Former UCLA men’s tennis standout Bob Perry, who starred for three NCAA championship-winning teams and was part of two doubles tandems that earned the nation’s top prize, passed away Oct. 23.
Perry grew up near UCLA’s campus, attending Emerson Junior High School and University High School before enrolling at the college in 1952. Under head coach J.D. Morgan, the Bruins finished first nationally to conclude each of the three subsequent seasons. UCLA went 41-5 during that stretch.
Perry was described during his time at UCLA as having “a stylish game, with beautiful ground strokes” and a “solid backhand which he really booms.”
Individually, Perry notched runner-up finishes in the year-end NCAA singles and doubles tournaments to cap his debut season. He took a step in 1953, partnering with Larry Huebner to collect the doubles crown. Perry also made the singles semifinals. He represented the United States in Davis Cup competition during his first two years at UCLA, as well.
In 1954, Perry and fellow team captain Ron Livingston again brought home the doubles national championship. Perry became UCLA’s first repeat winner of an individual national title. He was later joined in accomplishing that feat by Ian Crookenden in 1966. Perry also won the Pacific Coast Conference singles championship in 1954.
Professionally, Perry collected the 1956 French Open doubles title alongside Australian Don Candy. Perry’s Grand Slam highlights also include singles fourth-round showings at the French Open (1956) and Wimbledon (1955), as well as doubles quarterfinal-round performances at Wimbledon (1956 and 1955) and the Australian Open (1954).
Perry went on to run the La Jolla Tennis Club in La Jolla, Calif. as its head pro from 1972-1999. He was inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame in 1997, going in alongside Crookenden.
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