Novak Djokovic is the undisputed Australian Open king, but there are a handful of other players who have also enjoyed plenty of success at the Grand Slam.
Djokovic could get a statue at the Australian Open, with the Serbian’s 10 titles in Melbourne more than any other man.
With six each, Roger Federer and Roy Emerson are his nearest rivals, with the likes of Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver continuing the Australian theme with their success on home soil.
Another multi-champion at the Australian Open was John Newcombe, who lifted the iconic trophy twice during his superb career.
Newcombe won a total of seven Grand Slam titles from 1967-1975, with two coming in the Amateur Era and five in the Open Era.
John Newcombe remembers ‘great competitor’ Jimmy Connors at Australian Open
And during the latest edition of the Australian Open, the legendary figure was tasked with looking back on his last Grand Slam win, given that 50 years have now passed since he beat Jimmy Connors in the 1975 final.
“It was a pretty hot day,” he told the Australian Open. “I knew at the start of the match it was going to be a brutal match. Jimmy won the year before.”
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And watching footage from one shot in particular, he said: “That’s the forehand volley that’s on the Australian Open coin, for the coin toss.”
Then asked what it meant to have the support that day and to come out on top, he replied: “Everybody was hoping for a Jimmy Connors against myself final.
“He was the brash young guy that had come up and had finished up the year number one, and I was number two. He was a great competitor, Connors.”
John Newcombe edges past Jimmy Connors in 1975 Australian Open final
Melbourne’s Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club hosted the highly-anticipated clash between Newcombe and Connors, with the latter having beaten another Australian in Phil Dent in the 1974 final.
It would prove to be the American legend’s only Grand Slam title in Melbourne, but Connors did manage a superb eight career Grand Slam titles in total.
Back when the competition was held on grass, Newcombe emerged victorious 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in their intriguing battle in 1975.
The victor went on to reach the final the following year, but lost out to compatriot Mark Edmondson, in what would prove to be Newcombe’s last Grand Slam final.
| Titles | Player | Amateur Era | Open Era | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | Years |
| 8 | Jimmy Connors | N/A | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1974-1983 |
| 7 | John Newcombe | 2 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1967-1975 |
Having garnered huge respect from his fantastic playing career, the iconic Australian was on hand to help out with the awards after Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev in this year’s final.
Remarkably, the 23-year-old Italian now has more Melbourne titles than Connors and is level with Newcombe after Sinner successfully defended his Australian Open title earlier this month.
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