The Australian Open has run its course for 2022, with the action wrapping up on Monday morning (AEDT) as Rafael Nadal became the first man ever to reach 21 Grand Slam titles.
While there were plenty of storylines surrounding the tennis itself, one of the constant points of interest was the raucous Australian crowds.
Some players were boosted by the crowd’s energy - particularly the title-winning doubles pairing of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis - while some weren’t as pleased with attendee behaviour as noise was often heard while players attempted to serve.
One of those who was critical of crowd behaviour is SEN and The First Serve’s Brett Phillips, who believes patron behaviour was the “poorest” he’d seen at Melbourne Park.
“I think our Australian crowd, outside of their (Kyrgios and Kokkinakis’) matches, haven’t covered themselves in glory for parts of it,” Phillips said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“This booing or the Ronaldo reference (siuuu), I think everyone was probably sick of it by the end of it.
“Even last night, you’re just seeing this element of the crowd that comes in, it seems to be more pronounced this year, they’ve just been basically rude.
“When a guy is setting up to serve, it went not only through Kokkinakis and Kyrgios’ matches, but it went through all of these other matches as well.
“The crowd was at its poorest behaviour as far as I’m concerned, the etiquette has got to get through and we’ve got to be a little educated coming to the tennis.
“You’re always going to get an element of those not there for the spectacle but to make a spectacle themselves.”
One player in particular who didn’t take kindly to the crowds was men’s singles runner-up Daniil Medvedev.
As Nadal was making a comeback, Medvedev told umpire John Blom that the fans had “empty brains”, and he said post-match that he felt the centre court crowd for the final was “disrespectful” towards him.
“Before Rafa serves, even in the fifth set, there would be like one guy screaming, ‘C’mon, Daniil’, and a thousand people would be like, ‘Tsss, tsss, tsss’,” he said.
“It’s disrespectful, it’s disappointing. I’m not sure after 30 years I’m going to want to play tennis.”
Medvedev believes tennis fans don’t want to see the big three of Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic usurped by younger talent, a reality that he says he’s now consigned to.
“Well, I guess these people were lying because every time I stepped on the court in these big matches, I really didn’t see much people who wanted me to win,” he said.