Classic match of the day

30 years ago today: Dec. 11, 1983

Ivan Lendl takes on Mats Wilander in the final of the Australian Open (then held at year’s end in December).

………………………………………

How things have changed. First, the Australian Open was in December. Plus, it was held at Kooyong, which is just a short tram trip from Melbourne Park but, much like the West Side Tennis Club at the time, basically an overgrown club.

Not only that, the tournament had a named sponsor (later, it was the Ford Australian Open). And it was a cigarette company.

(Thanks to Yannick Cochennec for the head’s up).

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Stephanie Myles

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