The players may not be aware of it, but Australian Open organisers have a plan in place to make sure that their every need is taken care of. It’s called the 10 Point Player Experience.
Hatched in 2007, the 10 Point Player Experience is the brainchild of Tournament Director Craig Tiley. It covers transport, practice courts, accommodation, accreditation, medical, change rooms, player services, player cafe, player lounge and player website.
“Basically we identified 10 major areas that we’re going to focus on for a first-class service for the players,” explains Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley.
“The players love the Australian Open and they love coming to Melbourne ... We greet them with great friendliness and we greet them with the attitude that we’ve very much focused on their needs.”
The whole operation is overseen by Meaghan Jeffrey, Tennis Australia’s Player Services Coordinator. It’s her job to coordinate all aspects of the experience and make sure the players enjoy their time at the Australian Open.
“To cater to their needs we have a Player Services desk here, and basically the staff here are able to cater to any desire that the players have to make the experience here more memorable,” explains Jeffrey.
And from the players’ perspective the experience couldn’t be better – they’ve voted the Australian Open the best Grand Slam for the past three years.
Australian Peter Luczak is playing his seventh Australian Open main draw this year and for him there’s no place like home.
“I’m probably biased because I’m a Melbourne boy and I love the Aussie Open more than the other Slams, but talking to a lot of the other players they really enjoy the Australian Open as well.”
While the other three Grand Slam tournaments – Wimbledon, French Open and the US Open – all treat player services seriously, it’s clear that the attention to detail shown to this vital area by the Australian Open is paying off.
