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Writer's pictureChristian Montegan

'SUCH AN HONOUR': SEVEN AUSSIES NOMINATED FOR NEWCOMBE MEDAL



Seven Aussies have been announced as the nominees to take home the 2024 Newcombe Medal award, highlighting a standard of excellence throughout the year.


The medal, named after seven-time major winner John Newcombe, will be presented by the Australian legend at Melbourne's Palladium Crown on Monday December 9.


The nominees include Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson, Matt Ebden, John Peers, Max Purcell and Olivia Gadecki.


"This year has been a showcase for incredible achievements across Australian tennis," Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.


"Each nominee has delivered outstanding results, from breaking into the world’s top-10 to securing major milestones, Grand Slam titles and even Olympic Gold medals. These are career-defining accomplishments, and we are proud to have such outstanding ambassadors for Australian tennis on the global stage.


"Tennis Australia is delighted to celebrate these remarkable achievements. Our players continue to inspire, and the Newcombe Medal offers a special opportunity to recognise not only their individual success but also their invaluable contributions to the sport."



Two-time winner Alex de Minaur will again be a heavy favourite and will try to tie Samantha Stosur's three medals.


De Minaur cracked into the world's top-10 for the first time, achieved a career-high ranking of No.6, made three Grand Slam quarter-finals and qualified for his maiden Nitto ATP Finals event.


"It’s such an honour to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal. This is my fifth time (being nominated) and it’s an incredible honour. It means so much. So much hard work throughout the year and this is one of those rewards," de Minaur said.


"It’s been a great year for me, a year of many firsts, cracking a lot of milestones and a lot of goals that I’ve set out with the whole team. I’m extremely proud of everything that has been accomplished."


Popyrin and Thompson also accomplished a career-high singles ranking of No.23 and No.26 respectively. The former made headlines by becoming the first Australian to win a Masters 1000 title since Lleyton Hewitt 21 years ago, and also defeated Novak Djokovic at the US Open.


But it was the doubles heroics of Thompson with partner and another nominee, Max Purcell, giving the duo a plausible chance of winning the top individual honour.


Despite the pair squandering three championship points at Wimbledon, they brushed that aside to win the US Open doubles title and reach their first Nitto ATP Finals campaign.


Breaking a 28-year drought, Matt Ebden and John Peers stood top of the podium at the Paris Olympics, defeating the USA to win a memorable gold medal. It was the first time since 1996 that the country had secured gold in tennis.


The sole women's representative is 22-year-old Olivia Gadecki who reached her first WTA 500 final in Mexico's Guadalajara in September.


As a result, she cracked into the top-100 for the first time and was temporarily Australia's highest-ranked female in singles, achieving a career-high of No.83.


"It’s such an honour to be nominated amongst some of the best Australian tennis players right now such as Alex, Alexei, Jordan, Matt, John and Max," said Gadecki.


"To be part of this nomination is amazing and I’m really looking forward to celebrating everyone’s achievements at the Newcombe Medal."

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