My friend Chris joined me for MLS Cup '07. He's a big tennis fan, and we started talking about majors on the metro ride to the match. I remembered the Australian Open is normally very early in the new year, so when I asked where and when it was held, I found out it'd overlap with my final few days in Australia.
This first of four major annual tennis tournaments runs from January 14-27, 2008, in Melbourne, which just so happens to be the city I leave from on my way to Bali (Jan 29). Of course that'd put me there toward the end of the tournament for the men's semifinals and finals, the costliest and potentially most difficult matches to attend. However, Chris did suggest that it'd be cool to just hang out on the grounds, if getting a ticket wasn't feasible.
I'm sure seeking a single ticket would make the process a little easier, so it'd just come down to how much I'd be willing to pay. It is certainly an event I intend to keep in mind going forward.
Men's Singles Semifinal – $132, Men's Singles Final – $219 (USD)
Dan, Stu, or any others down under have thoughts on whether I should try and attend?
Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.
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Stu
Tuesday 20th of November 2007
Ive been to the open a lot. We always went for the night matches. If you go you might find yourself stuck in a seat for hours in the blazing hot sun with thousands of others stuck sweating next to you ;)
night games are awesome, as you can watch some and come out into the melbourne night life in town. day matches meh. I played tennis a lot (wasnt too bad..) I like the aussie open but watching the mens semi/final doesnt interest me.
if you buy tickets just to enter the grounds they usually have other games on the outside courts and court 1 (if you dont pay for center court).
If your a super tennis fan, go otherwise save the cash and have a night on the town.
Dave
Tuesday 20th of November 2007
Good advice Stu. I'm a tennis fan (use to play too), however I'm not die-hard like my friend. I have to start watching my money from now on, and I bet I could have a good time just with a grounds pass like you suggested. I don't want to go just to say I went.
Besides, if I weren't able to see Federer (who as you probably know is turning out to be one of the best ever to play), or Andy Roddick, I'd be rather disinterested.
Stu
Tuesday 20th of November 2007
Ive been to the open a lot. We always went for the night matches. If you go you might find yourself stuck in a seat for hours in the blazing hot sun with thousands of others stuck sweating next to you ;)
night games are awesome, as you can watch some and come out into the melbourne night life in town. day matches meh. I played tennis a lot (wasnt too bad..) I like the aussie open but watching the mens semi/final doesnt interest me.
if you buy tickets just to enter the grounds they usually have other games on the outside courts and court 1 (if you dont pay for center court).
If your a super tennis fan, go otherwise save the cash and have a night on the town.
Dave
Wednesday 21st of November 2007
Good advice Stu. I'm a tennis fan (use to play too), however I'm not die-hard like my friend. I have to start watching my money from now on, and I bet I could have a good time just with a grounds pass like you suggested. I don't want to go just to say I went.
Besides, if I weren't able to see Federer (who as you probably know is turning out to be one of the best ever to play), or Andy Roddick, I'd be rather disinterested.
Dan
Tuesday 20th of November 2007
I'm not the biggest tennis fan, you've got me thinking about going over for a weekend to watch a cricket One Dayer though. If that happens (if cheap flights are on) I'll try time it while you are around.
Dave
Wednesday 21st of November 2007
Cool Dan - it'd be nice to meet you after all this time.
Dan
Monday 19th of November 2007
I'm not the biggest tennis fan, you've got me thinking about going over for a weekend to watch a cricket One Dayer though. If that happens (if cheap flights are on) I'll try time it while you are around.
Dave
Tuesday 20th of November 2007
Cool Dan - it'd be nice to meet you after all this time.