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Listen to the action at Rod Laver Arena live on FM99.7 within a 2 km radius of Melbourne Park or online at australianopen.com.

Australian Tennis Hall of Fame

The Australian Tennis Hall of Fame was established in 1993 and induction takes place at Rod Laver Arena on Australia Day (26 January). Each inductee is recognised by a bronze bust which is later displayed in Garden Square at Melbourne Park. Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde join the exclusive club in 2010.

Betting
Approved Sports Betting Operators of Tennis Australia

Break of serve

In singles or doubles where the receiving player or team wins their opponents service game.

Continuity of play

As per the Rules of Tennis, play must be continuous. Players are allowed up to 20 seconds between points, however the receiver must play to the reasonable pace of the server. At the change of ends there is a 90-second break except after the first game of each set (players must change ends without a break). At the completion of each set, there is a two-minute rest period.

Court capacity

Rod Laver Arena is a multi-purpose stadium seating 15,000 spectators. Hisense Arena seats

10,000 in tennis mode and Margaret Court Arena seats 6000, while Show Court 2 and

Show Court 3 each seat 3000 people.

Court pace testing

Tennis Australia is an innovator in the area of surface pace measurement and has devised a scientifically-based method of testing the pace of tennis courts. High speed video footage of balls being projected onto a court are analysed by software developed by Tennis Australia that measures the pace and bounce characteristics of the court. The two variables measured are the coefficient of friction (pace) and the coefficient of restitution (bounce). According to the ITF Surface Pace Rating scale, the Melbourne Park courts are medium to medium-fast paced.

Draw

The singles draw ceremony is held on Friday January 15. Fields are made up as follows:

Men's singles

128 (104 direct entries based on rankings, 16 qualifiers, eight wildcards).

Women's singles

128 (108 direct entries, 12 qualifiers, eight wildcards).

Men's doubles

64 pairs, including seven wildcards.

Women's doubles

64 pairs, including seven wildcards.

Mixed doubles

32 pairs, including seven wildcards.

Computer rankings are used as a basis for the seeding of 32 players in the singles championships. The first and second seeds are placed, respectively, at the top and bottom of the draw. All remaining seeds are then randomly drawn and placed in designated positions in the draw, followed by the remainder of the field, which is randomly drawn from top to bottom of the draw by IBM computer technology.

Extreme Heat Policy

The Australian Open Extreme Heat Policy (EHP) will be applied at the Referee's discretion and may be altered at any time.

At the Referee's discretion, when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature only (WBGT) is equal to or above the pre-determined threshold, the Referee may suspend the commencement of any further matches on outside courts.

Any matches currently in progress will continue until the end of the current set. At the completion of the set, play will be suspended.

Where play in any match commences outdoors (or with a roof open) at the Referee's Discretion, the match will continue until the completion of the set. At the end of the set, a decision may be made by the Referee to close the roof for the remainder of the match and the following matches, when the EHP is still in effect.

The roof will only be closed because of extreme heat if a decision has been made by the Referee to suspend the completion or commencement of matches on the outdoor courts.

Supplement for women's singles and junior singles only; to allow a 10 minute break between the second and third sets when a WBGT reading of 28 has been recorded prior to the calling of the match by Tournament Control. Readings are continually made throughout the day.

The 10 minute break will not apply between the second and third sets, if play had previously been suspended after the first set due to the EHP

.

Five-day non consecutive ground pass

Offering outstanding value for money, the Australian Open's five-day ground pass costs just $99 and allows spectators access to the outside courts on any five days of the tournament.

Gate opening times
10:00 am for day sessions - Monday January 18 to Thursday January 28
5:00 pm for night sessions - Monday January 18 to Thursday January 28
2:00 pm for twilight session - Friday January 29
12:00 pm for twilight session - Saturday January 30
3:00 pm for twilight session - Sunday January 31

To avoid delays in entering the venue, try the Hisense Arena East entrance, which enables all ticket holders entry into Melbourne Park. The Hisense Arena East entrance is open from Monday January 18- Tuesday January 26. Alternatively, use the Rod Laver Arena Forecourt or City Entrances.

Grand Slam Ranking Points

Players win twice as many points for a win in a Grand Slam match as they do for winning a match at the next level - ATP Tennis Masters Series and WTA Tour Tier Premier tournaments.

Hisense Arena

Hisense Arena is fully ticketed with no access to ground pass holders.

Illegal gambling and match-fixing

Tennis Australia has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal gambling, match-fixing and the communication of sensitive information that may affect the outcome of a match, and will investigate all reported instances.

The use of laptops is prohibited in spectator viewing areas of all tournament courts without prior authorisation from Tennis Australia management.

Injuries

A player who sustains an injury during play may request the umpire to call a trainer, who assesses the injury and informs the umpire whether a medical time-out will be taken.

If a player carries an injury into the match, treatment is limited to the normal changeover period, unless a further aggravation occurs during play.

Juniors

The Australian Open Junior Championships 2010, part of the ITF World Junior (18/u) Circuit, will be held on January 24-30. This tournament is open to both Australian and international athletes and includes singles and doubles events.

Kids

Kids two years and under are admitted free to Melbourne Park, but must be nursed in seated areas.

Legends

The Legends' Doubles event is revamped providing an opportunity to see some of the stars of the past display the skills that took them to the top. Check out Magic Moments - a special encore performance of the incredible Rafter-Ivanisevic Wimbledon final of 2001 - a match not to be missed.

Live sites
Australian Open live sites return in 2010, at Federation Square, Melbourne and Customs House, Sydney.

The Melbourne live site will be operating for the entire two weeks of the Australian Open and will also host interactive tennis activities from Thursday January 28 to Sunday January 31. The Sydney live site kicks off on Thursday January 28 and will continue until Sunday January 31

.

Both live sites feature giant screens with live coverage of the action from Melbourne Park.

Love

The zero resembles an egg. In French, 'the egg' is pronounced 'l'oeuf' which sounds very much like 'love' in English.

Match scoring

Men's singles

Best of five sets. A tiebreak is played in the first four sets at six games-all. The fifth set is an advantage set, the first to six games with a two-game margin.

Women's singles and junior singles

Best of three sets. A tiebreak is played in the first two sets at six games-all. The third set is an advantage set, the first to six games with a two-game margin.

Junior doubles

Best of two tiebreak sets. At one set-all, a match tiebreak (10 points) will be played to decide the match. Games will feature no-ad scoring.

Men's and women's doubles

Best of three sets, with a tiebreak played at six games-all.

Mixed doubles

Best of two tiebreak sets. At one set-all, a match tiebreak (10 points) will be played to decide the match. Games will feature no-ad scoring.

Legends' doubles

Eight teams, round-robin format, two pools of four teams, top team in each pool progressing to the final. Two tiebreak sets with a match tiebreak decider if one set-all. No ad scoring.

Media

There are more than 1700 national and international accredited journalists, broadcasters and photographers at the Australian Open.

Medical time-out

The provision of both evaluation and treatment of players for injuries and medical conditions during matches. Actual treatment time is a standard three minutes.

Merchandise

The Australian Open Shop is the flagship merchandise outlet for the Australian Open. The Australian Open collection captures the spirit of this fun, relaxed and immensely popular sporting event. Incorporating the latest trends in colour and style, the range covers men's, women's and children's wear, footwear and an array of tennis products and souvenir items.

The official player towel is always a big seller, and the Australian Open will again have a men's and ladies' player towel for the 2010 event. The Australian Open collection is licensed and available on site year round at Melbourne Park and online at

australianopenshop.com. All proceeds from the Australian Open collection are reinvested into tennis by Tennis Australia in the quest to produce tomorrow's Grand Slam champions.

MLC Autograph Island

MLC Autograph Island provides fans with the opportunity to meet and gain autographs from the stars of the show - the players. Located within MLC Fan Zone, MLC Autograph Island hosts player interviews and autograph sessions at varying intervals over the first eight days of the tournament.

MLC Ballkids

MLC Ballkids are aged between 12 and 15 years (during the tournament). Aspiring MLC Ballkids should visit australianopen.com for more information.

MLC Fan Zone (previously Wilson Wonderland, FanFest, Autograph Island)

MLC Fan Zone is a vibrant interactive entertainment precinct designed to provide children and teenagers with an opportunity to actively participate in tennis related activities. MLC Fan Zone introduces patrons to national recognised tennis programs such as MLC Tennis Hot Shots, Talent Search, and promotes ongoing tennis participation opportunities. MLC Autograph Island and MLC Tennis Hot Shots mini courts are also included within MLC Fan Zone.

MLC Fan Zone is located within Garden Square. MLC Fan Zone is free to all patrons and will open from 9:30 am-6:00 pm from Monday January 18 - Monday January 25 and Tuesday January 26 - Friday January 29 (time tbc).

MLC Tennis Hot Shots

Check out some of Melbourne's talented five to 12-year-old tennis stars as they demonstrate MLC Tennis Hot Shots, Tennis Australia's official kids' starter program. Local tennis coaches will put 16 children through their paces on Margaret Court Arena prior to the start of the first day session match on each of the first eight days of the tournament.

Night finals

This year, for the second time, the women's final will also be played under lights on the second Saturday, commencing at 7:30 pm.

Night transport services

Public transport services (excluding the free shuttle service) will operate to a normal timetable during the tournament so passengers should check what time their last train, tram or bus leaves from the city.

On Friday and Saturday nights, NightRider services depart the CBD from 12:30 am.

Overrule

Where a chair umpire determines that a linesperson has made a clear mistake during a match and reverses the call.

Plexicushion

The vibrant Plexicushion surface enhances ball visibility. Trademarked as 'Australian Open True Blue', the courts are two-toned, allowing for greater contrast and improved depth perception.

Prizemoney

Total prizemoney of $24,094,000 is distributed between men and women's singles and doubles, mixed doubles and legends' events, and the singles qualifying events, with the men's and women's singles winners picking up $2,100,000 each.

Qualifiers and lucky losers

Qualifiers

The Australian Open 2010 qualifying event is held at Melbourne Park from January 13-16.

The 16 men and 12 women who win three consecutive qualifying matches qualify for the main draw.

Lucky losers

If a main draw player is unable to play in the first round, the highest-ranked losing player in the third round of qualifying becomes a 'lucky loser' and fills the vacancy in the main draw.

Rankings

Both the ATP (men) and WTA (women) use a rotating year-round computer ranking system to decide seedings and entries into tournaments. For more details, check out their websites: atptennis.com and sonyericssonwtatour.com.

Roof policy

In the event of rain falling prior to the scheduled starting time of play, Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena roofs may be closed. If play commences with a roof closed, for whatever reason, then the roof will remain closed for the remainder of the match and, if further rain is forecast, normally for the entire session. When play commences with a roof open, a decision to close the roof will only be made after play has stopped because of rain and then only if the forecast is for continuing rain.

A roof will not normally be closed because of the threat of rain. The decision to close the roofs rests solely with the Referee. When fully open, the Rod Laver Arena roof takes approximately 25 minutes to close depending on wind, and the Hisense Arena roof takes approximately 10-15 minutes to close.

Rules/regulations and codes of conduct

Codes of conduct are in effect for all events. Players abide by the Rules of Tennis as approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Grand Slam Tournament Regulations, the Grand Slam Code of Conduct, as amended from time to time by the Grand Slam Committee (GSC), as well as the local rules and conditions.

Meanwhile, players in the junior events are subject to the ITF junior code of conduct.

The Code of Conduct which penalises infractions, is a program constituting a warning, followed by the deduction of a point, then a game, another game and so on, without an automatic default. The Referee maintains the right to default a player at any time should flagrant behaviour occur.

Seed

Several years ago, it was decided to 'seed' the best players through the championship draw in handicap tournaments so that the players in each class shall be separated as far as possible one from another. This ensures that the best players are not 'drawn' to play one another early in the tournament. The top 32 players are seeded in singles at the Australian Open.

Schedule

• There will be (provisionally) a men's and/or women's singles match in Rod Laver Arena at every session.
• The women's doubles final will be held on Friday January 29; the men's doubles final on Saturday January 30 and the mixed doubles final on Sunday January 31.
• Day matches will commence at 11 am on all courts except for Friday January 29 and Saturday January 30, when play on outside courts will commence at 3 pm and 1 pm respectively. No play is scheduled on the outside courts on Sunday.
• At Rod Laver Arena, matches commence at 3 pm on Friday January 29, at 1 pm on Saturday January 30 and 4:30 pm on Sunday January 31.
• Night matches at Rod Laver Arena commence at 7:00 pm from Monday January 18 until Sunday January 24. From Monday January 25 until Thursday January 28 night matches at Rod Laver Arena will commence at 7:30 pm. Night matches at both Hisense Arena (Friday January 22 and Saturday January 23) and Margaret Court Arena (Monday January 18-Saturday January 23) will commence at 7:00 pm.
• The women's singles final is scheduled for 7:30 pm on Saturday January 30.
• The men's singles final is scheduled for 7:30 pm on Sunday January 31.
• Two night sessions at Hisense Arena on Friday January 22 and Saturday January 23.
• The Australian Open Junior Championships 2010 is played from Sunday January 24 to Saturday January 30.

Show Court minding policy

No holding seats for more than three (3) change of ends.

Singles draw ceremony

Friday January 15

The singles draw ceremony is conducted at Melbourne Park at 10 am with the official men's and women's singles draws available in the 'Draws' section of australianopen.com shortly afterwards.

Television coverage

Provided by Seven Network Australia, Host Broadcaster and Domestic Rights Holder, from Monday January 18 until Sunday January 31, with matches televised each day and night session.

Tiebreak

Where players are tied at six games all in any of the first four sets (men's singles) or the first and second set (women's singles) a tiebreak will be played, which is the first player to reach seven points with a margin of two points. In some Australian Open events a 'match tiebreak' which is the first to win 10 with a margin of two points is played at one set all in order to determine the match winner.

The Grand Slam

A player achieves the Grand Slam by winning four majors in a calendar year. The Australian Open is the first of these majors, followed by the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, The Championships of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon and the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York. In singles, only Donald Budge (1938), Rod Laver (1962 and 1969), Maureen Connolly (1953), Margaret Smith Court (1970) and Steffi Graf (1988) have won the Grand Slam. In doubles, the only pairs to achieve this feat are Frank Sedgman and Ken McGregor (1951), and in mixed doubles Margaret Smith Court and Ken Fletcher won the Grand Slam (1963).

Trinity

This is the electronic system which determines 'lets' on the serve at all matches during the Australian Open. This is a sensor based device.

Trophies

Trophies are presented to all winners of the major events. The men's champion receives the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup; the women's champion the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

Umpires

The Australian Open chair umpires and linespeople come from the ranks of Tennis Officials Australia across all states and territories, complemented by selected overseas umpires.

Video line-calling

The Australian Open adopts a 'three-plus-one' video line-calling system. Players will get three incorrect challenges during a set and a fourth challenge if a set goes to a tiebreaker.

Wheelchair Championships

A knock-out event, The Australian Open Wheelchair Championships returns for Australian Open 2010 and features eight of the world's top men, eight of the world's top women and four of the world's top quad players. The event starts on January 27 with men's, women's and quad singles finals on January 30.

Wildcards

The Australian Open offers eight wildcards in the men's and women's singles draws. Four are allocated per draw - one to Asia, one each to the USA and France in reciprocal agreements, and one to the winner of the Wildcard Play-off. The other four are discretionary and decided on by set criteria focusing on players aged under 23 in line with Tennis Australia's youth policy.

Wilson balls

Wilson supplies more than 4000 dozen tennis balls for use during the tournament. Six new balls are used for the five-minute warm-up and the first seven games and six new balls are provided every nine games thereafter. Used balls are sold on site.