Well, Day 1 is a poor forecast, with storms set for the opening session tomorrow morning, though % of both storms and any rainfall is low-moderate, so could be hit and miss whether it affects Melbourne Park.
Regardless, the ball will be heavy, it’ll be very warm and humid. Overcast could be one good thing for so many matches for players and spectators alike.
Day 2 on Monday looking like it’ll be a packed schedule.
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updated
Madison Keys has defeated fellow American and top seed billionaire heiress Jessica Pegula to take out the 2025 Adelaide International championship, in a tight 3 set battle at Memorial Drive
Meanwhile, Felix Auger-Aliassime has taken the first set 6-3 over Sebastian Korda in the Men’s Final, in what is now a delayed match but will suit Nine well for prime time. I reckon still could’ve scheduled this for the main channel.
IIRC, Wimbledon’s bad weather put Tim Henman off in his semi against Goran Ivanisevic in 2001, and the Croat turned it all around to reach his third (or fourth) final at the All England Club, eventually becoming the first wildcard in the tournament’s history to win it all.
I wonder what the weather will be like next week when I’m there?As I’ve booked for the day session at RLA on the 22nd ,if it’s a wet day the roof will be closed .Wont have to worry about getting wet then.
I might bring a cardigan in case it’s cold too
Woodbridge gave Kokkinakis a couple of bathings on-air this morning, talking about his lead-up prep and fitness for the Grand Slam of the Asia Pacific, by choosing to compete in some tournaments in the usual 2024-2025 ‘off season’ prior to the Aussie summer, with another injury cloud, pulling out of Brisbane and after a thriller in Adelaide pulling out of his next match.
Essentially saying ‘he took the money and ran’, rather than looking seriously and genuinely at the Aus Open.
But he did get some support, at least for his Adel Int’l decision in readiness for today, in Dylan Alcott, saying it was a “smart” decision.
It’s made some headlines this morning. Though the panel on 9, when asked by TJ (Molik, Woodbridge and Alcott) all said they believe he can or expect Kokkinakis to proceed to R2 today, pending his fitness.
At the post-match press conference, Kyrgios said that he believes he has played his final singles match at the Australian Open, but plans to finish the 2025 season.
“I didn’t want to just throw in the towel and walk off or retire. I was hurting physically. I respect my opponent. The fans waited hours to come see me play,” Kyrgios said.
“Yeah, I mean, realistically I can’t see myself playing a singles match here again.
“Honestly, the reason I kept playing, tried to play tonight, was because of the fans. As I said, I don’t know how many times I’m going to be back here again. That’s why I didn’t have headphones on, I wasn’t listening to music. I walked out there today, wanted to hear the crowd. There were some special moments.”
Disappointing results for Alexei Popyrin and Olivia Gadecki. The former looked to suffer some sort of bad niggle or injury, but persisted, coming back late and nearly pushing a 5th set. While the latter, our highest ranked Aussie woman, bombed, that was a bit of a shock.
But it was Alex de Minaur that starred, a fantastic, if not at times slightly challenging, first round victory. 11 Aussies through to R2, wow!
Meanwhile, adding to the Tsitsipas and Popyrin upsets, a top player Andrey Rublev (who beat Demon in a Sunday night classic last near) was sent packing tonight by 18 year old breakout Brazilian João Fonseca, unreal.
That image was taken early in the match, news .com.au later updated their own comments saying it was fuller and from most of the shots I saw on-air last night looked packed and was loud for the Aussie, yes a different type of atmosphere and support vs Nick Kyrgios.
And yes RLA and MCA are always going to be expensive, always have, the public know what to expect, including that it’s Round 1 / first few days and not the finals for example which are usually sold out months in advance.
I think it’s more the experience and privilege of being able to have a seat at a Grand Slam, let alone in one of the two best stadiums.
Those that can’t have the option of a ground pass and viewing such matches one of the many big screen areas, Garden Square and Grand Slam Oval to name a few, as well as being able to access John Cain Arena. There’s also now Kia arena and upgraded show courts. Many would’ve been watching de Minaur in all these areas last night, including on phones and tablets via 9Now and Stan Sport, which if you go to Melbourne Park you’ll often see people live streaming whilst at another match or activation.
But if tickets to the event are not sold out, you have to think that they are overpriced. Why not drop the price if they are having trouble selling them?
Fair enough. I agree the tickets probably are too high, at least Margaret Court Arena, day sessions and in week 1.
I guess as they’re getting record crowds already (total attendance including ground passes), they probably don’t see a need to lower the prices for the two premium arenas or aren’t concerned about them not selling out?
AFAIK it’s always been for the “sesison” in that stadium (i.e.) all matches from 7pm for example, even if one starts at 10:30pm and goes to 2am. Except for the finals. It might’ve changed maybe?
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Heavens have opened across Melbourne just now, could be a repeat of Sunday and bad news with Round 2 but 2 days instead of 3. Could be good news for Nine’s prime time though if outside court delays, of which there are a number of Aussies today.
