It’s not just the score – is the Australian Open still tennis’s Happy Slam?
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Roger Federer once called the Australian Open the “happy Grand Slam” of the tennis calendar. The game takes place in mid-January, in warm, sunny weather at Melbourne Park, far from the cold Nordic winter. But as the first Grand Slam tournament of the year kicks off, does the Australian Open still live up to its name? Ed Harry discusses the event’s place on the calendar with BBC tennis correspondent Jonathan Jurejko and Britain’s Jodie Burrage. Jodie Burrage reached the second round of the 2025 Women’s Singles in Melbourne but lost to third seed and two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff. How is the Australian Open different from other tennis events? What is it like to step onto the court at such a prestigious event? As Australia’s summers continue to warm, how big of a problem is heat? They also discuss the special event that kicks off this year’s tournament: the Million Dollar Single Point Slam, in which amateur player Jordan Smith becomes a millionaire overnight. Are these special attractions a key part of tennis’ future? Every Monday through Friday, Beyond the Score tells stories from around the world of sports beyond the score. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, from the Australian Open to the Diamond League, from basketball to Formula One. We speak to illustrious athletes such as Ivorian legend Yaya Toure, boxing king Cecilia Brehus and cycling sprint king Harry Lavresson, as well as experts who work behind the scenes, from the referees responsible for VAR to the coaches who keep athletes in tip-top shape. In addition, we have the expertise of the BBC’s top journalists, who share insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. If you have an opinion about the stories we cover, we’d love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk or contact us via WhatsApp on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information and our privacy statement on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore
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