Melbourne Bugs at Night Bother Players and Ball Boys

Written by: Staff on 24th January 2012

Melbourne Bugs at Night Bother Players and Ball Boys

Ballkids dance to entertain spectators outside the courts in Melbourne park on the sidelines of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 23 January 2012. There are 370 ballkids involved in Australian Open 2012. EPA/AHMAD YUSNI |

©”DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

A flock of seagulls eager for a midnight snack provided an unexpected distraction to start the second week of the Australian Open as Novak Djokovic beat Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round.

The hungry birds were seeking some of the thousands of crickets and moths who populate the showcase Rod Laver arena for each evening session, driving players, ballkids and sometimes spectators to distraction.

A local scientist told Melbourne’s Herald-Sun that the moths and crickets who live around the grounds are drawn to the lights at night. Their presence makes the area a happy hunting ground for hungry birds in the never-ending cycle of nature.

Flocks of the gulls could be seen in the night sky circling the open roof of the arena, but none had the nerve to duck in for a bite. They would more normally dive bomb when the lights went out for the night to partake of a post-midnight dinner

Meanwhile, one court, ballkids and players as were kept busy between points, swatting, capturing or squashing the insects.

Deposed five-time champion Serena Williams won’t have to worry about the creepie-crawlies after exiting in the fourth round.

The American said last week that the flying creatures put her off her game, adding that he hated bugs anyway. That won’t be a problem any more as she’s now headed home.

©”DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Australian Open, djokovic, Lleyton Hewitt