INTRODUCTION

Traditionally the tournament was contested by top-ranking amateur players and was known as The Australian Championships. However, by 1968, with the advent of open tennis, the tournament changed to the format we see today. The event comprises of Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's, Women's and Mixed doubles, as well as junior competitions.

The tournament was originally on a rota, played in various Australian states. However, in 1972 the tournament found it’s permanent home in Melbourne, where the tournament received the most patronage. It is now held annually at the multi-purpose Melbourne Park. Held in the middle of the Australian summer, The Australian Open is famous for its notoriously hot days. Previous winners of the tournament include Roger Federer,Marat Safin Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, and Serena Williams.

The Australian Open Archive has built an extensive collection of footage from Men’s and Women’s Singles Finals, Singles Semi-Finals, Doubles Finals, Doubles Semi-Finals, and Finals matches. These date back to 1975 and continue to present day.
 

FOOTAGE COLLECTION

The Australian Open Archive is an impressive collection of footage from the men's, women's and doubles tournaments; consisting of over 3,000 hours of footage.

Match Footage

- Long form coverage of all Men’s and Women’s Singles Finals, with cleared English commentary and international sound.
Duration: approx. 5 hours per year

YEARS AVAILABLE: 1975 to present day


- Long form coverage of all the Singles Semi-Finals, plus three Doubles Finals with international sound.
Duration: approx. 150 hours per year

YEARS AVAILABLE: 1990 to present day


- Long form coverage of Singles Semi-final matches and all Doubles Semi-final and Finals matches with cleared English commentary and international sound.
Duration: approx. 150 hours per year

YEARS AVAILABLE: 1977 – 1991  selection of matches 1999 to present day

PROGRAMMING

DOCUMENTARIES    

4 documentaries about the Australian Open Tennis:


‘Newk’  - A Legend of Australian Tennis

A 52-minute documentary looking in to John Newcombe and his triumph in the 1975 Australian Open - the last of his seven Grand Slam titles with cleared English commentary and international sound.
            

The Greatest Moments at Melbourne Park 1988 - 1998
A 78-minute programme covering the highs and lows of the Australian Open, since its move to Melbourne Park in 1988 with cleared English commentary and international sound.


Great Showdowns of the Australian Open

This 52min documentary concentrates on some of the unforgettable matches and personalities seen at the Australian Open over the last thirty years.

The Australian Open has displayed some of the greatest rivalries the tennis world has ever seen. The Great Showdowns of the Australian Open will roll through the ages and showcase highlights of not just the matches, but also reveal the players views on these memorable rivalries.


100 Years in the Making

The Australian Open – 100 Years in the Making celebrates its greatest champions and highlights its most enduring figures.  Interviews with a role call of past champions and gives the viewers a unique insight into what makes this tournament so special for players from across the globe.  From the early domination of local favourites Roy Emerson, Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong, to the 1980s rivalry of Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, and Steffi Graf and featuring the turning point match between World Number One Jimmy Connors and World Number Two, and local boy, John Newcombe, this film highlights the truly magical atmosphere that surrounds the courts of Australia for two weeks every year.  With this comprehensive look back at all the best moments of the Australian Open, tennis enthusiasts will be able to witness for themselves one of the world’s greatest stages of athletic competition.


Top 10 Australian Open Champions

Based on a appearances and achievements at the Australian Open, we countdown the definitive list of players who have made it into the ultimate ‘Australian’ top 10. The programme is a bevy of some of the greatest tennis legends of all time. Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rod Laver and Martina Hingis are but a few to be interviewed in this action packed, drama filled documentary.
For tennis pundits and purists alike, this 52min programme serves up a rally momentous moments in the 101 year history of the Open. 


Where are they now
A 52min documentary celebrates some of the greatest stories in Australian Open folklore, tracking down some of great champions of the Australian Open. 
In its 102-year history the Australian Open has been the scene of a myriad intriguing and emotional stories. Where are they now? reflects on these and looks forward to Australian Open 2008 – set to be the scene of another drama-filled fortnight of colour and controversy, power and passion, thrills and spills.


CLASSIC MATCHES    

Some of the greatest play from the Australian Open Tennis with cleared English commentary and international sound.