After last taking place in its entirety in 2019, the Brisbane International tennis tournament will make a much-anticipated return to welcome 2024 at the Pat Rafter Arena.
To be held from December 31, 2023 to January 7, 2024, the Brisbane International will feature a 32-player draw for both men’s and women’s singles. This marks an expansion of the women’s field from previous years. Top-ranked players will compete for a total prize pool of $3.1 million AUD.
The tournament is sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). It serves as a prelude to the Australian Open Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Supported by the government
“It’s terrific to see the much-anticipated return of the Brisbane International tournament to reignite Australia’s summer of tennis,” said Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. “Tennis fans love this block-buster event, as much as the players love playing at Pat Rafter Arena.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the tournament was a “Grand Slam win for the city” and would benefit local businesses. “Our city continues to be the number one choice for international sporting events,” he added.
Former world no.1 Ashleigh Barty endorsed the move to reinstate the event. “The players love to come here, love the atmosphere,” she said. The stadium’s namesake and fellow former world no.1 Pat Rafter also welcomed the tournament’s return.
Photo Credit: Instagram/Tennis Australia
Together with the United Cup and the Canberra International, the Brisbane International kicks off the Australian Summer of Tennis in 2024. The summer culminates with the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
A summer of international tennis is returning to Queensland with the launch of the first-ever United Cup Tournament at the Pat Rafter Arena in Tennyson.
Over 6,000 tennis fans are expected to travel to the region to watch the United Cup from Thursday, the 29th of December 2022, to Wednesday, the 4th of January 2023.
The sports event will showcase 18 countries across three Australian cities – Brisbane (Pat Rafter Arena), Perth (RAC Arena) and Sydney (Ken Rosewall Arena). Each city will host two groups of three countries, competing in a round-robin format.
The winners of this inaugural event could take home US $15 million and earn 500 ATP and 500 WTA rankings points.
“We know Pat Rafter Arena is a favourite with players and it will be terrific to see the stars of the game back in Brisbane for Queensland’s traditional summer of international tennis,” ourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.
“Blockbuster events of the calibre of the United Cup usually bring thousands of Queensland and interstate tennis fans to Pat Rafter Arena.
“The 2022-23 international summer of tennis is Brisbane’s first since the pandemic and another green shoot of recovery for transnational sport in Queensland.
“Queensland tennis fans will witness the mastery of the games’ big names in the hunt for the world’s biggest prize pool outside of the Grand Slams.
“The United Cup is a world-first spectacle of men’s and women’s tennis greats playing side-by-side for their countries.
“I’m excited to see the United Cup’s star-studded centre court billing join Queensland’s line-up of major international sport on our decade-long green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Games.
“First-class international tennis is game, set and match for our great Queensland lifestyle, generating an estimated $8 million for the visitor economy and supporting more good jobs.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that the United Cup is line with the city’s “action-packed line-up of major international sports on our green and gold runway to the #Brisbane2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Tickets to the United Cup Tournament are now on sale.
Salvaging and taking items you can re-use and recycle from other people’s unwanted pile is encouraged to limit landfill buildup. However, if you’re bothered about the mess some scavengers make, below are some tips to encourage them to rummage responsibly:
1. Label your items.
If you have an old but working toaster, electric fan, or any small but still useful appliances on your kerbside collection pile, tape a note on it. For example, a sign that says, “Not Worth Selling But Still Works” makes scavenging easier. Your neighbours won’t need to dig through your stuff — and then leave a mess! — if they can read the note right away.
Some scavengers break items for disposal to get the parts they want. But TV sets with broken screens, for example, won’t likely be picked up by the collectors anymore as there are shards of glass around it. To discourage scavengers from breaking your old stuff, put a sign that says, “Don’t Break For Parts, Just Take The Whole TV.”
2. Take the wires or cables out.
Scavengers like to cut the power cords off small appliances as this is apparently the fastest way to collect copper for reselling or reusing. But the wreckage they leave on your kerb can be annoying.
Whilst you can put a sign to encourage them to take the whole item, it might help to cut or take out the wires yourself to set it neatly on your kerbside pile. This way, the scavengers won’t have to destroy anything else as they can easily take what they want and leave.
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council/Facebook
3. Put your items out hours before pick up.
Kerbside collection is at 6:00 a.m. but scavengers may already be rummaging at midnight or dawn because some folks put their items earlier. Understandably, people prepare their kerbside pile at their most convenient time, which could be days ahead of collection day.
However, this raises the chances for scavengers to make a mess on your corner. Cleaning up after their mess is a lot more inconvenient and puts you at risk for illegal dumping fines.
Given that kerbside collection happens periodically, it will take less effort to wake up before 6:00 a.m. to set your pile and wait for the collectors to pick it up. If you can watch over your items before the collection, you can actually engage the scavengers personally and tell them, in a nice way, to leave the pile neat and orderly when they are done.
Experts say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when you find this hidden gem in Tennyson, every meal is going to be pretty much significant.
River La Vie at 197 King Arthur Terrace is an all-day brunch restaurant serving Australian fare and it has an unbeatable fantastic view of the Brisbane River.
Every spot to sit on at River La Vie is the best corner as it has an al fresco dining area surrounded by airy and beautiful greenery and flowers. It’s no surprise then for guests to linger while eating here because the place is so conducive for a wonderful dining experience.
Equally pleasant is the food’s flavour and presentation. River La Vie serves Australian fusion in its menu. The list is simple and short but the food servings are generous. Among its popular meals are the Kimchi Buchimgae (Korean Pancakes), Twice Cooked Pork Belly, gluten-free Tandoori Lamb Cutlet and Zuchini and Halloumi Fritters.
Photo Credit: River La Vie/Facebook
Photo Credit: River La Vie/Facebook
River La Vie was formerly Alfreds Tennyson. Its new owner, who fell in love at first sight with the place, transformed the restaurant into this homely, eco-conscious establishment.
This restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On weekends, trading hours extend to 9:00 p.m.
“Across from Pat Rafter Arena, this cafe is amazing. Love how it’s so close to nature. Costs about $40-$50 for meal and coffee for two. The food presentation is gorgeous and the decor is lovely too. The service was amazing, and child-friendly. Will definitely be back!”
~ Natalie Murray, Google Reviews
“Tucked away near the tennis centre in Tennyson, River la vie has a lovely outlook onto the Brisbane river. We visited for brunch, and found pleasant and quick service. My favourite dish was definitely the three-cheese Benny. Think of eggs Benedict but with hash browns instead of bread! Excellent idea! Haven’t had such a nice brekky in some time.”
A loaded line-up of top tier tennis players in the world is set to compete at the Brisbane International this January. Home favourite Ashleigh Barty will lead the tournament along with Venus Williams, Sam Stosur and at least 30 other tennis champions.
Brisbane International, an all-female tennis affair, will run from the 6th to the 12th of Jan 2020 at the Pat Rafter Arena in Tennyson. Ms William’s debut at the tournament was announced just days after the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed that its top three players — Ms Barty, Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) and Naomi Osaka (Japan) — will also be competing.
“After so many years on the tour, it is good to play at new tournaments and experience a different city. Brisbane International is always spoken of so highly among the WTA players and so I wanted to see it for myself,” Ms Williams said via the WTA.
Meanwhile, Ms Barty is primed to win her first Brisbane International, which is seen as the tournament that could prepare her for the Australian Open in Melbourne this year. She will be up against some heavy competition.
Also joining the current WTA champs are former Grand Slam winner and one of Australia’s tennis pride, Samantha Stosur. Emerging talent, Croatian-born Australian pro tennis star Ajla Tomljanović, will also serve at the event.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Other champs and rising stars competing in the tournaments are Petre Kvitova, Kiki Bertens, Johanna Konta, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Angelique Kerber, Dayana Yastremska, Sofia Kenin, Karolina Muchova, Alison Riske, Maria Sakkari and Donna Veki.
“To be able to add Venus, Sam, Elina and Ajla to an already blockbuster field says a lot about the Brisbane International and the city as a destination to visit,” Brisbane International tournament director Mark Handley told the press.
“Players arrive here at the start of the season fresh from a well-earned rest and we are looking forward to showcasing the best of women’s tennis with the best match-ups at the Queensland Tennis Centre.”
For the first time ever, Queensland, including Tennyson, will be the site of the exciting International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability(INAS) Global Games 2019 this October! The long-running sports competition will feature over 1,000 athletes with intellectual impairment, who will prove that there’s no barrier to what they can achieve.
Happening from the 12th to 19th Oct 2019, 50 countries will be represented at the INAS Global Games. The Australian team will have 44 Queenslanders led by Archie Graham from Ipswich.
“My government is proud to support the Games which is the world’s biggest sporting event of its kind,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. “Let’s all show our support and get along to the Games and cheer our team on!”
Photo Credit: Annastacia Palaszczuk MP/Facebook
The athletes will be vying for the gold in 10 types of sports:
EVENT
VENUE
Athletics
Queensland State Athletic Centre Kessels Road, Nathan, Mount Gravatt
Basketball
Hibiscus Sports Complex 90 Klumpp Rd, Upper Mount Gravatt
Queensland State Netball Centre Mains Road, Nathan
Cricket
Allan Border Field Crosby Park, 103 Crosby Road, Albion
Cycling
Mount Cotton Training Complex Mount Cotton Road, Cornubia
Murarrie Recreation Reserve Park 1238 Wynnum Road, Murarrie
Sleeman Sports Complex Old Cleveland Road &, Tilley Road, Chandler
Futsal
Sleeman Sports Complex Old Cleveland Road &, Tilley Road, Chandler
Table Tennis
Brisbane Table Tennis Centre 86 Green Terrace, Windsor
Taekwondo
Sleeman Sports Complex Old Cleveland Road &, Tilley Road, Chandler
Tennis
Queensland Tennis Centre 190 King Arthur Terrace, Tennyson
Rowing
Coomera Rowing Complex 33 Watersport Ln, Oxenford
Sleeman Sports Complex Old Cleveland Road &, Tilley Road, Chandler
Swimming
Sleeman Sports Complex Old Cleveland Road &, Tilley Road, Chandler
INAS was established in 1986 with 14 nations initially. The organisation has now grown to an 80- nation membership with around 500,000 athletes participating in various sporting events around the world.
The INAS Global Games happens every four years and it is considered as the largest sporting event for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Photo Credit: INAS Global Games 2019/Facebook
“We know that visitors to Brisbane will be warmly welcomed by our diverse communities and, with access to our world-class sporting facilities and perfect climate, I am confident this will ensure a conducive environment for top-level performances,” Lord Mayor of Brisbane Councillor Adrian Schrinner said in welcoming the INAS Global Games to Tennyson.
It will be a star-studded tennis spectacle in Brisbane as seven Grand Slam champions converge at Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson for Brisbane International 2019.
Leading the pack is world number 2 Rafael Nadal, who is ready to challenge Novak Djokovic for the world number 1 ranking. Nadal first featured in Brisbane International in 2017, with fans filling up the Queensland Tennis Centre.
“I am really looking forward to starting another season in Brisbane. I’m so excited to be coming back in 2019,” said Nadal.
“The field is always strong and the venue is amazing.”
Rafa, who missed the last couple of months of the 2018 season due to injury, is on track to recovery and is currently playing at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. He will be playing in Brisbane, then travel to Sydney as part of his preparation for the Australian Open in Melbourne.
“I’m looking forward to coming back to Brisbane, it’s such a great tournament and is always played in front of amazing fans,” Nadal added.
Other Grand Slam champs starting their summer in Brisbane are Andy Murray (GBR), Sloane Stephens (USA), Petra Kvitova (CZE), Jelena Ostapeno (LAT) and Sam Stosur (QLD).
Fans are also sure to have their eyes on Naomi Osaka, who made headlines after winning her first Grand Slam when she beat Serena Williams in the controversial 2018 US Open.
Osaka arrived in Australia on Christmas Eve.
Andy Murray and Naomi Osaka all set for Brisbane International 2019 (Photo credit: naomiosakatennis/Instagram)
Defending men’s champion Nick Kyrgios (ACT) will also be coming back to Brisbane to defend his title. Brisbane’s own, and undoubtedly crowd favourite, John Millman will also feature at this year’s Brisbane International.
Official field for the 2019 Brisbane International:
Men – includes world rankings
Rafael Nadal (ESP) – No.2
Andy Murray (GBR) – No.2 ** Entry Protected
Kei Nishikori (JPN) – No.9
Kyle Edmund (GBR) – No.14
Daniil Medvedev (RUS) – No.16
Milos Raonic (CAN) – No.18
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) – No.19
Alex De Minaur (NSW) – No.31
John Millman (Qld) – No.34
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) – No.34** Entry Protected
Nick Kyrgios (ACT) – No.36
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) – No.40
Taylor Fritz (USA) – No.49
Ryan Harrison (USA) – No.47
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) – No.56
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) – No.57
Tennys Sandgren (USA) – No.61
Denis Kudla (USA) – No.63
Aljaz Bedene (SLO) – No.67
Mischa Zverev (GER) – No.69
Jordan Thompson (NSW) – No.72
