These days it is affectionately known as the ‘happy slam’ – and tennis stars from across the world have every reason to feel upbeat given the staggering $86.5million in prizemoney on offer at the 2024 Australian Open.

But it wasn’t always held in the highest regard.

Before moving to its permanent home at Melbourne Park in 1988, previous venues included nearby Kooyong, Brisbane’s Milton courts, Sydney’s White City and Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Even Perth Zoo staged the tournament, according to the ABC.

Kooyong was first utilised as a venue in 1927 – before earning the right to become permanent host of the Open in 1972.

Serbian maestro Novak Djokovic has won a jaw-dropping 10 Australian Open titles

Before the tournament shifted to Melbourne Park in 1988, many top-line players felt the facilities at nearby Kooyong weren’t up to scratch – including John McEnroe (pictured)

Opinions were divided over the grasscourt venue, with some top-line players feeling the facilities weren’t up to standard.

Many then opted to skip the Australian Open, leaving fans short-changed.

‘Superbrat’ John McEnroe was one who didn’t hold back in his criticism.

‘It’s not good enough to play tennis on, you could say it was like a skating rink,’ the seven-time major winner said following a five-set triumph at the 1985 Open.

Tellingly, Colin McDonald, executive director of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia, agreed with McEnroe.

He stated at the time Australia had ‘fallen behind the rest of the world’ and was at ‘serious risk of losing its status as a grand slam.’

As a result, work soon began on the modern facility that is Melbourne Park.

Meanwhile, McEnroe – a noted perfectionist – lifted the Wimbledon trophy on three occasions – and also won four US Open titles, but Australia proved to be a venue where Grand Slam success eluded him.

His best finish was the semi-finals in 1983, and he was infamously defaulted from the from the tournament in 1990 for swearing at the umpire, supervisor and referee during a fourth round match against Sweden’s Mikael Pernfors.

Alex de Minaur looms as Australia’s best hope this year, with the world number 10 to earn $600,000 if he can progress to the men’s quarter-finals – the prizemoney on offer is much higher than previous decades

Poland’s Iga Swiatek is tipped by many tennis experts to win the Australian Open women’s singles title

Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, believes it is critical ‘the best players in the world are compensated appropriately’

McEnroe’s record is in stark contrast to Serbian maestro Novak Djokovic, who has won a jaw-dropping 10 Australian Open titles – and at 36, is the men’s favourite ahead of first round matches starting on January 14.

Djokovic isn’t a revered figure with all tennis fans, with the veteran infamously deported from Australia in 2022 after refusing to reveal his vaccination status.

The drawn out fiasco created plenty of unwanted global headlines, but Djokovic returned last year and beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final in straight sets.

Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, in December confirmed an increase in prizemoney for players at the first Grand Slam of 2024, with the men and women’s singles winners to each receive $3.15million.

‘It is critical to the continued success of the Australian Open that we ensure the best players in the world are compensated appropriately,’ he said in a statement.

‘As we know this [money] allows players to invest in their own careers and in many cases, helps set them up for success throughout the year.

‘We want to ensure Australia remains the launchpad for the global tennis season and the players and their teams have everything they need to help them perform at their peak.’