Australian Open 2012

[mykoh]

just heard there are rumours going around of a boycott by ATP players at AO2013.

[bezs]

Going the first week, any survival tips to recommend?

[iyudhi]

bezs: what kind of tips are you looking for? I'd be more than happy to share my experience from last year

[burosky]

Sunscreen, water bottle, comfortable clothes and good pair of walking shoes. Optional: hat and sunglasses.

[ramos77]

a hat and glasses isn't an option in the Australian sun!

It's been super hot so far this year, it's going to be very tough on the players (as usual)

[iyudhi]

I agree.. a hat and sunglasses isn't an option.. it's a must!!

I remember last year during Nishikori vs Tsonga match... I couldn't even stay for more than 2 sets watching on the court.. it was sooo hot!! most people (including me) have to go back in and out of the court to take turns cooling off in the hallways..

can't imagine how the players feel that day..,.

[bezs]

Are there any water fountains in Melbourne Park where i could refill water? Would save a fair bit of dough from constantly buying bottles of water.


A question on tickets is it difficult to get tickets to say a session on Rod Laver once the schedule of play has been released?

[iyudhi]

there should be water fountains all around Melbourne Park.. I never had problems refilling my water..

you probably won't be able to get Rod Laver tickets straight after the schedule is released.. they're probably sold out by then...

keep an eye on the Ticketek website just hours before the actual match though, and you'll see some seats popping up..

scalping is heavily frowned upon for AO.. so you won't see scalpers hanging around the park.. what people usually do when they can't go to the matches is return the tickets to Ticketek..

got good seats for Fed vs Tomic last year (sold out match, 7th row ticket), and Nadal vs Berdych

not a guaranteed thing, but better than nothing..

[bezs]

Hmm... I'm hoping to be able to catch Fed play and i only have one confirmed day session on RLA for now.

Should i take a chance with another session in hope that he plays or wait till i get there and hope tickets are available?

[ramos77]

Originally Posted by bezs

Hmm... I'm hoping to be able to catch Fed play and i only have one confirmed day session on RLA for now.

Should i take a chance with another session in hope that he plays or wait till i get there and hope tickets are available?

I would use the bay....

You might pay more, you might not...

[iyudhi]

bezs: take a look at this following link... It reflects my strategy of getting tickets.. I would say taking a chance after the schedule is finalized is worth it...

http://www.weekendnotes.com/best-sea...stralian-open/

of course there's always a small chance Fed got eliminated in the opening rounds..

[bezs]

Thanks for the input, will take the advice. Fingers crossed.

[iyudhi]

I envy you.. I wish I could be there this year...

[bezs]

Another question just came to mind, is re-entry allowed to Melbourne Park for e.g. i have a grounds pass/Hisense ticket i'm there at the start of the day than decide to leave Melbourne Park to go eat or do some exploring am i allowed to re-enter again later in the day?

[iyudhi]

yes it's definitely allowed... there's a special line when exiting though so make sure to use that..

[burosky]

..... never did the in and out thing when I was there last year but if I remember right you also have to get yourself stamped. I was there the first week last year and didn't think the temperature was that hot. I survived not having a hat or sunglasses. There were a couple of days where the temps got to the high 90s but overall it was nice. If it didn't make a big dent in my wallet I'd go back in a heartbeat.

[bezs]

Is there any place in Melbourne park where the schedule of play will be shown once the schedule of play has been finalized for the next day?

[iyudhi]

I don't recall seeing any, but I could be wrong.. You can always ask the ticket counters at the end of the day...

Originally Posted by bezs

Is there any place in Melbourne park where the schedule of play will be shown once the schedule of play has been finalized for the next day?

[burosky]

The hotel we stayed at last year had the daily schedule printed out and available at the lobby. It wasn't even a high end hotel. It was the Atlantis (Best Western). I bet most if not all the hotels in the CBD area would have the schedule printed out and available at the lobby as well.

[bezs]

Had a truly memorable wonderful awesome time there. Would love to do it again.