Stars warm up for action at the Australian Open — the “Sports Capital” Melbourne kicks off the event

Travel Centre / Taipei Reporting

Australia's Melbourne is gearing up for its annual sporting extravaganza. The 2013 Australian Open will take place from January 14 to 27 at Melbourne Park. As the largest sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere each year, the Australian Open attracts a global TV audience of 240 million.


▲ Each year, the Australian Open draws spectators from around the world to join the festivities in Melbourne. (Photo / Provided by Tourism Victoria)

The prize money for the thrilling 2013 Australian Open has reached an all-time high of AUD 30 million, nearly AUD 4 million more than last year and the largest increase since the tournament began in 1905. Current world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will defend his title in a fierce battle, facing challenges from legends like Roger Federer, 2012 US Open champion Andy Murray, and 2012 Australian Open runner-up Rafael Nadal.

In the women’s draw, defending champion Victoria Azarenka will face competition from Serena Williams (Little Mo), Maria Sharapova, China’s Li Na, local favorite Samantha Stosur, Czech rising star Lucie Šafářová, and other talented newcomers from around the globe.


▲ Players from around the world are giving their all in the competition. (Photo / Provided by Tourism Victoria)

Melbourne is gearing up early for this Grand Slam event in the Asia-Pacific region. The newly rebuilt Melbourne Park, with an investment of AUD 363 million, will see eight clay courts completed just before the 2013 Australian Open and put into use during the tournament. The entire Melbourne Park redevelopment project is set to be completed by 2015, when a new pedestrian bridge built over Olympic Boulevard will directly connect Melbourne Arena, Rod Laver Arena, and Margaret Court Arena. This allows fans to watch players warm up from new spectator stands overlooking several major practice courts.

Families visiting Melbourne to catch the games will enjoy another highlight of the 2013 Australian Open. Kids can practice tennis at the public courts located in Garden Square and Court 4 at the Melbourne Language Centre, guided by professional coaches. Parents can also bring their children to the fan zone at the Melbourne Language Centre, where fun family-friendly activities await, including “Light Up the Court,” “Spotlight Central,” and “Tennis Tornado.”

Beyond the Australian Open, Melbourne hosts a series of summer sports events, including the annual Vodafone Boxing Day Test (held from December 26 to 30, 2012), the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (March 14 to 17, 2013), and the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia (June–July 2013), which is expected to attract 30,000 fans to Melbourne.
 

▲ Even night matches draw packed crowds. (Photo / Provided by Tourism Victoria)

Official Australian Open Website:www.australianopen.com
Address of the Australian Open: Melbourne Park, Batman Ave, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Melbourne Park is adjacent to Melbourne’s central business district. The most convenient ways to get there are by tram or train. Limited parking is available at Yarra Park near the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you’re in the city center, you can walk a short distance along the Yarra River through Birrarung Marr Park to reach Melbourne Park, or cross the pedestrian bridge on Exhibition Street via Olympic Boulevard to enter directly.