Next week sees the start of the first Tennis major of the year, as the 104th Australian Open begins on the hard courts of Melbourne Park.
Last year saw the number 1 seeds and favourites in both the Mens and Womens Single Tournaments triumph, as Serbian Novak Djokovic edged Britain’s own Andy Murray over 4 sets, and the American Serena Williams overcame Russian Maria Sharapova in straight sets.
It was a tough one to take for Murray and his army of fans as it was the third time he’d lost to Djokovic in the final of this major, and his fourth overall in Australia.
Unsurprisingly both Novak Djokovic & Serena Williams enter this year’s tournament as Number 1 seeds too, and you can understand why, as they have 11 Australian Open titles between them – although strangely never in the same year until 2015.
There are 17 trophies on offer over the fortnight of action (including 2 Legends tournaments), with the winner of both the men’s and women’s tournaments taking home more than £2.6 million each – the biggest prize ever competed for in Tennis history, and a prize that has effectively doubled since 2007.
And for the players that miss out, there’s 3 more major to look forward to throughout the year; French Open (22nd May), Wimbledon (27th June), US Open (29th August).
For further information please head to the official site here.