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

Tennis fans travelling to Apia International Sydney 2016 by train will be able to do so for free, with the event offering integrated ticketing for the first time.

The Apia International Sydney has teamed up with Sydney Trains to make it easier for patrons to attend the tennis from 10-16 January, with a ticket to any session of the event also doubling as a rail ticket to Sydney Olympic Park station.

Tournament Director Alistair MacDonald said the exciting new initiative was a major step forward in terms of making the tennis as accessible as possible.

“Many fans of the Apia International Sydney travel great distances to get to our event so it is an extremely exciting and important step to be able to offer integrated ticketing with Sydney Trains,” he said.

“The cost of driving and parking is also prohibitive to many so to be able to remove some of those barriers is fantastic for both fans and the event. We know how hot it can be in Sydney in January so we also offer a free shuttle bus service from Sydney Olympic Park Station to the Tennis Centre to make it easier and more comfortable to get here.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres said it was a significant development for the event.

“This is great news for the Apia International Sydney, which is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW. I encourage all fans to take advantage of the free public transport, and take a train to Sydney Olympic Park for the event.”

Patrons with tickets to Australia vs The World in FAST4 Tennis at Allphones Arena on Monday 11 January will also have travel on Sydney Trains included in their ticket.

The Apia International Sydney 2016 field is one of the strongest in recent years, with five of the world’s top 10 ranked women, a host of rising male stars and four tennis legends all set to hit Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.

Led by world No. 2 Simona Halep (ROU), the women’s field will include No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), No. 6 and defending champion Petra Kvitova (CZE), No. 9 Lucie Safarova (CZE) and No. 10 Angelique Kerber (GER). In the men’s draw, top ranked Australian Bernard Tomic (Qld) will be joined by Wimbledon semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov (BUL), world No. 20 Dominic Thiem (AUT) and 2014 ATP Star of Tomorrow Borna Coric (CRO).

The legends return over two blockbuster nights in 2016, with the incomparable John McEnroe (USA) to play French showman Henri Leconte ahead of the women’s final on Friday 15 January and Australia’s own Mark Philippoussis to meet Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic (CRO) ahead of the men’s final on Saturday 16 January.

Apia International Sydney 2016, proudly supported by Apia in association with Volkswagen and The NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, will take place at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre from 10 to 16 January 2016.

The Apia International Sydney is part of the Emirates Australian Open Series which also includes the Hopman Cup (Perth), Brisbane International, Hobart International and the World Tennis Challenge (Adelaide).

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