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Australian tennis great and 19-time grand slam champion Neale Fraser has died, aged 91.
Fraser, a three-time singles runner-up at the Australian Open, won his first major singles title at the 1959 US Open, which he defended the next year, on top of claiming the Wimbledon championship.
Neale Fraser (centre) with Australia’s victorious 1986 Davis Cup team Peter McNamara, Paul McNamee, John Fitzgerald and Pat Cash.
He beat Rod Laver to win both his titles in 1960, after losing to his legendary countryman in the Australian final.
Fraser was ranked the world’s No.1 amateur in 1959 and 1960, and in the top 10 every year between 1956 and 1962. He was the last man to win the singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the same grand slam, which he achieved at the 1959 and 1960 US Opens.
However, Fraser was arguably best known for his Davis Cup feats as a player then later as captain, a role he held for a record-setting 24 years, between 1970 and 1993.
“I could never think of anything better than representing your country,” Fraser would often say.
Australia won the Davis Cup title four times with Fraser in charge, with the likes of John Newcombe, Pat Cash and John Fitzgerald playing under him.
More to come
Neale Fraser’s honour roll
- Highest ranking: No.1 (1959)
- Davis Cup – player: 1955-1963, 18 wins, 3 losses (11-1 singles; 7-2 doubles)
- Davis Cup – captain: 1970-1993, 49 wins, 19 losses (titles in 1973, 1977, 1983, 1986)
- Grand slam titles (19)
- Singles: Wimbledon 1960; US Open 1959, 1960
- Men’s doubles: Australian Open 1957, 1958, 1962; Roland Garros 1958, 1960, 1962. Wimbledon 1959, 1961. US Open 1957, 1959, 1960
- Mixed doubles: Australian Open 1956. Wimbledon 1962. US Open 1958, 1959, 1960