The Australian Open's 2025 tournament kicked off with a staggering new attendance record, but the success was quickly overshadowed by scenes of chaos and frustration as Melbourne Park struggled to cope with the unprecedented influx of spectators.
Record Numbers, Unprecedented Chaos
A monumental 73,235 people crammed into the Melbourne Park precinct for the day session on Sunday, smashing the previous record of 70,000 set in 2019. With the night session crowd still to arrive for matches like Carlos Alcaraz's clash with Australian Adam Walton, the total attendance was projected to surge towards 100,000. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley hailed the figures, attributing the surge to organisers transforming the event into a broader 'spectacle' with 'more entertainment'.
However, the reality for thousands of ticket-holders was one of severe disruption. For the first time in the tournament's history, officials were forced to suspend sales of the popular and budget-friendly ground passes within the opening hour of play. These passes, costing around $65, grant access to the outer courts and are a staple for many fans.
Social Media Erupts with Fan Fury
The fallout was immediate and fierce on social media, where spectators documented hours-long waits, poor organisation, and sweltering conditions. One fan lamented, "This is horrendous. We have been in a queue to get in at the John Cain with movement at a snail's pace!! Meanwhile matches have started." Others reported waits of nearly two hours, with some fans even passing out while standing in line under the intense Melbourne sun.
Complaints centred on a perceived lack of coordination. Fans reported no proper queue management systems or barriers, leading to bottlenecks as people joined lines haphazardly from the street. Many demanded refunds, with one post stating, "Hope they were giving people refunds after waiting 90 mins in line to get into stadiums." The congestion was compounded by increased security measures implemented in the wake of the recent Bondi shooting.
A Tournament 'Victim of Its Own Success'?
While Tiley celebrated the 'Happy Slam's' popularity, many long-term supporters accused Tennis Australia of prioritising profit over the fan experience. Some declared they felt 'locked out' of the tournament they loved, criticising the exorbitant costs and unbearable crowding. One social media user stated, "They've ruined the #AusOpen. First year in ages not travelling down to it... Way too many people that it's unbearable."
This year's issues follow technical failures during the 2025 tournament, where a new virtual queuing system for unreserved seating crashed repeatedly. That debacle left ground-pass holders missing premium matches despite visible empty seats. A Tennis Australia spokesperson acknowledged delays on Sunday morning, particularly from the eastern entrances, and said customer service teams had directed fans to alternate entries as congestion eased later in the afternoon.
The record-breaking opening day has thus presented organisers with a significant dilemma: how to balance commercial ambition and growing global interest with the practical logistics and core experience that loyal tennis fans expect.
