John Newcombe
Australian tennis great with 26 major titles and five Davis Cups.
John David Newcombe AO OBE (born 23 May 1944) is an Australian former professional tennis player who reached world No. 1 in both men's singles and men's doubles. He collected 26 major titles in total—seven in singles, a then-record 17 in men's doubles, and two in mixed doubles—and helped Australia win five Davis Cup titles when the competition was considered as important as the Grand Slams.
As a boy, Newcombe played several sports before focusing on tennis. His game was built around a powerful serve and volley, and he often fired aces on his second serve. He was the Australian junior champion from 1961 to 1963 and joined Australia's Davis Cup-winning team in 1964. At age 15 years and 8 months, he entered the Australian Championships in January 1960, losing in the first round to Bob Mark; he was younger than three other 15-year-old entrants in the tournament's history. His first Grand Slam singles final came at the 1966 U.S. Championships, where he lost in four sets to Fred Stolle. Newcombe won his first major singles title at Wimbledon in 1967, dropping just five games in the final against Wilhelm Bungert, and later that year beat Clark Graebner in straight sets to win the U.S. Championships. In 1967, he was ranked the world's top amateur by Lance Tingay, World Tennis, and a panel of 13 experts, and received the first Martini and Rossi award.
In January 1968, Newcombe signed a three-year professional contract with Lamar Hunt's World Championship Tennis (WCT), joining the "Handsome Eight" and earning a guaranteed $135,000 per year—more than the highest-paid baseball player that season. The open era began that April. Though all his Grand Slam singles titles came on grass, he showed skill on clay by winning the 1968 German Open (beating Cliff Drysdale in straight sets) and the 1969 Italian Open (beating Tony Roche in five sets). In the 1969 Wimbledon final, he led 4–1 in the third set after splitting the first two, but Rod Laver won in four sets. At the 1970 Wimbledon quarterfinals, Newcombe outlasted Roy Emerson 11–9 in the fifth set in a grueling serve-and-volley battle, then beat Ken Rosewall in five sets in the final, relying on youth, strength, and his serve. He was ranked world No. 1 in 1970 by multiple publications. In the 1971 Wimbledon final, he defeated Stan Smith in five sets, with his experience proving decisive in a power-serving duel. He was aga
- born
- 23 May 1944
- field
- Tennis
- nationality
- Australian
- known_for
- World No. 1 in singles and doubles; 26 major titles; five Davis Cup titles
Lore & Background
Newcombe played several sports as a boy before devoting himself to tennis. His powerful serve and volley was the backbone of his attacking game, and he frequently came up with a second-serve ace. He was the Australian junior champion from 1961 to 1963 and a member of Australia's Davis Cup winning team in 1964. His first Grand Slam singles title came at Wimbledon in 1967, and he was the top ranked amateur in the world in 1967 according to Lance Tingay, World Tennis, and an Ulrich Kaiser panel of 13 experts.
In January 1968, Newcombe signed a three-year professional contract with Lamar Hunt's World Championship Tennis (WCT) and became part of the 'Handsome Eight'. He was guaranteed $135,000 annually, higher than the best paid baseball player that year. He won the 1968 German Open and the 1969 Italian Open on clay. He won Wimbledon titles in 1970 and 1971, and his first Australian Open singles title in 1973. He also won the US Open in 1973 and his last Grand Slam singles title in 1975. His last Grand Slam singles final at the 1976 Australian Open was played during a severe windstorm that caused a half-hour suspension.
Newcombe won his first Grand Slam title in 1965 in men's doubles with Tony Roche. The duo won 12 Grand Slam titles together, which remained the all-time record for a men's doubles team until 2013. Newcombe was the last of the Australians who dominated tennis in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Reader's Guide
John Newcombe's significance lies in his dominance across both singles and doubles during a transformative period in tennis. He was a world No. 1 in both disciplines and amassed a combined 26 major titles, including a former record 17 in men's doubles. His powerful serve-and-volley game defined an era, and he was a key figure in Australia's Davis Cup successes. Newcombe was also a pioneer of the professional era, signing a lucrative contract with WCT in 1968. His legacy is recognized by his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2018, tennis.com listed him as the 15th greatest player in the open era. He later served as captain of the Australian Davis Cup team from 1995 to 2000, leading the team to victory in 1999.
Did You Know?
- Newcombe was the first recipient of the Martini and Rossi award in 1967.
- He was banned from the 1972 Wimbledon Championships by the International Tennis Federation as a member of the WCT and Players' Union.
- His 12 Grand Slam doubles titles with Tony Roche remained the all-time record for a men's doubles team until 2013.
- Newcombe's 1976 Australian Open final was suspended for half an hour due to a severe windstorm.
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