Melbourne, 8 November 2010 | Tennis Australia

The inaugural Newcombe Medal will be presented to Australia’s most outstanding elite player at the first Australian Tennis Awards gala dinner on Friday 3 December.

Australian tennis legend John Newcombe won 26 Grand Slam titles – seven in singles, 17 men’s doubles and two mixed doubles. He and Rod Laver share the distinction of being the only two players to win the men’s singles at Wimbledon and the US Open as both amateurs and professionals.

Newcombe was a member of six winning Davis Cup teams between 1963 and 1973, and as Davis Cup captain led Australia to victory over France in 1999 and Spain in 2000. In 1986 he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and then the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998.

“I have always felt it my duty to give back to tennis, a sport which has given me so much,” John Newcombe said.

“I am deeply honoured by having this medal named after me and feel quite humbled.”

“Tennis Australia is thrilled to honour the achievements of John Newcombe, one of Australia’s true sporting legends with the striking of the Newcombe medal,” Tennis Australia’s CEO Steve Wood, said today.

“As well as honouring our most outstanding elite player with the Newcombe Medal each year, we also look forward to recognising the contributions of many of our tennis family – coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers – at our first ever Australian Tennis Awards night,” Tennis Australia’s Director of Tennis, Craig Tiley, said.

The Australian Tennis Awards will feature categories for Community Tennis, Tournaments, Athlete Development and Coaching, featuring awards such as the Volunteer Achievement Award, Most Outstanding Club, Excellence in Officiating, Junior Athlete of the Year, Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability and Coaching Excellence in both Club and High Performance categories.

The Newcombe Medal has been designed by Richard Henderson of R-Co. in Melbourne. Henderson’s credentials include Creative Director for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and the medal design for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The Newcombe Medal will be cast in white gold and feature John Newcombe’s signature within a timeless and classic design.

Tickets to the Newcombe Medal gala dinner are available to the general public. Download the booking form