Here is all you need to know about Diving Into the Yarra River tradition following an Australian Open win and its meaning
The 2024 Australian Open has come to an end after two weeks of stunning performances where several teens shocked high-profile players.
What is the “diving into the Yarra river” tradition after winning the Australian Open, its meaning and origin explained
There are some strange traditions and celebrations in sports and one of them is diving into the Yarra River after winning the Australian Open. Since we are just done with the tournament, let us have a look at what it is.
Originated by a legendary figure in the sport, one of the more commonplace sporting celebrations has been the custom of Australian Open winners plunging into the nearby river.
Who started this tradition?
SIN-PLY THE BEST 🏆#AO2024 pic.twitter.com/R1MFxck59L
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2024
A strange custom of diving into the Yarra River following his Australian Open victory was initiated by tennis legend Boris Becker. After defeating Ivan Lendl in Australia in 1991, the six-time Grand Slam champion celebrated by taking a celebratory dip in Melbourne’s river.
After he won his crown the following year, Becker encouraged American Jim Courier to perform the same manoeuvre. However, the tradition we then halted until 2016 as a result when, in 1993, Courier caught a stomach illness from drinking some of the river water.
The tradition returned in 2016 when Angelique Kerber jumped into the river to fulfil the bet she performed with Eurosport journalist Matthias Stach. She also admitted that the water of the river was cold and dirty.
Meanwhile, the men’s Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev of Russia 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in an exciting five-set final on Sunday to win the trophy and become the first Italian to win a major slam since 1976.
On the women’s side, World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Chinese unseeded Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2 to defend her title without dropping a set throughout the tournament.
In doubles, Elise Mertens of Belgium and Hsieh Su-Wei of Taiwan defeated Jelena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok of Latvia 6-1, 7-5 on Sunday to win the women’s doubles championship at the Australian Open.
Rohan Bopanna became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title, leaving his mark on history. At the age of 43, Bopanna and Matthew Ebden of Australia won the men’s doubles championship after defeating Simone Boleli and Andrea Vavassori of Italy 7-6 (7-0), 7-5 on Saturday, January 27 at the Rod Laver Arena.