Authorities move to keep tennis Grand Slam at Melbourne

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

MELBOURNE (AFP) — Authorities announced plans Thursday to ensure the Australian Open remains in Melbourne after its contract runs out in 2016, with competition high to host Grand Slam events.

The Victorian government and tennis officials said they would will begin working on a two million dollar business plan to determine how to redevelop the Open venue at Melbourne Park.

"Crowds at the Australian Open grew from under 300,000 in the late 1980s to over 550,000 last year and the proportion of overseas spectators has almost doubled since 1999," said state Premier John Brumby.

"With Tennis Australia predicting public demand will continue to increase and is likely to reach 650,000 patrons within the next 10 years we need to ensure that we can cater for that...