John McEnroe says what has been ‘insane’ about the Australian Open crowds so far after heavy criticism

The Australian Open crowds have undoubtedly come under the spotlight this week, but largely for the wrong reasons.

Tennis fans criticised the Australian Open crowd for Jack Draper’s meeting with Thanasi Kokkinakis, in which the British number one beat the Australian.

And Draper’s fellow Briton Harriet Dart has called for an Australian Open supporter policy change after a raucous atmosphere in her loss to Donna Vekic.

There were also remarkable scenes for Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s clash, which had to be moved due to noise from a nearby court.

The raucous Australian Open atmospheres will likely continue and even become more common and indeed louder as the tournament progresses.

Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

John McEnroe loves ‘incredible’ Australian Open crowds despite heavy criticism

And while it has been an issue for many players, former world number one John McEnroe has formed an entirely different opinion.

READ MORE: Daniil Medvedev booed by Australian Open crowd during narrow Australian Open win against Kasidit Samrej

“I’ll tell you what, the crowds are incredible out here,” McEnroe said on Eurosport. “Record crowds after the first few days. You can’t walk anywhere in the grounds. It’s insane! They are really in to it here.”

More Tennis News

Australian Open crowds warned several times during Jack Draper vs Thanasi Kokkinakis

Different players will, of course, have different reactions to such chaotic atmospheres, with some thriving and some preferring peace and quiet on the court.

Draper’s epic clash with Kokkinakis was a prime example of the former, with the duo having both fed off the crowd at different stages.

They played for over four and a half hours on ​​John Cain Arena, with the chair umpire forced to warn the crowd over their behaviour on several occasions.

READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios says what is ‘hands down’ the most fun tournament to play on tour

The presence of Kokkinakis was, of course, the main reason for their excitement, with Draper now remarkably set for a similar scenario after being drawn to face another Australian in Aleksandar Vukic in round three.

Other home favourites Nick Kyrgios, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson have all already exited, but eighth seed Alex de Minaur remains.

Click here to read article