Blue Tennis courts Australian Open

They are new, and they are blue - that is all we know for sure so far about the courts at the 2008 Australian Open.

After 20 years using the notorious Rebound Ace surface, Melbourne Park will now use 'Australian Open True Blue' Plexicushion for the first time.

Rebound Ace was notorious for an inconsistent bounce as well as getting sticky in the heat - it was also blamed for many an ankle injury too - but will Plexicushion prove any better?

There has already been plenty of debate about the new courts, which have also been used at recent warm-up tournaments in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

BBC Sport finds out more about what is in store for players over the next fortnight.

WHY THEY CHANGED

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley says the new courts are quicker, cooler, firmer and more consistent than Rebound Ace.

The 'Australian TrueBlue' Plexicushion court at Rod Laver Arena

Tiley said: "We didn't take the decision lightly. We had an extensive review and after much research we decided it was time for a change.

"We went out into the market place and looked for the best match to our requirements. This is about what is best for players and fans.

"Plexicushion is a cushioned acrylic surface that retains less heat and guarantees us a consistent medium to medium-fast pace across all courts at Melbourne Park.

"The blue court looks better, it will be easier for everyone to see the ball and the vibrancy of the colour just lifts the entire venue.

"The players like the colour because they can actually see the ball. Officials particularly like the colour because they feel they can see the ball better."

WHAT DO THEY PLAY LIKE?

Faster than Wimbledon's grass, according to Tiley.

Plexicushion has a speed rating of 34 to 38, which defines it as medium-fast on the International Tennis Federation's pace-rating scale.

Tiley said: "Wimbledon is actually slower and the French Open (on clay) is obviously very slow.

"So we are faster than Wimbledon, faster than the French, and a little bit below the US Open."

But despite Tiley's claims, players who have already tried the courts at Melbourne Park think they are currently slower than the old Rebound Ace surface.

HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE PLAYERS?

If the Plexicushion courts do speed up - like they are supposed to - a faster surface will benefit the likes of Roger Federer and Andy Murray over Rafael Nadal - anyone in fact who prefers hard courts to clay.