Margaret Court Arena set for the Australian Open

With less than a week before the start of the Australian Open 2014, the new look Margaret Court Arena (MCA) has been revealed.

While the redevelopment of the venue will not be complete until the 2015 tournament, the upgraded venue is already able to offer improved facilities for spectators and players at this year's event.

Looking forward to the opportunities that the venue will offer, Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty has explained "Margaret Court Arena hosts the world's best tennis players and is a venue where the fans love to watch matches.

"The upgrade of Margaret Court Arena is part of the first stage of the redevelopment of Melbourne Park (and) while the arena is still under construction, it is a great achievement that we have been able to make it available to Tennis Australia to use for the upcoming Australian Open."

Minister Delahunty said final works would be completed ahead of Australian Open 2015 when fans can look forward to an arena with a 7,500 seat capacity, an increase of 1,500 seats.

He added "the increased seating capacity means more room for tennis fans to watch the Australian Open's many classic matches

"A key feature will be a glass curtain wall around the arena which will give people a sense of occasion."

The Minister said the stadium's new roof would be fixed in an open position for the upcoming Australian Open, providing more shade for players and fans, however it would be retractable and fully operational for the Australian Open in 2015.

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley spoke of the affection Australian Open spectators have towards the venue, adding "the intimate environment for players and spectators will create one of the best tennis viewing experiences in the world

"In delivering the upgrade to MCA, coupled with the National Tennis Centre which was opened just before the Australian Open this year, the Victorian Government is helping keep Melbourne Park ahead of the game."

The Margaret Court Arena upgrades were part of the $366 million Stage 1 redevelopment of Melbourne Park which also included the recently completed Eastern Plaza, incorporating the Edwin Flack Bridge and the National Tennis Centre.

9th November 2012 - ROD LAVER ARENA A FINALIST IN BILLBOARD MAGAZINE’S ‘TOP ARENA’ CATEGORY