| Victorian Championships | |
| Type: | defunct |
| Founded: | 1879 |
| Ended: | 1971 |
| Editions: | 86 |
| Location: | Melbourne, Australia |
| Venue: | Melbourne Cricket Ground LTC (1879–1933) Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club (1934–71) |
| Tour: | Pre-open era (1879–1967) Open era (1968–71) |
| Surface: | Hard / outdoor Asphalt / outdoor Grass / outdoor |
The Victorian Championships [1] its original name until 1968 it was then known as the Victorian Open Grass Court Championships or Victorian Open was a tennis event held from 1879 through 1971 it was originally played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Lawn Tennis Club, until 1933 the venue changed to Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Australia for the remainder of its run.
The Victorian Championships tournament began in 1879 it was originally held on hard asphalt courts from 1879 to 1891 before changing to a grass court tournament. The dates the tournament was held was normally in November.[2] until its move to Kooyong when it was staged during the last week of November and first week of December in 1968 the event schedule changed again to January it survived for a period of 86 years until 1971. The tournament was very briefly re-established in 1982 as the Melbourne Outdoor until 1985.
The first championship was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in January 1880. There were 16 entries. A. F. Robinson beat H. M. Strachan in the final by 2 sets to 1, winning the final set 6–5.[3] [4] In November 1880 another championship was held, the "Intercolonial Lawn Tennis Championship". It was held during the horticultural flower show, taking place on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[5] The event took an unusual form, in that after two rounds, three players remained. Frank Highett was to play R. P. Arnold, the winner playing Edward Wallington in the final.[6] On the final day Wallington was ill and so the match between Highett and Arnold determined the winner. Highett won by 3 sets to 1, Arnold winning the second set.[7] The 1881 championship was played on grass at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Highett reached the final again but lost to Louis Whyte.[8] The 1882 championship was played on the asphalt courts. Whyte reached the final again and met Arthur Keyser, a member of HMS Nelson. Whyte won the first set, but Keyser took the next three to win the championship.[9] Whyte reached his third successive final in 1883 where he beat Walter Carre Riddell in three straight sets.[10] The scoring system was changed in 1884. There were no sets, the winner being the first to reach 25 games. There were two new finalists, with Harry Brind beating Dudley Webb by 25 games to 15.[11] 1885 saw a repeat of the 1883 final between Riddell and Whyte. Riddell took a 12 games to 1 lead and eventually won by 25 games to 13.[12] 1885 saw a return to set scoring. Riddell retained the title, beating Webb in the final by three sets to one.[13] The championship was preceded by an intercolonial match between Victoria and New South Wales. This was the first such match to be played in Victoria, the previous two having been played in Sydney. The match resulted in an easy win for Victoria, the opponents being unused to the asphalt surface.[14]
Notes: Challenge round: The final round of a tournament, in which the winner of a single-elimination phase faces the previous year's champion, who plays only that one match. The challenge round was used in the early history of tennis (from 1877 through 1921) in some tournaments not all. * Indicates challenger
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1879 [15] |  A. F. Robinson | H. M. Strachan | (2-1) sets |
| 1880 [16] | Frank Highett | w.o. | |
| 1881 | Frank Highett | 6–4, 4–6, 6–1, 6–1 | |
| 1882 | Arthur Keyser | 4–6, 6–0, 6–2, 6–5 | |
| 1883 [17] | Walter John Carre Riddell | 6–5, 6–4, 6–3 | |
| 1884 | Harry Hanslow Brind | Dudley Webb | (25 games to 17) |
| 1885 [18] | Walter John Carre Riddell [19] | (25 games to 13) | |
| 1886 | Walter John Carre Riddell [20] (2) | Dudley Webb | 3–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1887 [21] | Arthur Gideon Hugh Colquhoun | Walter Timon Coldham [22] | 6–1, 7–5, 6–8, 0–6, 6–4 |
| 1888 [23] | Arthur Gideon Hugh Colquhoun (2) | 6–3, 6–4, 6–3 | |
| 1889 [24] | Richard Ernest Shuter | Charles William Cropper [25] | 6–1, 3–6, 6–1, 6–0 |
| 1890 [26] | John D. Crammond | Benjamin (Ben) Green [27] | 6–2, 6–3, 4–6, 2–6, 6–4 |
| 1891 | Richard Ernest Shuter | 6–2, 5–7, 1–6, 6–4, 6–2 | |
| 1892 | Benjamin Green | William George Balfour | 9–11, 6–3, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 1893 | Benjamin Green (2) | Archibald Hulbert Windeyer | 8–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
| 1894 | Benjamin Green (3) | 6–1, 1–6, 6–2, 6–1 | |
| 1895 | 3–6, 6–2, 6–3, 6–1 | ||
| 1896 | Gus Kearney (2) | 3–6, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3, 15-13 | |
| 1897 | Gus Kearney (3) | 6–2, 2–6, 6–1, 6–3 | |
| 1898 |  Alfred Dunlop (2) | Irving Thomas Carlyle | 6–2, 1–6, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 |
| 1899 | Gus Kearney (4) | 1–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–2 | |
| 1900 | Irving Thomas Carlyle | 6–3, 6–1, 6–2 | |
| 1901 | David Sutherland Edwards | 7–5, 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 | |
| 1902 < | 1–6, 6–4, 6–2, 7–5 | ||
| 1903 | Norman Brookes (2) | 6–0, 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 | |
| 1904 | Norman Brookes (3) | Barney Murphy | 6–0, 6–2, 6–0 |
| 1905 | Australasian championships held | ||
| 1906 | Norman Brookes (4) | 6–0, 6–4, 9–7 | |
| 1907 | 8–6, 7–5, 7–5 | ||
| 1908 | 4–6, 6–0, 6–2, 6–2 | ||
| 1909 [28] | Anthony Wilding (2) | 2–6, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3, 9–7 | |
| 1910 | 6–1, 6–8, 2–6, 6–2, 6–2 | ||
| 1911 | Australasian championships held | ||
| 1912 | 6–3, 6–0, 6–2 | ||
| 1913 | w.o. | ||
| 1914/1918 | Not held (due to world war one) | ||
| 1919 [29] | 6–4, 3–6, 6–0, 6–3 | ||
| 1920 [30] | Gerald Patterson (2) | 12–10, 6–3. 6–2 | |
| 1921 [31] | Gerald Patterson (3) | 5–7, 6–0, 6–4, 8–6 | |
| 1922 [32] | Gerald Patterson (4) | 6–3, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 | |
| 1923 [33] | Gerald Patterson (5) | w.o. | |
| 1924 [34] | Gerald Patterson (6) | 6–3, 10–8, 9–7 | |
| 1925 | Timothy Fitchett | 6–3, 9–7, 6–1 | |
| 1926 [35] | Gerald Patterson (7) | 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 | |
| 1927 [36] | Gerald Patterson (8) | 7–5, 6–1, 5–7, 1–6, 7–5 | |
| 1928 | 5–7, 6–2, 6–3, 6–4 | ||
| 1929 | Jack Crawford (2) | 6–3, 2–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–3 | |
| 1930 | Jack Crawford (3) | 6–1, 8–10, 6–0, 6–2 | |
| 1931 | Jack Crawford (4) | 7–5, 0–6, 6–3, 6–4 | |
| 1932 | Jack Crawford(5) | 1–6, 6–4, 6–4, 2–6, 6–4 | |
| 1933 | 6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3 | ||
| 1934 | Jack Crawford (6) | 6–2, 8–6, 6–3 | |
| 1935 | 6–2, 8–6, 4–6, 6–2 | ||
| 1936 | Adrian Quist (2) | 6–2, 6–1, 6–2 | |
| 1937 [37] | 8–6, 6–3, 9–7 | ||
| 1938 | Adrian Quist (3) | 6–2, 6–3, 6–3 | |
| 1939 | 6–1, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3 | ||
| 1940 | John Bromwich (2) | 6–0, 6–2, 6–4 | |
| 1941 | Jack Crawford (7) | 6–3, 0–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–2 | |
| 1942/1944 | Not held (due to world war one) | ||
| 1945 | John Bromwich (3) | 6–3, 6–4, 6–2 | |
| 1946 | John Bromwich (4) | 8–6, 6–4, 6–4 | |
| 1947 | 6–4, 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 | ||
| 1948 [38] | 6–4, 7–5, 8–6 | ||
| 1949 | 6–4, 6–3, 11–9 | ||
| 1950 | 5–7, 6–3, 7–5, 6–3 | ||
| 1951 | Frank Sedgman (2) | 8–6, 6–0, 6–4 | |
| 1952 |  Vic Seixas[39] | Frank Sedgman[40] | 8–6, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 1953 [41] | 9–7, 8–6, 3–6, 6–3 | ||
| 1954 [42] | 6–1, 4–6, 6–1, 7–5 | ||
| 1955 | Lew Hoad (2) | 1–6, 6–4, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 | |
| 1956 | Ken Rosewall (2) | 4–6, 4–6, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3 | |
| 1957 | 6–4, 10–8, 1–6, 7–5 | ||
| 1958 | Mal Anderson (2) | 7–5, 6–4, 6–3 | |
| 1959 | 6–0, 25–23, 5–7, 6–4 | ||
| 1960 | 8–6, 5–7, 8–6, 6–3 | ||
| 1961 | 4–6, 8–6, 9–7, 6–3 | ||
| 1962 | Rod Laver (2) | 3–6, 9–7, 6–1, 6–8, 6–0 | |
| 1963 | 8–6, 6–4, 6–3 | ||
| 1964 | Fred Stolle | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 | |
| 1965 | 8–6, 7–5, 2–6, 1–6, 6–1 | ||
| 1966 | Roy Emerson (2) | Fred Stolle | 6–2, 9–7, 6–3 |
| 1967 | 7–5, 6–3, 6–4 | ||
| Open era | |||
| 1969 | 14–12, 6–8, 6–3, 8–6 | ||
| 1970 | 6–4, 6–4, 4–6, ret. | ||
| 1971 [43] | 6–4, 6–2 | ||
| Year | Champions | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | E. MacKenzie | A. Bayles | 10–4 |
| 1886 | C. Greene | Ellen Mayne | 6–1, 6–1 |
| 1887 | Mabel Shaw | Eliza Fitzgerald | 6–2, 6–3 |
| 1888 | Mabel Shaw (2) | Anne Chenery | 1–6, 6–2, 6–4 |
| 1889 | Nellie A. Beckett | Constance Raleigh | 6–3 6–4 |
| 1890 | Mabel Shaw (3) | E. Mackenzie | 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 1891 | Ellen Mayne | Mabel Shaw | 6–5, 6–4 |
| 1892 | Edith Raleigh | Ellen Mayne | 1–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
| 1893 | C. Peach | Edith Raleigh | 6–4 2–6 6–4 |
| 1894 | Constance Raleigh | Maisie Parr | 6–5 6–1 |
| 1895 | Phoebe Howitt | Mabel Shaw | 6–2 6–5 |
| 1896 | Phoebe Howitt (2) | Constance Raleigh | 6–2 6–2 |
| 1897 | Phoebe Howitt (3) | Florence Waters | 6–3 2–6 6–3 |
| 1898 | Phoebe Howitt (4) | Florence Waters | 6–0 6–4 |
| 1899 | Phoebe Howitt (5) | Florence Waters | 6–2 7–5 |
| 1900 | Phoebe Howitt-Cater (6) | Mrs Barrington | 6–3 6–4 |
| 1901 | Lorna Gyton | Lillian Payne | 7–5 6–3 |
| 1902 | Lorna Gyton (2) | Gertrude Wilmoth | 6–0 8–6 |
| 1903 | Lorna Gyton (3) | 6–1 6–1 | |
| 1904 | E. Collis | C. Robertson | 6–3 6–2 |
| 1905 | Lorna Gyton (4) | Gertrude Wilmoth | 6–4 6–1 |
| 1906 | Lorna Gyton | 8–6 6–2 | |
| 1907 | Lorna Gyton (5) | 2–6 6–4 8–6 | |
| 1908 [44] | Lily Addison (2) | Lorna Gyton | 11–9 6–4 |
| 1909 | Lily Addison (3) | Lorna Gyton | 6–4 6–2 |
| 1910[45] | Lily Addison (4) | Pearl Stewart | 4–6 7–5 6–0 |
| 1911 | Lily Addison (5) | A. Wilmoth | 6–3 6–2 |
| 1912 | Phillis Stewart | Lorna Gyton | 6–1 6–1 |
| 1913 | Meryl Waxman | Lorna Gyton | 4–6 6–4 6–4 |
| 1914 | Phillis Stewart (2) | Dorothy Schlesinger | 6–0, 6–4 |
| 1915/1918 | Not held (due to world war one) | ||
| 1919 | Annie Ford | Irene Forbes-Smith | 7–5 7–5 |
| 1920 | 7–5 8–6 | ||
| 1921 [46] | 8–6 3–6 6–3 | ||
| 1922 | Meryl Lister | 6–2 6–3 | |
| 1923 | Esna Boyd (2) | Kath Le Mesurier | 6–2 6–3 |
| 1924 | Miss Harper | 6–1 0–6 7–5 | |
| 1925 | Esna Boyd (3) | 3–6 6–3 retired | |
| 1926 | Esna Boyd (4) | 6–3 6–2 | |
| 1927 | Esna Boyd (5) | 6–1 6–1 | |
| 1928 | 6–8 6–1 7–5 | ||
| 1929 | Marjorie Cox (2) | Kath Le Mesurier | 6–2 6–4 |
| 1930 | Marjorie Crawford (3) | Frances Hoddle-Wrigley | 6–1 6–1 |
| 1931 | Esna Robertson (6) | Kath Le Mesurier | 6–2 6–4 |
| 1932 | 6–4 6–8 6–4 | ||
| 1933 | Joan Hartigan (2) | Nancy Chitty | 4–6 7–5 6–4 |
| 1934 | 9–7, 6–0 | ||
| 1935 | 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 | ||
| 1936 | Joan Hartigan (3) | 8–6 6–2 | |
| 1937 | 6–4 1–6 6–4 | ||
| 1938 | 6–8 6–1 6–2 | ||
| 1939 | 6–2 6–2 | ||
| 1940 | Nancye Wynne (2) | 7–5 2–6 6–3 | |
| 1941 | Nell Hopman (2) | Alison Burton | 6–4 5–7 6–4 |
| 1942/1945 | Not held (due to world war two) | ||
| 1946 | Nancye Bolton (3) | 6–1 9–7 | |
| 1947 | Nancye Bolton (4) | 6–1 6–4 | |
| 1948 [47] | 6–1 9–7 | ||
| 1949 [48] | Nancye Bolton (3) | 6–8 6–2 8–6 | |
| 1950 | 6–4 3–6 6–4 | ||
| 1951 | Thelma Long (2) | 6–2 6–1 | |
| 1952 [49] | Julia Sampson[50] | ? | |
| 1953 | Thelma Long (3) | Jennifer Staley | 6–4 6–1 |
| 1954 | Thelma Long (4) | Jennifer Staley | 4–6 7–5 6–2 |
| 1955 | 6–2 6–2 | ||
| 1956 | 4–6 9–7 8–6 | ||
| 1957 | 7–5 7–5 | ||
| 1958 | 6–4 8–6 | ||
| 1959 [51] | 6–0 5–7 6–4 | ||
| 1960 | 4–6 9–7 6–3 | ||
| 1961 [52] | 6–3 6–2 | ||
| 1962 [53] | Margaret Smith (2) | 6–4 8–6 | |
| 1963 [54] | Margaret Smith (3) | 6–4 6–4 | |
| 1964 [55] | Margaret Smith (4) | 6–1 6–3 | |
| 1965 [56] | Margaret Smith (5) | 5–7 6–3 6–2 | |
| 1966 | 1–6 6–1 7–5 | ||
| 1967 | 6–3 3–6 7–5 | ||
| Open era | |||
| 1969 [57] | Margaret Court (6) | 6–1 6–4 | |
| 1970 [58] | Margaret Court (7) | 6–1 6–1 | |
| 1971 [59] | 7–6 (5-3) 7–6 (5-2) | ||
Source: The Tennisbase included[60]
Gerald Patterson, (8) Gerald Patterson, (6) Jack Crawford, (11) Jack Crawford, (10) Jack Crawford, (76) Jack Crawford, (64) Gerald Patterson, (33) Harry Hopman, (21) Gerald Patterson, (93.62%) Neale Fraser v Roy Emerson, result: 6-0, 25-23, 5-7, 6-4 (76 games), (1959) Phil Dent, result: 6-4, 6-2 (18 games), (1971) Norman Brookes, (19), (1904) Harry Parker, 34y 6m and 19d, (1907) Lew Hoad, 19y 0m and 7d, (1953)