In Pictures:Five years of Aussie Open winners

Novak Djokovic loves the Australian Open, he really, really does. The Serbian has won three out of the last five tournaments there including last year(***)s event. In 2012, it was Spaniard Rafael Nadal - who has been ruled out this year - he defeated in the final

Despite Serena Williams(***) recent dominance, the female world number one is still Victoria Azarenka. The Belarusian won her first Australian Open (and first major) in 2012 becoming the top seed. It came just one year after the player had considered quitting the sport. The emotional victory was over Maria Sharapova in a 6-3, 6-0 demolition job

2011 was Novak Djokovic(***)s year, no question about that. He won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open and was a finalist in the French Open - becoming the sixth male player in the open era to win three majors in a calendar year. In Melbourne, he defeated Andy Murray in straight sets

In 2012, Kim Clijsters hung up her tennis racket for good. But the year before she added a fourth major title by winning her first Australian Open trophy. Her 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory came against China(***)s Li Na and it was the last grand slam she would win

Federer reacts during a news conference at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne

Pretty as a picture, isn(***)t he? Here Roger Federer enjoys the attention after defeating Andy Murray in the 2010 Australian Open final. It was the Swiss legend(***)s 16th major title and poor Murray had yet to win one. Federer claimed victory in straight sets extending his dominance with his third win out of the last four slams

Williams reacts after winning match point against Henin in the women''s singles final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne

If Djokovic is the recent king of Australia, Serena Williams is the queen. Williams has won two of the last four events and a remarkable five of the last ten. In 2010, the American(***)s 12th grand slam title came with a three-set victory over Belgium(***)s Justine Henin

Rafael Nadal Attends ''Champions Drink Responsibly'' in Sitges

Poor old Nadal! Just when it looked like the Spaniard was back to fitness, he pulled out of this year(***)s Australian Open with a stomach virus. Nadal won his first Australian Open and sixth major in 2009 after a hard-fought five-set battle with Roger Federer. Federer doesn(***)t have Nadal to contend with this time but Djokovic and Murray provide plenty of competition

Serena Williams (L) was again top of the Australian pops in 2009. In Melbourne, she also won the doubles title with sister Venus Williams. It was a memorable title for Serena, the 10th of her career. The 6-0, 6-3 victory was a walk in the park for the American coming in under an hour against Russian Dinara Safina

Djokovic is better known for his recent victories, humans are forgetful, but five years ago the Serbian reigned in Melbourne. And how exciting is this... it was his first grand slam win!! With his 2008 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga he became the first Serbian to win a grand slam singles title

Maria Sharapova of Russia prepares to serve during a practice session at Melbourne Park

And last but not least, we have Russian Maria Sharapova who won her first Australian Open and third grand slam event in 2008. At only 20, Sharapova defeated Serbia(***)s Ana Ivanovic in straight sets. The win meant she had only failed to win the French Open - something she put right in 2012