Waterdrop creating an impact on and off the court at Australian Open

As another Australian Open came to a close on Sunday night, we witnessed a new champion in Madison Keys and a second Australian Open crown for Italy’s Jannik Sinner. A tournament that is typically associated with extreme temperatures surprised Australian spectators this year with cooler weather compared to previous editions. The highest recorded temperature over the two weeks at Melbourne Park was 34.6 degrees Celsius (94.28 Fahrenheit), with the coolest being 21.4 degrees Celsius (70.52 Fahrenheit).

Despite the milder temperatures, we still saw some blistering tennis over the fortnight, alongside a partnership in the spotlight that highlighted the importance of hydration during a long tournament. Waterdrop, an Austrian hydration brand, announced its partnership with the ATP Tour in 2023, saving over 1.6 tonnes of plastic during the first year of this global collaboration.

If you attended Melbourne Park this year or watched on TV, you may have noticed Waterdrop branding, colourful bottles, and activations scattered around the courts and featured in press conferences. In October 2023, the Australian Open announced a multi-year partnership with Waterdrop, naming the company as its official bottle partner. The collaboration aims to eliminate single-use plastics by promoting sustainable hydration practices, including encouraging players, staff, and fans to use reusable stainless-steel bottles. During the 2024 Australian Open, player areas saw a 99 per cent reduction in single-use plastics, with approximately 800 players refilling more than 5,600 litres of high-quality filtered Melbourne tap water.

Waterdrop offers a range of products, including reverse osmosis filters, stainless steel bottles, and supplements such as Micro Drinks – vitamin-infused, zero-sugar cubes that dissolve in water. Waterdrop has also elevated courtside hydration with its hydration benches, which allow players to sit and refill their bottles directly from taps connected to the bench.

As the 2025 season officially gets underway, keep an eye out for the Waterdrop branding across the world at ATP events.

Jake Scudder 

Journalist - topics of tennis