In conditions more resembling Wimbledon than the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of 2010 officially began this morning with the return of the men’s and women’s trophies to Rod Laver Arena.
The Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup were presented to the crowd by former Australian Open champions John Newcombe and Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
With a legion of MLC ballkids forming a guard of honour and the Army Fanfare Team playing, the cups were carried up the Rod Laver Arena steps by security guards before being held aloft by Newcombe and Goolagong Cawley.
Dual Australian Open champion Newcombe reminisced about his second title win at the Australian Open, which was then held at Kooyong.
“The second time I won the championships was on January 1st, 1975 against Jimmy Connors. Jimmy and I had finished off the year, he was No.1 and I was No.2 and we’d never played during the year and I think that match was probably one of the toughest I’d played physically.”
Four-time winner Goolagong Cawley, who won her titles in succession from 1974 to 1977, revealed which of her victories was her favourite.
“It certainly brings back some wonderful memories ... In 1977 I think that was my favourite [Australian Open win] and it was after having my daughter Kelly,” she said.
Some early morning rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of hundreds of fans who queued at the gates, eager for the tennis to begin.
Following the trophy presentation, roving entertainers kept fans occupied while others took the opportunity to rehearse their chants ahead of today’s play.
Day one of Australian Open 2010 features some tantalising matches, with players in action at Rod Laver Arena today including Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Andy Murray, and Australians Peter Luczak and Jelena Dokic.
Bet & Watch on the Australian Open live online at bet365 > Live Streaming Tennis