Australian Open: 20 Most Memorable Moments in Tournament History

The Australian Open was always played at the end of the year. However, in the interest of making it more prestigious, it became the first major of the year, with less players skipping it.

Every year, this tournament takes place in Melbourne, Australia, on hard courts at Melbourne Park. Its earlier location was Flinders Park, an area that was composed of grass courts.

It is widely considered the least prestigious Grand Slam, but it's a major nonetheless.

This year, superstars like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray are gearing up for the tournament, but this article is about its history.

Here are the 20 most memorable moments that ever happened in the Australian Open.

20. First Australasian Open Ever: 1905

You're probably asking yourself, "Australasian?" Yes, that's what it used to be called back in the day.

The first Australasian Open was played at the Warehouseman's Cricket Club in Melbourne, Australia.

Perhaps it wasn't as popular an event as most events are nowadays, as only 17 players entered the tournament.

The final of the 1905 Australasian Open drew an audience of 5,000 people and in that match, Rodney Heath defeated Dr. Arthur Curtis to be the first ever champion of the tournament.

19. Sabatini Def. Pierce: 1993

This is one of the most epic women's matches in Australian Open history.

In the 1993 Australian Open quarterfinals, Mary Pierce of France held match point against Argentinian Gabriela Sabatini in the second set, but went on to lose that and the set. 

Tired, Pierce ended up surrendering the final set in six easy games for Sabatini, to make the final score 4-6, 7-6, 6-0.

In a night of brilliant tennis by both women, Sabatini, who at one point was No. 3 in the world, showed tremendous desire and absolute refusal to give up.

18. Edberg Def. Cash: 1987

The history of the Australian Open being played on grass was capped off by an outstanding five-setter played by Stefan Edberg and Pat Cash.

The Swede jumped out to a quick two-sets-to-nothing lead, and it looked like he would cruise easily to victory until the Australian mounted a comeback, levelling the match at two sets apiece.

Edberg, however, managed to hold off Cash in the final set and won the match 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3.

This moment is extremely special, not only because the match itself was splendid, but it was the last ever Australian Open match to be played on a grass court.

17. Evert Def. Navratilova: 1982

Out of all the 13 Grand Slams that Chris Evert had to her name, none were from the Australian Open.

Until 1982, that is.

Considered one of the greatest matches in Australian Open history, as well as in the Evert-Navratilova rivalry, their 1982 battle was a classic.

This match, however, is not remembered for an epic scoreline (Evert prevailed 6-3, 2-6, 6-3), but for the quality of the play. With both women starting slowly, they had some fantastic rallies over the course of the match.

It is a match that Chris Evert won't want to forget—her first Australian Open.

16. Hingis Becomes Youngest Player to Win Slam: 1997

In 1997, Martina Hingis became the youngest woman to win a Grand Slam singles title. In fact, just months before, she became the youngest woman to win any Grand Slam title, as she and Helena Sukova won Wimbledon in 1996.

After having lived for 16 years and three months, Hingis stormed through the draw, and beat Mary Pierce emphatically, 6-2, 6-2, in the final.

The Swiss woman retired in 2007, having had a great career, winning five Grand Slams (three Australian Opens, a Wimbledon and a French Open).

Despite having a lot of great achievements on her resume, being the youngest woman ever to win a Grand Slam might be the most impressive and the most memorable.

15. Schiavone Def. Kuznetsova: 2011

Just last year, a classic match took place.

Italian Francesca Schiavone faced off against Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in a match that lasted four  hours and 14 minutes.

The first two sets were decent, but the third and final one, which lasted 30 games, was exciting until the very finish, as Schiavone barely managed to edge Kuznetsova.

Their handshake at the end of the match captured not only how tired they were from the battle, but also the graciousness they showed toward each other.

It was truly an epic.

14. McEnroe Gets Disqualified: 1990

In January of 1990, the one and only John McEnroe did something that hadn't been done since 1963.

The American got disqualified for misconduct from a Grand Slam match.

Of course, it all started with a call that he thought was wrong, and then ensued a blur of dirty looks, yelling, arguing, swearing and racket-throwing.

His notoriety for having one of the worst attitudes in tennis history was epitomized in this match, and that's why it's remembered.

After this, "Johnny Mac" was made fun of, but that didn't stop him from having more temper tantrums in the future!

13. Ken Rosewall Becomes Oldest Australian Open Champion: 1972

It's suprising how few people have heard of Ken Rosewall, the eight-time Grand Slam champion from the Land Down Under.

In 1953, Rosewall became the youngest man to win the Australian Open, but in 1972, he became the oldest as well.

At the age of 38 years and three months, the Australian beat compatriot Mal Anderson in the final of the 1972 Australian Open.

It was a moment to remember; a feat that is next to impossible, given that you must last for so many years at such a high level.

12. Roddick Def. El Aynaoui: 2003

It lasted four hours and 59 minutes.

At the end of that, American Andy Roddick defeated Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui 4-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, 21-19 in an 83-game epic that will be remembered for a long time.

Not only was it a display of brilliant tennis, but both players showed their true colors, as neither of them went down without a fight.

In addition, it was a very moving ending, because they exchanged a heart-warming hug at the net and walked off the court holding hands.

11. Graf Wins It All: 1988

With 22 Grand Slams, Steffi Graf holds the record for the second most majors among women (Margaret Court is first with 24).

In 1988, the German completed a calender year Grand Slam, starting with the Australian Open. The moment is all the more special because not only did she beat rival Chris Evert in the final, she did not drop a single set throughout the entire tournament, a feat that has only been achieved by very few players.

She won the other three Grand Slams that year, as well as the gold medal in women's singles in the Olympics.

10. Serena Williams Wins Ranked No. 81: 2007

Sure, ranking isn't a huge factor in whether you win a tournament or not.

However, Serena Williams was forced to sit out a good part of 2006, due to injuries and other things, missing two Slams.

In the 2007 Australian Open, she destroyed Russian Maria Sharapova in the final, 6-1, 6-2, and showed the world that she was well and truly back.

After that, her ranking went from No. 81 to No. 14.

9. Center Court Floods: 1995

Immediately after Andre Agassi defeated Aaron Krickstein 6-4, 6-4, 3-0—the latter had to retire due to a groin injury—something crazy happened.

Center Court at Flinders Park in Melbourne flooded with water, which eventually became ankle-deep. It turned out that it was a blocked storm drain which caused the flood.

Luckily for fans, the matches after that day went on as scheduled.

It was a moment to remember: Nature had shaken the tournament even though the court had a roof.

Some even said that the court looked like a swimming pool!

Pretty good time to have been there, huh?

8. Henin Def. Davenport Despite Cramps: 2003

She could have retired.

Writhing on the ground, cramping, Justine Henin-Hardenne refused to lose. 

The Belgian needed two injury timeouts, but she managed to outlast American Lindsay Davenport 7-5, 5-7, 9-7 in a thrilling quarterfinal in 2003.

The match held 43 break-point opportunities—a rollercoaster with crazy momentum swings.

As a result of showing tremendous desire, this match of Henin's will be remembered.

7. Women's Final Moved Indoors Due to 42-Degree Weather: 2003

For the first time in tournament history, the whole Australian Open final was played indoors (the 1988 final of Graf vs. Evert was partially played under a roof due to rain).

The Williams sisters faced off in the 2003 final under a closed roof because the temperature in Melbourne skyrocketed to an astounding 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit).

In the Rod Laver Arena, with the roof above their heads, Serena managed to pull off a three-set win over her big sister.

6. Courier Takes a Dip in the Yarra River: 1992

The 1992 Australian Open final had American Jim Courier defeat Swedish Stefan Edberg in four high-quality sets.

Previously, his coach had said that if he won, he would have to jump into the river. Since he upset the Swede, he had to do what he had promised to do, so both he and his coach dived into the polluted tributary.

This moment isn't remembered for the tennis itself; the prospect of jumping into the river for celebration is just so weird that it will be looked back on with amusement.

You can watch the video here.

5. "God, It's Killing Me!" 2009

Following a heart-breaking loss at the hands of his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer found the pain too much to keep in.

Following the final of the 2009 Australian Open, the Swiss legend started crying very hard, his tears streaming down his face.

When he was handed the microphone to give his post-match speech, Federer said, "Maybe I'll try later again, I don't know. God, it's killing me." Then he proceeded to cry even harder.

Another moment shows the kind of pain that can come from sports. Despite the cliche "it's just a game," Federer showed the world how much a loss can hurt.

4. Sampras Cries During Match: 1995

In a quarterfinal match against Jim Courier in the 1995 Australian Open, Pete Sampras started crying at a changeover.

After his coach Tim Gullikson was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Sampras was devastated and he showed it on the court at the beginning of the fifth set.

Despite the emotional pain that he suffered, he went on to win the match 6-7 (4-7), 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

It was, in fact, quite a good match, as the scoreline demonstrates.

Though it's not for the match itself that this moment is remembered, but the superstar player breaking down in the middle of the match was quite moving.

3. Nadal Wins Australian Open: 2009

This will definitely be one of Rafael Nadal's most cherished memories.

The Spaniard had only one day of rest having beaten compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-4 in the 2009 Australian Open semifinals.

Roger Federer had two days of rest after beating Andy Roddick in straight sets. Most people were wondering whether the Spanish Bull could play well for three sets, let alone five. Rafa beat Federer in another amazing five-setter—a match of quality tennis.

The commentators found themselves exclaiming very frequently throughout the match, but they weren't overselling anything. It was truly a match where you had to get out of your seat every game. 

After Rafa's 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 victory, Federer was devastated (you already know that), but the Spaniard was exceedingly gracious and gave Federer a consoling hug.

2. Margaret Court Wins Australian Open at 17: 1960

At just the age of 17, Margaret Court captured the 1960 Australian Open title.

She beat Jan Lehane 7-5, 6-2 in the final, and this was the the first of her 24 singles Grand Slam titles and of her 11 Australian Open victories.

Not only did she win in great fashion, but it signified the beginning of something great. It was the moment when people started talking about the young phenom, who would go on to win major titles for the next 13 years.

Though she won the women's singles, she was young enough to play the girls' singles as well, in which she lost the final in 1960.

1. Laver First Step Towards Calendar Year Grand Slam: 1969

Of course, Rod Laver is the only man to have won the calendar year Grand Slam in the open era.

It was in 1969 that he did so.

After not being allowed to compete for six years, the Australian came back and demolished the opposing field, winning all four Grand Slams in 1969. 

Like with Graf, it was the first to be played in January, so this was the first leg of his total Grand Slam that year.

This is the most memorable moment in Australian Open history, because winning all four in a year has yet to be emulated by any man.