Newk: Life On and Off the Court

Tennis Hits the Books

John Newcombe is a striking figure from the golden era of Australian tennis. The Aussies were also well known for on court achievement and even better known for having a great time off the court. It was an era of sportsmanship and camaraderie that may never exist again. Newcombe’s autobiography, Newk: Life On and Off the Court was published in 2002, but still feels current and relevant to this day.

It is interesting to observe the commonality of the first experience with the Australian tennis talent pipeline system between Newcombe and Rod Laver. Both player’s parents lobbied for their acceptance into the development program when they were technically still too young for consideration. Like Laver, Newcombe was born with a wealth of natural talent. Both players truly hated to lose any sort of competition.

How Newcombe and Laver regarded Harry Hopman was one significant divergence between the two players. Newk didn’t have the same reference for the man as expressed by Laver. While Newk had a healthy respect for the legendary coach, he didn’t agree with many of his Davis Cup lineup selections and tactical decisions. He also bristled at Hopman’s authoritarian nature.

Newk’s first Davis Cup experience in 1963 is an episode that underscores the communication gap between the two men. Hopman didn’t tell him that he was playing in the lineup prior to the draw ceremony. In fact, the way Newcombe found out he was playing was when his name was pulled. There may have been a generational divide between the two men.

Newcombe’s career straddled the amateur and open eras. He didn’t suffer for long in the age of “shamateurism” and casually discloses what he commanded in appearance fees during that time. He also had “jobs” with Slazenger and a travel agency in Sydney that earned him a small income as a “representative” for those companies. Not surprisingly, Newk was well prepared to secure contracts and endorsement deals in the professional era.

When World Championship Tennis (WCT) offered Newk and his doubles partner Tony Roche a contract to play on that tour, they both jumped at the opportunity. While the Open era happened shortly after he became a contract professional, WCT players continued to be banned from the Grand Slam tournaments for a few additional years.

Like most of the Aussies of his time, Newcombe was dedicated to Davis Cup play and being exiled from that competition was one of the biggest drawbacks to his professional status. He is suspicious that the ITF’s resistance to allowing professionals in Davis Cup competition was at the behest of the USTA who stood a better chance to win the competition with all professionals excluded.

Newcombe has strong ties to Texas. He purchased a ranch in New Braunfels in partnership with Clarence Mabry, Jack Turpin, and Tut Bartzen in 1968. Initially the Ranch was called T Bar M, but later changed it’s name to Newcombe’s Tennis Ranch to capitalize on his celebrity name recognition. Newk also has a close and enduring friendship with the presidential Bush family.

Newcombe makes sharp observations about the players of the generation that emerged at the end of his career. He had sharp words about Jimmy Connors and once penned an open letter to John McEnroe that criticized his on court antics. John McEnroe senior tracked Newk down the very next day to thank him for his observations. Nowadays, the player’s “camp” would react much more defensively.

Newk: Life On and Off the Court reinforces all the reasons why John Newcombe was so well liked and highly regarded. He is a brilliant story teller that relays his own experiences with a delicate balance of humor and candor. His insight into tennis as if transitioned into the Open era is both interesting and informative. It is a delightful read.

Newk: Life on and off the Court