Inside the Australian Open's Secret Commentary Bunker: A Former Champion's View
It certainly pays to be a media commentator at the Australian Open, as former Australian champion Jelena Dokic can readily attest. Dokic, alongside fellow Aussie great Alicia Molik, has shared an exclusive sneak peek at the remarkable underground bunker they utilise to call matches from during the tournament.
The view from this unique vantage point has to be seen to be believed, yet it remains a perspective the average tennis fan will never have the opportunity to access. 'Somehow we don't run out of tennis talk,' Molik posted alongside a picture with Dokic, using a series of prayer-hand emojis to signify her gratitude for the privileged position.
The Court-Level Broadcast Position
The commentary bunker at the Australian Open is a specialised, court-level broadcast position constructed directly into the stadium's infrastructure at Rod Laver Arena. Unlike traditional commentary boxes situated high in the grandstands, this bunker sits a mere few metres from the playing surface, effectively placing commentators almost eye-to-eye with the competing athletes.
From this unparalleled position, commentators gain an intimate view of the game's finer details. They can observe players' precise footwork, subtle grip changes, ball toss height, and intricate movement patterns that remain largely invisible to the crowd. Facial expressions, verbal exchanges between players, shifts in confidence, moments of frustration, and signs of physical discomfort are all clearly visible in real time.
Former champions like Jelena Dokic and Alicia Molik have demonstrated how this privileged vantage point offers the sharpest possible read on the momentum swings within a match, providing invaluable insight for their broadcast analysis.
A High-Tech, Low-Glare Environment
The bunker's lighting is intentionally dimmed during points to avoid distracting the players, creating a low-glare, tunnel-like environment conducive to focused commentary. Inside, commentators work from an array of multiple live monitors displaying various camera feeds, slow-motion replays, real-time player data, and graphics feeds.
They also benefit from uninterrupted, crystal-clear audio of the match, capturing every detail from ball contact and line calls to player communication. Direct talkback links seamlessly connect the bunker to producers and directors in the external control room, allowing for instant collaborative decisions on replay selections and narrative storylines during the broadcast.
This strategic position further allows commentators to closely observe player warm-ups, between-point routines, and any on-court medical treatment, adding depth to their coverage.
Blending In and Staying Protected
During stadium changeovers, custom LED panels are installed around the exterior of the bunker, enabling it to blend seamlessly into the court layout and maintain the aesthetic integrity of the arena. A reinforced inner guard provides essential protection for both broadcast equipment and personnel from any errant shots during intense play.
Major broadcasters, such as Channel Nine, utilise these highly advanced facilities, which place their teams almost face-to-face with the world's best tennis athletes. The bunker also houses many of the tournament's primary cameras, ensuring they capture the best possible vision for tennis fans watching around the globe.
The Hidden World Beneath Rod Laver Arena
However, the underground media commentary bunker is merely the beginning of a much larger hidden network beneath Rod Laver Arena, normally reserved for players, tournament officials, and a select number of guests.
This extensive below-ground zone includes secure player corridors that link warm-up rooms, locker areas, and treatment spaces directly to the court. There is a controlled 'Walk of Champions' passage, lined with tributes to past winners, used exclusively by players and escorted VIPs on match days.
Tucked away underneath the stadium are ultra-exclusive, court-access hospitality routes that permit a very small number of privileged guests to step onto the hallowed playing surface itself. The area also houses premium, chef-led dining rooms built specifically for the tournament, operating entirely out of the public view.
These sophisticated underground spaces are meticulously designed to keep players and officials efficiently separated from the crowds while moving around the arena complex. Broadcast and critical operational infrastructure is cleverly hidden below, allowing live television and radio coverage to proceed without any visible cables or equipment cluttering the courtside area.
Secure transport access points enable players and VIPs to arrive and depart discreetly, bypassing the public entrances entirely. Certain parts of this underground level also connect to elevated walkways and terraces elsewhere within Melbourne Park, creating a comprehensive and controlled movement flow throughout the entire precinct.
Together, these subterranean spaces form a private, working city beneath the noise and spectacle of the Australian Open—a behind-the-scenes world that remains utterly unseen by the vast majority of tennis fans who tune in to watch the action unfold above.
