Madison Keys shocked Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set classic to win her first Major title, securing three more top-ten wins on her way to the final.

On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner won his second Australian Open title, taking down Alexander Zverev in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

However, one of the biggest stories throughout the tournament was the crowds, who were criticized for their behavior at times.

Novak Djokovic was booed off the court, after retiring with an injury against Zverev in the semi-finals, which was described as ‘classless’, and a ‘disgrace’ by fans online.

British number one Jack Draper also dealt with boos during his win over home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis, admitting that it was a ‘tough atmosphere to deal with’.

Following the conclusion of the tournament, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley gave his thoughts on the crowds at Melbourne Park.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley says he’s ‘not worried about crowd behavior’

Speaking in an interview with AAP after the Australian Open, Tiley defended the crowds at the event.

“There’s always going to be one or two people that make it unpleasant for others,” he said.

“That’s human behaviour.

“I’m not worried about the crowd behavior, the majority – 99.9 percent of fans – have been well-behaved.”

The 63-year-old chose to look at the positives, after a record-breaking tournament.

“We’ve had record numbers coming through the gate,” he said.

“I want to look more at the number of fans who come through the gate and the energy and the enjoyment that they’re having is at an all-time high.”

Tiley explained that he doesn’t want his record packed-out crowds to stay quiet.

“We’re not going to design an event where we’re going to keep people silent because then the next question is going to be, ‘Why aren’t people enjoying it?” he said.

1.2 million fans attended the Australian Open in 2025, up by almost 200,000 from the year before.

Tiley may be right that it’s just ‘one or two people’ causing issues, but that didn’t stop them from making headlines.

Djokovic’s departure from Rod Laver Arena to a chorus of boos was one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.

Being booed as a ten-time champion must’ve come as a shock to Djokovic, as it did to many fans online.

Tiley will no doubt hope that such incidents don’t happen again in 2026, as tennis returns to Australia once more.

Have other Grand Slam tournaments faced crowd problems recently?

The Australian Open had its fair share of issues with the crowd in 2025, but do the same problems occur in Paris, London, and New York?

It’s hard to say, but it doesn’t seem to be a Melbourne specific issue, with various incidents occurring throughout the Grand Slams in 2024.

Djokovic complained about the French Open and Wimbledon crowds last year, after several incidents that affected him during his matches.

• French Open – Novak Djokovic called out people in the crowd for shouting during points
• Wimbledon – Novak Djokovic hit back at ‘booing’ fans in his post-match interview after beating Holger Rune

Djokovic gave his thoughts on the booing fans after his win over Holger Rune in the fourth round of Wimbledon last year.

“To all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player, in this case me, have a good night,” he said.

After the interviewer suggested that the fans were chanting ‘Rune’ rather than booing, Djokovic doubled down, saying that he had been in the sport long enough to know what was going on.

“I don’t accept it,” he said.

“I know they were chanting for [Holger] Rune, but that’s an excuse to also boo.

“Listen, I’ve been on the ATP Tour for more than 20 years, so trust me I know all of the tricks, I know how it works.”

Only time will tell if the crowds treat Djokovic and other tennis stars better at this year’s tournament but focus will first switch to the French Open, which begins on Sunday, May 25.

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