The Australian Open 2025 (AO25) has long been a symbol of tennis excellence, but in recent years, it has also emerged as a leader in sustainability within global sports. This shift is driven in part by a partnership with waterdrop, named the Official Bottle Partner of the AO25 and Summer of Tennis events in 2025. Together, they are transforming hydration practices, significantly cutting down on waste, and setting a new standard for environmentally conscious sporting events.
Tennis Australia’s decision to partner with waterdrop was driven by a shared commitment to sustainability. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in the AO’s broader climate action strategy, which aims to minimise the environmental footprint of the tournament while promoting sustainable practices across all aspects of its operation.
“We are very excited to partner with waterdrop. With its focus on sustainability and providing high-quality products, it’s a great fit for the Australian Open and the Summer of Tennis. We have already built a strong foundation and are excited about the positive impact we can make together in the coming years as part of our broader climate action strategy,” said Cedric Cornelis, Tennis Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer.
The 2024 AO provided a glimpse of how the partnership with waterdrop is transforming the tournament. Over 800 players, their teams, and tournament staff were given reusable stainless-steel bottles designed to meet their hydration needs. These bottles could be refilled on-court with filtered Melbourne tap water, drastically reducing the need for single-use plastic.
The results were remarkable: a 99% reduction in single-use plastic in player areas and over 5,600 litres of water sustainably consumed during the tournament. Additionally, 280 hydration stations were installed throughout Melbourne Park, ensuring free, high-quality drinking water was available to everyone onsite.
Catherine Dix, managing director of waterdrop, sat down with B&T to break down the importance of waterdrop’s partnership with AO25 and how they are taking it to the next and more official level in 2025.
“This partnership isn’t just about providing bottles. It’s about embedding sustainability into the DNA of the Australian Open and changing how hydration is approached at major events. The accessibility of refillable water stations empowers everyone—players, staff, and fans—to make sustainable choices effortlessly.”
For athletes, hydration is critical to performance. waterdrop worked closely with players to design bottles that met their specific needs, including maintaining water temperature and accommodating electrolyte formulations.
“Elite players are meticulous about their hydration, and our bottles were crafted to support their rigorous demands while aligning with the AO’s sustainability goals,” Dix explained.
Beyond the functionality of the bottles, the collaboration also prioritised design that symbolised and encapsulated the essence of the open. For AO2025, waterdrop has created an exclusive player bottle that reflects the tournament’s iconic branding. Featuring a sleek double-walled stainless-steel design in the AO’s signature court blue, the bottle keeps water cool for up to 24 hours and serves as a symbol of the tournament’s commitment to sustainability.
waterdrop’s influence is extending far beyond the AO25. This partnership encompasses the entire Summer of Tennis calendar, including events like the United Cup in Sydney and Perth, the Brisbane International, and the Hobart International. Refillable bottles and hydration stations will be a consistent feature at these tournaments, spreading sustainable hydration practices across Australia’s premier tennis events.
“Sustainability doesn’t stop at Melbourne Park. We’re ensuring that every tournament in the Summer of Tennis adopts these principles, creating a ripple effect that reaches players, fans, and communities across Australia,” Dix explained.
Fans are also central to this strategy. At AO2025, attendees can purchase the exclusive player bottle, available online and at the AO Shop.
While the AO25 is the flagship event, the partnership with waterdrop is about more than just the a few weeks of tennis in January. Dix shared plans to engage communities at a grassroots level, ensuring sustainable hydration practices extend throughout the year.
“We’re looking to make a lasting impact beyond the tournament,” Dix said. “By working with local tennis clubs and community programs, we’re fostering a culture of sustainability that resonates throughout the sport.”
This approach aligns with waterdrop’s mission to inspire people to drink more water while reducing environmental harm. With tennis legends like Novak Djokovic and Elina Svitolina as brand ambassadors and investors, waterdrop is leveraging its influence to bring sustainability to the forefront of elite sports.
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AO25’s partnership with waterdrop is more than a sponsorship—it’s a testament to how sport can lead the way in environmental stewardship. As Cornelis noted, “As the first Grand Slam to integrate on-court refillable water points, the AO is setting a powerful example of how major events can embrace sustainability without compromising quality or performance.”
As AO2025 approaches, the collaboration is poised to make an even greater impact. With reusable bottles, accessible water stations, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, the AO and waterdrop are reshaping what it means to be an environmentally conscious sporting event. Together, they’re proving that small changes—like choosing a reusable bottle—can lead to monumental progress, cementing the AO’s place as one of the most sustainable Grand Slams in tennis history.
