PLAYER PROFILE

John Newcombe

  • Age79
  • Born23 May 1944
  • Birth PlaceSydney, New South Wales
  • Playing StatusRetired
  • Australian Tennis Hall Of Fame1998
  • International Tennis Hall Of Fame1986
“Never be afraid to dream - dreams are fun. And to try to follow them is even a lot more fun and try and make them become successful.”

— John Newcombe , 15 Nov 2018

» John Newcombe offers advice to his younger self

SINGLES CHAMPION

Australian 1973, 1975
Wimbledon 1967, 1970-71
United States 1967, 1973

DOUBLES CHAMPION

Australian 1965, 1967, 1971, 1973, 1976
Roland Garros 1967, 1969, 1973
Wimbledon 1965-66, 1968-70, 1974
United States 1967, 1971, 1973

MIXED CHAMPION

Australian 1965
United States 1964

DAVIS CUP REPRESENTATION

1963-1967, 1973, 1975-76
Captain 1994-2000

 

John Newcombe was a rugged serve-volleyer and a great competitor. His most formidable weapons – serve, volley and forehand – were used to devastating effect.

“Newk” captured seven Grand Slam singles titles, winning all except Roland Garros. Newcombe and Tony Roche won 12 Grand Slam doubles titles together – more than any other men’s team in tennis history until the emergence of Bob and Mike Bryan.

Newcombe would eventually own 17 doubles majors by the end of his career.

He was part of five winning Davis Cup teams; four successive victories between 1964 and 1967, and the all-star pro team of 1973. In 1994 Newcombe was named Davis Cup captain and led Australia to a 3-2 win over France in the 1999 final.

John Newcombe in the news

De Minaur, Ebden, Hijikata, Hunter, Popyrin, Purcell nominated for 2023 Newcombe Medal
(L-R) Max Purcell, Storm Hunter, Alex de Minaur, Matt Ebden, Rinky Hijikata and Alexei Popyrin have been nominated for the Newcombe Medal in 2023. (Getty Images)
1 December, 2023

Alex de Minaur, Matt Ebden, Rinky Hijikata, Storm Hunter, Alexei Popyrin and Matt Purcell will all vie for the 2023 Newcombe Medal at the 13th edition of the Australian…
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Ash Barty rewarded with a record fifth Newcombe Medal
Ash Barty celebrates her Newcombe Medal win (Getty Images)
12 December, 2022

Ash Barty has created history at the Australian Tennis Awards, becoming the first player to win the coveted Newcombe Medal for a fifth time.
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A Wimbledon dream: Goolagong Cawley and Newcombe look back
Evonne Goolagong and John Newcombe were crowned Wimlbedon singles champions in 1971; Getty Images
3 July, 2021

On the 50th anniversary of their 1971 Wimbledon singles triumphs, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and John Newcombe reflect on a golden era for the sport.
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Barty awarded 2019 Newcombe Medal
Ash Barty (R) is presented with the 2019 Newcombe Medal by John Newcombe. (Getty Images)
2 December, 2019

For the third year running, Ash Barty takes out Australian tennis' highest honour -- this time after a banner season highlighted by her first major title and world…
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