Australian Open

Guide Note

Held annually in Melbourne, Austrailia, the Australian Open is one of the four major tennis championship tournaments. In addition to the tournament, the week-long event features a casual girls and black-tie ball.¹

Fast Facts

1. Location: Melbourne Park
2. Surface: Plexicushion
3. Prize money: $20.6 million (2008)²
4. 1968: Became open to amateurs and professionals
5. 2008 tournament: January 14-27
6. 2009 tournament: January 19-February 1
7. Works with the Kids Tennis Foundation, The United Way and The Bone Growth Foundation³

Originally called the Australasian Men’s Championships, the first tournament was held in 1905. Initially open to men only, the tournament began allowing women to compete in 1922. Five years later, the name was changed to the Australian Championships. It adopted its current name of the Australian Open in 1969. After using a grass playing surface for nearly a century, a hard-court surface was adopted as the standard in 1987. Starting in 2008, a blue Plexicushion surface was used for the first time.

• 2008: Novak Djokovic
• 2007: Roger Federer
• 2006: Roger Federer
• 2005: Marat Safin
• 2004: Roger Federer

• 2008: Maria Sharapova
• 2007: Serena Williams
• 2006: Amelie Mauresmo
• 2005: Serena Williams
• 2004: Justine Henin