The Australian Open, one of the four major tennis tournaments held annually, is prepped for a historic Sunday start and for the first time, it’s going to be a 15-day event instead of a 14-day event! The first Grand Slam event of the year is set to take place in Melbourne from January 14-28, 2024.
There will be 128 players competing in the tournament (in both men’s & women’s singles), of which 104 players have qualified directly; 16 players from qualifiers and 8 players will be given a wildcard entry. The favorites to win the tournament this year are defending champions Novak Djovick (24-time Grand Slam winners) in the men’s singles and Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s singles.
Did you know: This is the first time since 1999 that the tournament will not have Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the draw!
The 2024 edition promises intense matches, thrilling rivalries, and unforgettable moments of joy and sorrow, for players and fans alike.
Australian Open: In a nutshell
🏴 Host city: Melbourne, Australia
🎾 Number of players: 128 players (combining both men’s and women’s singles)
📍 Location: Melbourne Park
📅 Dates: January 14-28, 2024
💰 Prize money: $ 3.15 million each (men’s & women’s singles category) and the runners up receive $ 1.73 million each
📺 Streaming channels: Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 5, Sony Ten 1 HD, Sony Ten 5 HD
Things to know:
🎾The Sunday start is designed to help alleviate the pressure on large night finishes, for both players and fans.
🎾The total prize money in 2024 shows a 13% increase from last year, to provide more incentive for players to perform at their best.
🎾Players to look out for in the upcoming games: Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Amanda Anisimova, and Ben Shelton.
Australian Open: Schedule for 2024
start date | end date | event |
|---|---|---|
January 14 (Day) | January 16 (Night) | Men's and Women's 1st Round |
January 17 (Day) | January 18 (Night) | Men's and Women's 2nd Round |
January 19 (Day) | January 20 (Night) | Men's and Women's 3rd Round |
January 21 (Day) | January 22 (Night) | Men's and Women's 4th Round |
January 23 (Day) | January 24 (Night) | Men's and Women's Quarterfinals |
January 25 (Day) | January 25 (Night) | Men’s Semi-finals |
January 25 (Twilight) | Women’s Semi-finals | |
January 27 (Twilight) | Cell | Women’s Finals |
January 28 (Twilight) | Cell | Men’s Finals |
Which courts are the matches held in?
Melbourne Park, where the Australian Open is set to take place, has 39 courts in total - 33 hard courts (cushion acrylic) and six clay courts.
1Rod Laver Arena
Named after the legendary Australian tennis player Rod Laver, this arena is the centerpiece of the Australian Open. It is a ticketed arena with an approximate seating capacity of 15,000. Having witnessed some of the most iconic moments in the history of Tennis from intense rivalries to epic finals, this arena has seen it all.
2Margaret Court Arena
Named after the legendary Australian tennis player Margaret Court, this arena’s design is inspired by the pleats of a traditional tennis skirt. It is a ticketed arena with an approximate seating capacity of 7500.
Did you know? The roof of the arena opens in less than 5 minutes and is supposed to be one of the fastest in the world.
3Melbourne Arena
Renamed John Cain Arena, in honor of Victoria’s 41st premier, this arena has a seating capacity of 9646.
Did you know? The arena can be transformed into a cycling velodrome. The John Cain Arena will host a range of matches including singles, doubles, and matches from the early stages of the tournament.
Exciting! Where can I buy my tickets?
There are 12 different ticket types to choose from and you can find them here.
Now let’s get touristy, shall we?
Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, has plenty of things to see and do. From golden beaches to botanical gardens and art-infused streets to the metropolitan city life, make the most of this season of Australian Open by exploring The Big M.
1Connect with culture
The Australian Open is the best reason you’ve got to visit Melbourne this summer! We geddit! But, this isn’t just a city of sports, it’s a melting pot of culture and creativity. Visit the Federation Square which hosts a range of events, exhibitions, and performances throughout the year. Interestingly you can even catch the Australian Open being screened on the big screen.
2Learn about sporting legends
Clearly we can’t move past sports here, can we? Guilty! Check out the Australian Sports Museum, where you can expect only the unexpected. From cricket and football to horse racing and olympics, pay your respects at this interactive museum. You can even book a guided tour of Melbourne Cricket Ground to catch a glimpse of behind-the-scenes. Book your combo tickets of both the tours on Headout.
3River adventures
Melbourne is a river city and there’s plenty of water-based fun activities for you to try out! Book a Yaara River cruise and enjoy sightseeing landmarks of the city such as Dockland Stadium and Melbourne CBD. Raise a toast at Ponyfish Island and enjoy local produce at the floating eatery Yarra Botanica.
4Craft breweries and distilleries
Is a trip even complete without trying out some crafted beers and cocktails? Head to Collingwood on the 86 tram and you’ll find a line of microbreweries that have set up shop. If you’re interested in a tour to learn about the craft of beer brewing, book a tour at Craft Beer Lovers’ Tour. If you’re feeling spirited, Melbourne has something for you - innovative single malts. Try them!
5Bird’s eye view of the city
Head to the highest urban observation deck in the Southern hemisphere - Melbourne Skydeck. From 300m above the ground, you’ll view the city differently. Step out onto The Edge, a transparent glass cube, to take in panoramic views of the city. This combo ticket also gives you access to Voyager Theater, a 6D immersive sensory experience.
Where should I eat in Melbourne?
This section is dedicated to answer the most important question that you have running in your head - Where and what should I eat in Melbourne?
Richmond is a great place to start exploring Melbourne’s food scene. From bustling Chinese restaurants selling hot-hot momos and dumplings to authentic Vietnamese Pho restaurants. Little Saigon is a great place to try out the warmth of noodle soup and delicious banh mi. There’s also many Italian places where you can indulge in mouth watering pizzas and creamy pastas.
Fitzroy is an eclectic food paradise with both affordable pubs and swanky restaurants. Start your day with a delicious brunch at Industry Beans, afternoon tea at Archie’s All Day and end your day with a modern Australian dinner and a glass of wine at Marion Wine Bar.
Chinatown is your go-to for Chinese cuisine (if the name didn’t give it away already).Throughout the year, there are traditional festivals and activities, making a visit here both a cultural and a culinary experience. Recommended restaurants include: Shanghai Village for steaming hot plates of dumplings, RuYi for a modern dining experience steeped in nostalgia in xiao long bao and soft-shell crab, and Longrain for a Thai experience, complete with favorites like caramelized pork belly and som tam salad.
Southbank ,situated along the Yarra River, is a suburban area with a mix of traditional cottages and modern high-rise buildings. Tell me about the food? From upscale restaurants to casual eateries, Southbank has something for everyone. That said, Southbank is the kind of area where you’d dress up for dinner and make it a classy affair. Highlight eateries include: Koko, Rosetta Ristorante, Yassas, and The Meat & Wine Co.
Melbourne, CBD is a foodie’s paradise in the heart of Melbourne! From Instagrammable cafes to Michelin-starred restaurants, Melbourne CBD has made a name for itself with all the many lanes attracting thousands of eager diners, day after day. Flinders Lane is an eight-block stretch of dining powerhouse: Lee Ho Fook (contemporary Chinese), Cumulus Inc. (all day-dining), Freyja (Nordic), and finish up with some delicious dessert at Om Nom Kitchen.
Enjoy being a tourist in Melbourne? Now let’s find you a place to STAY!
Find a place to stay based on your budget. Don’t worry about the view outside your hotel window, Melbourne is known to be a picturesque city so you’ll get a good view anyway!
High-end stay: Melbourne CBD
Mid-range budget stay: Southbank
Tight-budget stay: Fitzroy
Here’s a more comprehensive Melbourne Travel Guide which additionally includes a trip planner, day trips from Melbourne, and monthly festivals to attend in Melbourne!
