Out 'n' about at the Australian Open tennis

Top row:
Left: Rod Laver Arena (the main court, named after one of Australia's most famous former players, the only two-times Grand Slam* singles winner, and one of only 2 men to do it) and Garden Square, where fans can sit and watch the action from inside RLA on a huge screen. A Grounds Pass costs as little as $30 a day, which gives you access to matches on the courts other than centre...you can still catch some great tennis.
Middle: A couple of French fans in Garden Square. The atmosphere is wonderful, with people from all over the world. And it's very relaxed and laid back (mostly)
Right: Part of the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena

Centre Row:
Left: French fans inside RLA supporting Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Middle: A new star is born
Right: Margaret Court Arena (aka Margaret Court court) named after another former great and Grand Slam winner - and she won two Mixed Doubles Grand Slams as well! The buildings in the background are in central Melbourne. One of Melbourne's great assets is the proximity of its great sporting venues to the city...just a short tram ride or easy walk.

Bottom Row:
Left: View of Melbourne Park and the Yarra River from the 19th floor of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Next door to the tennis centre is the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which was the Olympic Stadium in 1956
Middle: Players Box seats before the Tsonga/Blake match. We were sitting right near them, and during the match Tsonga's people occupied them.
Right: Line umpires and ball kids.

To see these photos enlarged, and others I haven't loaded from elsewhere, visit Sydney Daily Photo Extra.

* Grand Slam - winning the Australian, French, US Opens and Wimbeldon in one calendar year. A "Golden Slam" means winning those 4 AND an Olympic Gold. Does anyone know who the only player to achieve that feat was?

Tomorrow: back to Bronte