THE STORY OF US
THE AUSTRALIAN TENNIS LEGEND AND HIS WIFE ON THEIR THREE HAPPY DECADES TOGETHER
t’s hardly surprising that Todd and Natasha Woodbridge first locked eyes across a tennis net when they were both just teenagers.
While Todd went on to become one of the most successful doubles players of all time with teammate Mark Woodforde, Natasha also grew up in the tennis world. Her sister is former top Australian women’s player Nicole Bradtke.
“I was training with the same physical trainer as Nicole, and Nicole introduced me to her sister on the court,” says Todd, 47.
Recalls Natasha, 45: “My first impression of Todd was that he was so good-looking and well-mannered, which were both qualities that I was attracted to.”
At the time, Natasha was 16 and Todd was 18. “I think she was probably doing her best to stay away from tennis players, but in the end it became her life,” says Todd with a laugh.
On April 8, 1995, the couple exchanged vows in Melbourne, with family, friends and many members of Australia’s tennis elite attending the nuptials.
Soon after, the newlyweds were calling the international tennis circuit home. “We were on the road and travelling the world,” says Todd. “That became our life. It becomes part of you and it gets in your blood – that want to go somewhere.”
There’s no doubt in Todd’s mind that Natasha’s support was integral to his success. “I think for young sportsmen in particular, when you’re playing competitively, the wins and losses are equally hard to manage and you need somebody to stabilise you when you’re travelling the world,” he says.
“It can be lonely and it can mean really long stints in hotels away. Natasha was always a wonderful support to me – and we then moved to Orlando in Florida, where both our children were born.” Eighteen years ago, the couple welcomed their daughter Zara into the world, followed two years later by son Beau, now 16.
In 2005, the family moved back to Australia, settling into life in Melbourne. And they couldn’t be more proud of their children. While Zara is an accomplished young golfer, her brother – a talented singer and actor – has notched up key roles in major productions including Mary Poppins and Love Never Dies.
“They’re good kids and they’ve been busy kids,” says Todd. “When they have a lot on their plate that they enjoy doing, it makes parenting much easier.”
As for the secret to three happy decades together, Todd puts it down to this: “I think it’s a case of having the same goals and the same interests. People can drift apart when they start to do their own thing, and Natasha and I have never done that. Now we feel we have so much more to look forward to together.”
For now, though, Todd is appearing as a member of Nine’s commentary team for the 2019 Australian Open.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a second career in broadcasting, and tennis is my core,” he says. “To be a part of what will be a new coverage is very exciting. I’m also excited by the fact that we have a couple of young Aussies with great attitudes who have performed well, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they go.”
TODD WOODBRIDGE IS A COMMENTATOR ON NINE’S COVERAGE OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN, WHICH BEGINS ON MONDAY, JAN. 14. AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON NINE, 9GEM AND 9NOW