Tennis traditionalists who yearn for the days of wood received a welcome gift from the Australian Open today.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley announced today the innovative Melbourne major will make history again in 2017.
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The Australian Open will become the first Grand Slam to be played on wood. The timber court will replace the current blue hard courts.
The surface shift should provide several benefits.
It distinguishes Melbourne as the most unique of the four major surfaces, speeds up the game and should help new Aussie No. 1 Nick Kyrgios, a former basketball standout, who knows his way around the hard-wood floor and is most explosive on fast surfaces.
For a sneak peek of the new hard-wood court check out this video from the Australian Open.
While you check out the video, check out your calendar, too.
The Aussies sure know how to celebrate the holidays.
Remember last month, when Tennis Australia gave us this epic showdown between icons: Roger Federer vs. Easter Bunny.
We can't wait to see what they do for Halloween.
Photo credit: Australian Open/Tennis Australia