Djokovic says growing tennis crowds a ‘good problem to have,’ cites Alex Eala's Australian Open match

For Novak Djokovic, bigger tennis crowds are a “good problem to have,” pointing to Alexandra "Alex" Eala’s Australian Open match as an example of the sport’s growing global interest.

Asked about attendance at the Grand Slam tournament where he has competed for two decades since his first Australian Open appearance in 2005—Djokovic said large crowds are a positive sign for tennis.

Having too much crowd on this or any other tennis tournament is a very good problem to have. I think there are much worse problems to have,” Djokovic said in a press conference after his second round win against Francesco Maestrelli on Thursday.

“I think every tournament wants record-breaking attendance and ticket sales, and that's what I've been hearing actually this year and the last couple of years for most of the Slams and tournaments. I mean, it's a good sign," he added. "Obviously, we want more attention, more people coming and wanting to watch the tennis live and follow it and live stream, et cetera.” 

Djokovic also noted that Australia has expanded its tennis facilities over the years.

“So I don't see any negatives there. Now, it's really about how do you find balance and how do you manage the amount of people that is entering the premises.”

He then cited Eala’s Australian Open match as an example.

“I saw the other day with Alex Eala. Yeah, that's been a talk, which is understandable," Djokovic said. "There's some players coming from respective countries, like she's coming from Philippines, which is now a big deal. She's been the biggest ever tennis player from that country, which is a big country and there's a big interest.” 

During Eala’s match against Alycia Parks, many Filipino fans filled the stands to cheer her on.

“So things like that happen. I mean, you could argue that it was maybe a poor schedule and maybe they could schedule her on a bigger court. Yes, but again, she's so young and she's just coming through. Obviously, the first couple of rounds, the schedule is so packed, the big courts with big names, it's difficult. It's not easy to manage that. But again, it's a good problem to have, to be honest.”

“Let's just imagine if there's a lack of people coming or that stands are empty. That's a bigger problem. I mean, this is great,” said Djokovic.

Crowd management at the Australian Open was tested on Day One of the tournament, when frustrated fans queued and complained following the temporary suspension of ticket sales.

Eala, meanwhile, has previously spoken about the overwhelming support she received during her recent events in Australia.

“It was so heartwarming,” she said.

“That’s one of the things that makes a loss like today a little bit harder—I know a lot of people were rooting for me,” she added.

“It’s a process to take it all in. I think this week there were definitely elements that were a bit overwhelming, especially during my practices,” Eala said.

“I didn’t expect that many people to be there, so it’s a learning process.”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News