An incredible moment for tennis fans and local history buffs alike, the Australian Open Trophy made a special stop in Morwell as part of the AO on the Road Trophy Tour.
Morwell, VIC, Australia, December 12, 2024 | Nadia Dimatina
The prestigious Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup visited Morwell Tennis Club as part of the AO on the Road trophy tour.
The visit was not simply a celebration of the country’s greatest sporting event, but a tribute to a historic connection that spans decades – one with one of tennis’ most notable figures, Sir Norman Brooks.
“It’s special for Morwell. We have a long history with the Sir Norman Brookes Trophy. Sir Norman Brookes opened the original Morwell tennis site in 1959, so I’d like to say there’s a little piece of Morwell on the Australian Open men’s trophy,” said Glenn Palmer, vice president of Morwell Tennis Club.
It was a new chapter in local sport and Brooke’s involvement left a lasting legacy. As the country’s first Australian Open champion and a well-known figure in tennis, Brooks’ visit was an honor and inspiration to the local community.
His legacy continues to this day. His name is immortalized in Sir Norman Brookes Park in the center of Morwell.
“The park is the original site of the Morwell Tennis Club. It is still named Sir Norman Brookes Park and the leisure center now exists as well, but it was originally the site of the Morwell Tennis Club,” Mr Palmer said.
AO on the Road brings the excitement of the Australian Open to local communities across Victoria, giving tennis fans the opportunity to view and pose with the stunning trophy.
Australian tennis champion and former Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald made a special appearance to meet fans and celebrate the spirit of tennis.
“Every club loves trophies and they are kind to me. When I arrive they treat me like a king. It’s really beautiful. It’s nice to be around great tennis people. Because we are all the same and we love our sport. It’s a game for life,” said John Fitzgerald.
Despite the wet weather, Morwell Tennis Club hosted a fantastic community open day with their junior and senior teams and gave club members the opportunity to cherish the event.
David Ing, Chairman of Morwell Tennis Club, said: “It’s been great. It’s created some excitement with the players and other clubs coming to play at the junior club and it’s been great to be able to focus on tennis again.”
Trophies have already been handed out to Bacchus Marsh, Castlemaine, Mount Beauty, Warrnambool and Red Hill tennis clubs, giving local communities the opportunity to experience the excitement of the Australian Open.
The tour concludes at the Inter-Regional Championships in Creswick in early January. From there, the trophy begins its journey back to Melbourne for the Australian Open.
AO on the Road is presented by Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria with support from the Victorian Government’s Visit Victoria.
For more information about AO on the Road Trophy Tour, visit:AO on the road.
