About

Kooyong’s international men’s event has come a long way in 25 years. Known as the AAMI Classic since 2006, the event began with no major sponsor or television coverage and a field of 15 Australians and one non-English speaking 16 year old Croatian, Goran Ivanisevic.

 

After the Australian Open departed in 1987, Kooyong, which had long been the home of Australia’s Grand Slam, was left without a tournament. Then President, Joe Devereux, didn’t want his Club to fade from international tennis history, so he approached AO Tournament Director at the time, Colin Stubs, and asked if he would take on “the cause” of keeping international grass-court tennis alive at the sport’s Australian spiritual home. Stubs, being a passionate supporter of grass courts, took up the mantle and so the Kooyong Invitational was born. When top Australian player at the time, Wally Masur, responded “I’m in” to a call, Stubs had the confidence to approach other Australian players and a field of 15 was quickly assembled. Ivanisevic was added on recommendation and the first event took place from December 12-18, 1988. Pat Cash emerged as winner.

 

In 1989, Colonial was secured as major sponsor and that relationship endured for 12 years. The company was then taken over by the Commonwealth Bank, which continued backing until 2004. The event went “sponsor-less” in 2005, but attracted leading Australian home and car insurer, AAMI, in 2006 and the event became known as the AAMI Classic.

 

The event had several date and format changes until the mid-90s when, after a Kooyong centre-court change to Rebound Ace, it settled in to a promotion/relegation four day fixture the week prior to the Australian Open, thus attracting marquee players such as Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Michael Chang and Michael Stich. Andre Agassi soon saw the benefits of playing a lead-up event in Melbourne and went on to play eight times, winning on three occasions, after each of which he won the Australian Open. Roger Federer is a twice AAMI Classic champion and Michael Chang and Andy Roddick have three titles to their names. In 1993 a women’s draw was added for the first and only time, with Rachel McQuillan beating Nicole Provis in the final.

 

The 25^th event approaches and Colin Stubs was pleased to announce last month the participation of former world no. 1 Australian warrior, LLEYTON HEWITT (2011 AAMI

 

Classic champion - 78), along with 2009 US Open winner JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (ARG - 7), No. 1 Japanese KEI NISHIKORI (19) and new father MARCOS BAGHDATIS (CYP-35).

 

Joining the above four from January 9-12 will be:

 

JUAN MONACO (ARG – 12) – pronounced MonACO

MILOS RAONIC (CAN – 13) – pronounced MILosh Rau-nitch.

Please note rankings as at November 12.

 

Tipsarevic, 28, has been at the business end of 14 tournaments this year. He won Dusseldorf and Stuttgart, was a finalist in Chennai and Gstaad, semi-finalist in Marseille, Madrid Masters, Canadian Masters, Bangkok and Vienna and quarter-finalist in Dubai, Miami Masters, Barcelona, US Open and Tokyo. Off-court he studies sports management and has a keen interest in psychiatry.

 

Monaco, also 28, has been in the winner’s circle on four occasions, taking out events in Chile, Houston, Hamburg and Kuala Lumpur. He was a finalist in Stuttgart and reached the semis at the Miami Masters. He thrives on hard work and fitness and has a hunger for the game born from growing up in tough conditions in his home town of Tandil.

 

Both Tipsarevic and Monaco are making their first Kooyong appearances.

 

Named 2011 ATP Newcomer of the Year, 21 year old Raonic, born in Montenegro, won the Chennai tournament before making his first visit to Kooyong last January. The big-serving Canadian went on to win in San Jose and got to the finals in Memphis and Tokyo, semis in Barcelona and quarters in Halle, Canadian Masters, Cincinnati Masters and Bangkok.

 

The eighth and final spot in the field has been saved for one of the top four.

 

Lleyton Hewitt fronted an intimate media gathering at Kooyong today. His desire to win and fierce commitment at all times will be warmly welcomed by Kooyong patrons in January, after a solid end to his year.

 

First ever winner, Pat Cash, will get the Classic off to a great start by hosting a free “fan day” on Tuesday, Jan. 8, in support of Challenge Cancer. A kids’ day will be held on Friday, Jan. 11, when all children under 16 will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult (limit two children per adult).

 

The Seven Network will provide approx. 12 hours of live national coverage over the four days and IEC in Sports will distribute match telecasts to over 75 overseas outlets.

 

 

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster on 13 6100. All event information is available on www.aamiclassic.com.au.