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The Wonderful World of Tennis presents Australian Open - The Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific - The World's Biggest Stage - Melbourne Park 19 January - 1 February 2009
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FAQs

Q. What are the session times for day and night sessions at Hisense Arena?
You can view these sessions times in our Sessions section. There are day (11am start) sessions on Hisense from 19 January to 24 January. And, in a first at the Australian Open, there are night sessions (7.30pm start) on Friday 23 January and Saturday 24 January on Hisense.

Q. When do tickets go on sale to the general public?
Rod Laver Arena & Hisense Arena Series tickets will go on sale on Thursday, October 9 until Sunday October 19, 5:00 pm. Rod Laver Arena & Hisense Arena Single Session tickets and Ground Pass tickets will go on sale from Monday, October 20 at 9:00 am (AEST) via any Ticketek agency or via phone (Australian 1300 888 104 or International + 61 2 8736 2711) or Internet www.ticketek.com or www.AustralianOpen.com.

Q. What’s the benefit in buying a series ticket?
Series ticket packages are offered eleven days prior to single session tickets on Thursday, October 9 until Sunday October 19 with a discount compared to purchasing single session tickets. Packages available will include day or night sessions as well as a great Finals package for Saturday, January 31 – Sunday, February 01, 2009.

Click here for Series Package information.

Q. Will a Ground Pass ticket give me access to Hisense Arena?
No. Hisense Arena requires a separate ticket. Vacancies permitting on the day (non-sold out sessions), a Ground Pass holder may upgrade their ticket at the Ticketek box offices for an additional cost to get a fully reserved ticket to Hisense Arena. (excludes 5 Day Non Consecutive Ground Pass)

Q. What benefits does a Ground Pass offer?
A Ground Pass gives you full access to all outside courts including Margaret Court Arena where you will see a number of the world’s best players doing what they do best. Vacancies permitting on the day (non-sold out sessions), a Ground Pass holder may upgrade their tickets at the Ticketek box office for an additional cost to get a fully reserved ticket to Hisense Arena (excludes 5 Day Non Consecutive Ground Pass). A Ground Pass will get you everywhere except Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena.

Q. What does an ‘After Five’ Ground Pass include?
An After Five Ground Pass is available again for Australian Open 2008 from Monday, January 19 – Saturday, January 24 only, and will provide access to Melbourne Park from 5pm. Perfect for patrons attending after work and includes access (subject to availability) to a feature night match on Margaret Court Arena starting at approximately 7:30 pm.

Q. What’s the main reason behind the ticket price increase?
It is no secret that costs have risen substantially in the last 12 months. It will cost us significantly more to stage the event in 2009. While trying to limit the increases as much as possible we have had to maintain, in real terms, the revenue which we inject into the development of our sport in Australia.

There will be a significant increase in prizemoney, particularly for the winner, as part of maintaining the prestige of a Grand Slam. Furthermore, we will be investing significantly in an expanded entertainment experience onsite, which adds enormously to the value of a ticket.

Q. What does a Hisense Arena ticket offer?
A fully reserved seat in Hisense Arena plus access to all outside courts except Rod Laver Arena.

Q. Why do finals tickets sell out so quickly?
Understandably, finals tickets are in huge demand. We are talking about the best players in the world competing for the ultimate prize, a Grand Slam title.

Q. Why is Hisense Arena fully reserved arena?
Hisense Arena is a fully reserved arena to meet the demands of patrons requiring access to a reserved seat and to alleviate queues and crowd control issues previously experienced at this venue.

Q. Why are there two night matches scheduled on Hisense Arena?
Two night matches have been scheduled for the first week of the Open in Hisense Arena to meet the popular demand for more matches at this Arena.

Q. When do series packages go on sale?
Thursday, October 9 at 9:00 am until Sunday October 19 at 5:00 pm.

Q. What non-tennis entertainment will there be in 2009?
There will be major additions to the entertainment on offer throughout the precinct. There will be non-stop entertainment throughout the Open, just to name a few:- The world renowned Spiegelworld will be at the Australian Open for the first time. A major highlight in the second week of the tournament will be the Rock & Pop Concerts scheduled for Hisense Arena. Garden Square will feature live music and entertainment during the full 2 weeks of the Open and much much more.

Q. Do I need a separate ticket for Spiegeltent?
Yes, Spiegeltent tickets can be purchased through Ticketek, however you will need to have a valid same day Australian Open Ticket.

Q. What is the best way to book? Or how can I guarantee that I get good seats?
There is no one way of booking that is the best or that guarantees you get good seats. The different methods of booking; Phone, Agencies, Internet, are offered to patrons for convenience. To ensure fairness in ticket distribution ALL booking methods commence at the same time (9:00 am AEST) wherever and however you book. It is important to book early as sessions sell out fast.

Q. I live overseas or I’m going to be away when tickets go on sale. How can I book?
Bookings can be done from overseas either via the Internet or by phone.

Q. How can I purchase Australian Open tickets?
Australian Open 2009 tickets are scheduled to go on sale on Monday, October 20 at 9am AEST. Once on sale, tickets can be bought over the Internet CLICK HERE, via phone Australia 1300 888 104 International + 61 2 8736 2711 or in person at any Ticketek agency across Australia and in New Zealand CLICK HERE FOR AGENCY LIST

Q. Do tickets on the Internet sell faster than if I buy over the phone?
All booking methods (phone, agencies and internet) start selling tickets at the same time. To ensure that patrons who book via the phone or at agencies have equitable access to the seat inventory, the amount of patrons who can access the internet site to book is set at a predetermined capacity.

Q. What happens if I log on before 9:00 am?
Access to Ticketek.com is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, however Australian Open ticket sale pages are not activated until 9am AEST. If you are on the site before 9am then just before tickets go on sale, REFRESH the page to ensure you get the latest information & the BUY NOW button appears. Note a time limit of 15 minutes applies to book your tickets from the time you first log on.

Click here for further Internet booking information and tips.

Q. Are all the good seats reserved for Corporate Companies?
No, corporate packages are allocated at the North and South ends of Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena and on the western side in the lower tier of Rod Laver Arena.

Q. How can I request seats in the shade?
The Ticketek operator can try and locate a shaded section of seats for you when you book by phone, internet or at an outlet, however these seats sell very fast. If shaded seats are required for medical reasons then patrons should contact the Disability Booking Office on Tel: (03) 9286 1208 where a limited amount of tickets are held for this purpose.

Q. Do I need to present my concession card when I book tickets?
Yes, concession tickets cannot be issued unless an Australian student or pension card is sighted or the card number provided over the phone or on the Internet. Overseas cards are not eligible to receive a concession. It is also a requirement that concession cards are carried with you when you attend the Australian Open.

Concession prices for Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena tickets are available for children 15 years and under, full-time students and pensioners. Please note that only Australian student and pension cards are accepted and must be shown at the time the seats are purchased. Seniors cards and health care cards are not accepted. Concession tickets are not available for Ground Pass Entry.

Q. I require a wheelchair seat or other disabled seating – where do I book?
Contact the Australian Open Disability Bookings office Tel: (03) 9286 1208.

Q. How many sessions are there?
25 sessions in Rod Laver Arena:
11 day sessions from January 19-29
11 night sessions from January 19-29
3 Twilight sessions on January 30, 31 & February 1

10 sessions in Hisense Arena:
8-Day sessions from January 19-26
Two night sessions from January 23-24

Other matches are played every day of the tournament on Margaret Court Arena, Show Courts 2 & 3 and the outdoor courts.

Q. Can I buy tickets earlier than October?
No all public ticket sales commence in October each year.

Q. Where does the umpire sit?
On the net line on the western side of the court.

Q. Can we please have exactly the same seats as last year?
No. Tickets are allocated on a best available basis.

Q. Why am I restricted in the number of tickets I can buy?
Ticket limits are set to ensure as many patrons as possible have fair access to purchase tickets.

Q. What is a Twilight session?
At Australian Open 2009 on Friday, January 30, play will commence at 3pm with a men’s singles semifinal match scheduled not before 7.30pm. Saturday January 31 the women’s single final is scheduled to commence not before 7.30pm. On Sunday, February 01 play will commence at 4pm with the men’s singles final scheduled to commence not before 7.30pm.

Q. Is it safe to buy tickets over the Internet?
Ticketek Online processes your credit card details securely over the Internet using an online payment technology called Secure Socket Layer ("SSL"). The payment system is a Westpac accredited Internet payment security system. Standards are ranked among the best available. With the combination of Ticketek.com's Verisign SSL 128-bit encryption on their web site and a secure browser at your end, you can be assured that your transaction booking details are encrypted.

Q. Can I sell or buy Australian Open tickets on eBay or through any other on-seller?
No because the Australian Open Ticket Conditions of Sale and Entry states that you cannot on-sell seats, therefore you will be in breach of these conditions if you put your tickets up for auction on eBay or any other auction site. Listed tickets on eBay or any other auction site that are sold above face value may be cancelled and therefore patrons holding these tickets will be denied admission to the Australian Open event. There are many websites across the Internet that advertise Australian Open tickets. These are unauthorised sites and are not affiliated with the Australian Open. When you purchase tickets from these sites you are taking a personal risk. The Australian Open advises against purchasing tickets through these unauthorised sites.

Q. What can I do if I can’t use the tickets I have purchased anymore?
If Rod Laver Arena sessions have sold out, tickets may be refunded at Melbourne Park ticket sale offices only on the actual day the tickets are issued for and only if there are patrons waiting to purchase tickets.

Q. Does Ticketek have an international phone number?
Yes it is +61 2 8736 2711

Q. How many matches are played on Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena?
The schedule for each day’s matches is posted on www.AustralianOpen.com the night before they occur. Traditionally, during the Day Session there are three matches played in Rod Laver Arena and four matches played in Hisense Arena. During the evening there are typically two matches played in Rod Laver Arena. This is subject to both weather and schedule changes. Ultimately, the number of matches is determined by the Tournament Referee and is subject to change at any time.

Q. I want to see Lleyton Hewitt (or any other player), when is he playing?
The Australian Open is an elimination tennis tournament. For this reason, the draw for each day will not be announced until the night before each match. It is not possible to purchase tickets in advance for a specific player. Tickets are sold on a session-by-session basis.

Q. What is the minimum age for a child to require a ticket?
Children two years and under are admitted free to Australian Open but must be nursed in seated areas.

Concession prices for Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena tickets are available for children 15 years and under, full-time students and pensioners. Please note that only Australian student and pension cards are accepted and must be shown at the time the seats are purchased. Seniors cards and health care cards are not accepted. Concession tickets are not available for Ground Pass Entry.

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