Jordan Thompson says his declaration the Australian Open is “the wokest tournament ever” was out of frustration over rules that see fans “making a nuisance”.
The Aussie’s five-set win over compatriot Aleksandar Vukic saw him raging over new fan-friendly rules which mean attendees can move into their seats between games, not just during longer breaks like a change of ends.
While he did not attempt to explain what he meant by calling the tournament “woke” – which typically refers to awareness of social inequality – Thompson said he “had no idea” about the changes.
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“Heat of the battle. Probably shouldn’t have said it,” Thompson said of the “woke” comment.
“Yeah, there is a few things that concerned me, but we won’t go into that.
“This is the wokest tournament ever!” | 00:37
Under a new rule this year, fans can enter stadiums between games, not just at the change of ends – but it has caused some problems given there is a shorter break between normal games than at a change of ends.
“How many years which have we been playing tennis, and then all of a sudden they spring on us that they can come in between not even a sit-down. So it just disrupts everyone’s rhythm,” he said.
“I mean, if someone is walking at the back and you are throwing the ball toss up, it’s impossible to see it because you have a moving person behind it.
“Yeah, it’s, in my opinion, it’s not good. I’m choosing my words carefully.
“I just don’t understand why we would do that. We are out there working, that’s our job, we’re tennis players. We don’t come in and storm into an office while someone is in a meeting.
“Like someone is just barging through the door, making a nuisance. Even though it doesn’t seem that way, but it is. It’s very off-putting. That’s one thing you can compare it to.”
Thompson overcame the issue to take a two sets to one lead, 3-6 7-6(3) 6-2.
He would ultimately win 3-6, 6-7(3), 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in a match lasting more than four hours, sealing victory when Vukic netted a smash when trying to save the second of two match points.
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