John Newcombe stands among the most iconic figures in Australian tennis, competing in an era dominated by legends like Rod Laver. Known for his distinctive style and versatility, Newcombe captured Grand Slam titles across all formats—singles, doubles, and mixed doubles—leaving an enduring mark on the sport.
Born in Sydney on May 23, 1944, Newcombe gravitated toward sports from an early age but truly excelled on the tennis court. He became Australia’s junior champion in 1961 and repeated the feat in the following two years, earning a Davis Cup call-up at just 19 in 1963.
Over his career, Newcombe amassed 68 singles titles, including seven Grand Slam singles championships at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. He never captured a French Open singles title, but his achievements were nonetheless remarkable.
He also reached the world No. 1 ranking in singles, becoming the second player ever to hold the top ATP spot after Ilie Nastase when the official rankings were introduced in 1973.
The day he made Jimmy Connors mad
Newcombe’s career was defined by fierce rivalries with the era’s top stars, including Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe, Ilie Nastase, Guillermo Vilas, and Jimmy Connors.
One notable clash occurred ahead of the 1975 Australian Open final. Newcombe had accused Connors of avoiding him on the court, prompting a sharp response from the American.
Jimmy Connors said before the final: “Newcombe should talk more with his racket and less with his mouth. He says that I’ve been avoiding him, but I don’t need to avoid anyone. Whenever I reach a final, he’s not there”.
Despite Connors’ remarks, Newcombe won the final in four sets. The two would face each other four more times in their careers, with Connors winning each subsequent encounter.
Doubles and team success
Newcombe also reached World No. 1 in doubles, primarily partnering with Tony Roche. Together, they won 17 Grand Slam doubles titles. Including two mixed doubles titles, Newcombe’s career total across all Majors reached 26. In Davis Cup competition, he helped Australia secure five championships: 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1973.
Life after tennis
Newcombe retired from professional tennis in 1981. In 1986, he and Tony Roche were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. From 1995 to 2000, he served as captain of Australia’s Davis Cup team, guiding them to victory in 1999.
He later relocated to Texas with his wife, former German player Angelika Pfannenburg, and founded the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, which offers recreational tennis programs for children. Newcombe remains active in the tennis world, including presenting awards at the 2025 Australian Open.