Read our simple A-Z guide to the 2015 Australian Open — from Azarenka to Zarina.
A is for Azarenka, Victoria
The unseeded two-time Australian Open champ will have a tough first round facing American up-and-comer, Sloane Stephens.
B is for blue tennis courts
The bright blue courts of the Aussie Open enhance contrast and depth perception so that the players can see the ball more easily.
C is for Cilic, Marin
The 2014 U.S. Open champ will not be playing in the Australian Open after suffering a right shoulder injury.
D is for Dimitrov, Grigor
The no. 10 seed made it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open last year, but has yet to win a grand slam. Will this be his year?
E is for eleven
The record holder for the most Australian Open singles titles belongs to Margaret Court with 11. One of the venue’s main stadiums is named for her.
F is for Federer, Roger
The no. 2 seed recently captured his 1,000th win and if he were to win the 2015 Australian Open, would beat his own record for most grand slams won by any player.
G is for Genie’s Army
Eugenie Bouchard’s male fan club manifested in Melbourne at last year’s Australian Open. Will they give her more stuffed kookaburras and wombats if she makes a long run in this tournament?
H is for heat
On the second day of the tournament, temperatures in Melbourne could reach a high of 90 degrees. The hottest tournament on record was in 2009 when daily temperatures averaged 94 degrees.
I is for ice cream
Spectators at the 2015 Australian Open are predicted to consume a combined 150,000 ice creams throughout the duration of the tournament, according to the event’s website.
J is for John Isner
The best American player on the men’s side took the no. 19 seed in this year’s tournament bracket. A good draw guarantees he’ll play a qualifier in round one and if he wins, the winner between a qualifier and Andreas Haider-Maurer, who is making his Australian Open debut.
K is for Kei Nishikori
The no. 5 seed was dealt a tough draw. He’ll play former top-10 player and 2013 Aussie Open quarterfinalist Nicholas Almagro in round one, and if he wins, will play the winner of Joao Souza and former top-30 player Ivan Dodig.
L is for Latvia
The sole Latvian in the tournament is Ernests Gulbis, the wealthy playboy with a loud personality. He’s never made it past the second round of this tournament but is in position to make a better run at the no. 11 spot.
M is for Melbourne
The site of the tournament is the second most-populous city in Australia and is know as the cultural capital of the country.
N is for Nadal, Rafael
Tennis fans welcome the return of Rafa, who missed three months of the 2014 season after suffering a wrist injury.
O is for Oceane Dodin
At 18 years old, the Lille, France native is one of the youngest competitors in the women’s draw. Her pro career is just beginning as she is one of six international players who received a wild card to this year’s Open.
P is for prize money
Winners of the 2015 Australian Open will receive at record amount of prize money: AUD$ 36.3 million.
Q is for qualifying rounds
The qualifying rounds will finish this Saturday before the main draw begins Monday. Good luck to those playing already!
R is for Rod Laver Arena
The main stadium of the Australian Open has also hosted major musical artists like Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga. In 2009, it was the third highest-grossing venue in the world, bringing in $60.5 million in sales, according to the Rod Laver Arena website.
S is for Serena Williams
All eyes are on the world no. 1 who dominated the U.S. Open this year and won the WTA Finals. If Serena wins this major she will break her tie with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for most grand slam titles.
T is for trophy
The women’s trophy is called the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, named for the Australian player who won the Open five times between 1925 and 1930. The winner of the men’s draw receives the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, an ode to the world no. 1 in 1907 and former Lawn Tennis Association of Australia president.
U is for underdog
Our favorite part of watching the majors is seeing which unseeded players and no-names upset the top dogs.
V is for victory
Or as the Greeks call it “Nike.” The clothing company has designed new outfits for Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Victoria Azarenka and Juan Martín del Potro.
W is for Wilson
The sporting goods company provides the Australian Open with 4,000 tennis balls throughout the tournament, says the event’s website. You can purchase used balls hit by the best players in the world on-site.
X is for box
The Australian Open offers Superbox and Corporate Suites at its two largest stadiums so that “you and your clients will be able to sit and talk about business while the tennis stars go about their business out on the court.” Lobster dinner included.
Y is for Young, Donald
The American player made it to round three of the Aussie Open in 2014, a personal best for this tournament. He has a tough draw this year and is expected to meet no. 8 seed Milos Raonic in the second round.
Z is for Zarina Diyas
The 21 year old from Kazakhstan is seeded in this year’s Open after breaking through the WTA top-100 in 2014.
