The Australian Open is blasted for snubbing Australia Day while holding gay pride events – as Lleyton Hewitt is drawn into the controversy
- The Aussie Grand Slam does not mark a national holiday on January 26
- It is the second year in a row that the controversial day has been ignored
- Steve Price is among commentators outraged by the measure
The Australian Open has been heavily criticized for once again refusing to host an event to mark Australia Day as organizers try to sidestep the row over the under-fire national holiday.
This year’s tournament has nothing to mark the history behind January 26, but will hold the AO Pride Day for the LGBTQ community on January 25 and the Glam Slam from January 26 to 28, with an All Abilities Day on January 23 and First Nations Day. on the 17th.
It is the second year in a row that the Grand Slam has ignored the national holiday, opting to celebrate last year’s women’s match.
Commentators Steve Price and Joe Hildebrand have lashed out at the national holiday’s omission from the programme, with former Aussie tennis great Lleyton Hewitt drawn into the controversy.
The Australian Open has always attracted many patriotic fans (pictured this year) – but the tournament does nothing to mark the national holiday, as it will in 2023
Tennis Australia has previously explained that it will not mark the arrival of the First Fleet on January 26 as it is ‘aware that there are differing opinions’
‘So we have a First Nations Day – no drama from me about that – and then the organizers have set aside a day for the Australian Open Pride Day, an Australian Open All Abilities Day and an Australian Open Glam Slam for the LGBTI+ folk who live across the border will run January 26 to 28. You can’t make this up,” Price continued Sky News Australia.
He then lashed out at the tournament over the scheduling of Hewitt’s induction into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame – an event that usually sees the game’s greats join the exclusive club on January 26.
“This year it’s going to be Lleyton Hewitt – you can’t get a more Australian Australian than Lleyton Hewitt,” Price continued.
“They changed the date of that event from Australia Day, as it used to be, to the 24th.
“This is just crazy wokeness gone crazy. Can anyone at Tennis Australia defend this shameful snub of our national holiday by a tournament that bears our country’s name?’
Fellow commentator Joe Hildebrand added: ‘The idea that these kinds of ridiculous, virtue-signaling gestures are going to make any difference… is absolutely ridiculous.
Commentator Steve Price (pictured) called the omission of the national holiday from this year’s program ‘crazy wokeness gone mad’
Price was surprised that the induction of Lleyton Hewitt (pictured at this year’s Open) into the Tennis Australia Hall of Fame has been moved to January 24, when the ceremony normally takes place on January 26.
“It actually stops people from even considering or wanting to address these issues.”
“These kinds of things cost the Yes vote victory (in the Voice to Parliament referendum).”
Radio star Tom Elliott joined the criticism and told his listeners further 3AW: ‘If you’re going to call yourself the Australian Open and it happens that our national day takes place during the tournament, then you have to recognize Australia Day.
“Maybe the date will change later, but right now it’s January 26.”
Elliott’s guest, Associate Professor Dr. However, Lauren Rosewarne of the University of Melbourne, said the Open is well within its rights to ignore the holiday given its currently controversial nature.
Price’s fellow commentator Joe Hildebrand believes the tournament’s action will deter people from even considering or wanting to address these issues.
“This is the result of open capitalism: companies make decisions that they believe are in their own interest,” she said.
When the tournament’s refusal to celebrate Australia Day came to light last year, Tennis Australia responded by saying: ‘We are aware that there are different views, and at the Australian Open we are inclusive and respectful of all.
“We recognize the historical significance and deep spiritual connection our First Peoples have to this land, and acknowledge this with a Welcome to Country on stadium screens prior to both the day and night sessions.”
The Open’s continued refusal to celebrate January 26 comes as the national holiday remains deeply divisive.
More than 80 councils across the country have opted not to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 this year, with Woolworths announcing it will not stock Australia Day merchandise – leading to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton calling for a boycott of Company.