The Grand Slam of Asia Pacific, the players favourite, the largest sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere. No matter how you label it, the Australian Open has become not only synonymous with summer in Australia for tennis fans – it is also a carnival of off court action and fun for entertainment junkies across the board. Australian Open 2012 will be no exception…in actual fact, 2012 offers more than ever and as an Official Travel partner, Sportsnet Holidays can’t wait to provide tennis fans from across the globe with an unforgettable experience.
Melbourne & Olympic Park is possibly the most advanced and all encompassing sporting precinct on the planet, and Rod Laver Arena is the jewel in the crown (don’t tell Collingwood supporters this!). Sure it is used year round for concerts, moto x and even rodeos. But Rod Laver Arena IS tennis. Just walking into a twilight session with the roof open is enough to make you stop and say…”Yeah, this is the business,” No matter where you’re sitting within this incredible stadium, you can almost feel every booming serve, crisp volley and devastating groundstroke, especially when the roof is closed. You get lost in time and I know I’ve walked out after a few marathon matches without even knowing it was past midnight! Thank goodness for Melbourne’s awesome train and tram network.
Rod Laver Arena at sunset. Simply unbeatable.
Though the main action is at Rod Laver and Hisense, there is so much more to AO for me. The first week is the best in my books. Walking around the outside courts you invariably catch a gem of a match between players you might not have even known were competing. Fair chance also that you’ll bump into, sometimes literally, a star of today or yesteryear. This is exactly how we managed to hook up with our favourite Sportsnet guest host and former Aussie Davis Cup player and captain, the Cockaleechie Kid himself, John Fitzgerald. You can catch him at any number of our functions over Australian Open 2012. Then of course, there’s the attractions off the court.
One of my favourite memories of Australian Open was in 2009. My best mate and I headed to the tennis and he was like a kid in a candy shop. I’m not a morning person you see, and he demanded that we get the tram at 9am, to arrive at the gates AS THEY OPENED!! For the love of God! Bleary eyed I tried to keep up with him (he’s pushing 40 mind you) as he bounded from the Nintendo interactive experience to the serving speed gun, next a hit on the mini courts (where we whipped a couple of 7 year olds – tubing? You bet!), then off to all the merchandise stands located between the stadium and outside courts. All this by midday. Then…finally we sat down on the lawn, amongst the bronze busts of our Aussie tennis greats and enjoyed some of the major sponsors finest offerings, the first of many for the day. After this we headed to the outside courts before settling in MY favourite, Margaret Court arena which by the way is soon to be the 3rd stadium court with a roof at Australian Open. That’s MASSIVE (Flushing Meadows…have a good hard look!). We never set foot in RLA, and still had the best day imaginable.
Summer, Heineken, Australian Open & Garden Square - what could be better?
On top of all the action at Olympic Park, Melbourne seldom puts on a better face than over Australian Open. It could be the outstanding weather that almost invariably presents itself in January, drawing everybody out of their homes to the beaches, nightspots, restaurants and bars of this beautiful city. Hearing the number of accents getting around Melbourne makes you proud to live here as we lay out the red carpet for our interstate and international visitors alike. AO is massive for the local economy too, and whether it’s as a ball-kid, program seller or waiter in the city, you’re bound to be better of during Australian Open than almost any other event Victoria hosts.
I simply cannot wait for the 2012 edition. I was lucky enough to catch up with tournament director Craig Tiley a few weeks back and learnt of some cool improvements to the tournament which once more is determined to be THE Grand Slam the players, AND us the fans love. Did you know the players cafe is getting it’s third full refurbishment in five years? Talk about being one step ahead of the competition.
What’s your favourite memory of the Open? A classic match or just a day spent with a few quiet beers in Garden Square or Grand Slam Oval? No matter what, make sure you join us as Sportsnet Holidays ensure your Australian Open 2012 experience is one to remember.
Thank you linesmen, thank you ball boys.
YOUR say about OUR say!