
Australian Open
Sports eventAbout
The Australian Open is the first of the four annual Grand Slam tennis tournaments, held in Melbourne, Australia, typically over the last fortnight of January. It is played on hard courts at Melbourne Park, which includes several show courts like Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena, and Margaret Court Arena. The tournament began in 1905 as the Australasian Championships and has evolved significantly, transitioning from grass to hard courts in 1988. This change marked a pivotal moment, as it modernized the tournament and increased its appeal to international players. The Australian Open is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, often referred to as the "Fans Slam." It attracts top players worldwide and offers a variety of titles, including men's and women's singles, doubles, mixed doubles, junior, wheelchair, and legends' events. The tournament has seen numerous legendary champions, with Novak Djokovic holding the most men's singles titles and Margaret Court leading in women's singles titles. The event is a major part of Melbourne's cultural calendar, drawing over a million attendees annually.