Meets Australia’s new Awesome Foursome: Quartet of Aussies make it into the final 16 players at Wimbledon for the first time since 1999 – and they’re all a chance of going even further tonight
- Nick Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur, Jason Kubler and Ajla Tomljanović have all reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, making it to the last 16 players standing
- Pat Rafter, Mark Philippoussis, Jelena Dokic and Wayne Arthurs were the last Aussies to achieve the same thing, the quartet reaching round four in 1999
- All four will play tonight and have genuine chances of making the quarter finals
Australia is on the precipice of history with four local hopes making the final 16 at Wimbledon for the first time since 1999.
The exciting yet polarising Nick Kyrgios has dominated the news with his blend of electric tennis and acerbic tantrums on the lawns of the All England Tennis and Croquet Club.
Kyrgios {top} has saved some of his best tennis – and best tantrums – for Wimbledon while Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic has been a quiet achiever in the women’s draw
Rising star Alex de Minaur has joined him in round four along with battler Jason Kubler, who has had to overcome six knee surgeries that should have ended his tennis career many times over.
On the women’s side of the draw, the massive gulf left by former champion Ash Barty has been filled by Ajla Tomljanović.
All four will take to the court on Monday night, Australian time, with genuine chances of pushing even deeper into the tournament.
Many tennis fans will remember the hype and excitement of 1999 when four Aussies challenged stacked draws including the likes of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Martina Hingis.
In the men’s draw, Australia had two genuine title contenders in Rafter and Philippoussis. The duo had recently squared off in an All-Australian US Open final in 1998, where Rafter triumphed in four sets.
Both men were at the peak of their powers and swept their way into the quarter finals, looking set to be on a collision course for another final showdown.
Pat Rafter of Australia in action during the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon in London in 1999
Unfortunately for Philippoussis, he was forced to retire due to a left knee injury after taking the first set off eventual champion Pete Sampras in their quarter final.
Rafter made it to the semis, but was outclassed by outstanding US talent Agassi, who won in three sets.
Wayne Arthurs was not the household name that Rafter and Philippoussis were, the big-serving Aussie was more known for his doubles prowess where he claimed 12 ATP titles.
He was brave against Agassi in the fourth round and took the first set, a huge upset looming, before losing in four.
On the women’s side of the draw, Aussies held more hope for Alicia Molik but she was blasted out in straight sets in the opening round. Rising star Nicole Pratt was also bundled out in the first round along with doubles specialist Kerry-Anne Guse.
Dokic became a household name in 1999 as she reached the quarter finals of Wimbledon, upset former world No.1 Martina Hingis and rose 298 ranking positions during the year
Few could have predicted the rise of Dokic, who surged 298 ranking spots in 1999 to finish the year as world No.43.
In 1999, she stunned everyone by destroying former world No.1 Hingis 6-2 6-0, opening up her side of the Wimbledon draw and allowing her to surge into the quarter finals.
Her giant killing run ended there, though, losing to American Alexandra Stevenson.
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