The thwack of tennis balls hurtling at super-human speeds is about to ring out across Melbourne Park, where the world’s best players will be facing off pursuing the Australian Open trophies.
If you’re among the hundreds of thousands of fans descending on Melbourne Park for the 2023 tournament, or planning your summer schedule to watch the grand slam from home, here is a comprehensive guide of everything you need to know.
When and where is the Open?
The tournament begins on Monday, January 16. The women’s finals are on January 28 and the men’s finals on January 29. Matches will be at Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court, John Cain Arena, and outside courts at Melbourne Park.
Gates open at 10am, and later on the final three days. For night sessions, gates open at 5pm. Match times will be updated on the AO match schedule online. The Australian Open draw will be at 3pm on Thursday, January 12, deciding the first order of play.
Dominic Thiem serves during a practice session on Monday.Credit:Getty Images
Who are the stars?
Novak Djokovic is making a return to Melbourne Park after being deported over his COVID-19 vaccination status in 2022. Djokovic has won the grand slam event a record nine times since 2008 and is currently men’s world No.5.
Nick Kyrgios, who was runner-up in Wimbledon last year and also reached the quarter-finals in the US Open, is considered Australia’s main hope for glory.
World No.2 Rafael Nadal, who won the 2022 Australian Open, is returning to defend the title. He won his first Australian Open in 2009 and has played in the men’s final six times since.
Daniil Medvedev, who lost to Nadal in the 2022 Australian Open final, spent about 16 weeks as world No.1 last year. His ranking lowered after losing to Kyrgios at the US Open in September, and he is currently world No.7.
Iga Swiatek is world No.1 women’s tennis player. The 21-year-old pulled out of the Adelaide International in the first week of January to manage a shoulder issue. She reached the quarter-finals in the 2022 Australian Open tournament.
Ons Jabeur was the runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2022 and is currently the world No.2 women’s player. If she were to win the women’s singles, it would mark her first grand slam title and the first by an Arab player.
Ons Jabeur was runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2022. Credit:AP
Big-hitter Aryna Sabalenka, who won this year’s women’s singles at the Adelaide International, is currently world No.5. She is chasing an elusive grand slam title after having serving struggles at the 2022 Australian Open.
World No.3 Jessica Pegula defeated favourite Swiatek at the United Cup in Sydney this month. She reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in 2022 and 2021.
There are several significant players who are out of the Open, including men’s world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz and veteran Venus Williams, a former singles champion, due to injury. Naomi Osaka, the 2019 women’s Australian Open winner, also withdrew and has just announced that she is pregnant.
How many tickets are there, and what are the prices?
The Open is targeting 900,000 fans through the gates across three weeks, including at the practice and qualifying matches.
People heading to Melbourne Park can purchase different tickets, giving access to several arenas and areas.
Ground passes, which depending on availability can offer access to unreserved seating in the John Cain Arena and some outdoor courts, cost $59 for adults and $10 for kids aged three to 14 for the first week of the tournament.
Australian Open.Credit:Getty Images
- Ground passes for entry during the semi-finals (January 26 and 27) are $28 for adults
- For the finals on January 28 and 29 ground passes are $23 for adults
Ticket prices for reserve seating in arenas depend on the round and the seats selected
- Rod Laver reserved day tickets start at $69 for adults, and $55 for concession, while night tickets are from $79 for adults and $63 for concession.
- Margaret Court reserved day tickets start at $65 for adults, with night tickets starting at $69. For concession, day tickets start at $52 and $55 for night.
- John Cain reserved tickets are from $65 for adults, and from $52 for concession.
Tickets can be purchased on the Australian Open website or via Ticketmaster.
What else is there to do?
Some of Melbourne’s best foodie culture will be on offer for the tournament, while the entertainment ramps up as the event continues, and there are plenty of activities for families.
Food and entertainment areas are back for the 2023 tournament. Credit:Eddie Jim
For kids, the Australian Open Ball Park will feature a high aerial adventure with obstacles, a water slide and an entertainment stage.
If people fancy having a hit with a racquet or perhaps a bat, the AO Tennis Club is where fans can find workout activity cardio tennis, POP tennis (tennis played on short courts), Mexican doubles game padel, totem tennis and table tennis.
For early risers, visitors can take a First Nations walking tour around Melbourne Park and the MCG, and the Open will host a First Nations day on January 18. In the second week of the tournament, there is an All-Abilities Day and a Pride Day.
A festival during the finals will feature performances from electronic duo Flight Facilities, New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee and Australian artist Vanessa Amorosi.
Yet, it’s the dozen food options where fans are spoilt for choice. Many dining options are accessible with a ground pass and some require a booking as part of a ticket.
A dining precinct overlooking garden square features a Supernormal restaurant, serving up Andrew McConnell’s Asian-inspired menu. The restaurant is available for walk-ins and with ticket bookings.
Nearby, bookings are required for Rockpool Bar and Grill, which is plating up a three-course menu, and a Penfolds restaurant pairing wines with its menu.
A greenhouse-like structure, called The Atrium, will offer Yarra River views from the River Terrace Deck, where chef Jacqui Challinor’s has prepared a menu from Sydney and Melbourne restaurants NOMAD. Bookings are not essential but can be included in tickets.
At a beach bar precinct, Sydney-based chef Josh Niland – known for fish butchery – is offering a taste of restaurant Charcoal Fish. Niland will also host a talk on Tuesday, January 17, about his approach to seafood dining. Nearby, there is an AO Spritz Bar. There are also food outlets from Rocco’s Bologna, Ca Com, Karkalla, Elsies Tacos y Liquor, The B.EAST, Tremilia Pizza and Fishbowl.
The tournament is offering up “superboxes”, with chef Shane Delia preparing a Middle Eastern menu from his Melbourne restaurant Maha. Meanwhile, St Kilda restaurant the Stokehouse will offer three-course menu in the Glasshouse during the second week.
What should I bring, and what’s the best way to get to Melbourne Park?
With maximum temperatures set to stay in the high 20s for the start of the Open, event managers are advising people to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a water bottle. The event is cashless.
Australian Open ticket holders can access free tram travel on route 70 and route 70a trams between stop D6-Flinders Street West and stop 7C MCG 4-7/John Cain Arena. People travelling outside this route will need a valid myki pass.
Richmond, Flinders Street and Jolimont stations are within walking distance to Melbourne Park. However, passengers on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston and Stony Point lines as well as V/Line services from Gippsland should check the PTV website for information about disruptions.
There are four public entrances to the Australian Open:
- City entrance (recommended for access to families going to AO Ballpark)
- Garden Square entrance (recommended for access to Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena)
- Richmond entrance (recommended for access to Practice Village and John Cain Arena)
- Grand Slam Oval Entrance (recommended for access to John Cain Arena and the numerous food and beverage outlets at Grand Slam Oval)
A taxi rank is located on Olympic Boulevard adjacent to the Grand Slam Oval. There are also designated ride-share pick-up locations further east along Olympic Boulevard outside the John Cain Arena and near the Richmond entrance.
Parking can be purchased as an upgrade while booking a ticket, but space is limited. Public parking in Yarra Park is available for $10. They won’t accept cash, so make sure you have a credit card on hand.
Where else can matches be watched?
Matches can be watched on big screens in the precinct. Matches will also be screened daily at Federation Square with some variations for Lunar New Year and Australia Day.
Nine, the broadcasting partner of the Australian Open and owner of this masthead, will have every match on every court available to stream for free on 9Now. Stan Sport will show every match ad-free.
More than 270 hours of tennis coverage will be broadcast across 9HD and 9GemHD.
Nine’s commentary team includes Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Jelena Dokic, Dylan Alcott, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith, Alicia Molik, Mark Philippoussis, Darren Cahill and Peter Psaltis.
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