Attending the Australian Open: A First-Timer’s Guide to Melbourne Park
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Traveling to Australia is no small commitment. But attending the Australian Open in person transforms the journey into something unforgettable.
The moment you step onto the grounds of Melbourne Park, you realize this isn’t just a tennis tournament — it’s a global celebration of the sport.
The Scale of Melbourne Park: A Tennis City
If you’re attending the Australian Open for the first time, prepare for scale.
On television, it may look big. In person, it felt enormous.
The grounds operate like a campus — almost a city built entirely around tennis. Walking between outer courts, food areas, and practice courts takes real time - especially around 5 pm when the night session ticket holders enter the grounds.
On my first full day, I underestimated that size and missed Jannik Sinner’s practice by minutes. Lesson learned: planning matters!
Australian Open Stadium Guide
Melbourne Park features three primary stadium courts:
Rod Laver Arena – largest stadium, hosts top stars of the game, reserved tickets only
John Cain Arena – second largest stadium, ground pass and reserved tickets
Margaret Court Arena – third largest stadium, ground pass and reserved tickets
All feature retractable roofs — critical during the Australian summer heat.
Beyond those are approximately a dozen outer courts. For serious tennis fans, these often provide the best viewing experience. You’re close enough to hear player breathing and on-court coaching and strategy.
Separate practice courts host sessions for players including the stars of the game like Alcaraz and Sinner — and these practices are just as exciting of an experience than watching a match.
Why the Australian Open Feels Different
The heat changes everything.
The courts radiate warmth. The air is heavy. You feel what the players are enduring.
Watching Lorenzo Musetti live revealed how much faster and more physical the modern game truly is.
One of the most electric atmospheres I experienced was Eliot Spizzirri vs. João Fonseca, where Brazilian fans turned 1573 Arena into a football stadium.
These are the moments that don’t translate through television.
The AO Mobile App: Essential for Attending the Australian Open
If you’re planning to attend the Australian Open, download the official AO mobile app before you arrive.
It provides:
Real-time match schedules
Practice court assignments
Live scoring
Player profiles
Latest news
Food and amenities directories
And more...!
An important feature to take note of is under the “Visit” tab.
Inside the Visit section you’ll find:
The daily practice schedule
A fully interactive Melbourne Park map
Navigation tools to reduce unnecessary walking
I didn’t discover the Visit tab until late in my trip — and it would have dramatically improved my planning.
Tips for Attending the Australian Open
If you’re considering tennis travel to Melbourne, here are key takeaways:
Plan your day in advance — distances and crowds are larger than expected
Download and use the AO mobile app
Spend time on outer and practice courts for the best value
Hydrate and protect yourself from the sun
Explore both day and night sessions
Final Thoughts on the Australian Open Experience
Attending the Australian Open changes how you see professional tennis.
For me, a few things stand out:
The speed and conditioning of the players is very impressive
The small margins that separate players and match results
The international and energetic atmosphere of the tournament felt different at the AO as compared to the US Open and Indian Wells.
Melbourne is an amazing host of the Australian Open - the AO is everywhere!
Watching from the stands gives you a perspective television cannot.
For serious players — especially those of us competing beyond 40 — it’s both humbling and inspiring.
And it’s absolutely worth the journey.
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