Almanac Tennis: Game, Set and Match to Martina

Martina Navratilova is a true champion – both on and off court. Smokie tells of his Twitter exchange with Martina, and the gift he received from her in the post.

Almanac Tennis: Martina and My Tennis Ball

Smokie recalls Martina Navratilova thwacking his tennis ball at the 1983 Australian Open.

Tennis as a Game of Beauty and Well-Being

Philip Mendes recalls falling love with tennis after his grandmother passed her trusty wooden-framed racquet on to wide-eyed eight year old boy. From the streets of Caulfield to centre court at Kooyong, Tennis has been a life-long love affair for Philip.

Once Was Flinders Park

As day one at the Australian Open gets under way, Emma Westwood fondly recalls her love affair with Mats Wilander [as do lots of the ladies – Ed], his army of Nordic supporters and how the Australian Open tennis is inextricably linked to the loss of a friend.