John Newcombe AO OBE (b. 1944), tennis champion, was Australia's junior tennis champion from 1961 to 1963, and at the age of 19 became one of the youngest players ever to represent Australia in the Davis Cup. As an amateur he won a record-breaking 12 grand slam doubles titles with his partner Tony Roche. In 1967 he won the Wimbledon and US Singles Championships, and was ranked the world's No. 1 amateur. After the Open era began in 1968 he won two Wimbledons, two Australian Opens, and one US Open, and was world No. 1 in 1970, 1971 and 1973. Along with the great Rod Laver, he is the only player to have won the US and Wimbledon titles as both an amateur and a professional. In 1994 he teamed with Roche again to captain-coach the Australian Davis Cup team; during a seven-year tenure the pair took Australia to two finals and won the trophy once, in 1999. In all, Newcombe won 25 Grand Slam titles. A designated Australian Living National Treasure, he now operates the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch and Academy in Texas.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2006
Accession number: 2006.28
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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.
An interview with photographer Robin Sellick about his portrait of golfing champion Adam Scott.
Robin Sellick captured a rare moment of quietude from the late conservation star Steve Irwin.
Robin Sellick's portraits of Australian sportspeople include Harry Kewell, Adam Scott, Shane Warne, Mark Webber and John Newcombe.
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