Why the Australian Open Is the World's Best Tennis Tournament for Travelers

"Big tennis events, such as the French Open, the U.S. Open, and Wimbledon, tend to top travelers' dream lists. The January tournament in Australia, on the other hand, can feel out of reach. But savvy sports fans are getting wise to the fact that the annual event in Melbourne merits the long flight-not least because it happens in the Southern Hemisphere's summer. Sometimes called the Happy Slam, the Australian Open has earned a reputation for good times, cultivating a feel-good atmosphere across nearly 100 riverside acres of Melbourne Park."

"The food is another draw. The Australian Open changes most of its menu items each year, inviting both up-and-coming restaurateurs and some of the city's top chefs to create special-edition fare. Some very popular items are permanent fixtures, however. Case in point? The "peach Melbourne," a play on peach melba that blends locally sourced peaches and raspberries into a perfect-for-summer soft-serve ice cream. Organizers also give a nod to the city's world-famous coffee scene with the AO Frappe, an iced grab-and-go cooler."

The Australian Open takes place in January in Melbourne during the Southern Hemisphere summer, producing a sunny, festival-like atmosphere across nearly 100 riverside acres of Melbourne Park. Players and fans arrive refreshed and excited, and the summer setting cultivates a happy, music-festival vibe. The tournament's proximity to the city center differentiates it from other major events that are farther from host-city centers. Food offerings rotate annually and highlight both emerging restaurateurs and top chefs, while staple items like the peach Melbourne soft-serve and the AO Frappe celebrate local produce and the city's coffee culture. The event's social and exclusive character increasingly motivates travel and networking.

Read at Travel + Leisure