The Enduring Legacy of the 'Happy Slam'
In 2007, tennis legend Roger Federer affectionately dubbed the Australian Open the "Happy Slam," a term that has become synonymous with the tournament's vibrant atmosphere. "Everybody is kind of happy to see each other, kind of after the off-season. It’s kind of like the ‘Happy Slam,’" Federer remarked on January 14, 2007. This sentiment was echoed by Daria Kasatkina, who recently adopted Australian nationality, describing the relaxed vibe in an interview with The Guardian: "Everyone is so chill, like ‘if you’re late, you’re late, mate.’ It’s OK, take it easy, don’t worry about it."
Federer's Detailed Explanation in 2026
Attending the start of the 2026 Australian Open, Federer elaborated on his iconic phrase. "It felt like a very normal thing to say because a lot of players, they’re happy to escape the European winter," said the six-time Australian Open champion. "Finally, you’re happy to maybe see the other players again [after a break], so it just feels very happy. The weather’s good, people are incredibly excited and pumped up about the Australian Open, we the players can feel that, the vibes are incredibly happy, nobody’s exhausted and tired [except for travel]. It stuck, and I’m happy it’s still the case because I still think the players are super happy to be here."
Undercurrents of Discontent
Despite the cheerful exterior, the 2026 Australian Open was not without its controversies. Players voiced concerns over several issues, including prize money, privacy invasions due to cameras in locker rooms, the banning of fitness trackers, and lengthy queues on outer courts.
Prize Money Disparities
The Australian Open increased its prize money to A$111.5 million ($74.56 million) this year, surpassing last year's French Open ($65.42 million) and Wimbledon ($71.60 million) but still trailing behind the US Open's $90 million purse. Last year, players had expressed dissatisfaction with their earnings in Australia. Tournament Director Craig Tiley defended the allocation, stating, "I believe the players should continue to be paid more and more players paid more, we have 128 in the main draw and 128 qualifying (men and women), so we are supporting over 500 players financially each Grand Slam."
Coco Gauff was among those who warned that pressure would mount on administrators if demands were not met. The agitation over prize money is not new; a record increase occurred in 2013 after players considered boycotting, and in 2018, Novak Djokovic threatened to form a breakaway union for a fairer revenue share.
Privacy Concerns: "Are We Animals in a Zoo?"
Increased broadcast revenues have led to more cameras capturing behind-the-scenes moments, but players have raised privacy issues. Gauff, after her quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina, was upset when a camera captured her trashing a racquet in what she thought was a private area. "Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room," she said. "I kind of have a thing with the broadcast. I feel like certain moments don’t need to broadcast."
Iga Swiatek supported Gauff, questioning, "The question is, are we tennis players, or are we, like, animals in a zoo where they are observed even when they poop?" She added, "It would be nice to have some privacy. It would be nice also to, I don’t know, have your own process and not always be observed." Djokovic echoed these sentiments with a sarcastic remark: "I mean, I’m surprised that we have no cameras while we are taking a shower!"
Tennis Australia responded, "...we value feedback from the players and will continue to work collaboratively to ensure the right balance." Notably, Wimbledon and Roland Garros provide private retreat areas for players.
Record Crowds and Overcrowding Issues
The 2026 Australian Open saw a record 1,368,043 attendees, with 1,150,044 for the main draw, partly due to affordable A$69 ground passes in the first week. While this boosted revenue, overcrowding marred the experience for many regulars. Djokovic acknowledged the issue after beating Francesco Maestrelli: "Having too many people, at this or any other tournament, is a very good problem for us. It’s a good sign. I really like the mentality here, that desire to constantly improve."
Craig Tiley proposed expanding into nearby Olympic and Yarra Park precincts and even suggested a "translucent dome over the whole precinct" to alleviate congestion, though plans remain speculative.
Fitness Tracker Controversy
Players like eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Aryna Sabalenka were asked to remove fitness trackers, which are allowed on ATP and WTA tours but banned at Slams. Whoop, the brand worn by Alcaraz, argued, "Athletes have a fundamental right to understand their own performance and health - including during competition at events like the Australian Open. Blocking access to personal health data does not protect sport." CEO Will Ahmed called the ban "ridiculous," noting that Whoop is ITF-approved and poses no safety risk.
Tennis Australia defended its stance, stating that players receive some health data, such as distance covered and shot metrics. Unlike sports like football and cricket, tennis has been slow to embrace data analytics, missing another opportunity at the Australian Open.
