In a huge coup for South Australia, the Adelaide International event at Memorial Drive has been locked in for the next decade.
The announcement comes off the back of a $44 million commitment from the Marshall Liberal Government in the 2020-21 State Budget for Stage Two of the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre redevelopment.
Tennis Australia has also committed to Memorial Drive hosting the next Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup home tie and the state is also a front runner for a future WTA Cup Competition, any expansion of the ATP Cup competition and a potential teams cup competition.
Premier Steven Marshall said it’s clear the $44 million budget announcement is already serving up great opportunities for South Australia.
“Our investment in Memorial Drive is a game-changer for sport in South Australia – and today’s announcement further cements us as a premier event and sporting state,” Premier Marshall said.
“The Adelaide International is a world class event and to have it locked in for a decade is a huge coup for South Australia.
“We are embarking on the single biggest infrastructure investment of any government in the state’s history and that is already coming to fruition with today’s announcement of long term international tennis – right in the heart of the city.”
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard, said this new deal proves that South Australia is open for sporting business.
“The inaugural Adelaide International was a roaring success and it’s fantastic for our state that it’s now locked in for at least the next decade,” Minister Wingard said.
“In a post-COVID world, open-air venues such as Memorial Drive are a smart investment.
“It will mean going forward that South Australia can look to hold and attract events that, in other cities around the world, could still be years away.”
Tennis Australia has also committed to establishing a world-leading Innovation Sports Hub at Memorial Drive and relocating the Tennis Australia Innovation team to the facility – a stone’s throw from Lot 14.
The focus of the innovation team is sport technology and multimedia and development of new business arms focused on sport, technology and entertainment such as e-sports.
