Burgers by drone,find your seat by phone:Welcome to the Open of the future

Burgers by drone,find your seat by phone:Welcome to the Open of the future

Tennis players abhor distraction,so what will they think when there are drones buzzing around Australian Open stadiums,delivering food to fans at their seat? Craig Tiley says this is the future.

  • byMichael Koziol

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A woke bloke? Darcy Moore gives his verdict on seating rules

A woke bloke? Darcy Moore gives his verdict on seating rules

As more players voice annoyance over crowd noise,Collingwood’s skipper has made it clear which side he sits on.

  • byMadeleine Heffernan
Massive portions,sneaky doughnuts:What the tennis players eat

Massive portions,sneaky doughnuts:What the tennis players eat

Novak Djokovic likes to order gluten-free tuna and avocado tacos,Aryna Sabalenka is an acai bowl fan and Stefanos Tsitsipas has eaten so many souvlakis that Stalactites has named one after him.

  • byCara Waters
Push to expand Australian Open to a Saturday start

Push to expand Australian Open to a Saturday start

A bumper crowd at Sunday’s opening day of the Australian Open has harboured hopes for some that the tournament might start on a Saturday in coming years,so it comprises three full weekends.

  • byCara Waters andStephen Brook
‘The wokest tournament ever’:Some players can’t stand Open’s new seating rule,some can

‘The wokest tournament ever’:Some players can’t stand Open’s new seating rule,some can

A new policy about when fans can take their seat during matches at the Australian Open has drawn a mixed response from the players.

  • byMichael Koziol andMarc McGowan
‘Like the Birdcage without horses’:Open celebrates Sunday funday

‘Like the Birdcage without horses’:Open celebrates Sunday funday

Tennis Australia chair Jayne Hrdlicka had a succinct phrase to sum up the official attitude towards the first Sunday match day:“Woo-hoo!”

  • byStephen Brook
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Victoria’s secret $63m Tennis Australia bailout,months before sport body’s $62m surplus

Victoria’s secret $63m Tennis Australia bailout,months before sport body’s $62m surplus

As the Australian Open emerged from pandemic disruption,the government extended a financial lifeline well beyond the lockdowns to keep Tennis Australia afloat.

  • byChip Le Grand
How Djokovic stays ahead of Generation Next:A triumph in six charts

How Djokovic stays ahead of Generation Next:A triumph in six charts

View our interactives to find out what gives the world No.1 the edge over up-and-comers Carlos Alcaraz,Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton.

  • byJake Niall andNathan Perri
The speech that sparked a bitter feud over the future of Melbourne Park

The speech that sparked a bitter feud over the future of Melbourne Park

A new music stadium,basketball courts,hotels and restaurants are being pitched for the coveted precinct – and the state’s sporting chiefs are jostling for control.

  • byRachael Dexter andCarla Jaeger
Turning rehab into a talent-spotting zone:The world according to ‘Crumpy’

Turning rehab into a talent-spotting zone:The world according to ‘Crumpy’

Greg Crump has found and nurtured most of the recent stars of Australian wheelchair tennis – often during weekly visits to hospitals.

  • byMelissa Fyfe
Alex de Minaur on his ‘brutal’ move at age 12

Alex de Minaur on his ‘brutal’ move at age 12

He’s the first Australian man in two decades to break into the world’s top 10. It started with a decision 12 years ago that brought tears to his eyes.

  • byKonrad Marshall