SYDNEY, May 11 — Australian tennis great Mal Anderson, the first unseeded player to win the United States (US) Championships – now the US Open – has died at 91, Tennis Australia said today, reported Xinhua.
Anderson was part of Australia’s golden postwar era, winning the US Championships singles title in 1957 and three major doubles titles.
He also helped Australia win the Davis Cup in 1957 and 1973.
After retiring, Anderson mentored young players, including Pat Rafter, Scott Draper, Wally Masur, and John Fitzgerald.
“I was really sad to hear of Mal’s passing. He was one of those people who helped shape my tennis from very early on,” Rafter was quoted as saying.
Draper said Anderson taught him and other players how to give back to the sport and understand that the game was bigger than themselves.
“Mal was someone I looked up to from a very young age. I had my first tennis lesson from Mal at five,” he said. — Bernama
