Despite Lleyton Hewitt’s drought-breaking victory in Brisbane on Sunday, it’s hard to imagine an Aussie winning a singles title at the Australian Open in 2014.
The last Aussie to win a singles title at the Australian Open was Chris O’Neil in the ladies singles in 1978!
Though this title drought is hard to accept, it should be remembered that Grand Slams are the hardest prize to win in this lonely, global sport and a lot of very good Australian players have never won a singles Grand Slam.
Here are five of the best.
Mark Philippoussis
Because of tacky cars, public tantrums and hot girlfriends, it’s easy to forget what a fine tennis player Mark Philippoussis was.
Philippoussis won 11 singles titles and achieved a career best ranking of eighth in the world.
Philippoussis lost two Grand Slam Finals – the US Open to Pat Rafter in 1998 and Wimbledon to Roger Federer in 2003, the first of 17 Slams for the Swiss maestro.
A two-time winner of the Davis Cup, Philippoussis built his game on a huge serve, as big as any Australian.
His ability to overwhelm opponents with serious power from the baseline was often hampered by serious knee injuries.
Ken Fletcher
Ken Fletcher – in partnership with Margret Court in 1963 – remains the only player in the history of tennis to win all four mixed doubles Grand Slams in a calendar year.
When doubles was frequently contested by the world’s leading singles players, Fletcher managed to win 11 grand slam doubles titles and was also an adept singles performer.
Fletcher won 37 singles titles, finished runner up to Roy Emerson in the 1963 Australia Open and held match points in the 1966 Wimbledon semi-finals, before eventually falling to Champion Manolo Santana.
Such was the depth of Australian tennis in his era, Fletcher rarely played Davis Cup.
Martin Mulligan
Mulligan was crushed 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 by Rod Laver in the 1962 Wimbledon final, Laver was on course for the calendar year grand slam.
Unfortunately this was the only Grand Slam final Mulligan reached, but it doesn’t disguise the fact he was a top class player.
A semi-finalist at the 1964 Australian Open, Mulligan was also three times a quarter-finalist at Ronald Garros.
Mulligan won over 50 tournaments worldwide and later became a celebrated coach in Italy.
Wendy Turnbull
Nicknamed ‘the rabbit’ for her quick, hustling style, Turnbill was a top ten player in the world every year from 1977-1984, peaking at number three.
She made three Grand Slam finals, losing the 1977 US Open and 1979 French Open finals to World Number one Chris Evert. In 1980 Turnbill was foiled by Hana Mandlíkova in the Australian Open final.
Turnbull was a model of consistency during her fine career. She won 478 singles matches, 13 titles and flourished in doubles where she won 55 titles, including nine Grand Slams.
Harry Hopman
As a player, coach and journalist very few people have served Australian tennis quite like Harry Hopman.
Hopman was involved in a staggering 22 Davis Cup victories and helped mentor most of the greats from the golden era of Australian tennis: John Newcombe, Ken Rosewall, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson included.
Hopaman’s dedication to fitness was legendary. Hopman once said, “I don’t teach people, I stretch them.”
What’s often forgotten about Hopman is he could really play himself. In addition to winning seven Grand Slam doubles titles, Hopman was an accomplished singles player, losing the Australian Open final three times, twice to the great Jack Crawford.
Mal Laverack
Guest
Yes Judith. Martin has been a resident in the US for some time - he has enjoyed much success as the international promotion manager for renowned sports-gear manufacturers FILA and Diadora. IN 1991 I compiled a history of sporting achievements for the centenary of Christian Brothers High School Lewisham and Martin Mulligan, the school's greatest tennis achiever, was very liberal with his time in providing correspondence which outlined highlights in his tennis career, including the many schoolboy victories he achieved. While a student at Lewisham he won the under 13,14,15,16,17 and 18 years Australian singles championships. An interesting story, in Martin's own words, concerns his all important final school year (the Leaving Certificate): ...(the headmaster) wanted me to study honours in my final year and he would not allow me any time off for tennis. It was a sad choice I made to leave Lewisham, but long term it proved correct." From the information supplied to me by Martin, 1967 seems to have been a stand-out year: he played in 27 tournaments, reaching the final on 22 occasions and winning 17 titles! An outstanding achievement. Cheers.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Thanks for the message Judith...have passed your message onto one of Rod Laver's agents.
judith white
Guest
In 1962 I was most fortunate to see Rod Laver win his first of many Wimbledon Championships, beating Martin Mulligan who was a friend of mine, in Sydney Australia when we were growing up, playing tennis in Hurlstone Park. I wonder where he is today - I heard he might be in San Francisco area. Would enjoy meeting up with him now we are getting up there in years. If anyone can help by passing on this messageI I would very much appreciate your giving him these details. Thank you, Judith whitebrenn@aol.com
eric
Guest
How can Fletcher partner Margaret Court in the mixed and be the only player to win the mixed doubles grand slam?
Rory
Guest
Kim Warwick, John Alexander.
Johnno
Guest
Here is a list Men's Scud Jason Stoltenberg Darren Cahill Wally Masur Sandon Stolle with his big serve had potential Wayne Arthurs maybe Todd Woodbridge was a very promising singles player early on his career Mark Woodforde made the OZ open semi's in 1996 Mark Kratzman was a very talented junior singles player whose singles career at the top faded and became a successful double specialist Richard Fromberg always did well at the OZ open, and was very good in Davis Cup Women Wendy Turnbull (interestingly she lost to Hanna Mandlikova, when she was from the Czech Republic. Hanna moved to OZ and started playing for Australia in the late 80's) Alica Molik Jelena Dokic Liz Smilye was good for a while, she won a double's wimbledon title in the 1980's Nicole Bradtke won 2 grand slam mixed doubles titles, showed some singles promise at grand slams but faded
Chris
Guest
The only Aussies to win a singles Grand Slam are Rod Laver and Margaret Court...
Salada
Guest
Hopman also mentored the great Lew Hoad. Plus Sedgman and McGregor and Mervyn Rose. Although Adrian Quist doesn't qualify as he won three Aussie titles including demolishing a player as good as Jack Crawford 3,1 and 2, he deserves a mention for his winning ways as a doubles player - he won the Aussie doubles five times in a row, 1936 - 1940 , there was a break for the war, then he won another five in a row 1946 -1950.
Johnno
Guest
Bernard Tomic/Jelana Dokic/Alica Molik Jason Stoltenberg was right up there. He was the World no 1 junior int he World, was the next big thing, then faded. Pat Rafter wasn't a star junior. He won the junor OZ open in 1987 at Kooyong. He made the 1996 WImbeldon semi finals, as close as he got. Darren Cahill made a US open semi once, and was top 20 for a while as was Wally Masur.