Genuine courtside seating will be "served up in a grand slam first at next year's Australian Open," according to Peter Rolfe of the HERALD SUN. Fans will be able to buy seats on center court 7.5 meters from the sideline to watch players. It will be the first time in Australian Open history spectators "have been able to sit on court at Rod Laver Arena opposite the umpire's chair." The experience has been modeled on NBA basketball in the U.S., "where superstars such as Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio pay significant money to sit courtside" at L.A. Lakers games. The center court seats will come with access to "the dressing room," a private wining and dining space backstage. Tennis Australia Commercial Dir Richard Heaselgrave said that the "significant innovation" brought a "new edge to the fan experience" in Australian sport. He said, "There is something breathtaking about being able to see the world’s best tennis players up close. You’re so close to such incredible athleticism. It’s an entirely different spectator experience." The on-court seating "will be installed at the southern end of Rod Laver Arena." Sixteen seats will be built in total and "sold for every session on centre court during the Open." Pricing for both exclusive experiences "is yet to be made public, but the courtside seating charges will depend on who is playing" (HERALD SUN, 8/5).
