Tennis Australia history

Ironically, neither man competed in the first staging of the event that began on Saturday 18 November 1905, both remaining in Britain following the first Davis Cup campaign of July that year.

1906 ▪ FIRST AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AT NEW ZAELAND ▪ The event was to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand – the first of two occasions that New Zealand would host the event.

In 1907, the Melburnian became the first non-British player and first left-hander to win the Wimbledon gentleman’s singles title.

American Fred Alexander become the first non-Australasian to win the title in 1908.

With a commitment to the Davis Cup and Wimbledon limiting Brookes to just one Australasian Championships title in 1911, distance also impacted the tournament in other ways; air travel was still some decades off, so few international players contested the event in those early years.

1912 ▪ AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS HISTORY ILTF FOUNDED ▪ The International lawn Tennis Federation was born with an aim of operating the 4 major tennis championships (Wimbledon Championships, US Championships , French and Australasian).

As 1914 concluded, several sporting commentators noted that lawn tennis in Australasia was more actively pursued than ever.

In February 1920, the LTAV purchased 17 and a half acres of land on Glenferrie Road for 175 pounds, which eventually became the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.

1922 ▪ AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS OPENED FOR WOMEN ▪ For the first time open to women, the very first womens champion was Margaret Molesworth defeating in finals Esna Boyd Robertson with6-3 10-8.

In 1923, all of those factors combined to influence the International Lawn Tennis Federation’s (ITLF) decision to “recognise the Australasian Championships on the same footing as those of the United States, England and France”. It was therefore recognised as a major tournament.

There was also longer-term planning – from 1924 onwards, the tournament would alternate between Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in January each year.

1927 ▪ AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ▪ The Australasian Championships were predominantly held in Australia, they became the Australian Championships and would only be hosted in Australia - a new era of australian open tennis history.

Universally adored for the natural humility that existed alongside her stunning ability, the Sydney-born Akhurst tragically died after an ectopic pregnancy at age 29 in 1933.

Since 1934, winners of the women’s singles title have been presented with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

1935 ▪ JACK CRAWFORD ▪ Jack Crawford of Australia won his 4th title on Australian Championships.

Nancye Wynne Bolton claimed the first of six titles in 1937.

1951 ▪ NANCYE WYNNE BOLTON ▪ Won her 6th title of Australian Championship - she is 2nd on the eternal list in the Australian Open Tennis History female champions.

Kooyong Centre Court (1957)Melbourne & Olympic Parks

Laver arguably best highlighted the impact of that difficult period, having turned professional after winning his first calendar-year Grand Slam and featuring in a Davis Cup title for Australia in 1962.

1967 ▪ ROY EMERSON ▪ Roy Emerson won his 6th title of Australian Mens Singles Championships.

In 1968, a year before the first Australian Open, a featured Australian Diary film questioned whether the Australian interest in tennis was dwindling, stating that ‘attendances aren’t up to what they used to be … Will open tennis change the scene?’.

1969 ▪ AUSTRALIAN OPEN ▪ In year of 1969, the Australian Open – became the official title.

In 1970, Court become the first woman of the Open Era (and only the second in history until then) to win a calendar-year Grand Slam.

1971 ▪ AUSTRALIAN OPEN PLAYED LAST TIME OUTSIDE MELBOURNE ▪ White City, Sydney, played host to the event that saw two Australian tennis legends Ken Rosewall and Margaret Court claim the respective singles’ titles (in australian open tennis history).

1972 ▪ KEN ROSEWALL ▪ Ken Rosewall of Australia won his 4th title on Australian Open Championships.

1973 ▪ AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS HISTORY OF MARGARET SMITH COURT ▪ Margaret Smith Court of Australia won her 11th title of Australian Open Womens Singles Championship, more than any other player, men or woman.

1982 ▪ THE KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB ▪ The Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club became the adopted home of the Australian Open in 1982.

1987 ▪ GRASS SURFACE FOR THE LAST TIME ON AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS HISTORY ▪ Saw the last staging of the Open on grass.

1988 ▪ MELBOURNE PARK;REBOUND ACE SURFACE ▪ Tennis Australia and the Open established a new home at Flinders Park (now Melbourne Park). The tournament was played on Rebound Ace for the first time in Australian open tennis history.

Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde rose to even greater prominence as they collected 11 Grand Slams – including the 2000 French Open, which made it a major sweep – and Olympic gold and silver medals together.

New Look Australian Open (2008)Melbourne & Olympic Parks

Mark of a Champion - Rod Laver - 2014 Australian Open (2014) by Tennis AustraliaTennis Australia