Tony Roche, a left-hander with a fine backhand volley who was twice ranked No 2 in the world, was born the son of a Tarcutta butcher in 1945. In the 1960s he teamed up with Newcombe to form a doubles team that would win them five Wimbledon titles between 1965 and 1974, as well as four Australian and two French championships plus the American and Italian titles once each. In 1993, Roche was appointed coach and his partner, Newcombe, captain of the Davis Cup team. A bad shoulder injury plagued Roche most of his career though it didn't stop him winning tennis championships.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003
© Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs
Accession number: 2003.113
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On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Robin Sellick's portraits of Australian sportspeople include Harry Kewell, Adam Scott, Shane Warne, Mark Webber and John Newcombe.
Former NPG Deputy Director, Simon Elliott talks with Ern McQuillan about his life and career as a sports photographer.
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