Australian Open makes changes but some still left waiting after Sunday queue debacle

Australian Open organisers have prioritised queue management on Monday following backlash over long wait times on Sunday, the tournament’s opening day.

Lines to enter Melbourne Park on Sunday were over an hour long in the late morning and early afternoon, as a record-breaking 100,000 people attended the first day.

Queues at the Grand Slam Oval entrance on Monday morning.Credit: Eddie Jim

Some still faced issues on Monday. Peta Colebatch arrived at the Garden Square entrance at 11am on Monday, to support husband Hal who requires a walking stick. Even in the dedicated accessibility queue, the couple waited for about 30 minutes.

“You had to walk down to the very end, and then you had to walk your way back. So it wasn’t very efficient at all,” Colebatch said.

“I know they’re overcrowded, but think of the queues … If you double the numbers, you need to double the entrances,” she said.

Tournament director Craig Tiley told Nine’s Today on Monday morning that the tournament had dealt with bigger crowds than expected on Sunday.

“On Monday, we will certainly put the extra resources on and extra resources on early so we ensure fans have a seamless entry into the grounds,” he said.

A Tennis Australia spokesperson said that the average wait time for entering Melbourne Park on Monday was 15 minutes. Turnstiles at the Grand Slam Oval entrance were removed to speed up entry, they said.

For some tennis fans, news of Sunday’s lengthy queues meant setting an early alarm. Mel Sims and daughter Liv were standing at the front of the Garden Square queue bright and early.

It’s already their third day at the tournament, having been to the opening ceremony on Saturday and at John Cain Arena on Sunday night.

Mel Sims and daughter Liv at the Australian Open.Credit: Gemma Grant

The pair woke up at 7am and were in line by 8:40am, about 11⁄2 hours before the gates were scheduled to open to the public.

“It’s so good down here … there’s just so much for everyone,” says Liv, who was visiting from Sydney and attending her first Australian Open.

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Yvonne Hospedales was equally organised – arriving an hour before opening time over at the Grand Slam Oval entrance. On holiday from the United States, she wanted to make the most of her only day at the tournament.

“I heard that the lines were really long, so I came early … Whenever possible, I pay extra to get in the express line,” she said with a laugh.

Other attendees on Monday were bracing themselves for a prolonged wait, but were pleasantly surprised when they entered with few issues.

Andrea and Rachel Thornley travelled to the Australian Open from Brisbane, and entered through the Garden Square gate shortly before midday.

They ended up waiting for only about 30 minutes. “We moved along very quickly, considering the amount of people,” Andrea said.

“They had everything controlled. Everything was moving … the tram attendants were telling us stories while we were waiting. They try and keep it light,” Rachel agreed.

Tennis fans waiting to enter the precinct on Monday.Credit: Eddie Jim

With arena passes to Margaret Court during the day and Rod Laver Arena at night, Andrea and Rachel are happy to be inside the gates and were looking forward to an enjoyable day.

“I think you’d call us tennis tragics,” Andrea said, laughing.

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