Game, Set & Match for APIA

If you’re a love-all type of sports fanatic, you need to be in NSW between 10^th and 16^th January for the APIA International tennis tournament at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre. 

 

In the pro series schedule, there’s a match a day with round one through to the quarter finals, singles semi finals, doubles and the grand finale…the singles final. Start times vary from 12.00pm to 4.00pm for Centre Court but expect to be cheering on until late evening most nights.

With gates opening from 9.00am on day one, the entry times will differ depending on whether the matches are starting earlier or later in the day. So account that on the last day, gates will open 3.30pm as the match will end 10.00pm. Regardless, the Olympic Park has an abundance of food court areas or you can bring your own picnic and make a full day and night of it. Remember to bring strawberries & cream, clotted scones and Pimms so you can replicate the Wimbledon experience down under.

Hailing from around the globe, the male singles players include representatives from France, Argentina, Italy and Bulgaria featuring Gilles Muller, Teymuraz Gabashvili and Janko Tibsarevic. From Czech Republic, the USA and Poland (to name but a few), the women’s single players include headliners such as Roberta Vinci, Petra Kvitova and Svetland Kuznetsova. 

 

If you’re craving a tad of ole school type tennis, seven time Grand Slam singles champ, John McEnroe, alongside Mark Philippoussis are going to be headlining a Legends field at the APIA. The ‘you can not be serious’ star will face off against Ken Rosewall on the 15^th January so mark that boisterous date in your diary. With adrenaline pumping, French entertainer Henri Leconte will perform in a FAST4 Tennis match just prior to the women’s final so expect to be amused while he causes a racket (pun intended).

Entry prices are incredibly reasonable including a daily Ground Pass at $15 for adults and $5 for little ones. Maybe you want to splash out during the first month of January. If so, grab the Platinum, Silver or Gold passes for each day with prices ranging from $29 to $218 depending on the day and pampering comfort levels you prefer. You can find more details about the APIA ticket prices here. Alternatively, you can buy tickets at the gate so don’t sweat that you must book in advance. 

For all those looking to enjoy a unique, free experience of the APIA, the ‘volunteer’ page details will be shortly posting information about how you can help out. The jobs will include handling media (always a feat in itself), transportation and player services – in case you are lucky enough to rub shoulders with the elite stars.

A mere 28 minutes by car, you can be back at Cremorne Point, sipping more Pimms and watching the sun go down over the Harbour skyline from Cremorne Point Manor while you discuss aces, backspins and more importantly, the advantages of the day. Enjoy!