Tennis-Ponchos at a premium as rain wrecks day one of Australian Open


Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 12, 2025 A member of groundstaff attends to court 3 after rain delayed play REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The fastest moving thing at the Australian Open on Sunday was not a tennis ball but a $25 poncho at the tournament's gift shop as wet weather wreaked havoc with the action on the opening day of the Grand Slam.

Persistent rain forced the cancellation of a quarter of the scheduled singles matches and fans not lucky enough to have a ticket for the main showcourts, which have roofs, sought shelter from the elements around the Melbourne Park precinct.

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