- Arthur Rinderknech was not happy with the Courtside Bar
- He played on what is now called the ‘party court’
- But he said the fans were not “classy” in Melbourne
The Australian Open debuted its ‘party court’ on Sunday, and while it has proven to be a hit with fans, it hasn’t gone down well with one tennis star.
Arthur Rinderknech, 28, was far from impressed by a group of ‘drunk’ fans and claimed he was verbally abused during his first round defeat to Pavel Kotov.
Tournament organizers unveiled the ‘Courtside Bar’ next to Outside Court Six ahead of the start of the grand slam. The bar has two floors and seats 400 fans and features bars on both levels and food.
The bar overlooks Outside Court Six, where Rinderknech played a grueling 4 hour 42 minute match against Kotov, full of explosive drama – including the Russian firing a ball dangerously close to a ball girl in frustration.
Rinderknech was visibly affected by the incessant sledding from the crowd and made a ‘quiet’ gesture to a group of fans sitting in the bar as he denied a Kotov break point.
Arthur Rinderknech was unimpressed by a group of fans at the Australian Open
Reflecting on that moment, he told Fox Sports: “Some stupid – I won’t even say country – guys who were drunk were shouting at me every time I missed my first serve, and I don’t think that’s really correct.
‘Not until the fifth (set). I don’t think that was really correct and the referee didn’t say anything about it; maybe once. But I don’t think it’s really fair, so I politely told them to keep quiet and not do things like this, because I don’t think that’s respectful.’
Rinderknech received enormous support from a French contingent who sat at the court, not at the bar, but he was not happy with the contributions of those who sat at the bar.
“I know I also had some French fans in the stands, but I think they were always very correct with my opponent and never did anything against him,” he added.
“The bench with only three or four guys next to the court, who had probably been drinking alcohol for a long time and yelling at me every time I missed a first serve, especially the game where I also broke down, the entire fifth set. It doesn’t matter, I’m used to it, I’m fine. I should have been able to handle it.
The Frenchman became angry as a group of fans watched from the Courtside Bar in Melbourne
A new Courtside Bar has been built overlooking Outside Court Six
‘But I didn’t think it was really stylish.’
The Frenchman added that he felt like he was playing tennis in a nightclub, and not at one of the most prestigious venues on the calendar.
‘I mean, we’re playing in a nightclub! Fine. I thought we could only play in a nightclub at the US Open. It happened today for four (hours) – I don’t even know how long we played.
‘It was just eating, drinking, laughing, talking, music, different music. A lot of things happened on the field!’
