How does Australian Open compare to Wimbledon?

[pirateofthecarribean]

Both Australian Open and Wimbledon are "grand slams". However, IMO, compared to Wimbledon, Australian Open, the "grand slam of Asia/Pacific", is like an amateur tournament compared to Wimbledon. I mean, just look at all those Garnier commercials. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Rpp]

Both Australian Open and Wimbledon are "grand slams". However, IMO, compared to Wimbledon, Australian Open, the "grand slam of Asia/Pacific", is like an amateur tournament compared to Wimbledon. I mean, just look at all those Garnier commercials. Any thoughts on this?

In Australia by buying a ticket are more likely to see tennis. No weather updates from referee's office.

Otherwise everybody has preferred tournaments but basically GS is GS. Same points and pretty much same money. I guess for most of the players it doesn't matter where those are coming.

 

[Polaris]

Both Australian Open and Wimbledon are "grand slams". However, IMO, compared to Wimbledon, Australian Open, the "grand slam of Asia/Pacific", is like an amateur tournament compared to Wimbledon. I mean, just look at all those Garnier commercials. Any thoughts on this?

Not sure if you are serious, and the guess is that you are not.

But if you are, then I disagree completely. I like watching the Australian Open. I could be wrong but my perception is that, like Wimbledon, the Aussie crowd actually cares about tennis and fair play, more so than the FO and the USO. Besides the tennis, the presentation ceremonies and interviews at the end of the AO are nice and conducted by tennis-literate people rather than the largely irrelevant bickerings of Dickie Enberg.

 

[Craig Sheppard]

Not sure if you are serious, and the guess is that you are not.

But if you are, then I disagree completely. I like watching the Australian Open. I could be wrong but my perception is that, like Wimbledon, the Aussie crowd actually cares about tennis and fair play, more so than the FO and the USO. Besides the tennis, the presentation ceremonies and interviews at the end are nice and conducted by tennis-literate people rather than the largely irrelevant bickerings of Dickie Enberg.

I tend to get more pumped for the AO than for Wimby just because it's the first tournament I'll likely see after a long layoff during the winter. I enjoy Wimby, but I probably end up watching more hours of AO coverage just b/c I'm so hungry for something over the winter!!! I also hear that the AO is a blast to go to, and it really seems to bring out some great matches. I'd never downplay the Aussie.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

The aussie open will soon be faster then wimbledon, what a joke.I hope people are sending them feedback on speeding up the courts next year.

 

[Tennis_Monk]

They compare very well. Wimbledon has some "Stupid" color code (white only). Wimbledon tries to portray tradition a lot though there is nothing traditional left ..really.

Aus OPEN is sweet. a great venue.

 

[FiveO]

They are both great slams, each with their own character and history.

The prestige thing is generally attributed to Wimbledon because it is as close to universally recognized a term, as the Kentucky Derby, Tour de France, Super Bowl, World Cup, etc. From true tennis fans to the less indoctrinated, people the world over know "Wimbledon".

On the other hand, since the AO moved to hardcourts it probably has had the better draws, year in and year out, in that few players choose to skip it because of its speed, like some players still continue to pass on Wimbledon.

The weather. While weather can be stifling during the AO it is obviously dryer than Wimbledon.

Night tennis at the AO and USO provide a totally different atmosphere and experience. I truly enjoy watching matches played at night. But I also like that W and the RG don't play under the lights.

And from my experience, the Aussies know how to have a good time.

All of the slams are unique. Each has its own distinct character. I do wish they would have left the surface at Wimbledon the way it was 2000 and prior for the stark contrast it provided to the French but its still unique.

I truly enjoy all of the majors.

 

[OrangeOne]

I've been to three of the four (AO, FO, W), and I can say that, for sure, Wimbledon is the home of tennis, and Centre Court is something else.

That said: as an event, a tournament, that takes nothing away from the Australian. You don't sit at the Australian and think 'gee, I wish I was at Wimbledon'. It's like comparing a great steak to a great seafood dish, both are enjoyable in different places and at different times.

 

[pirateofthecarribean]

I don't know. I guess the word "Open" doesn't sound that prestigious when compared to Wimbledon. Maybe I'm biased, because I was born and grew up in China where we only knew about Wimbledon.

 

[Nadal_Freak]

The aussie open will soon be faster then wimbledon, what a joke.I hope people are sending them feedback on speeding up the courts next year.

What a joke your post is.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nadal freak, its all facts.Did u forget that they will put up a new surface in australia?I know u want wimbledon to slow down so Nadal can get a better chance of winning wimbledon.Quit trying to dismiss it!!

 

[Fishbulb]

Nadal freak, its all facts.Did u forget that they will put up a new surface in australia?I know u want wimbledon to slow down so Nadal can get a better chance of winning wimbledon.Quit trying to dismiss it!!

Did you read the article? If you did, then you would know its going to be the same speed as this year.

 

[aimr75]

I live in Melbourne and have been several times.. if you havent been, then you dont realise what a great atmosphere the Aussie Open has. It is in every way up there with the rest of the slams

the OP claiming it to be an amateur tournament is an absolute joke
________
Ford el falcon

 

[ACE of Hearts]

I did read it. but they will change it in the future.

 

[quest01]

If i was actually going to attend an event between these two i would most likely choose the Australian Open. First off the weather is much nicer in Australia and another reason is that i hear the seats are real cramp at Wimbledon. In addition I hear there is absolutely nothing to do in Wimbledon when your not on the grounds. Davydenko even remarked how the nightlife and so forth is boring. Also Wimbledon seems more predictable on who will make it to the final while the Australian Open there is a better chance that the final wont be Federer vs Nadal every year.

 

[CyBorg]

Davydenko even remarked how the nightlife and so forth is boring.

I hear Davydenko has a penchant for swinging from chandelliers in Irish bars. Can't Wimbledon muster an Irish bar?

 

[tennis_hand]

everyone will despise wimbledon if it continues the slowdown path. soon, it will be the least important but most ridiculous GS.

 

[bluetrain4]

I think the 4 Slams complement each other well. The AO was genius to move to January and be the first Slam of the year.

AO, which not long ago was cleary the "4th Slam" in terms of prestige and priority has narrowed the gap quickly.

It's too different from Wimbledon to really compare.

 

[FEDEXP]

The Australian Open is simply the best venue to watch Grand Slam tennis.

 

[Feña14]

I like the Australian Open, the weather is always great, the 2 show courts are fantastic, and it's the first major of the year so you really appreciate it.

Wimbledon is definitley the king of the slams with the US Open second (although I personally prefer the Australian Open for the reasons mentioned before)

 

[Mad iX]

Never been to the other slams, but how many roofs have they got combined compared to the AusOpen? Which do come in handy when it rains (seldom) or much more likely, the temperature goes up ridiculously high.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

I mean, just look at all those Garnier commercials.

What do the commercials have to do with the real value of the tournament? Maybe some people think Rolex watches are needless wastes of money and symbols of snobbery. Should they dismiss Wimbledon just because they disapprove of Rolexes?

I think you have a very ... odd ... perspective.

- KK

 

[Duzza]

The Aus Open is one of the best things to be at live in the world! I remember sitting in the front row of MCA with some mates watching Davydenko vs Berdych play a thriller. It doesn't get better than that. Sun, tennis and an atmosphere that you can't compare.

You must go at least once in your life. You can walk around and find great tennis wherever. Thank god I live in Melbourne.

 

[Rhino]

The Aus Open is one of the best things to be at live in the world! I remember sitting in the front row of MCA with some mates watching Davydenko vs Berdych play a thriller. It doesn't get better than that. Sun, tennis and an atmosphere that you can't compare.

You must go at least once in your life. You can walk around and find great tennis wherever. Thank god I live in Melbourne.

I agree with you. This is a weird thread. Perhaps just posted to be provocative? I think we all know it's not amateur.

I like the Australian Open, the weather is always great

OK it's almost always sunny - although I've had to run for cover to the Vodafone Arena to get out of the rain before too - but one thing that happens is that the temperature often exceeds 35 Celsius, at which time the extreme heat policy is invoked which means new matches will not begin until the temperature eases. This happens a lot but if you're only watching on TV you'll still see play on the 2 main arenas, and may not realise that there are a lot of delays occuring with people waiting for 'better' weather.

 

[Duzza]

Yeah the 35 degrees thing killed the tourney one day this year. A mate was ballboying and he said he was there till 11 o clock ballboying on an outside court. His Dad forgot to pick him up .