His father was Karl Quist, who had been a noted interstate cricketer, and owned a sporting goods store at the time of his son's birth.

He was a three-time Australian Championships men's singles champion but is primarily remembered today as a great doubles player.

[citation needed] In his 1979 autobiography tennis great Jack Kramer writes that in doubles "Quist played the backhand court.

"[citation needed] After retiring from playing the game, Quist became a journalist, best known for his articles in The Sydney Morning Herald.

Adrian Quist also held the most Davis Cup victories by any Australian until Lleyton Hewitt surpassed that record on 18 September 2010 in Cairns.