Tennis followers charged £25 for burger and chips as Australian Open followers kick off
The Australian Open is underway and some fans have made their feelings clear about food prices at the tournament, while top players battle to win the first major of the year
The Australian Open has addressed comments about food prices at the tennis tournament(Image: Cameron Spencer, Getty Images)
The Australian Open has already responded to concerns over food pricing at the Grand Slam, which kicked off on Sunday. American burger chain Shake Shack has set up shop at the tournament, but its pricing has sparked debate among fans.
On the tennis courts, defending champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys are looking to hold onto their singles crowns in Melbourne. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz moved into the second round after defeating Australia’s Adam Walton on Sunday.
British hopefuls Cameron Norrie and Arthur Frey have also advanced, while Emma Raducanu delivered a commanding performance against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew. The former US Open champion is set to face Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in the next round.
However, an issue away from the tennis courts has already sparked fan outrage at the Australian Open. Shake Shack opened its first Australian store at the Grand Slam, yet tennis supporters have raised eyebrows at the pricing.
The priciest burger, chips and milkshake combo costs £25.67. More budget-conscious punters opting for a Shack Burger, crinkle-cut fries and bottled water would fork out £17.28.
The burger selection spans from £9.44 to £12.49, with milkshakes priced between £6.44 and £6.94. The pop-up shop has garnered praise from food influencers on social media but many fans have expressed shock at the costs.
One social media user posted: “Don’t order a burger at the Tennis it will cost you a bloody arm or leg! Shake Shack has pumped up its prices for pure greed!” Another quipped: “That’ll be $314 thanks”
A third wrote: “$18! ? That’s outrageous…. It’s $10 for shack burger here. shakes are fire though.” A fourth said: “The prices, I think I’ll have to pack a sandwich.”
The mixed reactions from fans have led the Australian Open organisers to address Shake Shack’s pricing at the tournament. A spokesperson explained: “We work closely with our food and beverage partners to keep prices at the AO as close to what fans would find in their permanent restaurants and stores as possible.
“As a temporary pop-up, operating Shake Shack in Australia involves additional costs that do not apply to permanent restaurants.
“This includes higher local costs of goods and labour and the construction of a fully functioning temporary kitchen to meet Australian standards.”
The first tennis major of 2026 is set to continue until 1 February. The singles champions at the event will pocket a hefty £2.073million.
