The legendary pair are widely considered the greatest doubles team in history having amassed 11 Grand Slam titles and a total of 61 tournament wins from 1990 to 2000.

Their biggest success came at Wimbledon, where they won a record six doubles titles in the Open era including five-in-a-row from 1993 to 1997.

They also claimed two Australian Open titles and two US Open titles and completed the Grand Slam list with victory at the French Open in 2000.

In addition, the pair known as "the Woodies" won Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996 and followed that up with a silver at Sydney 2000, while they finished with a 14-2 record in the Davis Cup, including scoring the crucial doubles point that helped Australia to win the title against France in 1999.

Following Woodforde's retirement in 2000, the pair ended their partnership with a career record of 508-137.

Mark Woodforde (left) and Todd Woodbridge show off their Olympic gold medals after winning in Atlanta in 1996 ©Getty Images



Woodforde had previously secured a men's doubles win at the US Open in 1989 with John McEnroe, while he also has five mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.

Woodbridge went on to partner Swede Jonas Bjorkman to five more Grand Slam titles following the retirement of his long-term partner.

The Woodies will become the first doubles team to receive the Philippe Chatrier Award and will follow compatriots Rod Laver, Margaret Court and Neale Fraser to pick up the honour.

The pair are now involved in various coaching roles and media work following their retirement from the court.

The award was first introduced in 1996 in honour of former ITF and French Tennis Federation President Chatrier who died in 2000.

It is awarded each year to recognise outstanding contributions to tennis and last year it was bestowed upon the All England Club.

The Woodies completed a career Grand Slam with victory at the 2000 French Open ©Getty Images



Commenting on news of the award, 48-year-old Woodforde, said: "I'm moved so deeply that Todd and I will be joining such grand champions and following in the footsteps of the other Aussies to receive this accolade.

"To be the first doubles team honoured not only highlights the success of the Woodies on court but also recognises our continual involvement with this cherished sport via our international media duties as well as our coaching and player development roles back home in Australia."

Sydney native Woodbridge added: "I still get enormous joy out of tennis and being able to give back from my experiences is a pleasure in both coaching and broadcasting."

The ITF World Champions Dinner will take place during the French Open at Roland Garros which runs from May 25 to June 8.

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