Norman Brookes

Brookes was born in Melbourne, to a father, William Brookes, who had become rich from gold mining in the Bendigo area. He received a private education at Melbourne Grammar School. On leaving school, he went to work as a clerk at the paper mill where his father was managing director, and was on the board himself within eight years.
Brookes married 20-year-old Mabel Balcombe Emmerton, the daughter of Harry Emmerton, a solicitor, on April19, 1911 at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne. They had three daughters.

A well-rounded sportsman, Norman Brookes was not only the first outstanding player to emerge from Australia, but he was also the first foreigner to invade British shores and win Wimbledon.
Brookes was also an Australian rules footballer in his youth, playing two matches for Victorian Football League club St Kilda Football Club in 1898, kicking two goals.
An estimable cricketer, bowler, and golfer, Sir Norman was knighted in 1939 and served as President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia for nearly 30 years. An early practitioner of the serve-and-volley game, his assertive style carried him to two Wimbledon Championship runs and one at his native Australian Championships.

Lady Brookes (C.B.E. in 1933) became Dame Mabel Brookes in 1955 for her work in charities and social causes.

Norman was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1977.