Visible Security Presence at Australian Open
The security and well-being of the tennis players and fans has always been of paramount importance to tournament directors. This year at the 2011 Australian Open, there seems to be an even greater number of highly-visible yellow-shirted security people on
the court and around the grounds. For example, there are now ten security people standing in different locations on the court when the players sit in their seats at the change-over between games inside Rod Laver Arena. This is many more than the two, i.e. one behind each player, which has been the norm for many years at most tournaments. In addition, on the practice courts where the top players such as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer practice, there were four security guards, two on each side of the court.
Clearly, there is also a lot of security in place at these major tournaments which is not visible to the public, but yet still highly-effective. Nonetheless, a very visible security presences does send a message that they are working hard to protect the players. Given the scary on-court incidents at the Grand Slams in the past few years in which players walked on the stadium court and right up to the players, as well as the tragedy involving Monica Seles, it is important to constantly enhance the security measures to avoid future incidents.
Clearly, there is also a lot of security in place at these major tournaments which is not visible to the public, but yet still highly-effective. Nonetheless, a very visible security presences does send a message that they are working hard to protect the players. Given the scary on-court incidents at the Grand Slams in the past few years in which players walked on the stadium court and right up to the players, as well as the tragedy involving Monica Seles, it is important to constantly enhance the security measures to avoid future incidents.
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