Surprise winner Matt Ebden shares top tennis award with Alex de Minaur as Lleyton, Bec and Cruz Hewitt on blue carpet at Newcombe Medal

Ebden, 37, picked up his first Newk – awarded annually to Australia’s most outstanding elite player and ambassador for tennis – after winning the Australian Open doubles title, climbing to the world No.1 doubles ranking and teaming with countryman John Peers to win gold in Paris.

World No.9 de Minaur, who cruelly had to pull out of his Wimbledon quarter-final against Novak Djokovic with a hip injury, was rapt to share the medal.

“I’m so proud and happy to win the Newcombe Medal award again, and want to say how much I appreciate it, and also being able to share it with Matt,” de Minaur said via video link from London where he is playing an exhibition event before launching his Australian Open campaign next month.

“It’s been an incredible year for Australian tennis and I’m just so happy to be part of it. I’d like to congratulate Matt, who’s done amazing things this year, and his team – the Olympic gold medal was a highlight, as well as all the other nominees tonight.”

It was a remarkable year for Australian tennis. Nine men’s players are in the world’s top 100 with three stars – de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin – poised to be seeded at the Australian Open, starting at Melbourne Park on January 12.

The Newcombe Medal nominees included de Minaur, Popyrin, Ebden, Thompson, Peers, Max Purcell and the country’s highest-ranked women’s player, Olivia Gadecki.

Ebden and Peers won Australia’s first Olympic gold since “the Woodies” – Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde – in Atlanta nearly 30 years ago.

“Alex’s rise into the world’s top 10 is a remarkable accomplishment and a true reflection of his tireless work ethic and ability to overcome challenges. Watching him grow as a player and push the boundaries of his potential has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Newcombe.