What is the difference between the new court surface and the current surface (Rebound Ace)?
In the past the courts have been laid using pre-formed rubber mats. The new surface involves applying multiple layers of rubber-filled resin to the base to achieve a consistent result. The only real change in the cushioned acrylic surface is that there is less rubber. This means it will retain less heat and is therefore better suited to Australian conditions. So is it really a hard court? No, it is still a cushioned acrylic surface and preserves the Australian Open’s point of difference from other Grand Slam tournaments. Then why change it? The Australian Open is maintaining a cushioned acrylic court. The major change is the use of new technology in the laying process. Twenty years of maintenance on the current courts has made it a challenge to achieve consistency across all courts. This new process gives us a chance to wipe the slate clean and start again, still using a cushioned acrylic surface, but one which is laid using the latest technology available. How is it going to play? The
