Australian Open officers will for the primary time cost spectators to look at qualifying matches within the week earlier than the Grand Slam begins because it begins to recoup a number of the money reserves spent staging the previous two Covid-ravaged occasions.
The transfer can even permit these spectators to look at organised observe matches between a number of the world’s finest gamers who’ve agreed to stage them as a part of what match boss Craig Tiley stated would turn into a “three-week extravaganza” in Melbourne.
Tiley revealed the brand new plan having confirmed final week that $80 million Tennis Australia had in money reserves had been mainly depleted over the previous two years, they usually needed to begin constructing it once more.
He stated nine-time champion Novak Djokovic, returning to the Open after being deported earlier than final 12 months’s occasion, could be included within the “perfect practice” periods and anticipated a glowing reception from followers.
“They’ll have ball kids, they’ll have umpires, they’ll have fans that can come (from the) qualifying, so you could actually watch a match,” Tiley stated.
“They‘ll play against Novak (Djokovic), they’ll play against Rafa (Nadal) and play a set against Rafa or whoever … we’ll see Alex de Minaur, we’ll see all the players.
“This is a part of our initiative of a three week festival of tennis … this is year one, and as we go on we’ll grow it as a content week. This a journey we are going to go on.”
The qualifiers, which begin on January 9, have historically been free entry however this 12 months grownup tickets will value $10 and a toddler‘s entry is $5.
Tiley used the pre-event press conference to confirm the Australian Open, which is under contract to play in Melbourne until 2046 was “not going anywhere” despite poaching interest from China. s
“The most important thing is it‘s not so much about the Australian Open being pinched – we’re right here till 2046, we’re not going anyplace, and I believe even past that,” Tiley stated.
“We’ve seen the other slams catch-us up. with stadiums with roofs, increasing their footprint, and that’s great for our game.
“We just ensure that we run a great three-week extravaganza of tennis that the rest of the world wants to participate in and be part of.”
