Rod Laver Arena
Construction on the arena began in 1985. Civil & Civic undertook the building project that replaced the aging Kooyong Stadium. The venue opened its doors on the 11th of January 1988 for the 1988 Australian Open. It cost AU$94 million to complete by 1987. Originally known as the National Tennis Centre at Flinders Park, it served as a modern replacement for older facilities. The government and tennis authorities collaborated to create this new hub for sport.
The idea for such a roof came about at the suggestion of John Cain, the premier of Victoria around 1980. He proposed a compromise after Tennis Australia requested an open-air facility next to a closed-roof entertainment centre. Rod Laver Arena became the first tennis venue in the world with a retractable roof installed. It was also the first arena of any kind in Australia to feature this technology. The roof allows competitors to continue play during rain or extreme heat without interruption.
Rod Laver Arena acts as the centre court for the Australian Open tennis championships every year. The player after whom the arena is named, Rod Laver, is a frequent guest of honour at Championships. He has presented the trophy to the men's singles champion on several occasions. The arena hosted the semi-final and Final of Australia's famous Davis Cup victories in 2003. Australia recorded their 28th Davis Cup title at this location that same year.
The arena's first basketball game took place in 1991 when the Australian Boomers played host to a touring All-Star team headlined by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Over 15,000 people attended that event. On the 3rd of April 1992, the Melbourne Tigers defeated the Canberra Cannons 112, 104 to make the venue home to local basketball. The largest basketball crowd set in 1996 saw 15,366 attend a local derby between the Magic and Tigers. Game two of the 1996 NBL Grand Final series drew 15,064 fans who watched the Magic defeat the Tigers 88, 84.
From 1988 until 2007, the surface of the court was Rebound Ace which was coloured green and played slowly. The surface was blamed for many injuries as it became sticky in hot weather making play difficult. In 2008, the surface changed to Plexicushion and turned blue. This new material offered more cushioning than the original Rebound Ace. By 2019, the surface shifted again to Greenset while retaining its blue appearance.
In June 2015, officials announced that the arena would undergo redevelopment of its exterior facade and interior customer features.
Construction began in April 2016 for the $338 million second stage of redevelopments. A new eastern-facing primary entrance opened up the arena to spectators. The venue's roof was upgraded to allow closure for inclement weather in five minutes. It previously took 30 minutes to close before this modernization effort finished in late December 2018.
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Common questions
When did Rod Laver Arena open for the 1988 Australian Open?
Rod Laver Arena opened its doors on the 11th of January 1988 for the 1988 Australian Open. Construction began in 1985 and cost AU$94 million to complete by 1987.
Who suggested the retractable roof for Rod Laver Arena?
John Cain, the premier of Victoria around 1980, suggested the idea for such a roof. Rod Laver Arena became the first tennis venue in the world with a retractable roof installed.
What year did Rod Laver Arena host Australia's Davis Cup victories?
The arena hosted the semi-final and Final of Australia's famous Davis Cup victories in 2003. Australia recorded their 28th Davis Cup title at this location that same year.
How many people attended the first basketball game at Rod Laver Arena?
Over 15,000 people attended the first basketball game at Rod Laver Arena in 1991 when the Australian Boomers played host to a touring All-Star team headlined by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
When did Rod Laver Arena change its court surface from Rebound Ace to Plexicushion?
From 1988 until 2007, the surface of the court was Rebound Ace which was coloured green and played slowly. In 2008, the surface changed to Plexicushion and turned blue.