Tennis venues transformed ahead of new-look summer
Tennis venues around Australia are undergoing significant change in readiness for a new-look summer of tennis in 2020, which includes the new ATP Cup.
New roofs are being installed in Sydney and Adelaide, while the historic Kooyong is being transformed, and work continues at Melbourne Park. It comes as we see the biggest shake-up to the Australian Open lead-up tournaments in years.
Gone is the Hopman Cup, Sydney International and World Tennis Challenge, while the Brisbane International is now WTA-only. In comes the new ATP Cup, with group stages to be held in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, with the finals to be staged in Sydney, ahead of the Australian Open.
Ken Rosewall Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre is having a roof installed to allow for matches in all-weather. It’ll host group matches and all finals of the new ATP Cup between January 3 and 12. The 10,500-seat arena is also having a new floor installed, allowing it to become the new home of netball in NSW. The state’s two Super Netball teams, the NSW Swifts & Giants Netball, will both play their home games at the venue from next year.
Memorial Drive in Adelaide is also having a roof installed over its main arena to allow for matches in all-weather. The 5,000-seat venue hasn’t hosted a true international tournament since 2007 but will host the new Adelaide International commencing on January 12.
Kooyong Tennis Centre is also undergoing a transformation with the historic venue having most of its upper grandstands demolished to revert back to how it looked in the 1930’s. All 8,500 seats are no longer required, and the space will be better used by the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club including additional car parking, an extension to the clubhouse and function centre. An announcement regarding the 2020 Kooyong Classic is expected to be made soon.
Meanwhile, the stage 3 of the Melbourne Park redevelopment is well underway with the old function centre demolished and construction commencing for its replacement (Centrepiece) as well as a new 5,000-seat showcourt arena. Work is expected to be completed in late 2021. The Rod Laver Arena upgrade is now complete, with the new Northern Annex recently opening, featuring new food and beverage facilities.
Tennis Australia recently announced a new ticketing partnership, with Ticketmaster to become the official ticket agent for the Australian Open, the ATP Cup, Brisbane International, Adelaide International and Hobart International. The new agreement brings with it the bonus of zero ticketing fees for fans attending tennis events across the country, a first for major sports and entertainment events in Australia. Tickets to the ATP Cup on on sale on Wednesday September 18.
