The Australian Open is set to be elevated to an “unprecedented audience” for the 2024 event with the glass court placed in Martin Place, in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
The men’s and women’s event will be held from March 20-24 in Sydney’s major business district with matches also taking place at other squash venues in the city, including City Tattersalls Club, Sydney University Sport & Fitness Centre, Castlereagh Club and Bondi Squash Club.
With the advent of squash’s new investment, the PSA had looked to cities such as Sydney showcasing the sport in eye-catching locations. That has now come to fruition with PSA World Tour event.
Robert Donaghue, Squash Australia CEO, said the green light to build the court in Martin Place is huge win for the sport and its fans.
“The next Australian Open has been elevated to PSA World Tour status for the first time in more than a decade, which will attract the best players in the sport to Sydney in March,” said Donaghue.
“Being able to put the sport on centre stage in the middle of Sydney will showcase the event to the public in a way we’ve never been able to achieve in this country before.
“It’s taken a great deal of imagination and hard work behind the scenes to pull this off, but we’re grateful to be given the go ahead and we’re determined to make this one of the iconic tournaments on the international calendar.
“Being able to announce the news just a week after Squash was admitted into the Olympic programme for 2028 is further evidence that the sport is resurging in Australia and around the world.”
The Australian Open dates back to 1928 with some major names winning the men’s and women’s events. In recent years the tournament hasn’t been part of the PSA’s top tier events.