It’s late afternoon at court 6, and an all-American doubles match is under way in the bright sun. Seventh seeds Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow are fighting for a place in the second round against unseeded countrymen Marcos Giron and Evan King.
It’s late in the second set, and the players are locked in a tense tie-breaker.
Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow vs Marcos Giron and Evan King on court 6.Credit: Penny Stephens
Upstairs at the rooftop bar that overlooks the court, most of the crowd are locked in boisterous conversation. Music is throbbing, beers and vodka cocktails are flowing, cheese platters and brioche burgers are being devoured.
A few people are even watching the tennis.
Court 6 at the Australian Open has been tagged the “party court” for good reason. It has a two-storey courtside bar that is open to all. The players compete to the loud and constant chatter of a happy and lubricated crowd of casual fans.
Amanda Cook, a regular and long-time patron of the tournament, is a first-time attendee at the bar.
“It’s fantastic,” she said. “It makes everyone who’s not a corporate person feel that they’ve got somewhere to go, without feeling like one of the plebs.”
Friends Elisha Huke and Amy McDougall in the Court 6 bar Credit: Penny Stephens
Friends Elisha Huke, Bron Hunt and Amy McDougall – all tournament regulars – are gathered round a table, enjoying a drink and chat. Two of them have their backs to the action.
“It’s great if you’re here to socialise,” Hunt said. “If you’re here strictly and purely for tennis, then courtside’s obviously better.”
Nearby, Brylee Kirk and Alicia Thompson have grabbed a pair of bar stools and are facing the action – or at least half of it. Their sun-soaked perch doesn’t afford them a full view of the court.
It’s their second year visiting the courtside bar, and they are converts.
Friends Brylee Kirk and Alicia Thompson in the court 6 bar Credit: Penny Stephens
“It’s a good atmosphere,” Kirk said. “Good views of the courts, surrounding TVs so you can watch other games. There’s always a mix of people here, a lot of people coming through, so it’s a good people-watching spot too.”
Retired Australian tennis champion Samantha Stosur said a courtside bar was very unusual for a tennis tournament, normally better known for respectful crowds and repeated calls for “quiet, please!” from umpires.
Stosur said organisers would have to be wary of protecting the sport by ensuring the bar did not get too rowdy as it grew in popularity.
“They probably just have to be careful … so it’s not too disruptive,” she said.
Stosur said she suspected there would be some thought put into which players were assigned to play at the court, as some would accept it more than others.
“Depending on the players and their personality, they could really love it,” she said. “It’s obviously a bit unusual and different, but it certainly creates a pretty cool vibe.”
Stosur, who is commentating at this year’s Australian Open for Nine’s television coverage, added that the outdoor courts didn’t always draw the big crowds, so this was bringing people in to watch different players and enjoy tennis in a unique way.
Louie Maguinness, 10, Lachie Roberts, 9, Minnie Maguinness, 8, Charlie, 12, at court 6 Credit: Penny Stephens
“The vibe out there is probably very different to the first match of the day at 11am compared to the fourth match of the day late in the afternoon,” she said.
Lammons and Withrow eventually prevailed in three sets. Even they admitted to liking the party vibe.
“It’s pretty cool,” Lammons said. “Obviously, it’s kind of buzzing all the time, and I think as the match gets closer you can feel people are starting to really lock in and watch us play.
“It makes it more fun for us hearing the crowd. Maybe initially [it is distracting], but once you get used to the constant din of the bar, it’s not too bad.”
The Australian Open was contacted for comment.
