20 December 2021 | Tennis Victoria

Six categories at the 2021 Australian Tennis Awards were won by Victorians last Friday night, including wheelchair superstar Dylan Alcott who claimed the illustrious Newcombe Medal alongside Queensland’s Ash Barty.

The Newcombe Medal is the pinnacle award presented at the Australian Tennis Awards, which unites the sport’s players, coaches, clubs, communities, volunteers and officials across the country, in recognition and celebration for their service to the sport.

Beginning the year with an Australian Open doubles victory and his seventh straight quad singles title at the tournament, Alcott added to his growing Grand Slam tally at Roland Garros, claiming his third singles title in Paris. He went on to win a second Wimbledon title in July, after defeating Sam Schroder in the final.

Winning the Paralympic gold in Tokyo edged the world No.1 closer again to the ‘Golden Slam’, and claiming a doubles silver medal with Heath Davidson capped off a memorable final Paralympics campaign.

Alcott etched his name into the history books at the US Open, becoming the first man to capture all four Grand Slams and Paralympic gold in a single season.

Alcott, who plans to retire after Australian Open 2022, finished the season as world No.1 in the quad singles division for the sixth time in his career.

“It’s awesome… I get lost for words to be honest,” Alcott said.

You know, when I won a Newk [Newcombe Medal] in 2016 it was a massive moment. It was a real glass ceiling shattering moment because an athlete with a disability had never really won a big award like that, you know what I mean?  It’s kind of weird now but it feels a bit more normal, doesn’t it? And that’s so cool.

“And to share it with Ash who is one of my good mates but also just such a legend of a person – an even better person than she is a tennis player.

“Tennis Australia’s been such a big supporter of everything that I’ve done over the years and this is just a cherry on top of what’s been an incredible year…. It’s a super massive honour that’s for sure.”

Fellow Victorian John Peers was also nominated after an incredible season which saw him finish the year with Top 20 doubles ranking and an Olympic bronze medal.

Hosted by Casey Dellacqua and Todd Woodbridge as a virtual gala ceremony, the 2021 Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards was the eleventh instalment of the coveted awards.

Fawkner Park Tennis Centre was named as the Most Oustanding Club or Centre in Australia, a fitting title for a club that has continued to make waves throughout the pandemic.

The 2020 Warrnambool Lawn Open was also announced as the Most Outstanding Professional Tournament, while Victorian-based coach Francois Vogelsberger, Greenvale Tennis Club’s Liz Tektonopoulos and senior superstar Glenn Busby all claimed their individual awards.

Congratulations to all our deserving finalists and winners, the full list of Victorian winners can be found below:

Coaching Excellence Performance

Winner: Francois Vogelsberger

Most Outstanding Club

Winner: Fawkner Park Tennis Centre

Most Outstanding Professional Tournament

Winner: Warrnambool Lawn Open

Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior

Winner: Glenn Busby

Volunteer Achievement Award

Winner: Liz Tektonopoulos (Greenvale Tennis Club)

 

Read more about all the exceptional 2021 Australian Tennis Award winners here!