Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

A convoy of food trucks will be rolling onto the grounds of one of Melbourne’s most iconic tennis clubs next month to feed the tennis masses at the Kooyong Classic. Organizers announced their culinary innovation with a month to go before the start of the prime Australian Open tune-up.

During the January 12-15 eight-man event, five local food trucks will be on hand to sell a variety of dishes to fans, with choices comprising: Soul Kitchen Pizza, Sliders on Tyres, White Guy Cooks Thai, Crepes n Coffee and Nandos. In addition, Wimbledon-style Pimms and Champagne tents will be going at what has to be full volume for a thirsty Aussie tennis public which generally loves a drink.

The culinary innovation might be needed to distract from a player field which could be in trouble. French headliner Richard Gasquet had to withdraw with back pains last week from IPTL play and return to Paris. The ATP No. 9 has already pulled from ATP Doha in the first week of January and is said to be questionable for the Australian Open starting January 18.

If so, then Kooyong will be looking for a replacement. Others in the field include controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios, No.15 Giles Simon, No.16 David Goffin, No.17 Feliciano Lopez, young guns Alexandr Zverev, Hyeon Chung, Kyle Edmund and Pablo Carreno Busta. Also included: former Aussie Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis and Spain’s Nicolas Almagro; one more player is to be confirmed to complete the field.

The food trucks will be parked on a Kooyong lawn within lobbing distance of the Centre court. The expansive area will also feature lawn bowls rink and a big screen for watching the tennis action. Post-tennis entertainment will include live music every evening.

Fans can also enter the grounds for free after 3 pm, perfect timing for the after-work tennis crowd.

“Our new – reinvigorated – Kooyong Common, is a fantastic place for the whole family to come and enjoy the tennis and really soak up Kooyong’s unique and intimate atmosphere,” said tournament director Brian Cooney. “The food trucks are a first for Kooyong and we’re looking forward to seeing lots of new faces getting a taste of the tournament and enjoying some lazy January evenings on the lawn.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.