New Tennis Australia chief executive Andrew Abdo pledged more shade and more seats for outer courts at the Australian Open in 2027, as the former rugby league administrator believes his background as a tennis outsider will fuel the tournament’s “relentless pursuit of growth”.
The first tennis grand slam of 2027 will include the largest temporary grandstand constructed at Melbourne Park, adding 700 seats, and there will be “triple the amount of shade” for fans, as Abdo plans to cap day pass sales to better manage visitor comfort.
