My ULTIMATE Australian Open Guide: The Trip Of A Lifetime!

[@jamesfullerguitar]

We can forgive your pronunciation of "Melbourne" on account of all the praise you have for Aus and the Aus open ;) Glad you enjoyed!!

[@Harderanger]

Was so fortunate to visit last year and felt exactly the same. The ground passes, esp. in early rounds, are absolutely insane and the accessibility in/out of stadiums sounds minor but is a HUGE game changer to the feel of it.

[@Gabriel-k6k5y]

great video! Surprised no one corrected your pronunciation of Melbourne though

[@TheTennisMentor]

Oh they did 😅

[@JAM-fm8lt]

​@@TheTennisMentoryet still didn't learn.😂

[@GameSetMatch_Yash2005]

13:59 And you met the champion too 🤩 I think you knew it all along, maybe you are a sorcerer 😂

[@TheTennisMentor]

Great spot!! 😁

[@getsettennis9649]

Glad you had a blast mate

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks buddy, so sad we missed each other!!

[@andrewgorvin6394]

Awesome video and trip Ash! Glad you loved it

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks bud, hope you’re well!

[@petertran4774]

Looking forward to the comparison video!

[@TheTennisMentor]

💪💪

[@AndrewRankin-uf3jj]

Absolutely brilliant Ash, so pleased for you ; now inspired to head down there and experience the AO - looks so much more accessible than other Grand Slams !

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks Andrew, if you ever get the chance, you must! 😄

[@danielsimpson607]

Happened to move to Melbourne recently and this was my first ever big tennis event, easily one of the coolest sports experiences even over sports I usually prefer.

[@PitterPatter100]

This vid came up in my feed and I really enjoyed your coverage. As an avid tennis follower I really liked seeing all the different parts of the AO venue and what you can do there. I've never been to AO, so maybe next year will be an option. It's not too far from Queensland.

[@luojiexu]

at 13:59 you had Madison Keys the AO2025 winner at the back! 😃

[@TheTennisMentor]

Yes, a quick cameo from the champ! What an incredible win!!

[@anttitapio4145]

Was about to say the same!

[@oysterman962]

Huge trip!! More distance covered than a British colonial explorer. Congratulations on seeing more of Australia than 90% of Australians

[@ztennisfan9134]

The "Happy Slam" 😊 Would have been great to have met you in person. I was at the Redbull Bassline event , loved it. 👍🏼

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’m sure there’ll be another chance! 😁

[@willowcolios5248]

I now want to go to the AO in a few years time. It looks amazing. Great video.

[@TheTennisMentor]

If you can, it will be worth the wait!

[@ProdigyEng]

Going via Singapore is a great choice. I did it when I went to Australia in 2020, only had a day layover, unreal place and unreal airport! Great video mate.

[@TheTennisMentor]

Loved it… want to go back already!

[@Biff420NoScope]

This looks as an experience so much better than attending Football World Cup or Olympic games events.

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’ve never been to an olympics, something I’d love to do, but the AO sets the benchmark very high. So accessible, with a really fun vibe. Couldn’t have loved it more!

[@Biff420NoScope]

@ I have, in 2012, and found it disappointing. You don’t see much apart from the specific event as you cannot move freely within the venues and when the event is over you get shoved out immediately. Not really a warm atmosphere. Besides, getting tickets is a chore.

[@maxwellrabin_properties]

Excellent video! I can’t wait to go to AO

[@TheTennisMentor]

When are you going?

[@tobireiter]

been there in 2023 and seeing all the footage from this year I have to spend my start of 26 in melbourne 😅 by far the best grand slam that I‘ve been and I am really looking forward to going there again :) called the happy slam for a reason

[@masonhetttennis]

Hey Ashley your videos are awesome man. You really inspired me to create my own tennis youtube channel and I really love everything your doing for the tennis community!

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thank you, I’m glad to hear that… I’ll check it out!

[@anthonydabaco8407]

Awesome review of your trip. Great to see how much you packed in. Great endorsement of Melb and AO! Def need to stay longer next time and spent more time outside city checking out the coast via Great Ocean Rd as well as trips to spots like The Dandenong, Yarra Valley and Spa Country. Weather wise March is probably best for travelling around, still very mild without getting too hot. And you need to get the MCG to watch an Aussie Rules game!

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks for the great recommendations, we were sad not to have driven on the great ocean road, we heard there are some incredible spots! And yes, I’d love to experience an Aussie Rules game!

[@NotMyRealNameDaDa]

Looks like you guys had a lit of fun 😊. Absolutely looking forward to the slams comparison and rankings video

[@TheTennisMentor]

We really did! I’ll work on it!

[@mrjamesflores]

Epic video! I saw you at the practice courts but was too scared to come and say hi!

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks! I’m a scary looking guy 😄 Next time, I’ll be sad if you don’t!!

[@paulteasdale4853]

So stoked to see you'd made the trip to the AO! Im from Sydney and went there for a couple of days in Week 2. And you drove down? Thats bad ass. The south coast is fantastic. My wife and I were married in Berry and Kiama is one of a few tennis hotspots to the south. I wish I had run into you at Melbourne Park. Maybe next time. Hahah. All the best...P.s. Our tourism department has a job waiting for you whenever you want.

[@lhiiman]

Thanks for sharing Ashely! Amazing to see how Melbourne park has changed since I moved to London! I went every year to qualifying in the early 2000, which used to be free, and the cost of a ground pass was $20 and got you into every arena but rod laver.

[@DanTuber]

it's an absolute rip off now.

[@lhiiman]

Ticket prices have gone up massively in every other slam. First year I got tickets for Wimbledon around 2013, I remember paying £100 per ticket for quarter finals on centre court. It pretty much doubled a few years later. Pretty sure it's the same for the french

[@TheTennisMentor]

I actually thought the AO ticket prices were really good value

[@DanTuber]

@ $60 Aud for 1 day ground pass is a lot for people. It use to be $20. Stadium tix are in the hundreds and forget about finals tix. Qualies use to be free, now they charge. AO seems intent on just extorting as much money out people as possible. I've topped going.

[@ArtieFufkin546]

@@DanTuberit’s not a rip off. It’s not super cheap, but it’s not extortionate compared to other grand slams, and compared to other events in Melbourne, like the footy or a Boxing Day test.

[@SarahNelson-x3q]

Very much concur with the wish that All England Club made access to Wimbledon more accessible! I’ve been applying to the ballot for over 10 years and have never got a ticket !

[@TheTennisMentor]

Exactly my point… come on Wimbledon!!

[@richardh1781]

Wow, great video and full of useful information!! THANKS

[@TheTennisMentor]

Legend 🙏

[@BradyThatcher]

I saw videos from the Asics summit but it was really cool to see behind the scenes of the whole trip. I got my Gel Resolution X's early about a week and a half ago and I am so impressed by the advancements Asics have made! Love the video keep it up!

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos and that you’re pleased with the shoes! Let me know if you ever have any video suggestions!

[@BradyThatcher]

@@TheTennisMentor I think a great video would be one explaining in depth the more mental side of tennis. Something I had noticed while watching KZbin tennis coaching is that many focus to much on physical tips and strategies that are great but always ignore the mental side. Not only the mental calming techniques pros use but also the mentalities and basic strategies for overcoming being down and mentally coming back. I think a little crash course video on this would be so helpful for so many and with you making it it would be the best on KZbin. Hopefully this was a helpful idea!

[@terryblebackpacker]

so happy you got to visit Singapore!!

[@TheTennisMentor]

Such a cool place!

[@FWRF80]

Very cool. Congratulations. Great experience for you. 🎉 and very nice video.

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thank you, it was a real highlight for me. I’m glad you enjoyed my recap!

[@gavooo28]

Great video and I was at the same Zverev match a couple of rows in front of you!! 😂😂😂 Wish I had spotted you to take a photo but if you ever come to Singapore, get in touch and I’m sure we can arrange a good tennis/eating trip 😬

[@TheTennisMentor]

Ahh such a shame! Sounds like a great idea 🎾🍜

[@kovacshuni]

Epic review. Makes me want to go.

[@TheTennisMentor]

Makes me want to go back! 😄

[@evelyn7]

👋 yes do a slam ranking and the specialties each one has that the others didn’t. Eg in aus open the practice courts I end up spending a lot of time here. Whereas French many yrs ago (2018) I didn’t find the practice courts but had a cool kids player area where you got to take photo with the players

[@touchtennis]

What an experience.

[@dano2953]

Great Vlog - also the non-tennis related part

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks, I wasn’t sure whether to include it or not but I’m pleased that I did!

[@steveodog47]

Very cool video!

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thank you

[@touchtennis]

Hahahaha “it was in fact 11 hours” 😂

[@TheTennisMentor]

😂😅

[@paulcarter3620]

Would love to see a video comparing your thoughts on all 4 grand slams as well as a stringer insights like with Yonex at the Australian open

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’ll work on it!

[@federicotown8052]

Very nice !

[@DanTuber]

We pronounce it Mel-bun, not Mel-Born

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks, you’re not the first to tell me 😄

[@ew7339]

@@TheTennisMentor and yet you still did it lol

[@eltonloh8721]

Whaat up from Singapore 🙌🏼🤙🏻

[@TheTennisMentor]

🙌🙌

[@arvzg]

awesome trip, welcome to Australia! but I'm surprised no one told you how to actually pronounce Melbourne! hahaa

[@TheTennisMentor]

Haha, I’ve had a few since posting this already! 😆

[@PravardhamanParmar]

please rank the grand slams

[@TheTennisMentor]

@PravardhamanParmar if 100 people like this comment, it’s a deal! 😉

[@lukemayes7226]

What…..a video Made me so wanna go

[@lindacotton3669]

Would love to see a comparison of all the slams

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’ll work on it!

[@Taecoconut]

Hey hey 😊 just an FYI we say Melbourne like “Mel- burn” rather than Mel-born

[@minghengtan]

30 minutes drive 😂😅😂.... Glad you had a terrific holiday 👍

[@TheTennisMentor]

😆😆 thanks!

[@jfdube6669]

Ash you're a lucky man!

[@TheTennisMentor]

I always tell my players that there’s no such thing as luck, however, I must say that I feel it!

[@allthegearnoidea69]

Singapore looks like fun.

[@TheTennisMentor]

It’s a really cool place! 4 days was the perfect duration for me!

[@StalinLobo97]

Ground pass not available for Margaret court arena?

[@TheTennisMentor]

Not guaranteed entry, as you can buy tickets for that court separately, so it depends on how many tickets they’ve sold (I didn’t get to go on to it but some say it’s the best court there!)

[@DanTuber]

So it if you get an accreditation pass and your player gets knocked out in the 1st round can you still use the pass for the rest of the tournament?

[@TheTennisMentor]

For 48 hours after

[@PravardhamanParmar]

how much do the mens singles tickets cost estimate ??

[@TheTennisMentor]

@PravardhamanParmar the final?

[@CH-yp5by]

You only went to Many but no other beaches in Sydney ???

[@ew7339]

Woolongong the village???

[@ew7339]

St Kilda the town???

[@TheTennisMentor]

Sorry, What are they?

[@ew7339]

@@TheTennisMentor St Kilda’s a suburb of Melbourne, Wollongong is a city

[@OracoloDelTennis]

bravo my friend, next time i wanna join you I can carry ur luggages or hold ur camera my friend. if you come to south italy we can have a match

[@TheTennisMentor]

A camera man would be handy! Also, I’d love to visit south Italy!

[@jorgepalacios4345]

Waooo 👍🏻👍🏻

[@zeussatrid7126]

melborn :)

[@TheTennisMentor]

Oops

[@zeussatrid7126]

@@TheTennisMentor i like your content :) As a tennis coach in Australia I have been to some head events as they sponsor us but would cool to experience something like this. Im strongly thinking of going to AO next year

[@erniccl1]

Have never heard anyone call Singapore cheap 😂

[@TheTennisMentor]

Me neither, but like I said, 4 days of travel all over the city cost me £7, meals cost £3-10 at the hawker markets (I hear alcohol is expensive!), lots of hotel and Airbnb options, a day at the botanic gardens = free… I’m sure you can make it expensive if you choose to, but for what we like doing it wasn’t!

[@AC26875]

I disagree with you on the vast array of food options. I thought the variety was poor and needs to improved. Alcohol seemed to be prioritised over food.,

[@TheTennisMentor]

Maybe I was comparing to the other slams, I felt like there were plenty of good options.

[@987mikka]

Lucky

[@TheTennisMentor]

Yes

[@Official.tadiwa]

Don't go to st kilda beach (melbournian here) The card is called a myki, you want scenes go outside the city

[@TheTennisMentor]

I’m sure things look different when you’re only there for a short period of time vs living there!! I would’ve definitely loved to explore further afield! Thanks, thats the card! 😁

[@simonglover8914]

How can you pronounce Melbourne wrong after having JUST been there? 😂

[@TheTennisMentor]

Tell me about it 🙃

[@ew7339]

Mel-bun not Mel-borne

[@TheTennisMentor]

Thanks 😄

[@konstantingubanov4687]

Like this comment if you spotted "shy Novak" on Asics stage

[@s4m130]

I'm sorry but as an Aussie your place pronunciation is 😂

[@TheTennisMentor]

😂

[@athanasiospanagiotakopoulo6217]

Great video!! Looking forward for a new one ranking the 4 grand slams..😊🥸

[@TheTennisMentor]

🙏🥸