Why some of the best seats at Rod Laver Arena are empty for big matches

It’s the middle of the day at Rod Laver Arena and world No.1 Jannik Sinner is battling it out against Dane Holger Rune – a hot ticket if ever there was one. But out in the lower rink, with the best view of court, there are large clumps of seats with blue covers branded “AO Reserve” sitting empty.

This is Tennis Australia’s newest premium offering with 500 seats set aside at centre court for tennis fans who buy premium hospitality packages sold as “Club 1905″.

“If you want the best seats in the house, we are going to pair it with the best hospitality in house,” says Fern Barrett, head of Premium Experiences at Tennis Australia.

Some of the best AO Reserve seats in the house are vacant. Credit: Eddie Jim

Club 1905, named in honour of the first year of the Australian Open, provides tennis fans with allocated seats and access to the astonishingly opulent Club 1905 dining rooms, complete with outdoor terrace overlooking Garden Square.

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