What’s in a name, you might ask? Well, here at the 1573 Arena, quite a bit actually. You see, this court, the 1573 Arena, wasn’t always known by this name. It was originally called Show Court 2 when it was built back in 1987 along with the rest of Melbourne Park. The 1573 Arena has always been a place where anyone with a ground pass for the Australian Open could just walk up and find a seat. It’s a more relaxed atmosphere than the bigger stadiums, but the tennis is just as thrilling, especially during the first week of the Open when competition is fierce. In 2019, something interesting happened. A Chinese distillery, Luzhou Laojiao, decided to sponsor the Australian Open. They make a very special type of Chinese liquor called baijiu, and their most prestigious brand is named Guojiao 1573. This sponsorship led to Show Court 2 being renamed to the 1573 Arena. So, the next time you take a sip of that Guojiao 1573, remember the sound of the ball hitting the court right here at the 1573 Arena.
Kororoit Creek
Is this where the river meets the sea? This is Kororoit Creek. It flows right here through Melbourne’s western suburbs