Clive James, the formidable—and recently departed—critic traced the fundamental differences between the United States and Australia, his native land. “Superficially, Australia is like America; and yet profoundly different….the differences reside precisely in the discrepancy of scale, which finally dictates that Australia, short of physical power, must rely on influence instead. In times of trouble, the United States can send the Screaming Eagles. Australia must send Cate Blanchett.”
These same sensibilities express themselves at the Australian Open. This event lacks the scope and sweep of the U.S. Open, the tradition and elegance of Wimbledon, the style and Paris-in-the-spring magic of Roland Garros. But it has a great deal of cultural charm. This is not a champagne event but a beer event; long on fun and short on inhibition. It can sometimes feel like a music festival—in the middle of one of the Great Cities of the World—with some tennis tacked on. And sometimes, Cate Blanchett even shows up.
A few months ago, one of you suggested we do a “tips” column for the other three majors, the same we do each year for the U.S. Open. That in mind, a few weeks out, here’s a Guide to Attending the 2023 Australian Open.
