The Australian Open
MONDAY 14 TO SUNDAY 27
Both the Australian Open and the
legendary Rod Laver will celebrate
significant golden anniversary milestones
in 2019.
In January the Australian Open will
celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The tournament was previously known
as the Australian Championships and
only amateurs were able to compete.
The first Australian Open was staged at
the grass courts of Milton, Brisbane, in
1969 and ushered in a new ‘Open’ era for
the sport. series of special events, in-stadium on-
screen entertainment and documentary
content.
Finally Grand Slam tennis was open to
the increasing number of professional
players, those who sought to make a
living out of the sport they loved but had
been banned from competing at the
majors since 1963. Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas
has been voted BBC Sports Personality of
the Year 2018. The Team Sky rider, 32,
became only the third Briton to win the
race, after Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris
Froome.
For Rod Laver, 2019 marks the 50th
anniversary of his second ‘Grand Slam’,
when he won all four majors, the
Australian, French, Wimbledon and US
Open, in a calendar year for the second
time. In a public vote, Formula 1 champion
Lewis Hamilton finished second while
footballer Harry Kane was third.
This was a feat he achieved first as an
amateur in 1962, before being barred
from competition for five years after
turning professional. He is still the only
person, male or female, to have won the
prestigious calendar Grand Slam twice.
Rod Laver
Both anniversaries will be recognised and
celebrated at the Australian Open in a
35
BBC Sports Personality
of the Year
Thomas was presented with his award by
2017 winner Sir Mo Farah and is the first
Welshman to win Sports Personality
since footballer Ryan Giggs in 2009.
His victories in the public votes are
recognition for his success on two
wheels. Between 2007 and 2012, he won
two Olympic and three world team
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