. The ban is effective immediately. We will continue to work with players and our fans to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy the tennis.”

Russian and Belarusian players can compete in the tournament, but don’t have a flag next to their name and don’t get called Russian or Belarusian, which begs the question. When does sport stop being about on the court or field and become a political battlefield?

*Tennis journalist Dave Worsley is covering his 23rd Australian Open and is an RNZ contributor.