‘Wokeness gone mad’: Australian Open snub Australia Day celebrations

The Australian Open’s decision to ignore Australia Day celebrations for the second straight year has sparked a fierce reaction.

Australian Open organisers have copped fierce backlash amid revelations there will be no Australia Day celebrations at the grand slam on January 26.

The Australian Open elected not to celebrate the day during the 2023 tournament and will do the same again this year.

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The decision came after the Victorian government axed its Australia Day parade in 2023 and amid a growing backlash from athletes about celebrating on January 26.

During the 2023 Australian Open the national anthem was played before the night session at Melbourne Park, but there was no reference to Australia Day or any ceremonies to mark the occasion as a result of “differing views” on celebrating the national day.

The decision to once again remove Australia Day celebrations from the 2024 tournament hasn’t been well received, with Sky News host Steve Price slamming the decision.

“This started last year and ended Australia Day celebrations, they used to feature fireworks, the playing of the national anthem and special musical events to mark the day at the tennis,” Price said.

“So we have First Nations day, no drama from me about that, then the organisers have set aside a day for Australian Open Pride Day, an Australian Open All Abilities Day and an Australian Open Glam Slam for the LGBTI+ folk that will run across January 26 to 28.

“You can’t make this stuff up.”

There’ll be no Aus Day celebrations again this year. Picture: Darren Tindale

Each year at the Australian Open an Aussie tennis legend is inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fall.

That event normally takes place on January 26, this year however Lleyton Hewitt’s induction has been moved to take place on January 24.

“This year it’s going to be Lleyton Hewitt – you couldn’t get a more Australian Australian than Lleyton Hewitt,” Price said.

“They’ve changed the date of that event from Australia Day when it used to be to the 24th, two days earlier.

“This is just crazy wokeness gone mad.

“Can anyone at Tennis Australia defend this disgraceful snubbing of our national day by a tournament that carries the name of our nation.

“It’s a pity the woke directors who run Tennis Australia don’t have the courage to drag the South African bloke running the organisation Craig Tiley into line and insist we recognise the great nation that lends its name to his tennis tournament.”

Steve Price isn't happy with the Australian Open

Journalist Joe Hildebrand was in agreeance with Price and said the moves are “counter-productive” to making any meaningful difference.

“I think it’s just that absurdity of it,” Hildebrand said to Price.

“The idea that these sorts of ridiculous virtue-signalling gestures are going to make any difference … is absolutely ridiculous – in fact, it puts people off even considering or wanting to address these issues.

“This sort of stuff is what cost the Yes vote its victory … and it’s just so counter-productive, self-destructive, idiotic – you could use any name.”

Radio Personality Tom Elliott was another who weighed in and said that the move, for right now, was ridiculous.

“If you’re going to call yourself the Australian Open and it happens that our national day takes place during the tournament, you have to acknowledge Australia Day,” Elliot said on 3AW Mornings.

“Maybe the date will change down the track, but right now it’s January 26.”