Clive James, the late formidable critic, traced the fundamental differences between the United States and Australia, his native land. “Superficially, Australia is like America; and yet profoundly different. … The differences reside precisely in the discrepancy of scale, which finally dictates that Australia, short of physical power, must rely on influence instead. In times of trouble, the United States can send the Screaming Eagles. Australia must send Cate Blanchett.”
These same sensibilities express themselves at the Australian Open. This major lacks the scope and boisterous sweep of the U.S. Open, the tradition and elegance of Wimbledon, the style and Paris-in-the-spring magic of Roland Garros. But it has a great deal of cultural charm.
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The Australian Open? This is not a champagne event but a beer event: long on fun and short on inhibition. It can feel like a music festival with some tennis tacked on. And sometimes, Cate Blanchett even shows up.
A few months ago, one of you suggested we do a tips column for the other three majors, the same we do each year for the U.S. Open. With that in mind, here’s a guide to the 2024 Australian Open.
• We’ll get the dutiful good soldiering promotion out of the way: The Tennis Channel will have its usual pregame show at 10 a.m. local time, which is 8 p.m. ET. My overlords inform me that Lindsay Davenport, Steve Weissman and I will be in studio; Martina Navratilova will be in Miami; and Jim Courier will be courtside in Melbourne. Check your local listings.
• Your intrepid Sports Illustrated correspondent will file periodic dispatches.
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated
On the grounds …
• Wear sunscreen. No, really. The sun is intense. Rafael Nadal–in-competition intense.
• Hydrate.
• I would contend that, among the four majors, the Australian Open has the least charming main venue and perhaps the most lively and spirited grounds. If you have tickets for Rod Laver, you are all but duty-bound to venture to outside courts.
• As always, note the practice schedule (which this event does an excellent job of publicizing). Most of the practice courts are between the two main venues, Laver and Hisense. Bonus: There are select spots in the shade.
• Again, the Aussie Open is about beer more so than champagne. But there’s plenty of both at the Grand Slam oval. Getting your drink on is part of the fan experience.
• Pay close attention to the bands performing on site. I guarantee that within a few years you’ll have heard of some. Tame Impala and Cooking on Three Burners are among the recent veterans. Billy Idol and Fatboy Slim—the turntable equivalent of a legends event—have been on recent bills as well.
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• If you’re looking for relief from the heat … (a) there are, of course, three indoor venues; (b) Court Four features a shaded paddock; (c) there are beanbags and nap chairs scattered around the grounds. Don’t be afraid to use them.
• Melbourne is a city of immigrants and ethnic enclaves. Bear this in mind when considering the schedule. Any match involving a Greek player is good theater. Same for Serbs.
• In my experience, Aussies say, “G’day mate,” the way New Yorkers call their city the “Big Apple” or Chicagoans warm to “the Windy City.” It other words, “visitor” comes stamped on your forehead. “How are you going?” is the more common greeting.
• You can stick with your pronunciation and give full faith to the R. We won’t tell. But do know that Aussies inexplicably call the city: MEL-bun. It was comedian Michael Kosta who quite rightly asks: Maybe at some point in the course of that 16-hour flight, they could spare time to tell us the name of the city where we’ll be landing?
• Want a great neighborhood joint? Go here. Trust us. You’re welcome.
David Callow/Sports Illustrated
• The Yarra River ain’t exactly the regal Danube wending its ways through Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade. But it’s a pleasant river and worth walking/running/biking alongside. During the event there’s often a stage set up on the banks.
• Especially if your hotel is nearby, water taxis are a unique way to get to the venue. Otherwise, take the excellent (and kinda, sorta free) public transportation, which will let you off at the back entrance. Or just walk. The venue is no more than 10 minutes by foot from most Central Business District hotels.
• Two detours: (1) Cross the river, walk through the botanical gardens and cross back over. (2) Walk by the Melbourne Cricket Grounds, at one point the largest sports venue in the world. (Bonus, the street is lined with eucalyptus, so it smells like a perfumery.)
• Do not—repeat, do not—take a taxi or use a rideshare app. The area around the major is a snarl of one-way and closed streets.
• Whatever you do, don’t go to Chin Chin on Flinders. You’ll really want to stay away from that place. (Otherwise the line gets intolerably long for those waiting at this all-time great restaurant.)
• Reapply sunblock. And hydrate.
• Contemplate how a country with a lower population than Texas can put on a national event of this level.
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated
• Reader Pete H: “If you like hoops, make it a doubleheader. On the second Wednesday, Melbourne Arena gives way to its usual tenant, Melbourne United of the NBL. It’s a separate ticket, but the basketball ticket gets you a grounds pass to the tennis. If the weather permits, they’ll take the roof off and play it as an outdoor game.”
• Australia Day is Jan. 26.
• The Aperol spritz elicits strong opinions. But it is omnipresent on the grounds.
• Speaking of spritz: Know in advance where the sprayers are located. (Some are behind Court Five.)
• Get your star spot on: Probably because there is no context whatsoever, I have seen these folks in attendance in recent years … and walk around in anonymity: Jimmy Rollins, Phil Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald, Ricky Williams and Ben Stiller.
To the non-Aussies:
• Put this event on your bucket list. If you’re coming from the U.S. or Europe, there’s no sugarcoating the flight. But when you arrive and kick the lag o’ jet, it’s a great country, great city, great event.
• We mentioned the sunblock and the hydrating?
