Australian Open 2013 Update: Prize money, grounds redevelopment & more

Find out what’s new for AO13.

The Australian Open 2013 was launched in Melbourne this week.

Here’s an update on some of the new initiatives that will be added to what is already a sensational event.

AO 2013 Marketing

Here are pics of some of the images that are currently displayed around the Australian Open grounds.

Last year’s champions Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka have also been used in some pics, but there were people in the way so I couldn’t take photos.

Prizemoney increase

Total prizemoney for the Australian Open will increase by AUD 4 million, to AUD 30 million. This will once again be the biggest prize pool in tennis history.

Read more about the Australian Open 2013 prize money

Redevelopment of the grounds

The $363 million project to redevelop the Australian Open venue will be completed in 2015. However some new facilities will be ready in time for AO 2013.

I went to the grounds to have a look at the progress.

Melbourne’s sporting precinct is one of the biggest in the world. When you’re standing in the middle it’s a short walk to five sports venues.

I took this video while standing in what becomes Grand Slam Oval during the Australian Open. The vid shows the Westpac Centre, AAMI Park, Hisense Arena, MCG and Rod Laver Arena, so that you can get a feel for how close everything is. (sorry it’s a little shaky, I’m not so good with vids on the iPhone).

 

Eight new clay courts will be ready by the Australian Open. Players will use them to get ready for Davis Cup, Fed Cup and other clay court matches.

Other renovations are well under way.

Find out more about the new facilities.

More New Initiatives

Some of the other new initiatives are listed below*.

• retired tennis superstar Andre Agassi to play in a special feature match in the Men’s Legends Event
• Hawk-Eye to be introduced on Show Courts 2 and 3
• the inaugural Asia-Pacific Australian Open Wildcard Play-off to be held in China
• an expanded Women’s Legends event, including former AO champs Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport along with Martina Hingis and Martina Navratilova
• A special Legends Lunch on the final Saturday to honour six-time Australian Open winner Roy Emerson

More links

• Single session tickets are on sale to the General Public from 8 October 2012.
• Photos from the launch
• Craig Tiley on making the Australian Open a real crowd pleaser

Sounds great. Are you ready?

Here’s an Australian Open vid that will get you warmed up

Until next time

Grand Slam Gal