Todd Woodbridge, a name synonymous with Australian tennis and recently the familiar face of Tipping Point Australia, has always been perceived by the public as an icon of success and good fortune. Yet, behind the glory lies a lesser-known narrative of resilience and profound personal losses.

In a candid conversation with Sarah Grynberg on the A Life Of Greatness podcast, the 54-year-old champion lifted the veil, revealing that his life was far from the “fairytale” many imagined.

The Tennis Launchpad Amidst Turmoil

Originating from a modest and hardworking family—father Kevin, a police officer, and mother Barbara, a hairdresser—it was Barbara’s passion for tennis that ignited the flame in Todd. Since the 70s, the courts became a second home for young Todd.

The floodlights of the tennis court served as a necessary escape. Within just one difficult year of boarding school at Normanhurst Boys High, Todd decided to commit his life fully to the sport. At age 14, he left home and moved to the Australian Institute of Sport, beginning a professional journey with no turning back.

The “Woodies” Era and Absolute Dominance

Todd officially entered the professional arena at 17 and enjoyed a decorated 17-year career. The undeniable milestone was the birth of the legendary duo, “The Woodies,” alongside Mark Woodforde.

They etched their names into doubles history with a record 11 Grand Slam titles, five consecutive Wimbledon championships, and the pinnacle: an Olympic Gold Medal at Atlanta in 1996. Even after his partner retired following their Silver Medal win at Sydney 2000, Todd pressed on, achieving five more major titles with Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman.

Beyond doubles, Todd proved his singles prowess, peaking at World No. 19 (1997) and reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals.

The Family Anchor: A Shelter from the Storm

If tennis was the battlefield, Natasha was Todd’s peaceful fortress. They met through the subtle matchmaking of Natasha’s sister (tennis player Nicole Provis) when Todd was 18 and Natasha was 16.

They married in 1995. Todd maintains that Natasha—who traveled with him for 38 weeks a year for 17 years—was the indispensable foundation for all his success. She served as a spouse, homemaker, and “psychologist” who maintained normalcy in the high-speed life of an elite athlete.

The couple shares two children: Zara (24, a talented golfer studying nutrition) and Beau (23, an emerging theatre actor developing his career in London).

The Shadow of Loss

The drive that propelled Todd into a professional career stemmed not only from his mother but also from the chaos within his own family. He had two older brothers, Greg and Warren.

Todd grew up watching his oldest brother, Greg, struggle with heroin addiction and drug dealing. This tragedy served as a powerful “wake-up call,” compelling Todd to seek an escape route. Greg eventually achieved sobriety but passed away in 2017 at age 58 due to related health issues.

In 2018, tragedy struck again when his middle brother, Warren, died suddenly from bone cancer and lung fibrosis at the same age of 58. These losses, coupled with the passing of his parents in their 80s (mother Barbara passed in 2023 after a long battle with dementia), marked a period of profound difficulty for Todd.

The Wake-Up Call: A Heart Attack at 51

In 2022, right in the middle of his rising media career, Todd faced a life-threatening challenge himself. At 51, he experienced severe chest pains while exercising, leading to hospitalization.

Todd described the experience as an “absolute wake-up call.” Doctors found a 20% blockage in his arteries. Though surgery was unnecessary, the incident changed his health perspective, emphasizing the critical importance of checking one’s internal health regardless of outward appearance.

Conquering the Small Screen

Recognizing his communication strengths, Todd chose commentary and media over administrative roles post-retirement. After completing media studies and taking on hosting gigs for the Olympics and The Ashes, he branched into non-sports programs like the travel show Postcards (2022).

When chosen to host Tipping Point Australia in 2023, many were skeptical. But his competitive spirit from the court resurfaced. He channeled the doubt into motivation: “I’m going to work hard, I’m going to show everybody I can do this.”

His efforts were handsomely rewarded when he proudly won the Logie Award for the Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter in 2025, solidifying his status not only as a tennis legend but also as a beloved media personality.