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Tennis Queensland chief executive Cameron Pearson has warned that events at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games could be moved to Melbourne if necessary upgrades are not carried out at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
The Queensland Tennis Centre was slated for renovation work in the initial venue plan for Brisbane 2032, which was announced in February 2023.
The infrastructure plans for the Games are currently undergoing a 100-day review after David Crisafulli was elected as Premier of Queensland in October. The launch of the review was an election pledge from Crisafulli, and the state government is due to unveil its Games Delivery Plan on March 25.
While the main point of interest will be the main stadium for the Games, there remains a question mark over whether the Queensland Tennis Centre will receive the upgrades that are needed for it to host tennis competitions during the Games.
Queensland Tennis Centre’s largest venue is the Pat Rafter Arena (pictured), which has a seated capacity of 5,500. Pearson believes the complex requires another arena to secure its spot as a Brisbane 2032 host venue.
“We don’t have enough seating, and facilities are not big enough,” he told the Brisbane Times. “There are no other facilities that could warrant the Olympic Games in Queensland. We’re doing what, we think, is minimal to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games that we can be proud of.”
Pearson added that tennis events would have to be moved to Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open, if Queensland Tennis Centre does not receive the necessary upgrades.
A Tennis Australia spokesperson told ABC: “It (Queensland Tennis Centre) currently does not meet the necessary standards – that’s why Tennis Queensland is advocating for additional government funding to upgrade the facility as part of the Olympic review process – and if unsuccessful we would consider hosting it in Melbourne.”
The state government’s 100-day review is assessing plans put forward by Queensland Tennis and Tennis Australia that propose a new arena, along with more temporary and permanent seating at existing facilities. Pearson noted that the International Tennis Federation has requested a 10,000-capacity arena, along with smaller venues seating 5,000 and 3,000 people.
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