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King of the Court “Jack” Kramer: The Father of Modern Tennis
Published: September 30, 2010
Off court, Kramer forced the evolution of the structure of modern tennis. He drove the bus that finally arrived in 1968 when amateur and professional tennis blended into one tour, finally allowing players to gain control over their own careers.
The Beginning
“Jack” Kramer was born on August 1, 1921 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and died September 12, 2009 at the age of 88. His father worked for the Union Pacific railroad. Naturally, the family never accumulated the finer things of life as resources were always lacking.
Shortly after Jack was born, the family moved to the Los Angeles area. But young Kramer had natural athletic ability. He soon found his way into tennis after the family moved to the San Bernardino area, where Kramer was privileged to watch a match played by the great Ellsworth Vines. He became inspired by the brilliant play of Vines and dedicated himself to playing tennis.
Amateur Career
Without much money, Kramer still received excellent tutelage under the supervision of legendary teachers Dick Skeens and Perry T. Jones of the LA Tennis Club. During a successful “junior” career, Kramer, a natural right-hander, became the Boys' National Champion in 1938.
In 1939, Kramer was selected to team with Joe Hunt in the United States Davis Cup tie with Australia. Kramer became the youngest player ever to compete in a Davis Cup final––a record he held for 29 years. The U.S. lost that tie, and finished as the runner-up in 1939.
With the outbreak of the second World War, Kramer joined the United States Coast Guard. He still...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis
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