Victoria Police Minister Anthony Carbines insists the Australian Open will stay in Melbourne after tournament director Craig Tiley raised concerns this week. In an interview with the Herald Sun, Tiley revealed that there have been talks about relocating the Australian Open elsewhere, specifically to Sydney or Shanghai.
With Melbourne having the longest lockdowns during the pandemic, the Australian Open had limited crowds in 2021 and 2022. Tennis Australia had to use $80 million of its cash reserves to host the Australian Open in 2021 and 2022 and its pockets they are basically empty.
Since 2009, the state of Victoria has invested $1 billion to help support the Australian Open.
Minister Corbines to Tiley: The Australian Open will always have our support
«The Australian Open is not going anywhere and the best thing Victorians can do is come out and show their support.
We are not surprised that there will always be those who seek (the Open) from other countries and other states. With over $1 billion invested by our government in the Australian Open, both in infrastructure and in support of that event, we will continue to support the Australian Open and the team there in whatever they need,» Carbines said, according to Australian Associated Press (AAP).
The three remaining Grand Slams, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, have made notable improvements in recent years. This week, Tiley insisted that the Australian Open needs new investment, specifically a new grandstand.
«We will always work closely with the organizers of the Aus Open and given our billion dollar plus track record we will always be open to what we need to do to stay away from the rest internationally,» Carbines added.
Looking ahead to the 2023 Australian Open, there are two very positive things for the tournament organizers: there will be no crowd limit and all the top players are ready to play, including nine-time champion Novak Djokovic.
