Open season

The Grand Slam tennis schedule gets underway again with the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Thwack. Whoosh. Pok. It’s been the beat in Melbourne’s summer soundtrack since the Australian Open started calling the city home nearly 50 years ago. The tournament launches at Melbourne Park a bit later this year, on 8 February, but the wait’s worth it. Here’s what to check out at the courts and where to go after the match.

On the ground

Allow time to soak up the atmosphere. A pre-game drink at the Grand Slam Oval is a must for getting into the spirit, as is a walk around the venue. Melbourne is also upping its style game in 2021. Iconic watch brand Rolex has been a partner and official timekeeper since 2008 but new to the Open is Ralph Lauren, which is outfitting all on-court officials in clothing made from recycled plastic bottles (including some dapper ballkids). There’ll also be an onsite Polo Ralph Lauren pop-up store, where the public can buy and personalise pieces from the American label.

After hours

If you go to Melbourne without swinging by one of chef Andrew McConnell's eateries (there are seven, plus a market, pub and butcher in his empire), did you even go to the city? About a 20-minute walk from the courts is Supernormal (supernormal. net.au), McConnell’s buzzy, casual-cool pan-Asian CBD restaurant where share plates rule but you might want to have the New England lobster roll all to yourself – it’s the stuff of legend.

Kicking on

From Supernormal it’s an easy stroll to Arbory Afloat (arboryafloat.com.au), the summertime bar on the Yarra River. While its aesthetic in past years has leaned to a vibrant Mediterranean beach-club vibe, now it’s taking style cues from Australia’s relaxed seaside pads. And the top-deck pool that was first introduced in 2019 is back, too. Try the bar’s most popular cocktail: the Four Pillars x Arbory Afloat pink gin spritz.