Australian tennis player Neale Fraser in action during the Australian Davis Cup players’ first practice session at the
Appa Rao Stadium (venue of India-Australia Davis Cup tie), on January 04, 1979 in Madras.
PHOTO: THE HINDU ARCHIVES
| Photo Credit: V_RAMAMURTHY
Neale Fraser, who won three Grand Slam singles titles and guided Australia to four Davis Cup titles during a 24-year career as team captain, has died at 91.
Tennis Australia released a statement on Tuesday saying the sport “has lost one of its giants.” Fraser beat Australian tennis great Rod Laver to win Wimbledon in 1960, in between sweeps at the U.S. Open where he won the singles, men’s doubles and mixed titles in 1959 and ‘60.
He won 11 Major men’s doubles titles, including at least two at each of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Laver, the only man to twice win all four singles Majors in a calendar year, posted a tribute to his “dear mate and fellow lefty” on X.
Fraser “was a true gem in a golden era of Australian tennis legends — an incredible World No. 1, a Grand Slam champion, and a Davis Cup icon,” Laver posted. “Neale bested me in 2 major finals, pushing me to become a better player. I’ll miss you dearly, buddy.”
Fraser helped Australia win four consecutive Davis Cup titles as a player and rejected lucrative offers to turn professional in a quest to succeed Harry Hopman as the national team captain. “That ambition was fulfilled in 1970 and he remained in the position until 1993, helming 24 Davis Cup campaigns during which Australia won the title four times,” Tennis Australia said.
Published – December 04, 2024 05:45 am IST