Fred Stolle, a winner of two Grand Slam singles titles and 17 main doubles trophies, has died, Tennis Australia stated Thursday. He was 86.
Former Austrailan participant Fred Stolle handed away on Thursday(REUTERS)
Stolle was an “iconic figure” in tennis as a participant and later as a commentator for Australia’s 9 Community and U.S. broadcasters, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley stated. Tiley didn’t present a reason for loss of life.
The 1.91-meter (6-foot-3) Stolle was a part of Australia’s profitable period within the Nineteen Sixties as tennis progressed from an novice to skilled sport.
Nicknamed “Fiery Fred” or “Fiery” for brief, he misplaced the primary 5 Grand Slam singles finals he reached — 4 of them to fellow Australian Roy Emerson. He additionally fell in consecutive Wimbledon finals in 1963, 1964 and 1965.
He broke by means of on his least favourite floor, on clay on the 1965 French Championships, beating Tony Roche within the ultimate.
“I misplaced a bunch of these to Emmo however in opposition to anyone else I felt snug,” Stolle told the Tennis Channel. “The French was not the one I was supposed to win, but it was exciting for me.”
At the 1966 U.S. Championships in Forest Hills, he beat John Newcombe in another all-Australian final, becoming only the second unseeded champion. Newcombe was also unseeded. Stolle beat three seeds to reach the final. Afterward, he held the No. 1 ranking and turned pro.
He won 10 men’s doubles titles at Grand Slams from 1962-69, four each with Bob Hewitt and Emerson and two with Ken Rosewall. He’s one of the few to win all four doubles majors.
Stolle also won seven mixed doubles majors, his partners including Margaret Court, Lesley Turner Bowrey and Ann Haydon Jones.
He won the Davis Cup in 1964, 1965 and 1966. His most notable win was in 1964 in Cleveland where, with Australia 2-1 down, he beat American Dennis Ralston 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 9-11, 6-4. The following year, he launched Australia’s defense in Sydney by overcoming Spain’s Manolo Santana 10-12, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-5.
Stolle coached American Vitas Gerulaitis to the 1977 Australian Open title, and would continue playing singles on tour until 1982.
“His legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis,” Tiley stated. “His impact on the sport will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions.
“A star member of Australia’s Davis Cup team, Fred made significant contributions to the sport following his decorated career, as a coach and astute commentator.”
Rod Laver, an Australian who received 11 main titles together with the calendar-year Grand Slams in 1962 and 1969, posted a tribute to Stolle on X.
“As I wrote in my ebook on the Golden Period of Aussie tennis, Fred Stolle was too good a man to carry a grudge. He received many Grand Slams and was within the finals of many extra. It took the most effective to beat the most effective,” Laver posted. “We never tired of reliving the past as we travelled the world looking into the future with an enduring love of the sport.”
Stolle was born in Sydney however lived in the US after his taking part in profession.
Tennis Australia stated Stolle is survived by his spouse, Pat, his son Sandon — a U.S. Open doubles winner — and daughters Monique and Nadine.