Together with sister company ABC Bullion, W.J. Sanders completed the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for Australian Open 2025 (AO).
Handcrafted from Australian ABC Bullion silver by our master silversmiths in Sydney, the iconic trophies are set to continue their legacy as the ultimate prizes for the champions of Australia’s premier tennis competition.
As the official trophy manufacturer and partner of the AO, ABC Bullion worked closely with the W.J. Sanders workshop to create the prestigious trophies – exact replicas of the perpetual trophies held by Tennis Australia – which will be presented to the victors of the AO men’s and women’s singles finals. Together, we also produced the doubles, wheelchair, junior and legends trophies, as well as runners-up trophies and commemorative plates for finals umpires.
Made from 100% Australian silver, the pieces celebrate not only sporting excellence but also Australia’s craftsmanship and resources. The silver was ethically sourced from Evolution Mining’s Cowal Gold Mine, then meticulously refined by ABC Refinery, ensuring a transparent and responsible supply chain. W.J. Sanders, known for our bespoke metalwork, crafted each piece in Australia, using specialist techniques honed over generations.
“ABC Bullion’s partnership with the Australian Open continues to elevate the event, merging the world of sports with high-quality, sustainable craftsmanship,” said Andrew Cochineas, CEO of Pallion. “This collaboration represents a union of the finest Australian resources, artisanal skills and environmental responsibility, ensuring the full suite of Australian Open trophies remain true symbols of national pride.”
The stories of the trophies and why they look as they do are also of great intrigue. The Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, awarded to the AO men’s singles champion, was first presented in 1934. Its design was inspired by the Warwick Vase, a large Roman marble vase excavated from the ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s villa near Rome in Italy. The trophy features intricate classical motifs, including figures and grapevines, which are hand-worked each year by the W.J. Sanders team to further enhance their symbolism of endurance, victory and celebration.
The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, presented to the women’s singles champion at the AO, was first awarded in 1934. While details about its design are limited, the trophy features distinctive handles and a lid, handcrafted by W.J. Sanders to embody traditional trophy aesthetics. The cup, affectionately called ‘Daphne’, honours Daphne Akhurst, an Australian tennis player who won five Australian singles titles and nine Australian doubles titles between 1924 and 1931.
Darren May, General Manager at W.J. Sanders, and our team of silversmiths devote more than 650 hours each year to create the two trophies using endangered smithing skills. “These iconic trophies are a testament to the ongoing legacy of W.J. Sanders, drawing upon over a century of metalsmithing expertise to craft symbols of excellence that meet the exacting standards of Tennis Australia,” he said.
“The trophies represent a celebration of Australia. Made from locally sourced precious metals and shaped by local artisans, each piece honours the champions crowned in Melbourne. It’s an inspiring project to be a part of – a contribution to both the nation and to the sport of tennis that fills everyone at W.J. Sanders with immense pride.”
Australian Open 2025 at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, runs until January 26.
ABC Bullion, ABC Refinery and W.J. Sanders are all Pallion companies.