25 November 2014 | Tennis West

Nick Kyrgios was last night awarded Australia’s top tennis honour, the prestigious Newcombe Medal, at a gala celebration at Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

In receiving the award the Canberra tennis ace was formally recognised as Australia’s most outstanding tennis player in 2014. He was presented the award by Australian tennis legend John Newcombe, in whose honour the medal is named.

Kyrgios has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the world tennis circuit. In July he ousted then-world No.1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) from the fourth round at Wimbledon to advance to the quarterfinals of a major for the first time, drawing widespread acclaim from some of the sport’s biggest names including Aussie legend Rod Laver, US champion John McEnroe and current world No.6 Andy Murray (GBR).

The 19-year-old backed up his Wimbledon campaign with a third round appearance at the US Open, showing he has what it takes to make it on the Grand Slam stage.

Starting the year at world No.183 Kyrgios collected ATP Challenger titles in Nottingham, Savannah and Sarasota en route to a career-high ranking of No.51 in September. That same month he joined the Australian Davis Cup team in its 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, helping the side to retain its place in the elite World Group.

Kyrgios, currently ranked No.52, was tonight elated to take out his first Newcombe Medal and was already looking ahead to a big future in the sport.

“I honestly didn’t think I was going to win this award tonight,” he said.

“Casey [Dellacqua] has had such a great year and obviously Lleyton [Hewitt] and Sam [Stosur] deserve the award as well but when I heard my name called up there were so many mixed emotions, I didn’t want to cry up there but I was close.

“Newk has achieved so much in this game, I read the articles [where he speaks] about me and how I have to work harder and I definitely take that into account, I’m doing that every day and I’m just looking to get better.

“I think a title awaits me and I’m going to do everything I can, train hard and hopefully that title comes.”

Newcombe said Kyrgios was a deserving recipient of the award.

“It was a tough decision to make with four very competent players, they were four great choices and that’s good for Australian tennis,” he said.

“Nick really stood out when we were voting for his win at Wimbledon against Nadal and getting to the quarterfinals, and also winning a couple of Challenger events earlier in the year, but you’re hard to beat when you go on centre court at Wimbledon and you defeat one of the greatest players of all time in four sets and you do it really well.

“I think there are good years ahead for Australian tennis.”

Kyrgios joins three-time winner Sam Stosur (Qld) and 2013 recipient Lleyton Hewitt (SA) on the Newcombe Medal honour roll. The two former winners, as well as the resurgent Casey Dellacqua (WA), were also in the running for the 2014 award.

The Newcombe Medal is the premier award presented on a night that recognises players, coaches, clubs, communities, volunteers and officials for their service to the sport. The awards ceremony has been held annually since 2010.

A highlight of the evening’s celebrations was the presentation of the President’s Spirit of Tennis Award to Carol Langsford (NSW) for her outstanding contribution to the sport. Also honoured was Australia’s 1974 Fed Cup team, commemorating the 40th anniversary of its title win.

South Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis was named Male Junior Athlete of the Year, while Destanee Aiava (Vic) was named Female Junior Athlete of the Year.

The full list of award winners is as follows:

Newcombe Medal
Nick Kyrgios – Canberra, ACT

President’s Spirit of Tennis Award
Carol Langsford – Collaroy Beach, NSW

Female Junior Athlete of the Year
Destanee Aiava – Narre Warren, Vic

Male Junior Athlete of the Year
Thanasi Kokkinakis – North Adelaide, SA

Coaching Excellence – Club
Craig Louis – Gunnedah, NSW

Coaching Excellence – ANZ Tennis Hot Shots
Tim Connelly – Newport, Vic

Coaching Excellence – Talent Development
Graeme Brimblecombe – Graceville East, Qld

Coaching Excellence – High Performance
Shannon Nettle – Mordialloc, Victoria

Most Outstanding Club
Morningside Tennis Centre (Queensland Catholic Lawn Tennis Association) – Morningside, Qld

Most Outstanding School
Parkes Public School – Parkes, NSW

Most Outstanding Tennis Community
Tennis Knox – Wantirna South, Vic

Most Outstanding Professional Tournament
Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba International – Toowoomba, Qld

Most Outstanding Australian Ranking Tournament
McDonald’s Bendigo Classic – Bendigo, Vic

Excellence in Officiating
Tom Sweeney – Benalla, Vic

Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior
Ros Balodis – Flynn, ACT

Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability
Adam Kellerman – St Ives, NSW

Volunteer Achievement Award
Wendy Hudson – Laurieton, NSW
For further information on the Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards please visit tennis.com.au .