Record prize money on offer in 2009

The 500 best players in world tennis will be competing for a record AUD$22 million in prize money at Australian Open 2009.

The men’s and women’s singles winners will each take home AUD$1.62m – an increase of more than 18 per cent, or half a million dollars.

The event Roger Federer once labelled the Happy Slam is also planning to take the Australian Open experience to a new level for players and fans in 2009.

The initiatives include:

• a new player restaurant and player services area
• a new player gym and warm-up area
• an expanded player entertainment guide
• a massive increase in on-site entertainment for players and fans
• a player concierge on site.

“We have improved our 10 - point player experience. From the moment the player steps off the plane to the moment they depart Melbourne Park, we want to do everything possible to ensure they have one of the best tournament experiences of their year,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley explained.

“We look at providing top quality service in everything from transport, accommodation and practice facilities to entertainment, dining, stringing services and even just getting around the site.”

The new player café will be triple the size of its predecessor, providing a world-class restaurant and lounge area. The café will feature a new fresh food and pasta servery, and the dedicated lounge space will offer an informal relaxed bar area where players will be able to enjoy coffee and light meals.

The gym has been shifted for ease of access. It is bigger and features state-of-the-art equipment, as well as a new player stretching area and running track to assist with warming up before matches.

The player entertainment guide has been expanded, offering discounts and vouchers to a comprehensive range of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and tourist attractions around Melbourne.

“We are even going to surprise those who have a birthday during the tournament with a little gift to help them celebrate,” Tiley said.

Once again, players will have the best transport in the world available to them at Melbourne Park and the official player hotels, with Kia providing a fleet of 80 vehicles to whisk them to their chosen destinations.

Additional staff will service the players, including a concierge service to welcome players to Melbourne Park and assist with all their enquiries.

For fans, new night sessions will take place at Hisense Aena on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 January, offering a feast of tennis alongside the night action on Rod Laver Arena.

A dedicated Aviva Tennis Hot Shots court will be set up in FanFest for the first eight days of the tournament, and a host of interactive activities will greet fans in the carnival area surrounding FanFest. Promo Parade’s new layout will highlight sponsor attractions and entertainment.

The festival experience will be complete for fans with a daily line-up of live entertainment presented on stages across Melbourne Park.

In addition to the on-site activities, Federation Square will host interactive programs during the Tournament, including Aviva Tennis Hot Shots activities and competitions.

The world of entertainment and first class services on offer to fans and players promises an experience like no other on the World’s Biggest Stage – Australian Open 2009.