World No. 2 Iga Swiatek was booed by the Melbourne crowd on Thursday, 16 January. She won hearts with a commanding performance in the Australian Open second round, defeating Slovakias Rebecca Sramkova 6-0, 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena. However, her comments on Melbournes coffee culture during an on-court interview did not sit well with fans.
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In a jovial exchange with TV presenter Jelena Dokic, Swiatek mentioned her preference for Sydneys coffee, prompting boos from a section of the crowd on Thursday morning.
Dokic had even cautioned Swiatek to tread carefully when discussing her ‘coffee order’.
Ive got to say, in Sydney I found better coffee shops, Swiatek said.
After hearing the boos, Swiatek quickly tried to soften the blow: I am only drinking it before the match, so I didnt do the right research. So, sorry for my answer.
She eventually struck the right chord, saying: Overall I think in Australia, its hard to get wrong coffee; every coffee shop keeps a really great quality. And my order will always [have] flat white with oat milk.
Nonetheless, Swiatek received a huge round of applause after storming into the third round. It was her 40th straight-set victory in a Grand Slam and the 24th time she had bageled (won a set 6-0) an opponent in Grand Slam matches since 2020.
Melbourne is often regarded as Australias coffee capital, renowned for its vibrant cafe culture and dedication to exceptional brews. The citys passion for coffee is evident in its laneways, packed with artisanal roasters, baristas, and cafes offering unique blends and styles. From rich espressos to perfectly brewed flat whites, Melbournes coffee scene thrives on innovation and quality.
Meanwhile, local favourite Alex de Minaur played it safe, earning cheers from the Melbourne crowd after a clinical 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 victory over American qualifier Tristan Boyer in less than two hours.
Former tennis player John Millman attempted to put De Minaur, who lives in Sydney, on the spot by referencing Swiateks coffee comments.
I better keep this amazing crowd on my side. Theres no better place for coffee than Australia, De Minaur said, much to the delight of the crowd.
De Minaur will next face 31st seed Francisco Cerundolo in the third round of the Australian Open. Having reached the quarter-finals of three of the four Grand Slams last year, the Australian star is hoping for a deeper run early in the season.
