And now, almost 70 years after the former world No.1 snared the last of his five grand slam crowns, Sedgman has taken his rightful place among the pantheon of Australian sporting legends with a Queen's Birthday honour.

A household name in the 1950s, Sedgman was more than a giant of the court and mainstay of one of most dominant Davis Cup teams ever.

Legend has it Sedgman was so popular that Australians threw the hat around in 1951 in a bid to delay his transition to the professional ranks in the hope he could help deliver Australia one more Cup win.

Unable to accept the money, all proceeds raised in the nation-wide collection instead went towards a wedding present for his wife.

"Shamateurs", as they were known, were frowned upon back then - but not Sedgman, who fittingly returned the favour by piloting Australia to a famous victory over the USA in 1952 before forging a magnificent pro career.

Now 91, Sedgman stands alongside Margaret Court, Roy Emerson, Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams as one of only five players in history to have won multiple slams in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

In a five-year span from 1948 to 1952, Sedgman amassed 22 major titles in singles, doubles and mixed.

To this day, Sedgman and Ken McGregor are still the only men's doubles team to ever win all four slams in a single year, completing the feat in 1951.

Among nine athletes recognised, Sedgman will be appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Other sporting greats honoured include future rugby league Immortals Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith, former Wallabies captains Tony Shaw and Stephen Moore, Winter Olympics gold medallist Alisa Camplin-Warner, basketballer Luke Longley, baseballer David Nilsson and Sydney to Hobart winner Matthew Allen.

Australian Associated Press