Major changes to Australian Open 2024 include an expanded Opening Week, plus introduction of AO Courtside Bar and more shade.
Melbourne, Australia, 11 October 2023 | tennis.com.au
An Opening Week packed with tennis, entertainment and fun, along with the stunning new AO Courtside Bar, are just some of the Australian Open’s big and bold plans to bring fans closer to the action than ever before.
Introduced in 2023, Opening Week was designed to solidify the AO as a three-week festival of sport and entertainment. For AO 2024 it will be even bigger and better, offering an expanded program of events and more opportunities for fans to get closer to their heroes as they prepare for the first Grand Slam of the year.
“We are looking forward to a three-week extravaganza of tennis and entertainment, with Opening Week bringing fans closer to the action than ever and giving unprecedented access to the top players as we lead into a historic Sunday start,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley explained.
“During Opening Week, fans can sit in the front row of Rod Laver Arena and watch the world’s best players prepare for the AO, wander the site and see the talent of tomorrow fighting through qualifying matches on the outdoor courts, and enjoy a taste of all the fun and excitement that makes the AO different.
“Thousands of racquets will be given away to kids and families, the hugely popular Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates returns on Saturday 13 January, and stay tuned for more news soon on a series of exhibition and charity matches with big-name players.”
The tradition of creating spectacular and unique experiences for players and fans continues, with Melbourne Park once again redesigned for AO 2024.
“We’re very excited to launch the AO Courtside Bar, a double-storey bar overlooking Court 6 with a capacity of more than 400. We suspect this will quickly become known as the ‘Party Court’, and it’s a model we’d like to expand across the site in future,” Tiley continued.
“Increasing shade across the precinct has been an important part of our strategy for many years and we’ve upped it exponentially for next January. Just as this year we introduced the stunning ‘butterfly wings’ shade structure on Grand Slam Oval, in 2024 we’ll again double the shade onsite with the installation of elegant pavilions set across the iconic lawns of Garden Square, providing a relaxing and…
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