Melbourne, Australia
News Desk | Sports
The Australian Open got underway in Melbourne on Monday, marking the start of the tennis season’s first Grand Slam as leading players from around the world began first-round matches at Melbourne Park, according to tournament organizers. Officials said the event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of spectators over the next two weeks.
The tournament, held annually in January, features men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions, with matches played across multiple courts at the Melbourne sports precinct. Tennis Australia said security, transport, and heat management measures were in place as part of preparations for the opening rounds.
Organizers confirmed that extended heat policies remain active, allowing officials to suspend or delay play during periods of extreme temperatures, a recurring issue in previous editions of the tournament. Medical staff and cooling stations have been deployed across the venue, according to the governing body.
Top-ranked players entered the competition following warm-up events held in Australia earlier this month. Tournament officials said scheduling would remain flexible in the opening week to manage weather conditions and broadcast requirements.
Local authorities said the event is expected to provide a significant economic boost to Victoria, with international visitors returning in large numbers. The state government noted that hotels, restaurants, and transport services were operating at increased capacity during the opening days.
The Australian Open is the first of four Grand Slam tournaments on the annual tennis calendar and runs through late January, culminating in the men’s and women’s singles finals. The story is developing.
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