PLAYER PROFILE

Norman Brookes

  • Birth PlaceMelbourne, Victoria
  • Playing StatusDeceased
  • Australian Tennis Hall Of Fame1996
  • International Tennis Hall Of Fame1977

Singles champion
Australian 1911
Wimbledon 1907, 1914

Doubles champion
Australian 1924
Wimbledon 1907, 1914
United States 1919

Davis Cup
1905, 1907-09, 1912, 1914, 1920

Sir Norman Brookes, or “The Wizard” as he was known, was the first Australian to win Wimbledon, in 1907. Brookes was known for his clever, all-court game, a mixture of solid ground strokes backed up by a well-varied serve. Brookes won his home major in 1911 and three years later captured the singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon. It was the first time he’d returned to the All England Club since his first win there seven years earlier. More doubles success followed in the United States in 1919 and Australia in 1924. Following his retirement, Brookes became a renowned tennis administrator, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia from 1926 to 1955. The men’s singles trophy at the Australian Open, the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, is named in his honour.

 

 

Norman Brookes in the news

Aussies at Wimbledon: “It’s a dream tournament”
Maddison Inglis at the All England Club. Picture: Tennis Australia
26 June, 2022

Stepping through the gates of the All England Club, with its long history and many traditions, is a dream experience for Australians competing at Wimbledon 2022.
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Video: the Wizard’s story told at last
Author Richard Naughton, Wimbledon champion Neale Fraser and Sir Norman Brookes's grandson Norman Gengoult-Smith with Brookes' Wimbledon trophy. MAE DUMRIGUE
8 December, 2011

Update 5:30 pm. The story of Sir Norman Brookes was officially immortalised today with the launch of his biography The Wizard at Melbourne Park.
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