When fans come to the Australian Open, they will see a new bronze bust among the illustrious collection surrounding Garden Square at Melbourne Park.
John Fitzgerald, a former doubles No.1 and top 25 singles player, was enshrined in the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame on Sunday evening at Rod Laver Arena, prior to Ash Barty’s fourth-round match against Alison Riske.
Fitzgerald unveiled his bronze sculpture, crafted by Barbara McLean, before delivering a heart-felt acceptance speech.
"I want to thank Tennis Australia for this. It was a little unexpected when I found out a few months ago,” he said.
"This is a true honour. I know there is a pecking order wherever you go in the world, and certainly in this Hall of Fame there will be – I know where my position is, clearly.
“But it is an honour for me to be in the same space as my friends, and my heroes, and I'll be out in Garden Square with them.
"Barbara McLean, thank you for this – I'm so happy it has some hair (smiling).”
Indeed, several of Fitzgerald’s friends were in attendance at the ceremony including former Davis Cup teammate Pat Cash and former captain Neale Fraser. The ceremony was MC’d by another friend and tennis colleague in Todd Woodbridge.
Fitzgerald joins Cash, Fraser and Woodbridge in the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame, as well as names such as Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Ken Rosewall, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, John Newcombe, Lesley Bowrey and Roy Emerson.
Fitzgerald was an Australian Open champion in doubles in 1982, when the tournament was played at Melbourne’s Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. Partnering fellow Australian John Alexander, the duo defeated Americans Andy Andrews and John Sadri in a tight final.
The victory at Kooyong was a major breakthrough for Fitzgerald, marking his first Grand Slam title of any kind. The South Australian would go on to complete a career Grand Slam in doubles, winning two titles each at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Season 1991 was his finest on the doubles court, with Fitzgerald combining with Anders Jarryd to lift the Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open trophies.
It was also the year he rose to the world No.1 doubles ranking.
Fitzgerald also won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, triumphing at the 1983 US Open and Wimbledon in 1991 alongside fellow Australian Elizabeth Smylie.
"I think when you play a lot of doubles you need some good partners. Liz Smylie, along the way, John Alexander, my old mate, Tomas Smid, who's probably watching in Europe somewhere. And of course Anders Jarryd, my old buddy, who played and won four Grand Slams with me,” he said.
“All of you people paid for my house, so thank you very much.”
He retired with six singles titles and 30 doubles titles. But success did not stop in his post-playing career.
Fitzgerald took over the Australian Davis Cup captaincy in 2001 and, after being a part of two winning teams as a player in 1983 and 1986, he guided the Aussies to victory in 2003 – a win that came over Spain at Rod Laver Arena.
His last year at the Davis Cup helm was in 2010, after which he began an impressive tennis broadcast career.
He has also traversed Australia introducing children to the sport and working as a motivational speaker to community groups, aspiring players and sports clubs.