Brisbane risks losing 2032 Olympic tennis matches to Melbourne unless its facilities are improved, according to Tennis Australia.
Tennis Queensland has proposed a $113 million upgrade plan for the Queensland Tennis Center (QTC) at Tennyson for the Games.
He proposed a new 3,000-seat arena and eight new courts in addition to temporary seating for the event.
“It currently does not meet the necessary standards – which is why Tennis Queensland is advocating for additional government funding to upgrade the facilities as part of the Olympic review process – and if that fails we would consider hosting it in Melbourne,” a Tennis Australia spokesperson said.
Tennis Queensland has submitted a proposal for a new arena at the Queensland Tennis Centre. (Provided: Blight Rayner)
The submission was made as part of the 100-day review of infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Independent Games Coordination and Infrastructure Authority submitted its report to the state government on March 8.
The government is expected to announce its delivery plan on March 25.
Tennis Queensland has submitted a $113 million proposal to upgrade the Queensland Tennis Centre. (Provided: Blight Rayner)
Tennis Queensland chief executive Cameron Pearson said the state did not have “fit for purpose” facilities.
“We don’t have enough pitches, we don’t have enough seats and our player facilities aren’t big enough,” he said.
“If we cannot secure the funding and required number of courts and seats here at the Queensland Tennis Center, we will have to look elsewhere.
“It would be a travesty if we couldn’t host the Olympics and Paralympics here.”
Cameron Pearson says it would be a stretch if Brisbane couldn’t host Olympic and Paralympic tennis. (ABC News: Cameron Lang)
However, Mr Pearson said he had “full confidence” the State Government would help build Queensland’s infrastructure.
“We cannot play tennis at the end of July in Melbourne with a maximum temperature of 12 or 13 degrees,”
he said.
“I don’t think the players would be very keen to do that and I suspect some of them wouldn’t even come.”
The Prime Minister called to rule out this decision
Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the government had made it clear it would announce its infrastructure decision on March 25.
“We have this green and gold runway that we need to maximize in order to have a legacy for a decade or two to come,” he said.
Victorian Government Minister Nick Staikos said he was “not surprised” people were looking to Melbourne as an option.
However, he asked questions about whether government assistance had been requested from the Sports Minister.
“We obviously have the best sporting facilities in Australia,” he said.
Grace Grace, Shadow Labor Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
Labor shadow minister for the Olympics and Paralympics Grace Grace says Prime Minister David Crisafulli should rule out tennis being played in Melbourne.
“This is generational infrastructure for Queenslanders and why shouldn’t the next Ash Barty – a Queenslander – have the best facilities,”
she said.
