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Australian Open history

Saturday 9 January 2016 13:03, UK

  1. The tournament began in 1905 but was not given its major championship status until the 1924 event, which was won by James Anderson
    Image: The tournament began in 1905 but was not given its major championship status until the 1924 event, which was won by James Anderson
  2. Don Budge took the Australian Open title on his way to winning the Grand Slam in 1938
    Image: Don Budge took the Australian Open title on his way to winning the Grand Slam in 1938
  3. Australia's own Margaret Court won 11 singles titles, the record number for any player at one grand slam
    Image: Australia's own Margaret Court won 11 singles titles, the record number for any player at one grand slam
  4. Australians dominated the tournament until the 1980s, with Rod Laver taking the title on three occasions
    Image: Australians dominated the tournament until the 1980s, with Rod Laver taking the title on three occasions
  5. Evonne Goolagong was another home favourite who shone, winning the event four times
    Image: Evonne Goolagong was another home favourite who shone, winning the event four times
  6. Martina Hingis (R) reached six consecutive Australian Open finals from 1997-2002
    Image: Martina Hingis (R) reached six consecutive Australian Open finals from 1997-2002
  7. The 1980s saw more international stars, such as Mats Wilander, enter the event
    Image: The 1980s saw more international stars, such as Mats Wilander, enter the event
  8. 1988 saw the tournament's surface shift from grass to the hard-courts of Melbourne Park
    Image: 1988 saw the tournament's surface shift from grass to the hard-courts of Melbourne Park
  9. Steffi Graf started her Golden Slam year of 1988 by winning the women's title in Australia
    Image: Steffi Graf started her Golden Slam year of 1988 by winning the women's title in Australia
  10. Monica Seles dominated the Australian Open in the early part of her career, winning the first four events she competed in
    Image: Monica Seles dominated the Australian Open in the early part of her career, winning the first four events she competed in
  11. Pete Sampras famously played through tears in his 1995 quarter-final match...
    Image: Pete Sampras famously played through tears in his 1995 quarter-final match...
  12. ...The same year saw a bizarre incident in which the main court flooded due to a blocked storm drain
    Image: ...The same year saw a bizarre incident in which the main court flooded due to a blocked storm drain
  13. Many of the event's most memorable moments have taken place under the lights in Melbourne
    Image: Many of the event's most memorable moments have taken place under the lights in Melbourne
  14. Andre Agassi won four Australian Open titles...
    Image: Andre Agassi won four Australian Open titles...
  15. ...But he dramatically withdrew on the eve of the 2002 event
    Image: ...But he dramatically withdrew on the eve of the 2002 event
  16. The 2002 women's final between Hingis and Jennifer Capriati was played in temperatures above 45 degrees C
    Image: The 2002 women's final between Hingis and Jennifer Capriati was played in temperatures above 45 degrees C
  17. Justine Henin caused a stir by retiring from the 2006 final against Amelie Mauresmo
    Image: Justine Henin caused a stir by retiring from the 2006 final against Amelie Mauresmo
  18. Roger Federer is a four-time champion at the event
    Image: Roger Federer is a four-time champion at the event
  19. Serena Williams has taken the Australian Open crown five times
    Image: Serena Williams has taken the Australian Open crown five times
  20. In 2012, Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in the longest grand slam final ever
    Image: In 2012, Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in the longest grand slam final ever
  21. Bob and Mike Bryan have won six titles together in Melbourne
    Image: Bob and Mike Bryan have won six titles together in Melbourne

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