The Australian Open

The Australian Open is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments held each year. The tournament is held each January at Melbourne Park. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was contested on grass from 1905 through 1987. Since 1988, the tournament has been held on hard courts at Melbourne Park. Mats Wilander is the only male player to have won the tournament on both grass and hard courts.

Like all other Grand Slam tournaments, there are men's and women's singles competitions; men's, women's, and mixed doubles; and junior's and master's competitions.

The two main courts used in the tournament are Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena and feature retractable roofs, which can be shut in case of rain or extreme heat. It is the only Grand Slam tournament that currently features indoor play, although Wimbledon's Centre Court will have a retractable roof beginning in 2009.

Held in the middle of the Australian summer, the Australian Open is famous for its notoriously hot days. An extreme-heat policy is put into play when temperatures (and humidity) reach dangerous levels.

The Australian Open typically has very high attendance, with the 2009 Australian Open achieving the highest ever single-day day/night attendance record for any Grand Slam tournament of 66, 018. The event is worth around £38 million to the Australian economy

Surface characteristics

In 2008, the Rebound Ace surface, which had been in place for the past 20 years at Melbourne Park, was replaced by a cushioned, medium-paced, acrylic surface known as Plexicushion Prestige. The main benefits of the new surface are better consistency and less retention of heat (because of a thinner top layer). This change was accompanied by changes in the surfaces of all lead-up tournaments to the Australian Open. The change was controversial, primarily because of the new surface's similarity to Deco Turf, the surface already being used by the US Open.

Recent Men’s Winners

2000 Andre Agassi (USA)
2001 Andre Agassi (USA)
2002 Thomas Johansson (SWE)
2003 Andre Agassi (USA)
2004 Roger Federer (SUI)
2005 Marat Safin (RUS)
2006 Roger Federer (SUI)
2007 Roger Federer (SUI)
2008 Novak Djokovic (SRB)
2009 Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Fixtures:	19th January - 1st February
Contact:	Batman Ave, Melbourne 3000, Australia Tel:: (03) 9286 1600
Directions:	Public Transport Tram: Trams and trains are the most convenient ways to access Melbourne Park. Free shuttle trams: All valid Australian Open ticket holders are able to enjoy the FREE Yarra Trams shuttle services operating on route 70 from the CBD to Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena. The service operates until one hour after the end of play, including twilight and night sessions. Trains: Richmond, Flinders Street and Jolimont stations are within easy walking distance to Melbourne Park. Access to the venue from Flinders Street is via the signed route through Federation Square and Birrarung Marr, on the north side of the Yarra River. To reach Melbourne Park, spectators travelling from Richmond station need to walk west along Olympic Boulevard. From Jolimont Station the venue is a short walk south through Yarra Park. Note: the last train services depart Flinders Street Station from approximately 12:00 midnight. Late night services: Public transport services (excluding the free shuttle service) will operate to a normal timetable during the tournament so passengers should check what time their last train, tram or bus leaves from the city. NightRider Bus Service: An hourly service operates from the City Square in Swanston Street commencing at 12:30 am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Buses: Bus Route 605 (Gardenvale – City via Kooyong Road) stops on Batman Avenue near Melbourne Park’s main entrance. A valid Metcard is required for travel on trains, buses and non-shuttle tram services to the Australian Open. Planning your journey: To plan how to get about and enjoy all the tennis action, visit Metlink’s online journey planner at www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au. Simply enter where you are travelling from and enter “Rod Laver Arena” or “Hisense Arena” as your destination and you will receive a customised trip plan from your door to the Australian Open. For train, tram or bus details call 131 638 or visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au. Car Parking Jo-WilfriedThere is NO public parking available on-site (except for a limited number of Disabled bays with bookings via Ticketek). Pick up/drop off points for Public & Hire Cars Pick up and drop off points are located in the designated areas on the north side of Olympic Boulevard opposite Olympic Park. A time limit applies and will be enforced. Car Park Locations & Details: Melbourne Park - No public parking Olympic Park - Olympic Park Car Park will be closed for the AO2009 Tournament period. Yarra Park - Public parking commences from Monday 19 January 2009 (a) Day Session: Open: 8:00 am onwards (Gate 3) 9:00 am onwards (Gate 5) Entry: Gate 3 – Wellington Parade, Gate 5 – Punt Road Exit: Gate 4 – Wellington Parade, Gate 5 – Punt Road and Gate 6 – Punt Road (b) Night Session: Open: 3:00 pm onwards Entry: Gate 3 – Wellington Parade Exit: Gate 3 – Wellington Parade and Gate 4 – Wellington Parade (c) Twilight Session (Fri 30 Jan - Sun 1 Feb) Open: 10:00 am onwards (Gate 3) and 11:00 am onwards (Gate 5) Entry: Gate 3 - Wellington Parade, Gate 5 - Punt Road Exit: Gate 4 - Wellington Parade, Gate 5 - Punt Road and Gate 6 - Punt Road Car Park Rate per vehicle: $8.00* per session (GST inclusive) City Parking: Secure Parking (recently merged with Kings') • 1 Collins Street • 11 Exhibition Street • 12-20 Flinders Lane • 80 Collins Street • Yarra Park / MCG (Extremely limited) Wilson Parking • 32 Flinders Street • 72 Flinders Lane Premier Carparking • Federation Square • 121 Exhibition Street City of Melbourne • City Square car park, 202 Flinders Lane (open 24 hrs) Buses and coaches: For bus parking information contact Melbourne and Olympic Parks on 9286 1600. It is essential to pre-book bus parking. There is a designated five minute bus stop in Olympic Boulevard outside Hisense Arena Plaza on Batman Avenue.* *Batman Avenue - for pickup/drop off only. No standing 4:30-6:30 pm Monday-Friday. The Eastrans Route 605 bus service operates in Olympic Boulevard: Monday-Friday from 6:00 am-8:00 pm, Saturday 7:30 am-6:30 pm, Sunday 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Disabled Parking Information Ana For disabled parking arrangements, call the Rod Laver Arena box office on (03) 9286 1208. UNDERCOVER CAR PARK: Disabled Parking Bays There are 10 ‘Disabled Parking Bays’ reserved near Event Reception. These spaces are strictly reserved for patrons who have pre-booked a disabled bay via Ticketek and have a voucher. Payment must be made on entry. ENT. D – BUS PARK: Disabled Parking Bays There are 10 ‘Disabled Parking Bays’ reserved in the Ent.D – Bus Park. These spaces are strictly reserved for patrons who have pre-booked a disabled bay via Ticketek and have a voucher. Payment must be made on entry. (NOTE: Transport from the Ent.D – Bus Park to RLA Forecourt for disabled persons, using a golf cart, can be organised through the AO Site Office.) OLYMPIC BOULEVARD (SWAN STREET) PARKING: Disabled Parking Bays There are a limited amount of ‘Disabled Parking Bays’ located in front of Hisense Arena marked with a 4-hour time restriction. These are provided on a first-in basis. DISABLED / ELDERLY PERSONS DROF – OFF / PICK – UP: Olympic Boulevard (Swan Street) ALL patrons should be directed to use the ‘Disabled Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zone’ in front of Hisense Arena on Olympic Boulevard. Access to the concourse will then include using Lift 5 at the left-hand side of the RLA Forecourt entrance. In extreme cases, ‘Disabled / Elderly Persons’ may be allowed access to the Undercover Car Park (off Batman Ave) for drop-off & pick-up. This should only be used as a last option.
Website:	http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/index.html