2012 in tennis

Defending champion Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5, to win the longest final in history.

The second Grand Slam event of the year was won by Nadal who defeated Djokovic 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 to win a record seventh French Open title.

At Wimbledon, Roger Federer would equal this record, held by Nadal and Pete Sampras, by winning the final 4–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–4 against Andy Murray.

Murray went on to win the last Grand Slam event of the year, by defeating defending champion Djokovic, 7–6(10), 7–5, 2–6, 3–6, 6–2.

[10] For the first time Hawk eye will be used on the Margaret Court Arena,[11] while Ken Fletcher will be inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.

The tournament takes place over two weeks in late June and early July, culminating with the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Singles Final, scheduled respectively for the second Saturday and Sunday.

[19] Following is a list of notable players (winners of a main tour title, and/or part of the ATP rankings Top 100 (singles) or Top 50 (doubles) for at least one week) who announced their retirement from professional tennis, became inactive (after not playing for more than 52 weeks), or were permanently banned from playing, during the 2012 season:

Victoria Azarenka.
Novak Djokovic.
Esther Vergeer.
2007 Australian Open runner-up Fernando González retired after the Indian Wells – Miami American swing.
Former World No. 3 Ivan Ljubičić played for the last time at the Monte Carlo Masters .
Andy Roddick was the year-end World No. 1 at the end of the 2003 season .