Tennis: Flashed up centre loses bit of homeyness

Richard Palmer at the re-developing Auckland Tennis Centre. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The refurbished ASB Tennis Centre will look spectacular but the summer tournaments may lose some of their homely feel within the new structure.

At the ASB Classic set to start on January 3, spectators will notice key differences - some of which may not be to everybody's taste. While Stanley St will retain its intimacy and charm, tournament director Richard Palmer admits there is a downside to aspects of the $26 million development.

In the past, players and punters mingled to a degree unheard of at most tournaments in the world. The millionaire superstars wandered regularly through public areas, so fans could rub shoulders.

Jelena Jankovic warmed up in the carpark before the 2007 final, in front of surprised spectators queuing for tickets. Juan Martin Del Potro would regularly debrief with his coach in the public cafe and Elena Dementieva could be spotted warming down with her physio in a corridor upstairs, near fans heading to the Robinson Stand.

One also recalls Goran Ivanisevic and Marat Safin ambling over to buy barbecue sausages in their flip-flops, navigating past surprised families.

With the new player facilities, including a flash lounge and improved food options, the superstars will be more secluded; even able to watch centre court action from the comfort of their lounge.

They will also arrive from their hotels into an underground carpark, instead of the front entrance.

"Players won't be as accessible," says Palmer, "and [chance meetings] will happen a lot less."

But Auckland will remain one of the most fan-friendly tournaments, with players still able to walk around without security and plenty of chances for autographs and photos. The centrecourt is a striking aqua blue, the same colour and surface (plexipave) as the Australian Open.

While the Yock, Robinson and Redwood stands are fairly unchanged, the impressive new Jetstar stand has added to the amphitheatre feel. Centre court is likely to be a few degrees warmer and the permanent stand may reduce the wind factor on blustery days.

The outside courts have been elevated to ground level, meaning fans can no longer look down on the action from the adjacent cafes and dining areas.

It is the end of an era for court six in particular, which has seen some of the best matches in recent times, including a classic between John Isner and Juan Monaco this year that had fans leaving centre court to see it.

There was something particularly special about sitting among the trees and being just metres from the action, virtually able to read the label on a player's drink bottle. Now there is a grandstand at the end of court six that seats 78 people, and organisers will experiment with another stand (capacity 100) on court five.