Alex de Minaur, fresh off a $1.2 million payday at a unique new event, has shared the top gong in Australian tennis with an unlikely world No.1 and Olympic gold medallist.

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De Minaur and Matt Ebden, who reached the top ranking in doubles this year, were named joint winners of the Newcombe Medal at the Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne on Monday night.

It was the fifth time Ebden had been nominated but his first win, following titles at the Australian Open and Miami Masters 1000 event, plus gold at the Paris Olympics teaming with John Peers – breaking the nation’s 28-year tennis gold drought.

Meanwhile de Minaur cemented himself as a genuine threat in almost every tournament he enters, reaching a career-high ranking of world No.6 while making the quarter-finals of the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

He also became the first Australian singles player to make the ATP Finals in 20 years.

“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 from London, where he won the Ultimate Tennis Showdown event and its $1.2 million prize pool this past weekend.

“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.”

“I’d like to thank Tennis Australia, John Newcombe and everyone who has made this possible. Let’s all fight to have an even better year in 2025.”

Other nominees included:

– Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson, who both reached the fourth round of the US Open and career-high rankings of No.23 and No.26 respectively;

– Max Purcell, who won the US Open doubles with Thompson;

– John Peers, who won gold with Matt Ebden in Paris;

– and Olivia Gadecki, who became Australia’s top-ranked female player, reaching the finals of the Guadalajara Open in September.

“Alex and Matt have made the entire Australian tennis community incredibly proud, not just with their outstanding achievements, but with the passion, resilience, and determination they’ve shown all year,” John Newcombe, who the award is named after, said.

“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.

“Matt’s extraordinary success in doubles, highlighted by a Grand Slam victory and his historic run to Olympic gold, along with his unwavering commitment to represent Australia in Davis Cup, is a testament to his exceptional skill and character. Their contributions exemplify the very best of Australian tennis values and traditions.”

Attendees on the night also paid tribute to Aussie tennis great Neale Fraser, who died last week aged 91.