The Australian Open will be serving up some of the country’s best eats when it returns to Melbourne Park this January 16.

This year’s line-up will include hospitality hotshots like Andrew McConnell, Jacqui Challinor, Jason Staudt and Shane Delia.

For the first time, Josh Niland will also be playing ball. The Sydney-based chef will bring his seafood game courtside with a pop-up of his popular Rose Bay eatery, Charcoal Fish.

Tennis Australia Head of Product Growth and Innovation Fern Barrett said: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Josh Niland’s Charcoal Fish coming to the AO for the first time, giving fans that authentic Aussie summer seafood feast with an AO spin.”

“Josh is celebrated not only for his incredible fish butchery, but also his innovative concepts around sustainable produce and using the whole fish, influencing and educating other restauranteurs along the way,” Barrett added.

Charcoal Fish will be the star of the Australian Open’s new Beach Bar. The vibrant seaside-inspired space will be decked out beach club-style with private cabanas, palm trees and a double-storey bar crowned with a DJ booth.

Josh Niland said: “I am thrilled to bring Charcoal Fish to the Australian Open this Summer. It has been a dream of mine to not only cook our fish in Melbourne but be involved with this iconic sporting event.”

Related news: Josh Niland is opening a hotel in Paddington with a Saint Peter restaurant inside

Attendees will be able to pair their cod rolls with a cooling cocktail from the Australian Open’s first-ever Spritz Bar. The breezy bar menu has been curated in collaboration with Melbourne cocktail bar, The Everleigh.

While all ticketholders will have access to the Beach Bar, those who wish to upgrade their experience can also book a semi-private Beach Bar Cabana, where you can kick back with seafood platters and a two-hour premium beverage package.

For more information or to book a cabana, head to ausopen.com.

Related news: Josh Niland to open a new seafood restaurant on the Lower North Shore