The Australian Open is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments held each year. The tournament is managed by Tennis Australia, formerly the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia (LTAA), and 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.
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.
Surface
Grass court from 1905 through 1987, and hard courts since 1988.From 1988 until May 30 2007, Rebound Ace was the official surface of the Australian Open, when it was replaced by Plexicushion.
Main events and trophies in 2009 Australian Open
Men's Singles
Rafael Nadal
Women's Singles
Serena Williams
Men's Doubles
Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan
Women's Doubles
Serena Williams / Venus Williams
Mixed Doubles
Mahesh Bhupathi / Sania Mirza
