Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - 2010 Australian Open Tennis Tickets

Hello everyone :)

I'm wondering if someone out there can assist me. I'm planning a trip to Australia in January of 2010 and one of the things I'd like to do is attend the Australian Open in Melbourne. Can anyone give me a feel for how easy/hard it is to obtain tickets (which go on sale in October)? I'm not necessarily looking to go for a number of days, I'm thinking that one session would be sufficient so in that regard I could be flexible.

I ask because I'd like to purchase an airline ticket before then, but to be honest the only reason I was planning on doing Melbourne on this trip was to go to the Open. What I want to avoid is buying the plane ticket, only to find out that I am unsuccessful in securing tickets for the tournament. I know (from previous years' experiences) that getting tickets to the U.S. Open in New York is often very difficult but I have no idea how the Australian Open compares in this regard.

Thank you for your replies, and have a good day! :)

Hello everyone :)

I'm wondering if someone out there can assist me. I'm planning a trip to Australia in January of 2010 and one of the things I'd like to do is attend the Australian Open in Melbourne. Can anyone give me a feel for how easy/hard it is to obtain tickets (which go on sale in October)? I'm not necessarily looking to go for a number of days, I'm thinking that one session would be sufficient so in that regard I could be flexible.

I ask because I'd like to purchase an airline ticket before then, but to be honest the only reason I was planning on doing Melbourne on this trip was to go to the Open. What I want to avoid is buying the plane ticket, only to find out that I am unsuccessful in securing tickets for the tournament. I know (from previous years' experiences) that getting tickets to the U.S. Open in New York is often very difficult but I have no idea how the Australian Open compares in this regard.

Thank you for your replies, and have a good day! :)

Hi Montgolfiere (you're not into ballooning are you :) )

Tickets are pretty easy to get except for the very late stages of the tournament...I imagine this is not too different to other Grand Slam events.

In the early stages a "ground pass" (costs ~AUD30) will let you access all courts except Rod Laver Arena (centre court) and HiSense Arena (the other roofed court - though there may be limited access to this one). It's a good ticket to get...you don't see the Federers, Nadals, and Williamses with it, but you can wander all the 'outside' courts at will and see some good stuff, plenty of it close up.

You might want to sign up to Tennis Australia (http://www.tennis.com.au/pages/HomePage.aspx?id=4&PageId=122&HandlerId=300)to get the newsletter, and follow the link to the Australian Open for a bit more detail. Tickets to the finals do sell out quickly, so if that's what you are after then you need to be on the ball (so to speak).

Hi Montgolfiere (you're not into ballooning are you :) )

Tickets are pretty easy to get except for the very late stages of the tournament...I imagine this is not too different to other Grand Slam events.

In the early stages a "ground pass" (costs ~AUD30) AUD29 in 2009. And I agree, one of THE best value tickets in world sport.

will let you access all courts except Rod Laver Arena (centre court) and HiSense Arena (the other roofed court - though there may be limited access to this one). Not since 2008.

It's a good ticket to get...you don't see the Federers, Nadals, and Williamses with it, but you can wander all the 'outside' courts at will and see some good stuff, plenty of it close up. You will also get to see ME! ^

Seriously though, when you consider the schedule, in round 1, there are 64 first round matches in each of the mens and womens singles draws, played over two days, so 64 matches per day on days 1 & 2. Of those, five will be scheduled for Rod Laver Arena (three day, two night), four on Hisense Arena (all day). That leaves you with 55 matches on outside courts, all of which are accessible to ground pass holders. There are BOUND to be some good matches available, which will be scheduled on Margaret Court Arena, Show Court 2 or Show Court 3.

Likewise on days 3 & 4, 55 matches available, as there would be 32 singles and 32 doubles matches per day, with nine of the singles matches on RLA amd HA.

If you need any firther assistance with Australian Open queries, don't hesitate to ask on here, or PM or email me.

Dave
(Australian Open umpire)

tuapekastar & thadocta:

Many thanks to both of you for all of your assistance! :)

tuapekastar - You're exactly right about the ballooning - I'm a private pilot. In fact, one of the things I plan to do in Melbourne is a sunrise flight over the city (which would be a real treat...here in the U.S. our airspace rules are much different).

thadocta (my apologies - I still haven't mastered this "quoting previous posts" concept), excellent point about the number of matches in the earlier rounds - I hadn't thought about that.

Right now, I'm tentatively planning to arrive in Melbourne on Friday, 22 January 2010 and leave on Tuesday, 26 January 2010. I'm sure that tickets for Saturday & Sunday would be difficult to get as it's the weekend, so I'd plan on going that Monday. I'm presuming that would be 4th round/quarterfinal action. As I have not booked flights, though, it would be no problem for me to rearrange my schedule. In any event, I have no intention of going to the finals - I don't care who the players are, I want to see more than one match if I'm traveling that far!

I'm used to trying to get tickets over Labor Day (a major U.S. holiday which is the unofficial end of Summer here) weekend for the U.S. Open, which is an exceptionally difficult task!

Again, thank you both very much for your assistance! If I do make it to Melbourne and your schedules permit, drinks are on me ;)

And thadocta - I live just outside of Washington, D.C. - I've never seen a more accurate signature line :D

Right now, I'm tentatively planning to arrive in Melbourne on Friday, 22 January 2010 and leave on Tuesday, 26 January 2010. I'm sure that tickets for Saturday & Sunday would be difficult to get as it's the weekend, so I'd plan on going that Monday. I'm presuming that would be 4th round/quarterfinal action. There have been rumblings about starting the main draw on the Sunday (it has always been the Monday), but my umpiring application shows no play for Sunday 17 January - so let's assume it will still be Monday.

If this is the case, then the middle weekend will be days 6 & 7 - so Saturday will be the second day of third round singles, second day of second round doubles and second day of first round mixed doubles. Sunday will be the first day of fourth round singles, first day of third round doubles, first day of second round mixed doubles, and first day of juniors singles. Monday will still be fourth/third/second rounds respectively.

I'm used to trying to get tickets over Labor Day (a major U.S. holiday which is the unofficial end of Summer here) weekend for the U.S. Open, which is an exceptionally difficult task! Whilst you might have trouble getting tickets on Rod Laver Arena at extremely short notice, once ticket sales open (I think it is October) you should be able to get tickets fairly easily.

Again, thank you both very much for your assistance! If I do make it to Melbourne and your schedules permit, drinks are on me ;) I might hold you to that - just remember that, under the ITF Code of Conduct for Officials, no alcohol in the 12 hour period prior to going on court. :D

And thadocta - I live just outside of Washington, D.C. - I've never seen a more accurate signature line :D Yes, I think it is somewhat apposite no matter where you are in the world!

Feel free to PM or email me if you have any firther queries, either about the tennis or Melbourne in general, I lived in Melbourne in 1991-92.

Dave

Similar situation as Montgolfiere - if I extend our trip by a day and make our son miss the first day of college, we can catch the first day of Australian Open.

The grounds pass is definitely a bargain compared to Rod Laver arena tickets ($29 versus $59.50) - but if we bought the Rod Laver arena tickets around on Oct 12 (when ticketing opens up), what are the chances that we get very good seats and get to watch some big names in tennis? If not, we will go with the grounds pass approach.

[I did catch your (docta) comment about some good matches on Margaret Court Arena, Show Court 2 or Show Court 3].

By the way, we would plan to fly out on 18th (first day evening) on Jetstar to Sydney to catch a plane next day to San Francisco on Air NewZealand. How are the airlines down there - reliable enough that I should not worry that I won't make it to Sydney?

Thanks

Similar situation as Montgolfiere - if I extend our trip by a day and make our son miss the first day of college, we can catch the first day of Australian Open.

The grounds pass is definitely a bargain compared to Rod Laver arena tickets ($29 versus $59.50) - but if we bought the Rod Laver arena tickets around on Oct 12 (when ticketing opens up), what are the chances that we get very good seats and get to watch some big names in tennis? If not, we will go with the grounds pass approach.

[I did catch your (docta) comment about some good matches on Margaret Court Arena, Show Court 2 or Show Court 3].

By the way, we would plan to fly out on 18th (first day evening) on Jetstar to Sydney to catch a plane next day to San Francisco on Air NewZealand. How are the airlines down there - reliable enough that I should not worry that I won't make it to Sydney?

Thanks

PrincipalMember, chances are if you jump in as soon as they go on sale, you'll get reasonable seats and there'll be big-name players, but being first round, the matches may be somewhat onesided. The Rod Laver tickets would, AFAIK, also allow you to wander the outside courts if the mood took you.

Be very surprised if you had troubles making it to SYD in time, but have a plan B just in case Jetstar doesn't deliver.

By the way, we would plan to fly out on 18th (first day evening) on Jetstar to Sydney to catch a plane next day to San Francisco on Air NewZealand. How are the airlines down there - reliable enough that I should not worry that I won't make it to Sydney?

You'll probably be fine, especially since your next flight is the next day. However, just double check which Melbourne airport you'll be leaving from. Jetstar often flies to Melbourne Avalon, which is NOT the main Melbourne airport, and it's actually quite far from it.

Just have an idea of what you need to do if Jetstar does screw up. Melbourne Avalon is mainly used of LCCs, e.g., Jetstar, Tiger and Virgin. I don't think Qantas use that airport to go to SYD (if at all).

Thanks tuapekastar for the information about Rod Laver tickets allowing one to roam around - that makes sense.

Leumas - thank your for the information on the airport. That is the kind of hiccup I was worried about. I will look at the alternatives and plan better.

Thanks tuapekastar for the information about Rod Laver tickets allowing one to roam around - that makes sense.

Leumas - thank your for the information on the airport. That is the kind of hiccup I was worried about. I will look at the alternatives and plan better.

Indeed, I might be wrong, but I think Jetstar is the only airline using Avalon, so if you're stuck out there, last flight of the day, and it goes belly-up, there's no alternative option (other than to haul arse over to MEL).

Indeed, I might be wrong, but I think Jetstar is the only airline using Avalon, so if you're stuck out there, last flight of the day, and it goes belly-up, there's no alternative option (other than to haul arse over to MEL).

From what I looked at yesterday night, I believe you are right. The other thing I was saying is "why me" since from what I could see, they had moved other flights out of Avalon but left the Avalon-Syd route alone. So I will be definitely looking at other options.

Hi all,

Sorry for bumping an old thread but I have some similar questions regarding the Aus Open next year. Looking at going over for first weekend and a few days into the beginning of the second week. At this stage I'm considering two days with a ground pass (probably the first few days we are there so these will be 3rd/4th round matches - should still get some decent matches on the showcourts?)

Then we would like to attend a few of the quarterfinals in the second week (tues/wed) - if we buy a rod laver pass for the day, I assume this will give us access to the outside courts as well, but are all quarter finals played on RL anyway? I also have to factor in a day of shopping for the girlfriend :p so we may choose a night session instead.

With the ground passes - would it be ok to buy these a few days beforehand? Obviously we would need to buy the quarterfinal tickets earlier - how quickly do you think these will these sell out?

Also Hisense Arena - what matches are played on this court? I am assuming some of the better matches in the 3rd/4th round would get this court? Do you think we will be able to buy these a few days beforehand depending on the likely match ups (or maybe even after the draw comes out?)

Sorry for all the questions - looking forward to seeing some quality tennis!

Cheers,
Scott

Hi all,

Sorry for bumping an old thread but I have some similar questions regarding the Aus Open next year. Looking at going over for first weekend and a few days into the beginning of the second week. At this stage I'm considering two days with a ground pass (probably the first few days we are there so these will be 3rd/4th round matches - should still get some decent matches on the showcourts?)

Then we would like to attend a few of the quarterfinals in the second week (tues/wed) - if we buy a rod laver pass for the day, I assume this will give us access to the outside courts as well, but are all quarter finals played on RL anyway? I also have to factor in a day of shopping for the girlfriend :p so we may choose a night session instead.

With the ground passes - would it be ok to buy these a few days beforehand? Obviously we would need to buy the quarterfinal tickets earlier - how quickly do you think these will these sell out?

Also Hisense Arena - what matches are played on this court? I am assuming some of the better matches in the 3rd/4th round would get this court? Do you think we will be able to buy these a few days beforehand depending on the likely match ups (or maybe even after the draw comes out?)

Sorry for all the questions - looking forward to seeing some quality tennis!

Cheers,
Scott


Welcome to FT aussie_scott!

This year's draw/results are still available online here (http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/schedule6.html). I imagine the 'pattern' won't change much so if you check out what matches (e.g. Rd 4, quarters, semis) were played on what courts this year, you should get a reasonable idea of what to expect next year.

If definitely wanting to see a particular quarter/semi I would purchase reasonably early...they certainly don't sell out like the final does, but it pays to be conservative and not leave it too late! Hopefully someone else will be able to give a more definitive answer on that.

Hi all,

Sorry for bumping an old thread but I have some similar questions regarding the Aus Open next year. Looking at going over for first weekend and a few days into the beginning of the second week. At this stage I'm considering two days with a ground pass (probably the first few days we are there so these will be 3rd/4th round matches - should still get some decent matches on the showcourts?)

Then we would like to attend a few of the quarterfinals in the second week (tues/wed) - if we buy a rod laver pass for the day, I assume this will give us access to the outside courts as well, but are all quarter finals played on RL anyway? I also have to factor in a day of shopping for the girlfriend :p so we may choose a night session instead.

With the ground passes - would it be ok to buy these a few days beforehand? Obviously we would need to buy the quarterfinal tickets earlier - how quickly do you think these will these sell out?

Also Hisense Arena - what matches are played on this court? I am assuming some of the better matches in the 3rd/4th round would get this court? Do you think we will be able to buy these a few days beforehand depending on the likely match ups (or maybe even after the draw comes out?)

Sorry for all the questions - looking forward to seeing some quality tennis!

Cheers,
Scott Hi Scott - I will get back to you in a day or two - I am just home from the pub, and am about to go to bed. I can answer all of these for you.

HOWEVER, I can say that, at the moment (August 09) it is not YET time critical for you as far as buying tickets go.

Dave

Thanks for that link mate, that's exactly the information I was looking for. It looks like we'll still be able to see some decent matches with a ground pass on the Friday and Saturday (3rd round) on Margaret Court (Gonzalez v Gasquet last yr - what a match) but by the fourth round all the singles matches will be on either Rod Laver or Hisense.

We want to book flights within the next few weeks as I can imagine these are only going to go up in price from now on. I'm tempted to only book quarterfinals tickets now and just leave the rest till when we're in Melbourn, depending on the scheduling of matches. Is this too risky?

Look forward to hearing your advice soon Dave, cheers

Having been in the Rod Laver Arena during the open, I would say it's worth paying black market prices to see one session there. It's amazing how intimate it feels for its size and it is qualitatively better by far than watching on TV, even if the TV cameras have the best angles. This is truly a beautiful arena.

Hi Scott - I will get back to you in a day or two - I am just home from the pub, and am about to go to bed. I can answer all of these for you.

HOWEVER, I can say that, at the moment (August 09) it is not YET time critical for you as far as buying tickets go. Oops - a bit (quite a bit more, in fact) than a day or two, but here goes.....

Ground passes you will be able to purchase for any day on the day - they are not capacity controlled, so as long as people are willing to buy them, they will keep selling them, if for no other reason than you can soak up the atmosphere in the Garden Enclosure, watching the big screen for what is happening on RLA!

I would be looking at showing up early on the day, and seeing what is scheduled for RLA or HI - it is possible to upgrade a ground pass to either venue, but the earlier you do this the better, since either venue is subject to a sellout. Upgrading is cheaper than purchasing a brand new ticket for the venue for the day, so this is what I would be doing.

FWIW, I have received my acceptance as an umpire for next year (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne), so I will be around at some stage, drop me a line and we will see if we can catch up.

Dave

Tickets just went on sale today. I snapped up tickets for the two quarterfinal day sessions. I got lower level seats, in the shade to boot!

I also prefer to attend the quarterfinals than the final rounds. The quarterfinals should increase my chances of watching one or maybe even two spectacular matches. That is especially true now that the depth of men's and women's tennis has become so deep in recent years. The same two players matched up for a quarterfinal match could also reasonably be the same for the final.

Now I just need to decide whether to stay at the Grand Hyatt or the Park Hyatt. Decisions, decisions....

Any FTers going? Maybe we can meet for drinks.

Any FTers going? Maybe we can meet for drinks. I'll be there - but the ITF Code of Conduct says no alcohol 12 hours before going on court. :D

Dave

I'll be there - but the ITF Code of Conduct says no alcohol 12 hours before going on court. :D

Dave

And you'll be abiding? :eek::p