John Gilbert Alexander OAM MP (born 4 July 1951 in Sydney) is a former professional touring tennis player and current Australian politician.
During an ATP tour career spanning the late 1960s to mid 1980s, Alexander won 7 singles titles and 27 doubles titles. He achieved a career best singles ranking of World No. 8 in December 1975. Alexander is the youngest player to represent Australia in the Davis Cup. He was also one of Australia's longest serving Davis Cup players, representing his country from 1968 to 1983.
Alexander served as captain of the Australian Fed Cup team and worked as a sports commentator for Australian (Channel 7) and British (BBC) television networks for over 20 years. Alexander is known for his extensive knowledge (historical and technical) of tennis.
As Managing Director of Next Generation Clubs Australia, Alexander became a successful businessman building sport and fitness clubs; including the development of the Ryde Aquatic Centre in Sydney to host the 2000 Summer Olympic Games water polo event, development of Memorial Drive in Adelaide into a multi-function health and fitness facility, and Royal King's Park in Perth.
In December 2009 Alexander won Liberal preselection for the seat of Bennelong, which was held for 33 years by former Prime Minister John Howard until he lost it to Maxine McKew in November 2007. Alexander won the seat of Bennelong in the 2010 federal election with a swing of 4.52%.[1]
Alexander delivered his maiden speech to Parliament on 28 October 2010,[2] detailing his particular interest in areas of preventative health, infrastructure, transport and sustainable growth.
Alexander was married to Rosemary Brown, a former swimmer, for almost 10 years. They have three children: Emily (1990), Georgia (1991) and Charles (1994).[citation needed]
On 26 January 1992, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of services to tennis.[3] On 30 August 2000, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for strong commitment to tennis.[4]
[edit] Career finals
Tennis Career
| Country |
Australia |
| Height |
1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight |
81 kg |
| Turned pro |
1968 |
| Retired |
1985 |
| Plays |
Right-handed; |
| Career prize money |
$1,214,079 |
| Singles |
| Career record |
506–364 (Grand Slam, Grand Prix and WCT level, and Davis Cup) |
| Career titles |
7 |
| Highest ranking |
8 (15 December 1975) |
| Grand Slam results |
| Australian Open |
SF (1973, 1977) |
| French Open |
4R (1975, 1978, 1983) |
| Wimbledon |
4R (1969, 1978) |
| US Open |
4R (1971, 1973) |
| Doubles |
| Career record |
448–300 (Grand Slam, Grand Prix and WCT level, and Davis Cup) |
| Career titles |
27 |
| Highest ranking |
30 (3 January 1983) |
| Last updated on: 24 January 2007. |
[edit] Singles wins (7)
| Outcome |
No. |
Date |
Championship |
Surface |
Opponent in the final |
Score in the final |
| Runner-up |
1. |
9 August 1970 |
Kitzbühel, Austria |
Clay |
Željko Franulović |
4–6, 7–9, 4–6 |
| Runner-up |
2. |
18 January 1971 |
Hobart, Australia |
Hard |
Alex Metreveli |
6–7, 3–6, 6–4, 3–6 |
| Runner-up |
3. |
15 May 1971 |
Tehran, Iran |
Clay |
Marty Riessen |
7–6, 1–6, 3–6, 6–7 |
| Runner-up |
4. |
2 December 1972 |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
Hard |
John Newcombe |
1–6, 6–7 |
| Runner-up |
5. |
23 April 1973 |
Gothenburg, Sweden |
Carpet |
Stan Smith |
7–5, 4–6, 2–6 |
| Runner-up |
6. |
16 September 1973 |
Seattle, USA |
|
Tom Okker |
5–7, 4–6 |
| Runner-up |
7. |
15 April 1974 |
Johannesburg, South Africa |
Hard |
Andrew Pattison |
3–6, 5–7 |
| Winner |
1. |
17 February 1975 |
Fort Worth, USA |
Hard |
Dick Stockton |
7–6(2), 4–6, 6–3 |
| Runner-up |
7. |
24 March 1975 |
Atlanta WCT, USA |
Carpet |
Mark Cox |
3–6, 6–7(3) |
| Winner |
2. |
31 March 1975 |
Tucson, USA |
Hard |
Ilie Năstase |
7–5, 6–2 |
| Runner-up |
8. |
20 July 1975 |
Chicago, USA |
Carpet |
Roscoe Tanner |
1–6, 7–6, 6–7 |
| Runner-up |
9. |
14 March 1977 |
St. Louis WCT, USA |
Carpet |
Jimmy Connors |
6–7(5), 2–6 |
| Winner |
3. |
31 July 1977 |
North Conway, USA |
Clay |
Manuel Orantes |
2–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
10. |
30 July 1978 |
Louisville, USA |
Clay |
Harold Solomon |
2–6, 2–6 |
| Runner-up |
11. |
31 July 1978 |
North Conway, USA |
Clay |
Eddie Dibbs |
4–6, 4–6 |
| Runner-up |
12. |
9 October 1978 |
Brisbane, Australia |
Grass |
Mark Edmondson |
4–6, 6–7 |
| Winner |
4. |
7 May 1979 |
Nations Cup, Germany |
Clay |
Corrado Barazzutti |
6–2, 6–0 |
| Winner |
5. |
23 July 1979 |
Louisville, USA |
Hard |
Terry Moor |
7–6, 6–7, 3–3, RET |
| Winner |
6. |
13 December 1982 |
Sydney, Australia |
Grass |
John Fitzgerald |
4–6, 7–6, 6–4 |
| Winner |
7. |
10 January 1983 |
Auckland, New Zealand |
Hard |
Russell Simpson |
6–4, 6–3, 6–3 |
[edit] Doubles titles (28)
| Outcome |
No. |
Date |
Tournament |
Surface |
Partner |
Opponents in the final |
Score in the final |
| Runner-up |
1. |
1970 |
Australian Open, Melbourne |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Bob Lutz
Stan Smith |
3–6, 6–8, 3–6 |
| Runner-up |
2. |
1970 |
Hilversum, Netherlands |
Hard |
Phil Dent |
Bill Bowrey
Owen Davidson |
3–6, 4–6, 2–6 |
| Winner |
1. |
1970 |
Kitzbühel, Austria |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Željko Franulović
Jan Kodeš |
10–8, 6–2, 6–4 |
| Winner |
2. |
1971 |
Sydney Outdoor, Australia |
Hard |
Phil Dent |
Mal Anderson
Alex Metreveli |
6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 7–6, 7–6 |
| Winner |
3. |
1971 |
Hamburg, Germany |
Clay |
Andrés Gimeno |
Dick Crealy
Allan Stone |
6–4, 7–5, 7–9, 6–4 |
| Winner |
4. |
1971 |
Gstaad, Switzerland |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
John Newcombe
Tom Okker |
5–7, 6–3, 6–4 |
| Winner |
5. |
1971 |
Los Angeles, U.S. |
Hard |
Phil Dent |
Frank Froehling
Clark Graebner |
7–6, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
3. |
1971 |
Vancouver WCT, Canada |
|
Phil Dent |
Roy Emerson
Rod Laver |
7–5, 7–6, 0–6, 5–7, 6–7 |
| Runner-up |
4. |
1972 |
Quebec WCT, Canada |
|
Terry Addison |
Bob Carmichael
Ray Ruffels |
6–4, 3–6, 5–7 |
| Runner-up |
5. |
1972 |
St. Louis WCT, U.S. |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
John Newcombe
Tony Roche |
6–7, 2–6 |
| Winner |
6. |
1972 |
Bretton Woods, U.S. |
Hard |
Fred Stolle |
Nikola Pilić
Cliff Richey |
7–6, 7–6 |
| Winner |
7. |
1972 |
Louisville WCT, U.S. |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Arthur Ashe
Robert Lutz |
6–4, 6–3 |
| Runner-up |
6. |
1973 |
Australian Open, Melbourne |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Mal Anderson
John Newcombe |
3–6, 4–6, 6–7 |
| Winner |
8. |
1973 |
Toronto WCT, Canada |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Roy Emerson
Rod Laver |
3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–2 |
| Runner-up |
7. |
1973 |
Brussels WCT, Belgium |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Bob Lutz
Stan Smith |
4–6, 6–7 |
| Winner |
9. |
1973 |
Cincinnati, U.S. |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Brian Gottfried
Raúl Ramírez |
1–6, 7–6, 7–6 |
| Runner-up |
8. |
1974 |
Richmond WCT, U.S. |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Nikola Pilic
Allan Stone |
3–6, 6–3, 6–7 |
| Winner |
10. |
1974 |
Miami WCT, U.S. |
Hard |
Phil Dent |
Tom Okker
Marty Riessen |
4–6, 6–4, 7–5 |
| Winner |
11. |
1974 |
Monte Carlo WCT, Monaco |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Manuel Orantes
Tony Roche |
7–6, 4–6, 7–6, 6–3 |
| Runner-up |
9. |
1974 |
San Francisco, U.S. |
Carpet |
Syd Ball |
Robert Lutz
Stan Smith |
4–6, 6–7 |
| Winner |
12. |
1975 |
Australian Open, Melbourne |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Bob Carmichael
Allan Stone |
6–3, 7–6 |
| Runner-up |
10. |
1975 |
Fort Worth WCT, U.S. |
Hard |
Phil Dent |
Bob Lutz
Stan Smith |
7–6, 6–7, 3–6 |
| Winner |
13. |
1975 |
San Antonio WCT, U.S. |
Hard |
Phil Dent |
Mark Cox
Cliff Drysdale |
7–6, 4–6, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
11. |
1975 |
Tokyo Indoor, Japan |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Bob Lutz
Stan Smith |
4–6, 7–6, 2–6 |
| Winner |
14. |
1975 |
Las Vegas, U.S. |
Hard |
Phil Dent |
Bob Carmichael
Cliff Drysdale |
6–1, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
12. |
1975 |
French Open, Paris |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Brian Gottfried
Raúl Ramírez |
4–6, 6–2, 2–6, 4–6 |
| Winner |
15. |
1975 |
Chicago, U.S. |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Mike Cahill
John Whitlinger |
6–3, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
13. |
1975 |
North Conway, U.S. |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Haroon Rahim
Erik Van Dillen |
6–7, 6–7 |
| Winner |
16. |
1976 |
Atlanta WCT, U.S. |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Wojtek Fibak
Karl Meiler |
6–3, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
14. |
1976 |
St. Louis WCT, U.S. |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Brian Gottfried
Raúl Ramírez |
4–6, 2–6 |
| Winner |
17. |
1976 |
Denver WCT, U.S. |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Jimmy Connors
Billy Martin |
6–7, 6–2, 7–5 |
| Runner-up |
15. |
1977 |
Houston WCT, U.S. |
Hard |
Phil Dent |
Ilie Năstase
Adriano Panatta |
3–6, 4–6 |
| Runner-up |
16. |
1977 |
Wimbledon, London |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Ross Case
Geoff Masters |
3–6, 4–6, 6–3, 9–8, 4–6 |
| Winner |
18. |
1977 |
Cincinnati, U.S. |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Bob Hewitt
Roscoe Tanner |
6–3, 7–6 |
| Winner |
19. |
1977 |
Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Fred McNair
Sherwood Stewart |
7–5, 7–5 |
| Winner |
20. |
1977 |
Louisville, U.S. |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Chris Kachel
Cliff Letcher |
6–1, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
17. |
1977 |
Adelaide, Australia |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Syd Ball
Kim Warwick |
6–3, 6–7, 4–6 |
| Winner |
21. |
1977 |
Sydney Outdoor, Australia |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Ray Ruffels
Allan Stone |
7–6, 2–6, 6–3 |
| Runner-up |
18. |
1977 |
Australian Open–2, Melbourne |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Ray Ruffels
Allan Stone |
6–7, 6–7 |
| Winner |
22. |
1978 |
Forest Hills WCT, U.S. |
Clay |
Phil Dent |
Fred McNair
Sherwood Stewart |
7–6, 7–6 |
| Winner |
23. |
1978 |
Atlanta, U.S. |
Hard |
Butch Walts |
Mike Cahill
Marcello Lara |
3–6, 6–4, 7–6 |
| Winner |
24. |
1978 |
Los Angeles, U.S. |
Carpet |
Phil Dent |
Fred McNair
Raúl Ramírez |
6–3, 7–6 |
| Winner |
25. |
1978 |
Brisbane, Australia |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Syd Ball
Allan Stone |
6–3, 7–6 |
| Runner-up |
19. |
1979 |
Houston, U.S. |
Clay |
Geoff Masters |
Gene Mayer
Sherwood Stewart |
1–6, 7–5, 4–6 |
| Runner-up |
20. |
1979 |
Adelaide, Australia |
Grass |
Phil Dent |
Colin Dibley
Chris Kachel |
7–6, 6–7, 4–6 |
| Runner-up |
21. |
1981 |
Mexico City, Mexico |
Clay |
Ross Case |
John Newcombe
Tony Roche |
7–6, 3–6, 1–6 |
| Runner-up |
22. |
1981 |
Maui, U.S. |
Hard |
Jim Delaney |
Tony Graham
Matt Mitchell |
3–6, 6–3, 6–7 |
| Winner |
26. |
1982 |
Australian Open, Melbourne |
Grass |
John Fitzgerald |
Andy Andrews
John Sadri |
6–7, 6–2, 7–6 |
| Winner |
27. |
1982 |
Sydney Outdoor, Australia |
Grass |
John Fitzgerald |
Cliff Letcher
Craig Miller |
6–4, 7–6 |
| Winner |
28. |
1983 |
Bristol, England |
Grass |
John Fitzgerald |
Tom Gullikson
Johan Kriek |
7–5, 6–4 |
| Runner-up |
23. |
1984 |
Rome, Italy |
Clay |
Mike Leach |
Ken Flach
Robert Seguso |
6–3, 3–6, 4–6 |
| Runner-up |
24. |
1984 |
Bristol, U.K. |
Grass |
John Fitzgerald |
Larry Stefanki
Robert Van't Hof |
4–6, 7–5, 7–9 |
| Runner-up |
25. |
1985 |
Bristol, U.K. |
Grass |
Russell Simpson |
Eddie Edwards
Danie Visser |
4–6, 6–7 |
[edit] Doubles runner-ups
[edit] Singles performance timeline
| Tournament |
1968 |
1969 |
1970 |
1971 |
1972 |
1973 |
1974 |
1975 |
1976 |
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
1980 |
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
1984 |
1985 |
| Australian Open |
A |
2R |
2R |
3R |
1R |
SF |
3R |
A |
A |
SF |
QF |
1R |
1R |
3R |
4R |
2R |
1R |
1R |
| French Open |
3R |
1R |
1R |
2R |
A |
1R |
A |
4R |
A |
A |
4R |
A |
A |
A |
1R |
4R |
2R |
A |
| Wimbledon |
2R |
4R |
2R |
2R |
A |
A |
2R |
2R |
1R |
2R |
4R |
3R |
A |
1R |
2R |
2R |
1R |
A |
| US Open |
A |
2R |
A |
4R |
2R |
4R |
3R |
2R |
3R |
2R |
1R |
2R |
A |
1R |
1R |
A |
A |
A |
A = Did not participate
[edit] External links
[edit] References
| Persondata |
| Name |
Alexander, John |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Australian tennis player and politician |
| Date of birth |
4 July 1951 |
| Place of birth |
Sydney, Australia |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|