- Published:
- Tuesday 13 October 2015
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas today joined Tennis Australia President Steve Healy to officially launch Australian Open 2016, which is set to attract a bumper crowd of local and international tennis fans to Melbourne Park next January.
A family-friendly festival at Birrarung Marr and the strongest contingent of Australian stars in years will headline the Australian Open, which is among the most watched sporting events in the world.
The tournament, known globally as the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific, will again feature the world’s best male and female players competing for the coveted title of Australian Open Champion.
Victorians enjoy their tennis and the world loves the Australian Open. The 2015 tournament provided record economic benefits to Victoria as nearly 120,000 visitors flocked from interstate and overseas.
A record 703,000 spectators poured through the gates, and a report by Deloitte Access Economics found the tournament was worth $245.5 million to the state, and created 1400 jobs.
The new Australian Open Festival at Birrarung Marr will give families a chance to get into the Grand Slam spirit, with a kids zone for youngsters to improve their skills, and a selection of some of Victoria’s best food. The Australian Open Festival will run day and night during the tournament.
There will also be ANZ Tennis Hot Shots activities for kids at the Australian Open Festival as well as in Garden Square. Along with the Grand Slam Oval, these will be the best places to enjoy the off-court entertainment within the Melbourne Park venue.
The Andrews Labor Government’s $338 million Melbourne Park Stage 2 redevelopment is ensuring our iconic venue retains its status as one of Australia’s leading spots for sports and entertainment events. Works include the Batman Avenue Bridge, which will reduce pedestrian travel time from Flinders Street Station to Birrarung Marr to under 10 minutes.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas
“The Australian Open and the Australian Open Festival will bring visitors to Melbourne from all over Australia and the world. That’s a big win for the Victorian economy and a big win for Victorian jobs.”
“We’re investing in our sporting infrastructure to ensure it remains the envy of cities all over the world, and to maintain our status as the sporting capital.”