The Australian Open today announced that Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates will move to Sunday 10 January for the first time, officially kicking off Opening Week and a three-week extravaganza of tennis and entertainment.
The move will transform Melbourne Park into a massive tennis playground for kids and families, with five official Australian Open match courts – including the 3,000-seat ANZ Arena – dedicated to tennis activities for kids throughout the day.
“Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates has always been about introducing more kids and families to tennis, and this move to Sunday allows us to make the experience more accessible than ever before,” Tennis Australia CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“Opening five official Australian Open match courts, including ANZ Arena, will give thousands of kids the chance to pick up a racquet and play on courts where the world's best players will compete just days later.
“This is a powerful way to introduce young people to our sport, create lasting memories and help foster a lifelong connection with tennis.”
Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt said the event continues to play an important role in inspiring future generations of players.
“Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates gives kids and families the chance to get up close to the game, have some fun and be inspired by tennis’ biggest stars,” Hewitt said.
“These experiences can spark a lifelong love of tennis, whether it’s picking up a racquet for the first time or taking the next step in the sport. Having Kids Tennis Day launch Opening Week is a fantastic outcome for families and a great way to start the Australian Open.”
A cornerstone of the AO summer, Kids Tennis Day features interactive tennis activities, the top players in action at Open Practice sessions, player appearances and family entertainment across the site, including the return of the Rod Laver Arena Spectacular. The whole precinct – including the AO Ballpark presented by Emirates– will be open for families to explore and enjoy.
As presenting partner, Emirates will once again support Kids Tennis Day, continuing its commitment to creating memorable experiences for tennis fans and families.
“We're proud to continue presenting Kids Tennis Day, and to help even more young Australians fall in love with the game,” Emirates Divisional Vice President Australasia Barry Brown said.
Further details on Kids Tennis Day Presented by Emirates, including entertainment programming, player appearances and ticket information, will be announced soon.