New Attendance Record Set At The Australian Open

Written by: Staff on 30th January 2012

New Attendance Record Set At The Australian Open

epa03085307 The spectators wait as ball kids dry the court as rain interrupts play during the Novak Djokovic of Serbia versus Rafael Nadal of Spain men's final of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 29 January 2012. EPA/BARBARA WALTON |

Record-breaking crowds flocked to the Australian Open this year with 686,006 fans passing through the gates of Melbourne Park, smashing the previous record attendance of 653,860 set in 2010. A record daily attendance was achieved at 15 sessions this year, including a Grand Slam event daily attendance record on the middle Saturday with 80,649 on site, up from 77,121 in 2011.

Figures have been compiled regarding the event. They show that the Wilson stringers hut restrung 3,300 racquets using 42km (26 miles) of string, more than 100 racquets were rapidly restrung for players during match play, and Rafael Nadal set the record for having 57 racquets restrung during his run to the final.

More than 50,000 Wilson tennis balls were used, with all used match balls re-canned and sold to fans and local tennis clubs as tournament keepsakes.

Matches were officiated by 335 umpires and linespersons from 29 countries. There were 370 ball kids including 20 from Korea.

Players were transported by a fleet of 100 Kia cars during the tournament with 40,000 journeys made by 215 drivers. The fleet clocked up more than 350,000km (217,500 miles).

More than 2,500 official Australian Open towels were used by players on Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena and the show courts. 30,000 towels and more than 3,000 bags of player clothing were laundered.

The official player towel was the most popular item in the Australian Open Shop with 11,000 sold during the tournament.