Australian Open scalpers stung in ticket resale crackdown
Illegal ticket sellers have been slapped with huge fines after trying to hawk tickets with whopping price tags. And one scalper overinflated his tickets by an outrageous amount.
VIC News
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Scalpers have been hit with massive fines and dozens of tickets have been pulled off resale sites ahead of the Australian Open.
Five $826 scalping fines have been dished out to people allegedly attempting to “exploit the passion of sports fans”.
In one case, a scalper was demanding $1900 for two men’s final tickets that had the combined face value of $950.
Authorised officers have already had more than 70 tickets removed from resale sites.
Acting Sports Minister Marlene Kairouz promised that the government would be keeping a close eye on ticket scalpers.
“Anyone that’s thinking of selling their tickets above face value this is a reminder that the government will be watching,” she said.
She added: “We’re backing fans with our anti-scalping laws — anyone looking to profit through the passion of sports fans is on notice that we are watching and we will act.”
It comes as tennis’ biggest stars are touching down in Melbourne ahead of the open’s January 20 start.
Russian champion Maria Sharapova today talked up her love of the open 16 years after she first played in the “happy slam”.
“Seeing the growth of this event has been probably the most impressive throughout the years of any tournament that I’ve been a part of,” she said.
Sharapova reflected on her greatest Australian Open moments, speaking of her second round win against American Lindsay Davenport at the 2008 event.
She went on to win the tournament in straights sets against Serbian Ana Ivanovic.
“It was one of the best matches I played in the tournament (against Davenport) and I still believe to this day it was one of the toughest draws I had in a grand slam and I prevailed,” Sharapova said.
Grigor Dimitrov, Milos Raonic, Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils were among the stars who had a hitout.
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Roger Federer is also expected to appear for a practice session this afternoon.
Tennis Australia chief executive and Australian Open director Craig Tiley previewed Wednesday’s sold-out Rally for Relief event, where all proceeds will be donated to the bushfire appeal.
“It’s the tennis community really coming together to support Australians,” he said.