Doubles champion Matt Ebden makes shock ‘bubbling’ discovery on Australian Open court 3

An Australian Open men’s doubles quarter-final between the second and sixth seeds was forced to switch courts after serious issues were discovered on Court 3.

Australia’s Matt Ebden and partner Rohan Bopanna were about to serve the fourth game of their clash with Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni when play was put on hold for an inspection.

Several areas of ‘bubbling’ damage were found across one side of the court.

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The chair umpire pointed out multiple spots around the service box, with Ebden — the 2013 Australian Open mixed doubles and 2022 Wimbledon men’s double champion — rushing out to discover just how bad it was.

“Oh wow. If a serve hits this it’s a problem,” said Ebden, who suggested the umpire inform fans about the issue.

The grand slam has gotten away without significant weather interrupts but heavy rain fell on the first day of qualifying two weeks ago.

Court 3 was also among the first courts laid, having been used for a junior tournament in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

“If some moisture has gotten underneath the surface it’s possible it caused some bubbling,” Geoff Masters said.

“That’s most likely how this has come about, I would suggest.”

Masters said he has seen issues with bubbles in courts before but “it’s not common”.

Bopanna showed just why play was suspended when he dropped a ball onto an area of concern in the tram tracks and watched as it bounced no higher than his shoelaces.

The spots in the service area remained the most significant headache.

“That’s the most concerning because that’s where a lot of balls are going to be landing, clearly, consistently,” Masters said.

“If a serve, which is the fastest ball  coming your way, deviates at all, you’re in trouble.”

The match was moved to Margaret Court Arena and resumed about 30 minutes after it was initially stopped on Court 3.