The Australian Open is one of the four grand slam tennis tournaments. It is the first of the slams to take place in the calendar year. It is held in Melbourne Australia in the last two weeks of January. The first Australian Open tournament took place in 1905.

In the 1980's it moved to its current venue Melbourne Park and is played on Rebound Ace hardcourt. The two main courts at Melbourne Park are the Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena. They are unique in that they have movable roofs which are used when it rains or is extremely hot.