Record Crowds for Australian Open

Record crowds of more than 650,000 people flocked to Melbourne Park during this year's Australian Open, making the event the most successful in its 105-year history.

Victorian Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino said 653,860 people attended the two-week tournament, once again proving the Grand Slam of the Asia/Pacific is right at home in Melbourne.

Minister Merlino stated "this year's tournament smashed the previous attendance record by more than 50,000 people and proved to be the biggest sporting event anywhere in the world for the month of January.

"The Australian Open continues to go from strength to strength and its popularity will grow, with annual crowds of more than one million people forecast in the next 20 years."

Minister Merlino said the tournament had also set a new record single day/night attendance for any Grand Slam event, with 77,043 people attending Melbourne Park on Saturday 23rd January, adding "the Australian Open continued its strong international status by attracting players from 38 countries and provided more than 4,500 jobs, including 316 Ball Kids and 330 umpires."

Minister Merlino said Melbourne Park aims to remain the home of the Open for generations to come thanks to the planned multi-million dollar transformation of the precinct.

Under the $363 million first stage of the redevelopment the Margaret Court Arena will undergo a major facelift (including the installation of a new retractable roof and an additional 1,500 seats) while a new Eastern Plaza with 21 new courts will be added.

Minister Merlino congratulated outgoing Tennis Australia President Geoff Pollard for his tireless efforts over more than two decades to help grow and develop the Australian Open to what it is today, adding "Geoff Pollard has been instrumental in the development of tennis and has helped build the Australian Open into a truly world-class event since taking on the job in 1989.

"The Australian Open and the game of tennis have a strong future in Melbourne thanks to Geoff's 21 years of tireless work, and I wish him every success in his future endeavours."

Victoriaâs reputation as Australia's sporting capital has been cemented with new figures showing almost eight million people attended major sporting events in the state last year.

Crowds of more than 7.5 million flocked to see Melbourne's suite of marquee sporting events, including the AFL season and finals, Australian Open Tennis, A-League, Australian Masters Golf, F1 Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Highlights of Victoriaâs 2009 sporting calendar included:

• AFL Premiership Season and Finals - Total crowds of 4.65 million for 107 matches played in Victoria, with 99,251 flocking to the MCG on AFL Grand Final Day. It was also the first time crowds of more than 80,000 attended five AFL games in Melbourne;
• Australian Open Tennis - More than 603,000 patrons attended the two-week tournament at Melbourne Park to see the worldâs best tennis players on court;
• Australian Masters Golf - The appearance of World Number One Tiger Woods attracted a total crowd of 107,607. His appearance provided a 142% increase in crowds on the previous year and generated $34 million in economic benefit;
• Melbourne Cup Carnival - A total attendance of 368,929 for the four-day Carnival at Flemington including the Victoria Derby, Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day and Stakes Day;
• Boxing Day Test - Total crowds of 156,267 to see Australia and Pakistan;
• Australian F1 Grand Prix - Attracted 286,900 people to Albert Park; and
• Australian Motorcycle GP - 105,974 attended Phillip Island to see the 500cc race.

Explaining the figures Minister Merlino stated, "Victorians are passionate about their sport - whether it's our Indigenous game of AFL, or cricket, tennis, soccer, netball or basketball, thereâs something for every sport fan in our state."

27th January 2009 - REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR MELBOURNE PARK