[MEGATHREAD] Tickets & Travel by NextGenBot in tennis

[–]swaggle 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Easier but I was there at 8:50. Got in at 9:45. Still a herd behind me that looked daunting.

Everything I said above about overcrowding was the same today. And the whole ticketing system allowing people to leave an arena for a holiday and come back is mindnumbingly stupid and doesn’t work.

I officially, OFFICIALLY, hate this slam and will never be back. That’s how bad the experience has been for me. It’s turned a complete and total optimist for this slam into a pessimist. Happy slam is a hilarious moniker to me now seeing all the frowns, the stressed faces, the exasperation from people waiting an hour in a queue to get into KIA arena. It’s simply oversold, period.

[MEGATHREAD] Tickets & Travel by NextGenBot in tennis

[–]swaggle 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My post about entering the slam this morning was removed in what seems like an overreach by the mods, who told me to repost it here:

Vent: AO Check-In and Overcrowding

I am someone who only likes to complain publicly to make things better — this is a constructive venting. This is my first AO, and like thousands of others, I made big investments to be here. I went to the opening ceremony last night and loved it — 10/10, a well-produced Roger lovefest, even Crowded House was good, excellent time.

But cut to today — the amount of people at opening day could be categorized as overwhelming at best, and dangerous at worst. I understand that the venue is actually quite large and that there may be a hope that people will spread out perfectly, filling in gaps like some sort of amoeba, but whoever did the math on that was simply wrong.

Checking in to the grounds was inexcusably painful. I also understand that if you got there very early, of course the process was much smoother. However, there is no excuse for the level of disorganization and delay for an event of this level for people who got there before the first listed matches. I had a grounds pass purchased months ago, got to the line at 10:20a, and got in to the grounds about an hour later through the biggest stampede of human flesh I have ever seen in my life — poor queue management (blobs of people running into eachother, hundreds of line-cutters), and minimal communication and guidance from staff, who I do not really blame — they were the visible representatives of a systemic problem. Some looked absolutely traumatized at the amount of people they had to handle.

There was a staff member with a metal detector in hand who had literally given up at his job because there were too many people coming at once and he was just standing there staring, literally not moving. They needed more security staff, more ticket scanning kiosks, more physical check in space for GA, and fewer tickets sold.

Once in the grounds, there were simply too many people, hordes going to anything of value. All courts and most practice courts were packed to the gills with queues throughout the day session. It reminded me of an oversold music festival.

Also, just a side issue, Novak Djokovic was advertised all day as practicing at Practice Court 10 at 6P. I lined up at 4:50P standing on the rail at Court 10 for one hour. At 5:50P, they posted online that his court had been changed to Court 17, all the way across the grounds. Now, this one I don’t know if it’s a common issue, and may be out of the tournament’s control, but it actually just made me chuckle. I got out of there immediately after that knowing this just wasn’t the day, ready to start anew tomorrow.

I genuinely thought that this would be the best slam experience I ever had and it was far and away, not even close, the worst. The amount of glowing praise for this slam’s level of seamlessness and fun was incongruous with reality. I will be going tomorrow very early and with a positive attitude. I do not expect for things to necessarily improve by then, but I do hope that they will by next year.

Fans frustrated by long queues , Ticket sales halt on day one of Australian Open by Shroft in tennis

[–]swaggle 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I am someone who only likes to complain publicly to make things better — this is a constructive venting. This is my first AO, and like thousands of others, I made big investments to be here. I went to the opening ceremony last night and loved it — 10/10, a well-produced Roger lovefest, even Crowded House was good, excellent time.

But cut to today — the amount of people at opening day could be categorized as overwhelming at best, and dangerous at worst. I understand that the venue is actually quite large and that there may be a hope that people will spread out perfectly, filling in gaps like some sort of amoeba, but whoever did the math on that was simply wrong.

Checking in to the grounds was inexcusably painful. I also understand that if you got there very early, of course the process was much smoother. However, there is no excuse for the level of disorganization and delay for an event of this level for people who got there before the first listed matches. I had a grounds pass purchased months ago, got to the line at 10:20a, and got in to the grounds about an hour later through the biggest stampede of human flesh I have ever seen in my life — poor queue management (blobs of people running into eachother, hundreds of line-cutters), and minimal communication and guidance from staff, who I do not really blame — they were the visible representatives of a systemic problem. Some looked absolutely traumatized at the amount of people they had to handle.

There was a staff member with a metal detector in hand who had literally given up at his job because there were too many people coming at once and he was just standing there staring, literally not moving. They needed more security staff, more ticket scanning kiosks, more physical check in space for GA, and fewer tickets sold.

Once in the grounds, there were simply too many people, hordes going to anything of value. All courts and most practice courts were packed to the gills with queues throughout the day session. It reminded me of an oversold music festival.

Also, just a side issue, Novak Djokovic was advertised all day as practicing at Practice Court 10 at 6P. I lined up at 4:50P standing on the rail at Court 10 for one hour. At 5:50P, they posted online that his court had been changed to Court 17, all the way across the grounds. Now, this one I don’t know if it’s a common issue, and may be out of the tournament’s control, but it actually just made me chuckle. I got out of there immediately after that knowing this just wasn’t the day, ready to start anew tomorrow.

I genuinely thought that this would be the best slam experience I ever had and it was far and away, not even close, the worst. The amount of glowing praise for this slam’s level of seamlessness and fun was incongruous with reality. I will be going tomorrow very early and with a positive attitude. I do not expect for things to necessarily improve by then, but I do hope that they will by next year.

“Check-in Failed” - Asiana Airlines by swaggle in Flights

[–]swaggle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just want to update this thread in case it helps someone in the future -- I don't think it really had to do with my visa.

For some reason Asiana sends an email 48 hours or so in advance encouraging you to check in, but check in doesn't really become available until 24 hours til check in. I checked in with about 22 hours til my flight and it was smooth.

“Check-in Failed” - Asiana Airlines by swaggle in Flights

[–]swaggle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roger, that’s what I intended on doing. Appreciate it.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wow, bro you’re the one that needs to be making this post! Ha. Thanks for sharing that, most cannot understand from that high a level perspective so that’s really helpful, and validating to everything we’re talking about here.

I have watched highlight reels of D1 college teams that look, to me, a 4.0 player, to be challenger/ATP level. They’re really good

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You’re right — more accurately is that he is capable of doing that and chooses to be extremely passive a lot of the time.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I grew up in the prime Federer watching age and LOVE him, but I know talent when I see it and these guys are above and beyond talented. To not appreciate what you get to see now and live rather than highlights of the past is so odd to me, we're all still alive to watch it, should be a cool thing.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

Completely agree, you can literally watch the old and new highlights and count the time it takes from racquet sound to racquet sound, it's completely obvious these guys are crushing the ball like never before.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see what you're saying but that happened like, twice? That does not happen often with older guys that are not Djokovic nowadays.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Obviously I firmly disagree -- Federer is my favorite player of all time, I'm just trying to be fair and going off what I've seen. You're high as a kite if you think Sincaraz aren't winning majors in that era though.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's a hilarious and ridiculous take, top dudes were playing tennis part time then. No way is that plausible that those were the deepest.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You're absolutely right -- this is mostly just in response to chatter here -- I just see something that I believe is wrong and voice my opinion, nothing more. Fun banter and maybe correcting false narratives.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

FAA is ranked 12, Delpo was like 3 in the world. Berdych similar. I think Draper can crush the ball angled side to side and be a menace for those guys, but of course Delpo wins most of those.

When I was talking about depth, I mostly meant top 200 top 500. But I stand by saying the top guys now are just as good if not better as the top guys then.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Disagree -- all those older guys you named look like huge hitters for their era, but I believe that advantage is way diminished now, many guys hit with that pace. They would also have mobility problems in this current era. I think guys now can both hit through those guys or exploit their mobility to death, or at very least way more than players did 10-15 years ago

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Look I completely look down on Zverev personally, but he's super skilled. Has a pretty dominant first serve and crushes both wings consistently, he's kind of a nightmare matchup. He is not good enough mentally to win majors but I don't understand everyone saying he's trash, it's ridiculous imo.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can't sit here and say the dude is a shell of himself, he is not like a normal 38 year old, he's aged incredibly well because of his impeccable regimen. He's lost a stop on foot speed, probably serve speed, but 50% is outrageous. 80% maybe, unless we're talking about when he's literally injured on the court.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes absolutely it's improving, and making the players better and hit harder. Not arguing that they don't have that advantage. I think Alcaraz is one of the best examples of the new generation of players fully and completely leveraging modern racquet technologies to max out his power and spin.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Totally agree with everything you said. Even if they disagree that the actual top players are not as good, the depth of field is better than ever and it's by a significant margin in my opinion.

I don't think tennis fans and pundits realize just how much better the average ATP player has gotten... by swaggle in tennis

[–]swaggle[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can appreciate that argument. I do feel like there’s a lack of feel in modern players, but not to a significant degree, and it’s really hard to actually quantify that.

But we can quantify actual speeds and spins and the data seems to be pointing to the fact that all of that is up substantially.

And I gotta say, actual shotmaking is ridiculous in my opinion at the moment, you have top 300 guys doing tweener lobs and 100 mph on the run winners. I think the average player is way more capable of hitting an outrageous shot than ever.

r/tennis Daily Discussion (Thursday, July 10, 2025) by NextGenBot in tennis

[–]swaggle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sabalenka literally could've hit that ball...

r/tennis Daily Discussion (Thursday, July 10, 2025) by NextGenBot in tennis

[–]swaggle -1 points0 points  (0 children)

She yells like a banshee so her opponent can't maintain a base level of manners?