sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Australian Open branded 'wokest tournament' ever as controversial rule change angers player

Home> Tennis

Published 14:29 15 Jan 2024 GMT

Australian Open branded 'wokest tournament' ever as controversial rule change angers player

It's divided players.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Players at the Australian Open are divided over a new rule introduced for the tournament.

Fans usually have to wait until the change of ends before making their way in and out of stadiums at tennis tournaments.

During hard-fought, long games, this takes up to 10 minutes or more.

Things have changed at Melbourne Park this year. Fans are now allowed to make their way to their seats during the small window of time between games.

Advert

It was introduced as a way to try and improve the spectator experience. There have naturally been a few teething issues and several players on the court have voiced their concerns.

Australian Jordan Thompson was unaware of the new regulation during his first-round win over Alexsandar Vukic.

After hearing the commotion around him, he shouted: "Are you kidding me? This is the wokest tournament ever!"

Thompson called the tournament 'woke' during his outburst. (Image
Getty)

Novak Djokovic, the current men's number one in the world, shouted 'shut the f*** up' at supporters who were causing a disturbance in the middle of his match against Dino Prizmic.

He explained following his victory that he also had no idea about what was going on.

The Serbian admitted: “I did not know about that new policy or new rule.

"Look, I mean, I understand the motive behind it is to enhance and improve the experience for fans, right? We do play for fans. We want fans to have a great, thrilling experience of being out on the court.

"It's hard, I must say. I understand that and I support it to some extent, but at the same time all my career, all my life I've been used to some kind of atmosphere. When that changes, it kind of messes up, distracts you a bit."

Djokovic later added that the game 'dragged' and questioned how suitable the rule is.

Djokovic was unaware of the rule. (Image
Getty)

The 36-year-old continued: "Today we lost quite a bit of time when they were letting people in to come to their seats, even though it was not a changeover. My opponent would wait for them to sit down. It dragged a lot.

"I don't know if it's really the best rule, but I do understand from a tournament and fan perspective it's probably better because they don't want to wait. They want to come out and enjoy every single point. I'm kind of divided between the two in a way."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Tennis, Novak Djokovic

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

X

@DanMarland_

Recommended reads

David Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGettyTyson Fury explains why his 14-year-old son Prince has “no choice” but to become a boxerGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
6 hours ago
22 hours ago
a day ago
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    'I didn't see the ball' - Carlos Alcaraz hits 114mph forehand, one of the fastest shots of all time

    It was like lightning.

    Tennis
  • Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images/ Sky Sports Tennis
    6 hours ago

    Daniil Medvedev totally loses it and smashes up racket after what happened against Matteo Berrettini

    The world no.10 suffered the worst loss of his career in Monte-Carlo.

    Tennis
  • Mateo Villalba/Getty Images
    22 hours ago

    Carlos Alcaraz admits Jannik Sinner will steal his crown at Monte-Carlo Masters

    The world number one has been incredibly honest about his battle with Sinner.

    Tennis
  • Getty
    a day ago

    Coco Gauff responds to abuse over recent photoshoot with heart-breaking message

    Tennis star Coco Gauff ended her break on social media to post the message after backlash.

    Tennis
  • ATP Bosses Urged to Make Major Rule Change after Shanghai Masters Drama
  • Novak Djokovic's Press Conference Ahead of Australian Open 'Shocks' Tennis Fans
  • Tennis Star Pulls Out of Australian Open Hours Before Novak Djokovic Clash
  • Novak Djokovic pulls out of $1.1 million tournament as statement released