Ranking the Greatest Champions in Australian Open History
For over 100 years, the Australian Open has served as one of the crowning jewels on the tennis calendar. From grass to a variety of hard-court surfaces, it brims with both atmosphere and history.
But a few players have distinguished themselves over the years in this tournament, earning their spots in the record books. Their dominance Down Under is something to be marveled at.
With the 2016 edition underway, each passing moment draws us closer to crowning new champions. Before then, it’s time to reflect and honor all those past conquerors of the Australian Open.
Here’s a ranking of the men and women who’ve had the most success at the tournament. While more weight will be given to Open era competitors, winners from all generations will be considered, with both singles and doubles success being factors.
10. Ken Rosewall
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During a 24-year career, Ken Rosewall won 12 singles titles—triumphing before and after the start of the Open era.
Rosewall captured five Australian Championships (two in singles) throughout the 1950s as an amateur. Because of his move to the professional ranks in 1957, he couldn't compete for a decade at what eventually became the Australian Open. That time off didn't slow down Rosewall.
He played late into his 30s, repeating as Australian Open champion in 1971 and 1972. Rosewall famously captured the former title without dropping a set, while the latter achievement made him the oldest Grand Slam singles winner in Open era history, at age 37.
9. Roger Federer
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Until his third-round exit in 2015, Roger Federer put together an astonishing 11-year streak in Australia, reaching at least the semifinals every time during that span.
From 2004 to 2014, Federer’s consistency in Melbourne was his hallmark. Four times (2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010), the Swiss finished as the champion. His play throughout the 2007 tournament especially stands out, as he marched through the draw at a level rarely before witnessed.
Also memorable is Federer’s runner-up finish to Rafael Nadal in 2009. For five classic sets, the two rivals duked it out and pushed each other to the limit. After relinquishing the match to the Spaniard, Federer famously wept on the podium, the emotions of the match weighing heavily on his shoulders.
Though five years have passed since he last won the Australian Open, Federer is headed toward a potential semifinal showdown, this time with defending champion Novak Djokovic. Even at age 34, he's still in a position to win the title—a testament to his longevity.
8. Rod Laver
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Perhaps the most iconic of all Australian players, Rod Laver is in the discussion for the sport’s Mount Rushmore, no doubt thanks to several victories at his native major.
Laver captured three singles titles (1960, 1962 and 1969) to go along with four doubles crowns (1959, 1960, 1961 and 1969) at the event. His triumph in 1969 served as the prelude to a legendary season that culminated in the last calendar Grand Slam by a male. Because of that achievement (and many others), the main arena at the Australian Open bears his name.
The Rocket used a powerful forehand to dominate the pre-Open era and beyond, carving his name among the immortals of tennis.
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7. Roy Emerson
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Between 1961 and 1967, Roy Emerson won six singles titles at the Australian Open, the last five coming in consecutive years. Both marks are men’s records at the tournament, with the latter unlikely to be broken in the near future.
Though Emerson played primarily before the Open era, the Aussie was renowned for his fitness and physicality. Those traits led him to capture 12 majors in singles and another 16 in doubles. Overall, Emerson won nine of those titles at the Australian Open.
His singles record may soon be equaled (and eventually surpassed), with Novak Djokovic in the driver’s seat for his sixth title in Melbourne. But Emerson helped paved the way for future generations of champions, raising the bar Down Under.
6. Evonne Goolagong Cawley
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Evonne Goolagong Cawley became one of tennis’ premier players in the 1970s, winning seven singles Grand Slams and another six in doubles action.
Most of that success came at the Australian Open, where she reigned victorious nine times. From 1974 to 1977, Goolagong Cawley won the event four straight years—in both singles and doubles. That feat will likely never be replicated.
Overcoming obstacles to reach the top, Goolagong Cawley proved the doubters wrong and became a great champion.
5. Martina Hingis
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A 17-year-old Martina Hingis burst onto the scene in 1997, winning her first Grand Slam singles and doubles titles at the Australian Open.
She would take both again the following two years, achieving a rare three-peat in two events at the same tournament. While 1999 proved to be her last singles triumph in Melbourne, Hingis won her most recent doubles title there in 2002.
But her proficiency doesn't stop there. Factoring in mixed doubles titles in 2006 and 2015, the Swiss owns a total of nine Aussie titles. Competing in both doubles and mixed doubles this year, Hingis has a very real chance to add to that tally.
With doubles partners Sania Mirza and Leander Paes, Hingis has found new life in her mid-30s. Watch for her to continue building her resume Down Under before she hangs up the racket.
4. Martina Navratilova
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One of the legends of the women's game, Martina Navratilova is the most prolific champion in the sport's history.
Navratilova won 59 major titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles play. You read that right. And more impressive is the fact that she was a champion over the course of four decades, capturing her last Grand Slam just before her 50th birthday in 2006.
A big chunk of that success was in Australia, where Navratilova reigned 12 times. Only three of those titles came in singles (1981, 1983 and 1985), but her doubles prowess there sets her apart from the field.
Her final victory in Melbourne was in 2003 when she partnered with Leander Paes. Even late into her 40s, Navratilova still had some magic.
3. Novak Djokovic
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Novak Djokovic is the current king of the Australian Open. Not only is it his most prolific major, it’s also the one where he tasted his first dose of Grand Slam glory.
In 2008, at age 20, Djokovic toppled Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for his first major title. Since then, he’s reached at least the quarterfinals every year, winning three consecutive titles from 2011 through 2013 and a fifth crown last year.
The defending champion is laser-focused on getting a sixth one in the coming weeks, an achievement that would tie him with Roy Emerson for the men’s record. Still only 28, Djokovic could eventually obliterate that mark and approach 10 Aussie victories.
His game is perfectly suited for the slower hard courts in Melbourne. A defensive wizard with an ever-improving arsenal of offensive weapons, Djokovic is emerging as the top male champion in Australian Open history.
2. Serena Williams
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Serena Williams may eventually break Margaret Court’s record for singles Grand Slam titles, but she’ll likely never approach her accomplishments at the Australian Open.
That’s not to diminish Williams’ success in Melbourne, which is extraordinary in its own right. A six-time champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2015) Down Under, the world No. 1 is extremely proficient in the Australian heat. In fact, Williams has won as many titles there as she has on the grass of Wimbledon.
Partnering with her sister Venus, she also has four doubles titles at the event. Those 10 total Grand Slam crowns push her into another stratosphere among Australian Open champions.
1. Margaret Court
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No man or woman can rival Margaret Court’s success at the Australian Open.
Still the leader in Grand Slam singles titles (24), Court captured 11 of those crowns at her native tournament. From 1960 to 1966, she won a staggering seven consecutive titles Down Under. And her success continued into the Open era, where Court took home four more Aussie championships.
In addition to her success in singles, Court captured eight doubles titles there, giving her an overall haul of 18 major wins at that one tournament.
Playing an aggressive and powerful style, Court etched her name as the greatest champion in Australian Open history.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com and WTATennis.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report.
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