The Big Tennis Racquet is at the front of the Roy Emerson Tennis Centre in Brisbane. It is apparent why a big thing like the big tennis racquet is at the front of a tennis centre. What isn’t as apparent is the background story of the big racquet.
There is a hint for those old enough to know who Stefan, hairdressing tycoon based in Brisbane with over 30 locations still operating in Queensland today (in 2024). The colours on the big racquet handle are similar to the rainbow colours of the Stefan logo.
It’s first stage of the Big Tennis Racquet’s life began on a pier over the stands at the Milton Tennis Centre. Milton Tennis Centre was the home of Queensland tennis from 1915. It was the major tennis centre for the Davis Cup final in 1958 and the venue of the first Australian Open in 1969. until it was closed in 1999 and demolished in 2002.
The tennis racquet was bought by Stefan and found itself in a spare block of land next to Stefan’s Skyneedle HQ in South Brisbane. When the new Roy Emerson Tennis Centre was built, Stefan was approached and he donated the big tennis racquet to be at one of the entrances.
The steelwork tennis racquet was rejuvenated and repainted, introducing the colourful handle of the racquet. The head of the racquet does not have a net, but it did prior to its installation. The reasoning of removing the net is not known.
The new tennis centre, named Roy Emerson Tennis Centre after the Australian tennis player Roy Emerson who won 12 major singles titles in the 1960s. There is the Roy Emerson Museum in Blackbutt 
, where he lived.
There is no parking along Milton Road, so you will need to find parking nearby somewhere. I happened to be walking by when I had the opportunity to get a photo so I’m not sure where is the best place to park.
