Australian Open 2027 Announces Kids Tennis Day
The Australian Open, together with Emirates, has announced that Kids Tennis Day will move to Sunday 10 January for the first time, kicking off three weeks of tennis and entertainment at Melbourne Park.
After all, the future of tennis and the love of the sport lie with the generations to come.
With this year’s theme celebrating all things Australian, I couldn’t think of anyone more fitting to make the announcement than Lleyton Hewitt, arriving in an iconic Akubra hat while cradling a baby joey in a pouch.
For Lleyton, Kids Tennis Day is something close to his heart, having experienced it both as a player and later as a father with his own children.
“Kids Day has been a big part of my life. As a kid and player, I used to join in at Kids Day every year on Rod Laver Arena, with all the activities they used to do. Then, when Bec and I had our three kids, we’d bring them along also.
“I remember Cruz and I out there on the slides a few years back.”
And how quickly the years go by.
Hewitt spoke about the importance of encouraging children to get involved in tennis and the opportunities the expanded Australian Open calendar now provides.
With three weeks of tennis, kids can get closer than ever to their idols, whether that’s watching Australia’s Alex de Minaur practise or stepping onto the very courts where the world’s best players will compete.
“Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates gives kids and families the chance to get up close to the game, have some fun and be inspired by tennis’ biggest stars,” Hewitt said.
“These experiences can spark a lifelong love of tennis, whether it’s picking up a racquet for the first time or taking the next step in the sport.”
This year, Melbourne Park will become one giant playground, with five official Australian Open match courts dedicated to children’s activities, including the 3,000-seat ANZ Arena.
There will be interactive tennis experiences, open practice sessions, player appearances and plenty of family entertainment, including the return of the Rod Laver Arena Spectacular and the AO Ballpark presented by Emirates.
Tennis Australia CEO Andrew Abdo said moving the event to Sunday was about making the experience more accessible to families.
“Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates has always been about introducing more kids and families to tennis, and this move to Sunday allows us to make the experience more accessible than ever before.”
For Emirates, which continues as presenting partner, it’s another opportunity to introduce young Australians to the game and create memories that last well beyond the summer.
What I particularly love about this initiative is that it gives children the opportunity to experience tennis beyond watching it on television. To stand courtside, watch their heroes practise and perhaps even pick up a racquet for the very first time.
As Lleyton himself knows, those childhood experiences stay with you. And years later, you might find yourself returning with your own children, just as he did with Bec, Cruz and their family.
Who knows, the next Australian tennis champion might just be among them.
Written by Melinda Sullivan
Photography by Fiona Hamilton
For more information please visit https://ausopen.com/
