He continued to compete in every Australian Open until 1973, when he began to suffer a series of injuries and illnesses.

It started with a season ending collarbone injury, a break that required a bone graft operation in London.

[1] When he returned to action he caught glandular fever, in August 1974 he won the Exmouth Open, and then midway through the season he pulled a back muscle.

They met in the first round of the 1977 French Open and the American qualifier won the match in straight sets.

[5] Gardiner was born in Tara, Queensland, to Ann, a schoolteacher, and Fred, a grazier who became an artist known for his wood sculptures.