In a remarkable turn of events, Alex de Minaur and Matt Ebden have been jointly awarded the prestigious Newcombe Medal for 2024, celebrating their outstanding achievements in Australian tennis. The award, named after tennis legend John Newcombe, is given annually to the best Australian tennis player of the year.
Alex de Minaur, 25, has claimed his third Newcombe Medal, sharing the honour with Ebden. De Minaur had a career-best season, reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 6 and winning titles in Acapulco and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He reached the quarterfinals of three consecutive Grand Slam tournaments – the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open – and became the first Australian singles player to qualify for the ATP Finals in 20 years.
Despite battling a hip injury that ended his Wimbledon run, de Minaur’s resilience and determination saw him push through and achieve these milestones. His performance has been a source of inspiration for many, and he expressed his gratitude for sharing the award with Ebden.
Matt Ebden, 37, received the Newcombe Medal for the first time, marking a dream year for the doubles specialist. Ebden won the Australian Open doubles title with Rohan Bopanna and reached the world No. 1 ranking in doubles. He also teamed up with John Peers to win men’s doubles gold at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first Australians to win tennis gold since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in Atlanta 1996.
Ebden’s success in doubles has been nothing short of extraordinary, and he credited his team, family, and coaches for their unwavering support. He expressed his pride in winning the award and his excitement for the future of Australian tennis.
John Newcombe praised both de Minaur and Ebden for their contributions to Australian tennis, highlighting their passion, resilience, and determination. The Newcombe Medal winners have set a high standard for excellence and have made the entire Australian tennis community proud.
As the tennis world turns its focus to the Australian Open next month, de Minaur and Ebden’s achievements serve as a reminder of the talent and dedication present in Australian tennis. Both players are determined to continue their success and aim for even greater heights in 2025.
Two amazing ambassadors for Australian tennis 🏅🏅
Your 2024 Newcombe Medal winners, @alexdeminaur and @mattebden #Newks24 pic.twitter.com/Mcykn8rTuc
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) December 9, 2024
Alex De Minaur in 2024
Ranked world no.9, De Minaur played his last match on the 23rd of November when he was defeated by world no.1 Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-4 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
Currently, during this year De Minaur has a composed 47-21 win-loss record. The Australian clinched 2 titles in 2024 in Acapulco and Hertogenbosch. The Australian reached the final in Rotterdam.
