Ash Barty and Alex De Minaur share Newcombe Medal honours

Ash Barty and Alex De Minaur rounded off their respective seasons by sharing the Newcombe Medal.

Alex De Minaur and Ash Barty pose with the the Newcombe Medal after being announced as joint winners last night at Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Alex De Minaur’s a bit of an Ash Barty. Barty is a bit of a De Minaur.

Little has separated their punch-above-your-weight accomplishments this year. How to split them for the most prized prize in Australian tennis? You don’t. You give them both the Newcombe Medal.

The man himself says they have a common trait. The sort of hard-nosed yet exuberant attitude that can serve as an important lesson to all the impetuous young kiddies out there who are only just learning the nuances of the game. Listening to Newcombe speak, you’re hoping one of those pent-up little darlings, the promising Canberra youngster Nick Kyrgios, has been cocking an ear. Because if Kyrgios hasn’t learnt this by now, perhaps he never will — potential is the most overrated quality in any walk of life, professional tennis ­included.

Every ball. That’s what De Minaur, Barty and the two other Newcombe Medal finalists, John Millman and Dylan Alcott, have in common. A commitment to every ball. Good wheels, all of them. None have the natural flair of Kyrgios, although Barty is in the ballpark. But they’ve all had commendable years because they’ve stayed true to their mission from January through to ­November. They’ve played every point with intent. Hit every shot with ambition. Run themselves to a standstill before walking up the blue carpet at Melbourne’s Crown Casino last night.

Newcombe predicted a future top-four world ranking for 22-year-old Barty. For 19-year-old De Minaur, top eight. Barty won the season-ending WTA Elite Trophy to finish at No 15.

“In 2017 she had a fantastic year,” Newcombe said. “You start off this year and she’s probably thinking, I hope I can do as well. Well, she’s done as well and a little bit better. Ash is probably two or three years away from reaching her peak but it’s been a fantastic year. It’s great to see a player out there who really loves playing her doubles, too. I loved playing both and I just wish we could see more of it from the top players.”

Newcombe added: “There’s a couple of areas of her game, that she’d be aware of, that she just needs to improve on. But she’s got a fantastic all-court game. I love watching her play. I used to love watching Evonne (Goolagong) play with her all-court game and Ash reminds me of her. She’s quite inventive out there. She loves moving the ball around. She’s fun to watch.”

De Minaur has gone from world No 208 to No 31 this year. Lightning speed around the court. Speed demon.

“You wondered whether, at his age of 19, if he could keep it up for the year,” Newcombe said. “And he has done that. He’s a joy to watch. Lleyton (Hewitt) has done a heck of a lot for him. You can see why Lleyton loves him, because he epitomises everything Lleyton was all about. He gives 100 per cent on every point. He loves being out there. He really enjoys the competition.

“He’s 31 in the world now. Who knows how far he can go? Potentially with his ­attitude, and how his heart is willing to work, top eight is not out of the question.”

Newcombe said the best example for young Australian players was this particular young Australian player. Kyrgios failed to make the list of finalists for the Newcombe Medal.

“It’s not only Alex’s fighting spirit, it’s the way he’s really embracing the challenge out there,” Newcombe said. “And enjoying what he’s doing. He’s a great example for young kids. Myself and all the former Australian players love watching him play. And we love what he represents out there.”

On the four medal finalists, Newcombe said: “They represent what Tennis Australia is all about. Go out there on the court, compete as hard as you possibly can — and enjoy what you’re doing. Get on with the job. Right around the world these four contenders are respected by fans.”

Newcombe said Kyrgios had to get super-fit to avoid injuries. “And then he’ll probably start enjoying the game a lot more.

“It’s very hard when you keep getting niggling injuries all the time. I just hope that Nick gets it all together. Potential is one thing. Getting out there and doing it is another.”