Australia has faced a drought since 1978 without a home-grown champion at the Australian Open. The last Women’s Champion was Chris O’Neill in 1978, whereas the last Men’s Champion was Mark Edmondson in 1976 who clinched the Norman Brooks Trophy.
The upcoming Australian Open, commencing on January 7, 2019, has heightened expectations for Australia’s top tennis players, Alex de Minaur and Ash Barty. The nation is eagerly anticipating a local victory and at the very least, hopes for one of these top players to progress to the tournament’s second week.
Ash Barty is approaching her sixth Australian Open after finishing the year ranked 15th globally in women’s tennis, with a notable win at the WTA Elite Trophy. Acknowledging the pressure, Barty expressed that the support of the home crowd would serve as a shield against it, making the experience enjoyable by embracing the expectations.
Alex de Minaur has showcased his talent on the court, rising to the 31st spot by the end of 2018, including a victory at the NextGen ATP Finals in Milan after his debut in the Australian summer of 2017. De Minaur mentioned to ESPN that his career saw its origins at the Australian Open where he gained confidence from initial tournaments.
Participation in these events allowed him to build self-belief, connect with peers, and trust in his abilities, all of which have contributed to his current success. Could Australia’s 40-year wait for a home singles champion finally be over?
