Feature

2017 Australian Open to offer court-side fan experience

Organisers of this year’s Australian Open tennis grand slam have introduced a premium spectator package that will allow fans to get closer to the action than ever before.

Sixteen seats have been fitted on Centre Court at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, replacing the old photographers’ pit. The seats will be located just metres from the court itself.

Ticket prices have not yet been revealed but the package is expected to cost at least a four-figure sum. Tennis Australia’s commercial director, Richard Heaselgrave, told the Australian Financial Review newspaper that the tickets would be “quite a lot of money”.

Heaselgrave said the new seating area had been inspired by similar arrangements in the NBA basketball league, where fans can be located metres from the court. He said: “There are a lot of dynamic things happening in other sports, but you’re going where no one’s gone before with these seats.”

The Australian Open runs from January 16-29.

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