Status: Tennis Hall of Famer. Won the U.S. Pro Championships in 1950 (d. Kovacs), 1951 & 1952 (d. Gonzalez).
Ht: 5-6 Wt: 160
DOB: June 20, 1921 in Guayaquil, Ecuador
First Tennis Memory: “Somebody gave me his racquet. And I always watched. And I held it with two hands. I was seven-years-old. And I played against the wall. I loved it. I learned to hit the ball on the rise. I never let the ball come to me, I went to the ball. Except when returning first serve. Then you have to let the ball come in if your serve is 120 miles per hour.”
Tennis Heroes: “Well, I admired Jack Kramer because he could serve and volley. And he never lost a set. He always won 64, 75, 86. In my day there was no tiebreak. So if you lost your serve you were dead with Kramer. That’s the way you played the game – aggressively. Aggressive when you’re in front, conservative when you were down.”
Favorite Meal: “I eat everything in sight.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Think about how am I gonna hold serve.”
Last Book Read: “Bill Tilden. BT. The great player. He didn’t believe players should play with both hands. He was a controversial writer.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Beating Pancho Gonzalez 62 62 62 in 1952 in Forest Hills on grass.”
Most Painful Moment: “Losing Santa Barbara to Kramer after having a 5-0 lead in the first set. And I couldn’t sleep. And losing to Kramer in Wimbledon in 1950.”
Favorite Tournaments: “Australia. And all the Grand Slams. Because it’s three out of five. It’s a test of tennis and conditioning. Several tests of the game.”
Which Matches Were You At Your Very Best: “Beating Gonzalez, beating Sedgman and beating Rosewall on grass. Winning always gives you confidence and you have a happy ending. When you lose – I hated myself. I was a tough competitor. I hated to lose.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “Trying to date Shirley Temple in 1947 [laughs]. At Forest Hills. I didn’t have any money, no wheels, nothing. And going around with Ava Gardner, it was fun.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Nothing, not having a dime, you’re broke. And having to turn pro for $300 a week in 1946, ‘47.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “Unquestionably, Roger Federer. Because he’s a complete player. Nadal – because he gives 100% on every shot. Like my pupil Jimmy Connors, they’re both left-handed. He’s got speed, he’s got everything. He could come in on return of serve. You never see Nadal attack the serve and take the net away. The man who can beat him – Juan Martin Del Potro. He’s got potential. He’s 6-6, he’s got a huge first serve, a huge seccond serve. He’s got everything but physical conditioning. I don’t know if he can go five sets day in, day out. Del Potro is gonna be better than Murray because he has a better serve. He’s bigger. He’s gotta work on his conditioning and serve more first serves. Attack second serves. Every second serve, Del Potro should cream it. What counts in tennis is who makes the first shot tougher. If you can do it when you serve or return, you got it made.”
Funniest Player Encountered: “Carl Earn. He looks like Danny Thomas. Frank Kovacs. Pancho Segura [smiles].”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Gonzalez Pancho, Kenny Rosewall, the Australians – they’re all good people.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Generous. Respect for another citizen. And help the unfortunate. Don’t just give them money and everything, help them. Help their standard of living. Give opportunity to them, people who deserve it.”
Career Accomplishments: At Miami University won U.S. Intercollegiate singles in 1943, 1944 and 1945; Won U.S. Indoor title in 1946 and U.S. Clay Court title in 1944; Elected to Hall of Fame in 1984.
Topics: Bill Tilden, Controversial Writer, Forest Hills, Grand Slams, Greatest Sports, Guayaquil Ecuador, Jack Kramer, Kovacs, Miles Per Hour, Painful Moment, Pancho Gonzalez, Pancho Segura, Rosewall, Sedgman, Shirley Temple, Sports Moment, Tiebreak, Two Hands, Volley, Wimbledon
Biofile with Pancho Segura | 