Why you will love the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament

For the past twelve years, we have fortunate to have a unique insight into the world of professional tennis at the Australian Open and beyond. It is such a special time of year for our family as we share our Aussie home with professional tennis players, their partners and coaches competing at the Australian Open.

Tennis time is the highlight of my Melbourne year and I always make sure that my worldwide wanderings have me courtside Down Under to cheer on our favourite players!

Some years this involves the Qualifying tournament. Much as every player would love to walk straight into the Asia Pacific Grand Slam, entry via Qualies into the Australian Open main draw, is particularly exciting for us all.

I just love the qualifying tournament. It is tennis’ best-kept secret. I may be completely biased towards our Happy Slam, as the players refer to the Australian Open, I reckon if you want to watch world-class tennis for free, that’s right for free, then you’d be mad to miss out.

What is the Qualifying Tournament?

The 2019 AO Qualifying tournament is where 128 male and female players, just outside the world’s top 100 pro tennis players (including 8 wildcard players) must play and win three consecutive matches for one of 16 qualifying places in the Australian Open main draw.

This year it was held between Tuesday 8th January and Friday 11th January at Melbourne Park.

Won’t you come and join me as I take a wander around?!

Why is it so special?

• It’s free!
• There are no queues and you can walk straight in – enjoy, as it will be mayhem with over 700,00 fans attending in the next two weeks.
• You can easily find a seat – where else in the world can I invite all my girlfriends to join me to watch professional tennis, and we can have the whole grandstand to ourselves?
• The matches are amazing – with the 2019 Prize money increased to AUD $60.5 million (USD $42.8m) there is a lot at stake. Two of our three qualifying matches went to a tie-break this year, the last match lasted over three hours, it was on the edge of your seat, nail-biting watching.
• It is held on-site at Melbourne Park, home of the Aussie Open. It is fun to see the build-up, (literally, we were stepping around the tradies last week ) and excitement as we count down to Day one.
• The Aus Open Fan shop is open for business, buy your favourite tennis shirt, hat or towel before stocks run out.

What’s the first thing you notice? Don’t you love all the blues?! The Aus Open blue Plexicushion courts and sunny skies are certainly my happy place. After last year where players battled through rain delay after rain delay, the Qualifying tournament has had perfect weather conditions Yay!

A walk around the outside courts at this time of year brings a myriad of surprises and you never know who you will literally bump into. Hello Venus!

Not all Grand Slams are fortunate enough to hold their Qualifying tournaments on site, not all Grand Slams are generous enough to provide this unique insight into the tennis world for free.

Contrast this with the Wimbledon Qualies where there is a small charge to enter (which goes to charity) and it is held off-site on what I can only describe as a massive (albeit posh) field. We are so blessed with our Australian Open for sure.

This year in addition to the qualifying competition matches and the practice schedule they also offered fans the opportunity to watch some High-profile practice matches. Margaret Court Arena was packed on Thursday to see Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s friendly match. I think we all had a tear in our eyes watching Andy’s next day admission that he hopes to make it as far as retiring at Wimbledon.

This is Rod Laver Arena, the centre court of the Australian Open and it has had quite a facelift this year. For those in the know, I love the new edge to Rod Laver Arena and the introduction of the AO highstreet. Architecturally it’s a winner, the reflective glass which highlights the sunshine will be the backdrop to many a selfie I’m sure!

We also get our first look at the first couple of the 360 Vegemite Ball kids and their outfits – I think we’re going to really like the way the new Vegemite red t-shirt, navy shorts and the iconic legionnaire’s hat looks on the court.

I love that feeling of excitement and being at Melbourne Park before the crowds. A quick wander shows a new AO High Street, retail therapy from the likes of the AO Fan shop, Adidas, Country Road and Lululemon I mean who doesn’t feel motivated to get fitter and want a new gym outfit after a day watching tennis? For those who only intend to put your feet up and watch the remainder of the tournament on the telly, how about some Happy Socks?

Every year at Melbourne Park the changes are incredible. You get the feeling that Tennis Australia recognises that the rest of Asia would love to get its hands on this Grand Slam and there is no shortage of investment it goes all out for the new wows to exceed player and the fans expectations.

So whether you are attending the Australian Open this week or watching from afar, spare a thought for those 16 men and women who have qualified to join the main draw – how ace is that?!

Happy watching.

Linking with thanks to all the hosts at Our World Tuesday