Newcombe's journey into tennis began at a young age, playing several different sports before his passion for tennis won out. His dedication quickly set him apart, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already making waves in the tennis community.

From 1961 to 1963, he held the title of Australian junior champion and contributed to Australia's Davis Cup victory in 1964. His inaugural Grand Slam triumph occurred in 1965 when he and fellow Australian Tony Roche clinched the Australian Championships doubles title. In the same year, the duo secured the Wimbledon doubles title.

The pinnacle of any tennis player's career lies in the pursuit of Grand Slam titles, and John Newcombe's resume is adorned with a remarkable collection of major victories. Newcombe's illustrious career includes a total of 26 Grand Slam titles, marking him as one of the most successful players of his era.

In singles, he won the Australian Open twice, the US Open twice and Wimbledon three times.

In 1975, Newcombe secured his last significant victory at the Australian Open. During this memorable tournament, he triumphed in a string of five-set matches, overcoming Masters, then Roche in a semifinal. The pinnacle of his performance came in the classic final against Connors, marking what could be considered his best performance in tennis.

Beyond his singles success, Newcombe also excelled in doubles, further solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished players in tennis history.

John Newcombe forged a formidable partnership with fellow Australian Tony Roche in men's doubles.

After securing his first Grand Slam victory at the Australian Championships in 1965, the pair went on to win the Wimbledon doubles title in the same year. Their sparkling partnership went on to win the Australian Doubles Championships three more times, Wimbledon four more times, the US Championships, the French Championships and the French Open.

Overall, they bagged 12 Grand Slam titles, which remained the all-time record until 2013.

John Newcombe was known for his powerful playing style. Standing at 6 feet, he possessed a formidable serve and volley, making him a force to be reckoned with.

Serving, volleying and a forceful forehand were key to Newcombe’s game. In his earlier years, he used a kick serve, which gradually transformed into a formidable flat serve. Despite his imposing 6-foot frame, his serve was remarkably swift.

He was always in motion on the court, relentlessly attacking and imposing his will on the match. The forward motion of his serve propelled him onto the court and into the service box with remarkable speed. This positioning allowed him to either dominate the net or retreat to execute powerful overhead smashes to take the point.

Newcombe was a crucial member of the Australian Davis Cup team, contributing significantly to the team's success during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He played an important role in leading Australia to victory in Davis Cup competitions, showcasing his leadership and commitment to his national team. He was captain of the Australian Davis Cup team from 1995 until 2000.

John Newcombe's legacy transcends statistics and titles; it resides in his impact on the sport and the generations of players who followed in his footsteps. His dedication to tennis and his unwavering commitment to excellence served as an inspiration for aspiring players worldwide. The Australian's sportsmanship and respect for the game earned him admiration both on and off the court.

Off the court, Newcombe is known for his charismatic personality and has contributed to tennis as a coach, passing on his wealth of knowledge and experience to the next generation of players.

Recognisable for his beloved thick moustache, which Australian tennis fans adored, he posed on the cover of Sports Illustrated on 26 August 1974.

Newcombe was also awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1978 for services to sport and appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1989 "for service to the community.