Wimbledon 2019

Evonne on Ash’s rise

Ashley Cooper

The 1958 champ had a brief but dazzling career at the top of world tennis. When he married Miss Australia Helen Wood in 1959, 5000 people mobbed the church to see them. He’s now 81 and living in Brisbane, where he ran a coaching centre.

Neale Fraser

The 1960 winner is better known as Australia’s Davis Cup captain, holding the role for 24 years. “I played tennis for 60-odd years and loved every minute of it,” says the 85-year-old.

Rod Laver

The player famously nicknamed “Rocket” was the Wimbledon champion in 1961, 1962, 1968 and 1969. Now, at age 80, he still hits a mean ball and travels the world watching tennis. Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena is named after the 11-time Grand Slam winner, and Roger Federer holds him up as his idol.

Margaret Court

With 24 Grand Slam wins, including the 1963, 1965 and 1970 Wimbledon singles titles, the 76-year-old from Perth has more major titles than any other player in history and is one of the greatest of all time.

John Newcombe

His trademark mo was once insured for $13 million, and at the height of his fame – after winning Wimbledon in 1967, 1970 and 1971 – “Newk”, now 75, was touted as the next James Bond.

Pat Cash

Pat, now 54, shocked the establishment when he climbed up into the stand to hug his family and friends – in front of Princess Diana – after he won the 1987 singles title.

Lleyton Hewitt

In 2001 he was the youngest man ever to be ranked number one in the world. The following year he won Wimbledon. Now aged 38, Lleyton is captain of our Davis Cup team.