A standout field of six nominees for the Newcombe Medal has been announced, with WA’s Matt Ebden (WA) and Storm Hunter (WA) nominated alongside Alex de Minaur (NSW), Rinky Hijikata (NSW), Alexei Popyrin (NSW) and Matt Purcell (NSW) all vying for the honour at the 13th edition of the Australian Tennis Awards.
The Newcombe Medal is the most prestigious individual award in Australian tennis. It is named in honour of 26-time Grand Slam champion, the great John Newcombe, who will present the Newcombe Medal to Australia’s most outstanding player for 2023 at a gala event at the Palladium Crown in Melbourne on Monday 11 December.
The Australian Tennis Awards will also be presented to celebrate the achievements and contributions of tennis clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, schools, and talented junior players across 13 additional award categories.
“The Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our dedicated Australian tennis community,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
“2023 has been a remarkable year for Australian tennis with many career best rankings, Grand Slam titles, a new world number 1 and back-to-back Davis Cup finals appearances.
“While we have an outstanding cohort of professional players excelling on and off the court and providing tremendous inspiration to the next generation of Australian players, this special event is also a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge our grassroots tennis community and everyone involved in the delivery of our great 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 the Newcombe Medal provides recognition for the invaluable contribution they provide to the health of the game across Australia.
“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.”
This is Ebden’s third Newcombe Medal nomination, recognising one of his best years on the ATP Tour. The 36-year-old soared to a career-high doubles ranking of world No.4 during 2023 after becoming the first Australian since 2017 to reach the semifinals at the ATP Finals. In the most successful year of Ebden’s doubles career he reached seven doubles finals, including the US Open and at Indian Wells, where he won his first Masters 1000 title. He also reached the semifinals at Wimbledon.
Australia’s newest world No.1 doubles star, 29-year-old Storm Hunter finished the year in the top spot after reaching the semifinals at the WTA Finals in Cancun in November. Pairing with Belgium’s Elise Mertens, the duo won two WTA 1000 titles at Rome and Guadalajara and were doubles finalists at Wimbledon. Hunter rose above American duo Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff to hit No.1 in the WTA world doubles rankings and has been rewarded for a consistent season which saw her win 42 of her 56 matches. Hunter is only the third Australian woman – and first since 2007 – to hold the world No.1 ranking in doubles.
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