The 2011 professional tennis year 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.
2011 Australian Open
Tournament Dates: 17 January – 30 January
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne
Holder Men’s Singles Title: Roger Federer
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 2010 Roger Federer comfortably defeated Andy Murray in straight sets. The Ladies crown was again won by Serena Williams who beat Justin Henin in three sets.
2011 French Open
Tournament Dates: 22 May – 5 June
Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Holder
Men's Singles Title : Rafael Nadal
Holder Women’s Single Title: Francesca Shiavone
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.
2010 saw Rafael Nadal Roger triumph with a three set victory over Swede Roger Soderling, a losing finalist for the second year in succession. Following a competition of upsets, the Ladies final was won by Italian outsider Francesca Shiavoine, the 17th seed beating Samantha Stosur in straight sets.
2011 Wimbledon Championship
Tournament Dates: 20 June – 3 July
Venue: All England Tennis Club, London
Holder Men’s Single Title: Rafael Nadal
Holder Women’s Single Title: Serena Williams
The only grass tournament in the grand slam calendar, Wimbledon remains unique in atmosphere and tradition. The Men's final of 2010 failed to reach the epic heights of 2009 with Rafael Nadal overcoming Tomas Berdych in straight sets. Serena Williams took her 12th Ladies Grand Slam title with a straight forward victory over Vera Zvonareva.
2011 US Open
Tournament Dates: 29 August - 11 September
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York
Holder Men’s Single Title: Rafael Nadal
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.
2010 saw the Men's final delayed to Monday due to rain with Rafael Nadal finally overcoming Novak Djokovic in four sets. Kim Clijsters beat Vera Zvonareva in a one sided final to lift the Women's crown.
2011 Grand Slam Tennis
Competition for the four titles will be as fierce as ever in 2011. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will all hope to win at least one major tournament but Juan Martin del Potro and Roger Soderling should not be discounted. In the Women's game, Kim Clijsters will be a contender along with the perennial Williams sisters in what promises to be another year of exciting and enthralling tennis.
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