Australian Open 2025 LIVE: Latest results and set-by-set updates as Victorian Premier issues warning over ‘disgusting’ Australia Day plot as Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa to put friendship aside at Melbourne Park

Good afternoon and some news just in at Melbourne Park for you.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has hit out at any potential plans for protesters to disrupt the men’s singles final at the Australian Open on Sunday afternoon.

It comes as rumours have been circling around the tennis precinct in days that some Australia Day protesters were planning to disrupt proceedings on Sunday, January 26.

Protests have been planned for Melbourne’s CBD, but organisers have claimed there is no plan to make their way to Melbourne Park and will follow the same route that has been used in the past.

Ms Allan, though, branded any attempts to cause trouble at the tennis ‘disgusting’ before adding that a large police presence will be seen around the city and the tennis precinct in order to control crowds.

Approximately 30,000 people are expected to take to the streets on Australia Day amid the protests.

Ms Allan called on all parties to show respect, no matter their stance on Australia Day.

‘I think we can all find space in our hearts to respect that, to understand that,’ the Premier said.

‘Respect also goes both ways. We’ve got to make sure that for those who want to acknowledge the day in their own way have the space to do that.’

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Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said in the week that the tournament will have a strong Australia Day presence on Sunday.

The men’s singles finals will take place on Sunday, with Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev all gunning for a place in the showpiece event.

‘I’m proud of the fact that we are an event that always has been and always will be inclusive, diverse and offer equal opportunity for all,’ he said.

‘You will see the welcoming and the recognition of the Australian of the Year, on-court green and gold, the Australian flag as well.

‘We will have pre-ceremonies and special guests which we are going to announce and the Australian national anthem.

‘Australia Day does this year fall on the final day of the event, and so we anticipate to have a recognition.’

But some have hit out at the plans, including former Australian tennis star Sam Groth, who called for ‘more than just flags and the national anthem.’

Groth, 37, retired in 2018 but now works as the deputy leader of the Victorian Liberal Party.

‘[It] would absolutely be more appropriate to have something more major than just the flags, and…singing the national anthem,’ he said.

‘Yes, we can acknowledge some of the flaws of our country, but give those that want to celebrate, that come on site, the opportunity to.’

In the past, Tennis Australia has removed formal recognition of the national day, amid a push to change its date.

‘We are mindful there are differing views, and at the Australian Open we are inclusive and respectful of all,’ a Tennis Australia spokesperson had previously said.

‘We acknowledge the historical significance and deep spiritual connection our First Peoples have to this land, and recognise this with a Welcome to Country on stadium screens prior to both the day and night session daily.’