In a used antique display case tucked into the corner of the Theodore Tennis Clubhouse, a large silver trophy sits proudly on the top shelf.
Treasurer Kim Olsson enjoys showing off his prized possessions in the modest rural clubhouse of the 451-person town in Central Queensland, about 200 kilometres south of Rockhampton.
She puts on a pair of white gloves and carefully lifts the round trophy out of the glass case.
“We didn’t actually keep it here at first,” she says.
“We were really worried about how we were going to accommodate it.”
The trophy is given a place of honour in a showcase. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
This is the club’s attitude towards the US Open men’s tennis championship trophy.
The front is engraved with “United States Lawn Tennis Association, Men’s Singles Championship 1957.”
It was won by former Theodore local Malcolm (Mal) Anderson, who donated his Grand Slam memorabilia to his old club as part of its centenary celebrations in 2022.
“I thought the Theodore Tennis Club would be here forever and ever, and that’s where I started playing tennis,” Anderson says.
“I felt it would be a good talking point for people to come there to play and visit the club.”
The tennis clubhouse in the rural town of Theodore is modest. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
The victory was Anderson’s “happy phase”
In the 143-year history of the US Open, only 12 Australian men have won the title; the most recent victory was by Lleyton Hewitt in 2001.
Other Australian champions who have lifted the trophy include Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Pat Rafter.
Mal Anderson after winning the US Open in tennis in 1957. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
But Anderson’s performance at this international tournament is particularly remarkable.
He became the first unseeded player in US Open history to win the title, defeating world number one and fellow Australian Ashley Cooper in a major upset.
Although he is now nearly 90, Anderson still owns his winning club from the game – it now hangs on the wall in his retirement home, Albany Creek, on the outskirts of Brisbane.
“I think Ash thought he would have an easy game because I hadn’t really been successful against him up to that point,” says Anderson.
“I just hit a very good point and managed to win in two sets.
Mal Anderson was the first unseeded male player to win the US Open. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
“I didn’t focus on the fact 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.”
Anderson was a lanky serve volleyball player who peaked in 1957 and 1958, reaching his highest ranking to date with a position as number two in the world rankings.
In 1958 he reached the finals of the US Open and the Australian Open, but lost both times to Cooper.
Anderson also represented Australia four times in the Davis Cup, winning it in 1957 and 1973.
Surprise donation
The victory at the US Open 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 locals of his beloved hometown of Theodore, where he was born in 1935 on his parents’ cattle property.
Over the years, he often returned to Theodore to conduct training courses for aspiring young players.
Mal Anderson presented his trophy during a visit. (Source: Theodore Tennis Association)
Ms Olsson says it was a shock when Anderson arrived with the trophy during a visit in 2022 for the club’s centenary celebrations, along with an Australian doubles trophy he won with John Newcombe and a Davis Cup replica.
“I just said, ‘Oh my God, are you sure?'” she says.
“He just said to me, ‘Of course, I want you to have it here.'”
The club currently has 123 members, with 70 children taking part in the most recent junior training sessions.
Theodore Tennis Club offers a popular junior program. (Source: Theodore Tennis Association)
“Who knows? In 100 years, Theodore could become another player,” says Ms. Olsson.
Anderson believes that the formula for success for a great tennis player is 10 percent talent and 90 percent heart.
“You have to love the game if you want to improve,” he says.
“You have to really want to get better and the skill comes with practice.”
Anderson’s trophy is kept in a used antique display case. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)
