Australian Open 2013 gets thumbs up from tennis stars

While it must be love for the US Open, the Australian Open gets the most 'likes' from the tennis players and fans. This is not a surprise since the 'Happy Slam' is usually the most anticipated tennis event after a year-end break.

Here are some of the players who show their support for the event.

Andy Murray

Victoria Azarenka

Bernard Tomic

Novak Djokovic

Li Na

(Via Australian Open Facebook page)

Australian Open 2013: Kids Tennis Day with Nickelodean and tennis stars

A special show was presented at the Rod Laver Arena in conjunction with Kids Tennis Day today. The annual kids event featured Novak Djokovic, Victoria Azarenka, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Ana Ivanovic.

The event also featured singer Guy Sebastian. Nickelodeon stars SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Starfish, Dora the Explorer and Diego joined the entertainment line-up as well. 

Federer's and Lleyton Hewitt's children were spotted at the event.

(Images via Australian Open website, Sina Tennis, Tennisfoum)

Australian Open 2013 official players party

Players attended the official Australian Open players party at the Grand Hyatt last night. Those who attended were greeted by some wildlife e.g. koala, snake and a joey. There's a video at the end of this post.

Stanislas Wawrinka

Lucie Safarova

Chen Ti

Jelena Jankovic

Michael Llodra 

Radek Stepanek

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Petra Kvitova 

Sania Mirza

James Ward and Anne Keothavong

Daniela Hantuchova 

Denis Istomin

(Images via Zimbio)

Novak Djokovic defeats an Audi race car but Sugarpova is the winner of the day

Novak Djokovic defeated an Audi R8 LMS GT3 race car by hitting a tennis ball faster than the race car during a photocall at Sandown Racecourse earlier today.

However, no events were bigger than the Australian Red Carpet Launch of Maria Sharapova's lolly brand, Sugarpova. Not even the Australian Open draw ceremony that took place in the morning at the same venue in Crown Plaza Riverside. Sharapova signed fans’ bags of the brand new sweets in a meet and greet setting.

(Images by Graham Denholm/Getty Images; @AustralianOpen twitter page, Yahoo! Tennis)