MELBOURNE, Australia — Fred Stolle, a winner of two Grand Slam singles titles and 17 main doubles trophies, has died, Tennis Australia mentioned Thursday. He was 86.
Stolle was an “iconic determine” in tennis as a participant and later as a commentator for Australia’s 9 Community and U.S. broadcasters, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley mentioned. Tiley didn’t present a explanation for loss of life.
The 1.91-meter (6-foot-3) Stolle was a part of Australia’s profitable period within the Sixties as tennis progressed from an beginner 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 via on his least favourite floor, on clay on the 1965 French Championships, beating Tony Roche within the closing.
“I misplaced a bunch of these to Emmo however towards anyone else I felt comfy,” Stolle informed the Tennis Channel. “The French was not the one I used to be purported to win, but it surely was thrilling for me.”
On the 1966 U.S. Championships in Forest Hills, he beat John Newcombe in one other all-Australian closing, changing into solely the second unseeded champion. Newcombe was additionally unseeded. Stolle beat three seeds to succeed in the ultimate. Afterward, he held the No. 1 rating and turned professional.
He gained 10 males’s doubles titles at Grand Slams from 1962-69, 4 every with Bob Hewitt and Emerson and two with Ken Rosewall. He is one of many few to win all 4 doubles majors.
Stolle additionally gained seven combined doubles majors, his companions together with Margaret Court docket, Lesley Turner Bowrey and Ann Haydon Jones.
He gained the Davis Cup in 1964, 1965 and 1966. His most notable win was in 1964 in Cleveland the place, with Australia 2-1 down, he beat American Dennis Ralston 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, September 11, 6-4. The next 12 months, he launched Australia’s protection 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 proceed taking part in singles on tour till 1982.
“His legacy is one in all excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis,” Tiley mentioned. “His impression on the game will likely be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions.
“A star member of Australia’s Davis Cup staff, Fred made vital contributions to the game following his adorned profession, as a coach and astute commentator.”
Rod Laver, an Australian who gained 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 e-book on the Golden Period of Aussie tennis, Fred Stolle was too good a man to carry a grudge. He gained many Grand Slams and was within the finals of many extra. It took the most effective to beat the most effective,” Laver posted. “We by no means uninterested in reliving the previous as we travelled the world trying into the long run with a permanent love of the game.”
Stolle was born in Sydney however lived in the USA after his taking part in profession.
Tennis Australia mentioned Stolle is survived by his spouse, Pat, his son Sandon — a U.S. Open doubles winner — and daughters Monique and Nadine.
