The annual Wimbledon barbecue – now in its fifteenth 12 months – as soon as once more introduced collectively tennis greats, rising stars and cherished members of the worldwide tennis household for a memorable night time at SW19.
London, UK, 6 July 2025 | Tennis Australia
The annual Wimbledon barbecue – now in its fifteenth 12 months – as soon as once more introduced collectively tennis greats, rising stars and cherished members of the worldwide tennis household for a memorable night time at SW19.
Titled Greats of Grass, the night celebrated iconic Australian moments at Wimbledon, persevering with a practice began many years in the past by John Newcombe and proudly carried ahead by Tennis Australia.
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley welcomed visitors to the night, noting the enduring reputation and group spirit of the occasion.
“Our Wimbledon barbecue has grow to be one of many nice traditions of the tennis calendar – a heat celebration of our sport, our gamers, and the friendships that transcend borders and generations,” he mentioned.
“It’s concerning the previous, the current, and the individuals who make tennis so particular.”
Chair of Tennis Australia, Jayne Hrdlicka, bolstered the inclusive nature of the gathering.
“You don’t need to have an Aussie accent to be welcomed right here,” she smiled, addressing the group. “It is a celebration not solely of Australian excellence, however of the worldwide tennis household we’re so proud to be part of.”
Among the many highlights of the night have been a sequence of milestone anniversaries, marking landmark Wimbledon victories by Australian gamers:
- 20 Years (2005) – Stephen Huss and Wesley Moodie’s beautiful doubles victory over the Bryan brothers
- 25 Years (2000) – Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde’s closing Wimbledon title collectively, the final of six
- 40 Years (1985) – Liz Smylie’s doubles win with Kathy Jordan, and Paul McNamee’s combined title with Martina Navratilova
- 50 Years (1975) – Margaret Courtroom’s combined doubles triumph with Ken Fletcher
- 60 Years (1965) – Margaret Courtroom (singles), Roy Emerson (singles), and John Newcombe and Tony Roche (doubles)
Paul Kilderry, Tennis Australia’s Director of Efficiency, hosted the on-stage tributes.
McNamee recalled teaming up with Navratilova, joking that her prime requirement in a combined accomplice was “somebody who doesn’t choke.” Smylie adopted, playfully correcting McNamee’s recollections.
“Paul has an excellent reminiscence,” she laughed. “It’s simply by no means fairly the identical as mine.”
Woodbridge and Woodforde closed out the tributes, reflecting on how they started their long-standing partnership. “I wasn’t positive I may deal with the power,” Woodforde quipped of their early days. “However clearly, we figured it out.”
The night’s visitors included present gamers Kimberly Birrell and Maya Joint – who went on to win their second-round doubles match the following day – in addition to former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt and his son Cruz, making his junior Wimbledon debut.
Different acquainted faces included Alicia Molik, Billie Jean King Cup captain Nicole Pratt, Louise Pleming and the legendary Judy Dalton.
Among the many distinguished Australians in London have been Excessive Commissioner Stephen Smith and creator Kathy Lette, joined by her son Julian Robertson, a strolling encyclopaedia of tennis trivia.
As all the time, the Wimbledon barbecue was an evening of connection, reflection and laughter – a celebration not simply of titles gained, however of the tales, friendships and legacy that proceed to form Australian tennis.
