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Grand Slam Oval

The Australian Open today revealed plans to more than double spectator space at the event with the introduction of Grand Slam Oval.

Located between Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, Grand Slam Oval – at 11,000 square metres – is the place to be if you want your tennis on the big screen, a mix of friendly bars and a great line-up of live music and DJs.

Some of the features of Grand Slam Oval include:

• Jacob’s Creek Wine Bar
• Heineken Beer Garden
• big screens
• live bands
• DJs
• Australian Tennis Magazine photo booth
• Lacoste Clubhouse.

Promising the biggest and best spectator experience yet, Australian Open 2010 will offer more free entertainment, a wider variety of areas to relax and greater retail therapy opportunities than ever before.

The two big screens on Grand Slam Oval will keep fans and patrons of the popular Heineken Beer Garden and Jacob’s Creek Wine Bar up to date with all the tennis action.

A host of live bands and performers, from established names to up-and-comers, along with a great line-up of DJs, will take to the Grand Slam Oval stage each day and evening.

Nova 100, the Australian Open’s new FM radio partner, will broadcast live from Grand Slam Oval.

Grand Slam Oval will also feature innovative ways to beat the heat. The Evian Spa is offering ice massages and the ANZ Ice Cube will be a fun place to chill out and relax.

Patrons can rate themselves against the world’s best at the popular Express Post Speed Serve, and check fitness levels and reflexes in two spectacular Nintendo spaces.

Picture yourself as an Australian Open champion? Then head to the Australian Tennis Magazine photo booth for your very own trophy shot and cover story.

In 2010 Garden Square will be the popular spot for families, featuring:

• tennis on the big screen
• roving entertainers
• MLC Hot Shots
• MLC Fan Zone
• MLC Autograph Island
• Wilson racquet stringers.

If the kids would rather play tennis than watch it, make a bee line to the MLC Fan Zone in Garden Square. Here they can participate in fun tennis activities, win prizes and learn some of the finer points of the game as they play MLC Tennis Hot Shots or meet players at MLC Autograph Island.

The Wilson racquet stringers are the unsung heroes of the Australian Open, working around the clock to ensure more than 500 players have their equipment in perfect nick. For 2010 they have a new and very public position in Garden Square and look forward to interacting with the crowds as they work.

Need to go shopping? Check out the amazing Lacoste Clubhouse, located on Grand Slam Oval. Lacoste also has an outlet inside Rod Laver Arena and a boutique beside Margaret Court Arena. The Clubhouse will stock Lacoste’s famous polo in a rainbow of colours, a wide range of accessories, a specially designed Australian Open T-shirt and the Andy Roddick tennis range.

The Australian Open Shops in Garden Square, Grand Slam Oval and outlets throughout Melbourne Park are the perfect place to bag a souvenir. Pick up everything from the iconic Australian Open towels and big tennis balls, to a wide range of essential hats, caps, T-shirts and accessories.

“The Australian Open has attracted record crowds for the past nine years and with the increased numbers we recognised that we needed to reconfigure our space to ensure the best possible spectator experience,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.

“The introduction of Grand Slam Oval more than doubles our facilities, giving our fans an even greater opportunity to relax and enjoy the carnival atmosphere that is the Australian Open.

“At Australian Open 2010 we have something for everyone – from the diehard tennis fans keen to snare a spot on a show court, young adults who enjoy the live entertainment and families who come for a great day out,” Tiley continued.

Series tickets for Australian Open 2010 go on sale through Ticketek from 9:00 am on Wednesday 7 October to 5:00 pm Sunday 11 October (AEDST).

Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena single session tickets and Australian Open ground passes are on sale from 9:00 am (AEDST) Monday 12 October.

The great value $29 Australian Open ground pass gives fans access to all the outside courts and free entertainment on Grand Slam Oval and in Garden Square.