Australian Open 2023: Who is John Cain?

The Australian Open is back in 2023 with your favourite tennis stars competing for the first Grand Slam title of the year at Melbourne Park.

Matches will be played at the tournament’s showpiece stadium – Rod Laver Arena – while there is also three showcourts including Margaret Court Arena and the new Kia Arena.

The second largest stadium is John Cain Arena – which is the multi-purpose venue that was previously named Melbourne Arena.

MORE: Australian Open 2023 tennis tickets: How to buy, price, seating options at Melbourne Park

Sporting News investigates the man behind the stadium and looks at the history behind the venue.

Who is John Cain?

The Honourable John Cain was the 41st Premier of Victoria from 1982 to 1990 – as leader of the Labor Party.

He was elected leader of Victoria on three occasions – 1982, 1985 and 1988.

During his tenure in charge of the state, Cain pushed through the creation of the Melbourne Park in 1988 – which was known as the National Tennis Centre at Flinders Park back when it was completed.

The 1988 decision by Cain to build the sporting complex and move the Australian Open from the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club to Melbourne Park – just a stone’s throw from the CBD – has been attributed as the reason why the tournament is still in Victoria today.

In February 2020 it was announced that Melbourne Arena at Melbourne Park would be renamed after Cain’s legacy to keeping the Australian Open in the state.

“I don’t think we would have the Australian Open anywhere near the major event it is now [without Mr Cain],” Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said at reveal of the stadium’s new name.

“Perhaps it wouldn’t even be here.

“What is now Melbourne Arena will become John Cain Arena and I think that’s a fitting tribute to his passion for that precinct and a life that enriched all of us.”

Cain resigned as Victorian Premier and Labor leader in 1990 but he continued in politics in 1992.

After he left the political scene, Cain didn’t seek a life in the limelight, but wrote three books, became a radio commentator on politics and sat on the board for the MCG trust.

Cain suffered a stroke on December 23, 2019 and he passed away 13 days later, aged 88.

MORE: Australian Open 2023 tennis tickets: How to buy, price, seating options at Melbourne Park

Why is John Cain Arena the favourite venue for Nick Kyrgios?

The 10,500-capacity John Cain Arena is the preferred venue for Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios – despite the fact he could draw close to a full house at the 14,820-seater Rod Laver Arena.

Kyrgios’ friend and Paralympic tennis champion Dylan Alcott revealed previously that the Canberra product loves the atmosphere at John Cain Arena because people with the general admission ground pass ticket can get into the venue.

“He request(s) it (Melbourne Arena) over Rod Laver Arena,” Alcott said.

“It’s great that the Australian Open’s looking after him and put him on the court that he wants to play on.

“Melbourne Arena is a public court, anybody can get in… he feeds off that crowd.”

What is the history behind John Cain Arena?

The stadium – which opened in 2000 – was referrred to as the Melbourne Multi-Purpose Venue as its project title, with a capacity of 10,500.

It’s main purpose was to supplement Rod Laver Arena as the second premier tennis stadium at the sporting complex but it has also been used for concerts, basketball, netball, ice hockey, cycling and other events.

It was first named Vodafone Arena upon construction in 2000 before it was renamed Hisense Arena in 2008.

It remained connected to the electronics brand until 2018, when Tennis Australia decided to buy the naming rights but call the venue Melbourne Arena – in a bid to link the stadium with the name of the city it resided in.

The venue was named after John Cain on February 3, 2020 with the name change organised by the Victorian Government and Tennis Australia.

MORE: Australian Open 2023 tennis tickets: How to buy, price, seating options at Melbourne Park