Brisbane may lose the privilege of hosting tennis events during the 2032 Olympic Games unless the Queensland Tennis Centre (QTC) receives a significant upgrade, Tennis Australia has warned.
Tennis Queensland has proposed a $113 million upgrade plan for the Queensland Tennis Centre at Tennyson to meet the Olympic standards. The plan includes a new 3,000-seat arena, eight additional courts, and temporary seating for the event.
A Tennis Australia spokesperson emphasized the need for upgrades: “The facility currently does not meet the necessary standards, which is why Tennis Queensland is seeking additional government funding as part of the Olympic review process. If the upgrades are not approved, Melbourne could be considered as an alternative host.”
This proposal is part of the 100-day review into the infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority submitted its report to the Queensland state government on March 8, and the government is expected to announce its delivery plan on March 25.
Tennis Queensland CEO Cameron Pearson explained that the current facilities are inadequate. “We don’t have enough courts, enough seating, or sufficient player facilities,” he said. “If we can’t secure the necessary funding and infrastructure, we may have to consider moving the tennis events elsewhere.”
Despite the challenges, Pearson remains hopeful about the government’s support. “We have full faith that the state government will help deliver the required infrastructure,” he added. Pearson also pointed out that playing tennis in Melbourne’s cooler late-July temperatures would not be ideal for players.
Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell echoed the government’s commitment, saying, “We are focused on maximizing the green and gold legacy for the next decade or two, and our decision will be announced on March 25.”
Meanwhile, Victorian government minister Nick Staikos expressed no surprise that Melbourne was being considered, citing the city’s top-tier sporting facilities. However, he deferred questions regarding state support to the sports minister.
Labor Shadow Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Grace Grace urged Premier David Crisafulli to rule out the possibility of relocating the tennis events to Melbourne. “This is about building generational infrastructure for Queensland,” she said. “Why shouldn’t the next Ash Barty, a Queenslander, have the best facilities?”
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