A former professional athlete, David has been consistently ranked No. 1 in the world for Singles competition. His nineteen Super Series (equivalent to the able-bodied Grand Slam) Singles Titles are the most recorded by any player on the international tour.
In October 2000 David was given the honour of being the first Torch Bearer for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Torch Relay. Then Prime Minister John Howard lit the Torch on the forecourt of Parliament House and in a memorable and emotional exchange handed David the Torch for David to complete the first leg of the relay as the Torch commenced its journey to the Paralympic Stadium.
David was also a member of the winning Australian World Team Cup (equivalent to the Davis Cup) teams in 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2002.
In what was the most wished for victory of his career, David made his way through the rounds of both the Singles and Doubles competition at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games day-by-day drawing closer to Paralympic Gold. On Saturday October 28th our nation and the world witnessed one of the most memorable games of wheelchair tennis ever seen and were part of Australian sporting history when David claimed victory and the gold medal in the Men's Singles competition, the first Australian to achieve such success.
During his illustrious career, David has recorded many historical achievements including his victory at the 1995 US Open where he became the first non-American to win the US Open. He went on to dominate the event with a total of eight titles whilst winning over 80 events over the course of his 15-year career. David retired from the tour at the end of the 2005 season. For ten years he was employed by Tennis Australia as the 'Optus National Wheelchair Tennis Advisor' and served as an Ambassador for the Royal Rehab Centre Sydney. In 2010 David was inducted into the 'Sport Australia Hall of Fame' and in 2015 the Australian Tennis and International Tennis Hall of Fames'. Currently, he appears regularly on the speaking circuit and his autobiography 'Superbeast' will be released in early 2024.
He was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2000 and was recognised as the International Male Wheelchair Athlete of the Year in 2000. David was also a Finalist in the World Sports Academy 2000 Laureus Awards, in the World Sportsperson of the Year Award with a Disability category.
