Nine Network feels absence of stars as big numbers come through Australian Open gates

Broadcast figures down with no Ash Barty or Nick Kyrgios Attendance records broken on day one at Melbourne Park The Australian Open's loss of Nick Kyrgios and Ash Barty has not stopped crowds coming through the gates, but fewer are tuning in from home for a grand slam marked by a plethora of high-profile absences. Questions around how the lack of two of the tournament's biggest draw cards would affect local interest were partially answered in the first two days of action, though a full picture w...