Tennis world in mourning after icon of the sport Neale Fraser who claimed 19 Grand Slam trophies and championed Davis Cup golden era dies age 91
Australian tennis has lost a giant of the sport: 19-time Grand Slam winner and Davis Cup titan Neale Fraser was declared dead at the age of 91.
The Australian tennis champion won a total of 19 titles in both singles and doubles Grand Slams during his career, but it was in the Davis Cup where he really made a name for himself.
He led the Australian team to four consecutive Davis Cup titles in the hotly contested years and won a legion of supporters for his commitment to the Australian cause.
“I could never think of anything better than representing your country,” was a popular catchphrase that the Australian tennis great would say at almost any opportunity.
He inspired generations of Australian tennis players, including Pat Cash.
“He was like a father to me,” Cash said.
Fraser Neale was an Australian tennis giant who won 19 Grand Slams and led the Australian team to four consecutive Davis Cup titles
Neale receives the Wimbledon trophy from Prince Philp when he was Duke of Edinburgh
Neale Fraser and his wife Thea attend the annual Legends lunch at the 2018 Australian Open
“He just knew how to make you feel important and play your best.”
Tributes are beginning to flow for the Australian tennis great, who touched so many lives in his 91 years.
“A true legend of Australian tennis who will be missed by so many around the world,” wrote a supporter group.
‘If there is one person who epitomized the Davis Cup, it was Frase. Condolences to his beautiful wife Thea and his extended family. The tennis world thanks you very much and will miss you, Frase,” said a supporter.
“I am so very sad to hear that the great Neale Fraser has passed away. Praise as we all called him because he loved strawberries (French for strawberries). Thoughts are with Thea and his family. RIP buddy,” another posted.
Fraser started playing tennis in Melbourne at the age of 11 and attended St Kevin’s College, where he captained the tennis team.
A left-handed player known for his powerful serve and athleticism, Fraser achieved considerable success in both singles and doubles competitions.
He won the US National Singles Championships in 1959 and 1960, and the Wimbledon Singles title in 1960.
In doubles, Fraser won several Grand Slam titles: the Australian Championships in 1957, 1958 and 1962; the French Championships in 1958, 1960 and 1962; Wimbledon in 1959 and 1961; and the US National Championships in 1957, 1959 and 1960.
Fraser would inspire generations of young tennis players to play the sport and appreciate the Davis Cup
Fraser leaves a legacy that will likely never be repeated by any other Australian in the Open era
Neale also excelled in mixed doubles, winning titles at the Australian Championships in 1956, Wimbledon in 1962 and the US National Championships in 1958, 1959 and 1960.
Fraser is notably the last male player to achieve the ‘triple crown’ – winning the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at a single Grand Slam event – accomplishing the feat consecutively at the 1959 and 1959 US National Championships. 1960.
He represented Australia in the Davis Cup from 1958 to 1963, contributing to victories in 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962.
After retiring from the professional game, Fraser captained the Australian Davis Cup from 1970 to 1994, leading the team to titles in 1973, 1977, 1983 and 1986.
His contributions to tennis were recognized with his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994.
In 2008, Fraser received the Philippe Chatrier Award from the International Tennis Federation for outstanding achievements in tennis.
He also served as Chairman of the Australian Davis Cup Tennis Foundation from 1997 to 2019, continuing his involvement in the sport.
Fraser’s career was marked by his dedication to tennis both on and off the court, which had a lasting impact on Australian tennis.