Jordan Thompson defends ‘wokest tournament ever’ rant, slams new rule

Aussie tennis player Jordan Thompson has defended calling the Australian Open the “wokest tournament ever” during his first round win.

Craig Tiley has defended the new fan entry rule after it was criticised by Jordan Thompson.

Australian star Jordan Thompson has defended his mid-match outburst that saw him label the Australian Open as “the wokest tournament ever”.

Thompson lost his cool during his opening round match against fellow countrymen Aleksandar Vukic over a new rule that was introduced ahead of the 2024 grand slam.

Fans at Melbourne Park are given more freedom to come and go as they please under the new rules which allow them to move into seats between games.

Previously fans were only allowed to enter or leave their seats during a change of ends.

His frustration boiled over during the second set as his rhythm was disrupted as he prepared to serve while up 3-1 with fans continuing to walk into Court 3.

“You’re kidding me, really? Oh my god,” he said. “This is the wokest tournament ever.”

Following his five-set victory, Thompson moved to clarify his outburst during his post match press conference.

“Heat of the battle. Probably shouldn’t have said it,” Thompson said of the “woke” comment.

“Yeah, there is a few things that concerned me, but we won’t go into that.

He continued: “How many years which have we been playing tennis, and then all of a sudden they spring on us that they can come in between not even a sit-down. So it just disrupts everyone’s rhythm.

Jordan Thompson celebrates after victory against Australia's Aleksandar Vukic. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

“I mean, if someone is walking at the back and you are throwing the ball toss up, it’s impossible to see it because you have a moving person behind it.

“Yeah, it’s, in my opinion, it’s not good. I’m choosing my words carefully.

“I just don’t understand why we would do that. We are out there working, that’s our job, we’re tennis players. We don’t come in and storm into an office while someone is in a meeting.

“Like someone is just barging through the door, making a nuisance. Even though it doesn’t seem that way, but it is. It’s very off-putting. That’s one thing you can compare it to.”

World number one Novak Djokovic voiced his displeasure to the changes as he vented during his first round contest against Dino Prizmic.

“Look, I mean, I understand the motive behind it is to enhance and improve the experience for fans, right?” Djokovic said.

“We do play for fans. We want fans to have a great, thrilling experience of being out on the court.

Thompson said he found the new fan rule disruptive. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Fans can now enter arenas between each game. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

“It’s hard, I must say. I understand that and I support it to some extent, but at the same time all my career, all my life I’ve been used to some kind of atmosphere. When that changes, it kind of messes up (and) distracts you a bit.”

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley responded to the criticism surrounding the rule change.

“What we’ve said is we want fans to sit in their seats when play is on – that’s the expectation coming into the stadium and that’s always been the case. And that hasn’t changed this year either,” Tiley told Channel 9.

“What we have done is try to get their fans into their seats quicker – the worst situation you can have as a fan is waiting outside the stadium for three games, for five games, you could be waiting for up to 20-30 minutes before you get in.

“We don’t want that for the fans either.

“There’s been no rule change other than trying to get the fans into the stadium as quickly as possible.

“The fans know, that come and watch tennis, when you’re in your seat the idea is not to disrupt play.”

Originally published as Jordan Thompson defends ‘wokest tournament ever’ rant, slams new rule