- Woodbridge is a fan of the atmosphere of the Australian Open
- Tennis Great has advice for stars who want peace and quiet
- Woodbridge doesn’t think Djokovic will win his 11th Open
EXCLUSIVE
Australian star turned tennis commentator Todd Woodbridge is a big fan of the Australian Open ‘party court’ and insists the sport must keep creating new things and taking risks to stay relevant.
The raucous behavior of the crowd at the Australian Open has been put in the spotlight in recent years and has divided tennis fans. Some liked the rowdiness and others found it disrespectful.
The tournament also launched a new ‘party court’ on court six this year, but not everyone is excited about playing in front of a two-story bar.
The new feature seats 400 fans and features bars on both levels and food, and some players have already complained about the rowdy atmosphere.
Woodbridge is a fan of the new addition and believes that players who don’t like it will simply have to adapt.
Todd Woodbridge says tennis is entertainment and players will have to adapt to the Australian Open’s new party court
Woodbridge says for the sport to succeed ‘you have to be able to create new things’ (photo, fans at this year’s Open)
“As a player I would have hated it, but as a broadcaster I love it,” he told Ny Breaking Australia.
‘Players will get used to it. Players get used to everything. If you’re an emerging player and you’re playing at Wimbledon on an outdoor court, you have people walking up and down the outside of the court all day long.
‘It’s noisier and different. And everyone will get used to that.
‘What I do know now, as a former player who works on the other side, is that tennis is entertainment and sports is entertainment. And it’s drama, it’s unscripted and it’s brilliant.
“And if you want your sport to succeed, you have to be able to create new things – and it looks like the court is working.”
When asked who he tips to win the tournament, the 16-time Grand Slam doubles title winner did not hesitate.
‘Novak (Djokovic) is the favourite, but I think Jannik Sinner has a great chance of winning.
“That’s why I’m putting Sinner there, because I think he can win.”
Not everyone is a fan of the new courtside bar that was installed during the Australian Open
Woodbridge tipped 22-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner to win the tournament
The Italian star booked himself a place in the semi-finals of the Open after beating Andrey Rublev in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old was never broken by his rival on Tuesday evening in a match that lasted a whopping two hours and 39 minutes.
Sinner will take on Djokovic in the semi-finals on Friday after securing a victory over the Serb in their last outing.
“I’m really lucky to meet him again,” Sinner said after the match.
‘This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world. I’m happy that I can play against the number 1 in the world.
‘He has won here sometimes, so it will be difficult.
‘The only thing I have control over is that I give 100 percent. I will fight for every ball, then we will see what the outcome will be.’