Australian tennis legend Fred Stolle has handed away on the age of 86, and can lengthy be remembered as a Grand Slam nice and broadcasting power who held a deep ardour for the game.
Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 6 March 2025 | Mike Sexton
Tennis has misplaced certainly one of its nice gamers and characters with the passing of Fred Stolle AO.
Stolle was identified to generations of tennis followers because the voice of tennis, broadcasting for the 9 Community, CBS and Fox Sports activities.
His enjoying profession within the Nineteen Sixties was excellent – he received the singles titles on the US and French Championships together with 17 Grand Slam doubles crowns. He received a profession Grand Slam in males’s doubles, profitable all 4 main titles a minimum of twice.
But when requested about his best second on the courtroom, he chosen enjoying Davis Cup forward of any particular person honours. “To play for Australia meant every thing to me,” he mentioned.
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley described Stolle as an iconic determine each in Australian tennis and on the worldwide stage.
“After we talk about Australia’s golden period and the development from beginner to professionalism, Stolle’s title is correct up there with one of the best,” Tiley mentioned.
“A star member of Australia’s Davis Cup crew, Fred made vital contributions to the game following his embellished profession, as a coach and astute commentator.
“His legacy is certainly one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis. His influence on the game will likely be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions.
“Our ideas and deepest sympathies are with Fred’s household and mates throughout this unhappy time.”
Stolle was tall (191 cm) and used his top and attain to impact with a towering serve and sharp play on the web.
He grew up in Hornsby on Sydney’s North Shore and his first style of the Davis Cup was when he was chosen as a ball boy on the 1951 tie between Italy and america at White Metropolis.
The occasion had such an influence on him he determined to overlook about cricket and rugby and focus on tennis.
At a time when Australian tennis was brimming with nice gamers, his household helped increase funds to pay for his first journeys abroad in 1960.
In 1963 he reached the singles ultimate at Wimbledon solely to lose to American Chuck McKinley; the end result was the identical the following two years with Stolle taking place to Roy Emerson within the 1964 and 1965 singles finals.
Two extra losses to Emerson in Grand Slam singles finals – america Championships in 1964, and the 1965 Australian Championships – left Stolle fearing he would by no means elevate the winner’s trophy.
However in 1965, he broke by way of when he defeated Tony Roche to take the French crown and the next 12 months received the US Championships by beating John Newcombe in 4 units — victories which helped him earn the world No.1 rating in 1966.
In New York he was unseeded and Frank Deford, writing in Sports activities Illustrated, put his victory right down to his “mastery of lob and overhead”.
Stolle was a part of three triumphant Davis Cup groups (1964-66) along with his most interesting hour being a come-from-behind five-set victory over Dennis Ralston at Cleveland in 1964.
It was throughout his Davis Cup years that he was nicknamed ‘Fiery’ within the custom of ironic nicknames due to his sluggish begin within the morning and his quiet early play on follow courts. Nevertheless, the title belied his sense of humour and urge for food for all times, which made him a well-liked determine on the circuit.
He as soon as wrote that for some the tennis courtroom was like a boxing ring however for him it was ‘like being on stage’.
Stolle’s nice friendship with Emerson was not diminished by their on-court battles and the pair even warmed one another up on a again courtroom previous to contesting the Wimbledon ultimate. Whoever received, the pair all the time celebrated the victory with gusto.
Stolle turned professional in 1966 and reached 4 Grand Slam singles quarterfinals after tennis went ‘open’ in 1968. He continued to play nicely into the Nineteen Seventies, along with his final official singles match coming in November 1982 at a event in Baltimore, 4 years after his ultimate Grand Slam singles look at Wimbledon in 1978.
He grew to become the long-time coach of former world No.3 Vitas Gerulaitis – the American star who triumphed on the December version of Australian Open 1977 – earlier than turning his hand to broadcasting.
Though he lived most of his life in america, Stolle all the time was fiercely happy with being an Australian.
He’s survived by spouse Pat, son Sandon – himself a former doubles world No.2 and main champion – and daughters Monique and Nadine.
FRED STOLLE: Profession highlights
DAVIS CUP REPRESENTATION
1964-1966: 6 ties performed
File: 13 wins, 3 losses (10-2 singles, 3-1 doubles)
Australia received the Davis Cup in all three years he performed the competitors.
GRAND SLAM TITLES (19)
Singles
Roland Garros: 1965
United States: 1965
Doubles
Australia: 1963, 1964, 1966
Roland Garros: 1965, 1968
Wimbledon: 1962, 1964
United States: 1965, 1966, 1969
Combined doubles
Australia: 1962, 1969
Wimbledon: 1961, 1964, 1969
United States: 1962, 1965
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