I think the improvements are in the guts of the stadium, and thats where there has been a massive improvement.I went on Saturday. My first time at the new stadium. It's all a bit meh, you wouldn't know it's new if you teleported to a seat from 2019.
Fijiian fans are insane - in a good way. Best supported team ever.
I went on Saturday. My first time at the new stadium. It's all a bit meh, you wouldn't know it's new if you teleported to a seat from 2019.
I counted a few more articles then that by Iani Payten,Just one article in the SMH over the weekend. Titled "Just how is that a yellow card?" Not a great advertisement for the game. I get it that Stan don't have the rights but its just another case of money deciding what is printable news. Sort of thing you expect from the Murdoch press.
I counted a few more articles then that by Iani Payten,
But yeah not great coverage. Surprising crowd given the media coverage
Yeah, that's been the problem in the past putting it on the Australia day long weekend. It does make it easier to do the 3 day event when the public holiday falls close to the weekend though. I won't be surprised if they look to shift it off that weekend in the future, now that everything should fit neatly into 2 days.With Australia Day falling on the Thursday I'm guessing lots of people took the Friday off as well & got out of town for an extra-long weekend? So, yeah, 66K is a great turnout.
Nein was totally focussed on the tennis, naturally. Its all about money these days, and they put a huge bet on the tennis.Just one article in the SMH over the weekend. Titled "Just how is that a yellow card?" Not a great advertisement for the game. I get it that Stan don't have the rights but its just another case of money deciding what is printable news. Sort of thing you expect from the Murdoch press.
Absolutely should be moving the date if the event is to survive. Too hot for spectators as often as not (also for players, even with 15 minute matches). Temps in January also too high in Melbourne for tennis ... but they're stuck with it for scheduling reasons.Yeah, that's been the problem in the past putting it on the Australia day long weekend. It does make it easier to do the 3 day event when the public holiday falls close to the weekend though. I won't be surprised if they look to shift it off that weekend in the future, now that everything should fit neatly into 2 days.
Absolutely should be moving the date if the event is to survive. Too hot for spectators as often as not (also for players, even with 15 minute matches). Temps in January also too high in Melbourne for tennis ... but they're stuck with it for scheduling reasons.
Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how the schedule shakes out with the new format, lots of opportunity to fix some long standing issues. Not exactly sure when you move it to though, the traditional schedule of December - June doesn't offer much if you want to avoid Super rugby or competing with the NRL for the stadium.Absolutely should be moving the date if the event is to survive. Too hot for spectators as often as not (also for players, even with 15 minute matches). Temps in January also too high in Melbourne for tennis ... but they're stuck with it for scheduling reasons.
I don’t necessarily agree, I went both Saturday and Sunday, and whilst hot, it’s not too hot for spectators, especially with how the new stadium that is designed to allows fans to move around. It’s no different then attending cricket matches.Absolutely should be moving the date if the event is to survive. Too hot for spectators as often as not (also for players, even with 15 minute matches). Temps in January also too high in Melbourne for tennis ... but they're stuck with it for scheduling reasons.
I'd love to know how the players manage the heat after games - I saw a couple of the US women's players wearing ice vests during warm-up - I thought they'd all be using those. Presumably ice baths after the game.I don’t necessarily agree, I went both Saturday and Sunday, and whilst hot, it’s not too hot for spectators, especially with how the new stadium that is designed to allows fans to move around. It’s no different then attending cricket matches.
Greater concern is for players, but with 15minute matches, the science of heat injuries suggests this is a manageable time of physical exertion. Tennis is a different story.