NBL, Melbourne United Close To Deal With Tennis Australia

Melbourne United played the Cairns Taipans at the Melbourne Arena during this year's Australian Open.GETTY IMAGES

The National Basketball League and Melbourne United are "poised to retain" their "landmark deal with Tennis Australia to play for points at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open," according to Gilbert Gardiner of the HERALD SUN. Australian Open Tournament Dir Craig Tiley on Monday "confirmed negotiations with the domestic basketball league had advanced." The league brokered a "historic deal" last year to be able to use the Melbourne Arena "when it is no longer required for main draw tennis matches." Tiley said, "We're dealing with them on the days and the times, but we'd love to obviously do the same thing." Melbourne is slated to host Illawarra Hawks on Jan. 23, which coincides with the Australian Open quarterfinals. A "twilight timeslot is preferred." Melbourne United CEO Vince Crivelli said that the tennis partnership is a "feather in the cap" for the "sporting capital" (HERALD SUN, 8/21).