The Serb has won the Australian Open nine times (in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2021), more than any other player during the Open Era.
Follow Us
The first Grand Slam of any tennis season has always traditionally been the Australian Open. Like any other tournament of its category, it is one of the most prestigious on the calendar and something any tennis player in the world aspires to win. Over the years, there have been several champions in the Open Era since Rod Laver won it first in 1969. The most successful men’s player is the great Novak Djokovic, followed by Roy Emerson and Roger Federer. Even though there were only 17 competitors in the first edition, it grew and, starting in 1924, the International Tennis Federation named it one of the four majors (Grand Slams). It was given the new name, Australian Championships, three years later. But the tennis competition didn’t officially become known as the Australian Open until 1969, which was almost a year after the Open Era began.
A number of the most memorable tennis moments have taken place at the tournament over the years, with legends like Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer among those who have left their mark on the occasion. Here, we go back in time to examine the men’s singles champions of the Open Era at the Australian Open.
The Serb has won the Australian Open nine times (in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2021), more than any other player during the Open Era, male or female. And like Serena, he becomes more dangerous the further he advances in the competition. Once he advances past the quarterfinal round, Djokovic is unbeaten, going a combined 18-0 in semifinal and championship matches. After beating Andy Murray for the title in 2016, Djokovic was asked why he’s undefeated in finals in Melbourne. “I’ve had a love affair with Rod Laver Arena for many years,” he replied. “I hope it can last a long time.”
Wimbledon, where the Swiss have won eight titles, is their favourite Grand Slam competition. The Australian Open quietly ascended his list of victories over the past few years to rank as his second-best major. In addition to reaching another final in 2009 and losing to Nadal in five sets, he has six Happy Slam victories, taking home the trophy in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017 and 2018. He holds the incredible record of 102-15 at the Australian Open, making him the only male or female player in the Open Era to win 100 matches in a row there.
Federer came up with the term ‘Happy Slam’ during his pre-tournament press in 2007: “You get here and everybody is like, ‘Happy New Year.’ Everybody is happy to see each other after the off-season. It’s kind of like the ‘Happy Slam,’ so to speak, because people are happy to play again, happy to see each other. Whereas maybe at the US Open, you’re like, ‘Okay, I hope it’s over soon,’ you know, kind of.”
The American tennis legend won the Australian Open four times, in 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2003. It was by far his best major (the only one he won more than twice), and if he had begun playing it earlier in his career, he might have won more championships in Melbourne. When Agassi first played it in 1995, he had already participated in seven French Opens, five Wimbledons, and nine US Opens.
