Alex de Minaur joined Australian tennis royalty on Monday evening, turning into simply the third participant – behind Sam Stosur and Ash Barty – to win not less than two Newcombe Medals.
The world No.12 was a richly deserving winner after a career-best season that included him profitable his seventh title and first at ATP 500 stage in Acapulco, Mexico, in March, earlier than advancing to his maiden Masters 1000 last at Toronto, Canada.
A career-best season on the ATP tour has delivered Alex de Minaur’s second Newcombe Medal.Credit score: Getty
De Minaur, 24, shared the Newcombe Medal with five-time recipient Barty in 2018, whereas Stosur received the primary three, from 2010-12.
This yr’s different nominees had been WTA doubles No.1 Storm Hunter, top-10 doubles participant Matt Ebden, and Max Purcell, Alexei Popyrin and Rinky Hijikata, who all achieved career-high singles rankings in 2023.
“I’m very unhappy that I wasn’t in a position to attend the Newcombe Medal this yr, and I’m extraordinarily grateful for this superb award,” de Minaur mentioned in a video message from Europe.
“It’s been a fantastic yr, not just for myself, however for all of Australian tennis and I believe we should always [all be] very proud certainly. (I) would additionally wish to thank ‘Newk’ [John Newcombe]. Want I may shake your hand proper now and be there, however I respect every part you do for Australian tennis.”
De Minaur reached his greatest rating of 11 at the beginning of October, and stays hell-bent on gatecrashing the world’s high 10 and making an even bigger splash within the grand slams, beginning with subsequent month’s Australian Open.
He loved six top-10 victories this season – taking the scalps of Rafael Nadal, Andrey Rublev, Holger Rune (twice), Taylor Fritz and Daniil Medvedev – and recorded last-16 showings on the Australian and US opens.