Australian Open 2012

iyudhi

New User
Hi,

I am planning to visit Melbourne next January to watch some games of the Australian Open.

Anybody has any experience of getting tickets at reasonable price? I don't want to get ripped off going as a foreigner.

Thanks,

Ivan
 

iyudhi

New User
yeah looks like it.. thanks for the link!
still pretty expensive huh.... looking to get men's quarters and finals..

are you going for sure?
 

bezs

G.O.A.T.
Still deciding as i can't find someone to go with and from what i heard from someone who went this year accommodation is pretty expensive.

But Federer's career slowly coming to an end makes me want to take the plunge to see him play or practice at least once.
 

iyudhi

New User
haha. I still can't believe he lost after leading 2-0. didn't get to watch it on TV live, now still waiting for someone to provide decent replay.

also I'm a bit confused about the scheduling.. looking at the packages:

Finals weekend -Women's/Men's final (limited availability) Adult $609.90

and at the bottom..

4 tickets per person per package - Finals Weekend & Final Five Packages

4 tickets means 4 games right??? but there's only 2 games for each men/women final?
 

bezs

G.O.A.T.
You could consider going early in the tournament and just get a grounds pass value for money with lots of things going on at the same time in the outside courts.
 

iyudhi

New User
yeah we can get ground pass online too with some discount I believe... so I'm planning to do that..

but I also want to see the finals since I probably won't do this very often....
 

bezs

G.O.A.T.
I guess if its feasible to stay a week, to go from the first weekend onwards that way you get to experience what the outside courts are like and watch the later stages as well.
 

fantasticfed

New User
hey guys,

yeh thats the site for tickets. i live in melbourne, and if you guys want, the pre-sale is on now for Tennis Australia members, if you guys give me your email, i can send you the stuff to get priority seating.
my email is:

c dot dellas at live dot co dot uk

also, accommodation around the AO period increases quite a lot dependiong on where you stay. your best bet is to try stay somewhere like Glen Waverley(train goes to the tennis) or in the city, which can be quite expensive
 
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iyudhi

New User
wow that's great! can you send the info to

ivan.yudhi@gmail.com

thanks!

hey guys,

yeh thats the site for tickets. i live in melbourne, and if you guys want, the pre-sale is on now for Tennis Australia members, if you guys give me your email, i can send you the stuff to get priority seating.
my email is:

c dot dellas at live dot co dot uk

also, accommodation around the AO period increases quite a lot dependiong on where you stay. your best bet is to try stay somewhere like Glen Waverley(train goes to the tennis) or in the city, which can be quite expensive
 

iyudhi

New User
ok it seems I will be buying my tickets soon... so now I need help translating the pricing structures:

ground pass: what does this mean? does it allow me to enter the arena/facility, but NOT to watch the games? it seems awfully cheap... if that's the case, do I need ground pass to watch the games even though I have the event tickets?



at this point I'm considering of watching the quarter finals / semis and finals (maybe just men's)

Quarter finals - Tues 24 Jan- Wed 25 Jan 2012
Day Adult $242.90 Concession $216.90
Night Adult $242.90 Concession $216.90

-> does it mean that I can watch ALL (men's and women's) quarterfinal matches? what's the time switch between day and night? which one do you think have better games?



Semi finals - Thurs 26 Jan + choice of 1 men's semi final
Day Adult $336.90 Concession $326.90

Does it mean that I can watch ALL women's semifinal ( 2 games) and 1 men's semi?



Finals weekend -Women's/Men's final (limited availability)
Adult $609.90 Concession $569.90

This is probably obvious and stupid question.... so basically I get to watch BOTH men's and women's final?



Thanks for the help.. you can see I'm new at this.. and not planning to do very often so I want to get the fullest experience as possible...

p.s. caps aren't intended for shouting... I just figure it's easier to read this way :)
 

fantasticfed

New User
ok it seems I will be buying my tickets soon... so now I need help translating the pricing structures:

ground pass: what does this mean? does it allow me to enter the arena/facility, but NOT to watch the games? it seems awfully cheap... if that's the case, do I need ground pass to watch the games even though I have the event tickets?



at this point I'm considering of watching the quarter finals / semis and finals (maybe just men's)

Quarter finals - Tues 24 Jan- Wed 25 Jan 2012
Day Adult $242.90 Concession $216.90
Night Adult $242.90 Concession $216.90

-> does it mean that I can watch ALL (men's and women's) quarterfinal matches? what's the time switch between day and night? which one do you think have better games?



Semi finals - Thurs 26 Jan + choice of 1 men's semi final
Day Adult $336.90 Concession $326.90

Does it mean that I can watch ALL women's semifinal ( 2 games) and 1 men's semi?



Finals weekend -Women's/Men's final (limited availability)
Adult $609.90 Concession $569.90

This is probably obvious and stupid question.... so basically I get to watch BOTH men's and women's final?



Thanks for the help.. you can see I'm new at this.. and not planning to do very often so I want to get the fullest experience as possible...

p.s. caps aren't intended for shouting... I just figure it's easier to read this way :)

The Ground Pass gets you into the complex but doesnt allow you access to Centre Court and Hisense Arena. It allows you to go on all the show courts. If you have a ticket you dont need to buy a ground pass.


The quarters there are 3 in the day session (2 women and 1 mens, vice-versa if you go to the other quarters). The night session is usually 1 mens quarters and a doubles match. the time switch is when the "day session" id over, so all matches are completed. Day session usually starts at 11am and finishes by 4pm. if the matches go longer say to 10pm you can stay.

The semis. Thats right you get 2 womens semis and a choice of 1 mens semis.
No. that is the price for 1 final. The packages for both mens and womens final are over AUD$1000.

Im working at the 2012 Aus Open, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask me :)
 

iyudhi

New User
hi,

thanks for the reply... but I do have some more questions:

so if I buy the final package I get to watch 1 final, either men's or women's for $600... that kinda defeat the purpose of 'package' no? (since it's only 1 game.. haha..)

what's the difference compared to this one then:

ROD LAVER ARENA
Single Sessions
Sun 29 Jan 2012 $369.90 $374.90 -----> isn't this the final day? wouldn't it better to just buy single ticket then?


when you say 'other quarters' does it mean different day? so for example if I buy 1 package, I'm limited to go ONLY to one of these sessions:

Tues 24th - Day
Tues 24th - Night
Tues 25th - Day
Tues 25th - Night

.. and not day or night session for BOTH days? if that's the case which day has the most men's singles (not interested in doubles)

also the link that you sent to my email doesn't have links to purchase the tickets. did they shut down the pre-sale already? would you mind checking what you see at your end if you can still get tickets?

so if I have a ticket I can enter all the side courts? is it only for that particular day or can I go every day (even though I have no tickets for the other days)?

and by center court you mean rod laver arena right?

last question.. since you're working at aussie open 2012.. can you hook me up with some tickets? :p

j/k (or not....)
 

fantasticfed

New User
hi,

thanks for the reply... but I do have some more questions:

so if I buy the final package I get to watch 1 final, either men's or women's for $600... that kinda defeat the purpose of 'package' no? (since it's only 1 game.. haha..)

what's the difference compared to this one then:

ROD LAVER ARENA
Single Sessions
Sun 29 Jan 2012 $369.90 $374.90 -----> isn't this the final day? wouldn't it better to just buy single ticket then?


when you say 'other quarters' does it mean different day? so for example if I buy 1 package, I'm limited to go ONLY to one of these sessions:

Tues 24th - Day
Tues 24th - Night
Tues 25th - Day
Tues 25th - Night

.. and not day or night session for BOTH days? if that's the case which day has the most men's singles (not interested in doubles)

also the link that you sent to my email doesn't have links to purchase the tickets. did they shut down the pre-sale already? would you mind checking what you see at your end if you can still get tickets?

so if I have a ticket I can enter all the side courts? is it only for that particular day or can I go every day (even though I have no tickets for the other days)?

and by center court you mean rod laver arena right?

last question.. since you're working at aussie open 2012.. can you hook me up with some tickets? :p

j/k (or not....)

It gets you into all quarter finals( not 100% sure). THe 29th is the last day, and that is only for the mens and mens doubles final.

so if I have a ticket I can enter all the side courts? is it only for that particular day or can I go every day (even though I have no tickets for the other days)?

Lets say you have a ticket for the first day. That gets you into the ground for the whole day. If you go the next day with that exact same ticket, they wont let you in. so its only for the day you have a ticket. And yes by centre court, i mean RLA.
 

iyudhi

New User
thanks for the reply...

sorry but more questions (you can see that I'm getting very excited)

if I buy the package for the final, that gets me to both men's single AND double final? and that's why the price is doubled compared to buy men's single final?

and it seems that the pre-sale period has been closed? I'm afraid I might be missing something because I don't see the link the purchase the tickets.


It gets you into all quarter finals( not 100% sure). THe 29th is the last day, and that is only for the mens and mens doubles final.

so if I have a ticket I can enter all the side courts? is it only for that particular day or can I go every day (even though I have no tickets for the other days)?

Lets say you have a ticket for the first day. That gets you into the ground for the whole day. If you go the next day with that exact same ticket, they wont let you in. so its only for the day you have a ticket. And yes by centre court, i mean RLA.
 

bezs

G.O.A.T.
Don't mind me hijacking the thread for a little bit, fantasticfed just curious how long would a train ride take from Glen Waverley from to Melbourne Park?
 

iyudhi

New User
no, not hijacking... contributing :)

let me know if you end up going.. at this point I'm about 95% chance of going considering I can get tickets... maybe we can spar a bit too while we're there...

Don't mind me hijacking the thread for a little bit, fantasticfed just curious how long would a train ride take from Glen Waverley from to Melbourne Park?
 

fantasticfed

New User
If you buy the package ticket, it get you into the mens and womens final. the single session ticket gets you into the mens doubles and singles.

From Glen Waverley, it takes about 30-35 minutes on the train, and drops you at Melbourne Park
 

iyudhi

New User
hi fantasticfed,

I have one more question -

Mon 16 - Sun 29 Jan 2012 Five day non-consecutive ground pass $99.00
Mon 16 - Sun 29 Jan 2012 Family ground pass $75.00

What's the difference between these two?

For the first one I assume you can only go 5 days, not day after another. But what about the family ground pass? Is it also 5 days non consecutive or can we go the whole 2 weeks? Seems kinda odd pricing...

Thanks for your help,




If you buy the package ticket, it get you into the mens and womens final. the single session ticket gets you into the mens doubles and singles.

From Glen Waverley, it takes about 30-35 minutes on the train, and drops you at Melbourne Park
 

fantasticfed

New User
yeh thats right. the 5 day non-consecuitve ground pass, i think is elf explannitory. you cant go 5 days in a row. and the family ground pass, you can go whenever
 

iyudhi

New User
not sure if I fail at reading, or the description on the website was just confusing.. but I finally understand what it meant

$99 gets you 5 day non consecutive days for 1 person
$75 family get you ground pass for the whole family for 1 day ONLY - I thought it was for the whole 2 weeks....

anyway I just bought the package for final... it was an impulse decision.. still can't believe it.... well, I guess I'm going...


yeh thats right. the 5 day non-consecuitve ground pass, i think is elf explannitory. you cant go 5 days in a row. and the family ground pass, you can go whenever
 

jwjh

Legend
Hi guys, just got single session tickets for the men's semis and finals. Just wondering if I'll get a good view from section 33, 34(upper deck corner) and 65(upper deck just left of middle section behind baseline) in RLA?
 

iyudhi

New User
hi jwjh, this is going to be my first time attending AO, but I've been doing some research on the seats.

looking at the RLA seating chart,

http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums_seating.php?id=97

I noticed that the upper deck goes from row AA-PP. So it can give you a general idea of how high you're sitting.

I made a mistake of choosing the 'Shade' location which is more popular, therefore was given pretty high up (46-MM for Men's final, 59-KK for Women's final). Considering the games for finals don't start until later in the afternoon, there's no really point getting the 'Shade' location.

If I bought the 'Sun' section I might have gotten better seats. Oh well, lessons learned for next time.



Hi guys, just got single session tickets for the men's semis and finals. Just wondering if I'll get a good view from section 33, 34(upper deck corner) and 65(upper deck just left of middle section behind baseline) in RLA?
 
ok, booked and paid for!

Only going to the first week, wed - fri, but got a good package with some night reserved seats for Rod Laver.

TTers who wish to meet the slice, you know what to do!


(it's liek a 45 minute plane flight for me, remember!)
 

DragonBlaze

Hall of Fame
Hey guys, do you know till when are single session tickets sale going to be open till? I really want to go but the people I am making plans with keep backing out/cant afford/already taking too much time off work lol. I'm waiting on one of my friends to get back to me by Thursday if he can make it or not.

If he can't, I'm booking tickets just for myself lol. No way am I missing out on watching Fed/Nadal live if I can help it. I would book the tickets right now if it wasn't for my close friend who also really wants to go, but have to wait till Thursday to find out if he can get time off work. Which is why I ask, when are the tickets sale open till? Are they going to sell out fast?

Cause if they are, screw my friend, I'm gonna buy the tickets now lol.

Also this will be my FIRST time watching pro tennis live, which rounds do you guys suggest I should buy the tickets to? I can really only stay in Melbourne about 6-7 days max. Also any advice for cheap but nice accommodation in the city? I mean the most important thing for me is it being clean, but I cant afford 4/5 star places (I am still a student after all).

Thanks in advance!
 
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iyudhi

New User
Not sure how long it's going to be on sale, but I guess you can always call Ticketek or find some info on the page.

I'm in the same case as yours though. So I just plan to go alone. If any friends want to go later, I'll just get them ground tickets so we can watch together the side games:)

I heard there are plenty of hostels around the city that offers $20-30 per night. You might want to take a look into that.

http://www.hostelworld.com/



Hey guys, do you know till when are single session tickets sale going to be open till? I really want to go but the people I am making plans with keep backing out/cant afford/already taking too much time off work lol. I'm waiting on one of my friends to get back to me by Thursday if he can make it or not.

If he can't, I'm booking tickets just for myself lol. No way am I missing out on watching Fed/Nadal live if I can help it. I would book the tickets right now if it wasn't for my close friend who also really wants to go, but have to wait till Thursday to find out if he can get time off work. Which is why I ask, when are the tickets sale open till? Are they going to sell out fast?

Cause if they are, screw my friend, I'm gonna buy the tickets now lol.

Also this will be my FIRST time watching pro tennis live, which rounds do you guys suggest I should buy the tickets to? I can really only stay in Melbourne about 6-7 days max. Also any advice for cheap but nice accommodation in the city? I mean the most important thing for me is it being clean, but I cant afford 4/5 star places (I am still a student after all).

Thanks in advance!
 

DragonBlaze

Hall of Fame
Awesome I might just do that, thanks!

There really isn't any way to guarantee watching Federer is there? I mean, unless you buy tickets to a lot of sessions right? Do they sell tickets on the day the matches are being held? I realise the seats would be crud, but just wondering.
 

iyudhi

New User
I don't believe so... well I think that kinda make sense for tournaments.. nobody knows who's gonna play in the next match until the match is open...

For your best bet... Wait until the schedule comes out, and buy the first round RLA tickets on the day he's playing... I'm pretty sure they're not gonna let him play on the show courts (Hisense a possibility)



Awesome I might just do that, thanks!

There really isn't any way to guarantee watching Federer is there? I mean, unless you buy tickets to a lot of sessions right? Do they sell tickets on the day the matches are being held? I realise the seats would be crud, but just wondering.
 

DragonBlaze

Hall of Fame
I don't believe so... well I think that kinda make sense for tournaments.. nobody knows who's gonna play in the next match until the match is open...

For your best bet... Wait until the schedule comes out, and buy the first round RLA tickets on the day he's playing... I'm pretty sure they're not gonna let him play on the show courts (Hisense a possibility)

Thanks, that's exactly what I was wondering, that tickets should be available then as well. Awesome, now only to wait till Thursday and start getting everything sorted!

Which rounds are you going to iyudhi?
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
Once you got to a station then 30 minutes, maybe a little more, say 40.


Don't mind me hijacking the thread for a little bit, fantasticfed just curious how long would a train ride take from Glen Waverley from to Melbourne Park?
 
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iyudhi

New User
I got tickets for the finals (men's and women's) and day Hisense package - friday to monday.. I know it's not cheap, but I don't have to pay for accommodation (will be staying at my sister's place) so why not...

I might also get 2 or 3 days ground passes to just watch the side court games, hoping to catch some big names... and also to watch the RLA or Hisense games on big screen tv with other tennis fans :)

My tickets for finals aren't that great though... It's 3 rows from the top so practically a nosebleeder... hopefully I can still see the action clearly...



Thanks, that's exactly what I was wondering, that tickets should be available then as well. Awesome, now only to wait till Thursday and start getting everything sorted!

Which rounds are you going to iyudhi?
 
L

Lover

Guest
Pretty expensive prices if compared to the USO ones, isn't it?

Anyway, I'll be in Melbourne for a couple of months and surely attending to the Open. Morning time I'll be at a english course, don't know 'till what time precisely. What would you guys suggest me to do? I'm thinking about buying one or two ground passes for the first week and maybe a night session on RLA. Does that sounds fine?

Another question is if the ground pass for 5pm onwards is interesting, and by that I mean if I'd catch a lot of matches, good atmosphere, etc.

Thanks!
 

iyudhi

New User
really, it's more expensive than US open? never been to one, but just got USTA membership so hopefully can get on presale for next year... I thought USO would be the most expensive compare to the other grand slams...

you can check the schedule of last year's tournament to get a general idea of who's going to play where for next year's tourney... that's what I did anyway..



Pretty expensive prices if compared to the USO ones, isn't it?

Anyway, I'll be in Melbourne for a couple of months and surely attending to the Open. Morning time I'll be at a english course, don't know 'till what time precisely. What would you guys suggest me to do? I'm thinking about buying one or two ground passes for the first week and maybe a night session on RLA. Does that sounds fine?

Another question is if the ground pass for 5pm onwards is interesting, and by that I mean if I'd catch a lot of matches, good atmosphere, etc.

Thanks!
 
L

Lover

Guest
A ticket to RLA grants you access to Hisense as well? Curious about that.

Another question, why do they sell ground pass from 5pm onwards? I guess one would not catch a fair amount of matches on the side courts on night time. Also, if I buy one regular ground pass will they check on me if mine is valid for night time? Didn't get that pretty well.

Thanks
 

iyudhi

New User
A ticket to RLA doesn't grant you access to Hisense or vice versa... I read that you can upgrade ground tickets to Hisense... not sure if you can do that with RLA

After 5PM ground pass is $20 instead of regular for $29, so I believe if you buy the regular ground pass you can stay for the whole day...

What I'm curious now is when will they do the draw? I want to get 1 more RLA ticket to make sure I can watch Nadal/Federer during early rounds..

maybe fantasticfed has some insider info? :)


A ticket to RLA grants you access to Hisense as well? Curious about that.

Another question, why do they sell ground pass from 5pm onwards? I guess one would not catch a fair amount of matches on the side courts on night time. Also, if I buy one regular ground pass will they check on me if mine is valid for night time? Didn't get that pretty well.

Thanks
 
L

Lover

Guest
I'm not sure. But my guess would be that they will release the draw few weeks prior to the tournament. By then you could run out of tickets.
 

burosky

Professional
I'm taking the plunge. Wife and I are going to be there the first week. Got a great package deal that includes air + hotel (walking distance to the venue) + corporate seats (either rows E, F or G section 18 or Gold section row G) at both RLA and Hisense. Package deal was a lot less than the well known package tour providers. If interested I can refer you to the tour operator I worked with. I actually found out about the tour operator via an e-mail that was sent by USTA. Can't wait! Super excited.
 

burosky

Professional
This being our first time, to those who have gone, are there tips or anything you want to share that would make the trip more enjoyable?
 

iyudhi

New User
this is actually going to be my first time as well.. so I won't be able to help us much..

maybe we should have a TWers gathering? figure out things together :)



This being our first time, to those who have gone, are there tips or anything you want to share that would make the trip more enjoyable?
 

Pozza

New User
If you are looking for a hit during the open there are plenty of courts that you could hire within a tram ride from the Melbourne CBD.

If you are looking for something different you could try a place called Bacchus Marsh. It's about 45 minutes from the city but there is a train station right next to the club. They have about 11 grass courts available for public hire.
 

iyudhi

New User
grass courts? I've never played in one.. that would be interesting..

how easy it is to get playing partners? any particular forum/thread I should monitor? I'm very intrigued now...


If you are looking for a hit during the open there are plenty of courts that you could hire within a tram ride from the Melbourne CBD.

If you are looking for something different you could try a place called Bacchus Marsh. It's about 45 minutes from the city but there is a train station right next to the club. They have about 11 grass courts available for public hire.
 

Pozza

New User
I'm not a member of the club but I play there at least once a year in a local comp and my mate is the club coach.

They are a pretty friendly bunch so I'm sure that if you contacted them they would try and arrange a hitting partner of a similar standard.
 

Pozza

New User
grass courts? I've never played in one.. that would be interesting..

how easy it is to get playing partners? any particular forum/thread I should monitor? I'm very intrigued now...

Whereabouts are you planning on staying?

I might be able to give you an idea on where you can go :)
 

Pozza

New User
From where you guys are staying there is half a dozen courts within a 15 minute tram ride.

If you did want to play on the grass the Southern Cross train station is on Spencer St which would have you in Bacchus Marsh in about 45 minutes for about a $12 train ticket.
 
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