Why the Australian Open Is the Tennis Players' Favourite Event & Why They Love Coming Down Under

The Australian Open tennis tournament is nicknamed the "Happy Slam" because it tends to be most players' favourite grand slam to play in. There are many reasons the players enjoy playing this slam more than the others but perhaps the primary reason is that the tournament officials really seem to listen to what the players need and want.

According to Greg Garber of ESPN, it was none other than the tennis legend Roger Federer that first dubbed the Australian Open the "Happy Slam" during a pre-match interview. Always a gentleman and always an excellent spokesperson for the game of tennis, it is not surprising that Federer would find a way to encapsulate how players feel about the Australian Open in such a snappy nickname that has really seemed to catch on with all the players, as well as the press.

The Australian Open is also the very first grand slam of the year so this certainly contributes to the players being fresher and more relaxed coming into this tournament than other tournaments. The daily grind of the tennis season after the Australian Open can be very tiring with the traveling, jet lag, mandatory press events, meeting the demands of sponsors, training, recovery, practicing, and constant matches. For this reason, the players at the Australian Open kind of feel like the Australian Open is the first day of school. Their bodies have had a chance to heal and finally fully recover over the off season and their minds are renewed. They've also had a chance to spend time with their families and friends and take a vacation from their demanding profession.

The Australian Open is held at Melbourne Park, and in the mid 1990s, these tennis facilities underwent a $25 million dollar renovation. Subsequently, the Australian Open became a carnival and party atmosphere for tennis fans, young and old alike. This festive spirit is infectious and is carried into the locker room where the tennis players hang out before and after their matches. Walking the grounds to get to their practice courts, the players are greeted by the world's friendliest fans and this also adds to the players' enjoyment of playing at the Australian Open. Everyone seems to be all smiles and saying the friendly national slogan, ""Good day mate!" Many of the top players have talked about the unusually happy vibe they feel when they play down under!

At the Australian Open, there are not one, but TWO, stadiums with a fully retractable roof! This means that even if the weather is inclement, which usually means exceedingly hot in Australia, play can continue! For this reason, the Australian Open rarely falls behind in the schedule, meaning the players always get a day off in between matches giving them a chance to recuperate fully and strategize with their team about how to deal with their next opponent. There are some amazing facts about the Australian Open to be read.

The Melbourne Park facilities are located right in the heart of the downtown area, giving players and their teams many amazing options for dining. It's also incredibly easy, given the location, to slip away for a few hours and do some shopping and sightseeing. The tournament organizers also cater to the players' needs in many other ways. For example, the transportation services to and from the facilities are considered top notch by the players. Even the lounge area is considered the very best on the circuit and organizers still strive to improve it even more every year.

In 2013, the Australian Open very significantly increased the prize money offered to the players. This was done in close consultation with the Player Counsel, represented that year by Roger Federer who was persistent in advocating for more payment to the lower ranked players. Other top tennis players, including Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, added significantly to this strong voice. All the players were very pleased with the results that ended with a higher distribution of funds to all players, making this slam even happier! In fact, the Australian Open now even offers travel stipends to some players who qualify to play in the tournament but struggle to pay their travel costs to get there.

Although steeped with over one-hundred years in tennis history, the Australian Open offers players and fans alike the most modern and comfortable facilities on the tennis circuit. This fact, combined with the timing of the tournament and the reputation of the officials to really take care of the players, makes this tournament the most popular tournament of the year with the players. The fan base has also grown by leaps and bounds supported by the fact that the tournament has made the grounds such an exciting place to be for the fans. There's also been growing international television coverage of this slam, which has made many tennis fans love the Australian Open even more. However, watching the Australian Open on television will never beat actually BEING at the Australian Open and taking part in all the festivities! To order your tickets for next year's Australian Open, be sure to visit the Australian Open section of the Queen Of Tickets website (http://www.queenoftickets.com/sports-tickets/australian-open).