Fans from around the globe have once again gathered at the Australian Open, ready to cheer on their favourite players with unshakable passion and often a shared sense of national pride.
The AO is always a melting pot of cultures and this year is no different. Flags are waved high, faces painted in vibrant national colours, and the energy in the crowd is electric.
It’s more than just a sporting event - it’s a celebration of unity and diversity with fans from all corners of the world bringing their unique traditions, chants, and sheer enthusiasm to create an unforgettable atmosphere.
ausopen.com spoke to some of the fans proudly rocking their country’s colours to hear their thoughts on supporting their nations at the AO so far.
The green and gold have taken over Melbourne Park, and no group is more enthusiastic than ‘The Dundees,’ an Aussie fan club making waves on social media. Gareth and Patrick, two proud members, are all about bringing the hype for Australian players.
“When we stand up and start cheering with all our friends, the whole crowd gets behind us and creates a great atmosphere for the player,” they said.
This year, ‘The Dundees’ have brought approximately 130 fans to the AO in the first week, with their youngest member, just eight years old. Their devotion is unwavering, “No matter who it is, who they’re playing, The Dundees will always back the Aussies.”
Gareth’s favorite chant? Seven Nation Army. “It fires up the crowd toward the end of a set and gets everyone singing along.”
As seasoned AO attendees - Gareth has been travelling from Queensland for 19 years and Patrick from Sydney for 15 — they embody the spirit of what makes the Australian Open truly special.
Chilean fans have brought the heat this year too, especially rallying behind Nicolas Jarry in his first-round clash against world No.1 Jannik Sinner. The stands were alive with chants and the red, white and blue of Chilean flags.
Among the supporters was Pablo, who travelled from Queensland to join his two friends from Sydney in cheering Jarry on. “You spell it out,” Pablo explained the chant that took over Rod Laver Arena on Monday.
“It goes: C. H. I. CHI. L. E. LE. CHI CHI CHI, LE LE LE — We are Chile.”
Although Jarry didn’t deliver the win they hoped for, their energy never wavered as they cheered him on until the last point.
“As Chileans, we are very proud," Pablo reflected. "Being able to cheer for our country’s players is so special, and the atmosphere it creates - even for fans from other nations - is undeniable.”
May-Brit and her family were proudly sporting Denmark’s flag on their shirts as they cheered for the Danes three days in a row.
“It’s a joy to see them play,” she said. “We’ve seen two great matches so far today, and both wins were fantastic.”
May-Brit and her partner made the long journey from Denmark to visit family in Sydney before embarking on a road trip to experience the excitement of the AO.
Their favourite chant, 'Kom så' ('Let’s go'), echoed their spirited support for their players.
Italian fans Christina and Carla brought a touch of Azzurri pride to the AO, dressed in Italy soccer kits as they cheered for the Italian players, especially their favourite, Sinner. The pair made the journey from Sydney to Melbourne to show their support.
“For us, supporting these athletes is not just about sports; it’s a source of pride and a way to connect with our heritage,” they said.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to see Italians represented here, especially on the main courts.”
With the tournament still in full swing, we can’t wait to see even more countries represented in vibrant colours and creative outfits in the second week.