National Tennis Centre redevelopment completed a year ahead of schedule

Melbourne and Olympic Park's new National Tennis Centre is being touted as Australia's, and arguably the world's, best purpose-built elite tennis training facility.

Opened just before the 2013 Australian Open, a year ahead of schedule and on budget, the centre features eight indoor and 13 outdoor courts for elite training and general public use, as well as a gymnasium, lounge and change rooms for players.

It also includes top-class coaching facilities, such as video playback rooms next to the courts, making it easier for players to develop their games to the highest standards.

The new facilities, covering three hectares, are part of the $366 million first stage of the Victorian Government's upgrade of Melbourne Park managed by Major Projects Victoria for Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, including key partner Tennis Australia.

Other project highlights include work under way to upgrade Margaret Court Arena with an opening roof and an extra 1,500 seats, the construction and recent opening of the Edwin Flack Bridge across Olympic Boulevard and improvements to public spaces.

The new facilities will provide great outcomes for the Australian Open and the public, while helping Australia's current and future tennis stars achieve new levels of excellence.

Speaking at the opening of the facility, Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan stated "the National Tennis Centre is now Australia's, and arguably the world's, best purpose built, elite tennis training facility."

The Australian Open showcases Melbourne and Victoria to an international audience of more than 300 million people.

It is a key fixture in Melbourne's major events calendar, drawing over 685,000 people in 2012 and generating an estimated $239 million and 1440 jobs for the Victorian economy.

Outside tennis, Melbourne Park annually hosts about 200 events, attracting more than two million people.

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