Hello, my first time going to the Australian Open, and I'm looking for an affordable way to see some matches (missed the previous deal).
I read that Ground Passes provide good value, but only for the first week - so does the first week commence 14 January, or before?
Any point in getting a cheap Ground Pass on 8 January, or after 22 January, which are cheaper… Just want to watch some tennis.
Thanks.
Ground passes are a good idea. Things may have changed since I last was at the Open. They may have restricted access to some of the main arenas, meaning a Ground Pass may not get you access, you may have to buy separate tickets. And then there's a little thing called inflation.
Some tips, it may get uncomfortably hot during the day, take protection with you. Nights can get chilly, take protection. There are sometimes looong waits to get into certain courts, this may become frustrating if you've never experienced it before. eg, you can only enter & leave during player changeovers, sometimes the queues are so long you have to wait more than one changeover. Bring your own food/drinks for the day.
If you're lucky, & if Nadal ends up playing, you may end up seeing a match in the 1st or 2nd round with great players who usually play deep in the second week.
Enjoy!
Awesome, thanks.
So if it official starts on 14 January, when would be a good "safer" date to potentially see some good tennis with a ground pass?
Any random date between 14 to 21 January?
Appreciate the tips for what to bring!
If it were me, I'd probably go for a ground pass on either of the first two days of the tournament which should include all round 1 matches. Remember that a ground pass doesn't get you in for any of the night session matches on the two main arenas (Rod Laver or Margaret Court). 1st round matches tend to be rather pedestrian affairs for the top players, although there is a pretty good atmosphere for any matches where Aussies are playing.
For the 3rd or 4th day (2nd round matches), I'd go with a night or day session for Rod Laver or Margaret Court. Prices go up as you can imagine, looks like this year they start at around $100 per session.
After those first four days, I'm afraid it's all out of my financial league. Even if you decide to go every day, as per the above, you'd be looking at a minimum of $320 on tickets alone.
Hello @freefall101 and @mrdean or anyone else who knows, how's the experience during qualifying week (Jan 8-11)? https://ausopen.com/ticket-info
One blog I read makes it sound great but was hoping to hear from those who've been there before.
https://www.littlewanderingwren.com/why-you-will-love-the-au…
The 2023 AO Qualifying Tournament offers 128 male and female players, just outside the world’s top 100 pro tennis players (including 8 wildcard players) an opportunity for one of 16 qualifying places in the Australian Open main draw. To achieve this they must play and win three consecutive matches.
Never been, but for $10 entry I'd say it'd be worth spending a day there.
Jan 8th is the qualifying start date, so it's not technically part of the open itself but you can see some tennis. By the 22nd there are very limited number of matches to see live, most will be ticketed so you'll be only able to watch on the big screens (and do whatever else is on during those days).