At Melbourne’s Federation Square, cricket has given way to tennis on the big screen, signalling that the Australian Open is round the corner.

Just after noon on Friday, a huge roar went up around Melbourne’s historic sports and entertainment precinct. It could be heard over the William Barak Bridge and at Federation Square, a few metres in front. Probably even as far as the perennially busy Flinders Street. It was one that if heard in India, would have signalled the arrival of an Indian team bus at a cricket venue. As it turned out, MS Dhoni & Co. were scheduled to arrive at the precinct an hour later for their practice session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). But this roar had nothing to do with them.

News had arrived that Serena Williams was all set to jog out for her training session at Melbourne Park. The multiple time Grand Slam champion was in the house, and it was time to create some noise.

The outside courts of the Rod Laver Arena had been buzzing with activity since the wee hours of the morning. The qualifying rounds for the Australian Open, which kicks off on Monday, had begun earlier in the week and were nearing their conclusion. While most of the matches were being played in front of empty stands, the ones with local Aussie talent was witnessing impressive support with celebratory cheers merging with the constant rattling of the Melbourne trams galloping past nearby Jollimont Station. Williams was only the latest star to emerge onto the bright blue surrounds of Melbourne Park. Former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki and Italian veteran Flavia Pennetta had already graced the arena earlier in the morning.

The missing fans

Around the time Williams was finishing up with her training, the Indian team bus quietly chugged into the MCG compound. Some three weeks ago, the visitors were welcomed by hundreds of Indian fans with cameras and flags on all three days of their practice sessions leading up to the Boxing Day Test. The fans had then stood and watched their beloved cricketers go through the motions for three hours without budging from their spots.

On Friday, that number had dwindled to five, two young women with state-of-the-art cameras and a few men playing the kind of guessing game you often find in foreign climes. “Is that Jadeja?” “No, no that’s Bhuvanesh Kumar”.

For once, the Indians practised in silence. It was a sign, a very evident one, that Australia had shifted allegiances for the summer. “Move over cricket, the tennis season is here.” A two-week tennis break before cricket takes over again when the big daddy, the World Cup, comes calling Down Under.

The Australian Open in many ways sets the tone for the rest of the year in this sport-obsessed country, even if there aren’t many Aussies lighting up the hard-courts these days. And from the time you exit the Tullamarine Airport till the time you make the 40-minute journey to reach the Melbourne CBD, there are close to a thousand flags and hoardings reminding you that it’s time for the Open. Wherever you look, there’s Novak Djokovic with his peering eyes, informing you that it’s that time of the year.

In fact, he’s there even in the departure terminal of Sydney’s Kingsford Airport. It will in fact be interesting to see how many turn up for India’s clash against Australia at the MCG on Sunday, considering it will be the eve of the opening day of the Australian Open.

At Federation Square, people sit back leisurely on the grass-banks, some with picnic baskets, others with six-packs, watching the giant-screen showing cricket from around the country. Australia were incidentally playing the tri-series opener against England at the SCG on Friday afternoon.

Yet, it was the final of the Kooyong Classic between Fernando Verdasco and Alexandr Dolgopolov that was on at the Square, with around a 100 people soaking in the action. Yes, it’s for real that in Australia, cricket has just been bowled over and it’s game, set and match, tennis.