WATCH: Auger-Aliassime Forced To Change Courts During AO Loss Because Of Noisy Fans
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A strange moment occurred during Felix Auger-Aliassime's second-round 2025 Australian Open match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The two players agreed to switch courts because of the deafening noise on a nearby court.
Although the Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas hold many more fans, the outside courts at the Australian Open and the other Grand Slams sometimes generate the best atmospheres in the opening days.
That is for two reasons. Firstly, the crowd is right on top of the players, and the seats are usually filled, creating a connection and intimacy that cannot always be generated in the bigger stadiums at the Grand Slams.
Secondly, most of the closest battles during the first few days of the major events usually occur on the outside courts because the highest-ranked players often win their opening matches comfortably on the larger courts.
An exception to that was the incredible atmosphere generated during teenage prodigy Joao Fonseca's victory against Andrey Rublev on the Margaret Court Arena. The crowd could scarcely believe the level produced by the young Brazilian.
Nick Kyrgios also received great support on the John Cain Arena in a straight-sets defeat to Jacob Fearnley. The home favorite hinted at retirement afterward, saying he had probably played his final singles match at the Australian Open.
Court 6 is particularly known for being very loud because of a bar situated near it. Arthur Rinderknech memorably and bitterly said it was like a nightclub after losing a five-set match on it.
However, the volume from Court 6 reached extreme levels during Fearnley's match against Arthur Cazaux. The French fans supporting Cazaux made constant noise that was so loud that the surrounding courts could hear it.
Auger-Aliassime and Davidovich Fokina's match on Court 8 was the most impacted. Both men could not focus because of the absurd volume coming from Cazaux's fans, meaning a drastic measure had to be taken.
Both ATP stars agreed the situation could not go on. That led to the umpire consulting with tournament officials and suspending the match so Auger-Aliasisme and Davidovich Fokina could be moved to Court 7.
Below is a video showing that moment. Cazaux's rowdy fans can be heard clearly throughout, making Auger-Aliassime and Davidovich Fokina's concerns about it understandable. That led to the unprecedented move of switching courts.
The second round battle ended painfully for Auger Aliassime. Despite winning the opening two sets on tiebreaks, the former US Open semifinalist lost 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 after being broken nine times during the contest.
Cazaux's passionate fans also did not get the result they wanted. Fearnley blocked out the ridiculous noise level superbly to triumph 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 and book a third-round meeting with Alexander Zverev that undoubtedly will not be played on Court 6.
While passionate atmospheres are a good thing, this incident raises questions for the Australian Open's tournament organizers. Moving courts because of the noise was unfair to Auger-Aliassime and Davidovich Fokina and showed Cazaux's fans on Court 6 went too far.
