'I've been to every Grand Slam - this one is the best for fans'

The four Grand Slam tournaments are the pinnacle of tennis. And it’s not just the players who want to tick them off, winning them all to complete the career Grand Slam, as Carlos Alcaraz just did Down Under. Plenty of diehard tennis fans also hope to complete their own version, visiting all four at least once. The Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open might fall into the same category as the sport’s biggest events, but they also couldn’t be more different, each with its own charm. The ‘best’ of the lot will come down to personal preference - are you a tennis purist who wants to watch matches and do nothing else? Do you want a full day out as part of your ticket, with good food and experiences to boot? You could say it’s recency bias, but I’m going to go ahead and give the crown to the Australian Open. They do call it the ‘Happy Slam’ for a reason. The first Major tournament of the year has turned into a fully-fledged three-week spectacle, with ‘Opening Week’ including high-profile exhibition matches and practice sessions, the exciting One Point Slam, and the new Opening Ceremony, which this year featured Roger Federer, Ash Barty and co. And that’s before the main draw gets started. For fans, it seems to be the best day out. If you want the full package, that is. Away from the tennis, there’s a stage with live performances and DJs, plenty of exciting guest food stalls, including Shake Shack this year, a kids area with a mini water-park and other games, and even some good shopping with Mecca Beauty and New Balance among those in the grounds. Towards the end of the AO, there are even concerts on John Cain Arena. And when it comes to the tennis, there are three main showcourts with roofs, so the highest-paying customers are guaranteed to see plenty of action. The grounds are vast, and there are always good matches on the outdoor courts. But the big downside, evident this year, is there are so many people on the grounds that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get a seat on those outside courts. Still, to me, the Australian Open takes the top spot. But that doesn’t discount the other three Grand Slams. If they have the means, every tennis fan should spend a day at Wimbledon. At least one day. In fact, anyone in the UK who can get there and get a ticket should try it at least once. You can’t replicate the feeling of Wimbledon. Walking in the gates, seeing the ivy climbing up the showcourts, sitting on Henman Hill in the sun (if you’re lucky) and enjoying strawberries and cream or Pimm’s - or both - while watching on the big screen. Like with all the Majors, a main showcourt ticket isn’t necessary. One of the best things about Wimbledon is heading down to Aorangi Park to see the biggest names on the practice courts. Don’t expect to see all the flashy, branded food vendors you'd find in Melbourne or New York, but that wouldn’t feel very Wimbledon either. And it feels peak British summer to pack your own picky-bits picnic to eat on the grounds instead. Of course, the biggest downfall for fans trying to attend Wimbledon is actually getting a ticket. If you’re unsuccessful in the ballot, and you don’t want to or can’t queue over the road in the park for a few hours, tickets are pretty hard to come by. Plus, the All England Club obviously have hopes of expanding across the road, and until they can finally do that, the tournament seems to be falling behind its counterparts. On that note, since undergoing an expansion a few years ago and extending into the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, aka the Greenhouse Garden, Roland Garros has been given a new lease of life. The area around Court Simonne-Mathieu is stunning. And Court Philippe-Chatrier, which also got a revamp in 2019, may be my favourite Centre Court at the Majors. And on top of the standard food vendors, there are some cute Laduree carts around the site - very Parisian - plus a refreshing Calippo slushie that I recommend on a hot spring day in Paris. As for the US Open, speaking as a Brit, it feels like a real American sporting experience. When you sit inside the gigantic Arthur Ashe Stadium and watch a match, there’s always a low buzz of fans chatting even during the games. But you get used to it, as do the players. The signature cocktail, the Honey Deuce, has gone up in price and in popularity, but is one of those things that is just all part of the experience. And the commemorative cup, listing all the men’s and women’s singles champions, is a great memento. The final Grand Slam tournament of the season is another which goes above and beyond with famous food vendors. The Fuku chicken fingers as a must, and speaking from experience, if you go at the end of the night when they’re about to close, they may throw some extras at you for free. The US Open has also followed the Aussie Open’s lead and installed a courtside bar on one of the smaller, outer courts. At both events, it’s always worth stopping in to soak up the atmosphere. As for the French Open, they may no longer allow spectators to bring alcohol to their seats, but watching a French player battle it out on one of the outdoor courts late in the evening is a thrill. And at Wimbledon, the small courts are so intimate that you can catch some top players up close if you go for the first and second rounds, when there are still dozens of matches to get done. Again, the ‘best’ Slam to visit will depend on your personal preference. But to me, nothing beats the Happy Slam vibes Down Under. It’s the start of the season, everyone actually feels excited to be back on the court, the sun is (usually) shining, the tennis is good, and there is so much on offer that you can convince friends and family who aren’t so into tennis to come with you. Everyone I met in Melbourne went out of their way to at least get a grounds pass and experience the magic for themselves - and I’m not sure whether you can say that for your regular Paris, London or NYC resident. The whole city really turns out for the AO, so it’s worth turning out too, if you can.