Your ticket to the world

Australian Open 2010 ... your ticket to the world.

The new tag line was unveiled at the official launch of next year’s Grand Slam of Asia–Pacific this morning amid a raft of 2010 initiatives, and a new television commercial.

“We are constantly looking at ways to ensure the Australian Open experience gets bigger and better for players and fans alike,” Tennis Australia’s CEO Steve Wood said. “Our challenge is to sustain the amazing growth of the event in recent years.”



Among the initiatives is a larger entertainment area to be known as Grand Slam Oval, an increase in the total prize money, an impressive new array of world-class sponsors and a tennis film festival.

But all the playing talk was about the plethora of potential on-court plots and sub-plots and of course, the comebacks – Henin, Clijsters, Sharapova, Molik, Dellacqua, Nadal and even Hewitt.

“So much has changed on the international tennis landscape,” is Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley’s assessment. “I think the respective title races will be more open than they have been in years.

“Del Potro’s win in New York has blown the men’s event wide open and Clijsters’ effort, combined with Henin’s comeback, has had a similar effect on the women’s.”

Initiatives announced for Australian Open 2010 include:
• a new larger entertainment precinct entitled Grand Slam Oval featuring big screens, live music, the new Jacob’s Creek Wine Bar, the Heineken Bar, the new ANZ Ice Cube and the Lacoste Clubhouse
• a 4.12% increase in the total prize pool to $24,094,000
• a world-class array of sponsors including ANZ, Jacob’s Creek and Rolex as Associate Sponsors, an increased commitment from Lacoste, Aviva re-branded to MLC , Cussons Pure signing on and a new deal with Optus
• a 30 minute earlier start time for night sessions during the first week
• Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde to be inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame
• Changing Ends – the inaugural tennis film festival with a $5000 first prize
• the “magic moments” match featuring Pat Rafter and Goran Ivanisevic
• a Legends Lunch and on-court ceremony to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Margaret Court’s incredible Grand Slam.

Series tickets for Australian Open 2010 go on sale through Ticketek from 9:00 am on Wednesday 7 October to 5:00 pm Sunday 11 October (AEDST).

Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena single session tickets and Australian Open ground passes are on sale from 9:00 am (AEDST) Monday 12 October.

The great value $29 Australian Open ground pass gives fans access to all the outside courts and free entertainment on Grand Slam Oval and in Garden Square.