Skysports.com looks at the best British efforts Down Under since the Open era began.
Skysports.com looks at the best British efforts Down Under since the Open era began.
Britain's Andy Murray heads Down Under with the expectations of the nation yet again resting solely on his shoulders.
His best run at Melbourne Park to date is a fourth round appearance, however he will be looking to go much further in what is the first Grand Slam of a new decade.
Below are some fellow Brits who have faired slightly better than the current British number one in previous years.
Feel free to share your Australian Open memories on the form below...
Virginia Wade 1972 champion
After winning the US Open four years previous, a then 26-year-old Wade added a second Grand Slam title to her trophy cabinet with a fantastic run Down Under.
The Dorset-born right-hander swept through the field before defeating Australian Evonne Goolagong 6-4 6-4 in the final.
That victory proved a catalyst for Wade, who went on to claim a famous Wimbledon title five years later.
Sue Barker 1975 & 77 semi-finalist
A 19-year-old Barker took the 1975 Australian Open by storm with a blistering run which was eventually ended by four-time champion Goolagong 6-2 6-4.
There was similar disappointment two-years later, Helen Cawley, another Aussie, denying her a maiden final appearance with a 7-5 6-4 triumph.
In between her Australian Open disappointments, 1976 was the year Barker made history by winning the French Open.
John Lloyd 1977 runner-up
British serve-and-volley specialist Lloyd became the first and only British male tennis player in the Open era to reach the Melbourne final 33 years ago.
Impressive wins over Aussie duo John Newcombe (quarters) and Bob Giltinan (semis) secured a final date with American Vitas Gerulaitis. However, despite fighting back from two sets down to force a decider, the Essex player was edged out 6-3 7-6 5-7 3-6 6-2.
This was to be Lloyd's only Grand Slam final appearance.
Jo Durie 1983 quarter-final
Number eight seed Durie enjoyed a career-best run in Melbourne back in 1981, only to be thwarted by eventual champion Martina Navratilova.
In what was a tournament of 'what ifs' for the London player, she actually won the first set against the formidable American before crashing to a 4-6 6-3 6-4 defeat in the last eight clash.
Durie never reached a Grand Slam final in her career, but did reach at least the quarter-finals on all surfaces.
John Lloyd 1985 quarter-final
Eight years after his final disappointment, and returning at the age of 30, Lloyd set off on another dazzling run Down Under.
Unseeded at the event, Lloyd defeated No.11 seed Tomas Smid, Jakob Hlasek and Joakim Nystrom before perishing 7-6 6-2 6-1 to the great Ivan Lendl in the quarter-finals.
Despite his success in Melbourne, Lloyd failed to replicate his form at Wimbledon as he never made it past the third round in 14 visits to the All England Club.
