Attendees of this year’s Australian Open at Melbourne Park should prepare for heightened security measures, including a ban on certain national flags.
The tournament, commencing on January 18, will feature police officers equipped with semi-automatic rifles, presenting an unusual sight for spectators.
This security approach mirrors the one seen during the Ashes cricket Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, where officers carried high-powered weapons following the Bondi Beach terror incident last December.
Players from affected countries will participate in the Grand Slam under independent status, with their national flags swapped for plain white squares.
As a result, flags from Russia and Belarus are prohibited at this year’s event, given that no players are officially representing these nations.
Israeli and Palestinian flags are banned at the Australian Open because no Israeli or Palestinian players are competing at the tournament this year
Russia and Belarusian flags are also banned at Melbourne Park due to the war in Ukraine
Additionally, Israeli and Palestinian flags are barred from the venue, as there are no competitors from these regions in the current tournament.
Tennis Australia released a statement on Tuesday which read: ‘As in previous years, and in line with international sporting protocols, the Russian and Belarusian flags are not permitted on site.
‘Flags from competitors’ countries can be displayed during their matches, as long as they meet the ticketing conditions, which are designed to ensure they don’t create any disruption to fans around them.’
A Tennis Australia spokesperson also said safety for its guests was ‘our utmost priority’.
‘Although we don’t comment on specifics, we do work closely with Victoria Police, the AFP, the venue, security contractors and experts in the field to ensure we have the best protocols in place,’ the spokesperson said.
Additionally, a Critical Incident Response Team, trained to respond to major incidents and emergencies, will be present at entry points to Melbourne Park.
It comes as Tennis Australia will look to avoid the ugly scenes from last year’s tournament, where fans and players faced off in heated moments.
American star Danielle Collins, who won’t play at this year’s event, was booed after winning a match in 2025.
Tennis fans can expect a similar police presence to the one at the Ashes cricket Test in Sydney earlier this month (pictured)
Some Aussie fans came under fire at last year’s tournament for their wild behaviour (Daily Mail does not suggest anyone pictured acted inappropriately)
American Danielle Collins had a few run-ins with the fired up local crowd in 2025
Collins became public enemy No.1 in Melbourne when she gleefully wound up a raucous home crowd following her hard-fought win over local hope Destanee Aiava.
After winning, she cupped her hand to her ear and yelled ‘How about that?’ before blowing kisses to the crowd and slapping her backside.
She further wound them all up in her on-court interview – and later thanked them for the ‘big fat pay cheque’ that would go towards her next holiday.
British star Jack Draper said he suffered the ‘worst abuse he’d ever experienced’ while 10-time champion Novak Djokovic was jeered and booed after pulling out injured in the semi-finals.
Tennis great John McEnroe couldn’t believe how scores of fans turned on the Serbian.
‘He has won this [tournament] 10 times,’ McEnroe said. ‘Unreal.’
Tournament boss Craig Tiley said he was confident the Aussie crowd would allow the tournament to live up to its reputation as the ‘Happy Slam’.
‘They understand sport and they know events. We will be very clear – anyone that comes on the site at any time and wants to disrupt the enjoyment of the fan next to them or anywhere, will be removed from the site,’ he said.
