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Rod Laver Arena
The Tennis Centre
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
Former names	National Tennis Centre Centre Court
Tenants
Tennis Australia
Capacity
14,820 [2]

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 1992, 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.

Interior during the Australian Open

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, World Wrestling Entertainment events since 2003, and ballets.

Rod Laver Arena was the centre-piece of the 12th FINA World Aquatics Championships, which were held from March 17-April 1, 2007. A temporary swimming pool, named the Susie O'Neill Pool after Australian swimming champion Susie O'Neill, was 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.

On November 10, 2007, the World Wrestling Entertainment's RAW Survivor Series Tour set the highest attendance record of 15,560 spectators.

Rod Laver Arena, exterior (formerly Centre Court)

An event in 2007 at the Rod Laver Arena is the Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy Tour. Their Special Guests are Rose Tattoo, who sing the well known song, Bad Boy for Love and Sebastian Bach from Skid Row fame.
Christina Aguilera performed one concert at the Rod Laver Arena in the end of July, cancelling another two.
Gwen Stefani performed two concerts on August 2nd and on August 3rd. The Cure will perform on August 13.
On 17 and 19 August Bob Dylan will perform the Melbourne shows for his Modern Times tour.
Silverchair and Powderfinger will also perform a concert in mid September.
World Wrestling Entertainment's RAW brand will hold the final of three Survivor Series Tour events on November 10.
My Chemical Romance played a show on the 1st of December at Rod Laver.
Muse are also playing a one-off show on 15th November at the venue.
Linkin Park are playing two sold out shows on October 14th and 15th at Rod Laver Arena.
The Killers are also playing two sold out shows on November 13th & 14th.
Justin Timberlake broke records when he sold out two full mode shows in 15 minutes. He preformed at Rod Laver Arena on November 5th, 6th, 17th and 18th.
Iron Maiden tickets went on sale 27 September and sold out in 10 minutes. A second show was announced an hour later and also sold out in one day. Hilary Duff has also been confirmed to be playing one show only for her "Dignity World Tour", on the 3rd of February 2008, as well as Rihanna during February for her Good Girl Gone Bad Tour

• Wikimapia
• Official Website
• Rod Laver Arena at Austadiums
• Peddle Thorp Melbourne

• Rod Laver Arena is at coordinates 37°49′18″S 144°58′42″E / -37.821625, 144.978289Coordinates: 37°49′18″S 144°58′42″E / -37.821625, 144.978289