From player to pioneer, Pam Whytcross receives Spirit of Tennis Award

Pam Whytcross, a much-loved and respected WTA employee and former player, was honored with the Spirit of Tennis Award at the 2024 Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne earlier this week.

The accolade, which counts Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Alicia Molik and Sam Stosur among recent recipients, recognizes an individual who personifies leadership, sportsmanship and goodwill while making a major contribution to the stature of tennis.

On the eve of Wimbledon in 1973, Whytcross was a wide-eyed 19-year-old amateur when she decided to attend a meeting called by Billie Jean King at London’s Gloucester Hotel. There, along with some 60 other players, she participated in the historic vote that saw the formation of the WTA.

So began a lifetime of contribution to the sport.

Turning pro in 1977, Whytcross reached the third round at Roland Garros, where eventual champion Mima Jausovec ended her run. The following year, at Wimbledon, she was the second-round opponent of Martina Navratilova, who went on to capture the first of her nine singles titles at the All England Club.

Whytcross would go on to enjoy her greatest successes in doubles, reaching the final of the Australian Open in 1978 with Japan’s Naoko Sato and collecting three titles in 1983, one at Kitzbühel and two in back-to-back weeks at Tokyo.

After retiring as a player in 1986, Whytcross launched her career as a tennis official and administrator across the sport’s biggest stages. Over the decades since then she has supported and inspired countless athletes and colleagues with her fair-minded and down-to-earth style.

“The amazing Pam Whytcross has quite literally dedicated her life to tennis,” said former World No.4 Stosur, who presented Whytcross with her award.

“She has been a tireless pillar of this sport for more than 50 years. Pam’s dedication, kindness and unwavering commitment to tennis have made an indelible mark on this sport and on all of us who’ve had the privilege to know her.”

The legendary King also paid tribute to Whytcross’s impact and legacy in a video message played at the gala.

“The Spirit of Tennis Award recognizes leaders in our sport who commit to making tennis better for everyone,” King said. “Pam is one of those special leaders and is so deserving of this award.

“She has been a mentor and a friend to many -- and is one of the very best at what she does. She has respect in the locker room, and in the board room. She is a champion, on and off court.”

Taking to the stage, Whytcross was characteristically humble.

“I didn’t realize I’ve done so much, quite honestly,” she said. “But it’s been a long time that I’ve been on the road and played the game. Not often a player becomes an official, but I guess I had the passion, I had the love for the game.”

Frequently spotted courtside, carefully observing every detail, Whytcross continues to travel to events for more than 25 weeks each year as a Hologic WTA Tour supervisor, Grand Slam supervisor and tournament referee.

As the senior tour representative at any tournament, WTA supervisors tread a fine line between diplomat and disciplinarian, ensuring that standards and procedures are upheld, in competition and behind the scenes.

In practice, this means overseeing everything from the official draw ceremony to match scheduling and even accommodation -- ensuring all departments are functioning smoothly, while pre-empting and resolving the diverse issues that arise for players and their teams.

Even on her breaks at home in rural Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Whytcross can be found at the local tennis courts, giving back at tennis clinics such as those run by Rally 4 Ever, the charity established by fellow former touring pro Louise Pleming.

Reflecting on her career, Whytcross said: “I became a WTA supervisor and then took a hiatus for a couple of years because I’d been traveling for 25 years. Then I worked as competition manager for the Sydney Olympics, which was a wonderful experience. After that I said to the WTA, ‘Are you ready to have me back?’ and they said, ‘Oh, if we have to!’ So, I came back to the tour, and I’ve been there ever since.

“I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s been my life.”

In another highlight of the night, ATP players Alex DeMinaur and Matt Ebden were announced as joint winners of the Newcombe Medal, for their respective outstanding 2024 seasons.