Australian Open 2011 – Tennis Australia is Taking it to a Whole New Level

Written by: Staff on 5th October 2010

Australian Open 2011 – Tennis Australia is Taking it to a Whole New Level

DAVIS CUP AUSTRALIA V GT BRITAIN SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 09/02/03 WAYNE ARTHURS (AUSTRALIA) WINNING FOURTH RUBBER PHOTO ROGER PARKER FOTOSPORTS INTERNATIONAL |

The biggest prize pool in the history of the event will be offered for Australian Open 2011, which is being marketed with the slogan ‘A Whole New Level’. There will be a prize pool of A$25 million, with the singles champions each taking away A$2.2 million (US$2.1 million). The beaten finalists will each receive A$1.1 million (US$1,050 000).

Some of the initiatives announced include:

A new Kids’ Day to be held on the Saturday before the Australian Open
A nationwide Trophy Tour that will celebrate the winners trophies, the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, and the heritage of the Australian Open and the sport of tennis.
A Legends Event headed by former world number ones Pat Rafter, Matts Wilander, Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Thomas Muster
New long term broadcast deals in North and South America with ESPN
A new sponsorship deal with Heineken
Launch of the Australian Open book
The second annual Australian Open Film Festival
Owen Davidson to be inducted into Australian Tennis Hall of Fame and Frank Sedgman to be honored at a special Legends Lunch on the final Saturday

The Australian Open Trophy Tour kicked off at the launch with the legendary Ken Rosewall and Evonne Cawley bringing the trophies out in a special presentation. The Tour moves to Adelaide later in the week and then on to Tasmania, but will take in all states and territories as it traverses the nation in the lead up to Australian Open 2011 in January.

During the launch ceremony outgoing Tennis Australia President Geoff Pollard gave a farewell message and introduced his successor, New South Wales lawyer Steven Healy who will take over the role at the end of the month.

Topics: Australian Open, Australian Tennis, Espn, Evonne Cawley, Farewell Message, Frank Sedgman, Geoff Pollard, Ken Rosewall, Matts Wilander, Memorial Cup, New South Wales, Norman Brookes, Number Ones, Pat Rafter, Prize Pool, Sponsorship Deal, Steven Healy, Tennis Australia, Tennis Hall Of Fame, Yevgeny Kafelnikov