Norman Brookes

Norman Brookes was an Australian tennis legend who achieved fame and success in the 1920s and early 1930s. He was one of the first non-British players and the first left-hander to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon, a feat he accomplished in 1907 and 1914. He also won the Australasian Championships (now Australian Open) in 1911. He was part of the Australasian Davis Cup team that won the title on five occasions between 1907 and 1920. Brookes was born on 14 November 1877 in Melbourne, Victoria, as the youngest son of William Brookes, a wealthy gold miner and businessman, and Catherine Margaret Robinson. He received a private education at Melbourne Grammar School, where he excelled in cricket, Australian football and tennis. He went to work as a clerk at his father's company, Australian Paper Mills, where he became a director within eight years. Brookes developed his tennis skills on the court of his family mansion in Queens Road, Melbourne, and at the Lorne Street courts, where he studied the strokes and tactics of leading players. He was coached by Wilberforce Eaves, a former Wimbledon finalist. In 1896 he became a regular player at the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club. Brookes made his international debut in 1905 as part of the Australasian Davis Cup team that challenged the British Isles in London. He lost both his singles matches but impressed with his all-court game and powerful serve. In 1907 he returned to England and became the first non-British player and the first left-hander to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Arthur Gore in straight sets. He also won the doubles title with Anthony Wilding of New Zealand. He and Wilding formed a formidable partnership that dominated the Davis Cup for several years, winning it for Australasia in 1907, 1908 and 1909. Brookes did not defend his Wimbledon title until 1914 due to his business commitments and his father's ill health. He won it again that year, beating Wilding in four sets. He also retained his doubles title with Wilding. He led Australasia to another Davis Cup victory over the United States in New York. Brookes served as a commissioner of the Australian Red Cross in Egypt during World War I. He resumed his tennis career after the war and won his third Davis Cup title in 1919, partnering with Gerald Patterson. He also won his first and only Australasian Championships title in 1911, defeating Alfred Beamish in five sets. Brookes retired from competitive tennis in 1928 after reaching the second round of the French Championships at the age of 50. He became a renowned tennis administrator and served as president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia from 1926 to 1955. He was instrumental in moving the Australian Open from various locations to Kooyong Stadium in Melbourne in 1927. He also helped to establish professional tennis tours in Australia. Brookes was honoured with many awards and recognitions for his achievements and contributions to tennis and society. He was knighted in 1939 for his service to sport and philanthropy. He was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1977 for his service to tennis as a player, administrator and mentor. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1977. Brookes died at his home, Elm Tree House, South Yarra, on 28 September 1968 at the age of 90. He was buried in St Kilda Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Mabel, whom he married in 1911, and their two daughters Cynthia and Marjorie. His portrait by William Dargie is held by the family. The men's singles trophy at the Australian Open, the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, is named in his honour.