Tennis stars driven by missing trophy on the CV as Hewitts shine on blue carpet
By Scott Spits
Australia’s recent world No.1 doubles player Matt Ebden ticked off some big career goals in 2024 – Olympic gold and the Australian Open men’s doubles title – but the veteran is still driven by one thing missing on the CV: winning the Davis Cup.
Ebden, a joint winner of the Newcombe Medal with the country’s best player Alex de Minaur, has helped Australian men’s tennis experience a purple patch, including a deep run at last month’s Davis Cup finals.
Matt Ebden poses with John Newcombe, and the medal named in his honour.Credit: Getty Images for Tennis Australia
The country has nine men in the world’s top 10 with three stars – de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson – set to be seeded at the Australian Open. Thompson also boasts the world No.3 doubles ranking and won the US Open with Max Purcell.
Thompson, 30, was close to Ebden’s pick for the Newcombe Medal, awarded annually to Australia’s most outstanding elite player and ambassador for tennis at the Australian Tennis Awards. Six of the seven nominees were men, but selectors couldn’t separate Ebden and de Minaur, who achieved a career-best world No.6 ranking.
The green and gold contingent is highly motivated to claim the Davis Cup, the time-honoured teams event Australia has won 28 times – but not once since 2003.
“Massively,” said Ebden when asked if winning the Davis Cup was a burning ambition. “It’s probably the biggest one.
Lleyton, Cruz and Bec Hewitt on the blue carpet.Credit: Eddie Jim
“If I could change two points this year, we probably win the Davis Cup. If we could change two points last year and the year before we probably win the Davis Cup three times.
“It’s that close at the very, very top.
“I was joking with someone – if you’re not top 20 or 30 singles, and not 20 in doubles, you’re not even a look to get in the team at this point.
“It’s that strong. We’re returning to the former golden years I would say.”
The status of Gold Coast siblings Hayden and Emerson Jones as the future of Australian tennis was confirmed when they were named as male and female junior players of the year.
Australian doubles champion Storm Hunter.Credit: Getty Images for Tennis Australia
Hayden pipped Cruz Hewitt, the son of Australian great and Davis Cup captain Lleyton, for the boys’ award.
Cruz, who secured his first professional win at the age of 15 in August, was accompanied by his parents, Lleyton and Bec, at the glamorous event at Crown Palladium.
Emerson Jones is Australia’s first junior world No.1 girl since Jelena Dokic in 1998, while Hayden holds a junior ranking of 13.
Hayden and Emerson JonesCredit: Getty Images for Tennis Australia
Their parents are Loretta Harrop, an Olympic silver medallist in triathlon at the 2004 Athens Games, and Brad Jones, who has won the QAFL’s highest individual honour, the Grogan Medal.
It was little surprise that de Minaur took out a third “Newk” after reaching three consecutive grand slam quarter-finals and becoming the first Australian to play the ATP Finals in two decades.
Ebden, 37, picked up his first Newk after winning the Australian Open doubles title with India’s Rohan Bopanna, climbing to the world No.1 doubles ranking and teaming with countryman John Peers to win gold in Paris.
World No.9 de Minaur, who cruelly had to pull out of his Wimbledon quarter-final against Novak Djokovic with a hip injury, was rapt to share the medal.
John Peers and Matthew Ebden with their Olympic gold medals at Roland Garros.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m so proud and happy to win the Newcombe Medal award again, and want to say how much I appreciate it, and also being able to share it with Matt,” de Minaur said via video link from London where he is playing an exhibition event before launching his Australian Open campaign next month.
“It’s been an incredible year for Australian tennis and I’m just so happy to be part of it. I’d like to congratulate Matt, who’s done amazing things this year, and his team – the Olympic gold medal was a highlight, as well as all the other nominees tonight.”
The Newcombe Medal nominees included de Minaur, Popyrin, Ebden, Thompson, Peers, Max Purcell and the country’s highest-ranked women’s player, Olivia Gadecki.
Ebden and Peers won Australia’s first Olympic gold since “the Woodies” – Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde – in Atlanta nearly 30 years ago.
“Alex’s rise into the world’s top 10 is a remarkable accomplishment and a true reflection of his tireless work ethic and ability to overcome challenges. Watching him grow as a player and push the boundaries of his potential has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Newcombe.
“Matt’s extraordinary success in doubles, highlighted by a grand slam victory [at the Australian Open] and his historic run to Olympic gold, along with his unwavering commitment to represent Australia in Davis Cup, is a testament to his exceptional skill and character.”
The Australian tennis community also paid tribute to former champion player and Davis Cup captain Neale Fraser who died last week aged 91.
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