Clive James, the late formidable critic, traced the fundamental differences between the United States and Australia, his home country:<\/p>\n
\u201cSuperficially, Australia is like America; and yet profoundly different \u2026 the differences reside precisely in the discrepancy of scale, which finally dictates that Australia, short of physical power, must rely on influence instead. In times of trouble, the United States can send the Screaming Eagles. Australia must send Cate Blanchett.\u201d<\/p>\n
These same sensibilities express themselves at the Australian Open. This event lacks the scope and sweep of the U.S. Open, the tradition and elegance of Wimbledon and the style and Paris-in-the-spring magic of Roland Garros. But it has a great deal of cultural charm. This is not a champagne event, but a beer event\u2014long on fun and short on inhibition. It can sometimes feel like a music festival, in the middle of one of the great cities of the world\u2014with some tennis tacked on. And sometimes, Cate Blanchett even shows up.<\/p>\n
With the year\u2019s first major about to kick off Sunday, Jan. 18, with qualifying starting on Jan. 12. Here\u2019s a guide to attending the Australian Open.<\/p>\n
\u2022 We\u2019ll get the dutiful promotion out of the way \u2026 Tennis Channel has its usual pregame show\u2014live on-site this year!\u2014at 10 a.m. local, which is 8 p.m. ET. Then ESPN takes over. Check your local listings.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Your intrepid Sports Illustrated correspondent will file periodic dispatches from afar.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 Wear sunscreen. No, really. The sun is intense. Rafael Nadal\u2013in-competition intense.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Hydrate.<\/p>\n
\u2022 I\u2019d contend that, among the four majors, the Australian Open has the least charming main venue \u2026 and perhaps the most lively and spirited grounds. This is a rule at every major, but especially at the Australian Open: If you have tickets for Rod Laver Arena, you are all but duty bound to venture to outside courts.<\/p>\n
\u2022 As always, note the practice schedule. (Especially if there is an opportunity to catch a Carlos Alcaraz\u2013new-coach session.) Most of the practice courts are between the two main venues, Laver and Melbourne Arena.<\/p>\n
\u2022 As always, cheer for the players who need it most. Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are extraordinary. But they\u2019ll be fine without your vocal support. Head to back courts. Find qualifiers. Find the Ukrainian women in the draw, who play and then reflexively check their phones, hoping their families are O.K. Find Stefanos Tsitsipas\u2019s name on the schedule and use your larynx to max effect.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Again, the Aussie Open is a beer event, rather than a champagne event. But there\u2019s plenty of both at the Grand Slam oval.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pay close attention to the bands performing on-site. I guarantee that, within a few years, you\u2019ll have heard of some. Tame Impala, Billy Idol (?) and Cookin\u2019 on 3 Burners are among the recent veterans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 Especially in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack, be prepared for heightened security.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If you\u2019re looking for relief from the heat \u2026 A) there are, of course, three indoor venues; B) Court 4 features a shaded paddock; C) there are beanbags and nap chairs scattered around the grounds. Don\u2019t be afraid to use them.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Melbourne is a city of immigrants and ethnic enclaves. Bear this in mind when considering the match schedule. Any match involving a Greek player is good theater. Same when players from the Balkans are on court.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 In my experience, Aussies say \u201cG\u2019Day mate\u201d the way New Yorkers call their city the \u201cBig Apple\u201d or Chicagoans warm to \u201cthe Windy City.\u201d In other words, it marks you as a cringe visitor. Avoid it. \u201cHow are you going?\u201d is the more common greeting.\u00a0 (Also resist references to \u201cShrimp on the barbie.\u201d)\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 You are encouraged, however, to stroll down ACDC Lane<\/a>, not far from the site.<\/p>\n \u2022 You can stick with your pronunciation and give full faith to the R. We won\u2019t tell. But do know that Aussies inexplicably call the city MEL-bun. It was the comedian (and former ATP-ranked player) Michael Kosta who, quite rightly, asks: Maybe in the course of that 16-hour flight, they could spare time to tell us the name of the city where we\u2019ll be landing?<\/p>\n \u2022 Want a great neighborhood joint? Go here.<\/a> Trust us. You\u2019re welcome.<\/p>\n \u2022 The Yarra River ain\u2019t exactly the regal Danube wending its way through Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade. But it\u2019s a pleasant river and worth walking, running and biking alongside. During the event, there\u2019s often a stage set up on the banks \u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Especially if your hotel is nearby, water taxis are a unique way to get to the venue. Otherwise, take the excellent (and free) public transportation which will let you off near the back entrance. Or just walk. The venue is no more than 10 minutes by foot from most Central Business District hotels.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Two detours: 1) Cross the river and walk through the botanical gardens, and then cross back over. 2) Walk by the Melbourne Cricket Grounds, at one point the largest sports venue in the world. (Bonus: the street is lined with eucalyptus, so it smells like a perfumery.)<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not take a taxi or an Uber. The area around the event is a snarl of one-way and closed streets.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Whatever you do, don\u2019t go to Chin Chin on Flinders. You\u2019ll want to stay away from that place. (Otherwise, the line gets intolerably long for those waiting at this all-time great restaurant.)<\/p>\n \u2022 Reapply sunblock. And hydrate.<\/p>\n \u2022 Contemplate how a country with a smaller population than Texas can put on a national event of this scope and scale.<\/p>\n \u2022 From reader Pete H: \u201cIf you like hoops, make it a doubleheader. On the second Wednesday, Melbourne Arena gives way to its usual tenant, Melbourne United of the NBL. It\u2019s a separate ticket, but the basketball ticket gets you a grounds pass to the tennis. If the weather permits, they\u2019ll take the roof off and play it as an outdoor game.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 Australia Day is Jan. 26.\u00a0<\/p>\n