Each January, Rod Laver Arena serves as the centre court for the Australian Open tennis tournament. The arena was the first in Australia to have a retractable roof, allowing competitors to continue play during rain or extreme heat.
Opened in 1988, the venue was variously known as 'Flinders Park', the 'National Tennis Centre' or 'Centre Court'. In 2000, the venue was renamed Rod Laver Area in recognition of Australia's and one of the world's greatest ever male tennis champions.
In addition to tennis, the versatile nature of the venue has led it to host a wide array of events including rodeos, dirt bike demonstrations, gymnastics, wrestling, boxing, family shows, and memorials.
The arena has played host to a multitude of star concert performers, such as Pink, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and Alice Cooper, just to name a few.
