The Australian Open crowd is known for being boisterous and loud, though their recent antics leave viewers and players baffled.
This tournament is already in trouble after Novak Djokovic was arrested and deported. However, people are now making a Cristiano Rojo chant that sounds very much like bashing players.
In fact, fans are shouting “siuuuuu” – inspired by the Spanish si Ronaldo shouted at Real Madrid when he scored – creating a hostile environment at Melbourne Park which has begun to endanger athletes.
After his first match, Nick Kyrgios said to the crowd that they were “a zoo”. He added: “I don’t understand what I have done to this crowd.” Your guys are out of line.
They replied, “Siuuuuu,”
Andy Murray, former No.1 player, also voiced his disappointment. He revealed that some fans used the device during one of their practice sessions. He stated that he finds it incredibly annoying.
Nick Kyrgios was just one of many players who were confronted by chants like “siuuuuu” at the Australian Open. He compared the crowd to a “zoo”.
Australian tennis fans are known to be among the loudest in the game, but they managed to get attention this year for their outrageous chanting at the Open.
After his victory over Briton Liam Broady in the first round, Kyrgios said: “I cannot believe that they did this so many times.”
“They were doing some Ronaldo thing. Ronaldo does this every single time he scores. They were supposed to be doing it for a good ten minutes.
“They completed it in two hours and fifteen minutes.”
Broady, Opponent, described the atmosphere in the stadium as “absolutely horrible” – which revealed that, aside from the Ronaldo chants, he had to contend with the’sledging’ on the sidelines.
He seemed to be unaware that Ronaldo was involved and said, “It’s my first time ever I’ve ever walked onto a tennis court, been booed. It was crazy for me.”
You get shoved to the side like you cannot believe this doesn’t make it on television. This made it very difficult to handle.
Although the atmosphere was shocking for players, it is perhaps not surprising when you consider the context of an uncertain election in Australia, and the crumbling Covid response to some of the most severe lockdowns anywhere on the planet.
Melbourne where the tournament takes place has been especially hard hit. The city was locked down for 262 consecutive days last year, making it one of the most difficult places to be held.
Then came a slower vaccine roll-out. This did not stop Covid cases soaring at record rates as Omicron arrived.
Andy Murray also received roars from the crowds as he sang’siuuuu’, which revealed that the chant had been used even during one of his practice sessions
Murray stated that at the time he believed he was being booed, but he later realized it was Ronaldo.
Australians have been struggling to find Covid testing supplies, even as the virus continues its spread. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has faced increasing questions regarding his leadership.
The Open could have been already affected by political circumstances, as the government made a sudden decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa. This was in response to public protests against his exclusion from the strict border rules.
After being told that Australia wouldn’t change its “no vaccine no entry” policy for many months, Australians were furious when the Serb received a medical exemption to play, despite not having been vaccinated since he caught Covid.
Djokovic, who arrived at the airport upon his arrival, was held and had his visa revoked. He was later placed in migrant custody while the case bounced between courts and government.
He was finally deported after Australia’s immigration Minister intervened to stop him entering. The minister then banned him from Australia for three years.
While the government maintains that “rules” are rules, Serbians were furious at the allegations. They claimed their star athlete was being singled out because of political motives.
The Covid situation has affected the Open in other ways, with Frenchman Ugo Humbert confirming he has caught the virus after testing positive while trying to leave the country following his first round defeat.
He is currently in isolation. However, it has caused calls for players who are not in high supply to access national testing to help them stay safe.
Alexander Zverev, third-seeded male player for men, said that players don’t get tested. He believes that “quite a handful” of players have been infected and provided no evidence.
Ronaldo used the siuuuuu shout with his supporters – which was based upon the Spanish si’/’yes’ — whenever Real Madrid scored (pictured).
Melbourne Park officials, including tournament staff, receive rapid antigen testing each day. They must remain negative in order to be allowed on the site.
Tennis Australia (TA), who organises Australian Open, states that players should only test if they exhibit Covid symptoms.
Zverev’s comments put another spotlight on Covid policies in the Australian Open. These were already being scrutinized after the deportation of Novak Djokovic, the current champion.
Garbine Muguruza, third-seed for women’s tennis, called it an “optional thing” to test players.
“Me” means that I do a test in my own room every other day. But it is not mandatory. She said that she still does it.
When asked if Melbourne Park players were required to present test results upon arrival, the Spaniard replied: “No, you don’t need to.”
TA offers players rapid access to antigen kits under its’safe-player’ protocols. Testing clinics can also be accessed on the site and at the hotel for extended hours.
Every player at the Australian Open must be either vaccinated, or have a medical exception – this is a crucial rule to prevent Djokovic from being deported.
The mandatory PCR testing was also required for players arriving in Australia. This test had to be repeated between days five and seven.