“Tennis is violence in an atmosphere of tranquility…”
Billie Jean King
Later today the 2026 Australian Open tennis tournament gets underway. Of all the Grand Slams it probably has the most complex history. Seems like the perfect time for some AO trivia. The AO is the largest regular sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere. It was first held in 1906, at Warehouseman’s Cricket Ground in Melbourne. Reminiscent of the RACS, it was originally known as the Australasian Open. This reflects two tournaments being held in New Zealand, but this didn’t last long, the 1912 open in Christchurch having only 10 competitors. It became the Australian Open in 1927. The tournament was suspended during both WW1 and WW2. Players first flew to the tournament in 1946. On the 3 occasions it was held in Perth, only WA players competed. The surface changed from grass to hardcourt in 1988. Mats Wilander is the only player to have won the AO on both surfaces. Prior to 1996 competing at the AO was only worth half the ranking points of the other Grand Slams. In typical Australian style, during 2008 Sydney made a bid to takeover hosting the event. #morehistorytobemade #letsmakelemonade
Pen Paint and Scalpel 