As the sun set over Perth last Friday evening, newly-crowned Wimbledon winner Matt Ebden was back courtside as Tennis West welcomed hundreds of tennis fans and members of our community to the State Tennis Centre, all eager to celebrate with the 2022 Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Champion.
WA’s own Ebden joined the fun celebrations and captured guests’ attention during a fascinating Q&A discussion with Tennis West CEO Brett Patten where he spoke candidly about his time in London, shared how it feels to hold the title of a Wimbledon Champion and reflected on his tennis journey so far as well as what the future holds.
Since returning home to Perth, Ebden has been giving back to the tennis community, spending quality time celebrating with family and friends, including his five-month-old baby Harvey (who can already tick a trip to Wimbledon off his bucketlist!) and reliving the dream of playing on the lush grass of Centre Court at Wimbledon. Ebden also took out the Runner Up title in the Mixed Doubles final with partner Sam Stosur.
“To come out and play on Centre Court at Wimbledon is unreal, I mean everyone here – young and old – it’s probably a dream to play on Centre Court,” said Ebden.
Among the fans that filled the State Tennis Centre was another member of WA’s sporting royalty – West Coast Eagles legend Ben Cousins – who enjoyed a hit on court and drew the raffle for some giveaway prizes. Guests enjoyed a BBQ cooked up by the Tennis West team and, channelling inner Wimbledon champions, jumped on court for some fun activities.
When asked about the advice he would give to young players, Ebden reiterated the importance of having a pure passion for the sport.
“It’s about loving what you do,” said Ebden.
“You have to do love it. I wouldn’t have won Wimbledon without spending millions of hours on the practise court over 20 years.”
“The result is great but at the end of the day, it’s about living and enjoying your life – what you’re doing, what you’re working towards and what you’re sacrifiing things for and the people you’re doing it with,” added Ebden.
Ebden took out the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Doubles title alongside fellow Aussie Max Purcell earlier this month. The Aussie duo captured their maiden major title together with a 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 4-6 6-4 7-6(2) victory against defending champions Mate Pavić and Nikola Mektić in a fiercely contested final at Centre Court and in the tournament’s first-ever Gentlemen’s Doubles final decided in a match tiebreak.
READ: WA’s Matt Ebden Crowned Wimbledon Doubles Champion Alongside Max Purcell
The No.14 seeds become the first all-Australian team in 22 years to capture a Wimbledon gentlemen’s doubles title – and did so in dramatic fashion, winning a four-hour battle.
Ebden turned pro in 2006 and has a career-high singles ranking of world No. 39 and a doubles ranking of No. 24. Ebden has won six ATP Tour doubles titles.
Ebden was born in South Africa and moved to Perth at the age of 12. He is married to Kim Ebden and they have one son.
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