The Aussie open just hits differently. It’s more than sport – it’s a summer festival with world class tennis. It’s also at the very start of the year so people are excited to get back into the swing of things with on and off court action.
It’s also a tradition. A tradition of texting your friends to see who’s going, arguing over who should have won, and taking a day off work to spend the day drinking under the sun with some live sport. Something feels communal about it. It’s a shared experience for the collective love of the sport and summer.
Here are some things you should know about the festivities, from an AO veteran.
1. The early bird gets the worm
The early bird gets the worm, as the saying goes. And with tennis, a lot of the good juicy stuff happens early on. Think late night matches and shock eliminations.
Of course, being at the finals is incredible with some serious tennis being served. But some of the best tennis is seen early on. You can’t predict it and once someone’s eliminated there is no turning back. And it happens to the best of them.
Players can dominate one day and fall short the next – you just never know. So if there’s someone you are actually eager to see it would be wise to get to one of the earlier matches to avoid missing out. You can either catch them at an early game or pop past one of the practice matches in the early days of the tournament (usually 12:00 – 4:00 pm daily).
2. Merchandise flies early too
Similar to the previous point, if you wait too long to snag some merchandise from the AO store, there’s a solid chance you’ll miss out.
Merchandise at tennis tournaments sells like hot cakes, and something that catches your eye on day one might not be there on day two. So if you plan on buying something to remember the tournament by, grab it while you can or forever hold your peace.
3. It’s a full day commitment, so dress the part
The need to dress comfortably is real. Tennis is (rarely) a brief affair. The whole experience takes all day (or night). An hour to arrive and gather yourself, the hours watching game/s, exploring the village, walking around finding your friends and family, the list goes on.
Not to mention, the tournament is held in one of our hottest months. High 30s and a day in the sun does not call for tight or uncomfortable clothing. Aim for loose, chic attire and comfortable shoes for walking.
4. Double park
It might sound crazy but it’s a fair play. When it comes to tennis, there are rules as to when you can leave and re-access your seat. The doors open and close at certain times and it’s all to make sure the players aren’t distracted by noises.
Once you’re in the stadium and feel the intensity of a five set thriller, you will know why.
Strong advice is to bring in doubles of whatever you are having. Food, drink, anything. Double park it.
5. Leave the grounds at awkward hours
That’s right. You do not and I repeat do not want to be stuck in the roar and rumble of hundreds of thousands leaving at the conclusion of the game or the AO concerts.
Either leave early or go for a drink after the match in the grounds until people disperse. But be prepared, some games can go really late.
6. Know the food everyone is talking about
Part of the AO’s appeal for non-traditional tennis goers is the food and beverage outlets that the AO hosts. Melbourne is known for its food scene and there are just so many of the city’s greats that pop up at the tennis.
The usual contenders are parked throughout the village – Rockpool for finer dining, DOC pizza and Stalactites for a more casual option, and this year some newer places like Melbourne’s Entrecôte and El Jannah are also showing face to get in on the festivities.
For drinks, it’s always a good time to perch at the Aperol bar, the Peroni bar, or the Piper-Heidsieck bars throughout.
7. And the players everyone is talking about
Of course. THE centerpoint. The thriller. The action. The tennis itself.
The Australian open is a global icon and the biggest names in tennis come in a heartbeat to compete. Since it’s one of the four major grand slams, the most points are awarded (2,000 points) to winners, compared to the other tournaments (where for instance 250-1,000 points are awarded).
Novak Djokovic is a usual contender and likely trying to extend his record-breaking dominance in Melbourne, but Carlos Alcaraz is always a potential successor to the throne.
With the Aussies, while Nick Kyrios recently announced his return to tennis for the 2025 open, Alex de Minaur is definitely one to watch. He has become a strong top prospect over the years showcasing consistency and success and represents the country so well. Keep an eye out!
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.
