Event: Australian Open

The biggest January sports event has already begun. We have seen the first matches of the Australian Open. What odds are offered for this Grand Slam?

History:
Australian Open is an international tennis championship of Australia, the first one out of four Grand Slam tournaments, which is always played in January. The first tournament was played in 1905. The greatest number of men's singles titles was won by the Australian player Roy Emerson, who won the championship six times, the greatest number of women's singles titles was won by Margaret Court (11). Among the present tennis players Roger Federer (4) and Serena Williams (5) had the biggest number of victories

The duration and the prize-money in Australian Open 2012:
Australian Open 2012 began on January 16 and will continue until January 29. In 2012, the prize-money for male and female tournaments is the same. The total amount of the prize fund is 26 million AUD. Winners of men’s and women’s single will receive $ 2.3 million each, which is equal to £1.5 million! To put things in perspective, this amount is 400, 000 pounds more than at the last year's Wimbledon. There is more to come, because the winners of doubles will receive record amounts. They will fight for 296, 000 pounds (454,000 AUD), and mixed doubles winners will share £ 88,000.
Favorites of the Australian Open according to the bookmakers:
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray - these four tennis players are considered to be the main contenders for a victory in the first Grand Slam tournament in 2012. When it comes to women's tournament, the bookmakers suggest Kim Clijsters and Petra Kvitova.

Current champions (2011):
Novak Djokovic will defend his men's singles title, the Belgian Kim Clijsters - the women's singles title. Brothers Mike and Bob Bryan, Zhisela Dulko and Flavia Penneta won the doubles. Katarina Srebotnik and Daniel Nestor won the mixed doubles.

Did you know that...

• Australian Open is the most profitable Grand Slam tournament because the state makes about 40 million AUD on it annually
• The number of visitors has grown from 521000 to 604000 for the 7 years
• Australian Open 2009 reached the highest one-day attendance in the history of the Grand Slam - 66018 spectators.

Eurosport and Eurosport 2 broadcast the Australian Open!