The Australian Open has produced some of the greatest men's singles champions in tennis history.
These include record-holders Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver, and Ken Rosewall, who all have had a lasting impact on the tournament.
Here are the 10 winners we'll be covering today.
| Rank | Player | Country | Highest Ranking | Titles Won | Years Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novak Djokovic | SRB | No. 1 | 10 | 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-2016, 2019-2021, 2023 |
| 2 | Roy Emerson | AUS | No. 1 | 6 | 1961, 1963-1967 |
| 3 | Roger Federer | SUI | No. 1 | 6 | 2004, 2006-2007, 2010, 2017-2018 |
| 4 | Andre Agassi | USA | No. 1 | 4 | 1995, 2000-2001, 2003 |
| 5 | Jack Crawford | AUS | No. 1 | 4 | 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935 |
| 6 | Ken Rosewall | AUS | No. 2 | 4 | 1953, 1955, 1971, 1972 |
| 7 | Rod Laver | AUS | No. 1 | 3 | 1960, 1962, 1969 |
| 8 | Mats Wilander | SWE | No. 1 | 3 | 1983, 1984, 1988 |
| 9 | James Anderson | AUS | No. 3 | 3 | 1922, 1924, 1925 |
| 10 | Adrian Quist | AUS | No. 3 | 3 | 1936, 1940, 1948 |
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Novak Djokovic is often dubbed the King of the Australian Open, given that he has the record for most men's singles titles in the tournament's history. Professional guidance from a tennis coach can also inspire you to reach new heights in your game.
His mental toughness, physical endurance, and tactical brilliance have made him hard to beat on Melbourne Park's hard courts.
An interesting fact about the Australian Open: he also participated in the longest Grand Slam final to win one of his titles, beating Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller that lasted over five hours!
The finals in 2019 against Nadal and the 2023 final against Stefanos Tsitsipas were also absolute bangers.
If he wins in 2025, he'll extend his win record at the Australian Open and become the tournament's oldest winner.
Novak Djokovic holds the record for the most Australian Open men's singles titles in the Open Era, with an incredible 10 victories.
2. Roy Emerson (AUS)
Roy Merson is one of the greatest Australian tennis players to have ever lived and dominated during the 1960s.
When Emerson won the Australian Open (though it wasn't called that then), he did so on grass courts since the tournament didn't change to hard courts until 1989.
He won his titles by combining aggressive baseline play, strong serve-and-volley strategy, athleticism, and mental toughness.
3. Roger Federer (SUI)
Roger Federer is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His. His skill, consistency, and elegance on the court have earned him many grand slam victories.
This Swiss maestro left his mark on the Australian Open with memorable matches and an incredible six titles won.
His fluid movement, precision and grace, and tactical intelligence made him incredibly hard to beat. Throughout his career, few players came close to his brilliance.
4. Andre Agassi (USA)
Andre Agassi was an iconic player whose distinctive playing style, flamboyant personality, and incredible resilience helped him find success on Melbourne Park's hard courts.
He was one of the few players to complete a Career Grand Slam, winning all four Grand Slam tournaments at some point during his career.
He won four times at the Australian Open, using an aggressive baseline game and his exceptional fitness and stamina to outperform and outlast opponents.
5. Jack Crawford (AUS)
When Jack Crawford won four titles in the tournament, it was known as the Australian Championships. He was consistent and helped solidify Australia's status in tennis at the time.
In 1933, he almost became the first male player to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam, winning in Australia, France, and England and reaching the final of the then-US Championships.
He ultimately lost to the American tennis legend Fred Perry over five sets.
6. Ken Rosewall (AUS)
Ken Rosewall is an Australian tennis player whose success at the Australian Open spanned decades.
Thanks to his finesse, tactical intelligence, and elegant play, he achieved victories almost two decades apart.
His 1972 title was won at 37, though if Djokovic wins in 2025, that record of the oldest winner in the tournament’s history will be broken.
7. Rod Laver (AUS)
Rod Laver was known as "The Rocket" because of his speed and power. His accomplishments on the grass courts of the Australian Open during the 1960s were part of an era when Australia dominated tennis, making him a national icon.
Internationally, Laver was part of Australia's Davis Cup successes, helping the team secure multiple titles.
In 2000, the primary stadium at the Australian Open was renamed in his honour and is as impressive as the man himself.
Rod Laver is one of the few players in tennis history to achieve a calendar-year Grand Slam, winning all four major tournaments in a single year.
8. Mats Wilander (SWE)
Three-time Australian Open winner Mats Wilander was known for his baseline play and versatility. His victories in Melbourne helped establish him as one of the finest players of the time.
He remains among the few players to have won Grand Slam titles on all three major surfaces (clay, grass, and hard courts).
9. James Anderson (AUS)
James Anderson is another Australian tennis legend from the early years of the Australian Open (then the Australasian Championships).
He dominated on the grass courts used at the time, using steady groundstrokes from the baseline to outlast opponents in long rallies.
His victories were important for promoting both Australian tennis and the tournament itself, which was struggling to attract international talent at the time due to changing venues and the complex logistics of attending the event itself.
Nationally, his successes also helped encourage greater participation in tennis, which was in its infancy in Australia at the time.
10. Adrian Quist (AUS)
Adrian Quist is another Australian legend. Though he is best known for his achievements in doubles tennis with John Bromwich, he also won the Australian Championship three times in singles.
However, between 1936 and 1940, he won five consecutive doubles titles with John Bromwich and more in the 1940s.
His doubles titles lasted 15 years, and he became a three-time singles champion in the earlier stages of his career.
Honorable Mentions
These ten players were obviously some of the finest to have ever competed at the Australian Open, but there are also a few others that we should definitely mention.
For one, the Swedish player Stefan Edberg won two titles in 1985 and 1987. He was exceptional on both grass and hard courts and one of the greatest players of his generation. For his 1985 victory, he defeated fellow Swede Mats Wilander, the defending champion at the time.
The American Pete Sampras is another two-time Australian Open winner and one of the greatest tennis players ever. Most of his successes came at the US Open and Wimbledon. He also managed two Australian Open finals.
Finally, we need to mention Daniil Medvedev. This Russian tennis star is a two-time finalist, but despite his brilliance, he has not won a title at the Australian Open.
He was runner-up at the Australian Open in 2021 and 2022 and became World No. 1 in February 2022. In the finals, he lost to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, respectively.
Of course, here we've only looked at the men's singles winners, but there have also been incredible women's singles champions that have participated in the Australian Open.
As you can see, the Australian Open has been a proving ground for tennis' biggest stars. From contemporary legends like Novak Djokovic and his record-breaking dominance to Rod Laver's historic achievements, Australia's top tennis competition will always provide a stage for the best.
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