• New entertainment zone called ‘the village’ added next to practice courts
• AO boss Craig Tiley expects Nick Kyrgios to return to playing

The Australian Open will expand its court-side hospitality in 2025, and patrons will now be served cocktails while watching top players on Melbourne Park’s headline practice courts.

The court-side bar introduced this year proved polarising and some players complained of the distraction of the rowdy crowd, but the formula has been expanded at the tournament starting on 6 January.