There are many reasons the Australian Open is known as The Happy Slam

MELBOURNE—Australians enjoy festive occasions such as the Australian Open. “The Happy Slam” is a fitting slang term for a nation that loves nicknames and verbal shorthand. But these kindly Aussies also know that a celebration is far richer when it’s proceeded by arduous labor.

So in the early ‘80s, when the ITF gave Tennis Australia a sober admonition that its tournament wasn’t keeping up with the fellow Grand Slam events, the locals dug deep and displayed the same heavy work ethic that fueled such native champions as Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and Roy Emerson. Aided by strong government support, a new facility was built, unveiled in 1988. As a start, it boasted the first covered court at a Grand Slam event.

But that was only the beginning of this event’s transformation. In the ‘90s, there would come significant steps taken by the tournament director, ex-pro Paul McNamee, in everything from putting ranking points on par with the other majors, a significant outreach effort to Asia, proper branding of the major court—named for Laver, not a corporation—and yes, three words that are music to the ears of every player: increased prize money.

A significant change in timing also aided the tournament’s ascent. From 1977-’85, the Australian Open had closed out the tennis year. A professional tennis player in December has been worn to a pulp, hardly motivated to trek Down Under. Even prior to ’77, when the event technically launched the tennis year, it often occurred during the holidays.

But starting in 1987, the Australian Open was scheduled a couple of a weeks after New Year’s Day. To commence the hunt for glory in Australia rather than crash land there at the effort’s end has completely changed the tournament’s role in the tennis plot line.

January is flavored by resolution and optimism. Before the Australian Open gets underway, mill around the player areas—dining, practice courts, lounges, even hallways and elevators—and witness 256 men and women who haven’t competed in weeks. Bodies are unscarred, minds not shattered, hearts (and racquets) yet to be broken. Each athlete wonders if Australia might be the launching pad for the best year ever.

They relish the chance to resume the competitive process with their mates. Most had last seen one another long weeks ago, in that increasingly darkening autumn, at disparate indoor events flavored by fluorescent lights, chilly streets, heavy jackets and weary souls. But here, and now, in the sunshine of an Australian summer, removed even from the Northern winter, they start anew, greet one another with soulful handshakes and hugs and envision fate, destiny, opportunity. As the Cowardly Lion asked, “Do you think Oz could give me courage?”

A tournament director once told me the key to a great event was simple: Make the players happy and all else will radiate from there. For so long the runt of the majors, the Australian Open is akin to Scarlett O’Hara in the movie “Gone with the Wind,” emerging from the rubble of Atlanta to say, “As God is my witness, they’re not going to lick me. I’m going to live through this and when it’s all over, I’ll never be hungry again.” Applying that concept literally, the Australian Open this year opened a new player dining area, a large, open-aired lounge akin to those at Wimbledon and the US Open (the Roland Garros dining area has been quite narrow, but it too is being upgraded). That is just one part of a massive player area that includes new locker rooms, gyms and lounges. And for many, the tournament has even offered small travel stipends.

One covered court? Hardly enough. The Australian Open now has three. This too significantly increases player happiness—and also makes the tournament more enjoyable for the fans.

Then there is the incredibly accessible location. Of tennis’ four majors, Melbourne Park is the only one within walking distance of its metropolitan locale. Not present are the traffic-filled and noisy drives through Paris and New York. And while in London most these days now stay in the charming Wimbledon Village, there’s also the desire to occasionally head into remote London—engaging but also stressful.

Melbourne itself has its own appeal. It’s cosmopolitan, offering fantastic food inspired by various Asian countries, as well as Greece and others. It’s also less cluttered than the other Slam cities, filled with lawns, roadways and, alone among the Slams, accessible beach areas. In 2017, The Economist named Melbourne the world’s most livable city for the seventh year in a row. Disclosure: I do not work for the Melbourne Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

Finally, there is the incredible friendliness of the host nation. In this land that coined the phrase “no worries,” the setting is ripe for peaceful living and hearty competition. Be it as pro or spectator, what more could a tennis zealot ask for?

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