On January 14th 2013, Melbourne Park will host the 26th Australian Open, the 101st edition of the Australasian Championships/Australian Championships/Australian Open.
This will be the 45th tournament since it became formally known as the ‘Australian Open’ in 1969.
In 2012, Novak Djokovic made a grand start to the Tennis calendar year in which he became 10th player since 1969 to win consecutive Australian Open titles and the first since Roger Federer’s double in 2006-2007.
Throughout the 2012 two-week tournament the Open attracted 686,006 fans to the tournament, making it the highest attended Australian Open in history.
Prior to commencement in 2012, Craig Tiley, tournament director, announced an increase in the overall prize money to $26 million, therefore making it the highest prize money for a tennis tournament.
It was later announced that the prize money would again increase to $30 million from the 2013 Open onwards.
On December 10th, Craig Tiley declared he would expect Rafael Nadal to be fit for the January 14 Grand Slam.
World No. 4 Nadal, after missing six months of Tennis due to injury, has pencilled in December 27 Abu Dhabi as his next exhibition match in which his preparations are currently aimed at reaching prime fitness for another shot at the Australian Open Grand Slam.
In an epic five hour and 53 minute final loss to Novak Djokovic in the 2012 final, Craig Tiley understands perfectly the importance Nadal has as a drawcard.
As of Monday 19th November (official year-end rankings) Djokovic stood atop of the following pack ranked first in the world with 12,920 points. Ranking second was Roger Federer with 10,265 points, third Andy Murray on 8,000 points and the hopeful return of fourth seed Rafael Nadal with 6,690 points.
These four have been the most dominant players in recent years with the consistent David Ferrer just slightly behind causing upsets along the way.
Tournament organisers will be hoping for another great Open and are aiming to crack 700,000 spectators for the first time in history.
With player payments becoming an issue during the midway point of the 2012 season, the ATP Player Council, led by the chorus of Roger Federer, will look towards 2013 to again focus on what happens on the field.
Djokovic has been listed as tournament favourite and if successful will become the first player to win three consecutive Australian Open Grand Slams since Roy Emerson’s efforts prior in 1969 (1963-1969).
Cameron
Roar Guru
I do agree he may have mental baggage, but when you have a connection/feeling associated with a particular event you feel at home which aids in releasing some of the pressure associated with winning. You will find that is why when fit Rafa is almost impossible to stop at Roland Garros. Same goes for Federer, albiet he has aged whilst Rafa, Djokovic and Murray are still quite youthful, not to say Roger is old, but you get my point. No matter the result the winner will be deserving and become a part of history.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Aussie Open is all about who blows hot at the beginning of the new season. Djokovic has mental baggage now. Lost to Nadal at the French Open when Djoko was deemed the favourite. Federer absolutely destroyed him at Wimbledon. Then Murray, who was considered a mental midget, took him down in New York. Lets put it this way, if he doesn't win in Australia, I don't see him winning any majors in 2013.
Muhammad Athar Iqbal
Guest
All the tennis fans have made very intelect observations nice to read that but I must say we all tennis fans would love to see Rafa back up and going great guns. Hope he gets back and performs well
Grand slam champion
Guest
Nothing to say about Djoko? The man is a beast and N0.1 favorite for AO 2013. From 2008-2013 he won three titles and w/l 31-2. If anyone can beat him its Murray.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Hoping Rafa has a great comeback and wins his second Australian Open. The men's game has missed the Spanish matador. Murray was fortunate to cash in at The US Open, had Nadal berm fit he would've taken Murray out as he all ways does. Federer is a passed it. He lucky got his 7th Wimbledon and 17th major. But no more. Del Potro is due a good showing as well.
Alan
Roar Guru
Yeah I agree Johnno. The Aus Open has terrific facilities and is very well organised. Terrific day and night sessions all round. The roof can also close in two major courts so play can still go on while in the US and France, play is immediately called off. Its right up there with Wimbledon that's for sure.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
In terms of entertainment, I would agree with you Johnno. It terms of importance to players, I still think it ranks 4th. Would be curious to see if the question has been asked to players. I know many love p,along the Oz open as there is a more laid back atmosphere etc but if you ask the top 200 players 'which GS trophy would you rather win', I would think a majority would put Melbourne 4th (except the Aussies). Still think winning Wimbledon, Rolland garros and US means more to the average player/ tennis fan around the world.
Die Hard NRL Fan
Roar Rookie
I always enjoy watching the tennis. Go Roger I say. Looking forward to the Brisbane International as well.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Can't really add much more to that, agreed! Though I love Aus Open more, then Wimbledon second. But i'm a tad biased and love my Australian sport.
Johnno
Guest
I'm going too throw something out there , and maybe the purists won't like it. But I am now starting to think the OZ open is the 2nd best Grand slam, at least for entertainment, no longer the poor 4th one. Why? -Wimbeldon has modernised and is still no 1 , yet keeps some good traditions they have renovated well the wimbledon tennis centre. -French Open, Roland Garros is in desperate need of renovation it's run down. It may have to move but further out of Paris, as roland Garros has all sorts of planning problems to renovate. -And US open flushing meadow is just so windy, at times, and the time of year it's on always rain often. -OZ open with a few indoor courts now, negates the hot weather issues quite a bit, and Melbourne is not always hot anyway, and they are working on the player welfare side of heat better now. -The facilities are now so modern , the players love playing in OZ too. The fans love it, it is really growing where as French and US open are struggling for reasons given. Only issue with OZ open, is start of season is early, but they can't change it coz of school holidays they will lose crowds. As many parents take time off too when school holidays are on. Maybe if tv ratings is the big money maker, just give out lots of free tickets, the night sessions will fill up anyway as it outside of work hours. -Either way, I find both OZ open and WImbledon are now the 2 best run tennis grand slams, and the 2012 OZ open was the best ever.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I honestly can't see anyone winning from outside the top four seeds, let alone top 10. Nadal has the speed and power to tear opponents, apart and I look forward to his eventual return. Federer is a legend of the game already and will look to add another grand slam to his already amazing resume. Djokovic has been outstanding over the past two years adding something more for tennis fanatics. Murray as you pointed out, may have found the mental strength to win more slams now. His US Open win was quite amazing and this year could be his. But with each of the top 4 having established themselves as what I deem 'the awesome foursome' this slam could produce some of the most amazing displays of technical ability, fitness will be the key and ensuring easy progress to semi finals could also produce another amazing slam which was played by Nadal and Djokovic, last year.
Alan
Roar Guru
I think Murray is a very strong bet. That US Open win against Djokovic proves that Murray has now developed the mental strength necessary to beat the very best when it counts. Depending on the draw, I think it could be a Murray - Djokovic final although Federer on his day may have something to say about that. At 31 years of age, He still plays like an angel and is pound for pound the best stroke maker in the game in my opinion. I hope Del Potro also does well but he needs to start being more proactive in points against players like Ferrer. He needs to rush up to the net more. If he can improve his net play, Delpo certainly has the firepower to cause damage at the Aus Open. Let the Aus summer of tennis begin!
Cameron
Roar Guru
Johnno agree especially when you look at both singles groups but within the most represented nationality is Spain with 8/50 tennis players inside the Top 50 ATP mens singles. I think Nadal will bounce back and reach the quarter finals (minimum), I don't know if Novak can be challenged but I have a feeling he will meet either Murray or Roger. Murray has improved the most towards the later stages of last year. Should provide a great tournament and with the new eastern plaza with redevelopment the Australian open will continue to take development of Tennis to the next level. Hopefully in a few years time we are throwing up Australian tennis names in the mix with a chance to win - i'm not holding my breath though.
Cameron
Roar Guru
B.A. Sports, Completely agree with you and if anyone who hasn't here is a link with 10 videos which give an overview of redevelopment, birds-eye view, an detailed outline of the purpose and also shows the amazing sporting landscape surrounding Melbourne. Looks simply world class. http://www.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/our-projects/our-current-projects/melbourne-park
B.A Sports
If anyone hasn't seen the new Eastern Plaza at Melbourne Park, you are missing out. This is now the premier sporting facility in Australia and the premier tennis facility in the world. It will make the Aussie Open bigger than ever, with more spectators and more to see and do than ever before.
Johnno
Guest
Croatian Serbian, Czech, wow they produce talented tennis players, a big production line mens and womens. Slavic , and slovack groups of people which many of these people are form these countries , just keep pumping out the talent , in tennis, they are naturals at it. Mens: The stars form Czech republic, The great Ivan Lendl, the wonderfully talented Miloslav Mecir, Peter Korda, and now Thomas Byrdich, and the endless line of women stars form there and slovakia. The great Martina Navratalova, Martina Hingis, Petra Kitovava, Jana Navotna, Helena Sukova, Hanna Mandlakova, Then the Croats and serbs. Serbian star and maybe all time greatest ever Novac Djokovic, and croatian Goran Ivanisevic,and girls like Jelena Dokic who came to OZ. So much talent. For me only injury will stop Novak form winning, the OZ open. Nadal maybe but i don't know if he will have the fittness, Federer maybe but now at 31 can his legs stand another Melbourne summer and win the OZ open. I don't think he will.