There’s no better place than courtside during the Australian Open 2015 from the 19th of January. Here’s what you need to know.
The first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year, the Australian Open was first played in 1905. It was held in numerous cities around Australia and NZ before finally settling in Melbourne in 1972. This year the Australian Open will be the first to offer three courts, which can be used in any weather conditions due to it’s retractable roof.
If you’re going to the tennis for the first time, here’s a few things you should know.
Etiquette Tips
There’s some unspoken rules for spectators whilst erm… spectating. Don’t commit a faux pas by following these simple rules:
- Cheer when appropriate. It’s a part of tennis but you shouldn’t be yelling at every volley. Hint: Cheering when a point is won is acceptable. However, the crowd should quiet down afterwards.
- Never boo. Booing is never appropriate in tennis, it’s not like other professional team sports where there’s a huge rivalry between opponents. If the player you aren’t cheering for wins the match, give him a respectful round of applause.
- Don’t bring signs. Not only are they disrespectful to other spectators as they could block their view, it can also be distracting to the players.
- Try to stay in your seat. The best time to get up for food runs and restroom breaks are when the players change sides after odd numbered games.
- Absolutely no taunting. Don’t taunt officials or players, this may be customary to us Aussies whilst watching sports on TV with mates or down at the footy, in fact part of the fun, but this could get you ejected from the venue and is very distracting to the players.
What to wear
Two words that you should keep in mind, cool and casual. Things can really heat up during the summer season. Wear light coloured clothing that can ward off the heat. It’s also acceptable to wear what the players wear, shorts and sports performance gear (they often have clever tech to keep you cool). Always remember to bring sun protection, that means hats, sunnies, sunscreen, water bottles and lip balm.
What not to bring
A lot of it should be common sense but things that you may be inclined to bring (but shouldn’t) are as follows:
- Alcohol
- Beach balls/inflatable devices
- Audio recorders
- Bikes/scooters/skateboards/rollerblades
- Tripods or telephoto lenses with focal length capacity more than 200mm
- Drink and food cans
- Eskies and hampers
- Any glass (including bottles)
- Laser pointers, distress signals, whistles or loud hailers
Who’s your favourite tennis player of all time?
