Making the Australian Open accessible for all
Tennis Australia and GSA are driving real change, ensuring that accessibility isn’t just a feature - it’s the foundation of the Australian Open (AO) experience.
The Australian Open (AO) has emerged as one of the most inclusive and accessible sporting events globally, with a commitment to breaking barriers and ensuring everyone can fully experience the tournament. At the heart of this effort is Tennis Australia (TA), working alongside experts in accessibility to embed meaningful change across the event and beyond.
Post a busy Australian Open for both teams, we had the chance to chat with Kerry Tavrou, Head of Inclusion & Diversity at Tennis Australia, and Chris Okely, Inclusion & Diversity Lead – All Abilities at Tennis Australia. With the courts cleared and the crowds gone, it was the perfect time to reflect on the incredible strides made in accessibility and inclusion at the AO, and what’s next on the journey to making the tournament truly welcoming for all.
Beyond Compliance: Embedding accessibility into every aspect of the AO
“We’ve always believed that sport should be for everyone,” Kerry begins. “And with GSA’s support, we’ve been able to take that belief and translate it into real, tangible changes at the AO.”
From improved accessible seating and quiet spaces to guided experiences for visually impaired attendees, the AO’s approach to inclusion has moved beyond just compliance—it’s about ensuring that every fan, player, and official can fully participate in the event.
Chris highlights how GSA’s involvement has played a critical role: “GSA brings a level of authenticity and practical expertise that we simply wouldn’t have without them. Their team lives and breathes accessibility, and that insight has been invaluable in shaping how we approach inclusion.”
Innovation is central to the AO’s approach to accessibility, and this year, a standout example was the in-seat food and beverage ordering service for patrons in accessible seating bays at Rod Laver Arena. This feature, designed in response to direct feedback from accessibility audits conducted by GSA, removes barriers for people with mobility challenges – eliminating the need to navigate crowded concourses while carrying food and drinks. “We saw a problem, and we worked with our teams to find a solution,” Kerry explains. “It’s these kinds of innovations that make a real difference – not just for people with disability, but for everyone.”
AO All Abilities Day: A Milestone in a Larger Journey
One of the most visible outcomes of this ongoing collaboration has been AO All Abilities Day—a day dedicated to celebrating inclusion in sport.
The numbers tell the story of its impact:
- 720 kids with disability enjoyed a sensory-friendly experience at AO Ball Park before the gates opened.
- 2,500 people with disability were welcomed on-site for the first time, making this the most accessible AO yet.
- Over 100 people with disability were employed across the event, fostering greater representation in the workforce.
- A Q&A at Top Court showcased the AO’s accessibility features alongside Get Skilled Access.
- Attendance record smashed—with 32,912 attendees, making it the biggest second Tuesday in AO history.
“AO All Abilities Day is a way to showcase everything we’ve been working towards throughout the year,” says Kerry. “It’s not just about one day—it’s a reflection of a bigger cultural shift within tennis and the broader sporting community.”
Chris points to the impact on attendees: “You see families coming together, kids getting their first taste of a truly inclusive sporting event, and it’s incredibly powerful. But what’s even more important is that the changes we’re implementing at the AO don’t just exist for one day—they’re part of a long-term vision.”
Checkout below images from the All Abilities Day at Australian Open 2025.
GSA’s Impact: Driving Change Beyond the AO
Beyond the event itself, GSA has worked alongside Tennis Australia across multiple levels, ensuring that the commitment to inclusion extends far beyond Melbourne Park. This collaboration isn’t just about one tournament – it’s about creating long-term impact across all levels of sport, from elite competition to grassroots participation.
“It’s not just about the AO,” Kerry explains. “We want these principles to flow through community tennis, coaching pathways, and national programs so that inclusion is embedded across the sport.”
One example of this was GSA’s program Sport4All, a program dedicated to making sport more accessible and inclusive across Australia. As part of the AO, Sport4All facilitated guided tours for councils, local clubs, and schools – demonstrating real-world applications of inclusive sport. These tours weren’t just about showcasing features like sensory rooms, communication boards, or hearing loops; they encouraged meaningful discussions on how these concepts can be implemented in community sport, ensuring that the impact of the AO extends well beyond Melbourne Park.
GSA has been instrumental in:
- Training Tennis Australia staff to ensure best practices in accessibility.
- Providing expert consultation on infrastructure improvements.
- Embedding inclusive practices within Tennis Australia’s broader strategy.
“One of the most valuable aspects of working with GSA is their ability to help us think beyond just the physical aspects of accessibility,” Chris adds. “It’s also about shifting mindsets and changing how we engage with the entire tennis community.”
Checkout some videos from the All Abilities Day at Australian Open 2025.
Video courtesy of our partners at the Dylan Alcott Foundation, originally shared via Dylan Alcott’s Instagram during AO 2025.
Video courtesy of our partners at the Dylan Alcott Foundation, originally shared by our ambassador Nathan Borg’s Instagram during AO 2025.
What’s Next? Evolving Accessibility in Tennis and Beyond
With continued innovation and a commitment to listening to those with lived experience, Tennis Australia and GSA are already looking towards the next phase of accessibility at the AO.
“The goal is always to evolve,” says Kerry. “Inclusion isn’t a box to tick—it’s something we refine, improve, and grow with every event.”
Chris adds: “We’re not just thinking about what’s next for the AO—we’re thinking about what’s next for tennis as a whole. How do we continue to set the standard for inclusive sport and make sure that inclusion isn’t just seen as an add-on, but as an expectation?”
Raising the Bar: A Call to Action for the Sports Industry
As our conversation wrapped up, both Kerry and Chris made it clear: inclusion in sport isn’t optional – it’s essential.
“Sport is one of the most powerful tools for social change,” Kerry says. “And if we’re serious about making it truly inclusive, we all have a role to play.”
Chris reinforces this, adding: “We hope what we’re doing at the AO can inspire other sports to rethink how they approach accessibility. The more we share knowledge, collaborate, and challenge the status quo, the more progress we’ll see.”
As the AO continues to raise the bar for inclusion, the partnership between GSA and Tennis Australia is setting a standard – not just for tennis, but for all sports looking to make genuine, lasting change.