Down Under

The heat has been the big topic down in Melborne at the Australian Open this week. On courts temps pushing 125 degrees and higher are ridiculous, but having played in 90+ degree air temps with humidity quite often as a youngster, I don't have a lot of sympathy. None the less, it's given the announcing crews lots of fodder during down times to discuss the roof on Laver Arena, and you don't have to be an expert to see that the Laver is showing its age.

As retractable roofs go, its seen its day and served Melborne well but now looks like an old roll-top desk compared to modern facilities. We'll see what the new design holds, but the covered 'village square' and entertainment options between Court Arena and Laver Arena are essential and this rendering makes it looke like they're going to get it right by creating a true tennis village. I'll post more pics and video as I find them.