The 2023 Australian Open is here and tennis fans cannot wait.
Beginning January 16, the world’s best players will travel to Melbourne Park to compete at the first Grand Slam of the tennis calendar.
Played across six courts, 256 competitors (128 men and women’s singles) battle it out for individual glory and the hope they can hold aloft the Australian Open trophy.
One of those courts is John Cain Arena, which is named after the 41st Premier of Victoria.
Cain – who passed away in 2019 – served as leader of Victoria and the Labor Party from 1982 to 1990.
During his time as Premier, reforms were introduced such as liberalised shop trading hours and liquor laws, equal opportunity initiatives, and occupational health and safety legislation.
Born in 1931, Cain followed in the footsteps of his father – John Cain – who served as the leader of the Australian Labor Party from 1937 to 1957.
Cain – who’s been flagged as “the man who saved the Australian Open” – helped move the tournament from Kooyong to the Melbourne Park precinct.
Current Victorian Premier, Dan Andrews, said at the time of Cain’s passing that things would have been much different if Cain didn’t do what he did.
“The Australian Open would have become the Asia-Pacific Grand Slam, played not in Melbourne, but in Shanghai or Singapore,” Mr Andrews said.
“Instead, because of John, Melbourne Park is a pocket of our city devoted to the enjoyment of its people – a part of which will soon be dedicated to John’s name.”
Cain’s work didn’t stop at developing a new tennis centre, but also assisting females in the work place.
He established the Victorian Women’s Trust, now run by Mary Crooks.
“He made the world fairer for women,” Crooks said.
John Cain Arena history
John Cain Arena – formerly known as Melbourne Arena – opened in 2000, joining the already built Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas.
The stadium “offers unparalleled flexibility for events and functions,” written by AUStadiums.
John Cain Arena holds many different events due to its versatility. It can host a 250-metre cycling track, tennis courts, concerts, with innovative seating designs that allows spectators to be close to the action.
Prior to its current name, the stadium was known as Vodafone Arena (2000-2008) before Hisense (2009-2018) took over the naming rights.
However, in December of 2020 – following the passing of John Cain – the Victorian Government decided to rename it.
Cain was largely responsible for the vision to create the Melbourne Park precinct and was honoured for his work.
John Cain Arena size and capacity
The John Cain Arena has a capacity of 10,300 patrons.
