Jack Crawford, champion

This 1933 Movietone newsreel film takes you back to the year Jack Crawford stood at the top of world tennis. 

After winning the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon, Crawford came within one match of becoming the first player in history to claim all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single year – narrowly missing out in a five‑set final against Fred Perry at the US Championships.

Brief match footage seen in this clip includes action from his victory over American Ellsworth Vines in the 1933 Wimbledon Championships Men’s Final; both players wearing flannel trousers. Crawford can be seen playing with his trademark Cressy Wizard, a uniquely designed flat-top racquet produced by Tasmanian company Alexanders.  

In an epic two-hour struggle, Crawford would hold off his opponent in five sets, winning 4-6, 11-9, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, Australia’s first Wimbledon champion since 1922. Such was the excitement surrounding the game, Australian newspapers reported Crawford’s mother fainting upon news of his victory while listening to the relayed broadcast via Sydney radio station 2FC. 

Captured nearly a century ago, the film offers a glimpse of Crawford’s much-copied fluent style: a game built less on power and more on accuracy, anticipation and smooth court movement.

In likely the earliest surviving footage to feature his voice, ‘Gentleman Jack’ – a moniker attributed to his exemplary sportsmanship – then uncomfortably addresses the camera, appearing to read from a script positioned close to the camera as he recalls his Wimbledon victory.

Crawford would continue to wear his trademark long trousers on court well into his retirement. Retaining much popularity with the public, the Albury-born champion would be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1979.