Australian tennis legend Neale Fraser was honored with a state funeral Wednesday, with Roger Federer main tributes to “a true legend.”
Fraser, a former world No. 1 and 19-time Grand Slam champion through the novice period, died at 91 earlier this month.
Former Australian tennis stars Lleyton Hewitt, Todd Woodbridge, and John Fitzgerald have been amongst those that gathered at Melbourne’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral to pay their respects.
Fitzgerald learn a letter from Swiss legend Federer to Fraser’s widow, Thea, native media reported.
“I’m deeply saddened to hear of Neale’s passing… he was a true legend,” Federer wrote. “I always enjoyed his company when we met around the world.”
Fraser gained three main singles titles, together with a memorable Wimbledon remaining in 1960 when he beat Rod Laver, and 16 Grand Slam doubles titles.
Speaking quickly after his demise, Laver referred to as Fraser “my dear mate” and “a true gem in a golden era of Australian tennis legends.”
In 1959, Fraser gained all three U.S. titles – singles, doubles, and blended – at Forest Hills and led Australia to glory within the Davis Cup, a contest he grew to become synonymous with.
He captained the workforce for twenty-four years, steering them to 4 event wins, typically saying: “I could never think of anything better than representing your country.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com