Rod Laver Arena
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| Rod Laver Arena | |
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| The Tennis Centre | |
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| Location | Melbourne Park, Melbourne |
| Broke ground | 1985 [1] |
| Opened | 1988 |
| Owner | Victorian Government |
| Operator | Melbourne and Olympic Parks |
| Surface | Rebound Ace |
| Construction cost | $94 million AUD |
| Architect | Peddle Thorp Learmonth |
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Rod Laver Arena is a part of the Melbourne Park complex located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and current venue for the Australian Open in tennis. In January 2000, it was named after legendary tennis player Rod Laver, the only person ever to win the Grand Slam twice. The arena was finished in 1988 with seating capacity for 14 820 and currently attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year.
The Arena features a retractable roof allowing competitors to continue play during rain or extreme heat. It is the centrepiece of Melbourne Park's Tennis Centre, and besides tennis, the arena hosts motorbike super-crosses, music concerts, conferences, and ballets.
Rod Laver Arena will be the centre-piece of the 12th FINA World Aquatics Championships to be held from March 17-April 1, 2007. A Temporary swimming pool will be built to allow this to happen.
It hosted World Championship Wrestling in October 2000. With the roof closed, the Rod Laver Arena played host to the gymnastics competition in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
For tennis matches, Rod Laver Arena is equipped with the Hawk-Eye electronic system which allows players to challenge the umpire's decision on calls made throughout championships.
[edit] External links
- Wikimapia
- Official Website
- Rod Laver Arena at Austadiums
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