Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Ashley Cooper dies at 83

Ashley Cooper, who gained 4 Grand Slam singles titles together with the Australian, Wimbledon and U.S. championships in 1958, has died. He was 83. Tennis Australia stated Friday that the previous No. 1-ranked participant and long-time administrator had died after an extended sickness. Cooper led Australia’s Davis Cup group to victory over the United States to retain the title in 1957. But after the end result was reversed in a loss to the Americans the next yr he was so upset, in keeping with Tennis Australia, that he thought of withdrawing from an expert contract as a result of he felt he owed the nation extra.

After a again harm ended his skilled profession in 1959, Cooper returned to Brisbane, Australia, to run a enterprise and work as an administrator within the sport. He was concerned in shifting the state’s principal tennis facility from Milton — which hosted an Australian Open and three Davis Cup finals — to Tennyson, the place Pat Rafter Arena is now the venue for the annual Brisbane International.

“Ashley was a giant of the game both as a brilliant player and an astute administrator and he will be greatly missed,” Tennis Australia chief government Craig Tiley stated. “Ashley was also the most humble of champions and a great family man.” Australian tennis nice Rod Laver posted a tribute to Cooper on social media.

“He was a wonderful champion, on and off the court. And what a backhand! So many cherished memories,” Laver wrote. “Farewell my friend.”

Laver stated Cooper was amongst a gaggle of gamers together with Ken Rosewall, Frank Sedgman and Lew Hoad who “ruled the world in tennis, a whole group from the 50s to the 70s.” A right-handed serve-and-volley participant, Cooper gained 4 Grand Slam singles and 4 Grand Slam doubles titles within the novice period. In 1958, his solely loss within the Grand Slams got here within the semifinals on the French championships.