The new canopy roof over Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena has been unveiled ahead of the inaugural ATP Cup.
Now just four days away from the beginning of the Australian summer of tennis, Aussie tennis legend Ken Rosewall revealed the centrepiece of the NSW Government’s $50.5 million upgrade to Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on Monday morning.
Bulgarian captain Grigor Dimitrov, Belgium No.1 David Goffin, Croatian No.1 Borna Coric and British doubles star Jamie Murray also joined Rosewall for a first look at the new roof.
The ATP Cup begins on Friday 3 January, with group-stage matches hosted in Sydney as well as in Brisbane and Perth.
Rosewall, a former world No.1 and winner of eight singles Grand Slams, was impressed with the new-look facility.
“I feel very humbled to be here and see this great roof on this building,” Rosewall said.
“We had been hoping for something like this for many years, it’s certainly a facility for the future.
Just look at the new roof on Ken Rosewall Arena! ?@destinationnsw | #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/Xy8rCcWhFl
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) December 30, 2019
“There are so many great players who have come from different parts of NSW over the period of time and for this centre to be named after me I feel very honoured.
“With the new facility here with the new seats and roof it’s going to be exciting for the spectators and I know there’ll be a lot of great matches.
Tennis NSW CEO and ATP Cup Sydney General Manager Lawrence Robertson said they are thrilled to celebrate a new era in tennis in NSW both on and off the court.
“This is a win for players and a win for spectators as the new improved facilities will take their experience to the next level,” Robertson said.
“We encourage everyone to come along to the ATP Cup and experience world class tennis action in an innovative setting to match." Acting NSW Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the upgrades ensured the venue could host the biggest tennis tournament outside the Grand Slams.
“The NSW Government is committed to bringing the best sporting events in the world to NSW,” Lee said.
“These upgrades ensure the world’s best tennis players are competing in this fantastic venue in the heart of western Sydney.
“Swifts and Giants netball fans will also benefit with the venue now capable of also hosting major netball events.”
The Ken Rosewall Arena redevelopment has transformed the venue into a multipurpose outdoor covered arena with upsized in-stadia videoboards, new seating and shade for 10,000 spectators.
The striking new roof is an innovative cable-tension and PTFE fabric design, a first for stadia in Australia, designed by Cox Architecture in conjunction with Arup. Project construction was delivered by AW Edwards with sporting shade specialist Fabritecture.
ATP Cup Tournament Director Tom Larner said the improved Ken Rosewall Arena would provide a spectacular setting for the first ATP Cup.
“We’re thrilled to be able to launch the ATP Cup and a new era in tennis at the sophisticated, new-look Ken Rosewall Arena, there is no better location to start the global summer of tennis,” Larner said.
“There is a positive energy among the teams and everyone is excited to get on court and experience the benefit of this brand new roof.”