Australian Open's New Spectator Rules Cause Controversy Among Players

While some players express frustration over disruptions, others are unfazed, and tournament officials defend the changes.

New rules at the Australian Open allow spectators to enter and exit the courts between games, not just at changes of ends, causing disruption and frustration among some players.
Australian player Jordan Thompson expressed his frustration during his first-round match, calling the tournament 'the wokest ever'.
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka criticized the new rules, saying they 'make no sense' and are distracting.
However, some players, like Cameron Norrie and Grigor Dimitrov, are not bothered by the changes, with Norrie saying it reminds him of the rowdy atmosphere at college tennis tournaments.
Tournament director Craig Tiley defended the changes, saying they have been in place in the upper bowl of the stadiums for years and are now being extended to the lower bowls.