In a secondhand antique cabinet tucked away in a corner of the Theodore Tennis Clubhouse, a large silver trophy sits proudly on the top shelf.
Treasurer Kim Olsson is happy to show off the prized possession inside the modest rural clubhouse in the central Queensland town, which has a population of 451 and is about 200 kilometres south of Rockhampton.
She puts on a pair of white gloves and carefully lifts the round trophy out of the display case.
“At first we didn’t really keep him here,” she said.
“We were really worried about how we were going to accommodate it.”
The trophy sits proudly in a display case. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
That’s the club’s feeling about the US Open men’s tennis championship.
The engraving on the front reads: United States Lawn Tennis Association, 1957 Men’s Singles Championship.
It was won by former Theodore local player Malcolm (Mal) Anderson, who donated his Grand Slam memorabilia to his former club as part of its centenary celebrations in 2022.
“I thought Theodore Tennis Club would be there forever and that’s where I started my tennis,” Anderson said.
“I thought it would be a good talking point when people come to play and visit the club there.”
The tennis club is a modest one in the rural town of Theodore. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
Victory was Anderson’s ‘purple spot’
In the 143-year history of the US Open Championship, only 12 Australians have won the title, with Lleyton Hewitt’s victory in 2001 being the most recent.
Other Australian champions to lift the trophy include Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Pat Rafter.
Mal Anderson after winning the 1957 US Open tennis championship. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
But Anderson’s performance at the international tournament is particularly remarkable.
He became the first unseeded player in US Open history to win the title, beating world number one and fellow Australian Ashley Cooper in a major upset.
Now nearly 90, Anderson still has his match-winning racket – it now hangs on the wall of his retirement village in Albany Creek, on the outskirts of Brisbane.
“I think Ash thought he had an easy match because I hadn’t really had any success against him up until that point,” Anderson said.
“I just hit a very important point (and) I managed to win it in three sets.
Mal Anderson became the first unseeded male player to win the US Open. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
“I didn’t insist that it was a Grand Slam tournament. I just wanted to play tennis.
“I think if I had known what it meant, I would have been too nervous.”
A server-volleyer of great caliber, Anderson reached his peak in 1957 and 1958, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world.
In 1958 he reached the finals of the United States and Australian championships, but lost both times to Cooper.
Anderson also represented Australia in the Davis Cup four times, winning it in 1957 and 1973.
Surprise gift
The US Open victory catapulted Anderson to international stardom.
He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame the following year.
But no one admires him more than the people of his beloved hometown of Theodore, where he was born on his parents’ cattle ranch in 1935.
Over the years, he often returned to Theodore to organize coaching clinics for aspiring young players.
Mal Anderson offered his trophy during a visit. (Provided by: Theodore Tennis Association)
Ms Olsson said it was a shock when Anderson arrived with the trophy during a visit in 2022 for the club’s centenary celebration, along with an Australian doubles trophy he won with John Newcombe and a replica Davis Cup.
“I just said, ‘Oh my God, are you sure?’” she said.
“He just said, ‘Sure, I want you to have it here.’
The club currently has 123 members, and recent junior training camps attracted 70 children.
The Theodore Tennis Club offers a popular junior program. (Provided by: Theodore Tennis Association)
“Who knows? In 100 years, maybe another player will come out of Theodore,” Olsson says.
Anderson says he believes the winning formula for becoming a great tennis player is 10 percent talent and 90 percent heart.
“You have to love the game if you want to improve,” he said.
“You really have to want to improve and the ability will come with practice.”
Anderson’s trophy is kept in a second-hand antique cabinet. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
