Not even the return of tennis’s enfant terrible, Nick Kyrgios, could save a deflating first day at this most challenging of Australian Opens.

Amid an unseasonably cold spell, the crowd to see Kyrgios was sparse — perhaps 1,000-strong in an arena built for 10 times as many. The official first-day attendance was 17,922, which is three-and-a-half times down on last year’s curtain-raiser.

Tennis Australia, whose efforts to get their annual extravaganza up and running have been extraordinary, will surely have been disappointed.

First-day attendance was 17,922, three-and-a-half times down on last year’s curtain-raiser

First-day attendance was 17,922, three-and-a-half times down on last year’s curtain-raiser

First-day attendance was 17,922, three-and-a-half times down on last year’s curtain-raiser

Monday began with Serena Williams practising in a startling pink and black catsuit on outside Court 11. There was maybe one spectator for each of her 23 major titles, her three-year-old daughter Olympia among them.

The stars’ practice sessions are usually thronged, but Covid safety measures have seen Melbourne Park split into three sections. Fans cannot move from one area to another, so if there is a buzz over an incident or a potential upset, spectators can no longer dash over to see it.

Vibrant hospitality facilities are normally a feature of the Open, but all around the stalls sat mostly empty. Melbourne has suffered hugely during Covid, and nobody wants to jeopardise the hard-earned gains.

It would be jumping the gun to say the city needs a miracle to get its premier sporting occasion back on track, but it is not far off the truth.

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk

You May Also Like

5 Reasons Why Tenant Screening is Important

Tenant screening is crucial in helping property managers and landlords learn more…

64-year-old Ohio Man Charged with Girlfriend’s Murder

Stewart Butler 64-year-old Ohio Man Charged with Girlfriend’s Murder – 64-year-old Ohio…

Gina Bellman Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis After Kate Middleton Reveal

Gina Bellman Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis After Kate Middleton Reveal-Gina Bellman, known…

Fatal Shootings at Jacksonville Beach Spring Break

Report Fatal Shootings at Jacksonville Beach Spring Break – The tragic events…