Is the Australian Open still the 'Happy Slam'?.

 

A moniker given to the Australian Open by Roger Federer has come to be a huge part of the tournament's identity.

Nicknamed the "Happy Slam" by the Swiss great, the first major of the season is largely loved by the players and continues to attract record-breaking crowds.

Innovative additions, such as this year's One Point Slam, have brought new eyeballs to the sport and been considered a roaring success.

But there have also been signs of cracks over the past three weeks.

Intrusive behind-the-scenes cameras watching the stars, overcrowding in the grounds and accusations too many attendees are not interested in the tennis have been among the chief complaints.

Now, with the mastermind of the Australian Open's growth reportedly set for pastures new, BBC Sport looks at the tournament's recent success and asks where it goes next.

Grand Slams used to be fortnight-long events but are increasingly becoming three-week extravaganzas, with the Australian Open leading the way.

The week preceding the main draws was once a peaceful time, with sparse crowds watching qualifying and the players practising behind closed doors.

Now there are star-studded events taking place every day in what tournament director Craig Tiley tags the "festivalisation" of the core tennis product.

As well as the One Point Slam, this year's Australian Open featured an opening ceremony that doubled as an evening with the ever-popular Federer, plus superstars such as Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka playing warm-up sets on Rod Laver Arena.

All of which came, of course, with a money-spinning entrance fee.

Around the grounds, superstar music acts, hip restaurant link-ups and family fun events have turned the Australian Open into the Glastonbury of tennis - a cultural jamboree blending sport, entertainment and food in one glamorous package.

The crossover was best demonstrated by global dance icon Peggy Gou and pop-rapper The Kid Laroi headlining the AO Live event.

The pair each played to 10,000 fans on John Cain Arena - the site's third showcourt - with Korean-born, Berlin-based DJ Gou bringing the party to a close before Sunday's men's final.

Gou would have felt equally at home playing in Grand Slam Oval, a patch which feels like an Ibiza beach club throughout the tournament due to a thumping sound system and bougie lounge bars.

Published By: Ajide Micheal Oluwabunmi.