- Tennis fanatics need deep pockets to watch the best matches of the tournament
- There are still places available for the men’s and women’s finals
- Only a small percentage of Australians can afford the offer
Tennis fans wanting to attend this year’s men’s singles final in person will have to pay as much as $6,000 each – with even the cheapest seats to the tournament’s showpiece priced so high that only a handful of Aussies would consider going.
Ny Breaking Australia used Ticketmaster to check what was charged for the final match of the tournament, which will be played on the evening of January 28.
A quick look at the available seating reveals that the cheapest seats cost a whopping $1,998 each, located in Section 13 of Rod Laver Arena, which offers spectators a rough side view of the action.
For just a dollar more you can find a position in sections 26, 27 and 31, which are also off to the side and a little further away from the field.
The Rod Laver Arena (pictured) will be packed for the men’s and women’s singles finals next weekend, but getting a seat is out of reach for the vast majority of Aussies
Novak Djokovic (pictured) is one of the favorites to win this year’s men’s title, but seeing him in action will cost a whopping $6,000 for a seat
As you move towards a basic view – which is roughly what TV viewers see when points are played – prices go up sharply.
Seats in sections 41 and 42, which are located at the back of the stadium but not directly behind the baseline, will cost fans $2,499 each.
At the top end of the scale, the most expensive options at $5999 are found in Section 7, which is close to the action but off the field and level with the baseline; section 15, which is at the level of the net; and section 1, where you stand directly behind the players.
There has been a dramatic reduction in tickets for the night session on January 27, when the women’s singles final is held.
In contrast, the most expensive seats on offer at the women’s final (reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, photo) cost $2,000.
Russell Crowe and his girlfriend Britney Theriot took center stage at last year’s men’s singles final (pictured) as Djokovic took his 10th Australian Open crown
They were joined by actress Rachel Griffiths (pictured) and a host of other big names
The cheapest option there is worth $499, back in section 51, which places the card holder halfway between a side-on and basic view of the piece.
At the other end of the scale, fans will have to pay $1,999 for a position in Section 10, directly behind the baseline.
The men’s and women’s finals always attract a long list of the rich and famous, with film stars Russell Crowe and Rachel Griffiths present last year when Novak Djokovic took his 10th Australian Open title.
They were joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon, billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, fashion designer Pip Edwards and footy identity Eddie McGuire.