By David Estcourt
The Australian Open has made no secret of this year’s formidable attendance targets. In June, it was spruiking the prospect that 900,000 fans would visit over the course of the tournament – a number even it admitted was ambitious.
It was certainly hoping to beat the previous year’s subdued turnout as COVID-19 concerns dominated and players worried about getting confined to the grey, five-storey immigration detention centre the Park hotel, alongside nine-time champ Novak Djokovic.
Craig Tiley has warned Melbourne could lose the Open.Credit:Joe Armao
Sources close to the tournament hoped Premier Daniel Andrews, whose government has vowed to keep the Open in Melbourne, would take a tour of the newly renovated facilities this year. Well he might, given the $972 million of taxpayers’ money already tipped in to upgrade the Melbourne Park precinct since 2010.
But when contacted, the premier’s people told Open Season he was still on holiday and had no plans to attend a formal tour.
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley, known for his deft touch in managing to separate politicians from taxpayer dollars, reiterated his refrain in December that Melbourne could lose the Open to Sydney, or China, should the right economic climate not persist in Victoria.
Tennis Australia is also open about its preference for more permanent infrastructure within Melbourne Park – facilities that could deliver bang for buck across the year.
Daniel Andrews at the Open in 2020.Credit:Getty Images
It’s a firm position from Tennis Australia considering the fact Melbourne has the contract to host the Open until at least 2040.
The possibility of the Andrews tour, and subsequent rebuff, left Open Season wondering: what could be left on Tiley’s shopping list? And when will the sword of Damocles that hovers over Melbourne hosting the Open finally be lowered?
At the very least, Open organisers are expecting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to make an appearance at some point. All is not lost if Andrews avoids the tour.
AN ELTON NO-SHOW?
Open Season can confirm tennis icon Billie Jean King has arrived in Melbourne for the Open and is expected to be at Melbourne Park in coming days.
She will be joined on Thursday by the Original 9, a group of top sportswomen, when they headline the Open’s “inspirational lunch”. In the past, the lunch has been hosted by Rebel Wilson, Anna Wintour and Julia Gillard.
Saudi Arabian women’s rights campaigner Manal al-Sharif, known for her work in the right-to-drive campaign, graces the lunch on Thursday. Al-Sharif was picked in 2012 as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people.
Sources have told Open Season that some had hoped Sir Elton John would make a trip south to see his friend King – the pair are famously close companions – but given his touring schedule up north, those hopes are fading. Zac Efron is also on the wish list to pop in, sources say.
Organisers are still hoping Sir Elton can make an appearance at the Open.Credit:AP
BONDI BREAKFAST
An overcast sky and chilly 14 degrees were no deterrent to those who turned out late last week for a breakfast thrown by official sunscreen partner Bondi Sands.
Influencers were out in force for the event at the Australian Open’s Tennis Club enclave, hosted by the Melbourne skincare and tanning product (Port Melbourne Sands clearly didn’t have the same marketing appeal).
Lleyton Hewitt appearing for Bondi Sands.Credit:Glen Hunt
When Bondi Sands co-founder and chief executive Blair James interviewed star of the show and BS ambassador Lleyton Hewitt, they instantly pulled out their phones to record the moment for Instagram and TikTok, putting the social into socialite.
Open Season spotted Olivia Molly Rogers, stylist Paul Versace and former Bachelor Sam Wood, who appeared to be heavy users of Bondi Sands self-tanning range.
Later, guests took to the mini-tennis court for a hit with the two-time grand slam champ.
Hewitt’s reinvention from junior superbrat to thoughtful commentator, inspiring Davis Cup captain and proud father was there for all to see when he told James about the tennis progress of his son Cruz, 14. “He’s going OK at the moment. He’s shot up …. he’s nearly my height now.”
Cruz, also a BS ambassador, sent his apologies. He scored a wildcard entry into the Australian Open juniors and was up in Traralgon playing in the under-18s.
“It is a big step up for him,” Hewitt said.
Too big, alas.
Hewitt jnr lost in the first round to the top seed, American Adhithya Ganesan, who is ranked 603 places above him.
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