How the Australian Open has changed since 1988

IT was a year of mullets for men and women, outlandish on-court fashion, suitcase-sized mobile phones — and the Australian Open’s move to its brand new CBD location. Here’s how our Grand Slam has changed in three decades.

NUI TE KOHA

3 min read

January 12, 2018 - 9:44AM

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IT was a year of mullets (for men and women, based on picture evidence), outlandish on-court fashion and suitcase-sized mobile phones.

1988 was also the year the Australian Open moved from the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club to hard courts and shiny new facilities at Flinders Park.

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“For a while the Australian Open was regarded as the poor cousin, the ugly duckling, whatever you want to call it,” Australian tennis legend Pat Cash, who played Swedish ace Mats Wilander, in the 1988 Australian Open men’s final, said.

Pat Cash and his famed mullet promote the Australian Open.

Tennis star Chris Evert sported a mullet too.

Boris Becker after winning the 1996 Australian Open.

“I think that having the new stadium, Flinders Park and the whole arena being so central meant that our facility was up to scratch, if not better than, everybody elses.” Cash adds: “People got very excited about the whole thing, the new stadium, new facility and a reborn Australian Open, so all of the players came flying in to try and win this new title.

Old title, new venue.”

A site map of Flinders Park 30 years ago paints a humble picture — one centre court, two match courts, five indoor courts, 13 outdoor courts, one corporate marquee, and snack bar.

Today, Melbourne Park, as it is now known, is a world-class destination on the Grand Slam circuit, and includes Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, Hisense Arena, two outdoor show courts, 30 outdoor courts, a millionaire’s row of corporate marquees, international celebrity chef restaurants, bars, plus a sound stage for music entertainment.

Trends of the day in the 1988 Australian Open guide.

Before Melbourne Park, the Australian Open had humble beginnings.

“For me, it’s the most premium facility in the world,” Cash says. “Every time I come back there seems to be another roof added on, and another fantastic venue for music and tennis.

“To me, it’s always felt like it’s a festival that happens to have a tennis tournament going on at the same time. It’s really Aussie.”

Wilander praised Tennis Australia and its chief Craig Tiley for making Melbourne Park a leader.

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In 1988, the Australian Open was “a tournament ... trying to do things that the other three Slams had, and now it’s the other way around,” Wilander said.

“Now they’re basically the leading innovators when it comes to Grand Slam tennis. I personally think that they’re up there with Wimbledon.

“When the Australian Open comes around ... everybody is dying to get the season started.

“Everybody comes with no pressure. It seems like the favourite tournament for a lot of players.”

A mobile phone ad in the 1988 Australian Open guide.

1988 PRIZEMONEY

Men’s singles

Winner: $105,000

Runner-up: $55,000

Semi-finalists: $27,500

Quarter — finalists: $13,750

Round of 16: $6,900

Found of 32: $3,450

Found of 64: $2,100

Round of 128: $1,300

Pat Cash in action during his five-sets 1988 Australian Open loss.

Swede Mats Wilander holds his trophy aloft.

Women’s singles:

Winner: $110,000

Runner-up: $55,000

Semi-finalists: $27,500

Quarter-finalists: $13,750

Round of 16: $6,900

Round of 32: $3,450

Round of 64: $2,100

Found of 128: $1,300

Men’s doubles:

Winners: $36,400 per team

Women’s doubles:

Winner: $35,600 per team

Mixed doubles:

Winner: $13,954

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Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert after their semi-final clash in 1988 Australian Open.

2018 PRIZEMONEY

Singles:

Winner: $4 million

Runner-up: $2 million

Semi-finalists: $880,000

Quarter-finalists: $440,000

Round of 16: $240,000

Found of 32: $142,000

Found of 64: $90,000

Round of 128: $60,000

Doubles:

Winners: $700,000 per team

Mixed doubles:

Winner: $175,000 per team

1988 TOP 10 MALE PLAYERS

1. Ivan Lendl

2. Stefan Edberg

3. Mats Wilander

4. Boris Becker

5. Miloslav Mecir

6. Jimmy Connors

7. Pat Cash

8. Yannick Noah

9. Andres Gomez

10. Kent Carlsson

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert were the top players at the time.

1988 TOP 10 FEMALE PLAYERS

1. Steffi Graf

2. Martina Navratilova

3. Chris Evert

4. Hannah Mandlikova

5. Pam Shriver

6. Gabriela Sabatini

7. Helena Sukova

8. Zina Garrison

9. Magdalena Maleeva

10. Claudia Kodhe-Kilsch

2018 TOP 10 MALE PLAYERS

1. Rafael Nadal

2. Roger Federer

3. Grigor Dimitrov

4. Alexander Zverev

5. Dominic Thiem

6. Marin Cilic

7. David Goffin

8. Jack Sock

9. Stan Wawrinka

10. Pablo Carreno Busta

Rafael Nadal is the current world no. 1 tennis player. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

2018 TOP 10 FEMALE PLAYERS

1. Simona Halep

2. Garbine Muguruza

3. Caroline Wozniacki

4. Karolina Pliskova

5. Venus Williams

6. Elina Svitolina

7. Jelena Ostapenko

8. Caroline Garcia

9. Johanna Konta

10. Coco Vandeweghe

1988 TOP TENNIS FASHION BRANDS

1. Sergio Tacchini

2. Reebok

3. Lacoste

2018 TOP TENNIS FASHION BRANDS

1. Nike

2. Adidas

3. ASICS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN FANS SET TO SMASH AND SPLASH

COURIER’S VERDICT ON KYRGIOS

Tennisgoers are now spoiled for choice, compared to three decades ago, with Nobu among the food options at Melbourne Park. Picture: Rebecca Michael

1988 FOOD CHOICES

1. Pies

2. Sausage rolls

3. Sandwiches

2018 FOOD CHOICES

1. Nobu

2. Rockpool

3. Oishi by Huon Salmon

4. Burger Project

5. Biggie Smalls

6. AO Chefs Series: Peter Gilmore (Quay, Sydney), Angela Hartnett (Murano, London), Jake Nicholson (Blackbird Bar & Grill, Brisbane), Alejandro Saravia (Patsuso)