A dominant tennis player of the 1950s, winning 13 Grand Slam titles, including four Australian Open crowns, and renowned for his powerful serve and volley game.
Lew Hoad is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, known for his incredible athleticism, powerful serve, and dominating forehand. With four Major singles titles, including two Wimbledons, and four Davis Cup wins, Hoad's impressive career spanned over two decades.
Born on November 23, 1934, in Glebe, Sydney, Australia, Hoad was the eldest of three sons to Alan Hoad and Ailsa Lyle Burbury. He began playing tennis at a young age and quickly showed promise, winning his first junior tournament at 15.
Hoad's amateur career was marked by numerous successes, including winning the Australian Championships in 1953 and the French Championships in 1956. He was ranked the world No. 1 amateur in 1953 and 1956 by various tennis authorities.
Hoad turned professional in 1957, joining the professional tennis circuit. He won the Kooyong Tournament of Champions in 1958 and the Forest Hills Tournament of Champions in 1959. In 1959, he won the Ampol Open Trophy, a series of tournaments that included the Kooyong event.
Hoad's professional career was highlighted by his impressive wins in singles tournaments, with victories spanning from 1951 to 1971. He was ranked the world No. 1 professional in 1959 by Kramer's Ampol point ranking system.
Hoad's career was not without its challenges. He struggled with serious back problems, which were exacerbated by a weightlifting exercise he devised in 1954. The injury forced him to semifiretire from tennis in 1967.
Despite his semifiretirement, Hoad made sporadic appearances at tournaments, including the 1968 Wimbledon Championships, where he was seeded No. 7, and the 1970 French Open, where he was seeded No. 12.
After retiring from tennis in 1973, Hoad and his wife, Jenny, constructed and operated a tennis resort, Lew Hoad's Campo de Tenis and Lew Hoad Tennis Village, in Fuengirola, Spain.
Hoad passed away on July 3, 1994, at the age of 59, due to leukemia. His legacy continues to inspire tennis enthusiasts around the world, and he remains one of the most decorated and respected tennis players of all time.
Hoad's impact on tennis is immeasurable, and his contributions to the sport continue to be celebrated and recognized to this day.
91 Years Old
A tennis legend who won 23 singles titles, including eight Grand Slam singles titles, and was one of the most successful players of the 1950s and 1960s. He's known for his exceptional volley and backhand.
87 Years Old
A tennis legend and 11-time Grand Slam champion, known for his dominant playing style and coaching prowess, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
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A tennis legend who won a record 28 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles championships, and later coached tennis stars like Rod Laver and Margaret Court.
92 Years Old
Australian tennis legend who won multiple Grand Slam titles and later became a successful coach, known for his dominant doubles play and mentoring of top players.
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Australian tennis player who won the 1957 US Open singles title and was a doubles champion at the Australian Open, known for his aggressive playing style.
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A dominant tennis player of the 1960s, winning the 1963 Wimbledon singles title and reaching the finals of the US Open and French Open. Known for his aggressive playing style and strong volleys.
