Ever wondered what it’s like to attend one of the tennis grand slams, or better yet all four grand slams in a row? From Melbourne to Paris, London, and New York, each tournament has super different charms/quirks on and off the court.
So here’s my take on how the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open stack up, from someone who’s lived to tell the tale.
Australian Open: The summer soiree
If the Grand Slams were siblings, the Australian Open would be the laid back sibling who knows how to throw a party. The tournament is during the peak of Aussie summer, and probably has the best atmosphere of all the grand slams. It’s more than just tennis – it’s a tradition. It’s a two-week long Summer festival with world class tennis. It’s also probably the most technologically savvy grandslam with cutting edge facilities like a retractable roof.
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Vibes are high and people are excited coming into the new year to reconnect over some tennis. There is a real communal vibe and crowds are friendly. You have your avid tennis goers excited to take in some live tennis action, and then you have your Aussie that’s just there to celebrate with some drinks in the village perching with friends.
The cocktail of sponsors also adds something to the atmosphere. Emirates brings prestige (and caviar) to the tournament as a big sponsor, and then you have brands like Peroni and Aperol with perchable bars, and finally luxury dining pop-ups like Rockpool hosting upscale dining. Oh and for mega prestige, the AO even offers a few on-court seats.
One of the best things about the Aussie open is that it’s so accessible – both ticket- and location-wise. The excitement never settles and it is always sunny and buzzing.
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French Open: clay and class
Next stop is the French Open (AKA ‘Roland Garros’). If the Aussie Open is a casual barbecue, Roland Garros is a chic dinner party. The serious older sister. The vibe here is sophisticated, and in comparison slightly more reserved.
Watching tennis on clay is also a completely different (awesome) experience – long rallies and sliding players, and high bounces. It’s all very dramatic, just like the French themselves.
The traditional French food carts add a charm, giving the opportunity to have, in France…at the French Open…crepes and French champagne. Iconic.
The sponsors are high end (think Emirates, Rolex and Lacoste) and the event is chic. But the French spectators are a bit different – more vocal towards players and umpires. It’s a part of the charm but sometimes confronting.
Notable mention though MUST go to the gift store which is by far the best on the tour. The two story megastore rivals the size of Ikea and has everything from tennis racquet stringing to clay scented candles (and literally clay powder from the court to take home). It’s impossible to not buy something.
The only downfall is the weather. Roland Garros and rain delays go together like Federer and finesse, so a sea of umbrellas is almost a tradition in itself.
Wimbledon: The old-school royal
Wimbledon is the Grand Slam equivalent of sipping tea with the Queen in London – elegant, traditional, and unapologetically British. It also comes in high on a tennis goers bucket list so tickets are HARD to get a hold of.
Wimbledon is pretty similar to the Australian Open – just a bit more traditional. It feels like an honour to attend. It’s inclusive, it’s large, and everyone wants to go. Similar to the AO, the festivities and decorations start well outside the tennis village itself, with the whole district of Wimbledon decked out in traditional green and white decorations. I’d go so far to say if you miss out on a ticket you can still engulf in Wimbledon at a local pub.
It’s perfect for tennis lovers but also people who want a day out and the novelty of dressing up and engulfing in the Wimbledon and English traditions. The strawberries and cream? Iconic for a reason. Add a Pimm’s cup to the mix, and you’re living the Wimbledon dream. The crowd is super polite, too – applauding good play no matter who’s serving and quietly tsk-tsking anyone who dares to break etiquette. From the manicured lawns to the players decked out in all white, it feels like stepping back in time in the best way.
Notable mention has to go to the gift store here too. Want a grass rug? They have it. Even grass in a glass bottle. Or better yet a grass linen bedding set. They have some crazy things to take home.
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US Open: The loud and proud
Finally, we’re in New York for the US Open. If Wimbledon is all about decorum, Flushing Meadows is about going big or going home. The crowd is rowdy, and the night matches are unlike anything else in tennis.
The US open takes on the reputation New York has for itself with amazing food options (hello lobster rolls) including the iconic Eataly in-stadium! Unlike some of the other tournaments, most of the atmosphere is inside the stadium itself with people buzzing at their seats. Besides that, outside there is usually a two-story Dobel tequila restaurant/bar which can get pretty vibrant for people without stadium access.
Arthur Ashe Stadium is massive, and when the crowd gets going during a late-night thriller, it’s like being at a rock concert.
Emirates lead the sponsors and bring the world’s biggest stars offering live tennis with a side of lobster and Dom Perignon. Grey Goose also makes the tournament picture-perfect with their iconic Honey Deuce cocktail that is cleverly marketed and all over Instagram. It’s one of those “you have to do it” things, as is drinking from the Evian x US open water bottles.
The downside? It’s New York, so it’s not very close and traffic can be a pain. And while the energy is unmatched, the chaos can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not used to the hustle.
The final score?
Each Grand Slam has its own magic. The Australian Open wins for its festive vibes and friendliness. Wimbledon is tennis in its most classic form with all the iconic history and traditions. Roland Garros is for the purists and the US Open? The unapologetic, loud, and wild cousin. If you get the chance to experience one, even if you aren’t a tennis fan you will walk away converted. The more you take on, the deeper your appreciation for tennis, travel, and sport will be. It brings people together and helps make memories.
Tammy Christina is a digital publisher with strong notability for intertwining the sports and entertainment industries. She is a lawyer-gone-entertainment guru based in Sydney with a prime focus on bringing wider audiences into the realm of sports through various luxury lifestyle elements.
