History
The Australian Open was established in 1905 as the Australasian Tennis Championship, played at the Warehouseman's Cricket Ground in Melbourne. It became the Australian Championship in 1927 and the Australian Open in 1969. Women's events were added in 1922.
The tournament was held at various locations until 1972, when the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia (now Tennis Australia) decided that the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne should become the permanent site because it had the largest capacity.
As the Open gained popularity during the 1980s, it outgrew that site. In 1986, the government began construction of the multi-purpose Flinders Park, which opened in January 1988. The park was further expanded in 1995 and was renamed Melbourne Park the following year.
Originally, the tournament was held in January. It was moved to December in 1977, so there were two tournaments that year. In 1987, the event was moved back to January; as a result, there was no tournament in 1986.
Center Court at Melbourne has a capacity of 15,021 and a retractable roof. There are also four show courts, with seating capacities ranging from 1,100 to 6,000, and 19 other outdoor match and practice courts, as well as four indoor practice courts.
