Sydney tennis fans will soon be able to watch the stars of the sport without getting sunburnt with the government's $50 million upgrade of the Olympic Park Tennis Centre to include a canopy roof.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday announced Ken Rosewall Arena will get a new roof within 12 months and a timber sprung floor which will allow the 10,000-seat venue to host major netball events too.
The first stage of the upgrade means NSW can host an ATP Tennis World Team Cup event in January 2020 as a lead-in to next year's Australian Open.
Show Court 1 is also getting a roof for the first time.
Ms Berejiklian defended her government's spending priorities given the coalition is already splashing close to $2 billion on three stadium upgrades.
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"We haven't worked our guts out to have a strong budget position to sit on all those dollars," the premier told reporters.
"We're looking forward to continuing to deliver roads (and) infrastructure that makes a difference.
"But it shouldn't come at the expense of denying future generations the opportunity to participate in sport (and) to be able to participate in watching events."
The Liberal leader said $50 million was a relatively small contribution given the number of people who would benefit.
But Labor says the Tennis Centre upgrade is a ruse to distract voters from the imminent demolition of Allianz Stadium in the city's east.
The government's controversial stadiums plan includes a significant upgrade to ANZ Stadium at Olympic Park as well as rebuilding Parramatta and Allianz stadiums.
"The premier knows her stadium plan is a stinker and is keen to ensure attention is turned elsewhere so they can begin the demolition of the (Allianz) stadium during the holiday period," opposition sport spokeswoman Lynda Voltz said in a statement.
"She has rushed out this announcement without any explanation as to why the feasibility study has not been released."
Netball NSW chief executive Carolyn Campbell said transforming Ken Rosewall Arena into an all-weather venue meant it could accommodate professional franchises the NSW Swifts and Giants Netball.
