One of the country's prime sporting events each year, the Australian Open has taken over Melbourne each summer for more than a century. It's the ideal time to road test your experimental sunhats, mix and match shorts and polos, and do some day drinking in a classy way.

After much uncertainty due to COVID-19 travel and gathering restrictions, the tournament in returning for another year in 2021. Qualifying for the event is scheduled to kick off in Doha and Dubai on Sunday, January 10, with the regular rotation of tennis superstars expected to qualify and make the trip Down Under.

The main event will run from Monday, February 8–Sunday, February 21; however, if you're itching for your yearly dose of tennis and you just can't wait, five lead-up events will be hosted in Melbourne Park including the ATP Cup from Sunday, January 31 right up until the start of the open.

Ticket bundles start at $49, which will allow you to watch four early round matches in the same day — and go up to $370, for tickets to the finals. Browse the schedule, grab tickets and find out more at the Australian Open website.

Rob Keating via Wikimedia Commons

Top image: Tourism Victoria via Wikimedia Commons.