the australian open

played at: melbourne park; melbourne, victoria, australia

number of spectator courts: 24, including 5 show courts (rod laver arena, vodafone arena, margaret court arena, show court 2 and show court 3)

surface: composite (hard court)

opened: 1988

attended: 15 january, 2003

the youngest venue of the four, melbourne park is situated just outside of downtown melbourne (australia's 2nd largest city) and along the banks of the yarra river. the least known of the grands (at least in the u.s.) this little gem is synonymous with heat and excitement. in the dead of the southern summer, temperatures can reach upwards of 100°F (38°C.) but that doesn't stop the party. and that's just what this is, a party.

my take

accessibility - excellent. advance tickets are available for rod laver arena and are not too terribly expensive. the day sessions sell out before the night sessions, but either way, you will see at least 2 matches. walk-up tickets seem to be attainable (as of 2003) fairly easily. the true brilliance is that aside from laver arena and a small section of "premium" seats in vodafone arena, everything is accessible with a grounds pass. vodafone holds just over 10,000 so there are plenty of good seats to be had. and the three show courts (margaret court arena might be my favorite tennis court in the world) are all excellent places to watch a match. there may be a brief line to get in, but people are constantly moving in and out. which leads us to...

atmosphere: ...the absolute constant movement, overwhelming friendliness and sheer festivity of it all are something to behold. australians are known throughout the world as fun-loving and easy-going people, and this is in their front yard. despite the heat. despite the gigantic black flies. there is nothing more cheerful than a day at the australian open.

overall asthetic: slick and elegant. the two main courts tower in their modern-ness above the grounds, but the real beauty here lies in the amazing panoramic views of downtown melbourne. the outer courts all seem to allign themselves so that every vantage point is highlighted by some dramatic backdrop. it's a sparkling facility that mirrors the glorious city in which it sits.

bottom line: it's a blast. some of the most available viewing in all of tennis is found here at melbourne park. but, it's the people that truly make this an experience unlike any other.

personal highlights:

-this was my first major tennis tournament. what a way to start off.

-margaret court arena (ne. show court #1.) it's a small and beautiful court teeming with excellent match-ups.

-getting to watch melbourne's native son mark "poo" philippoussis battle paradorn schrichipan in laver arena in front of 15,000 adoring fans.

-seeing venus williams and lindsay davenport play (separately) for the first time.

-the city of melbourne. it is just awesome.

hi-def pictures coming soon.