If you’re heading to the Australian Open this year and want to leave with a souvenir, you might want to think again with fans expected to fork out insane amounts for a little merch.
Thirsty? It’s $99 for a water bottle.
Yes, a water bottle.
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Is it lined with gold I hear you ask?
No, it’s just a bottle that you can put water in, and drink from.
Insane right.
Ralph Lauren is the official outfitter of the Australian Open clothing, so pricing is eye-watering.
An adult polo shirt will set you back $179, a kid’s jacket $319 and a canvas tote bag a whopping $249.
The Australian Open 2022 beach towel is $77, it will cost you $95 for a branded panama hat and if the AO decorated surf board takes your fancy, prepare to cough up $1,300.
Good news for fans, there is a sale section online where you can purchase 2021 items.
It’s not just the merchandise that’s riled the public with drinks and food also extortionate.
“It was absolutely ridiculous, the prices,” a punter told 3AW.
“A little can of gin and lemon was $11.70, but if you wanted non-alcoholic it was $11.50.
“My daughter bought bao buns for lunch — $18 for two little bao buns — chicken skewers were $18 and a bottle of water was $5.60.”
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ROD LAVER ARENA
Day session – From 11:00am AEDT
Women’s Singles • Round 2
A. Cornet
G. Muguruza 3
Women’s Singles • Round 2
X. Wang
A. Sabalenka 2
Day session – Not before 2:30pm AEDT
Men’s Singles • Round 2
K. Majchrzak
A. De Minaur 32
Night session – From 7:00pm AEDT
Men’s Singles • Round 2
N. Kyrgios
D. Medvedev 2
Women’s Singles • Round 2
S. Halep 14
B. Haddad Maia
MARGARET COURT ARENA
Day session – From 11:00am AEDT
Women’s Singles • Round 2
A. Kontaveit 6
C. Tauson
Women’s Singles • Round 2
H. Baptiste Q
M. Inglis WC
Men’s Singles • Round 2
S. Baez
S. Tsitsipas 4
Night session – From 7:00pm AEDT
Women’s Singles • Round 2
D. Kovinic
E. Raducanu 17
Men’s Singles • Round 2
S. Johnson
J. Sinner 11
JOHN CAIN ARENA
Day session – From 11:00am AEDT
Women’s Singles • Round 2
I. Swiatek 7
R. Peterson
Day session – Not before 1:00pm AEDT
Men’s Singles • Round 2
F. Tiafoe
T. Fritz 20
Women’s Singles • Round 2
S. Zhang
E. Rybakina 12
Day session – Not before 5:30pm AEDT
Men’s Singles • Round 2
A. Murray WC
T. Daniel Q
Kia Arena
Day session – From 11:00am AEDT
Men’s Singles • Round 2
A. Rublev 5
R. Berankis
Day session – Not before 1:00pm AEDT
Women’s Singles • Round 2
S. Stosur WC
A. Pavlyuchenkova 10
Men’s Singles • Round 2
A. Davidovich Fokina
F. Auger-Aliassime 9
Men’s Doubles • Round 1
J. Erlich
A. Goransson
M. Ebden
M. Purcell
9:25am DJOKER JOINS BID TO CURE COVID
Novak Djokovic has joined the fight to rid the world of Covid-19, according to the chief executive of a biotech firm who says the world No 1 is a huge investor.
Ivan Loncarevic, CEO of Danish biotech firm QuantBioRes, refused to be drawn on the dollar value Djokovic had invested in the company but confirmed he invested in June 2020.
Serbian newspaper Politika reports “Jelena and Novak Djokovic have been owners of the Danish company since June 3, 2020.
“According to the Danish business register, Jelena’s share is 39.2 percent, and Novak’s 40.8 percent.”
According to reports, QuantBioRes has 11 researchers working across Denmark, Australia and Slovenia, but their work is geared towards a treatment, not a vaccine.
Tests are expected to start in the UK this year.
A spokesperson for Djokovic did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
9am TILEY IS A WANTED MAN
Craig Tiley will be “headhunted” in a heartbeat if Tennis Australia sacks its gagged chief executive over the Novak Djokovic debacle, according to the man who resuscitated live sport in Australia when coronavirus first shut down the country.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys exclusively told News Corp he was flabbergasted at the raging criticism of Tiley, given his sparkling record across 17 years that have transformed the Australian Open into a worldwide event.
“As far as Craig Tiley’s concerned you have to look at what he actually did (with Djokovic). What he tried to do was to act in the best interests of his organisation,” V’Landys said.
“And that’s what a CEO is supposed to do. A CEO is supposed to put on the best possible event they can, maximise the revenue and maximise the attendances.
“That’s what he’s done. He hasn’t done anything that is untoward. You have to judge people on the total picture, and not on one per cent of it.”
8:42am PLAYERS AREN’T BEING TESTED
German superstar Alexander Zverev has lifted the lid on the Australian Open’s terrifying Covid crisis, revealing he suspects Covid-positive players are competing at this year’s event.
And the Olympic gold medal winner is going to extraordinary lengths to protect his title hopes this year.
On Wednesday, Frenchman Ugo Humbert explained he tested positive to Covid just hours after being eliminated from the tournament by countryman Richard Gasquet – and Zverev believes he’s far from the only athlete who could be carrying the virus.
The freedom afforded players, who this year can mingle with the public in bars and restaurants, could lead to a rise in players testing positive according to Zverev
“I think this year in Australia is a lot more cases than last year, simple as that,” Zverev said after thumping Australia’s John Millman in straight sets to advance to the third round, where he will face qualifier Radu Albot.
7:40am LEAKED EMAIL CONFIRMS DJOKOVIC FATE
leaked email from the ATP has confirmed Novak Djokovic is set to be banned from this year’s French Open under new vaccination rules.
On Monday, the French health ministry announced vaccine passes will be required for visiting athletes for upcoming events.World No1 Djokovic, 34, was sensationally kicked out of Australia after his visa was cancelled following a long row regarding his anti-vax status.
France are set to introduce rules that will see the Serbian – one of just three players inside the world’s top 100 to have not been vaccinated – denied the chance to fight for his 21st Grand Slam in Paris.
And the ATP – the governing body of professional men’s tennis – has sent a blunt email to players informing them of the coming changes.
Players were sent a message with the subject line, reading: “IMPORTANT: France Vaccination Requirements.”
The email, seen by Tennis Majors, read: “[Players] have been informed by the French Tennis Federation that legislation will soon be passed by the French Government prohibiting non-vaccinated athletes from competing in any sporting event.
“It is currently uncertain whether players who have recently recovered from Covid-19 will be allowed to compete unless they have completed at least one dose of a two-dose vaccine.
“Further clarification from the French Government is required.”
Looking to further clarify the update, the message continued: “Non-vaccinated players will be unable to compete at tournaments in France.
“Players will have to be fully vaccinated to be eligible to compete, OR have a medical certificate that exempts them from vaccination due to medical reasons.
“Please note that no travel or other exemptions will be available.”
Earlier in the week, the French sports ministry said: “The rule is simple.
“The vaccine pass will be imposed, as soon as the law is promulgated, in establishments that were already subject to the health pass.
“This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.”
Originally published on The Sun
7:30am GOOD MORNING
It is day 4, otherise known as Australia Day at the Open or in my book Nick Kyrgios set to stun the world Day. Not many expect the Aussie to come through his clash with Medvedev tonight but stranger things have happened right? Remember Wimbledon 2014? Nick beat Rafa. Never say never folks
Lots of news to get through. Let’s get into it.
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