What an exciting experience.  We moved our arrival date up a week so we could attend a day of the Australian Open – or “The Tennis” as they call it here.  Everything is shortened or has a nick name.  McDonalds is Macca’s, Woolworths is Wooly’s, University becomes Uni.    We had a ground pass for the tennis on Thursday and went down when the gates open.  A very hot day (36C) but a great time none the less.  We were able to see the men’s double semifinal match and a variety of other exciting matches.  The atmosphere and people were fascinating.  After watching this on TV before leaving the US it was amazing to be walking around the grounds and seeing all the same sights.

It turns out that we had a connection to someone who is involved with putting on the open and were able to add a number of other experiences.  We went into the AO club for a bit (where the celebs hang out),  got a behind the scenes tour of Rod Laver Arena, and got tickets to the Women’s Singles final match on Australia Day – quite a show.



Junior Boys Semifinal on Margaret Court Arena



Behind the scenes - G taking the walk down the Hall of Champions in Rod Laver Arena





David Farrar warming up before his semifinal match.


G ready for Australia Day



Rod Laver Arena - Womens Final



Li Na warming up


Azarenka in the final.