The Australian Open is seeing record numbers this year, but there’s something everyone seems to agree on: getting to Melbourne Park via the newly opened Greenline site has become an attraction in its own right.
“I did a lot of research on what we should do when we came to the city and Greenline was one of the recommendations,” said avid tennis fan Gregg Schulte from the US.
"I love how walkable the whole area is.”
The city’s new route to Melbourne's Grand Slam event is a reimagined riverfront promenade, part of our vision for turning Melbourne into a garden city where nature is never far. The new Greenline boasts a profusion of native greenery and front-row views across the Yarra River - Birrarung.
The 450-metre walk marks the culmination of the first stage of Melbourne’s Greenline Project.
Four additional precincts are being rejuvenated as part of the Greenline Project, which will create a 4-kilometre continuous green pathway along the river, from Birrarung Marr to the Bolte Bridge.
The next phase will begin with the stretch between Birrarung Marr and King Street Bridge, greening the way for an even lovelier Garden City.
Terrie Howard, also visiting from the US, gave the city’s biggest Yarra River project in recent memory two thumbs up.
“We went up to the Botanic Gardens and walked down from there, and it’s just lovely with everything that’s happening in this area,” Terrie said.
“There were so many places to go to, so many people, and they were riding their bikes and they were running and they were walking. It was great.”
Terrie Howard, visitor
Hailing from France – and enjoying a picnic when we spoke to them – are Lazare Courage and Louis Simon.
“It’s a really nice part of Melbourne with the river and the CBD,” Lazare said. “All the trees and the nature. I like this space even when there’s no tennis.”
Louis summed it up neatly: “I’ve found it very cool.”
Greenline’s fantasy tennis picnics
We asked Greenline visitors which tennis star they would like to share a picnic with here.
Also, what would they pack for the star in their picnic basket?
And most importantly, should players still be allowed to grunt every time they do a forehand?
Lazare Courage (France)
Fantasy picnic guest: Roger Federer
Picnic basket: “French wine and Swiss cheese.”
Tennis grunts: In favour
Louis Simon (France)
Fantasy picnic guest: Gael Monfils
Picnic basket: “French wine and blue cheese.”
Tennis grunts: In favour
Gregg Schulte (USA)
Fantasy picnic guest: Roger Federer
Picnic basket: “Beer and red wine for drinks and certainly some Swiss cheese. And some chocolate fondue.”
Tennis grunts: Against
Sheila VerSteeg (USA)
Fantasy picnic guest: Coco Gauff
Picnic basket: “Moscow mules for a drink.”
Tennis grunts: Against
Bill VerSteeg (USA)
Fantasy picnic guest: Frances Tiafoe (“My mother’s favourite player”)
Picnic basket: "Meat pies and beer."
Tennis grunts: Against
Emma Couturier (France)
Fantasy picnic guest: Carlos Alcaraz
Picnic basket: “A lot of fruit because he is a tennis man, so he eats healthy I think.”
Tennis grunts: In favour, strongly
Terrie Howard (USA)
Fantasy picnic guest: Alexander Zverev
Picnic basket: “I’d probably bring German beer for him. Maybe bratwurst for him.”
Tennis grunts: Against. “So against.”
When Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nick Reece took his first stroll along the new boardwalks, he pointed to a new chapter in Melbourne’s urban design history.
“This is going to transform the way Melburnians think about their river,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Whether it’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Australian Open or Moomba, this is going to be a brilliant place for people to come, enjoy our river, and just celebrate Melbourne’s beautiful parks and gardens.”
For more information about Melbourne’s huge summer of festivals and events, head to What’s On Melbourne.
