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Round the World Travel Guide

Attending the 2008 Australian Open

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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?

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Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking. For more of his adventures, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

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  1. Dan says

    November 19, 2007 at 10:57 pm

    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.

  2. Dan says

    November 20, 2007 at 3:57 am

    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.

  3. Stu says

    November 20, 2007 at 1:02 pm

    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 says

      November 21, 2007 at 2:19 am

      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.

  4. Stu says

    November 20, 2007 at 8:02 am

    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 says

      November 20, 2007 at 9:19 pm

      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.