Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters
The Australian Open has surged past last year’s cumulative attendance record with one day of play to go, and will ultimately draw nearly 1.1m patrons through the gates by Sunday night’s end of the 15-day tournament.
They have been drawn by the on-court action and off-court attractions, including new hospitality offerings and more family-friendly activities around Melbourne Park. Tournament director Craig Tiley hailed the result, and said “making sure that fans are comfortable is our major priority”.
