Keeping cool at the Aus Open tennis.

                   … even when it’s a bloody scorcher!

It’s the Australian Open, and when the Aussie’s say it’s hot …

it’s Fair Dinkum boiling hot!

It’s been a record-breaking January for weather across Australia. I have the utmost admiration for all players playing in these conditions and thank goodness for the updated AO Extreme Heat policy.  It can be pretty uncomfortable for spectators too.

After nearly twenty years at the Aus Open, I have my tennis survival kit all ready to go.

So here are Wren’s tips for what to pack in your favourite tennis bag to ensure you keep your cool! Or better still for those of you in the depths of winter reading this from across the globe, would you like to take a little wander around the tennis with me?

Just remember after last weeks space and easy access during the Aus Open qualifying tournament, things will be a little crowded with over 500,000 fans attending in the first week. Gotta love that accessibility!

Melbourne and certainly all my friends all throw themselves into the tennis. Whether you play or not, chances are if you are a Melbournite you will make the annual pilgrimage to the tennis!

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. 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. Richmond and Jolimont train stations are a 5-10 minute walk in.

To my mind, there is enough walking to be done on-site at the tennis so we splashed out and had an Uber door to door.  There are Uber pick up points 300m 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.

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 La Roche-Posay 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 super soaker and water slide, and there are some great competitions to enter. So now is the time to do the Kia karaoke and all the fun stuff!

If you are into the best Instagram spots then check out the wings in the Garnier tent (and pick up a free goodie bag whilst you are there but get there early as they have daily limits) clamber into the AO sign or stand in front of the Champions board…

If you wanted to, you could have a great day at the tennis without seeing a match!

But I’m here to see the tennis. A Ground Pass ticket, can be purchased on the day and will give you access to all the outside courts and the ability to queue to enter Melbourne Arena.

Melbourne Arena: Nick Kyrgios 6-4 7-6 6-4 loss to Milos Raonic

Plan your day:

Print off the AO daily schedule, or collect free with your 2019 AO Official Program purchase. Decide which players you want to watch and aim to find a seat in the shade, courts 5 and 10 have no shade as I have found to my cost sitting at them this week.

If I’m cheering on, sitting on a shadeless court, I try to sit at the top of the stand, under my umbrella and my scarf and covered in sunscreen, I look quite a sight!  Goodness knows how Anna Wintour has looked so fabulous all week watching from Serena’s Players Box.  I have been known to turn down a seat in the Players Box on Court 3, for a seat in the shade!

Not all outside courts have shade!

 Be Prepared:

1. Download the AO App to have up to the minute scores so you can move quickly to watch your favourite players. In this weather, things change rapidly as players react differently in the heat.
2. Pick up a site map at the Information booths on arrival.
3. Be flexible with who you watch according to where you can get seats in the shade. OR

1. 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!
2. Buy an expensive ice cream at Rod Laver/Margaret Court/Melbourne Arena and sit on the floor in the air conditioning and enjoy!
3. Seek out the fans that spray water and enjoy!

What to pack on extreme heat days:

• 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
• Sun protection – sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, lip salve, scarf to use as a coverup sun protection and a small umbrella (depending on where you sit (top row of outside course you might be able to use it as a sunshade)

• 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!
• 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, keeping cool at the Aus Open, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world! The extreme heat gives the players two opponents, the player on the opposite side of the net and the weather. It is such a leveller and always makes for an interesting match.

I hope you have enjoyed your little visit with me today. I’m off for an ice-bath!

Linking with thanks to Lady Fi & all the hosts at Our World Tuesday and Angie at Mosaic Monday