{"id":495526,"date":"2022-01-16T14:18:29","date_gmt":"2022-01-16T21:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=495526"},"modified":"2022-01-17T12:16:58","modified_gmt":"2022-01-17T19:16:58","slug":"rod-laver-arena-not-just-the-aussie-open-where-michael-phelps-set-the-stage-for-beijing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/rod-laver-arena-not-just-the-aussie-open-where-michael-phelps-set-the-stage-for-beijing\/","title":{"rendered":"Rod Laver Arena: Not Just the Aussie Open; Where Michael Phelps Set the Stage For Beijing (Race Videos)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rod Laver Arena: Not Just the Aussie Open; Where Michael Phelps Set the Stage For Beijing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although it will not feature defending champion and nine-time titlist Novak Djokovic<\/strong><\/a>, the Australian Open will unfold in Melbourne over the next two weeks. Rod Laver Arena will be the focal point of tennis\u2019 first Grand Slam of the year, with the venue playing host to the highest-profile matches, including the finals.<\/p>\n

For some, Rod Laver Arena will also be remembered as the site of Michael Phelps<\/strong>\u2019 excellence at the 2007 World Championships. It was almost 15 years ago in which Phelps won seven gold medals, broke four individual world records and set the stage for his eight-gold showing at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The only thing that kept Phelps from winning eight golds in Melbourne was a disqualification by the United States in the preliminaries of the 400 medley relay.<\/p>\n

Here is a look at what Phelps pulled off inside Rod Laver Arena, including video of each of the races.<\/p>\n

400 Freestyle Relay (March 25)<\/h3>\n

As the United States won gold in a championship record of 3:12.72, Michael Phelps jumpstarted the Red, White and Blue with a leadoff split of 48.42. To put that effort in perspective, Canadian Brent Hayden<\/strong> and Italian Filippo Magnini<\/strong> shared gold in the 100 freestyle later in the week in 48.43.<\/p>\n