Tennis Scalpers Score Big In Melbourne Men’s Finals with Rafael Nadal vs. Stan Wawrinka

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 27th January 2014

Tennis Scalpers Score Big In Melbourne Men’s Finals with Rafael Nadal vs. Stan Wawrinka

epa04042311 Rafael Nadal of Spain throws a ball during his men's final match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2014. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA |

Scalpers again came up the winners at the Australian Open men’s final between Stanislas Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal, with tickets to the match being sold on the internet for well over 10 times face value – and fans willing to pay the price.

Internet sites showed plenty of pricey entries for the match on offer, with face value just a notional starting point for punters prepared to shell out to witness the Sunday showdown from the stands of the Rod Laver arena. Local media reported that up to 300 tickets searches per minutes were being performed at some sites.

Unlike Australia’s AFL football, which can somehow ban tickets from being sold for more than their stated value, the Australian Open appears to be powerless to stop the market forces.

The tournament made an effort at getting a grip on the unofficial market by establishing an exchange where tickets can be sold for face value. But some reports indicated that fake tickets had been sold on the platform instead. “Ultimately, it’s the fans that lose, either by paying hugely over-inflated prices or being told that their tickets have no value,” said Tournament Director Craig Tiley.

Women’s final tickets had an official value of $250 while men were $350. Prices seen out in the wild included $2,639 for the men’s match.

Topics: 10sballs, Australian Open, Melbourne, Rafael Nadal, Scalpers, Sports, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News