Water treatment – Spectators during the 2009 tournament use a time-honored fashion to cool themselves down in the blazing heat.

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Photos:Feeling the heat: Australian Open fears

Hot Scot – Andy Murray tries to acclimatize himself to the searing conditions during the hottest championship on record in 2009 at Melbourne Park.

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Story highlights

High temperatures expected for Australian Open tennis championships

Temperatures set to reach 42 degrees Celsius in Melbourne

Tournament has an 'Extreme Heat' policy

Men's champion Novak Djokovic fell victim to conditions in 2009

Maria Sharapova once labeled the conditions as "inhuman" and three-time defending men's champion Novak Djokovic suffered a dramatic meltdown in a quarterfinal match in 2009 so it's with a degree of trepidation that the world's elite go into the Australian Open with a heatwave forecast for Melbourne.

Temperatures are predicted to reach a blistering 42 degrees Celsius Tuesday (107 Fahrenheit) and remain at that level until the weekend.

While the opening grand slam of the season has an Extreme Heat Policy -- in place since 1998 -- it is rarely invoked and players simply have to make do.

Djokovic, who had to retire with heat exhaustion against Andy Roddick when defending his 2008 crown, has become renowned for his supreme fitness levels and claims to be ready for any challenge.

"I am expecting to play in big heat. You always have to expect it because you can't really predict Melbourne's weather, it's changing a lot," Djokovic told gathered reporters on the eve of his title defense.

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"I remember the 2008, 2009 and 2010 tournaments, there were several days I played in extreme heat. So I know how tough it is.

"But it's the same for myself and my opponent so you have to adjust to it," he said.

Given a favorable draw, avoiding the likes of world number one Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer until at least the final, Djokovic is unlikely to be troubled by the weather or his first round opponent Lukas Lacko of Slovakia on Monday.

After that the level of the opposition and the heat is expected to rise with Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka looming large as his main threat.

Wawrinka extended Djokovic in a five-set fourth round clash last year which many considered the outstanding match of 2013.

This time around they cannot meet until the semifinals by which time forecasters are predicting a return to more manageable conditions.

Sharapova, playing her first grand slam since Wimbledon last year, remains wary of conditions after being reminded of her 2007 three-setter against France's Camille Pin, after which she made her outburst.

"I don't think anyone can prepare themselves for that type of heat," she told reporters.

"When you try to put in that effort, that maximum effort to give as an athlete, it's pretty difficult for a longer period of time."

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Richest grand slam – When it comes to prize money, the Australian Open leads the way, with the 2012 tournament the richest in grand slam history. The prize fund is a whopping $23.9 million, with the winners of each singles event collecting a cool $2.2 million while the losing finalists can console themselves with a $1 million check.

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

The heat is on – The Melbourne sun can often soar to uncomfortable levels, with the 2007 tournament proving to be particularly hot. Maria Sharapova was among those to suffer in the conditions despite the Extreme Heat Policy that was introduced in 1998. This comes into play when temperatures hit 35 degrees Celcius, and can result in matches being suspended until the weather cools down.

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Fighting factions – In recent years, the sport's genteel reputation has taken a bit of a battering, with Melbourne's Serb and Croat communities often coming to blows while supporting their favorite players. This rivalry appears to have intensified as top players like men's world number one Novak Djokovic have become more successful.

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Famous names honored – Although the singles winners' trophies are instantly recognizable, their titles are not as widely known. The men battle it out for the the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, while the top woman will collect the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy -- both famous names from the tournament's illustrious history.

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Nomadic existence – The Australian Open has had many different homes since the first tournament in 1905. Five cities have played host, with two events also played in New Zealand. Melbourne's Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club became the permanent site in 1972, before the current venue at Melbourne Park was built specifically for the tournament in 1988.

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Surface switch – The green hard-court playing surface was abandoned in 2008 and replaced with a blue alternative that has higher bounce and more cushioning, and is supposed to retain less heat.

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Follow the crowd – Soaring crowds meant the tournament needed a bigger home, which resulted in the construction of Melbourne Park. The Australian Open consistently has the highest attendances of all four majors, with the 2010 event achieving a record single-day crowd of 77,043 and an overall figure of 653,860.

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Hingis makes history – History was made in Melbourne in 1997 when Switzerland's Martina Hingis lifted the women's singles title with a 6-2 6-2 final success over Mary Pierce of France. Aged just 16 years and three months, Hingis became the youngest grand slam singles winner -- a record she continues to hold -- and she followed that success with victories in 1998 and 1999.

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Photos:Australian Open: Essential facts

Edmondson's shock victory – Australia has not enjoyed a home success in the men's singles since Mark Edmondson triumphed in 1976. Opponent John Newcombe was expected to retain his title from the previous year, but Edmondson produced a stunning display to win in four sets. It was the 21-year-old's first career title and, at 212th, he is the lowest-ranked grand slam winner in history.

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Murray, himself back in action after a layoff for surgery, is also not relishing extreme temperatures despite preparing for the championships in Florida.

"The difference between 32 degrees or whatever in Florida and 40, it's a huge difference.

"It feels very different on the court. The court gets so hot, the air is extremely hot as well," said the Scot.