With the 2014 Australian Open Tennis tournament just hours away, here are some facts:
- Founded in 1905
- Currently played in Melbourne
- Originally played on grass, but since 1988, played on two different types of hard court surfaces
- Centre Court is called the Rod Laver Arena
- Court 1 is called the Margaret Court Arena
- It is the first of the four annual Grand Slam events, the others being the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open
- Has the second highest attendance record. The highest being at the US Open
- Most Men’s singles titles – Roy Emerson (6)
- Most Ladies singles titles – Margaret Court (11)
- Current Men’s champion – Novak Djokovic
- Current Ladies champion – Victoria Azarenka
- During the night session on Australia Day (26 January), play is halted for a fireworks display
- The tournament will be played from 13 – 26 January 2014
- Norman Brookes Challenge Cup is handed to the Men’s singles winner
- Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup is handed to the Ladies singles winner
Novak Djokovic Victoria Azarenka
Images courtesy of various publications