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Australian Open : a brief introduction

The first tennis tournament played in Australia was held in January 1880 on the courts of the Melbourne Warehouseman's Cricket Club in St Kilda Road, twenty five years later (1905) what was to become today's Australian Open, also known as the Grand Slam of Asia.

Seventeen men contested the title in front of 5,000 spectators, Rodney Heath from the Melbourne Cricket Club defeated Adelaide doctor Arthur Curtis 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4.
The competiton was introduced by the the Australasian Lawn Tennis Association (today's Tennis Australia) which was formed in September 1904 by the amalgamation of the previously separate bodies of the Australian and New Zealand tennis associations.
The first foreigners to win the competition were the American Fred Alexander in 1908 (men's title) and British Dorothy Round in 1935(women's title). The tournament was twice played in New Zealand,in 1906,and in 1912

In 1922 women's singles were introduced, in 1927 the term Australian Championship was forged,twenty grass courts were laid out, and a clubhouse and concrete stadium built at Kooyong's Lawn Tennis Club, Melbourne to host the tournament.

In a similar historic evolution as the early US and French Open, the competition was staged at different locations gaining growing interest from most part of the country. In 1969 the name Australian Open was officially adopted, the competition was staged between Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne.

Melbourne Kooyong was made the permanent location in 1972, by now even this venue was becoming too small and unsatisfactory for the requirements of modern tournament. During the following years many foreign players declined to partecipate, the Australian Open was fast losing esteem.

A new rebound ace hardcourt surface (made of ashphalt and sand) 15,000 seats stadium covered by a retractable roof was completed in 1988 at Melbourne Park, the Australian tennis event was soon again back in favour.

In 1996 the site was enlarged now including four indoor courts and 22 outdoor courts, the famous centre court Rod Laver Arena, named in 2000 after Australian double Grand Slam winner, is were the main events including the finals are played.

Half a million 'tennis lovers' visit the Australian Open each year in January, fortunately down under is summer time, but with temperatures on the courts reaching more than 100 degrees tennis players have an extra challenge in controlling a srinking bouncing ball on an hard surface and keep 'the cool' at the same time .

Ken Rosewall, nick named "Muscles" is a symbol of Australian tennis, the youngest and oldest men's Australian Open singles champion with three decades of Grand Slam success. At 18, in 1953, Ken won his first Australian title, followed by more victories in 1955, 1971 and finally adding one more in 1972 at the age of 37. Mr Roswall also won three Australian 's doubles in 1953, 56, 72

Gran Slams titles : four French Open (singles and doubles 1953 and 1968), two Wimbledon doubles (1953 and 1956), five US Open (singles 1956 1970, doubles 1956 1969, mixed 1954).
Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and Alicia Molik are today's most promising Australian tennis players.

Australian Open 2008 dates - 14 January through 27 January 2008. at Melbourne Park (since 1988).
Southeast of Melbourne's Federation Square, Swan St alongside the Yarra River.
Melbourne Park has four show courts, twenty outdoor and five indoor courts including Rod Laver Arena 16,000 seater with the famous 700 tonnes roof that takes just about twenty five minutes to open.

2007 Australian Open Final Results

Singles Men	(1) Roger Federer (SUI) def. (10) Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4
Single Ladies	Serena Williams (USA) def. (1) Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-1, 6-2
Double Men	(1) Bob Bryan (USA) /(1) Mike Bryan (USA) def. (2) Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) / (2) Max Mirnyi (BLR) 7-5, 7-5
Double Ladies	(3) Cara Black (ZIM) / (3) Liezel Huber (RSA) def. Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) / Chia-Jung Chuang (TPE) 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1
Mixed Doubles	Daniel Nestor (CAN) / Elena Likhovtseva (RUS) def. Max Mirnyi (BLR) / Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 6-4, 6-4

2006 Australian Open Final Results

Singles Men	(1) Roger Federer (SUI) def. (3) Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2
Single Ladies	(3) Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) def. (8) Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) 6-1, 2-0, retired
Double Men	(1) Bob Bryan (USA) / (1) Mike Bryan (USA) def. (7) Martin Damm (CZE) / (7) Leander Paes (IND) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Double Ladies	(1) Lisa Raymond (USA) / (1) Samantha Stosur (AUS) def. (12) Zi Yan CHN / (12) Jie Zheng (CHN) 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-3
Mixed Doubles	(6) Daniel Nestor (CAN) / (6) Elena Likhovtseva (RUS) def. Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) / Martina Hingis (SUI) 6 -3, 6-3

2005 Australian Open Final Results

Singles Men	(4) Marat Safin (Russia) def. (3) Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) 1-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
Single Ladies	(7) Serena Williams (US) def. (1) Lindsay Davenport (US) 2-6 6-3 6-0.
Double Men	(5) Black (Zim) / Ullyett (Zim) def. (2) Bryan (US) / Bryan (US) 6-4 6-4
Double Ladies	(6) Kuznetsova (Rus) / Molik (Aus) def. (15) Davenport (US) / Morariu (US) 6-3 6-4
Mixed Doubles	Draper (Aus) / Stosur (Aus) def. (4) Ullyett (Zim) / Huber (Rsa) 6-2 2-6 7-6

2004 Australian Open Final Results

Singles Men	(1) Roger Federer (SUI) d Marat Safin (RUS) 7-6 (3) 6-4 6-2
Single Ladies	(2) Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) d (2) Kim Clijsters (BEL) 6-3 4-6 6-3
Double Men	Fabrice Santoro/Michael Llodra (FRA) d (1) Mike Bryan/Bob Byran (USA) 7-6 (4) 6-3
Double Ladies	Virgina Ruano Pascual / Paola Suarez (ESP ARG) d (4) Svetlana Kuznetsova / Elena Likhovtseva (RUS) 6-4 6-4
Mixed Doubles	Elena Bovina / Nenad Zimonjic (RUS SER) d (4) Martina Navratilova / Leander Paes (USA IND) 6-1 7-6 (3)

2003 Australian Open Final Results

Singles Men	(2) Andre Agassi (USA) d (31) Rainer Schuettler (GER) 6-2 6-2 6-1
Single Ladies	(1) Serena Williams (USA) d (2) Venus Williams (USA) 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4
Double Men	(8) Michael Llodra / Fabrice Santoro (FRA) d (1) Mark Knowles (BAH )/ Daniel Nestor (CAN) 6-4 3-6 6-3
Double Ladies	(1) Venus Williams / Serena Williams (USA) d (2) Virginia Ruano Pascual (ESP) / Paola Suarez (ARG) 4-6 6-4 6-3
Mixed Doubles	Martina Navratilova(USA) / Leander Paes (IND) d Todd Woodbridge(AUS) / Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) 6-4 7-5

Australian Open Previous Years Final Results

Year	Men's Winner	Score	Runner Up
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994	Roger Federer Marat Safin Roger Federer Andre Agassi Thomas Johansson Andre Agassi Andre Agassi Yevgeny Kafelnikov Petr Korda Pete Sampras Boris Becker Andre Agassi Pete Sampras	5-7 7-5 6-0 6-2 1-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 6-2 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(4) 6-4 6-2 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-0 6-3 7-6 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 2-6 6-2 4-6 6-1 7-6 6-4 7-6 6-4 6-4	Marcos Baghdatis Lleyton Hewitt Marat Safin Rainer Schuettler Marat Safin A.Clement Yevgeny Kafelnikov Thomas Enqvist Marcelo Rios Carlos Moya Michael Chang Pete Sampras Todd Martin

Year	Women's Winner	Score	Runner Up
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994	Amelie Mauresmo Serena Williams J. Henin Hardenne Serena Williams Jennifer Capriati Jennifer Capriati Lindsay Davenport Martina Hingis Martina Hingis Martina Hingis Monica Seles Mary Pierce Steffi Graf	6-1 2-0 retired 2-6 6-3 6-0 6-3 4-6 6-3 7-6(7-4), 3-6 6-4 4-6, 7-6(9-7), 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-1 7-5 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-2	Justine Henin-Hardenne Lindsay Davenport Kim Clijsters Venus Williams Martina Hingis Martina Hingis Martina Hingis Amelie Mauresmo Conchita Martinez Mary Pierce Anke Huber A Sanchez-Vicario A Sanchez-Vicario

Year

Men's Single Final

Women Single Final

1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
1952
1951
1950
1949
1948
1947
1946
1940
1939
1938
1937
1936
1935
1934
1933
1932
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927
1926
1925
1924
1923
1922
1921
1920
1919
1915
1914
1913
1912
1911
1910
1909
1908
1907
1906
1905

J. Courier d. S. Edberg 6-2 6-1 2-6 7-5
J. Courier d. S. Edberg 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-2
B. Becker d. I. Lendl 1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4
I. Lendl d. S. Edberg 4-6 7-6 5-2 Retired
I. Lendl d. M. Mecir 6-2 6-2 6-2
M. Wilander d. P. Cash 6-3 6-7 3-6 6-1 8-6
S. Edberg d. P. Cash 6-3 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3
No Tournament Played
S. Edberg d. M. Wilander 6-4 6-3 6-3
M. Wilander d. K. Curren 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-2
M. Wilander d. I. Lendl 6-1 6-4 6-4
J. Kriek d. S. Denton 6-3 6-3 6-2
J. Kriek d. S. Denton 6-2 7-6 6-7 6-4
B. Teacher d. K. Warwick 7-5 7-6 6-3
G. Vilas d. J. Sadri 7-6 6-3 6-2
G. Vilas d. J. Marks 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3
V. Gerulaitis d. J. Lloyd 6-3 7-6 5-7 3-6 6-2
R. Tanner d. G. Vilas 6-3 6-3 6-3
M. Edmondson d. J.Newcombe 6-7 6-3 7-6 6-1
J. D. Newcombe d. J. Connors 7-5 3-6 6-4 7-5
J. Connors d. P. Dent 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-3
J. D. Newcombe d. O. Parun 6-3 6-7 7-5 6-1
K. R. Rosewall d. M. J. Anderson 7-6 6-3 7-5
K. R. Rosewall d. A. R. Ashe 6-1 7-5 6-3
A. R. Ashe d. R. D. Crealy 6-4 9-7 6-2
R. G. Laver d. A. Gimeno 6-3 6-4 7-5
W. W. Bowrey d. J. M. Gisbert 7-5 2-6 9-7 6-4
R. S. Emerson d. A. R. Ashe 6-4 6-1 6-4
R. S. Emerson d. A. R. Ashe 6-4 6-8 6-2 6-3
R. Emerson d. F. S. Stolle 7-9 2-6 6-4 7-5 6-1
R. S. Emerson d. F. S. Stolle 6-3 6-4 6-2
R. S. Emerson d. K. N. Fletcher 6-3 6-3 6-1
R. G. Laver d. R. S. Emerson 8-6 0-6 6-4 6-4
R. S. Emerson d. R. G. Laver 1-6 6-3 7-5 6-4
R. G. Laver d. N. A. Fraser 5-7 3-6 6-3 8-6 8-6
A.Olmedo d. N. A. Fraser 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3
A. J. Cooper d. M.J. Anderson 7-5 6-3 6-4
A. J. Cooper d. N. A. Fraser 6-3 9-11 6-4 6-2
L. A. Hoad d. K. R. Rosewall 6-4 3-6 6-4 7-5
K. R. Rosewall d. L. A. Hoad 9-7 6-4 6-4
M. G. Rose d. R. N. Hartwig 6-2 0-6 6-4 6-2
K. R. Rosewall d. M. G. Rose 6-0 6-3 6-4
K. McGregor d. F Sedgman 7-5 12-10 2-6 6-2
R. Savitt d. K. McGregor 6-3 2-6 6-3 6-1
F. A. Sedgman d. K. McGregor 6-3 6-4 4-6 6-1
F. A. Sedgman d. J. E. Bromwich 6-3 6-2 6-2
A. K. Quist d. J. Bromwich 6-4 3-6 6-3 2-6 6-3
D. Pails d. J. E. Bromwich 4-6 6-4 3-6 7-5 8-6
J. E. Bromwich d. D. Pails 5-7 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-2
A. K. Quist d. J. H. Crawford 6-3 6-1 6-2
J. E. Bromwich d. A. K. Quist 6-4 6-1 6-3
J. D. Budge d. J. E. Bromwich 6-4 6-2 6-1
V.McGrath d. J.Bromwich 6-3 1-6 6-0 2-6 6-1
A. Quist d. J. H. Crawford 6-2 6-3 4-6 3-6 9-7
J. H. Crawford d. F. J. Perry 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-4
F. J. Perry d. J. H. Crawford 6-3 7-5 6-1
J. H. Crawford d. K. Gledhill 2-6 7-5 6-3 6-2
J.Crawford d. H.Hopman 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-1
J. Crawford d. H. C. Hopman 6-4 6-2 2-6 6-1
E. F. Moon d. H. C. Hopman 6-3 6-1 6-3
J. C. Gregory d. R. Schlesinger 6-2 6-2 5-7 7-5
J. Borotra d. R.Cummings 6-4 6-1 4-6 5-7 6-3
G.Patterson d. Hawkes 3-6 6-4 3-6 18-16 6-3
J. B. Hawkes d. J. Willard 6-1 6-3 6-1
J. Anderson d. G. Patterson 11-9 2-6 6-2 6-3
J.Anderson d. Schlesinger 6-3 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3
P. O'Hara Wood d. C. B. St John 6-1 6-1 6-3
J. Anderson d. Patterson 6-0 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-2
R. H. Gemmell d. A. Hedeman 7-5 6-1 6-4
P. O'Hara Wood d. Thomas 6-3 4-6 6-8 6-1 6-3
A. R. F. Kingscote d. E. O. Pockley 6-4 6-0 6-3
F. G. Lowe d. H. M. Rice 4-6 6-1 6-1 6-4
A. O'Hara Wood d. G.Patterson 6-4 6-3 5-7 6-1
E. F. Parker d. H. A. Parker 2-6 6-1 6-3 6-2
J. C. Parke d. A. Beamish 3-6 6-3 1-6 6-1 7-5
N. E. Brookes d. H. M. Rice 6-1 6-2 6-3
R. W. Heath d. H. M. Rice 6-4 6-3 6-2
A. F. Wilding d. E. F. Parker 6-1 7-5 6-2
F. Alexander d. A.Dunlop 3-6 3-6 6-0 6-2 6-3
H. M. Rice d. H. A. Parker 6-3 6-4 6-4
A. F. Wilding d. F. M. B. Fisher 6-0 6-4 6-4
R. W. Heath d. A. H. Curtis 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4

M. Seles d. S. Graf 4-6 6-3 6-2
M. Seles d. M. J. Fernandez 6-2 6-3
M. Seles d. J. Novotna 5-7 6-3 6-1
S. Graf d. M. J. Fernandez 6-3 6-4
S. Graf d. H. Sukova 6-4 6-4
S. Graf d. C. Evert 6-1 7-6 (3)
H. Mandlikova d. M. Navratilova 7-5 7-6 (1)
No Tournament Played
M. Navratilova d. C. E. Lloyd 6-2 4-6 6-2
C. E. Lloyd d. H. Sukova 6-7 6-1 6-3
M. Navratilova d. K. Jordan 6-2 7-6
C. E. Lloyd d. M. Navratilova 6-3 2-6 6-3
M. Navratilova d. C. E. Lloyd 6-7 6-4 7-5
H. Mandlikova d. W. Turnbull 6-0 7-5
B. Jordan d. S. Walsh 6-3 6-3
C. O'Neil d. B. Nagelsen 6-3 7-6
E. Cawley d. H. Gourlay Cawley 6-3 6-0
K. Reid d. D. Fromholtz 7-5 6-2
E. Cawley d. R. Tomanova 6-2 6-2
E. F. Goolagong d. M. Navratilova 6-3 6-2
E. F. Goolagong d. C. Evert 7-6 4-6 6-0
B. M. Court d. E. F. Goolagong 6-4 7-5
S. V. Wade d. E. F. Goolagong 6-4 6-4
B. M. Court d. E. F. Goolagong 2-6 7-6 7-5
B. M. Court d. K. Melville 6-1 6-3
B. M. Court d. L. W. King 6-4 6-1
L. W. King d. B. M. Court 6-1 6-2
N. Richey d. L. R. Turner 6-1 6-4
M. Smith d. N. Richey* walkover (*did not play)
M. Smith d. M. E. Bueno 5-7 6-4 5-2 Retired
M. Smith d. L. R. Turner 6-3 6-2
M. Smith d. J. Lehane 6-2 6-2
M. Smith d. J. Lehane 6-0 6-2
M. Smith d. J. Lehane 6-1 6-4
M. Smith d. J. Lehane 7-5 6-2
M. Reitano d. R. Schuurman 6-2 6-3
A. Mortimer d. L. Coghlan 6-3 6-4
S. J. Fry d. A. Gibson 6-3 6-4
M. Carter d. T. D. Long 3-6 6-2 9-7
B. Penrose d. T. D. Long 6-4 6-3
T. D. Long d. J. Staley 6-3 6-4
M. Connolly d. J. Sampson 6-3 6-2
T. D. Long d. H. Angwin 6-2 6-3
N. Bolton d. T. D. Long 6-1 7-5
A. L. Brough d. D. J. Hart 6-4 3-6 6-4
D. J. Hart d. N. Bolton 6-3 6-4
N. Bolton d. M. Toomey 6-3 6-1
N. Bolton d. H. C. Hopman 6-3 6-2
N. Bolton d. J. Fitch 6-4 6-4
N. Bolton d. T. D. Coyne 5-7 6-4 6-0
V. Westacott d. H. C. Hopman 6-1 6-2
D. M. Bundy d. D. Stevenson 6-3 6-2
N. Wynne d. V. Westacott 6-3 5-7 6-4
J. Hartigan d. N. Wynne 6-4 6-4
D. E. Round d. N. M. Lyle 1-6 6-1 6-3
J. Hartigan d. M. Molesworth 6-1 6-4
J. Hartigan d. C. Buttsworth 6-4 6-3
C. Buttsworth d. K. L. Mesurier 9-7 6-4
C. Buttsworth d. J. H. Crawford 1-6 6-3 6-4
D. Akhurst d. S. Harper 10-8 2-6 7-5
D. Akhurst d. L. M. Bickerton 6-1 5-7 6-2
D. Akhurst d. E. F. Boyd 7-5 6-2
E. F. Boyd d. S. Harper 5-7 6-1 6-2
D. Akhurst d. E. F. Boyd 6-1 6-3
D. Akhurst d. E. F. Boyd 1-6 8-6 6-4
S. Lance d. E. F. Boyd 6-3 3-6 8-6
M. Molesworth d. E. F. Boyd 6-1 7-5
M. Molesworth d. E. F. Boyd 6-3 10-8

The Australian Open - Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Stadium, Melbourne wasbuilt in 1927 with a capacity of 8,500. Nowdays is used for the warm up of the AAMI Kooyong Classic international men's tennis tournament.