Colin Stubs

Colin Stubs (27 February 1941 – 13 July 2022) was an Australian tennis promoter and professional player. He served as the tournament director of the Australian Open from 1978 to 1994. Under his leadership, the tournament changed venues from Kooyong Stadium to Melbourne Park.

Early life Stubs was born in Melbourne on 27 February 1941. He won the under-19 Victorian Championships when he was 16 years old. He then studied pharmacy for four years and received a degree.

Playing career Stubs played in his first major at the 1960 Australian Championships, losing to eventual champion Rod Laver in the first round. He later reached the second round of the Australian Championships the following year,

Stubs reached the second round of the Australian Championships again in 1966 and 1968, while making the second round at the 1967 and 1968 French Open tournaments. His best singles result at a grand slam tournament came at the 1967 Wimbledon Championships, when he advanced to the third round. He lost in the second round of the 1968 US Open after receiving a bye in his only appearance at that major. However, he continued to make sporadic appearances at Australian tennis tournaments until 1978, finishing with a win–loss match record of 20–24. and he was succeeded as tournament director by Paul McNamee. He was also credited with assisting Johan Anderson, Richard Fromberg, Jason Stoltenberg, and Todd Woodbridge during the early years of their professional careers. Woodbridge recounted how Stubs helped bring in his first sponsorship deals and gave young players the chance to play against higher-ranked professionals.

Personal life Stubs married Susan Hosking in 1968 and they had 2 sons, David and Richard. They were divorced in 1997. Sadly, in September, 2019 Richard Stubs lost his battle with cancer, leaving his wife Helen, and 3 children, Madeleine, Samuel and Harrison. David married Melissa Colosimo in 2001. Colin later married Sue Kreymborg and they had 2 children, Tom and Georgia.

Stubs died on 13 July 2022. He was 81, and suffered from pancreatic cancer prior to his death.