News article
Australian Open sees 99% reduction in single-use plastic in player areas
The Australian Open has made a move to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles for players, their teams and employees across the Grand Slam and Summer of Tennis events by partnering with Waterdrop.
Tennis fans will also be able to purchase a variety of personalised bottles, while further benefiting from activations such as meet and greets with Waterdrop ambassadors.
The hydration company already provided reusable stainless-steel bottles for players at the 2024 edition of the Australian Open earlier this year, which they were able to refill directly on-court with filtered, high-quality Melbourne tap water.
As a result of this, the Australian Open 2024 achieved a 99% reduction in single-use plastic in player areas, with around 800 players refilling more than 5,600 litres of water sustainably. More than 280 water dispensers stationed throughout the precinct also provided free drinking water for fans and those onsite.
Waterdrop will also support Summer of Tennis tournaments including the United Cup in Perth and Sydney, the Brisbane International, Canberra International, Adelaide International and Hobart International, in promoting sustainable hydration.
“We have already built a strong foundation and are excited about the positive impact we can make together in the coming years as part of our broader climate action strategy.”
“We are very excited to partner with Waterdrop. With its focus on sustainability and providing high-quality products, it’s a great fit for the Australian Open and the Summer of Tennis,” said Tennis Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer, Cedric Cornelis.
“We have already built a strong foundation and are excited about the positive impact we can make together in the coming years as part of our broader climate action strategy.”
Cornelis added: “The Australian Open, alongside Waterdrop, was the first Grand Slam to offer players the local tap water in the dedicated refill points placed on-court, resulting in significant reductions in single-use plastic. We also have hundreds of water stations in player areas like gyms and lounges as well as across the precinct, supplying high-quality Melbourne drinking water to both tournament personnel and fans, who we encourage to bring refillable water bottles.”
Image: Steve Collis/CC BY 2.0/Edited for size