The Australian Open trophy presentation following the women’s final has been labelled “tacky and unnecessary.”
Aryna Sabalenka cruised to her second consecutive title at Melbourne Park with a ruthless 6-3 6-2 victory Chinese underdog Zheng Qinwen on Saturday night.
During the post-match presentation, Sabalenka was awarded the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, which is widely considered one of the best trophies on tour.
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But Australian Open organisers opted for a change in how the trophy was brought out this year.
Partnering with luxury brand Louis Vuitton, the trophy was concealed in a fancy trunk before being opened by actor Joel Edgerton and Aussie legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley prior to the final.
It remained next to the box before it was presented to Sabalenka following her dominant win.
Prominent tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg slammed the move.
“God this Louis Vuitton trophy box is so tacky and unnecessary. Daphne is gorgeous on her own, the best trophy in tennis. Let her be!” he tweeted.
Plenty of fans agreed with the sentiment as well.
“I say it every year but the Aussie Open organisers can learn a lot from Wimbledon. So much of the presentation is about the sponsors, too many speakers. It’s very tacky, just make it about the players, end of story,” one fan said.
After receiving the trophy, Sabalenka delivered some comedy gold when she thanked her team.
“ To my team, wow,” she says.
“I put a bit of pressure on them after the Brisbane final and we did a bit better in this one.
“Thank you so much for being by my side, no matter what. I think I have everything. I have forgotten what I wanted to say but without you, I would not be able to achieve so much in this sport.
“Thank you for everything you are doing for me. I will keep repeating the same thing, thank you for everything you have done for me.
“But without me, you would not be that good as well. Let’s accept that.”
