Dusk aerial view of Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open tennis tournament
© Brett Price/age footstoc
Open for business. Melbourne serves up a winner
We take you today to Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Australian Open. Previously known as the Australian Championships, where only amateurs were able to compete, the tournament’s proper debut actually took place on the grass courts of Milton, Brisbane, in 1969. Tennis lovers now travel to the plethora of courts housed within Melbourne Park, the most popular of which being Rod Laver Arena - named after our country’s biggest tennis star. The living legend is also celebrating the golden anniversary of his second ‘Grand Slam’ – a gruelling task requiring victory at all four majors (the Australian, French, Wimbledon and US Open) in a calendar year. Such a feat has only ever been managed in singles tennis six times, making Laver’s achievement something special indeed. Many lucky tournament-goers are able to meet Laver, who attends many of the Open’s games each year.
Related Images
Vinicunca Mountain in the Cusco Region of Peru
For Science Fiction Day, inventor Nikola Tesla and his ‘magnifying transmitter’
Latona Fountain in the Gardens of Versailles for the 100th anniversary of the Paris Peace Conference
Contemporary ballet 'Tree of Codes' comes to Sydney Festival 2018
Members of the Wild Red Flame Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans, Louisiana
Marc Chagall's ceiling inside the Palais Garnier on the anniversary of its opening
Illuminated icicles in Chichibu, Japan
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Germany
Bing Today Images
