The professional tennis year in 2010 will be again dominated by the four grand slams, the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Always highly coveted and fiercely contested tournaments, all are guaranteed to produce tennis of the highest quality.
2010 Australian Open
Tournament Dates: 18 January – 31 January
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne
Holder Men’s Singles Title: Rafael Nadal
Holder Women’s Singles Title: Serena Williams
The Australian Open is often played in conditions of extreme heat and and can be a test of player fitness as much as technique. January temperatures regularly hit 30c and tournament organisers have implemented an extreme heat policy to protect competitors from the arduous effects of the weather.
In 2009 Rafael Nadal defeated number one seed Roger Federer in five sets of high excitement and skill. The Ladies title was won be Serena Williams who comfortably overcame the challenge of Darina Safina in straight sets.
2010 French Open
Tournament Dates: 23 May – 6 June
Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Holder
Men's Singles Title : Roger Federer
Holder Women’s Single Title: Svetlana Kuznetsova
The teasing and testing clay surface of Roland Garros has broken the hearts of many players wishing to complete a grand slam sweep. It's slow surface suiting the baseline specialist with the ability and patience to endure the long rallies common to the event.
2009 saw Roger Federer lift his first ever French crown with a straight sets victory over Swede Roger Soderling. Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated number one seed Darina Safina in the Ladies final, who again failed to overcome grand slam final nerves.
2010 Wimbledon Championship
Tournament Dates: 21 June – 4 July
Venue: All England Tennis Club, London
Holder Men’s Single Title: Roger Federer
Holder Women’s Single Title: Serena Williams
The only grass tournament in the grand slam calendar, Wimbledon remains unique in atmosphere and tradition. The new centre court roof, opened in 2009, was rarely called into action as the Sun shone for the majority of the tournament.
Roger Federer and Andy Roddick contested a gladiatorial final in 2009, Federer finally defeating a heroic Roddick in five sets. Serena Williams defeated Venus in straight sets to take her 11th Grand Slam title and third Wimbledon triumph.
2010 US Open
Tournament Dates: 30 August - 12 September
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York
Holder Men’s Single Title: Juan Martin del Potro
Holder Women’s Single Title: Kim Clijsters
The final slam of the year is the US Open. With its high energy, high octane profile, the tournament provides a fitting climax to the grand slam year and is played in front of exuberant, extrovert crowds.
2009 saw two surprise victors in the singles. Juan Martin del Potro defeated Roger Federer in five sets to deprive the Swiss legend of a sixth successive US Open title. The returning Kim Clijsters beat Caroline Wozniacki to lift the women's crown.
2010 Grand Slam Tennis
Competition for Slam titles will be as fierce as ever in 2010. The usual male suspects of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will face intense pressure from Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and the new rising star Juan Martin del Potro. The re-emergence of Kim Clijsters will bring fresh zest to the Women’s game and she will no doubt challenge the accepted order in 2010. It promises to be another year of exciting and enthralling tennis.
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