google-site-verification: googlec7193c3de77668c9.html

More than the Score – Is the Australian Open still tennis’s ‘happy Slam’?

Advertisements

Available for over a year

Roger Federer once dubbed the Australian Open the “happy Slam” of the tennis calendar. It takes place in the middle of January, in the warm, sunny climes of Melbourne Park, a world away from the cold winters of northern Europe. But as the first Grand Slam of the year gets underway, does the Aussie Open still live up to its nickname?

Ed Harry discusses the tournament’s place in the calendar with BBC tennis reporter Jonathan Jurejko and Britain’s Jodie Burrage, who reached the second round of the 2025 women’s singles in Melbourne before losing to No 3 seed and two-time Grand Slam champion, Coco Gauff. What sets the Australian Open apart from the rest of tennis’s showpiece occasions, and what’s it like to take to the court in such a prestigious event? And as summers keep getting warmer in Australia, how big an issue is heat becoming?

They also discuss the special event that opened this year’s tournament: The Million Dollar One Point Slam, which saw amateur player Jordan Smith become an overnight millionaire. Are these kind of special attractions a key part of tennis’s future?

Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We’ve got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we’ve got the expertise of the BBC’s top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you’ve got your own take on the stories we cover, we’d love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Programme Website


BBC News

Views: 3

See also  Raducanu & Alcaraz beaten by Draper & Pegula at US Open

Check Also

5 Live Sport: All About… French Open – French Open Daily: Zverev sets up Cobolli final

Available for 29 days Russell Fuller presents reaction to Alex Zverev’s semi-final win over Jakub …

1744355387 5c0f70d0 6139 11ee ac8c 9d18dbc280ea.png

French Open 2026 results: Matteo Arnaldi withdraws before semi-final against Flavio Cobolli with virus

Flavio Cobolli is through to the French Open final after fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi withdrew …

French Open 2026 results: Alexander Zverev beats Jakub Mensik to reach fourth Grand Slam final

Title favourite Alexander Zverev is one win away from elusive maiden Grand Slam title after …

Leave a Reply

Available for Amazon Prime
Just a moment.... 429 too many requests.