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Will the Aussie Open become the Asia/Pacific Open?

by bahamaderek on Dec.14, 2008, under 2009 Aussie Open, Australian Open

aussie-open

It has been reported that considerable pressure is being exerted on both the ITF and Tennis Australia to move the Australian Open from Melbourne to Beijing China and to rename the event the Asia/Pacific Open. This pressure is coming from corporate H Q’s throughout Asia who consider the Melbourne Park facility to be lacking many of the necessary ingredients required to maintain its status as the home of the only Grand Slam event in the Southern hemisphere. More than just a rumour, it has prompted the Government of the state to commission London based architects HOK Sports to present a master plan for a complete updating of the Melbourne Park site. The plan is expected to be presented to the Government early in 2009 after the completion of the 2009 Australian Open, and will include recommendations for changes in road and rail connections, changes to the entrance location, the building of modern corporate boxes and restaurants, a plan to ease crowd flow. The plan will also include the demolishing and rebuilding of Rod Laver arena. The arena is sadly out of date with a retractable roof that is antiquated and unreliable, and meagre corporate boxes and private court side seating.

The playing surface has also come under some scrutiny by those who want to see the Open played in China. Unlike the other three Grand Slam events, the Australian Open does not have a unique surface. Wimbledon has its grass, Roland Garros its clay, and New York has its hard surface. Maybe the Aussies should consider a surface made from ground coral, Eucalyptus leaves or peanut shells, just to be different. This coming year will see many improvements made by Tennis Australia to make the tournament more fan friendly. More night time matches for both men and women, much better player services, an evening entertainment line up of local and international personalities, and a host of other upgrades, but none of these address the root cause of the problem. If in fact there is a problem.

Tournament director Craig Tiley says,

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2 Comments for this entry

  • Matt
    December 31st, 2008 on 7:30 pm

    I think that we should do whatever it takes to have the Aussie Open stay in Aussie land. It would be sad to have to move it to China. Nothing wrong with China but it just feels wrong and sad. Let’s stand together for an Open that is and Australian Open and nothing else. That’s just my opinion…

    Happy New Years!!

  • bahamaderek
    December 31st, 2008 on 8:01 pm

    I agree with you….it would be like moving Wimbledon to Spain…unthinkable…


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