Revealed: The image the Australian Open doesn't want you to see
Revealed: The image the Australian Open doesn't want you to see
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An image showing Rod Laver Arena standing almost completely empty during a grand slam final last night has left one of the stars of the match - and many fans - calling for changes to be made so the scenes are never repeated. Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, playing partners who once strengthened their bond over a pot of reindeer stew, celebrated wildly after claiming the Australian Open men's doubles crown early on Sunday morning, local time.
![[The Finnish and British pairing celebrated with the trophy in front of no more than a handful of fans after winning the three-hour epic]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/22/94517239-14325451-image-a-2_1737844839033.jpg)
The Finnish-British pairing, seeded sixth, outlasted third-seeded Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 6-7 (16-18) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in an epic final that carried on to just before 1.45 on Sunday morning at Rod Laver Arena. However, the scheduling of the match after Madison Keys' triumph in the women's singles final meant the stands were almost completely devoid of fans despite the title being one of the most highly prized on the doubles tour.
![[Many fans couldn't understand why tournament organisers didn't schedule such an important game before the women's singles final]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/22/94515873-14325451-image-a-3_1737844880219.jpg)
In contrast, the women's doubles final is scheduled for 3pm local time on Sunday, before Jannik Sinner defends his title against Alexander Zverev. Afterwards, Vavassori called on tournament director Craig Tiley to alter the schedule next year. Rod Laver Arena was almost completely empty for Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten's victory the men's doubles final because it was scheduled after the women's singles title clash.
![[The reception Madison Keys got from the packed crowd stood in stark contrast to the scenes on centre court just three hours later]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/22/94505187-14325451-image-a-5_1737844920782.jpg)
The Finnish and British pairing celebrated with the trophy in front of no more than a handful of fans after winning the three-hour epic. Many fans couldn't understand why tournament organisers didn't schedule such an important game before the women's singles final.
![[Harri Heliovaara is pictured yelling in triumph after match point early on Sunday morning]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/22/94517237-14325451-image-a-4_1737844909986.jpg)
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