Australia has produced some of the greatest tennis players the world has ever seen. From legends who dominated the court to modern stars who continue to impress, Australian tennis has a rich history of excellence. In this article, we will explore the top 10 best Australian tennis players of all time. These athletes have not only won numerous titles but have also left a lasting impact on the sport. Let’s dive into their remarkable careers and see what makes them stand out in the world of tennis.
10. Lleyton Hewitt
Lleyton Hewitt, known as ‘Rusty,’ was a tenacious player famous for his exciting five-set matches and comebacks. He made his Grand Slam debut at the 1997 Australian Open at just 15 and became the youngest ever World Number 1 in November 2001.
As the last Australian to win a Grand Slam title, Hewitt was adored by Australian fans who cheered him on with chants like ‘Rusty!’ He won the US Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002, becoming the first Australian to win Wimbledon since Pat Cash.
Hewitt also helped Australia win the Davis Cup in 1999 and 2003.
ALSO READ: Afghanistan Secures Historic First ODI Win Over South Africa
9. Neale Fraser
Neale Fraser was known for his powerful forehand and left-handed serve. He won Wimbledon and the US Open twice but never won the Australian Open, finishing runner-up three times, including once with a match point against Rod Laver in 1960.
In 1959 and 1960, Fraser dominated the US Open, winning singles, doubles, and mixed titles each year.
Fraser had an impressive Davis Cup record and led Australian teams to victory in 1973, 1977, 1983, and 1986. He received the Philippe Chatrier award in 2008 for his tennis achievements and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984.
8. Norman Brookes
Sir Norman Brookes, nicknamed “The Wizard,” was the first international player to win Wimbledon in 1907. His solid groundstrokes and varied serves helped him achieve great success.
Brookes won the Australian Open in 1911 and both singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon in 1914. He also holds the record for the oldest doubles champion at the Australian Open, winning in 1924 at age 47.
After retiring, Brookes became an influential tennis administrator, serving as president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia from 1926 to 1955. The Australian Open men’s singles trophy is named the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in his honor.
7. Ashley Cooper
Ashley Cooper was known for his aggressive baseline play and net skills. In 1958, he won every Grand Slam except the French Open, becoming only the sixth man to win three or more Grand Slams in a single year.
Cooper won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 1957 and 1958 and was part of Australia’s Davis Cup team in both years. He was knighted in 2007 and inducted into both the Australian and International Tennis Halls of Fame.
Cooper also succeeded in doubles, winning four Grand Slam titles.
6. Frank Sedgman
Frank Sedgman won an impressive 22 Grand Slam titles in just five years. In 1951 and 1952, he won 16 of the 24 Grand Slam titles available, including a Calendar Year doubles Grand Slam in 1951.
Sedgman was known for his quick reflexes and excellent net play. He was Australia’s first Wimbledon champion after World War II, marking the start of a golden era for Australian tennis.
Sedgman had a strong Davis Cup career, helping Australia win in 1951 and 1952, and finishing with a 25-3 record.
5. Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Evonne Goolagong Cawley was ranked in the top 10 for nine years and briefly held the top spot in 1976. She won four Australian Open singles titles between 1974 and 1977.
Known as “Gong,” she retired in the mid-1980s with seven Grand Slam singles titles and 13 major titles overall. Goolagong was a swift and elegant player, winning Wimbledon in 1980 as a mother.
She won 68 WTA titles, the sixth highest of all time.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Most Hundreds in Test Cricket for England
4. Ken Rosewall
Before the Open Era began in 1968, many professional players competed in Pro-Tour or Pro-Slam tournaments. Australian Ken Rosewall won a record 15 Pro-Slam titles.
With a total of 23 Grand Slam titles (8 singles and 9 doubles), Rosewall was a consistent winner. He won the Australian Open four times and remains the youngest and oldest winner of the tournament.
3. Roy Emerson
Roy Emerson, a key figure in the 1960s, is the only player to have won all four Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles. He has six Australian Open titles, tied with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Emerson also won 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals and was part of eight Davis Cup-winning teams. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1982.
2. Rod Laver
Rod Laver, a frequent name in the ‘greatest of all time’ debate, is the only player with both a stadium and a tournament named after him. He won the Calendar Year Slam twice, in 1962 and 1969.
Laver has 11 Grand Slam titles, including 3 Australian Open victories, and was the first player to earn $1 million in prize money. He was part of five Davis Cup-winning teams and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981.
1. Margaret Court
Margaret Court is the first player in the Open Era to achieve a Career Slam by winning all four Grand Slam titles. She also won the Mixed Doubles Calendar Slam twice, in 1963 and 1965.
Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles remains unmatched. She won the Australian Open a record 11 times and has more Mixed Doubles titles than any other woman. Court also completed a Calendar Slam in singles in 1970.
READ MORE:
