List of Australian Open women's singles champions
Location | Melbourne Australia |
---|---|
Venue | Melbourne Park |
Governing body | Tennis Australia |
Created | 1922 (established) Open Era: 1969 (50 editions, including 2018) |
Surface | Grass (1922–1987) Rebound Ace (1988–2007) Plexicushion (2008–present) |
Prize money | A$ 4,000,000 (2018) |
Trophy | Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup |
Website | Australian Open |
Most titles | |
Amateur era | 7: Margaret Court |
Open era | 7: Serena Williams |
Most consecutive titles | |
Amateur era | 7: Margaret Court |
Open era | 3: Margaret Court 3: Evonne Goolagong 3: Steffi Graf 3: Monica Seles 3: Martina Hingis |
Current champion | |
Sofia Kenin (First title) |
The Australian Open[a][b] is an annual tennis tournament created in 1905 and played on outdoor hard courts[c][d] at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.[6]
The women's singles was first contested in 1922 along with the women's and mixed doubles competition as the last three events to be added. The Australian Open is played during two weeks mid-January, and has been chronologically the first of the four Grand Slam tournaments of the tennis season since 1987. The event was not held from 1940 to 1945 because of World War II, and 1986 because Tennis Australia wanted to move the tournament start from mid-December 1986 to mid-January 1987.[1][7] Margaret Court holds the all-time record for singles titles at this tournament with 11; 7 in the Amateur Era and 4 in the Open Era. Serena Williams holds the Open Era record with 7 singles titles.
History
Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne, Australia have all held the event. The competition switched locations every year before it settled in 1972 at the Kooyong Stadium, moving to Flinders Park, now Melbourne Park, in 1988.[1] Several calendar changes took place for the Australian Open, from January to December in 1972 to bypass the January-to-June International Lawn Tennis Federation (ITLF) ban of World Championship Tennis (WCT) players; from late to early December in 1977 to avoid the Christmas holidays, which resulted in having two Opens in the season;[8] and back to January, when the planned December 1986 edition was moved to early 1987, leaving no Open for the 1986 season.[9][10]
An all British and an all American final were contested in 1935 and 1979 respectively, but otherwise every other final contested until 1980 featured an Australian player. No Australian woman has reached the final since 1980.
The women's singles' rules have undergone several changes, since the first edition. This event has been contested in a knockout format, and all matches played at the best-of-three sets.[6] Since 1922, all sets have been decided in the advantage format, with six games and two games difference. The lingering death best-of-twelve points tie-break was introduced in 1971, and used for the first four sets since then, except from 1980 to 1982, when the tie-break was also played in fifth sets.[6][11]
The court surface changed once, from grass (1922–1987) to hard courts, since the move to Flinders Park in 1988.[1][3][4] No tennis player has won this event on grass and Rebound Ace, but Serena Williams is the only player to win the tournament on two different surfaces, winning her first three titles on Rebound Ace and her last four on Plexicushion.[2]
The champion receives a miniature replica of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, named after the five-time champion, which was first awarded to the champion in 1934.[12] In 2010, the winner received prize money of A$2,100,000.[13]
In the Australasian Championship, Margaret Molesworth (1922–1923) and Daphne Akhurst (1925–1926) co-hold the records for most wins and most consecutive wins.[7]
In the Australian Championships, Margaret Court (1960–1966) holds the records for most titles with seven wins, and most consecutive titles with seven from (1960–1966).[7]
In the Australian Open, Serena Williams (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009–2010, 2015, 2017) has the most victories, with seven. The record for most consecutive titles is three held by the following players: Margaret Court (1969–1971), Evonne Goolagong (1974–1976), Steffi Graf (1988–1990), Monica Seles (1991–1993), Martina Hingis (1997–1999).[7]
Overall in the Championship's history, Margaret Court (1960–1973) holds the records for most titles with eleven wins, and most consecutive titles with seven from (1960–1966).[7]
This event has been won in straight set during the Open Era of tennis by the following players: Margaret Court in 1969, 1970 and 1973, Virginia Wade in 1972, Kerry Melville Reid in 1977 January, Evonne Goolagong in 1975, 1976 and 1977 December, Chris O'Neil in 1978, Barbara Jordan in 1979, Hana Mandlíková in 1980 and 1987, Martina Navratilova in 1983, Steffi Graf in 1988, 1989 and 1994, Monica Seles in 1992 and 1996, Mary Pierce in 1995, Martina Hingis in 1997, 1998 and 1999, Lindsay Davenport in 2000, Jennifer Capriati in 2001, Amélie Mauresmo in 2006, Maria Sharapova in 2008, Victoria Azarenka in 2012, Li Na in 2014 and Serena Williams in 2007, 2009, 2015 and 2017.
Finals
Australasian Championships
Year[e] | Country | Champion | Country | Runner-up | Score in the final[14] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1922 | ![]() |
Margaret Molesworth | ![]() |
Esna Boyd | 6–3, 10–8 |
1923 | ![]() |
Margaret Molesworth | ![]() |
Esna Boyd | 6–1, 7–5 |
1924 | ![]() |
Sylvia Lance Harper | ![]() |
Esna Boyd | 6–3, 3–6, 8–6 |
1925 | ![]() |
Daphne Akhurst | ![]() |
Esna Boyd | 1–6, 8–6, 6–4 |
1926 | ![]() |
Daphne Akhurst | ![]() |
Esna Boyd | 6–1, 6–3 |
Australian Championships
Australian Open
![A blonde haired woman in a white polo shirt](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Steffi_Graf_08.jpg/150px-Steffi_Graf_08.jpg)
![A brown haired woman, in black pants and blue shirt with a microphone in hand](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Monica_Seles_interview.jpg/150px-Monica_Seles_interview.jpg)
![A black woman with a blue dress holding a tennis racket out in front of her](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Serena_Williams_Australian_Open_2009_2.jpg/150px-Serena_Williams_Australian_Open_2009_2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Sofia_Kenin_%28USA%29_%2820803503314%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/150px-Sofia_Kenin_%28USA%29_%2820803503314%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Statistics
Multiple champions
Player | Amateur Era | Open Era | All-time | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
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7 | 4 | 11 | 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973 |
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0 | 7 | 7 | 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017 |
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6 | 0 | 6 | 1937, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951 |
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5 | 0 | 5 | 1925, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1930 |
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0 | 4 | 4 | 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977(Dec) |
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0 | 4 | 4 | 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994 |
![]() ![]() |
0 | 4 | 4 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996 |
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3 | 0 | 3 | 1933, 1934, 1936 |
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0 | 3 | 3 | 1997, 1998, 1999 |
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0 | 3 | 3 | 1981, 1983, 1985 |
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0 | 2 | 2 | 2012, 2013 |
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2 | 0 | 2 | 1931, 1932 |
![]() |
0 | 2 | 2 | 2001, 2002 |
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0 | 2 | 2 | 1982, 1984 |
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2 | 0 | 2 | 1952, 1954 |
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0 | 2 | 2 | 1980, 1987 |
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2 | 0 | 2 | 1922, 1923 |
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2 | 0 | 2 | 1956, 1959 |
Champions by country
Former country ¤ |
Country | Amateur Era | Open Era | All-time | First title | Last title |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
33 | 10 | 43 | 1922 | 1978 |
![]() |
7 | 18 | 25 | 1938 | 2020 |
![]() |
0 | 5 | 5 | 1988 | 2016 |
![]() |
0 | 3 | 3 | 1997 | 1999 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 3 | 1935 | 1972 |
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0 | 3 | 3 | 1991 | 1993 |
![]() |
0 | 2 | 2 | 2012 | 2013 |
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0 | 2 | 2 | 2004 | 2011 |
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0 | 2 | 2 | 1980 | 1987 |
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0 | 2 | 2 | 1995 | 2006 |
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0 | 1 | 1 | 2014 | 2014 |
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0 | 1 | 1 | 2018 | 2018 |
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0 | 1 | 1 | 2019 | 2019 |
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0 | 1 | 1 | 2008 | 2008 |
Notes
- ^ Known as the Australasian Championships (1905–1926) and as the Australian Championships (1927–1968) during the Amateur Era.[1]
- ^ The tournament entered the Open Era with the 1969 edition, allowing professional players to compete alongside amateurs.[1]
- ^ Since 1988, Rod Laver Arena features a retractable roof and lights, allowing indoor and night-time play.[2]
- ^ The Australian Open specifically uses Plexicushion Prestige hardcourts, categorized as a "Medium" speed surface by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).[3][4][5]
- ^ a b c Each year is linked to an article about that particular event's draw.
- ^ a b Three wins by players from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1922–present).
- ^ The tournament was not held from 1941 to 1945 because of World War II.[7]
- ^ a b c Czechoslovakia (TCH, 1918–1992), does not include the totals of Czech Republic (CZE, 1993–present) and Slovakia (SVK, 1993–present).
- ^ a b c Martina Navratilova was born in Czechoslovakia, but competed as an American after the US Open in 1975, having sought asylum in the United States, which made her relinquish her Czechoslovakian citizenship.[14]
- ^ a b Two Australian Opens were in held in 1977 because of a date change, the first in January and the second in December.[8]
- ^ The tournament was not held in 1986 because of a date change. See 1986 Australian Open tournament.[9][10]
- ^ a b c d FRG was West Germany, but after unification in 1990 became just Germany (GER).
- ^ a b c Monica Seles won her first three titles as a Yugoslavian, but the last one was won as an American after gaining citizenship.
References
- General
- "Grand Slam Tournaments – Australian Open" (PDF). usta.com. United States Tennis Association. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- "Women's Singles". Australian Open. 2010-01-31. Archived from the original on 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
- Specific
- ^ a b c d e Foenander, Tristan. "History of the Australian Open – the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific". australianopen.com. IBM, Tennis Australia. Archived from the original on 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b "Rod Laver Arena". mopt.com.au. Melbourne & Olympic Parks. Archived from the original on 2009-09-13. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
- ^ a b Schlink, Leo (2008-01-14). "Plexicushion replaces Rebound Ace at Australian Open". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b Bevan, Chris (2008-01-11). "On-court blues for Aussie tennis?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "List of Classified Court Surfaces". itftennis.com. ITF Licensing. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
- ^ a b c "Tournament profile – Australian Open". atpworldtour.com. ATP Tour, Inc. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
- ^ a b c d e f "Grand Slam Tournaments – Australian Open" (PDF). usta.com. United States Tennis Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b "1977 Grand Slam calendar". atpworldtour.com. ATP Tour, Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b "1986 Grand Slam calendar". atpworldtour.com. ATP Tour, Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b "Australian Open – History – Year-by-year". australianopen.com. IBM, Tennis Australia. Archived from the original on 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Roddick survives 83-game epic". The Guardian. 2003-01-22. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ Jones, Cathy (March 2006). "Daphne Akhurst Australian Tennis Champion" (PDF). Strathfield Scene. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
- ^ "Australian Open – Prize Money". australianopen.com. IBM, Tennis Australia. Archived from the original on 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b c d "Women's Singles". australianopen.com. IBM. Archived from the original on 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
External links
See also
Australian Open other competitions
- List of Australian Open men's singles champions
- List of Australian Open men's doubles champions
- List of Australian Open women's doubles champions
- List of Australian Open mixed doubles champions
Grand Slam women's singles