The Australian Open, also known as the ‘Happy Slam’ is one of the most technologically advanced tournaments in the sporting arena. From having automatic roofs at players’ benches to having automatic, linesman-free line calls, it is one of the most technologically advanced tournaments at least on the tennis circuit.
However, the play at this picturesque venue is still between humans only! And that can’t be overpowered by any technology whatsoever. The tournament Down Under has witnessed some out-of-the-world tennis since its inception in 1905, particularly since the advent of the Open Era in 1969. This has led to some iconic rivalries, some iconic champions, and some iconic memories.
In this article, we will discuss the top 10 most successful men in the history of the Australian Open. But before we begin, it is important to note that the list includes the names of only those players who have won the Australian Major in the men’s singles category since 1969 (first edition in Open Era). Moreover, players with the same number of titles have been ranked based on the years they won, with players having emerged victorious and ranked higher.
Top 10 players with Most Australian Open titles:
Ivan Lendl (2 titles)
The tenth and last place on the list of most successful men in the history of the Australian Open goes to Ivan Lendl. The Czech-American, one of the all-time greats and an eight-time Major winner has two titles in Melbourne Park. The first title came in 1989, then he defended his crown in 1990.
Stefan Edberg (2 titles)
The penultimate spot on this list with yet another 2 titles Down Under is Stefan Edberg. A six-time Grand Slam champion, Edberg was a proficient player in both singles and doubles, the fact being only one of the two men in the Open Era to achieve no.1 ranking in both categories. The Swede captured singles titles in Australia in 1985 and 87.
John Newcombe (2 titles)
Another Australian on this list, John Newcombe is one of the few players to attain world no.1 ranking in both singles as well as doubles category. Winner of 7 Grand Slams, Newcombe had the opportunity to lift the singles trophy on his home turf on two occasions; one in 1973 and the other in 1975.
Ken Rosewall (2 titles)
The legendary Australian, who had an outstanding career spanning more than two decades, Ken Rosewall is next on this list. Rosewall played both in the Amateur and Open Era, winning as many as 4 Majors Down Under, two of which came pre-1969. His Open Era championship victories in Australia include men’s singles Grand Slams in 1971 and 72.
Guillermo Vilas (2 titles)
The first Latin American on this list, Guillermo Vilas had a few glorious years in the late 1970s when he captured 4 singles Majors. Out of the 4, two came for the Argentine in Australia. Vilas captured the gold Down Under in 1978 and successfully defended it in 1979.
Johan Kriek (2 titles)
Probably the least-known name on this list, Johan Kriek is a South African- American who has tasted less success in the professional circuit than the other names mentioned before or after him on this list. Kriek won at the Australian Open in 1981 and 82, the same year when he became a US citizen. These were the only two times Kriek won a Grand Slam.
Mats Wilander (3 titles)
Moving to the fourth spot, it is occupied by 7-time Major winner Mats Wilander. The Swede had a brilliant run in the 1980s, the same decade where he clinched all of his Slams. Wilander at the Australian Open has 3 singles titles to his credit, which came in 1983, 84, and 88.
Andre Agassi (4 titles)
The third-ranked player on this list is Andre Agassi. The American great is the first tennis player to have a Career Super Slam along with Novak Djokovic who did it in 2024 (Calendar Grand Slam, plus the Olympic gold medal and the year-end Championships). There are 4 Australian singles Slams to his name, with Agassi capturing the topmost podium in 1995, 2000, 01, and 03.
Roger Federer (6 titles)
The Swiss Maestro Roger Federer has won six titles at the Melbourne Park. Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, has lifted the trophy here half a dozen times, doing so in 2004, 06, 07, 10, 17 and 18.
Novak Djokovic (10 titles)
The only man to have won titles in double digits, (Amateur Era and Open Era combined), Novak Djokovic holds the record of most Australian Open titles. His dominance can be evidenced by the fact that the second-best on this list is Roger Federer with just 6 titles to his name. The Serb has conquered Melbourne in 2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21 and 23.
Honorable mention also goes to 4 other names who aren’t in the top-10 list despite winning 2 singles Grand Slams at the Australian Open. These names include legendary players like Jim Courier (1992-93), Borris Becker (1991, 96), Pete Sampras (1994, 97) and Rafael Nadal (2009, 22).
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