Australian Open

The Australian Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. It is the first one of the year. It is played in Melbourne, Australia. The Australian Open has been played on  grass and three variations of hardcourts:
Grass (1905–1987)
Rebound Ace (hard court, 1988–2007)
Plexicushion (hard court, 2008–2019)
GreenSet (hard court, 2020-present)

Before 1983, many of the best tennis players did not play at the tournament. This was because the Australian Open was far away from Europe and North America and was not considered as important as the other Grand Slam tournaments. 

Heat policy
The tournament is played in January, during the Australian summer. In 1998 an extreme heat rule was brought in. It is the only major tournament that has a heat policy. If the temperature gets higher than 35 degrees (C) matches may have to be stopped for a short time, because players feel dehydrated. Matches on the outside courts are stopped. The roof over the main stadium courts can be closed, and cooling systems turned on. In 2007 the temperature on the courts reached 50 degrees Celsius.

Winners
2026 Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina
2025 Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka
2024 Jannik Sinner and Zheng Qinwen
2023 Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka
2022 Rafael Nadal and Ashleigh Barty
2021 Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka
 2020 Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin
 2019 Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka
 2018 Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki
 2017 Roger Federer and Serena Williams
 2016 Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber
 2015 Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams
 2014 Stan Wawrinka and Li Na
 2013 Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka
 2012 Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka
 2011 Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters
 2010 Roger Federer and Serena Williams
 2009 Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams
 2008 Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova 
 2007 Roger Federer and Serena Williams
 2006 Roger Federer and Amélie Mauresmo 
 2005 Marat Safin and Serena Williams
 2004 Roger Federer and Justine Henin-Hardenne

References

Other websites
 Australian Open website

Category:Tennis tournaments in Australia
Category:Grand Slam tennis tournaments
Category:1905 establishments in Oceania
Category:1900s establishments in Australia