The 2025 Australian Open is now fully underway, with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev having clinched opening-day wins.
Defending champion Sabalenka beat Sloane Stephens, with ATP number two Alexander Zverev overcoming Lucas Pouille.
Australian Open fans were treated to plenty of drama and entertainment on day one, even with heavy rainfall in Melbourne.
But focus has quickly turned to day two, where the likes of Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper and Frances Tiafoe were in early ATP action.
They were joined by WTA stars Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, who both got off to winning starts at the Australian Open.
Australian Open fiercely criticised after Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios and Carlos Alcaraz start at same time
But rather than appreciate the star names on day two, many tennis fans have expressed their anger and dismay at Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios all getting their tournaments underway at the same time.
One wrote on X: “Starting in 30 minutes, ALL AT THE SAME TIME: Djokovic vs. Basavareddy. Alcaraz vs. Shevchenko. Kyrgios vs. Fearnley. Congrats to all the involved in this stupidity of a schedule.”
A second said: “I do not care about the reasons, having Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, AND Nick Kyrgios all playing at the exact same time tonight is stupid stupid stupid.”
A third concurred: “Worst scheduling in AO history. Even if it was as simple as: Sinner plays tomorrow night on RLA. De Minaur moved to MCA. Alcaraz plays today RLA day session. Fixes today’s and tomorrow’s schedule, was an easy slam dunk.”
READ MORE: Australian Open 2025: How to watch, prize money, dates and everything you need to know
A fourth angry fan commented: “The scheduling for this first round has made no sense. They extended it to 3 days just to put 80% of the biggest stars tonight (including Djokovic and Alcaraz at the same time??) And then they have… Kudermetova-Gadecki as a night session on Laver??”
Further criticism arrived on X: “Baffling that Australian Open has its three biggest draws on the men’s side – Djokovic, Alcaraz, Kyrgios – starting at exactly the same time.”
And another said: “Yesterday we had almost NO top players playing, today we have literally everyone playing… I MEAN.”
Other bemused fans noted: “All of these matches really should have been spread over Tuesday and Wednesday night session on Rod Laver” and “Whoever did the schedule needs fired, legit terrible.”
Fans understandably angry at Australian Open organisers on day two
Fans are understandably enraged at the Australian Open day two schedule, which really makes little sense.
Those at Melbourne Park and watching on from elsewhere were given an unwanted headache on just the second day of the first Grand Slam of 2025.
Many will have wanted to tune in to young star Alcaraz against Alexander Shevchenko at Margaret Court Arena, with others keen to take in 10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic against American teen Nishesh Basavareddy at Rod Laver Arena.
A whole host of fans meanwhile would have been eager to see the return of Kyrgios, who met rising Briton Jacob Fearnley at John Cain Arena.
His Grand Slam return is a story in itself, with the Australian having only just made his comeback from a lengthy spell out with knee and wrist injuries.
Organising such a tournament cannot be easy, but hopefully those in power can listen to tennis fans and avoid any similar mistakes over the coming fortnight.
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