Tennis Australia Press Release, December 2, 2022
A record seven Newcombe Medal nominees have been announced, with Ash Barty (Qld), Alex de Minaur (NSW), Matt Ebden (WA), Storm Hunter (nee Sanders) (WA), Nick Kyrgios (ACT), Max Purcell (NSW) and Ajla Tomljanovic (Qld) all vying for the prestigious award at the upcoming 2022 Australian Tennis Awards.
Returning to the Palladium at Crown on Monday 12 December, 26-time Grand Slam champion, John Newcombe will present the winner with the coveted Newcombe Medal, the highest individual honour in Australian tennis.
The evening will include the presentation of 13 Australian Tennis Awards, celebrating the achievements and contributions of tennis clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, schools and talented junior players.
“The Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements, efforts and dedication of everyone involved in tennis,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
“And what a remarkable year it has been for Australian tennis with seven Grand Slam champions, 13 Grand Slam finalists, standout individual performances, career-best rankings and of course incredible results for our Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup teams.
“Our professional players have raised the bar significantly this year and can be very proud of all they have achieved including the tremendous inspiration they bring to the next generation of players, and everyone involved in the delivery of grassroots tennis.
“Being able to recognise the efforts of our professional players alongside our hard-working grassroots tennis community is really special. It brings tennis together in recognition of the collective effort it takes to achieve all that we do in our sport.
“Tennis clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, schools and junior rising stars of the game remain at the very heart and soul of tennis in Australia and their efforts are commendable beyond doubt.
“To be part of the Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards is a wonderful honour and achievement and I wish all nominees and finalists the very best of luck on the night.”
Off the back of what was a sensational year for Australian tennis the Newcombe Medal nominees are thrilled to be sharing in the prestigious honours.
“Its an honour to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal this year. Winning the Australian Open in January is something I’m very proud of and ended up being an incredible way to finish my tennis career,“ four-time Newcombe Medal winner Ash Barty said.
“Being able to win in front of my family, friends and the Aussie fans is something I will never forget. I’m so grateful for the support I have received throughout my career and hope I can now contribute to the Australian tennis community in other ways.”
World No.24 Alex de Minaur is nominated for the Newcombe Medal for a third time.
“2022 has been a memorable year. A year in which I’ve won the most matches I have on tour. I’ve played a lot of great tennis throughout the whole year and more importantly, I’ve stayed healthy,” De Minaur said.
“If I had to choose one moment, I think it would probably have to be either winning my sixth title in Atlanta or making the final at Davis Cup at the end of the year and getting very close to lifting a Davis Cup title.
“It’s been such an amazing year for Australian tennis and I’m just happy to be a small part of it. Ultimately, it’s great to see such a proud and rich in history nation playing some great tennis and pushing the limits on the world tour.
“It’s great to be part of that and I think it’s going to fuel a lot of hunger and drive for the years to come and hopefully we can push for bigger and better things.”
First-time Newcombe Medal nominee and Grand Slam champion Storm Hunter said her nomination was a surprise.
“It feels surreal to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal. I really wasn’t expecting it but it really is the cherry on top of a great year for me. I also feel very honoured to be considered among all the other nominees who have all had incredible years,” Hunter said.
“It’s hard to summarise my feelings but I’m just immensely proud of myself and my team with the work we have put in to achieve what we have achieved. Not just the results – but also the journey we have been on, a lot of ups and downs, but that’s what makes it incredibly worthwhile.”
Wimbledon doubles champion and two-time Newcombe Medal nominee Matt Ebden said the nomination is a wonderful recognition of his efforts throughout the year.
“It’s special to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal and recognised by tennis in Australia and the tennis community for my efforts this year,” Ebden said.
“The tennis schedule is incredibly long and demanding, but I have been fortunate to have the opportunities and successes I have had so I am feeling very grateful after all this year has held on and off the court.
“This year’s highlights firstly include the birth of our son Harvey; I think having a baby has further developed my perspective and maturity in life overall and that may also have helped my performance on the tennis court.
“It also feels like a culmination and evolution of all the hard work and development year after year on the tour working on all areas of my game, and on myself as both an athlete and a person.
“On court my biggest highlights are reaching the Australian Open final, winning titles in Houston and Winston Salem, winning Wimbledon with Max (Purcell) and being runner up with Sam (Stosur) in the mixed doubles and reaching the Davis Cup final after a huge team effort by all players and staff throughout the year.
“I just feel very lucky and grateful that I get to do this as a job and to have so many amazing people apart of my journey – it’s just very special.”
Nick Kyrgios, who won the Newcombe Medal in 2014, is nomination for the first time in five years.
“Wimbledon was a highlight this year. There were some really memorable matches,” Kyrgios said.
“I think I learned a lot about myself and really developed as a person. I was playing great tennis but even more than that, I made huge strides mentally.
“It’s great to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal and I’m looking forward to the Aussie summer.”
Nominated for the Newcombe Medal for the first-time, Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell said he’d had his biggest year yet:
“For sure, it’s been my most successful year. Another Slam final and then a Slam win, getting selected in Davis Cup, also playing ATP Cup at the start of the year for Australia and going on to make finals in Davis Cup,” Purcell said.
“I made the tough decision to stick with more doubles this year again because I’d do anything for Australia and the Davis Cup team.
“From next year, I’m hoping to make more of a push in singles and leave doubles for the Grand Slams and for when Australia needs me at Davis Cup.
“It’s definitely been my biggest year yet and I’m really excited to work towards my singles career next year.”
World No.33 and two-time Newcombe Medal nominee Ajla Tomljanovic said the nomination is a special reminder of the work that’s been put in.
“It feels special to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal. I’ve had my best year to date, and this is just a little reminder and reward for the hard work that’s been put in over a long period of time,” Tomljanovic said.
“My highlights of this year would have to be the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the US Open. Backing up big results in a shorter period of time has been a goal of mine for a while now, so to see my consistency go up is something I’m very proud of.
“I put a lot of emphasis this year on enjoying competing and the roller-coaster process that tennis can be. Finding positives from every situation and learning from it to be better next time around.”
The 2022 Newcombe Medal nominees
ASH BARTY
Ash Barty went undefeated in an astonishing Australian summer, recording 11 singles and four doubles victories. She defeated four consecutive top 25-ranked players to win the Adelaide International singles title and combined with Storm Hunter to sweep the doubles trophy. Barty sensationally continued her winning run at Melbourne Park, not losing a set to become the first local women’s singles champion in 44 years. The world No.1 and three-time major singles champion stunned the tennis world a few months later by announcing her immediate retirement. “I’m so grateful for everything that tennis has given me; it’s given me all of my dreams, plus more,” declared Barty, who proudly continues to serve as Tennis Australia’s First Nations Ambassador. This is Barty’s sixth Newcombe Medal nomination, making her a contender to win the award for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year.
ALEX DE MINAUR
The determined Alex de Minaur enjoyed a career-best season at Grand Slam level, advancing to both the Australian Open and Wimbledon fourth rounds for a first time. The 23-year-old amassed eight major main-draw wins in total, his most ever in a single season. Proving he is one of the world’s best players, De Minaur recorded seven top-20 wins throughout the year, including a first top-five triumph against world No.3 Daniil Medvedev at the Paris Masters. A title-winning run in Atlanta, his sixth career ATP trophy, proved another highlight. The patriotic De Minaur produced some of his best tennis wearing green and gold, playing a starring role in Australia’s ATP Cup and Davis Cup campaigns. He finished the season at world No.24. This is the third Newcombe Medal nomination for De Minaur, who previously won the prestigious award in 2018.
MATT EBDEN
This is Matt Ebden’s second Newcombe Medal nomination – and first in 11 years. The 35-year-old soared to a career-high doubles ranking of world No.24 during 2022. He contested three Grand Slam finals throughout the season, including two at Wimbledon. Ebden won the gentlemen’s doubles title at the All England Club alongside Max Purcell and was a mixed doubles finalist with Sam Stosur. He featured in six tour-level finals during 2022, including a runners-up finish with Purcell at the Australian Open. He also won titles at Houston (with Purcell) and Winston-Salem (with Britian’s Jamie Murray). These were his first ATP titles in more than eight years and helped him record a first year-end top-50 finish. The resurgent Ebden was recalled to the Australian Davis Cup team after a four-year absence and proudly contributed to the team’s success.
STORM HUNTER
The resilient Storm Hunter enjoyed a career-best season in 2022 and has been rewarded with her first Newcombe Medal nomination. The 28-year-old won three WTA doubles titles to break into the world’s top 10, peaking at world No.8 in October. Her triumphs included WTA 500 titles at Adelaide (with Ash Barty) and Berlin (with Katerina Siniakova), as well as a first WTA 1000 title at Guadalajara (with Luisa Stefani). Hunter also advanced to the Australian Open women’s doubles quarterfinals and US Open semifinals alongside American Caroline Dolehide, and enjoyed mixed doubles success as well, teaming with fellow Australian John Peers at the US Open to win her first Grand Slam title. Hunter finished a momentous season strongly, beating three higher-ranked opponents in singles to help Australia qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup final.
NICK KYRGIOS
A re-energized Nick Kyrgios has earned his third Newcombe Medal nomination. The 2014 award winner finished the 2022 season as the top-ranked Australian man in both singles and doubles. Kyrgios’ singles ranking had dipped to world No.137 in February, but he skyrocketed back into the top 20 after a string of strong results. This included becoming the first Australian man in 19 years to reach a Wimbledon singles final, as well as a career-best US Open quarterfinal run. The 27-year-old scored six top-10 victories and won a seventh career title at Washington. In doubles, Kyrgios rose from world No.233 at season start to a career-high world No.11. He won the Australian Open title with Thanasi Kokkinakis and was also crowned champion at Atlanta (with Kokkinakis) and Washington (with American Jack Sock). He ended a career-best year competing at the ATP Finals with Kokkinakis.
MAX PURCELL
At just 24, Max Purcell enjoyed an exceptional season on the doubles court, advancing to two Grand Slam finals. After recording a runner-up finish at the Australian Open alongside Matt Ebden, the Aussie combination went one better to claim the doubles crown at Wimbledon. Purcell’s first Grand Slam title proved an historic run, with the duo becoming the first champions in the tournament’s grand history to save match points in multiple matches. Earlier in the season, Purcell claimed his first ATP doubles title on clay in Houston (also with Ebden). He achieved a career-high ranking of world No.25 in April, then finished the season at world No.33 and as the youngest player inside the world’s top 50. He also made his Davis Cup debut during an unforgettable season. This is Purcell’s first Newcombe Medal nomination.
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC
Ajla Tomljanovic elevated her game to stunning new heights in an outstanding 2022 season. The 29-year-old recorded five top-20 wins, including an opening-round upset of world No.5 Anett Kontaveit at Roland Garros. Tomljanovic eliminated two top-20 seeds at Wimbledon, to become the first Australian woman in 20 years to reach back-to-back quarterfinals at the tournament. The determined competitor created more history at the US Open, ending Serena Williams’ professional career as part of a career-best run to the last eight. This made her the first Australian woman in 43 years to reach Wimbledon and US Open quarterfinals in the same season. Tomljanovic then spearheaded Australia’s run to the Billie Jean King Cup final and finished a memorable season at a career-high ranking of world No.33. This is Tomljanovic’s second Newcombe Medal nomination.
The 2022 Australian Tennis Awards finalists:
Coaching Excellence Club
Finalists: Evolve Tennis Academy (Collaroy Tennis Club, NSW), David Grainger (Henley South Tennis Club, SA), Vicky Lee (Doncaster Tennis Club, Vic)
Coaching Excellence Development
Finalists: Luke Bourgeois (Voyager Tennis Academy, NSW), Clint Fyfe (Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Qld), Domenic Marafiote (High Performance Tennis, SA)
Coaching Excellence Performance
Finalists: Mark Draper (Qld), Jay Gooding (Qld), Craig Tyzzer (Vic)
Excellence in Officiating
Finalists: Glen Crosbie (WA), Christopher Dellas (Vic), Robyn Tucker (SA)
Female Junior Athlete of the Year
Finalists: Talia Gibson (WA), Emerson Jones (Qld), Taylah Preston (WA)
Male Junior Athlete of the Year
Finalists: Jeremy Jin (NSW), Hayden Jones (Qld), Edward Winter (SA)
Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability
Finalists: Heath Davidson (Vic), Archie Graham (Qld), Kelly Wren (NSW)
Most Outstanding Club
Finalists: Coburg Tennis Club (Vic), Collaroy Tennis Club (NSW), Total Tennis Mount Hutton (NSW), Redland Bay Tennis Club (Qld)
Most Outstanding Professional Tournament
Finalists: 2022 Head QLD State Age Junior Series (Qld), 2022 Nepean Easter (NSW), Labour Day Tournament Euroa Lawn Tennis Club (Vic)
Most Outstanding School
Finalists: Aitken Creek Primary School (Vic), Nightcliff Primary School (NT), Torrens Valley Christian School (SA)
Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior
Finalists: Jarrod Broadbent (Vic), Ian Delbridge (SA), Graham Smith (ACT)
Volunteer Achievement Award
Finalists: Hendry Lukman (Tas), Nadine Maloney (Vic), Julie Polkinghorne (SA)
