Packing for the Australian Open 2020

 … whatever the weather!

Welcome to the Australian Open 2020. Anyone for Tennis? It’s shaping up to be memorable.

The Australian Open is played at Melbourne Park, well away from the Victorian bushfires zones, but we are seeing plenty of extreme weather.

It’s started with the much-publicised hazardous air quality during the Qualifying Tournament.  Followed by tropical hail that dented our cars, broke friend’s skylights and car windscreens in the city. On Day One the organisers were dealing with a months worth of rain in 24 hours… Oh, my Giddy Aunt and it’s getting hotter!

Be Open To Anything, is their motto and that’s definitely the right attitude to have!

Melbourne is known as the city of ‘four seasons in one day.’ So let’s just say, you’d mad not to channel your inner Girl Guide and ‘be prepared’ and pack accordingly.

As a veteran of the Aussie Open for the past twenty years, let me guide you through what to bring to have a successful day at the tennis with a ground pass entry.

Or for those of you in the depths of winter reading this from across the globe, come for a wander with me to Grand Slam Oval. It’s the next best thing to being there!

Planning, Be Prepared

1. Check out the AO website and download the AO App.

• UNDER ‘VISIT’: you will find all the information you need regarding Travel, Event info, Live stage, Kids and families, Site maps etc
• UNDER ‘TOURNAMENT’: Check out both the Match Schedule and Practice Schedules. Know which courts your favourite players are playing on.  With regards to match times, you need to check the Live Scores to work out match starting times.
• PRACTICE SCHEDULE shows where you can easily see players who normally play on the inside arenas, for instance, today you can see Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios. The good news is the times are fixed.

Just remember after last weeks space and easy access during the Qualifying Tournament, things will be a little crowded with over 500,000 fans attending in the first week. Gotta love that accessibility. So plan ahead!

Australian Open Website and App has all the information you need

2. Plan your transport:

Melbourne Park, home of the Aus Open has the best location of all the Grand Slams, centrally located in the city with easy public transport access.

TRAM:

On hot days take the tram (free from Flinders Street station with your Aus Open ticket) it will get you the closest to the courts.

TRAIN:

Richmond and Jolimont train stations are a 5-10 minute walk in. This is usually a fun start as the marketing freebies are often given out in these locations.

Arriving at Flinders Street Station

UBER:

There are Uber pick up/drop off points 300m across the road from the Grand Slam Oval exit. Just remember if you are taking an Uber home not to order your Uber ride until you reach the pickup point to avoid those annoying waiting surcharges.

3. PACK WELL

To ensure everything runs like clockwork!

• Comfy shoes – you will cover some ground
• Pick up a site map at the Information booths on arrival.
• Empty water bottles – hydrating stations are available across the site, fill up as you arrive save carrying the weight from home.
• Towel to sit on – those seats get sweaty, even on the lower temperature days.
• Cushion: if you arrive at Melbourne Park opening times they will often be giving out free seat cushions especially around the ANZ stand in the Fan Zone.
• Power bank – there are charging stations on-site but who wants to miss play?!
• Be mindful of what you can’t bring onto site: see Prohibited items here 

Gael Monfils AO Day Two 2020

4. ON EXTREME HEAT DAYS:

• Choose courts and matches wisely – find shade
• Use the AO daily schedule (free with your 2020 AO Official Program purchase) to choose courts with shade options. Note: courts 10, 11 and 17 have no shade…

Photo from 2020 Qualifying Tournament

1. Arrive early

Get there as the gates open at 10 am to make the most of the coolest part of the day.  Use this time to wander and pick up the freebie ANZ battery operated fans, free sunscreen and other cooling goodies on offer at the Grand Slam Fan Zone as you pass through.

There is always so much more to do at the tennis than just watch the tennis with AO live stage and concert entertainment, the kids’ activities, and some great competitions to enter. So now is the time to do the #aoselfiewithRafa and all the fun stuff!

• Upgrade to a stadium seat (ask for shade only) at the Ticketmaster ticket booths. Once the Extreme Heat Policy kicks in, for those in Rod Laver, the roof will be closed and it will be relatively comfortable for all – happy days!

The Big Issue for all Aussie’s is how far Ash Barty will go!

• Ticket: in a plastic pocket that you can wear round your neck so you don’t lose it – you will need to show on every entry to ticketed stadiums.

1. Buy an expensive ice cream at Rod Laver/Margaret Court/Melbourne Arena and sit on the floor in the air conditioning and enjoy!
2. Seek out the Hydration fans that spray water and enjoy!
3. Sun protection – sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, lip salve, a scarf to use as a coverup sun protection and use the hydration stations for water and cooling.
4. Queue up for The People’s Court at Melbourne Arena where the retractable roof can be closed to cool things off! Free entry with a Ground Pass.

• Umbrella – you are not permitted to use an umbrella in the stands, however, if we get more rain or extreme heat, protect yourself from the elements as best you can.

• Keeping cool – a towel to sit on, those plastic seats get so hot, you can also use your towel over your head (as modelled below!)
• Freeze your water bottle before you go, wet a facecloth and freeze, take ice blocks.
• A fan: paper or battery operated you can usually pick these up from the fan zone, although some of them are a tad noisy! Paper fans are given out at the Aperol drinks area.
• Take food and snacks (no cans allowed) so you don’t need to give up a shaded seat to nip out for food.

Haha! It can be quite a game in more ways than one, packing for the Aus Open, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

6. SHOPPING

Most things that you might need (like a Koala hat) are also available to buy at the Melbourne Park, the AO Fan shop is a good place to pick up a towel, cap or your next tennis outfit. There is even a Chemist Warehouse store for all your sunscreens etc but sadly this year no Lululemon store.

7. STAY LATE

There is so much to see with an Aus Open Ground Pass – don’t forget to have a boogie at the Live Stage!

I hope you have enjoyed your little visit with me today and these tips are helpful. I’m off to pack, I have a busy day at the tennis tomorrow!

Linking with thanks to Lady Fi & all the hosts at Our World Tuesday, Betty at My Corner of the World and Angie at Mosaic Monday