The consecration in front of his public, finally. 44 years that Melbourne was waiting to see an Australian player go after the Australian Open. A happiness in suspense since the coronation of Chris O’Neil in 1978.
But, this Saturday, January 29, Ashleigh Barty came to meet the expectations and hopes placed in her. The world No. 1 ended her sparkling tournament with a masterful victory over American Danielle Collins in the final. A triumph on his land not so common in tennis. We take stock of the last players to win at home.
READ ALSO. The world of tennis hails the historic success of Ashleigh Barty
US Open, the habit of performance
Of the four Grand Slam tournaments, the Americans are certainly the most spoiled. It must be said that having in its ranks one of the greatest players of all time, it helps. However, it is not Serena Williams the last American to have imposed on the New York courts. This is Sloane Stephens, crowned in 2017.
Andy Roddick (2002). © Archives Pascal Guyon/ AFP
On the men’s side, you have to go back a little further to see an American lift the trophy in New York: 2003 with the triumph of Andy Roddick. In total, in the Open era, American players have won 25 times at Flushing Meadows. Men, 19. By far the most crowned nationality at the US Open.
Roland-Garros, a French evil
If Rafael Nadal had been born on the other side of the Pyrenees, the story could be quite different. But no. Seeing a French player triumph on the Parisian courts is not common and the last French victory dates back to the year 2000 with the success of Mary Pierce. She remains the only French crowned since the beginning of the Open era (1968).
Mary Pierce kissing the Suzanne Lenglen trophy after her victory at Roland-Garros. © AFP
On the men’s side, it’s the same thing. Only one tricolor winner in the Open era. This is Yannick Noah in 1983. It’s simple, with only two French winners in Boulogne, Roland-Garros is the least won tournament by a local player in the Open era. The French touch.
Wimbledon, difficult pitch
The British meeting of the season does not smile much more on its players than does the Porte d’Auteuil tournament. Among women, there are only two victories. And the last begins to rise with the success of Virginia Wade in 1977. Before her, Ann Haydon-Jones had been crowned in 1969. They remain to this day the only women crowned at Wimbledon since the beginning of the Open era.
Andy Murray, British tennis legend. © AFP
On the male side, it’s the same thing. Two successes in the modern era of tennis but they were achieved by one man: Andy Murray. Crowned in 2013 and then in 2016, the Briton ended a very long drought for Great Britain on his lawn. After the 2012 Olympic title, it is an understatement to say that he will have had a profound impact on the history of British sport.
Winning a Grand Slam tournament at home is therefore a rarity in the Open era of tennis. Unless you are American.
