The Australian Open is played on hard courts, specifically the Plexicushion surface, which typically offers a faster game with consistent bounce compared to natural surfaces like grass or clay. This speed can influence betting markets by favoring players with strong serve and powerful baseline games, as they may have an advantage in generating quick points and lessening rally lengths. Additionally, the hard court conditions can lead to a higher likelihood of tiebreaks and fewer long matches, impacting over/under bet totals.