He was the first player from the British Isles to win the Australian Open title in 1912

In 1905, the first-ever Australian Open tournament was contested in Melbourne.

The tournament, one of the four major professional tennis events, was first won by Australian player Rodney Heath, who defeated compatriot Albert Curtis in the final, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

For the first seven years, the Australian Open was won by players from Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.

In 1912, James Parke won the tournament – the first player from the British Isles to do so in Australian Open history.

Parke, who also played rugby and golf, won a total of three Grand Slam titles during his career.

James Parke’s 1912 Australian Open triumph

Parke’s Australian Open dream almost ended at the first hurdle. Parke found himself two sets down against compatriot Arthur Lowe, but roared back to claim a 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-0, 6-4 victory.

Parke then defeated Geoff Ollivier in straight sets. Ollivier was one of New Zealand’s best tennis players during that era.

In the semi-finals, Parke knocked out home favourite Robert Swanston, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.

In the final, Parke defeated compatriot Alfred Beamish in a titanic showdown. Parke won the contest 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1, 7-5.

The British Isles star also won the doubles title. Partnered with Charles Dixon, Parke defeated Beamish and Gordon Lowe 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in the final.

Two years later, Parke won the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title. Parke and Ethel Thomson Larcombe defeated Marguerite Broquedis and Anthony Wilding 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the final.

Larcombe, pictured below, won the 1912 Wimbledon Women’s Singles title.

The last British Australian Open Men’s Singles champion

Fred Perry was the last British player to win the Australian Open Men’s Singles title, doing so in 1934.

Perry, who won eight Grand Slam titles, defeated Jack Crawford 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 in the final.

Perry also won the Men’s Doubles title alongside compatriot Pat Hughes. The pair beat Adrian Quist and Don Turnbull 6–8, 6–3, 6–4, 3–6, 6–3.

Perry won his final Grand Slam singles title at the 1936 US Open.