Australian Open Championships

I began following professional tennis a couple years ago, and have come to especially enjoy the Grand Slam Tournaments. I have already written about the Wimbledon and US Open Championships and will now write about the Australian Open. I have recently followed this tournament from beginning to end as it comes to its conclusion. (I intend to write about the 4th major tournament, The French Roland Garros Open as the tournament approaches in May).

The first thing I will say about the Australian Open is that it is much more difficult to follow than the other 3 tournaments. That is because of the massive 16 hour time difference from the Eastern Coast to the Canberra Australian time zone. Most of the best matches of the Australian Open happen while we are in bed here on the eastern coast around 12 to 5 am. There are a few matches in the early stages of the tournament that begin around 7 and 9pm eastern time, but as the tournament progresses they occur much later into the night. The men and womens' finals are broadcast at 3:30 am on eastern time.

I had this similar problem when I followed the World Cup in 2002 set in South Korea. All the live matches were over night on the east coast. During that summer I was so dedicated to the tournament that I made an extra effort to stay up over night to watch these games live (especially when team USA played and went to the quarterfinals). No sport quite compares to my dedication of the World Cup, and the Australian Open is certainly no exception. I probably only caught a handful of live matches and had to follow the rest thru podcasts and next day recaps. Nonetheless I grew quite intrigued by the history and prestige of this major Grand Slam tournament of tennis.

History of the Australian Open

The Australian Open was first held in 1905 in the city of Melbourne as a national tennis championship. It quickly became the largest tennis tournament in the southern hemisphere. By 1922 the women's championship was merged with the men's championship.  And by 1924 it was decided by the International Tennis Lawn Federation that the Australian Open should be a World Major tournament. It was the last founded tournament of the big 4, with the first being the Wimbledon Championship founded in 1877, the US Open in 1881, and the French Open in 1891.

The Australian Open was first played on grass courts but eventually moved to hard courts in 1988. The host city was also alternated between Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Christchurch, and Hastings. But by 1972 it was decided to keep Melbourne as the permanent residence of the tournament due to higher attendance and profitability. The tournament is held annually in the month of January, as the 1st of the 4 Grand Slams. It is often referred to as the "Happy Slam" and holds the record for the highest attendance set just last year in 2018.

The main venue of the tournament is the Rod Laver Arena which seats 16,200. The venue was originally built in 1987 and referred to then as the National Tennis Center at Flinders Park. However in the year 2000 it was renamed the Rod Laver Arena after one of Australia's all time greatest tennis players Rod Laver. He went on to win 11 Grand Slam titles during the 1960s, 3 of which were Australian Open titles in 1960, 1962, and 1969. Margaret Court Arena is also a significant venue in the tournament giving homage to the greatest female tennis player in history. Margaret Court went on to win 24 Grand Slam titles throughout the 1960s-1970s, including 8 Australian Opens. (Serena Williams is just 1 title away from 24, and 2 away from surpassing Margaret Court to become the most decorated female tennis player of all time)


2019 Female Stars

• Naomi Osaki (JPN) The young 21 year old went on win her 2nd consecutive Grand Slam title at this tournament by defeating Petra Kvitova in the final match. She has a very quirky personality yet her power, agility, and competitiveness makes her one of the best tennis players in the world. She will now be ranked #1 and has a very bright future ahead of her.
• Petra Kvitova (CZE) The 28 year old vet, fell just short of yet another Grand Slam title, in losing to Osaki in a highly contested 3 set match. Kvitova is already a well decorated tennis star with 2 titles at Wimbeldon in 2011 and 2014.
• Karolina Pliskova (CZE) The 26 year old Czech star went on to her 2nd Grand Slam semi-final however was defeated at this tournament by Osaki. Pliskova has made it as far as the finals in the 2017 US Open however has still yet to acheive a Grand Slam title. She is still young and in the prime of her career and certainly has a good chance to do so. 
• Danielle Collins (USA) She was no doubt the female break-out star of this tournament, making
  it further then she ever has before. She was my favorite player to watch for her spunky competitive nature. Unlike the other tennis professionals she made her rise thru college sports. She lost to Petra Kvitova in the semi-finals, in what appeared to be a contested first set yet a collapse in the second set. I should think this break-thru performance will give her a further hunger for future grand slams to come. 
  
• Serena Williams (USA) The all time greatest female tennis player has yet to win a Grand Slam since she gave birth a year and a half ago. She lost in the finals in Wimbeldon and the US Open and did not even make the finals in this tournament. She lost a peculiar quarterfinal match against Petra Kvitova in which she was up 5-1 in the 3rd set. She had an epic collapse that saw Petra take advantage of. Curious on the reasoning for her sudden collapse which is very unlike her dominant behavior. 
• Elina Svitolina (UKR): This up-and-comer made it to her 4th Grand Slam quarterfinal however once again was unable to advance after losing to Osaki. 
• Ashleigh Barty (AUS): This young home crowd favorite Aussie, made it to the quarterfinals however lost to Petra Kvitova. This is the furthest she has ever been and at only 22 she has a bright future ahead of her. 
• Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) She made it to her 5th quarterfinals yet once again was unable to advance after losing to Danielle Collins.  

2019 Male Stars

• Novak Djokovic (SRB) He went on to win his 15th Grand Slam Title, and 3rd consecutive one, by defeating Raphael Nadal in the final match. Novak has shown perfect form the past few tournaments now. He has surpassed Pete Sampras on the all time Grand Slam title list. He is chasing behind Nadal's 17 titles and Federer's 24 to be considered one of the greatest of all time. 
• Raphael Nadal (ESP) He was nearly perfect in all his matches, winning all 3 sets in each of his matches. However he was defeated by his arch-nemesis Djokovic in the final match. Nadal has been struggling with injuries the last few years now, however he better shape up soon if he wants to continue to chase Federer's title count as well as compete with the rising Djokovic. 
• Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) He was the young breakthrough star on the men's side, who shocked the world by his defeat of Federer in the 4th round. I actually watched this game live as I could not sleep and thought Federer was in control yet Tsitsipas was showing great poise. After I went to sleep I woke up to hear the shocking news that Stefanos had won. He later lost to Nadal in the semi-finals. At the young age of 20  this young up-and-coming Greek rock-star has a very promising future.  
  
• Lucas Pouille (FRA) He made it the furthest he ever has before by defeating Milos Raonic to make it to his first ever grand slam semi-final. However he got dominated in the semi-final by Djokovic 
• Frances Tiafoe (USA) The young 21 year old American made it the furthest he ever has before to the quarterfinals. His breakthrough victory came in the second round by defeating Kevin Anderson (who was ranked 5th in the world) Tiafoe brings a fresh new look to the tennis game and has a promising future ahead of him.  
• Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) The Spanish vet made it to his first ever quarterfinal in a grand slam however lost to the young up-and-comer Stefanos Tsitsipas. 
• Milos Raonic (CAN) The Canadian Vet once again fell short of securing his first ever grand slam title. He lost in the quarterfinals to Lucas Pouille.
• Kei Nishikori (JPN) The Japanese star made it to yet another quarterfinal (his 7th one) yet no further. He was defeated by Djokvoic much due to fatigue and injuries suffered in his previous match. Nishikori came close in the 2014 US Open as runner-up, however has still yet to secure a Grand Slam title. 

Men's Past Champions

Year	Winner	2nd	Score
2019	Novak Djokovic (Serbia)	Rafael Nadal (Spain)	6–3, 6–2, 6–3
2018	Roger Federer (Swiz)	Marin Čilić (Croatia)	6–2, 6–7(5–7), 6–3, 3–6, 6–1
2017	Roger Federer (Swiz)	Rafael Nadal (Spain)	6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–3
2016	Novak Djokovic (Serbia)	Andy Murray (UK)	6-1, 7-5, 7-6(7-3)
2015	Novak Djokovic (Serbia)	Andy Murray (UK)	7–6(7–5), 6–7(4–7), 6–3, 6–0
2014	Stanislas Wawrinka (Swiz)	Rafael Nadal (Spain)	6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
2013	Novak Djokovic (Serbia)	Andy Murray (UK)	6-7(7-2), 7-6(7-3), 6-3, 6-2
2012	Novak Djokovic (Serbia)	Rafael Nadal (Spain)	7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6, 7-5
2011	Novak Djokovic (Serbia)	Andy Murray (UK)	6-4, 6-2, 6-3
2010	Roger Federer (Swiz)	Andy Murray (UK)	6-3, 6-4, 7-6
2009	Rafael Nadal (Spain)	Roger Federer (Swiz)	7–5, 3–6, 7–6(3), 3–6, 6–2
2008	Novak Djokovic (Serbia)	Jo-Wilfried Tsonga	4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6(2)
2007	Roger Federer (Swiz)	Fernando Gonzalez (Chile)	7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4
2006	Roger Federer (Swiz)	Marcos Baghdatis	5-7 7-5 6-0 6-2
2005	Marat Safin	Lleyton Hewitt	1-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
2004	Roger Federer (Swiz)	Marat Safin	7-6(3) 6-4 6-2
2003	Andre Agassi	Rainer Schüttler	6-2 6-2 6-1
1981	Johan Kriek	S. Denton	62 76 67 64
1989	Ivan Lendl	M. Mecir	62 62 62
2002	Thomas Johansson	Marat Safin	3-6 6-4 6-4 7-6(4)
2001	Andre Agassi	A.Clement	6-4, 6-2, 6-2
2000	Andre Agassi	Y. Kafelnikov	3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4
1999	Yevgeny Kafelnikov	T. Enqvist	4-6 6-0 6-3 7-6(1)
1998	Petr Korda	M. Rios	6-2 6-2 6-2
1997	Pete Sampras	C. Moya	6-2 6-3 6-3
1996	Boris Becker	M. Chang	6-2 6-4 2-6 6-2
1995	Andre Agassi	P. Sampras	4-6 6-1 7-6 6-4
1994	Pete Sampras	T. Martin	7-6 6-4 6-4
1993	Jim Courier	S. Edberg	6-2 6-1 2-6 7-5
1992	Jim Courier	S. Edberg	6-3 3-6 6-4 6-2
1991	Boris Becker	I. Lendl	1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4
1990	Ivan Lendl	S. Edberg	4-6 7-6 5-2 (ret.)
1988	Mats Wilander	P. Cash	6-3 6-7 3-6 6-1 8-6
1987	Stefan Edberg	P. Cash	6-3 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3
1983	Mats Wilander	I. Lendl	6-1 6-4 6-4
1986	Not held
1985	Stefan Edberg	M. Wilander	64 63 63
1984	Mats Wilander	K. Curren	67 64 76 62
1982	Johan Kriek	S. Denton	63 63 62
1980	Brian Teacher	K. Warwick	75 76 63
1979	Guillermo Vilas	J. Sadri	76 63 62
1978	Guillermo Vilas	J. Marks	64 64 36 63
1977 #2	Vitas Gerulaitis	J. Lloyd	63 76 57 36 62
1977 #1	Roscoe Tanner	G. Vilas	63 63 63
1976	Mark Edmondson	J. Newcombe	67 63 76 61
1975	John Newcombe	J. Connors	75 36 64 75
1974	Jimmy Connors	P. Dent	76 64 46 63
1973	John Newcombe	O. Parun	63 67 75 61
1972	Ken Rosewall	M. Anderson	76 63 75
1971	Ken Rosewall	A. Ashe	61 75 63
1970	Arthur Ashe	D. Crealy	64 97 62
1969	Rod Laver	A. Gimeno	63 64 75
1968	Bill Bowrey	J. Gisbert	75 26 97 64
1967	Roy Emerson	A. Ashe	64 61 61
1966	Roy Emerson	A. Ashe	64 68 62 63
1965	Roy Emerson	F. Stolle	79 26 64 75 61
1964	Roy Emerson	F. Stolle	63 64 62
1963	Roy Emerson	K. Fletcher	63 63 61
1962	Rod Laver	R. Emerson	86 06 64 64
1961	Roy Emerson	R. Laver	16 63 75 64
1960	Rod Laver	N. Fraser	57 36 63 86 86
1959	Alex Olmedo	N. Fraser	61 62 36 63
1958	Ashley Cooper	M. Anderson	75 63 64
1957	Ashley Cooper	N. Fraser	63 9-11 64 62
1956	Lew Hoad	K. Rosewall	64 36 64 75
1955	Ken Rosewall	L. Hoad	97 64 64
1954	Mervyn Rose	R. Hartwig	62 06 64 62
1953	Ken Rosewall	M. Rose	60 63 64
1952	Ken McGregor	F. Sedgman	75 12-10 26 62
1951	Dick Savitt	K. McGregor	63 26 63 61
1950	Frank Sedgman	K. McGregor	63 64 46 61
1949	Frank Sedgman	J. Bromwich	63 63 62
1948	Adrian Quist	J. Bromwich	64 36 63 26 63
1947	Dinny Pails	J. Bromwich	46 64 36 75 86
1946	Jack Bromwich	D. Pails	57 63 75 36 62
1941-45	Not held	World War II
1940	Adrian Quist	J. Crawford	63 61 62
1939	Jack Bromwich	A. Quist	64 61 63
1938	Don Budge	J. Bromwich	64 62 61
1937	Viv McGrath	J. Bromwich	63 16 60 26 61
1936	Adrian Quist	J. Crawford	62 63 46 36 97
1935	Jack Crawford	F. Perry	26 64 64 64
1934	Fred Perry	J. Crawford	63 75 61
1933	Jack Crawford	K. Gledhill	26 75 63 62
1932	Jack Crawford	H. Hopman	46 63 36 63 61
1931	Jack Crawford	H. Hopman	64 62 26 61
1930	Gar Moon	H. Hopman	63 61 63
1929	John Gregory	R. Schlesinger	62 62 57 75
1928	Jean Borotra	R.O. Cummings	64 61 46 57 63
1927	Gerald Patterson	J. Hawkes	36 64 36 18-16 63
1926	John Hawkes	J. Willard	61 63 61
1925	James Anderson	G. Patterson	11-9 26 62 63
1924	James Anderson	R. Schlesinger	63 64 36 57 63
1923	Pat Wood	C.B. St. John	61 61 63
1922	James Anderson	G. Patterson	60 36 36 63 62
1921	Rhys Gemmell	A. Hedeman	75 61 64
1920	Pat Wood	R. Thomas	63 46 68 61 63
1919	A.R.F. Kingscote	E. Pockley	64 60 63
1916-18	Not held	World War I
1915	Francis Lowe	H. Rice	46 61 61 64
1914	Pat Wood	G. Patterson	64 63 57 61
1913	Ernie Parker	H. Parker	26 61 62 63
1912	J. Cecil Parke	A. Beamish	36 63 16 61 75
1911	Norman Brookes	H. Rice	61 62 63
1910	Rodney Heath	H. Rice	64 63 62
1909	Tony Wilding	E. Parker	61 75 62
1908	Fred Alexander	A. Dunlop	36 36 60 62 63
1907	Horace Rice	H. Parker	63 64 64
1906	Tony Wilding	H. Parker	60 64 64
1905	Rodney Heath	A. Curtis	46 63 64 64

Women's Past Champions

Year	Winner	2nd	Score
2019	Naomi Osaka (Japan)	Petra Kvitová (Czech Republic)	7–6(7–2), 5–7, 6–4
2018	Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)	Simona Halep (Romania)	7–6(7–2), 3–6, 6–4
2017	Serena Williams (USA)	Venus Williams (USA)	6–4, 6–4
2016	Angelique Kerber (Germany)	Serena Williams (USA)	6–4, 3–6, 6–4
2015	Serena Williams (USA)	Maria Sharapova (Russia)	6–3, 7–6(7–5)
2014	Li Na (China)	Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia)	7-6(7-3), 6-0
2013	Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)	Li Na (China)	4-6, 6-4, 6-3
2012	Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)	Maria Sharapova (Russia)	6-3, 6-0
2011	Kim Clijsters	Li Na (China)	3-6, 6-3, 6-3
2010	Serena Williams (USA)	Justine Henin	6-4, 3-6, 6-2
2009	Serena Williams (USA)	Dinara Safina	6–0, 6–3
2008	Maria Sharapova	Ana Ivanović	7-5 6-3
2007	Serena Williams (USA)	Maria Sharapova	6-1, 6-2
2006	Amelie Mauresmo	Justine Henin-Hardenne	6-1, 2-0 retired
2005	Serena Williams (USA)	Lindsay Davenport (USA)	2-6, 6-3, 6-0
2004	Justine Henin-Hardenne	Kim Clijsters	6-3, 4-6, 6-3
2003	Serena Williams (USA)	Venus Williams (USA)	7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4
2002	Jennifer Capriati	Martina Hingis	4-6, 7-6(7), 6-2
2001	Jennifer Capriati	Martina Hingis	6-4, 6-3
2000	Lindsay Davenport	Martina Hingis	6-1, 7-5
1999	Martina Hingis	A. Mauresmo	62 63
1998	Martina Hingis	C. Martinez	63 63
1997	Martina Hingis	M. Pierce	62 62
1996	Monica Seles	A. Huber	64 61
1995	Mary Pierce	A.S. Vicario	63 62
1994	Steffi Graf	A.S. Vicario	60 62
1993	Monica Seles	S. Graf	46 63 62
1992	Monica Seles	M.J. Fernandez	62 63
1991	Monica Seles	J. Novotna	57 63 61
1990	Steffi Graf	M.J. Fernandez	63 64
1989	Steffi Graf	H. Sukova	64 64
1988	Steffi Graf	C. Evert	61 76
1987	Hana Mandlikova	M. Navratilova	75 76
1986	Not held
1985	Martina Navratilova	C. Evert Lloyd	62 46 62
1984	Chris Evert Lloyd	H. Sukova	67 61 63
1983	Martina Navratilova	K. Jordan	62 76
1982	Chris Evert Lloyd	M. Navratilova	63 26 63
1981	Martina Navratilova	C. Evert Lloyd	67 64 75
1980	Hana Mandlikova	W. Turnbull	60 75
1979	Barbara Jordan	S. Walsh	63 63
1978	Chris O'Neil	B. Nagelsen	63 76
1977	Evonne Cawley	H. Gourlay	63 60
1977	Kerry Reid	D. Balestrat	75 62
1976	Evonne Cawley	R. Tomanova	62 62
1975	Evonne Goolagong	M. Navratilova	63 62
1974	Evonne Goolagong	C. Evert	76 46 60
1973	Margaret Court	E. Goolagong	64 75
1972	Virginia Wade	E. Goolagong	64 64
1971	Margaret Court	E. Goolagong	26 76 75
1970	Margaret Court	K. Melville	61 63
1969	Margaret Court	B.J. King	64 61
1968	Billie Jean King	M. Smith	61 62
1967	Nancy Richey	L. Turner	61 64
1966	Margaret Smith	N. Richey	walkover
1965	Margaret Smith	M. Bueno	57 64 52 (ret)
1964	Margaret Smith	L. Turner	63 62
1963	Margaret Smith	J. Lehane	62 62
1962	Margaret Smith	J. Lehane	60 62
1961	Margaret Smith	J. Lehane	61 64
1960	Margaret Smith	J. Lehane	75 62
1959	Mary Reitano	T. Schuurman	62 63
1958	Angela Mortimer	L. Coghlan	63 64
1957	Shirley Fry	A. Gibson	63 64
1956	Mary Carter	T. Long	36 62 97
1955	Beryl Penrose	T. Long	64 63
1954	Thelma Long	J. Staley	63 64
1953	Maureen Connolly	J. Sampson	63 62
1952	Thelma Long	H. Angwin	62 63
1951	Nancye Bolton	T. Long	61 75
1950	Louise Brough	D. Hart	64 36 64
1949	Doris Hart	N. Bolton	63 64
1948	Nancye Bolton	M. Toomey	63 61
1947	Nancye Bolton	N. Hopman	63 62
1946	Nancye Bolton	J. Fitch	64 64
1941-45	Not held	World War II
1940	Nancye Wynne	T. Coyne	57 64 60
1939	Emily Westacott	N. Hopman	61 62
1938	Dorothy Bundy	D. Stevenson	63 62
1937	Nancye Wynne	E. Westacott	63 57 64
1936	Joan Hartigan	N. Bolton	64 64
1935	Dorothy Round	N. Lyle	16 61 63
1934	Joan Hartigan	M. Molesworth	61 64
1933	Joan Hartigan	C. Buttsworth	64 63
1932	Coral Buttsworth	K. Le Messurier	97 64
1931	Coral Buttsworth	M. Crawford	16 63 64
1930	Daphne Akhurst	S. Harper	10-8 26 75
1929	Daphne Akhurst	L. Bickerton	61 57 62
1928	Daphne Akhurst	E. Boyd	75 62
1927	Esna Boyd	S. Harper	57 61 62
1926	Daphne Akhurst	E. Boyd	61 63
1925	Daphne Akhurst	E. Boyd	16 86 64
1924	Sylvia Lance	E. Boyd	63 36 64
1923	Mall Molesworth	E. Boyd	61 75
1922	Mall Molesworth	E. Boyd	63 10-8