Rifles, flag bans and crowd control: A very different look for this year’s Australian Open

Police carrying long-arm semi-automatic rifles will be part of bolstered security at this year’s Australian Open, which is already under way but ramps up on Sunday with the start of main draw singles action.

Like the Boxing Day and Sydney Ashes Tests held in the weeks leading up to the tennis, the security at the Australian Open will be ramped up after the Bondi Beach terror attack in December.

“Opening week” began on Monday at Melbourne Park, where the spotlight will also be on unruly or disruptive behaviour at the opening tennis major of 2026 after several notable incidents last year, including scenes when 10-time champion Novak Djokovic called out a drunken heckler in an on-court interview.

Fans will once again flood through the gates at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open.Credit: Getty Images

Here’s what you need to know about the rules and regulations regarding security, protests and fan behaviour.

Which flags can and can’t be shown?

Russian and Belarusian tennis players are not prevented from competing at the Open, but their flags and anthems are still banned under international guidelines enacted in 2022 amid the war in Ukraine. Four years ago, Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing at Wimbledon, leading the tennis tours to strip the prestigious grasscourt major of ranking points. Those athletes now compete as “independent players”, with their countries’ flags replaced by neutral white squares. Wimbledon relented on its hardline stance for its 2023 event.

That restriction on flags extends to the stands. At the Australian Open fans are only permitted to display flags of competing players.

A spectator with a Palestine flag being removed from Rod Laver Arena.Credit: Getty Images

As no players will be officially representing Russia or Belarus, those flags are prohibited during the tournament. Similarly, given that no Israeli or Palestinian athletes are competing at this year’s tournament, no Israeli or Palestinian flags will be allowed in.

That stance was confirmed by Tennis Australia on Tuesday. “The rules have not changed, and the conditions of entry are the same. As in previous years, and in line with international sporting protocols, the Russian and Belarusian flags are not permitted onsite. Flags from competitors’ countries can be displayed during their matches, as long as they meet the ticketing conditions, which are designed to ensure they don’t create any disruption to the fans around them,” a spokesperson said.

Crucially, “flags of non-competing nations” are listed among the prohibited items on the “ticket conditions of sale and entry” document, a detail added for 2026. Last year it only specified that “flags, banners, signs larger than 180cm by 90cm in size or with handles longer than 50cm” were banned, a clause that still exists in 2026.

A fan waves a Ukranian flag during Elina Svitolina’s fourth-round clash with Veronika Kudermetova last year.Credit: Getty Images

What will the security situation look like?

Tennis Australia would not comment directly on whether security had been “bulked up” this year.

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But a spokesperson did say that “the safety of everyone onsite at the Australian Open is our utmost priority. Although we don’t comment on specifics, we do work closely with Victoria Police, the AFP, the venue, security contractors and experts in the field to ensure we have the best protocols in place.”

Victoria Police will deploy more resources, including specialist police with semi-automatic rifles, part of Victoria Police’s “more overt approach to ensuring community safety at big events”.

Members of the Critical Incident Response Team will be patrolling key entry points to Melbourne Park. The team is specifically trained to respond to major incidents and emergencies and performs dedicated patrols in Melbourne’s CBD. The semi-automatic rifles they will carry are part of their regular tactical equipment.

The presence is in addition to usual policing arrangements for the Australian Open, including extra police and PSOs across the Melbourne Park precinct as well as specialist units.

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Deputy commissioner of regional operations Bob Hill said the additional security at the Boxing Day Test, which lasted for only two days, was “well received”.

“We know they will provide the same reassurance for tennis fans and the many visitors the Australian Open attracts,” he said.

“It’s based on the current operational environment and there is absolutely no specific new threat to this event.

“The Australian Open is a major drawcard for our city, and we want to make sure we’re doing everything possible, so people can enjoy it in safety.”

What about crowd behaviour?

Interaction between fans and players was a hot-button topic after several notable incidents last year and tournament organisers are at pains to stress that any disruptive behaviour that affects the enjoyment of other patrons will not be tolerated.

American player Danielle Collins, who is absent from the draw this year and working as a Tennis Channel pundit instead, played the role of pantomime villain when she kissed her hand and slapped her backside at the fans she has previously told to “shut up” when they were yelling out between first and second serves.

British player Jack Draper described what he experienced as the worst abuse he’d experienced, but thrived in the occasion. And not only was Djokovic sick of the shouting while players were preparing to serve, when he exited the tournament he was jeered and booed after withdrawing injured in the semis. John McEnroe was horrified. “He has won this [tournament] 10 times,” McEnroe said. “Unreal.”

Tournament boss Craig Tiley said the event’s security team had clear directions to act swiftly on any bad behaviour.

“I have a great deal of trust and confidence in our Australian fans particularly,” Tiley said.

“They understand sport and they know events. We will be very clear – anyone that comes on the site at any time and wants to disrupt the enjoyment of the fan next to them or anywhere, they are not welcome and they will be removed from the site.

“Our security team are very good and have been instructed to do that quickly, but we have no tolerance for disruptive behaviour.”

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