The US Open is introducing new rule for spectators this year which the Australian Open already has

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The US Open is set to get underway in less than two weeks, with defending champions Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic eager to retain their titles.

In the lead up to this year’s glittering fortnight in New York, there have been a number of controversies between the crowd and the player.

Denis Shapovalov’s heated interaction with the umpire all occurred after he allegedly used foul language towards a spectator.

After receiving a fine including the removal of his rankings points and prize money, a successful appeal saw it reinstated.

Taylor Fritz recently clashed with an umpire after the electronic line-calling failed, with the American eventually losing that match.

Now with plenty of new rules being introduced at the US Open, the organizers have now sought to borrow some advice from the Australian Open involving the crowds.

What is the new rule the US Open is introducing this year?

Following the Australian Open’s lead, the US Open will also allow fans to enter and exit after every game.

Previously spectators had to wait until the full changeovers to go to and from the court, which can frequently keep fans stuck waiting for 15+ minutes.

With a history of crowd trouble at the US Open, hopefully the new rules will allow fans to feel more catered for.

Having seen success at the Australian Open, it remains to be seen whether players also feel as if there needs are still being met, with crowd movement and unrest surely now set to grow.

This is a risky rule change for the US Open

It’s worth considering the different capacities of the two respective stadiums, with the Rod Laver arena housing nearly 9000 fewer people than New York’s Arthur Ashe.

The 2023 Wimbledon final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic saw a 25-minute game, with some fans left waiting for over half an hour before coming back in.

Understandably fans were frustrated by waiting and missing what was some exceptional tennis.

However this change still won’t legislate for fans missing lengthy games.

After Medvedev’s persistent outburst at rowdy US Open crowds and the past fortnight’s clashes with Cincinnati crowds, this change might cause more problems than it solves.