Victorian Championships

The Victorian Championships was combined grass court tennis tournament founded in 1879. In 1970 it was rebranded as the Victorian Open. The event was held through to 1978. It was originally played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Lawn Tennis Club, when the venue changed to Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Australia for the remainder of its run.

History The Victorian Championships tournament began in 1879 it was originally held on hard asphalt courts from 1879 to 1891 before changing to a grass court tournament. The dates the tournament was held was normally in November. until its move to Kooyong when it was staged during the last week of November and first week of December in 1968 the event schedule changed again to January it survived for a period of 86 years until 1971. The tournament was briefly re-established in 1982 as the Melbourne Outdoor until 1985.

The first championship was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in January 1880. There were 16 entries. A. F. Robinson beat H. M. Strachan in the final by 2 sets to 1, winning the final set 6–5. In November 1880 another championship was held, the "Intercolonial Lawn Tennis Championship". It was held during the horticultural flower show, taking place on the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The event took an unusual form, in that after two rounds, three players remained. Frank Highett was to play R. P. Arnold, the winner playing Edward Wallington in the final. On the final day Wallington was ill and so the match between Highett and Arnold determined the winner. Highett won by 3 sets to 1, Arnold winning the second set. The 1881 championship was played on grass at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Highett reached the final again but lost to Louis Whyte. The 1882 championship was played on the asphalt courts. Whyte reached the final again and met Arthur Keyser, a member of HMS Nelson. Whyte won the first set, but Keyser took the next three to win the championship. Whyte reached his third successive final in 1883 where he beat Walter Carre Riddell in three straight sets. The scoring system was changed in 1884. There were no sets, the winner being the first to reach 25 games. There were two new finalists, with Harry Brind beating Dudley Webb by 25 games to 15. 1885 saw a repeat of the 1883 final between Riddell and Whyte. Riddell took a 12 games to 1 lead and eventually won by 25 games to 13. 1885 saw a return to set scoring. Riddell retained the title, beating Webb in the final by three sets to one. The championship was preceded by an intercolonial match between Victoria and New South Wales. This was the first such match to be played in Victoria, the previous two having been played in Sydney. The match resulted in an easy win for Victoria, the opponents being unused to the asphalt surface.

Finals Notes: Challenge round: The final round of a tournament, in which the winner of a single-elimination phase faces the previous year's champion, who plays only that one match. The challenge round was used in the early history of tennis (from 1877 through 1921) in some tournaments not all. * Indicates challenger

Men's singles YearChampionsRunners-upScore1879 A. F. Robinson H. M. Strachan (2-1) sets1880 Frank Highett Edward Wallington w.o.1881 Louis Whyte Frank Highett 6–4, 4–6, 6–1, 6–11882 Arthur Keyser Louis Whyte 4–6, 6–0, 6–2, 6–51883 Louis Whyte Walter John Carre Riddell 6–5, 6–4, 6–31884 Harry Hanslow Brind Dudley Webb (25 games to 17)1885 Walter John Carre Riddell Louis Whyte (25 games to 13)1886 Walter John Carre Riddell (2) Dudley Webb 3–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–41887 Arthur Gideon Hugh Colquhoun Walter Timon Coldham 6–1, 7–5, 6–8, 0–6, 6–4 1888 Arthur Gideon Hugh Colquhoun (2) John Thorneycroft Hartley 6–3, 6–4, 6–31889 Richard Ernest Shuter Charles William Cropper 6–1, 3–6, 6–1, 6–01890 John D. Crammond Benjamin (Ben) Green 6–2, 6–3, 4–6, 2–6, 6–41891 Gus Kearney Richard Ernest Shuter 6–2, 5–7, 1–6, 6–4, 6–21892 Benjamin Green William George Balfour 9–11, 6–3, 6–2, 6–2 1893 Benjamin Green (2) Archibald Hulbert Windeyer 8–6, 6–4, 6–21894 Benjamin Green (3) Gus Kearney 6–1, 1–6, 6–2, 6–11895 Alfred Dunlop Horace Rice 3–6, 6–2, 6–3, 6–11896 Gus Kearney (2) Alfred Dunlop 3–6, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3, 15-131897 Gus Kearney (3) Alfred Dunlop 6–2, 2–6, 6–1, 6–31898 Alfred Dunlop (2) Irving Thomas Carlyle 6–2, 1–6, 6–2, 3–6, 6–31899 Gus Kearney (4) Horace Rice 1–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–21900 Irving Thomas Carlyle Norman Brookes 6–3, 6–1, 6–21901 Horace Rice David Sutherland Edwards 7–5, 6–4, 3–6, 6–21902 Norman Brookes Alfred Dunlop 1–6, 6–4, 6–2, 7–51903 Norman Brookes (2) Alfred Dunlop 6–0, 4–6, 6–3, 6–21904 Norman Brookes (3) Barney Murphy 6–0, 6–2, 6–01905Not held (due to Australasian Championships)1906 Norman Brookes (4) Anthony Wilding 6–0, 6–4, 9–71907 Harry Parker Alfred Dunlop 8–6, 7–5, 7–51908 Anthony Wilding Fred Alexander 4–6, 6–0, 6–2, 6–21909 Anthony Wilding (2) Norman Brookes 2–6, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3, 9–71910 Stanley Doust Alfred Dunlop 6–1, 6–8, 2–6, 6–2, 6–21911 Australasian championships held1912 James Cecil Parke Gordon Lowe 6–3, 6–0, 6–21913 Rodney Heath Norman Brookes w.o.1914/1918Not held (due to World War I)1919 Gerald Patterson Norman Brookes 6–4, 3–6, 6–0, 6–3 1920 Gerald Patterson (2) Pat O'Hara Wood 12–10, 6–3. 6–21921 Gerald Patterson (3) Pat O'Hara Wood 5–7, 6–0, 6–4, 8–61922 Gerald Patterson (4) John Hawkes 6–3, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 1923 Gerald Patterson (5) Pat O'Hara Wood w.o.1924 Gerald Patterson (6) Jack Cummings 6–3, 10–8, 9–71925 Richard Schlesinger Timothy Fitchett 6–3, 9–7, 6–11926 Gerald Patterson (7) Jack Crawford 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–41927 Gerald Patterson (8) Jack Crawford 7–5, 6–1, 5–7, 1–6, 7–51928 Jack Crawford Harry Hopman 5–7, 6–2, 6–3, 6–4 1929 Jack Crawford (2) Harry Hopman 6–3, 2–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–31930 Jack Crawford (3) Harry Hopman 6–1, 8–10, 6–0, 6–21931 Jack Crawford (4) Harry Hopman 7–5, 0–6, 6–3, 6–41932 Jack Crawford(5) Ellsworth Vines 1–6, 6–4, 6–4, 2–6, 6–41933 Fred Perry Jack Crawford 6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 6–31934 Jack Crawford (6) Adrian Quist 6–2, 8–6, 6–31935 Adrian Quist Jack Crawford 6–2, 8–6, 4–6, 6–21936 Adrian Quist (2) Donald Turnbull 6–2, 6–1, 6–21937 Don Budge John Bromwich 8–6, 6–3, 9–71938 Adrian Quist (3) John Bromwich 6–2, 6–3, 6–31939 John Bromwich Adrian Quist 6–1, 4–6, 6–2, 6–31940 John Bromwich (2) Adrian Quist 6–0, 6–2, 6–41941 Jack Crawford (7) John Bromwich 6–3, 0–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–21942/1944Not held (due to World War II)1945 John Bromwich (3) Dinny Pails 6–3, 6–4, 6–21946 John Bromwich (4) Ted Schroeder 8–6, 6–4, 6–4 1947 Bill Sidwell Adrian Quist 6–4, 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–21948 Bill Sidwell Geoff Brown 6–4, 7–5, 8–61949 Jaroslav Drobný Bill Sidwell 6–4, 6–3, 11–91950 Frank Sedgman Art Larsen 5–7, 6–3, 7–5, 6–31951 Frank Sedgman (2) Dick Savitt 8–6, 6–0, 6–41952 Vic Seixas Frank Sedgman 8–6, 3–6, 6–3, 6–41953 Lew Hoad Ken Rosewall 9–7, 8–6, 3–6, 6–31954 Ken Rosewall Vic Seixas 6–1, 4–6, 6–1, 7–51955 Lew Hoad (2) Ashley Cooper 1–6, 6–4, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 1956 Ken Rosewall (2) Lew Hoad 4–6, 4–6, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3 1957 Mal Anderson Ashley Cooper 6–4, 10–8, 1–6, 7–51958 Mal Anderson (2) Ashley Cooper 7–5, 6–4, 6–31959 Neale Fraser Roy Emerson 6–0, 25–23, 5–7, 6–41960 Barry MacKay Butch Buchholz 8–6, 5–7, 8–6, 6–31961 Rod Laver Roy Emerson 4–6, 8–6, 9–7, 6–31962 Rod Laver (2) Neale Fraser 3–6, 9–7, 6–1, 6–8, 6–01963 Dennis Ralston Fred Stolle 8–6, 6–4, 6–31964 Roy Emerson Fred Stolle 6–4, 6–4, 6–41965 Clark Graebner Roy Emerson 8–6, 7–5, 2–6, 1–6, 6–11966 Roy Emerson (2) Fred Stolle 6–2, 9–7, 6–31967 Tony Roche Bill Bowrey 7–5, 6–3, 6–4↓ Open Era ↓1969 Stan Smith Arthur Ashe 14–12, 6–8, 6–3, 8–61970 John Newcombe Tony Roche 6–4, 6–4, 4–6, ret.1971 Alex Metreveli Phil Dent 6–4, 6–2

Women's singles YearChampionsRunners-upScore1884 E. MacKenzie A. Bayles10–41886 C. Greene Ellen Mayne 6–1, 6–11887 Mabel Shaw Eliza Fitzgerald 6–2, 6–31888 Mabel Shaw (2) Anne Chenery 1–6, 6–2, 6–41889 Nellie A. Beckett Constance Raleigh 6–3, 6–41890 Mabel Shaw (3) E. Mackenzie 4–6, 6–3, 6–41891 Ellen Mayne Mabel Shaw 6–5, 6–41892 Edith Raleigh Ellen Mayne 1–6, 6–3, 6–21893 C. Peach Edith Raleigh 6–4, 2–6, 6–41894 Constance Raleigh Maisie Parr 6–5, 6–11895 Phoebe Howitt Mabel Shaw 6–2, 6–51896 Phoebe Howitt (2) Constance Raleigh 6–2, 6–21897 Phoebe Howitt (3) Florence Waters 6–3, 2–6, 6–31898 Phoebe Howitt (4) Florence Waters 6–0, 6–41899 Phoebe Howitt (5) Florence Waters 6–2, 7–51900 Phoebe Howitt-Cater (6) Mrs Barrington 6–3, 6–41901 Lorna Gyton Lillian Payne 7–5, 6–31902 Lorna Gyton (2) Gertrude Wilmoth 6–0, 8–61903 Lorna Gyton (3) Lily Addison 6–1, 6–11904 E. Collis C. Robertson 6–3, 6–21905 Lorna Gyton (4) Gertrude Wilmoth 6–4, 6–11906 Lily Addison Lorna Gyton 8–6, 6–21907 Lorna Gyton (5) Lily Addison 2–6, 6–4, 8–61908 Lily Addison (2) Lorna Gyton 11–9, 6–41909 Lily Addison (3) Lorna Gyton 6–4, 6–2 1910 Lily Addison (4) Pearl Stewart 4–6, 7–5, 6–01911 Lily Addison (5) A. Wilmoth 6–3, 6–21912 Phillis Stewart Lorna Gyton 6–1, 6–11913 Meryl Waxman Lorna Gyton 4–6, 6–4, 6–41914 Phillis Stewart (2) Dorothy Schlesinger 6–0, 6–41915/1918Not held (due to World War I)1919 Annie Ford Irene Forbes-Smith 7–5, 7–51920 Margaret Molesworth Esna Boyd 7–5, 8–61921 Lily Addison Esna Boyd 8–6, 3–6, 6–31922 Esna Boyd Meryl Lister 6–2, 6–31923 Esna Boyd (2) Kath Le Mesurier 6–2, 6–31924 Daphne Akhurst Miss Harper 6–1, 0–6, 7–51925 Esna Boyd (3) Sylvia Harper 3–6, 6–3 retired1926 Esna Boyd (4) Marjorie Cox 6–3, 6–21927 Esna Boyd (5) Daphne Akhurst 6–1, 6–11928 Marjorie Cox Sylvia Harper 6–8, 6–1, 7–51929 Marjorie Cox (2) Kath Le Mesurier 6–2, 6–41930 Marjorie Crawford (3) Frances Hoddle-Wrigley 6–1, 6–11931 Esna Robertson (6) Kath Le Mesurier 6–2, 6–41932 Joan Hartigan Coral Buttsworth 6–4, 6–8, 6–41933 Joan Hartigan (2) Nancy Chitty 4–6, 7–5, 6–41934 Dorothy Round Joan Hartigan 9–7, 6–0 1935 Thelma Coyne Joan Hartigan 6–1, 3–6, 6–41936 Joan Hartigan (3) Emily Westacott 8–6, 6–21937 Dodo Bundy Nancye Wynne 6–4, 1–6, 6–41938 Nell Hopman Joan Hartigan 6–8, 6–1, 6–21939 Nancye Wynne Thelma Coyne 6–2, 6–21940 Nancye Wynne (2) Thelma Coyne 7–5, 2–6, 6–3 1941 Nell Hopman (2) Alison Burton 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 1942/1945Not held (due to World War II)1946 Nancye Bolton (3) Thelma Long 6–1, 9–71947 Nancye Bolton (4) Thelma Long 6–1, 6–41948 Doris Hart Nancye Bolton 6–1, 9–71949 Nancye Bolton (3) Thelma Long 6–8 6–2 8–61950 Joyce Fitch Nancye Bolton 6–4, 3–6, 6–41951 Thelma Long (2) Mary Hawton 6–2, 6–11952 Maureen Connolly Julia Sampson ?1953 Thelma Long (3) Jennifer Staley 6–4, 6–11954 Thelma Long (4) Jennifer Staley 4–6, 7–5, 6–21955 Mary Hawton Mary Carter 6–2, 6–21956 Shirley Fry Althea Gibson 4–6, 9–7, 8–61957 Lorraine Coghlan Angela Mortimer 7–5 7–51958 Sandra Reynolds Lorraine Coghlan 6–4, 8–61959 Maria Bueno Christine Truman 6–0, 5–7, 6–41960 Lesley Turner Mary Reitano 4–6, 9–7, 6–31961 Margaret Smith Darlene Hard 6–3, 6–21962 Margaret Smith (2) Lesley Turner 6–4, 8–61963 Margaret Smith (3) Lesley Turner 6–4, 6–41964 Margaret Smith (4) Jill Blackman 6–1, 6–31965 Margaret Smith (5) Nancy Richey 5–7, 6–3, 6–21966 Rosie Casals Kerry Melville 1–6, 6–1, 7–51967 Billie Jean King Lesley Turner 6–3, 3–6, 7–5↓ Open Era ↓1969 Margaret Court (6) Kerry Harris 6–1, 6–41970 Margaret Court (7) Kerry Melville 6–1, 6–11971 Evonne Goolagong Margaret Court 7–6(5-3), 7–6(5-2)

Records Men's singles Source: The Tennisbase included Most titles: Gerald Patterson, (8) Most consecutive titles: Gerald Patterson, (6) Most finals: Jack Crawford, (11) Most consecutive finals: Jack Crawford, (10) Most matches played: Jack Crawford, (76) Most matches won: Jack Crawford, (64) Most consecutive match wins: Gerald Patterson, (33) Most editions played: Harry Hopman, (21) Best match winning %: Gerald Patterson, (93.62%) Longest final: Neale Fraser v Roy Emerson, result: 6-0, 25-23, 5-7, 6-4 (76 games), (1959) Shortest final: Alex Metreveli v Phil Dent, result: 6-4, 6-2 (18 games), (1971) Title with the fewest games lost: Norman Brookes, (19), (1904) Oldest champion: Harry Parker, 34y 6m and 19d, (1907)