The Australian Open opens the Grand Slam calendar each January in Melbourne, launching the professional tennis season on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park. As one of the sport’s four major championships, it awards 2,000 ranking points to singles champions and sets the early tone for the ATP and WTA seasons.
Founded in 1905 and part of the Open Era since 1968, the tournament has evolved into one of the largest events in global tennis. This guide explains how the Australian Open is structured, how the draws work, how ranking points are distributed and what distinguishes it from the other Grand Slam tournaments.
Where It Is Played?
Venue: Melbourne Park
City: Melbourne, Australia
Surface: Outdoor hard court (acrylic)
Main stadium: Rod Laver Arena
The tournament is played on a medium-paced hard court surface. Conditions vary depending on heat and time of day, with daytime matches often played in extreme temperatures during the Australian summer.
Tournament Format
Main Draw Size
- 128-player singles draw (men and women)
- 64-team doubles draw
- Mixed doubles event
- Junior and wheelchair competitions
Match Format
- Men’s singles: Best of five sets
- Women’s singles: Best of three sets
- Final-set tiebreak: First to 10 points at 6–6 in the deciding set
How the Draw Works
The singles draw includes 128 players, with 32 seeds.
- Seeds are placed to avoid meeting each other in early rounds
- The top two seeds cannot meet before the final
- Seeds 1–4 cannot meet before the semifinals
- Unseeded players are drawn randomly
- Additional players enter through qualifying or wild cards
Qualifying takes place the week before the main draw and provides direct entry for players who advance through three rounds.
Ranking Points Distribution (Singles)
Grand Slam events award the highest number of ranking points on tour.
- Champion: 2,000 points
- Finalist: 1,300 points
- Semifinalist: 800 points
- Quarterfinalist: 400 points
- Fourth Round: 200 points
Points apply within the 52-week ATP and WTA ranking systems.
Prize Money
The Australian Open distributes prize money across all rounds, including qualifying and first-round losers. The total prize pool varies each year but consistently ranks among the highest in tennis. Official figures are released before each edition of the tournament.
Scheduling Structure
- Two-week main draw
- Day and night sessions
- Played in mid-to-late January
- Extreme heat policy in place
The tournament is the first Grand Slam of the calendar year, often shaping ranking momentum and early-season narratives.
What Makes the Australian Open Unique
- First major of the season
- Long travel distance for many players
- High heat and roof closures
- Strong night-session culture
- Historically dominant champions on both tours
The combination of surface, climate and timing makes the event distinct within the Grand Slam calendar.
How It Compares to Other Grand Slams
| Tournament | Surface | Typical Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | Hard | Medium |
| Roland Garros | Clay | Slow |
| Wimbledon | Grass | Fast |
| US Open | Hard | Medium-Fast |
Surface variation across the four majors is central to player legacies and career achievements.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Australian Open played?
Typically in January over two weeks.
How many players are seeded?
32 in the singles draw.
How many ranking points does the champion receive?
2,000 points.
What surface is used?
Outdoor acrylic hard court at Melbourne Park.
