Australian Open Predictions & Tips

The Australian Open is the first tennis Gland Slam of the year, played in January at Melbourne Park with the three main courts being the Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena and the Margaret Court Arena.

First held in 1905 as the Australasian Championships, the Australian Open was play on grass courts until 1988 when the tournament switched to hard courts. The tournament has been staged in five Australian and two New Zealand cities before permanently moving to Melbourne in 1972 because it attracted the biggest crowds.

The Australian Open is the largest annual sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere with attendances that often exceed the US Open. The Australian Open was the first Grand Slam to be played indoor as the three primary courts are equipped with retractable roofs. 

Roy Emerson won six men’s titles at the Australian Open in the amateur era with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer winning six each in the professional era. 

Margaret Smith Court played across both eras in the women’s tournament, winning seven Australian Open titles in the amateur era and four in the professional era. Serena Williams is the most successful women’s player in the professional era with seven titles.

Roger Federer is the defending men’s champion having defeated Marin Cilic in five sets in the 2018 final. Caroline Wozniacki is the defending women’s champions after defeating Simona Halep in three sets in the 2018 final.