Anthony Albanese ‘cosying up’ to Peter Costello at the Australian Open upsets Twitter

Tennis, or at least front row seats at a grand slam, brought two old political rivals together – and left-wing Twitter users are seeing red. 

A photo of Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sitting next to former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello at the Australian Open women’s final on Saturday night in Melbourne sparked anger from the PM’s supporters on the social media platform. 

Mr Albanese and Mr Costello looked very relaxed in each other’s company as they watched Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka win her first major against Elena Rybakina.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured right) and former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello were spotted sitting together at the Australian Open on Saturday night

Mr Costello and Mr Albanese appear to be earnest conversation during the Australia Open women’s final

Twitter users were anything but relaxed about the situation.

‘Reports of Albo cosying up to Peter Costello at the tennis makes me really uncomfortable,’ one wrote.

‘Look I’m cracking the sh**s because he was sitting next to Peter Costello,’ another said candidly. 

Twitter users were quick to vent their displeasure at seeing the Prime Minister sitting with an old political foe

‘You know what? I’m unsurprised. It makes me feel more than uncomfortable; it makes me feel nauseous,’ said another.

‘Your skin would crawl,’ another wrote. 

Quite a few harked back to an old quote of Mr Albanese’s that he likes ‘fighting Tories (conservatives). That’s what I do.’  

‘Albo sitting with Peter Costello at the tennis. This is what fighting Tories looks like, I guess?’ one Twitter user sarcastically noted.

The Prime Minister showed himself to be a dedicated tennis fan as he attended the Australian Open for three nights including Sunday night’s final where he pictured between partner Jodie Haydon (left) and Tennis Australia Chair Jayne Hrdlicka

Mr Costello  was back at the tennis on Sunday night but this time sitting with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton

A few were quick to read political significance into the seating arrangement. 

‘More proof Labor has become LNP lite…Also why was Albo sitting next to Peter Costello at the Women’s tennis final?’ one wrote. 

Some tried to rationalise Mr Albanese’s actions. 

‘My mother always said ‘Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer’ I like to think this is what he is doing,’ wrote one Twitter user. 

Mr Albanese enjoys a beer with Ms Hrdlicka (middle) while at the Australia Open on Friday night for the men’s semi-final

A number of people noted that Mr Costello, who was treasurer during the Howard government from 1996 to 2007, still holds important positions such as chair of Australian Open broadcaster Nine and also the publicly owned Future Fund.

Mr Albanese, who is a keen social tennis player, was back at the Australian Open on Sunday night for the men’s final along with his partner Jodie Haydon.

Mr Costello was back as well but this time he sat next to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, while Mr Albanese was flanked by Tennis Australia Chair and Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka. 

It was the third night that Mr Albanese had taken his place in the stands of Rod Laver as he attended Friday night as well for the men’s semi-final between American Tommy Paul and eventual tournament winner Novak Djokovic.