Melbourne, 4 October 2011 | Tennis Australia

At Australian Open 2012 the men’s singles championships will be contested for the 100th time.

The Grand Slam of Asia-Pacific boasts an honour role the equal of any in world sport with past winners including great Australian names such as Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and John Newcombe, iconic tennis personalities Andre Agassi and Jim Courier, and current stars Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and most recently, Novak Djokovic.

To commemorate the occasion, Australian Open organisers have struck a special limited edition collector coin that was released at the Australian Open 2012 launch this morning.

The 2012 champion will also receive a one-off medallion to mark the occasion.

“We are really looking forward to presenting the winner of the 100th Australian Open men’s singles championships winner with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and a specially struck commemorative medal,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said today.

“Tennis has a rich history, nowhere more so than in Australia, and the players respect the traditions and enjoy celebrating the milestones of our great sport.”

Since the first Australian Open in 1905 there have been 59 champions, the first being Rodney Heath who won again in 1910.

Australian great Roy Emerson won the Australian Open six times between 1961 and 1967, more than any other player. Ken Rosewall, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer have all hoisted the trophy four times, with the great Rod Laver joining Mats Wilander, Jack Crawford and James Anderson all three-time Australian Open champions.

Other major anniversaries to be celebrated during Australian Open 2012 include:

  • 50 years since Rod Laver won his first Grand Slam
  • 45 years since Roy Emerson’s sixth and final Australian Open title
  • 40 years since Ken Rosewall won his third and final Australian Open title
  • 25 years since the event moved to Melbourne Park
  • 20 years since Jim Courier celebrated his first Australian Open win with a dip in the Yarra

“The Australian Open has an incredible history which is inextricably linked to the players, both past and present, and they have all left their mark on the event.

“This incredible event has been part of the fabric of the nation for more than 100 years, and it’s the rich history, the traditions and the personalities involved that make it so special to both the players and the fans,” Tiley continued.