The Enduring Legacy of Australian Tennis Greats
Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt and current star Alex de Minaur have become central figures in sustaining the nation's tennis ambitions over recent decades. This connection forms part of a broader, cherished tradition where legends from Australia's golden era actively engage with today's players, ensuring the sport's heritage remains vibrant and influential.
The Wimbledon Aussie Barbecue: A Symbolic Gathering
Each year on the first Friday of Wimbledon, a growing assembly of tennis enthusiasts converges on a residence near the All England Club for the renowned "Aussie Barbecue." Organised by Tennis Australia, this event has cemented itself as a calendar highlight, drawing current competitors, retired icons, coaches, administrators, and journalists alike.
The occasion offers exceptional food and beverages, with a spacious marquee ensuring festivities proceed regardless of weather. Beyond mere celebration, however, the evening serves a crucial purpose: it fosters and strengthens bonds between different generations of Australian tennis talent, creating a living bridge from past to present.
A Rich Heritage of Champions
Australia boasts an extraordinarily distinguished tennis history. During the 1950s and 1960s, Australian male players secured an impressive 53 out of 80 major championships. In the same period, Australian women, spearheaded by Margaret Court, claimed 18 of the available 40 grand slam titles.
Iconic names such as Frank Sedgman, Ken McGregor, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Tony Roche, and John Newcombe dominated the sport both domestically and internationally. While that unparalleled golden generation may never be replicated, its legacy continues to shape Australian tennis culture profoundly.
It has been half a century since Mark Edmondson became the last homegrown men's champion at the Australian Open. Lleyton Hewitt's Wimbledon victory 24 years ago marks the most recent Australian men's singles triumph at a grand slam. Aside from successes by Sam Stosur and Ash Barty, major titles have been scarce in recent years, underscoring the importance of maintaining historical connections.
Davis Cup: The Bedrock of Tradition
Heritage holds significant value in Australian tennis, evident at events like the Aussie Barbecue where multiple generations of greats interact, exchange anecdotes, and share laughter. Many stories revolve around the Davis Cup, an institution for Australian tennis, which the nation won 15 times throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Tony Roche emphasises the importance of this continuity: "I think it's very important. It probably started with Frank Sedgman and Kenny McGregor, really, of course, Harry Hopman. It was sort of, I guess, easier to do in those days, to pass the history down the line, because you were brought into Davis Cup squads and travelled in teams at a very young age, and you had these great players there to learn from."
Roche notes that this represented a very strong tradition in Australia, which temporarily waned before being revitalised by figures like John Newcombe and himself. A prime example is Lleyton Hewitt, who attended several Davis Cup ties as an "orange boy" – a young player gaining experience through practice and observation – a practice integral to the nation's tennis culture.
Mentorship and Personal Connections
Todd Woodbridge, who captured 16 grand slam doubles titles including 11 with compatriot Mark Woodforde, understands the pressure and privilege of being compared to legends during his junior career. He remains committed to sharing his expertise with emerging talents.
"I've tried to be able to do that and be that mentor, if it was appropriate for someone to come up and ask me," Woodbridge states. "I think that we've still got that in Australian tennis, and that's really, really important to me and I think it's important to young people, because even though, and I was like this, you think you're invincible when you're out there and nothing else matters, I've now got that experience and understand that."
Allan Stone, the 1977 Australian Open doubles champion, recalls a formative childhood experience as a ballboy during a Davis Cup tie at Kooyong. "When we finished, Ashley Cooper, who was the Wimbledon champ, said: 'son, do you play?' I said, yeah – I was playing in the under-12s at that point – and he says, 'do you want to hit?' His racket was a bit too big and heavy for me, but he hit with me for about 10 minutes. I have never forgotten it. And when I got older, Laver and Rosewell, Emerson and [Fred] Stolle, they'd hit with us and look after us."
Passing the Baton to New Custodians
Tony Roche, who coached Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter, observes that the thread of mentorship continues through Hewitt, now Australia's Davis Cup captain, and his guidance of current number one Alex de Minaur. "We had a good attitude but we enjoyed it," Roche reflects. "You worked hard, you played hard, and you knew how to enjoy yourselves. I think that has sort of probably gone out of the game a little bit."
With Frank Sedgman and Ken Rosewall in their nineties, and Rod Laver and Tony Roche in their eighties, the responsibility of preserving this legacy will soon transition to figures like Hewitt and Rafter. Roche expresses confidence in this ongoing process.
"With Lleyton, it's in very good hands," Roche affirms. "I mean, you couldn't get a more passionate leader, somebody that leads by example. The players all look up to him. I think it's very important that he continues in that role."
This enduring tradition, celebrated through gatherings like the Aussie Barbecue and embodied in Davis Cup camaraderie, ensures that the spirit of Australia's tennis golden age continues to inspire and shape future generations of champions.
