By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, January 22, 2026
Photo credit: Jon Buckle/ROLEX
Tennis Australia Chief Craig Tiley has a vision for the Australian Open’s high-tech future.
Air space around Rod Laver Arena could get pretty crowded.
Drones delivering food and drink to fans are part of Tiley’s plans—as are a clean court canvas without chair umpires.
The Australian Financial Review’s Ross Durkin reports Tiley shared his plan for a complete transformation of the Melbourne major, which, if completed, would make it the biggest Slam spectacle in tennis.
Tiley’s AO renovation calls for a new stadium with traditional seating replaced by pod-style seating and drones serving concessions to fans would not have to leave their seats to order a beer.
“There’s nothing worse than, there’s a row of 20 people and your seat is number 21 and you’re standing with your hands full and everyone’s got to stand up and lean back and you walk along sideways and try not to spill anything, so that’s got to transform as well,” Tiley said in comments published by the Australian Financial Review.
“So, building a new stadium with pod-style seating so you come in or out of your own pod of six or eight, you walk onto site, you’ve already purchased your ticket and that’s the last transaction you ever have. Your security’s already been checked and you don’t even know that’s happening because that will probably be when you leave your hotel.”
The 2026 Australian Open has shattered attendance records so far this month.
The tournament has also made some technological improvements, including affixing red lights to the net posts and side of the chair umpire’s seat that are lit up when a shot lands out.
Tiley wants to eliminate all officials on court to create a more dramatic atmosphere and shift the spotlight solely on the players.
The AO Chief sees the event evolving into a more theatrical spectacle, citing Naomi Osaka’s dramatic entrance in full ivory costume, hat and veil as the direction he sees the Melbourne major following in the future.
“Naomi was a good example of that last night and the beginning of that journey,” Tiley said. “My objective eventually is to have no officiating on the court, it’s all done behind the scenes.
“Have a conductor at the net, maybe in the box, just as part of the show, so its only about the battle of the two individuals with the focus on the sky and the sea and the blue of Melbourne, Australia, because most of the world are stuck in white and snow and cold weather.”
The Australian Open has a reputation as the most fan-friendly of the four Grand Slams. It will be intriguing to see if Tiley can realize his dreams of using technology to completely transform the tournament.
