Neale Fraser, Australia’s legendary Davis Cup captain and three-time Grand Slam singles champion from the golden period of the Fifties and Sixties, has died at 91.
A recent of tennis greats Rod Laver, Lew Hoad and Roy Emerson, Fraser gained the Wimbledon title in 1960 and consecutive U.S. National Championships in 1959 and 1960.
His illustrious profession included 16 Grand Slam titles in males’s and blended doubles.
Fraser was a part of 4 victorious Davis Cup groups from 1959 to 1962 below coach Harry Hopman.
He later cemented his legacy as Australia’s Davis Cup captain, holding the position for a report 24 years starting in 1970. Fraser guided Australia to Davis Cup titles in 1973, 1977, 1983 and 1986.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear mate and fellow lefty, Neale Fraser,” Laver, an 11-time Grand Slam champion and Fraser’s former Davis Cup teammate, posted on X.
“He 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. Neale bested me in two major finals, pushing me to become a better player.”
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, a member of Australia’s triumphant Davis Cup groups in 1983 and 1986, stated Fraser was like a father determine to him.
“He just knew how to make you feel important and play your best,” Cash stated.
Fraser started taking part in tennis on the clay courts subsequent door to his childhood residence in Melbourne and constructed his recreation round a robust serve.
In 1960, he defeated Laver to win the Wimbledon singles crown earlier than sweeping the singles, males’s doubles and blended doubles titles on the U.S. Nationals for the second yr in a row.
“I could never think of anything better than representing your country,” Fraser as soon as stated in an interview.
Source: www.dailysabah.com