Melbourne, Australia, 29 November 2012 | australianopen.com

The Australian Open is synonymous with summer, and to celebrate both, the AO ice-cream van will be handing out free ice-creams all over Melbourne in the lead up to Australian Open 2013.

On a scorching Thursday in the city where the temperature peaked at 38 degrees Celcius, this couldn’t have come at a better time.

The vintage 1964 van, wrapped in Australian Open colours and adorned with the faces of stars Sam Stosur and Rafael Nadal, visited Melbourne’s Southbank precinct and was swamped with hundreds of fans trying to beat the heat.

During the van’s visit from 11am to 3pm, 1,019 ice-creams were distributed to members of the public.

But despite the weather some couldn’t resist a dabble on the mini-court set up for MLC Tennis Hotshots, with the Yarra River and Melbourne skyline providing a stunning backdrop.

The Southbank stop was the first of many for the van, which will visit several Melbourne landmarks between now and early December.

Fans can score free ice-cream, play MLC Tennis Hot Shots and sign cameras in the photo booth – much like the stars on Rod Laver Arena – when the van visits Southern Cross Station (30 Nov), Elwood Beach (1-2 Dec), Queensbridge Square (4 and 8 Dec), Fed Square (6 and 9 Dec) and the State Library of Victoria (7 Dec).

There will be music at each event and give-aways for the best Hot Shots players, and those who participate in the photo booth have the chance to win men’s semifinal tickets.

Australian Open 2013 will be staged at Melbourne Park on 14-27 January. For more information, visit www.australianopen.com.

AO ice-cream van2