Some people go to the tennis for the game, but let’s be honest, what we eat while we watch is also an important part of the sport.

We’ve been given a sneak peek at the new food offerings for the Australian Open, and let us tell you, it’s love all (around).

And even better, we’ve got the inside scoop on how to get the best tickets, pronto.

Spicing it up – the arrival of Beijing Betty

The Commune Group is known for food and beverage heavyweights such as Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina, Neptune and Impala. In 2019 Commune is bringing Beijing Betty to the Australian Open – a brand new pop-up restaurant developed by executive chef Anthony Choi.

You can dine-in or grab and go, but whatever you do, you’ll lose the game if you miss out on Cantonese classics with a Melbourne twist such as wild mushroom bao, sweet and sour crispy pork hock with charred pineapple and tamarind, and roast duck and Cantonese-style pork chopped to order. “We are drawing inspiration from the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, with subtle nods to Melbourne right now,” says Commune Group Director Simon Blacher.

The AO Chef Series

Part of going to the tennis is seeing international superstars, but you don’t have to limit your experience to the sporting arena. The AO Chef Series brings some of Australia and the world’s most loved and respected chefs back to The Glasshouse in a series of personalised pop-up restaurants.

Multi Michelin-starred chef Albert Roux, OBE, from Le Gavorch in London, and Simone Zanoni from the Michelin-starred Four Seasons George V in France will work their magic in the kitchen, creating premium and exclusive dishes for diners. Alejandro Saravia from Melbourne restaurant Pastuso is returning to present Farmer’s Daughters, his produce to plate concept, and we are super excited to see that Duncan Welgemoed from Australia’s No 5. Restaurant Africola in South Australia is also joining the line-up.

Tickets for the AO Chef Series go on sale in mid-October.

Home crowd favourites

Forget the hot chips, hot dogs and warm beer while you’re watching the tennis, and instead book a seat at Rockpool or Nobu with an AO Hospitality ticket. Rockpool has redefined the possibilities of great food at the Australian Open, and we love that Nobu, with its innovative cuisines, is also on the bill. Our pick of the menu? Nobu’s yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, tiradito Nobu-style and black cod saikyo miso.

How to get the best seats – fast

Food may be the key to our hearts, but it’s also the key to getting the best seats at the Australian Open. Hospitality tickets are the only way you can purchase tickets to the Australian Open until general admission goes on sale on Tuesday 9 October.

AO Hospitality tickets offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like sitting on court, mere metres from the world’s best players, watching the players walk on to the court from an exclusive Green Room and behind the scenes tours.

And you already know that the fabulous food is all set.

Australian Open 2019, Melbourne Park 14 January – 27 January

Hospitality tickets are now on sale at: https://ausopen.com/hospitality

All Australian Open 2019 tickets, including ground passes which allow access to Melbourne Arena, go on sale on Tuesday 9 October 2018. Visit ausopen.com for more information.